VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 Isn’t Making Just Music Easy Guide to Remodelling YourKitchen FFAROBEATS’AROBEATS’ 8Hacks to Dry Your Nail Polish in a +Jiffy
- Contributing Writer
Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
Dr May Ikeora is an academic researcher, Author, and ex-beauty queen cum entrepreneur. She is a specialist in Human Rights, Gender and Peacebuilding, consulting for organisations like the United Nations, African Union, World Bank, Mission89, Governments and the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Institute. She gained a PhD in Law from the University of Hull, UK, and has received numerous awards for her work, including that within African diaspora communities in the U.K. received at the House of Lords. As an entrepreneur, May founded a cosmetics company called L’Avyanna, based in the U.K. and Nigeria and possesses numerous beauty licenses from the U.K.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
David Nwachukwu @ebube.nw
Dr May Ikeora @mayikeora
each have our calling, which is, more often than not, the work of our hands —career— and it is expected to produce fruit. This fruit isn’t necessarily just monetary value(salary) for work well done. No. It’s more than that. It often entails recognition for your work, which leads to receiving other things and continues to multiply.
And not just that, Africa is rated among the highest spenders worldwide in the beauty and fashion industry; it’s about time they recognised us for what we represent in the beauty industry and for purchasing power. Kudos, Dr Tiwa Savage, on this. Here’s to many more
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm
Tiwa Savage happens to have been blessed with a fruitful career. From many endorsements to now being the first woman of African descent to join the MAC Maker family. It is undoubtedly a significant stride for the content, and we couldn’t be more proud of her and us. As Dr Savage rightly said about Africans during the interview, we are blessed with the best features, from cheekbones to lips and eyes and have every skin tone you can imagine, from the darkest to the lightest. I couldn’t agree more.
VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 PAGE 2 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa + 2349088352246
Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity Contributing Editor
I start a journal this week. It’s my way of sharing a little bit of the magazine production process. This week, I discuss the events that transpired while producing the last issue. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading it. See page 3.
And finally, our movie review page praises Viola Davis’ movie The Woman King. I can’t wait to see this movie.
Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.
- Contributing Writer
Speakingfirsts! of firsts, we are all built differently in the way we handle the first time we do certain things. While for some people, it’s smooth sailing, for others, it can be nerve-wracking and so presents that feeling in different ways, including sleeptalking. This happens to be the story of our Downtown Confidential writer on two occasions. It’s a rather interesting and absolutely hilarious story. I won’t give away too much, but whatever you do, don’t miss page 7.
David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television. His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design. As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic communications at Clean Technology Hub.
WHATSAIDYOU @kafuidanku@daysack_@sir.griffithgh INSTAGRAM Love wantintin Our auntie Lizzy is gone . Yet She didn't make the Wealth common to all members . They sit on it alone.
Our beauty page has the most insightful hacks to help you avoid smudging your freshly painted nails at home. They are worth giving a go.
All cover story images provided by Tiwa Savage's Team
@insignamediaOshalusiKolaPhoto:Makeup:Zaron CONTENTS THE WOMANKING 110706 12-13161415 LIVINGCONFIDENTIALDOWNTOWN MOVIETHECULTUREREVIEWSCENEBEAUTYDOWNTOWNWEBSIGHTS A SPIT ON THE QUEEN'S GRAVE GET THE LOOK A MODERN KITCHENMAN OF MY DREAMS 4 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET AFRO-WARRIORSTATTOOAATTHEWOMANKINGPREMIERE8DIYHACKSTODRYYOURNAILPOLISHFAST EDITOR’S NOTE 04-058 FASHION THE 74TH EMMYS COVER AFROBEATS’ DR TIWA SAVAGE ISN’T MAKING JUST MUSIC 03 JOURNALONAH'S WAIT, WHAT?... YOU ARE CALLING PRINCE HARRY? AUSTYN OGANNAH Editor:PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ We
I spot the friend, and we all eventually sit down to catch up on old times as we watch the new generation, a group of pretty young influencers, wondering out loud if we looked the same way at that age.
By Friday, the team was already working on the new cover, which usually takes about four hours to design, so I had time to dash off to another event at The Art Hotel.
Now the story of this event is quite interesting. I had picked up my shoe sack containing a pair of shoes and left them in the front seat of my car, or so I thought. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the event and reached for my shoe sack and Abracadabra! Nothing Itthere.turned out that I left the shoe sack on my bed and picked up my laptop bag. Luckily for me, it so happened that a friend's daughter on the event organisers’ team wore the same shoe size as me, and the pair of slippers she had in her car perfectly matched my outfit. What are the odds?
“Don't stress me out, Onah. You picked up your phone and said, ‘Oh, poor Prince Harry,’ then dialled someone. I was like, ‘what the… she has Prince Harry’s number?’” We both found it so funny and laughed hard at the entire scenario. Off she went to break the news to the other guests while I called my team and alerted them. I knew my YOU ARE CALLING PRINCE HARRY?
ONAH'S JOURNAL
“The Queen just IHarry?”callingWhat?says,onperplexedBukky,toIcrackedtheNow,Princesay,aIupbroke.”“Thecontinued,She“What?”passed.”said.InewsjustPickingmyphone,starttodialnumberasI“Oh,poorHarry.”thisispartthatmeup.putthephonemyear,andwithalookherface,“Wait.YouarePrinceburstout
My week started as usual, with creating the flat plan for the magazine. By Thursday, everything was done, and I was waiting to have a final look at the cover design, which was scheduled for about midnight, so I had time to honour an invitation. I see the event organiser who takes me to our host, Alali Hart. It had been years since I last saw her; interestingly, she remembered me from my days as a writer on the Style desk. We talked for a while then I decided to sit in a quiet corner away from other guests to enjoy a nice cocktail. Just then, I heard a message alert tone from my family group with an image captioned, ‘Nooo.’ I look at the picture, and it's from a website with the headline, ‘Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96 at Balmoral.’
The Young Ones, Sanchan Elegushi & Udeh Precious Chidera
to someone. I also knew my friend, the Editor of a popular fashion magazine, would also use it as her cover story, so I suspected she'd arrive late. She was but just by an hour.
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hadcontenttochangeatthatpoint,soIassignedthestoryWAIT, WHAT?...
Two cocktails and some canapés later, we are ushered to dinner, a three-course meal with a setting that captured the essence of the reason we were at dinner, ROJA parfums’ new scent, Apex.
I decided to check BBC, and it carried the same news. It takes a few seconds for it to sink in, and just then, Bukky walks up to me and sees the look on my face. I say,
laughing. It was so thunderous that I caught a few people staring. “No, my team. I need the story to go up now.”
The best of the 2021-2022 TV season was revealed at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards last Monday. Widely acknowledged as TV’s biggest night, the Emmys honours the best in American prime-time television programming each year as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).
The EMMYS74TH
Colman Domingo
Chrissy Teigen
Oprah Winfrey
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John Legend
Kerry Washington
As expected, this year’s edition, hosted by Kenan Thompson live at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, California, featured TV royalties from all across the world, with black people getting a fair share of the wins. Sheryl Lee Ralph, especially grabbed the spotlight with her special number rendition during her winner’s acceptance speech.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
Among the 2022 nominees were Succession, which leads the way with the most nominations this year, at 25, while Ted Lasso closely followed with 20 nods. The HBO limited series, The White Lotus, also scored 20 nominations, while Hacks and Only Murders in the Building earned 17 apiece. Here’s what some of your favourite celebrities looked like on the night.
LaverneRae
Natasha Rothwell
Angela BassettIssa
Cox
Rosario Dawson
Trevor Noah
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TylerZendayaJames
Quinta Brunson
Lizzo
BY KEHINDÉFAGBULE
“I am the child and sibling of survivors of genocide. From 1967-1970, more than 3 million civilians were massacred when the Igbo people of Nigeria tried to form the independent nation of Biafra. Those slaughtered included members of my family. I was born in the immediate aftermath of this genocide, which was directly supported and facilitated by the British government then headed by the monarch Queen Elizabeth II. This support came through political cover, weapons, bombs, planes, military vehicles, and supplies the British government sent to kill us and protect their interests in the oil reserves on our land. My people endured a holocaust, which has shadowed our entire lives and continues to affect it because we’re
Dr. Uju Anya Sets Social Media Into a Frenzy Following Queen Elizabeth II’s Passing
The civil war led to divided opinions of the Queen, as Igbo Nigerians blamed her for her involvement in the genocide. Upon the breaking of her death, a Nigerian-born US-based lecturer, Dr Uju Anya, was at the eye of the storm for wishing the Queen an ‘excruciating’ death. Uju, an Igbo woman, said on social media,
Uju’s series of tweets sparked mixed reactions on Twitter, including a rare direct response from business tycoon and Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. Here are some of the polarising reactions.
“I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating.”
A Spit on The Queen’s Grave
Uju Anya Spits on The Queen’s Grave
the British monarchy endorsed the Federal Government of Nigeria in the civil war that ensured that the Indigenous People of Biafra didn’t get their desired independence. The British resources simply overpowered whatever assistance the Biafrans got from their allies. The two-and-half-year long war recorded about 100,000 overall military casualties, while between 500,000 and 2 million Biafran civilians died of starvation.
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Referencing the Biafran war, Uju doubled down on her stance to wish the late monarch an excruciating death.
“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star.”
Dr Uju Anya would eventually explain in detail why she wished excruciating pain on the Queen:
Greed and Genocide: The British Empire-Endorsed Civil War
Afortnight ago, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, passed on aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. As soon as her death was announced, Nigerians couldn’t help but weigh in on what it meant to them, and while some were grateful for her ‘service’ to the country, others blamed her for the gruesome civil war that killed millions of people.
websights DOWNTOWN
still mourning incalculable losses and still rebuilding everything that was destroyed. Conversations among us today still include who was lost, who was displaced, where people ran, where bodies are buried. They do not include kind, respectful, or temperate sentiments about the people who murdered our relatives and destroyed our lives.”
Although the leadership system in Nigeria changed from a monarchy to a democratic government, the British Empire was still heavily involved in the proceedings of things happening within the country. And a significant event that they championed was the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, which went on from 1967 until 1970. Here’s a Thebackstory.British,
through Colonial Governor Frederick Lugard, oversaw the amalgamation of the Northern (the Hausa ethnic group) and Southern (which would eventually be divided into two—West, as in the Yoruba ethnic group and East, as in the Igbo ethnic group) protectorates in 1914. Despite the significant world of differences between these two protectorates—including social, economic, religious and cultural differences—the British went ahead joining them together as it was beneficial to their own pockets. But the Igbos (Eastern Nigeria), who now became an oil-producing region, soon grew tired of being mostly sidelined and dominated by the Hausas (Northern Nigeria). They agitated for a breakaway from the country and sought their independence as a Federal Republic themselves. With close allies in France and Russia, there was no way the British monarchy was going to agree to the Biafrans’ request for secession. Just a little math to show what they would have lost if the split had happened: in addition to Shell-BP’s discovery of oil in the East, the British also reaped profits from mining and commerce. The British-owned United Africa Company alone controlled 41.3% of all Nigeria’s foreign trade. And at 516,000 barrels per day, Nigeria had become the tenth-biggest oil exporter in the world. Inspired by colonial greed,
Oh my God! Now my dad knows I like it rough and from behind.
BY CLITORIA WIILIAMS
You see, somniloquy or sleep talking is a type of parasomnia. Unfortunately, it is uncontrollable and occurs during Non-rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and usually in the person’s dominant Itlanguage.cansometimes happen in healthy children after an exciting, playful day or adults after a stressful or eventful day. And although it can occur in healthy individuals, it can also be associated with an illness such as sleep apnea, severe headaches or night terrors. Many times these individuals have no recollection that they spoke in their sleep, and more often than not, the conversations are short. It has been said that it could be hereditary, meaning a parent talks in their sleep. It is unknown why this happens, but it has sometimes been associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression.
So imagine having to deal with not just talking in your sleep but also having sex in your dreams. And this wasn’t the first time I was talking in my sleep. Once, at a sleepover, my friend had this grin on her face in the morning, followed by, “What kind of dream were you having last night? Your dream must have been really sweet. Ahn, ahn? You kept telling someone how good you are.” Confused, I asked what I said because I had no recollection of what had happened. “In short, that dream was ‘very sweet’ because you said, ‘I will finish you today; I will show you that I am from Otukpo.’ ”
The voice became louder with every mention of my name. “Oya, go and take your bath so we can go to the festival grounds.”
I had gone away to attend a festival and had a lovely time with my cousins, catching up on life. As far as I was concerned, I would be sleeping in my cousin’s room, so it was pretty uncomfortable when my dad told a thirtysomething-year-old she would be sleeping in the master bedroom with him. It was a large room with two beds; a king-size and the other a queen-size bed. As far as I was concerned, the worst that could happen was I’d fart or talk in my sleep, considering I had talked a lot all day. But no! Anyway, I said goodnight and went to dreamland. And there he was, a face that I couldn’t really make out, but he knew just what to do to me, touching my breasts how I loved to be touched - gently but firm, while flicking my nipple with his tongue. He then glides his warm phallus along my labia, teasing me with it by tickling the doorway to my treasure throve as I let out a gasp and try to pull that dark caramel goodness inside me, but he stops and turns me around and attempts to take me, doggy style. I look at him from that position and say, “Oh yeah, you know I like it from behind. F**k that p***y hard! …”
I looked around the room in utter shame as I realised I had been dreaming and the voice had woken me up from my obviously loud sleep talking. ‘Not again,’ I thought to myself. It felt so real that it took me a few seconds to reboot my entire system when my eyes opened from hearing my name. At least this time, I recall having the conversation in my dream.
Now that’s just one aspect of this story. The other side involves sex; not just any sex, dream sex.
happened in the second scenario, unlike the previous one; I knew I had had a sex dream when I woke up.
ASKMEN.COMFROMINSPIRATIONIMAGE
Needless to say, I was very embarrassed as that was the first time I had had a sleepover at Andhers.now it has happened again. Thinking about it, both times, it was the first time I was spending the night as an adult in the same room with the people involved, so according to the analysis above on sleep talking, maybe I was anxious on both occasions. The sex dream bit, I’m not so sure of, but the talking bit has an explanation. So here’s what
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“Toria, Toria, TORIA…!!!”
A study shows that about 70% of people have at least one sex dream. On the other hand, from a religious point of view, it could be seen as not so good. In fact, it is often said that it suggests you have a ‘spirit husband’. People in this situation often undergo a deliverance session to be set free from such demons. Medically, however, it could be associated with your subconscious and relatively means different things for different people.
The next thing I hear is, “Toria, Toria, TORIA!!!” At first, I thought it was the man in my dream, but it got louder. My eyes open to see my dad sitting up on his bed. He continued, “Oya, go and take your bath, so we can go to the festival ground.”
MAN OF MY DREAMS
Isn’t Making Just Music BY ONAH NWACHUKWU
DrSavageTiwaAFROBEATS’
Many celebrities have several achievements, but not so many have firsts at different things matched to their name. For Dr Tiwa Savage, it’s been a couple of firsts, including the first to shut down the O2 Arena, and now the first woman of African descent to join the MAC Maker family. Editor of TheWill DOWNTOWN, Onah Nwachukwu caught up with the artist.
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This certainly is no small feat for anyone. It is a huge deal even for Dr Savage, who is no stranger to endorsements, considering she has many of them. It is a known fact that African women spend a lot of money on beauty products, yet true as it may be, it’s the first time the continent is getting the sort of recognition it deserves from a brand as huge as this. And it couldn’t have come at a more relevant time than this, where the African woman today knows exactly what she wants. So it is no surprise that they chose Dr Savage, who is quite confident and comfortable with the woman she has become. Speaking on this, she said, “Africans consume so much in make-up, and I don’t think we have been recognised enough for how much we spend on make-up, so for me, this is long overdue for MAC to recognise and hear our voice and for them to use an African MAC Whilemaker.”itisindeed long overdue, for Tiwa Savage, when she got the call, it didn’t dawn on her how big a deal it was until she realised the brand had never had a Maker from Africa.
“When I got the call from Vanessa, I didn’t really think too much into it; I thought it was just another endorsement, and I thought to myself, ‘That’s great.’ Then when we started
Tiwa Savage Performing in Rotterdam, Netherlands CREDIT - Getty Images
I think this is a step into the beauty market, and we, as African women, know we love beauty. And I think we are leaders in that industry as well. So the fact that they are using MAC Maker from Africa, I think, will open up a lot more doors. Not just for beauty, but for the cosmetic and fashion Andindustries.”sothequestion
just‘thisIsomake-up,comeswheneverythingweyoucheekbones,thelips.tothinnestFromlightestdarkestLikeshades?fromthetotheskin.thelipsthefullestFromhighestknow,representittoforme,thought,isnoticonic;this
Two years is a long time to create something; with all the going back and forth were there moments when she thought she couldn’t do it anymore because it had gone on for too long?
“Africans consume so much in MAKE-UP, and I don’t think we have been RECOGNISED enough for how much we spend on make-up, so for me, this is long OVERDUE…”
“No, like I said at the beginning, when I heard that they wanted to work with me, it was just, ‘oh yeah, this is great, this is MAC.’ But the more I researched into the fact that they’ve never had this in Africa and how important this is, not just for me, I keep stressing that. This is more so important for African women. If it took me 10 years, I would have still done it.”
Africa has gotten the continent one step closer to inclusivity — a culture the brand holds in high regard— but what does this mean for the continent?
“I’m usually a nude lip-colour kind of girl, but I wanted to go outside my usual self, so I decided on red. It also cuts darktonesdifferentacrossskinfromverytoverylight-skinned women.”
And what, you may wonder, is her secret to keeping her make-up in place and long-lasting while performing for hours on stage? The singer says, “It’s great to wear make-up, but I don’t wear too much. One trick I’ve adopted for the past four
“It’s great to wear make-up, but I don’t WEAR TOO MUCH. One trick I’ve adopted for the past four years is NOT USING foundation.”
For someone who is often touring the world, you would think she would be excited to try famous make-up artists in every part of the world she has been to. But not Tiwa Savage. She believes so strongly in the magic Nigerian, and African make-up artists make with their brushes that whatever part of the globe she finds herself, she would typically insist on an African or Nigerian make-up artist.
from fabrics to nail colour, so we went back and forth, and they would always send me a sample, and I would take pictures in natural light until I arrived at this colour.”
Many may wonder, what prompted the brand to finally recognise Africa and choose Tiwa Savage as a Maker? In Dr Savage’s opinion, apart from Africa being a huge consumer market, they wanted someone who would represent boldness. She explained this by saying, “I
after her dream and still believe in the core values of being an African Recognisingwoman.”
The afrobeats singer is confident it will open more doors for not just the beauty industry but other industries as well. “It’s huge because I think I speak a lot on how unheard African women are, and I think this is a step in the right direction.
During the conversation, it was revealed that the process of making the lipstick went on for two years. For someone who has never been involved in producing something other than music, or a baby, it took a lot of patience and going back and forth with the team until they arrived at her choice of colour two years later. “MAC actually asked me to get other brands of red that I like,
as to why she chose to go for a red shade was one of the first things Dr Savage spoke about.
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think they had finally just seen that Africa is a huge consumer of cosmetics and make-up. I think they just wanted somebody that wouldwomanabeingablefacttheygeneral,womenwomen,justmean[laughs].thinkcrazylittlewoman,ancoreboldness,representtheofbeingAfricanabitofthatIIhaveInotevenAfricaninIthinklikethethatI’mtojuggleamother,careerchasing
is important for us in Africa.’ ” And as for how she feels about setting the trend for other African women, “I feel honoured and humble, but I feel like it’s been long overdue, as I said. I feel happy; I feel very excited about the possibilities of what MAC could eventually do with more and more women.”
researching, I had never done this before, and it was beyond”…her voice trails, then she continues,“When I realised we had never had a MAC Maker from Africa, a continent that has all
So naturally, I asked the one question, everyone, friends and foe, has been itching to ask or silently wondering. Now that you have been a part of the process of making confirm“Isaying,respondssheLaughingly,Savage?frombeautyexpectwetoisproduct,thisitsafesaythatshouldalineTiwacan’t
make-up myself.”
she was asked if more beauty items were in the works for the afrobeats queen, she said, “Rihanna is a billionaire...” And jokingly followed the statement with, “I’m not singing again.” (continues laughing). “But no, I think it is a natural progression for me. MAC is a huge platform for me to step into the beauty market. I couldn’t have asked for a better start. During the lockdown, I really got into the skincare industry, trying new things cause you know, we were at home. That was when I really learnt to do my
While the industry is quite competitive and, like in the case of Lady Gaga, we can see that fame does not guarantee success in the beauty industry, we do hope that if Tiwa Savage does start a beauty line, it will be as successful as her music career.
line by Tiwa Savage.
“…from the DARKEST to the lightest skin. From the THINNEST LIPS to the FULLEST LIPS. From the highest cheekbones, you know, we EVERYTHINGREPRESENTwhen it comes to make-up, so for me, I thought, ‘this is not just iconic; this is FORIMPORTANTUSINAFRICA .’”
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As soon as she comes of age, her very first make-up item is usually lipgloss. So I decided to travel back in time to the afrobeats star’s days as a young girl and asked if she remembers what her first lipgloss or lipstick purchase was. “The first one I actually bought was MAC, Velvet Teddy. I remember it always. And my first foundation was NW45.”
years is not using foundation.” It also happens to be her favourite way to wear make-up nowadays. Could she be setting a new trend with her whenbeautyherplaylittleofappliesmumwatchingmake-up;bygirllipgloss,Speakingrevealed.IitforInterestingly,bewouldupfavouritetalkonlytricks,beautycentredconversationWithfans?theontipsanditwasnormaltoabouthermake-itemthatalwayswithher.DrSavage,is“Lipgloss,think.”sheofeveryisfascinatedoftentheirassheitinfrontamirror,thegirlwouldhouse,usingmother’sproductsheisn’thome.
Many celebrities, having fallen in love with make-up from a young age, have tapped into the beauty industry to share a part of themselves; another side of their passion —not particularly obvious— with the world.
After all, it would be nice to read a headline like ‘Nigerian afrobeats Sensation, Tiwa Savage Joins List of Self-made Billionaires.’ Wouldn’t you agree?
While some, such as Lady Gaga, haven’t really been able to get their brands tohouseholdbecomenames,otherslikeRihannaandKylieJennerhavebecomebillionairesfromtheirbeautyandskincarelines.Jokingaboutthiswhen
“I CAN’T confirm o! I would love to. ThereTALKSARE in the works, but I confirm.”can’t
o! I would love to. seejustreader.eyes,lipsFromconfirm.”buttheareTheretalksinworks,Ican’thertoyourdearWemightabeauty
FUJI
Men used to be unconcerned with the kitchen, but that time is over now. It's no longer just a place for women; more males are starting to show an interest. We'll demonstrate how to achieve a modern kitchen appearance on today's Get The Look. One thing is sure, though—a kitchen should never be left unkempt and cluttered, regardless of whether you're a man or a woman. And a method to avoid that might be to recreate this modern kitchen idea.
Black Metal Shade Hanging Ceiling Lamp
Classic Charcuterie Serving Boards
Smoke & Vanilla Scented Candle CRAFT & KIN
Image From Pinterest
BY IDOWU LAMI
PAGE 11 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 LIVING
Metal Wall Shelf
Atlanta Georgia Map Wall Art
GET THE LOOK A Modern Kitchen
Cane-Line Club Round Tray in Black
To know if your nails are completely dry, you will notice some water beads on your hands, and that's the sign you need to assure you that you nailed it.
BEAUTY
all feel excited after getting our nails done, although that excitement is sometimes short-lived or side-tracked when it comes to getting your nail paint dry. Sitting idle and waiting for your nail paint to dry requires a lot of patience. But what happens if you are in a hurry? Will you risk getting your freshly painted nail smudged? Here, we share eight DIY hacks to dry your nail polish in a jiffy.
We
DIY Hacks To Dry Your Nail Polish Fast
Nail PolishVANECollection
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After painting your nails, go to your kitchen and place your hands in the refrigerator's freezer section. Keep them there for at least five minutes or for as long as you can hold off. After that, sit with your hands spread and let the icy nails turn normal.
BY AKINTOYE DORCAS
By choosing a lighter nail colour, glossy or metallic shade or a nude nail polish, there are chances that it will dry quicker with fewer coats. Darker nail polish usually take longer to dry because they are highly pigmented.
8
IMAGE FROM ISTOCK
YourFreezeNailPolish
Sanchan Elegushi
If you are rushing and want your nail paint to dry faster, picking the right colour can do the trick. Studies have proven that some nail polish take lesser time to dry comparatively.
(1)
(2)YourConsiderNailPolish
IMAGE FROM GLOWSLY
Before you start painting your nails, plug in your hairdryer and turn on the cool air setting. Note that you must keep the hairdryer at a low fan speed. Once you finish painting your nails, carefully use the dryer to blow dry your nails with a stream of cool air.
This trick could save you a lot of drying time. Anytime you apply several thin coats of your polish, rather than just one or two thick coats, you are giving your nail polish a chance to dry between each layer. This, in turn, leads to a more even and levelled finish and, overall, faster drying. Although you might think it is bizarre at first and more or less like you are slowing down the whole process, it does make a huge difference in making the overall drying time quicker.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil IMAGE FROM COROLI LIFE
Lamps Or LED Lamps (6) Quick-DryApplyTopCoat(7)Use Olive Oil Drops (5) Blow Dry Your Nail Polish (8) Listen To Chit-ChatMusic,orGetYourselfaMassage (4) Apply ThinAlwaysLayers, Gel UV Nail SUNUVLamp LED Nail Lamp IMAGE BY ADOBE TopGA&ENCoat
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We must have seen salons or professional artists using LED or UV Lamps after they paint your nails. You can dry your nail polish for about two minutes under a UV lamp and for a minute under an LED lamp. This tip is especially helpful for gel nail polish.
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The Quick-Drying top coat adds a layer of glossy sheen to your nail polish and dries your nails in less than a minute. The best top coats assist in preventing chipping. Believe it when we say getting yourself a Quick-Dry top coat is a worthy investment. That's how it's
Relax. if you have the time, listen to music, chat with a friend, get busy doing something (not an activity that will mess up your freshly painted nails), and before you know it, your nail polish is dry.
Blow
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are done painting your nails, soak your freshly coated nails for a couple of minutes in extra virgin olive oil to assist in drying your nail polish faster. If you don't have extra virgin olive oil, you can always use extra virgin coconut oil, sunflower oil or baby oil as alternatives.
PAGE 13 VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com BEAUTY
The fleshier part of your body would hurt less if you were getting a small tattoo; parts like your wrist or arm are easy places to start with before moving on to bigger ones. Expect more pain, however, in parts like your ribs, hips, feet, ankles, neck, backs of your knees, or insides of your elbows. In addition, if you were thinking of chugging down a few shots of tequila or paracetamol, have a rethink since they all thin your blood and can make the process dangerous. Use Tylenol instead, or keep yourself occupied with Netflix or a buddy to take the edge off.
Aside from a botched tattoo, another thing that could happen but rarely does is an allergic reaction to red dye. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to dye in the past, perhaps from hair dye, consult with your doctor before getting a tattoo.
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What To Do After Getting A Tattoo
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Regarding tattoo upkeep, leave it clean and dry for the first couple of days. It should be cleaned twice a day with a mild cleaner without smell, patted dry, and allowed to air out. You’ll notice that the tattoo dries up, tightens up, and becomes a little itchy after the first few days, but don’t scratch! Picking at your scab and skin can also remove a portion of the ink.
CULTURE
Even though having a tattoo may not be as stigmatised as our parents stated or what the general population thinks, you should give the decision great thinking before getting one. You don't want a bottle of vodka to influence your first tattoo, as there’s a considerable possibility you’ll grow to regret it bitterly and end up footing the bill for repeated sessions of laser tattoo removal for years to come. So as you flirt with the idea of inking your skin, have a few things in mind.
Every tattoo shop or artist is not always certified or skilled. There are several factors involved in using a tattoo machine, and not everyone has the talent to work on your skin. You wouldn’t want a tattoo that has been poorly applied to be on your body. Ask for the tattoo artist’s license without hesitation. Run away if the artist (or artists) aren’t using gloves or using single-use needles.
BY IDOWU LAMI
VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 PAGE 14 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
After your tattoo is fully finished, wait two weeks before going near any bodies of water. To prevent infection, limit your use of saunas, hot tubs, pools, lakes, oceans, ponds, etc., during that time. Also, refrain from taking baths. Even hard activities like working out that can result in excessive sweating should be avoided.
4 Things To Know Before You Get A Tattoo
Know The Risks
Get A Trusted Ink Artist
Regardless of your pain tolerance, you will feel pain. It’s a hot needle constantly scratching your skin—of course, it will hurt. But the type of ink and where you get it is the real conversation. A few minutes into your tattoo (ten to fifteen minutes, give or take, depending on the tattoo’s size), adrenaline kicks in to try to help you tolerate the pain better. If you’re getting a larger piece done, you should expect the pain in waves.
Parents normally say, ‘only hoodlums and louts get tattoos, piercings, and dreadlocks,’ and you had no reason to disbelieve them since that is how certain things are viewed culturally on this side of the planet. But when you become older, you realise that your parents couldn’t be more mistaken about this form of body art, fashion statement, and chronicler of various chapters of one’s life.
Expect Some Level of Pain
PAGE 15 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
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Hollywood historical drama The Woman King premiered at the Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX in Lagos last Sunday. Given an ‘Afrowarrior’ theme for the night, guests stormed the green carpet in outlandish costumes. One particular look that caught the eye was Nollywood actress and reality TV star, Iyabo Ojo, who stole the show on the green carpet in a daring costume designed by prominent fashion designer Toyin Lawani. Other guests such as media personalities, Uti Nwachukwu and Daala Oruwari, amongst others, also graced the spotlight before the man of the hour, Jimmy Odukoya—who starred as Oba Ade in the movie—made his way to the green carpet in a befitting royal fashion. Here are some of the best costumes of the night.
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In the opening scene of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King, we see an imposing figure emerge from the tall grass in the moments before she leads an attack. The figure is General Nanisca (Viola Davis), and soon the rest of her all-female group of warriors, the Agojie, will rise in kind behind her. Standing opposite them is a small encampment of men responsible for a recent mass kidnapping. The ensuing fight is a brief one as the Agojie make short work of their enemies, brutally and methodically cutting them down one by one. It is a bloody yet graceful introduction as the warriors leap and spin through the air in a deadly dance of death. This is only the first glimpse of this small but formidable fighting force that the remainder of this well-balanced historical epic explores to remarkable effect.
MOVIE REVIEW: Soweto
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VOL 2 NO. 38 • SEPTEMBER 18 - SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
If there is anything holding the film back ever so slightly, it would be a fraught romance that Nawi stumbles into. Such a relationship is not in itself a bad thing, plenty of historical epics have such elements, but the story seems trepidatious about how to approach it. Oddly, moments from the trailer seem to embrace it more fully, whereas the theatrical cut is rather shy about including it. It ends up being the one thing that feels rushed as if second thoughts about the more messy elements of it made them decide to dial it back while still keeping some parts of it. Thankfully, this all ends up being water under the bridge for what remains a joyous experience on the whole.
entire cast deserves all of this praise and then some, one would be remiss to not hammer home just how good Prince-Bythewood is as a director. She had already made it clear that she is a skilled action director with 2020’s The Old Guard—one of the better straight-tostreaming action films—but The Woman King sees her stretching other muscles as well. Much of this is felt in the scale and scope of the battle sequences that, while coming mostly toward the
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While Davis is certainly one of the leads and as commanding a screen presence as ever, we first begin to see her world through the eyes of another character. After being cast out by her father, the 19-year-old Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) slowly becomes a part of this community of warriors. While her father intended it as a punishment for her unwillingness to marry, it is here where she begins to discover much about herself and find a new family to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with. It is not easy going as the training is rather gruelling, ranging from exhausting long-distance running to intense combat training.
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Prince-Bythewood takes her time with this, showing how the fighters-in-training come to master both physical and mental discipline. This isn’t always easy for Nawi, who we see is as fearless as she is headstrong, but that makes the emotional journey she goes on all the more engaging.
Based upon some of the real-life events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey in Africa in the 19th century, the film is an unabashed crowd-pleaser while still being light on its feet.
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This is where Davis proves to be absolutely arresting. We completely believe every moment of her as a gritty General just because of her commanding presence and control of every physical movement that conveys strength. However, what really makes this work is when we see her alone and more troubled by elements of her past. While you can still see the calculating commander underneath it all, she has had to carry a heavy burden on her shoulders almost entirely alone. As we begin to see the physical scars that she has accumulated over a lifetime of combat, the psychological ones soon become just as present. Nanisca is a beacon of strength, and she is reticent to confide in anyone in a manner that could show weakness. As a result, the scenes where she is fully open are rare yet riveting. They end up feeling quieter yet no less reverential confessions. Many of them take place alongside Nawi, who respects her even though she doesn’t really know her. The relationship the two have goes back further than either initially knows, instilling the subsequent spectacle with a grounded emotional core. Both are more connected than they realize, and the extended conversations they have are ones Prince-Bythewood plays out with patience that pays off.
While boasting many solidly constructed action setpieces, the film is also a coming-of-age character study of sorts. Following the opening, the story slows down and takes time to develop all the rich details of
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end, are more than worth the wait. The way she keeps track of the various characters through all the chaos is deeply refreshing as, in far too many other action films of this size, we can often lose sight of where everyone is. It ensures that each character gets their moment to shine. Whether it is Nanisca charging ahead to dispatch foe after foe Nawi making use of a weapon with a particularly satisfying sound, every moment is a shot of adrenaline. The panache and precision of these sequences are what make them really sing, as you never feel like anything is being rushed to get to the next moment. As fast-paced as it all is, everything gets time to breathe and sink in. This ensures you feel every blow both received and inflicted by the characters. Beyond just the bigger and more bombastic fights, there are a pair of harrowing escapes that the film keeps you locked in on. Key to this are the emotional depths that the film delves into, peeling back the layers of the battle-hardened characters until they are laid bare before us.
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its world. Beyond Nawi and Nanisca, who begin to form a bond, the more the two learn about each other, there are a whole host of other compelling characters that all shine. There is John Boyega’s King Ghezo, who oversees the Agojie and the people they protect. As the story progresses, he finds himself at a crossroads that will test his leadership. Boyega is as outstanding as he has ever been, proving to be both strong in the understated scenes and the others of grand oration. He is able to capture his character’s youthful perspective with a refreshing subtlety that is juxtaposed against the wisdom of Nanisca. Each moment we see of Ghezo and his shortcomings, the more Boyega breaks apart the multifaceted man. Then there is the scene-stealing Lashana Lynch as Izogie, who both trains and teases the aspiring warriors. Lynch has enough charisma and charm to carry a film all on her own but is also great at playing alongside the rest of the cast. Alongside her is Sheila Atim as Amenza, who, while being more reserved as a character, still plays an integral role in the experience. Each time she comes on to the screen, there is a quiet intensity crossed with more caring compassion for all those around her that she
The Woman King is a film that has the confidence to be completely sincere in both the sharp moments of humour and the stunning battle sequences. Of all this movie's accomplishments, maybe the most impressive may be the understated brilliance of the (mostly nonnative African) actors' West African accents' names and pronunciations. The way it all grapples with history is subsequently clear-eyed, making some closing statements feel especially resonant. It was a breath of fresh air to finally hear West African accents, played by West Africans in a Hollywood movie depicting their history. It is a film that ensures there is no denying Prince-Bythewood's dedication as a director and visual artist who can take on any cinematic challenge with ease 8.5/10
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