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Yearly Archives: 2019

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Winter can be an absolute pain when it comes to your precious lips. We need them for so many things, especially kissing for Valentine's Day, but the bitterly baltic weather does it's best to dry them out.

We were intrigued by the science behind it, so asked Marie Therese, Head of Training with Graham Anthony Distribution, for the 411 on why our lips lose their coveted moisture.

She explained that our lips can become very dry because our lips do not have working sebaceous glands, which would serve the purpose of keeping our lips moist. Harsh conditions and ageing are also key factors.

licking halle berry GIF

Cracks can appear as we grow older, and thinning can take place. In the winter, saliva containing amylase and maltase strips away the skin on our lips, leaving them exposed to dry air. (EW)

Basically; take care of ya mouth (Inside and out). We're talkin' dental, we're talkin lip balms, we're talkin' lip moisturising.

We've got you covered for the day of luuuurve; try any of these for February 14 and your lips will thank you for the kissing treatment.

1. Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment 

Burt's Bees has been around for a long time, namely because it's one of the best brands around when it comes to lip care.

Their Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment provides long-lasting moisturising properties for soft, smooth and healthy lips. Shield those puckers from dryness while you sleep with 100% natural Ceramide, so you wake up ready to smooch.

Oh, and it's 100% natural and free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS's: We heart.

Buy: Feel Unique
Price: €8.39

2. Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

This gorgeous product comes in seven shades, and honestly we have NEVER smelled anything so good in our lives.

The Instant Light Lip Oil is the ultimate lip care treatment, and contains three key plant extracts which nourish and comfort.

The non-sticky oil has a melting and lip plumping formula for a boost which will leave you feelin' unreal.

Buy: Debenhams
Price: €21
Image: Escentual.com

3. AromaWorks Rejuvenate Lip Balm

AromaWorks Lip Balm is jam-packed with only 100% natural ingredients, and is SURE to revive your tired, dry lips.

Using a combination of shea butter and Maringa oil combined with jasmine, rose and neroli, the lip balm is considered pure luxury for your lips. 

Buy: Cosmetics Online and nationwide pharmacies
Price: €12

4. Uriage Bariederm Soothing Repair Barrier Lip Balm

Uriage have been upping the stakes for lip balms for years, and now the French skincare giant have made the first barrier lip balm to be formulated with Poly-2; an innovative patented complex offering triple action.

The brand is super trustworthy, and the soothing repair balm will be your new bestie.

Buy: Cosmetics Online and nationwide pharmacies
Price: €10

5. Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Lip Quads – The 4 in 1 Lip Liner Pen

All you need to do is click, twist and pout, according to Aimee Connolly. Her infamous 4 in 1 Lip Liner Pen comes in pink and nude editions, and is legit the holy grail of lip liners.

Multi-award winning makeup artist Aimee Connolly is changing the beauty game with long-lasting, non-drying, pout perfecting products. Line your lips to match your mood this Valentine's Day, with rose, bay, blush, peach, buff, pure, bare and rouge tones on offer.

Buy: www.aimeeconnolly.com
Price: €29.99

 6. Payot Nutricia Baume Lèvres Lip Balm

 The Payot Nutricia Lip Balm is a PERFECT for those hunnies with dry skin, who are seeking smoothness this Valentine's Day.

The unreal reparative lip treatment with a slightly pearlescent finish that works to comfort and nourish your lips.

The moisturising formula uses an Oleo-Lipidic complex, sweet almond, raspberry seed and meadowfoam oil to strengthen and restore the hydrolipidic barrier. This is science speak for; You + Payot = Kissability Level 9000.

Buy: Cosmetics Online
Buy: €19

 7. Delarom rich lip balm

Seeking hydration? Dryness prevention? Fuller puckers? Here's your answer.

Delarom's nourishing and absorbing lip care is unreal value, as well as being pure gorgeous when it comes to lip health. Trust us, it's 10/10.

Buy: Cosmetics Online
Price: €18

8. Glossier Balm Dotcom

*wells up* We actually can't find a single fault with Glossier's balm dotcom range. Literally. It makes us emotional. It even comes in six flavours; Original, Birthday, Rose, Cherry, Mint, and Coconut.

Their hydrating, multipurpose lip balm and skin salve is packed with antioxidants and natural emollients to nourish and repair dry, chafed skin.

Yup, you can use it on your lips and any external dry spots. God bless Glossier.

Buy: Glossier
Price : €12 each

9. Alpha-H Absolute Lip Perfector Lip Balm

 Absolute Lip Perfector is a multi-tasking lip treatment which combines serum and balm, and is infused with gorgeous peppermint, wild mint and honeycomb extract for the ultimate soft lips.

It also works as a powerful night-time anti-ageing treatment, with enhanced moisture which lasts ALL DAY and increased lip volume. Va Va Voom…

Buy: Cosmetics Online
Price: €30

10. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in berry

First introduced in South Korea in 2015, Laneige's master Lip Sleeping Mask has been given awards left, right and centre. But does it live up to the hype? HELLZ YEAH it does.

The gorgeous mask is applied at night, and by the time you awaken like a stunner Sleeping Beauty, you'll have supple, healthy smackers. Yas, it's incredible.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by LANEIGE U.S. (@laneige_us) on

Buy: YesStyle
Price; €12.48 (on sale)

11. SoSueMe by Suzanne Jackson: 'SoKissMe' lip kits

Suzanne Jackson has just added a gorgeous line of lipstick/lip-liner pairs in the form of lip kits, in time for Valentine's Day.

The colours range from nudes to luscious roses to dark rouge, and we HAVE to have them all.

Shop their entire collection for just €95, with each lip kit coming in at €12.95. It's an absolute bargain.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Suzanne Jackson-O’Connor (@sosueme_ie) on

That concludes our top ten lip care products in preparation for Valentine's Day 2019; Happy Kissing, ladies.

We hope some (or all) of these items will spark joy, and give you the healthy lips you deserve.

lips kiss GIF

Feature image: Beautyheaven 

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This is straight out of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror, except if he was more into beauty and cosmetics…

For her Dazed Beauty magazine cover, Kylie Jenner had her game switched up when the publication used actual artificial intelligence created solely with a computer to create her new look.

It's INSANE. The whole idea was to put the most popular beauty trends into one lewk by using AI programme Beauty_GAN. The programme uses an algorithm to create beauty looks from Instagram trends…are we living in 3019?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on

In Kylie's case, 17,000 trends were used to achieve her cover image. Pastel-pink hair, eyeshadow colours fading into one another, overdrawn Cupid's bows and light matte pink lipstick. It's a lot…

The gal kind of looks like she's melting…but it's still pretty cool. We sense that MUAs and influencers will be trying to emulate this look through their makeup skills soon enough.

AI program Beauty_GAN digitally applied hair and makeup to Daniel Sannwald's photos of Jenner, and the results were shared in the editorial.

According to Dazed Beauty, Beauty_GAN is "first algorithm of its kind, trained to create its own beauty imagery based on what it sees on Instagram." Damn.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on

Dazed Beauty's creative director Sebastian Zimmerhackl explained why the images of Jenner aren't picture perfect, despite the technology.

The computer had to learn exactly what "beauty" is, according to the 17,000 photos it was fed. The result “doesn’t look perfect because it’s an experiment," he said.

"But maybe in the future, it is the artistic mistakes that we will remember.” That's deep, Sebastian. What does beauty even mean nowadays, especially with editing and filters?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on

Sannwald photographed the reality TV star with almost no makeup to serve as a blank canvas for Beauty_GAN, who recruited her due to her influence with trendsetting in the beauty industry.

She recently became a billionaire as a result of her company's success; Kylie Cosmetics.

Beauty_GAN's art director Lukas Rudig stated;

“It’s a collaboration: what the machine does to her is paint her face in the way it thinks it should be in a beauty selfie. To put it in a really easy metaphor, Beauty_GAN is like a mirror of popular culture, but the reflection staring back at you might not be what you expected."

"We teach a machine to see us and what it shows us back is not always what we see ourselves.”

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Liam Neeson has had to defend himself against the racist remarks he made in an interview in The Independent, which was released yesterday.

The Cold Pursuit actor spoke of roaming the streets with a cosh, hoping to murder a "black bastard" after a woman close to him was raped years ago.

Speaking on Good Morning America, he said; "I’m not racist, this was 40 years ago. I was brought up in the north of Ireland. The Troubles. The Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. There was a war going on in the north of Ireland."

"I had acquaintances who were involved in the trouble. The bigotry. One Catholic would be killed, the next day a protestant would be killed. I grew up surrounded by that, but I was never surrounded by it," he said. 

The original article featured the Taken actor recalling being told about a friend's rape after he returned from a trip overseas.

“She handled the situation of the rape in the most extraordinary way,” Neeson said. “But my immediate reaction was… did she know who it was? No. What colour were they? She said it was a black person."

“I went up and down areas with a cosh, hoping I’d be approached by somebody. I’m ashamed to say that, and I did it for maybe a week – hoping some (Neeson gestures air quotes with his fingers) ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by  (@liam.neeson.original) on

Neeson claimed it took him at least a week to process the incident, and anger was his first instinct.

“It was horrible, horrible, when I think back, that I did that,” he said. “It’s awful. But I did learn a lesson from it, when I eventually thought, ‘What the f*ck are you doing’, you know?"

The actor brought up the personal anecdote after being asked to give more insight into his Cold Pursuit character Nels Coxman, who seeks revenge after his son is killed by a drug gang.

The internet went into a meltdown after the interview was published, with the majority of social media users accusing him of racism.

One Twitter user wrote: “Liam Neeson being ready to take any black life over what one person allegedly did just shows how meaningless and inconsequential black lives are to some."

They continued; “Even him telling the story demonstrates a level of privilege and understanding that there may not be repercussions.”

Actor Terry Crews, who is the host of America's Got Talent and star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, wrote on social media:

"Reminds me of a time I got provoked by a rich white guy I didn’t know. Hoping I would do something." He has been an advocate for domestic violence and sexual violence victims.

RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy chose to defend Liam Neeson today, saying that the actor didn't mean any harm;

"I don’t think for one minute that Liam Neeson ever wanted to kill anybody, or would ever harm anyone, or really actually meant it at all. ‘However, “you just can’t say that kind of thing” is what I suspect is going to be the response to that."

He continued;

"Having met him several times, it’s the sort of thing that he might have said over a coffee to somebody privately, but he kind of let it out into the public and that poses a serious problem for him, I suspect, in Hollywood particularly, with all the sensitivities you’d expect and that are rightly there. It’s a conundrum for him."

Former England footballer has also defended the star, calling out other heroes in society who were less than angelic when it came to race (Hi, Winston Churchill) and praising his admission of guilt.

Piers Morgan has branded him a member of the KKK, so he must be in pretty scalding water right now.

What are your thoughts on the debate; Is he shining an important light on the racist instincts present in society, specifically straight, white men? Or is he cancelled? The jury's still out.

Feature image: ABC7.com 

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Taylor Swift has taken her fair share of time out of the spotlight, especially when it comes to awards ceremonies.

We CRAVE to see her perform, or even just to appear as her usual, dancing self. However, despite the fact that she's nominated for Best Vocal Album at the Grammys this year, the Reputation singer apparently WON'T attend.

Variety are claiming that both Swift and Maroon 5 won't be in attendance, though we think the general public will be more upset about Tay-Tay following Maroon 5's underwhelming Super Bowl half-time show.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

Taylor is facing some stiff competition on the night, with some huge names in her category to win the Best Vocal Album gong.

Swift is up against Camila Cabelo for Camila, Kelly Clarkson for Meaning Of Life, Ariana Grande for Sweetener (YAS), Shawn Mendes' self-titled album and Pink's Beautiful Trauma. Look at all those INCREDIBLE gals. Plus Shawn.

We wish Taylor was performing, her Netflix Reputation tour show was INSANELY good, but after the VMAs back in 2009, we don't blame her for taking space from competition and drama. She's been absolutely slayin' the game this year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

In other Grammy news, K-pop sensations BTS will be presenting an award, much to the delight of their fans, and are up for a Grammy themselves.

Not much has been heard from the Album of the Year-nominated Drake; his fans are still wondering if the Toronto-born rapper will perform at or even attend the Grammys. He's ran into trouble before with awards ceremonies…

Confirmed performers so far include Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, H.E.R., Ricky Martin, Post Malone with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shawn Mendes and Janelle Monae.

Grammy-winner Alicia Keys will be hosting the 61st annual Grammy Awards on February 10, we're super hungry for this drama; it's sure to be quite a show with Cardi B in attendance.

Feature image: GRAMMY.com

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There’s no doubt we’re all rather envious of Meghan Markle’s style. The Duchess of Sussex always manages to look chic and flawless no matter what.

She’s rocked some of the most stunning gowns, fierce suits and the most beautiful coats during her royal engagements.

When it comes to hair, there is one look that Meghan always seems to turn to. Her signature hairdo- the bun.

Meghan makes the simple hair style look so demure, but whenever we try to recreate it we seem to resemble Ms Trunchbull from Matilda.

Luckily, Easilocks and celebrity hair stylist Shane O’ Sullivan are here to save the day with their step-by-step guide to achieving Meghan’s go-to look.

Step One- Start off by applying Easilocks Rose Gold Oil to wet hair and blow drying your hair smooth and straight.

Step Two- For instant volume clip in the short ‘Silky Straight’ hair piece in the Cheryl x Easilocks collection to the back of the head, as low down as possible.

Step Three- Use the Easilocks Steel Pin Brush to ensure your hair is tangle-free and ready to style. Choose whether you want your hair slicked back or in a centre parting.

Step Four- Gather all of the hair into a ponytail, brushing in the flyaways and lumps and hold it in your desired place (low, mid or high.) If you would like some loose hair out at the front, now is the time to pull a few strands from the ponytail. Also leave a small section of the hair out of the ponytail, about the circumference of a 5 penny piece.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by MummyPages (@mummypages) on

Step Five- Once you are happy with the positioning, twist the hair round into a bun and fasten using a clear hair tie. Wrap the excess hair around the tie and pin it at the base of the bun with one bobby pin, preferably the colour of your own hair.

It’s as easy as that. If anyone needs us we’ll be practicing this look for the remainder of the day.

Feature Image: Chris Jackson

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We all know that working to ease climate change is a hugely important issue, but along with the dire potential consequences of rising waters, extreme weather and droughts, climate change could have another interesting impact. 

A study from MIT called Ocean colour signature of climate change found that the ocean's colours will change because of climate change – but if you're hoping for a literal red sea or cascading pink waves, look away now. 

Essentially, he change will make the ocean's blues bluer and its greens greener, and it's all down to the miniscule operations of microscopic organisms called phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton are tiny planktons made of oceanic plants, and are one of the most important parts of an ocean's ecosystem as they provide food for a wide range of sea creatures. 

Ocean regions with high concentrations of phytoplankton have shades of blue-green – currently more regularly seen in warmer, tropical climates. 

The Phytoplankton's community structure strongly affects the day to day oceanic activity, and according to the study, 'is likely to show one of the clearest and most rapid signatures of changes to the base of the marine ecosystem.'

'The change is not a good thing, since it will definitely impact the rest of the food web,' Stephanie Dutkiewicz, one of the study's co-authors and principal research scientist at MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, told CNN.

'Phytoplankton are at the base, and if the base changes, it endangers everything else along the food web, going far enough to the polar bears or tuna or just about anything that you want to eat or love to see in pictures.'

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Say goodbye to your financial stability ladies; ASOS has launched their homewear range, and it's as fabulous and affordable as you'd imagine.

Everyone's fave online retailer has released ASOS SUPPLY, filled with an array of gorgeously patterned bedding and cushions, throw blankets, mirrors, kitchen bowls and even tie hangers. 

The three main trends of the collection are Cool Minimal (clean lines and brush stroke patterns), Eclectic Luxe (recycled glassware and animal print) and Global Traveller (bright colours and 70s-inspired rattans).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Katie  (@katie_jilly) on

The prices are stunningly cheap; starting from just €9, grab the whole collection and have cash to spare for shopping their fierce clothing lines and accessories.

It's not the first fashion retailer to widen it's remits to interiors, but it's set to be hugely successful. We hope they expand the range ASAP, we've already shopped the entire thing.

With modern kitchen and bathroom accessories, as well as planting and bedroom goods, there's something for everyone.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ASOS (@asos) on

While ASOS does in fact stock homewear products from brands like Sass & Belle, Chickidee, Typo and Paperchase, it's the first time that the company is launching it's own designs.

All of the prints in the collection are created exclusively by ASOS’ in-house design team, and were made to suit all types of living spaces.

Our personal fave items are definitely the elephant hook and eye patterned cushion cover with matching bedding. Iconic, how can we resist adding the entire collection to our baskets?

Feature image; ASOS

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Slumped over the desk in work on a slow Tuesday, there's nothing more envy-making that opening up Instagram and seeing a random travel blogger swimming with manta rays in French Polynesia or hiking up Mount Fuji to capture the perfect view. 

The job of a travel content creator may feel like a million miles away (literally), but one travel company wants to give you the opportunity to go globe trotting and get paid for it. 

It might be time to ask for your P45, because the The Royal Caribbean wants to hire a wanderlust for an apprentice-ship (see what they did there?).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Royal Caribbean UK (@royalcaribbeanuk) on

In a video uploaded to their Instagram, they declare: 'Want to travel the world and get paid for it?'

The job entails travelling along The Royal Caribbean routes and making content about the off-shore excursions for TRC to share on their social media. 

'From the Caribbean to Japan, you will explore and capture your adventures. This is the Royal Caribbean Shore Explorer Apprentice-Ship.' 

'To prove you've got hat it takes, share your best travel adventure clips on Instagram as a post, a story or IGTV, tagging @RoyalCaribbeanUKand #ShoreExplorer to apply.'

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TRAVEL | BEACH | ADVENTURE (@geotravelings) on

If you think you have what it takes, upload your best travel snaps and videos from your previous travels, or else make some brand new content about your home town as a travel destination.

One winning entry will be selected by April 5th, from a shortlist of 20 Finalists who shall be chosen from all entries who use the tag and hashtag on Instagram.

The 20 Finalists will be announced on 15 March 2019 on the website and Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Diego Hernandez (@j.diegoph) on

So, what are the amazing destinations the winner will head to (and get PAID to be at)?

The work includes visiting CocoCay in Alaska, Lisbon in Portugal ,Norway, Dubai, and Osaka, Japan.

The winner must be able to travel between May and August 2019 for at least three and up to four consecutive weeks. 

BRB, just looking through our old holiday snaps…

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News recently hit that The CW has ordered a pilot episode for a Riverdale spin-off, and we're ECSTATIC. We need a Pops milkshake to calm down from all this exciting news, because one of the cast's main characters is set to star in the new show.

The title of the hit teen drama's newest addition is called Katy Keene, according to Deadline and TVLineand is a musical dramady which follows the protagonist to New York City.

The main character is a fashionista who, alongside her pals, are striving, "to make it on Broadway, on the runway and in the recording studio," according to the network. We're already hooked.

Iconic Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa will write the pilot with fellow Riverdale writer Michael Grassi, and none other than Josie McCoy will be the titular character.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by  (@katykeenecw) on

The lead Pussycat herself will relocate to the Big Apple to pursue her musical dreams of a lifetime, leaving Riverdale behind (probably not for long)

.Ashleigh Murray has been a regular on The CW series since the premiere in January 2017; her portrayal of Josie McCoy has been lauded by audiences for her fierce talent and determined personality.

The CW president Mark Pedowtiz said;

Katy Keene follows the lives and loves of four iconic Archie Comics characters- including fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene and singer/songwriter Josie McCoy- as they chase their twenty-something dreams in New York City." OH. MY. GOD. We can't wait.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashleigh Murray (@iamamurray) on

Pedowtiz continued; 

Katy Keene actually takes place years after Riverdale High School. So, at the moment, there are no plans to do crossovers. And, if any of those Riverdale characters should come to Katy Keene, they will come as an older self.”

Murray's character Josie McCoy has been the lead singer of Josie and the Pussycats since the show began, but her two band-mates have since disappeared; Valerie Brown (played by Hayley Law) and Melody Valentine (played by Asha Bromfield).

The Katy Keene pilot is being directed by Maggie Kiley, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Michael Grassi will act as executive-producers as well as writers.

Feature image credit: radiotimes.com

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Many of us have the unpleasant experience under our belt of dating an absolute snake. You know the one; the eternal f*ckboi who most likely ghosts you after slithering into your heart, who can't commit to a relationship and even cheats.

He's fluent in Parseltongue and has been a core member of the Slytherin Quidditch team for years.

His best mate is Draco Malfoy, he calls him 'Malfy' for short, and goes golfing with his dad Lucius every Saturday.

harry potter GIF

He wears Taylor Swift's snake print Reputation merch, but won't listen to her empowering tunes. He makes you pay for both of you on nights out, and flirts with your mates.

He gaslights the crap out of you, and gives double-handed compliments that are disguised as compliments.

Most likely he says he wants more space, even though you barely see him, and tries to argue that your relationship is casual instead of serious, no matter what the circumstances are.

Sounds familiar? Well, we've got some hiss-worthy revenge for you, best served cold.

slithering jack quaid GIF by Vinyl

A competition is being run by Wild Life Sydney to name their brown snakes after a douchebag ex, and requires the entrants to say why their ex best deserves it. GENIUS.

The programme also asks participants to donate to it's conservation fund, to help Australian native wildlife by funding research and education. It's a Valentine's Day treat, if you ask us.

The zoo's general manager, Mark Connolly, said that the competition could give "someone unlucky in love … something else to celebrate on Valentine’s Day this year."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@wildlifesydneyzoo) on

The winner gets to have a snake named after your slimy ex-conquest, and also an annual pass to visit your trashy snake in the zoo.

How adorable…the winner will be announced on Valentines Day to fit the romantic mood.

We can think of a fair few names to be put forward of men who have MAJORLY hissed us off, what about you ladies? 

Feature image: News24

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Instagram is increasingly being told to take responsibility for the harmful effects of it's site on the mental health of young people.

Between celebrities endorsing weight-loss products which have no scientific backing, the NHS encouraging body-negative adverts to be banned, and the new sensitivity screens being put in place to prevent graphic violence and self-harm being depicted; Insta is a dangerous place.

Yet, we cannot deny that selfie culture and self-branding through social media has become just a normal part of our everyday life. Me, myself and Instagram has taken over, and young people growing up today assume it's perfectly normal to try to look perfect.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by  (@khloekardashian) on

It's so prevalent in society to share the highlights of ourselves and desperately emulate others who we assume have 'better' lives, which writers such as Matt Haig have emotionally discouraged.

FaceTuning images to blur seeming 'imperfections' such as stretchmarks, wrinkles, spots, freckles, teeth, smiles, body hair, even elbow wrinkles or unwanted curves is the new normal, according to our society.

Having flaws is deemed unhealthy, and the notion of 'narcissism' or vanity is no more.

Now Rankin is trying to counteract the idea of editing ourselves in a new photo series, and it's beautiful.

The amazing photographer is attempting counteract self-editing, by showing people just how damaging the effects of social media can be.  His photo series, aptly named Selfie Harm, was launched last week on Instagram.

The renowned artist captured portrait shots of 15 teens and handed power to them and their filter apps, asking them to edit the retouched image until they felt it was 'social media ready'.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @rankinarchive) on

He commented;

“Social media has made everyone into their own brand. People are creating a two-dimensional version of themselves at the perfect angle, with the most flattering light, and with any apparent flaws removed.”

“This is a new, enhanced reality, a world in which teenagers can alter themselves digitally within seconds. Mix this with the celebrities and influencers flaunting impossible shapes with impossible faces and we’ve got a recipe for disaster," he attested.

The photographer shows images of youth and natural beauty which massively contrast with the newly filtered, edited versions. It's shockingly easy for the young models to blur the lines of reality, but what is 'perfect' in a world such as this?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by  (@rankinarchive) on

He wrote on Instagram;

“People are mimicking their idols, making their eyes bigger, their nose smaller and their skin brighter, and all for the social media likes. “It’s just another reason why we are living in a world of FOMO, sadness, increased anxiety and Snapchat dysmorphia."

"It’s time to acknowledge the damaging effects that social media has on people’s self-image," he concluded.

The visible differences and changes made allow the teenagers and subjects to transform their entire identity, so much so that their natural state is completely erased. There are smaller noses, smooth complexions, wider eyes and lips, everything you can imagine.

Interestingly, the photographer notes that most of the models preferred their original image, but it's still disturbing to witness the power of filters. These edits can convince people that they're regular image isn't good enough to be seen.

It's becoming harder to discern what's real and what's fake; soon the idea of reality on social media could vanish altogether.

Feature image: Rankin Instagram/Fashionista

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Wea ll know smoking is a terrible habit, but it's still normalised in Irish society. 

In Hawaii, however, there are already some very strict laws regarding cigarette sales, and a proposed new law could see the legal age to be able to purchase cigarettes raised to 100. 

Democratic state representative Richard Creagan is highly anti-smoking, and a law he has proposed would essentially eradicate legalised cigarette sales on the island

Creagan is proposing raising the cigarette-buying age to 30 by next year.

The following year, the legal age would be raised to 40. 

In 2022 the legal age would be 50, and  2023. 

This phasing out will see the legal age jump to 100 in 2024, essentially banning the sale and purchasing. 

'Basically, we essentially have a group who are heavily addicted — in my view, enslaved by a ridiculously bad industry — which has enslaved them by designing a cigarette that is highly addictive, knowing that it highly lethal. And, it is,' Creagan told The Hawaii Tribune Herald.

Currently, the legal age to purchase cigarettes is 21 in Hawaii. 

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