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Thursday, August 13, 2020

L’Oréal Paris Global Makeup Director Val Garland on Creating the September Issue Cover Looks

In the face of Covid-19 safety measures, FASHION had to embrace a totally new method of image-making for our September issue cover with L’Oréal Paris. A traditional photo shoot would have seen makeup artist and L’Oréal Paris global makeup director Val Garland on location in Paris with cover star Cindy Bruna, but strict gathering and social distancing measures meant that her makeup needed to done virtually. So, while sheltered in place from her London studio, Garland sketched stunning, fashion-forward beauty looks that were later applied onto Bruna digitally using L’Oréal Paris’s Virtual Try-On app (click here to try the looks on yourself right now!).

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris

“I was inspired by what I felt would suit Cindy and how she would carry it off while working in line with the fashion looks as well,” says the makeup icon. Below, Val Garland breaks down each of her makeup sketches and the key L’Oréal Paris products for scoring each look at home.

Totally Addicted To Base

val garland
PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

Before you get started, perfecting your base is a key first step. Try Infallible 24h Fresh Wear Foundation and True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer (note: this hybrid formula not only conceals dark circles, but also contains 0.5% hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate eye area) for a flawless canvas. “I like applying products with my fingertips for a great skin finish,” says Garland.

Red, She Said

The inspo: “It’s quite nice when there is just one strong detail. The moment you put on a signature flash of red, it immediately gives you confidence. This is a look that will take you anywhere.”

To get this lip look: For a statement lip, “I used the Brilliant Signature in 312 Be Powerful ,” says Val, a bold-meets-high-shine lip lacquer that delivers a weightless sensation. “To make the colour really pop, first fill in lips with the Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in In-Matte- Uated With You as a base before applying the lip lacquer.” Bonus: Using this creamy matte lip liner to fill in your lips completely before going over them with your lip colour will stop your statement lip from budging and fading throughout the day.

val garland
PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: “When doing this sort of makeup look, the first thing I like to do is go straight in and do the brows to frame the face.” says Val. Her go-to brow enhancer for getting the job done? Unbelieva’brow,  a long-wearing tinted brow gel. “Gently fill in brows in by brushing hairs up, focusing on any areas where there are any little gaps to make them look full and healthy.”  A waterproof oil-infused neutral eyeshadow was used to finish this look. “I applied Color Queen Oil-Eyeshadow in Bravery 38 onto the upper eyelid and blended it out up towards the brow and also down towards to lower lash line.”

Shadow Shifter

The inspo: “I wanted to create a smoky eye that broke away from the typical black-brown look. You want to keep it feline and fierce by pulling the colour out toward the temples.”

To get this eyeshadow look: “This is all about laying down the colour first. If you wanted, you could start with a pencil to trace your shape first, then go over it by applying the Color Queen Oil-Eyeshadow in Keep-On 28 and blending it out — but you don’t want to apply shadow higher than the eye socket line,” explains Val.  “What makes this look feline and fierce is smudging the eyeshadow down along the lower lash line by pressing the shadow with an angled makeup brush.” She then rimmed Cindy’s eyes with Le Liner Signature in Noir Cashmere 735, a smudge-resistant twist-up pencil. “This will add definition and depth very close to the lash line.”

val garland
PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: “Finish the eye look off with lots and lots of Voluminous Million Lashes in Blackest Black ,” says Val. The volumizing mascara works overtime to plump up lashes. Proceed with taking the True Match Blush in Subtle Sable , a skin tone-enhancing pressed powder, to contour the face — “even going a little bit into the hairline,” adds Val. “For the lips, because we’ve got a strong and lashes, I’m using Matte Signature in Rule 105 and I would just tap it into the lips with my finger.” The nude ultralight liquid lipstick is very thin and saturated with pigment, giving you a comfortable, long-wear finish.

Redrawing The Line

The inspo: Negative space doesn’t only apply to nail art. “We’ve all seen a cat-eye liner — the feline flick. This takes liner to a much more innovative, modern level.”

To get this eye liner look: “The way to recreate this at home is to use the Infallible Flash Cat Eye. It has a fine felt tip, which will give you a super smooth application and create the sharpest of wings. The lid turns into a detachable wing stencil that you can use for placement of your diagonal wing,” shares Val. “Then you’re going to freehand draw a line along the eye socket line. A cotton swab is going to be a good tool here because then you can just erase a section in the middle.”

val garland
PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: It’s all about a light touch of lash-defining mascara. “Putting a soft coat of Bambi Eye Mascara in Extra Noir just on bottom lashes makes this look more editorial, modern and fresh,” says Val. “I want the emphasis to be all on the eyes, so I used bronzer on the across the cheeks, temples and into the hairline for a sun-kissed finish, and went with the Brilliant Signature in Be Determined 301 on the lips.” One coat of this super comfy lip ink and you’re good to go. “It’s a lovely beige lip makes your focus goes straight to the eye.”

Try on these beauty looks

Learn about all the L’Oréal Paris products that Val Garland used for Bruna’s FASHION cover shoot and virtually try on each makeup look by scanning this QR code.

The post L’Oréal Paris Global Makeup Director Val Garland on Creating the September Issue Cover Looks appeared first on FASHION Magazine.



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Texture Talk: For Leslie and Gail Thompson, Voluminous Curls Are a Powerful Symbol of Self-Expression

In this day and age, wigs have become a staple accessory, especially within Black beauty culture. More than ever before, women—celebs included—wear them proudly and openly praise them for their versatility. Just take it from Montreal-bred, Toronto-based sisters Gail and Leslie Thompson.

For Leslie, hairpieces are timeless and chic protectors that save her own fragile 4C curls from daily styling and breakage. And for Gail, the opportunity to add variety without any major commitment, like her current crown of perfectly shaped corkscrew curls, is what drew her to the wig game. Both find voluminous hair to be a powerful symbol of self- expression in their corporate careers in finance and government, and the same goes for fashion.

Photography by Roseline Bonheur

Last year, the siblings launched The Long & Short of Style, a passion-filled side hustle that is the duo’s second venture in the blogosphere. Their first was a fun-filled four-year run with Fab Four Fashion, a style platform they created with two girlfriends. “The focus of Fab Four was to show a positive image of Black women of all different sizes looking fabulous and expressing themselves and to highlight each of our style struggles and how we overcame them,” notes Leslie. “Because whether it be in a magazine or in the blogosphere, you don’t always have that representation. Creating that was really important for us, especially for younger generations: Growing up, we didn’t have examples of Black women in fashion.”

The sisters are continuing to blog about their personal style journeys, but they’re taking the representation narrative a couple of much-needed steps further. “An important aspect of The Long & Short of Style that I didn’t really push before is representation of people with disabilities,” says Leslie. “I want to normalize that dialogue, because it is normal—there are a lot of us out there.” Diagnosed with macular degeneration, a common eye disease, Leslie has been slowly losing her sight over the years. When she was younger, blending in with the crowd dictated her style choices. “Once I realized that I was truly different from other people and that I didn’t have anybody around me who was like me in terms of having a disability, it was really important for me to fit in; fashion was my tool,” she shares, citing baggy high-waisted pants à la ’90s girl group TLC as an example.

“I’m very open about my visual impairment and prepared to tell people what I need, but time and time again, I’ve found that when I go into an interview, people immediately talk about my style,” she shares. “They see the fashion first. I feel like Houdini sometimes: Fashion really has allowed me to get people to see me and my personality before my disability.” What’s more, Leslie’s sartorial ways have shed light on the ignorance surrounding vision impairments. “I’ve learned a lot about people’s behaviours,” she says. “It’s almost as if people can’t compute the fact that you can look stylish and be blind.”

Gail’s relationship with clothing has evolved greatly, too. As a plus-size woman and longtime style lover, she says that the many years of being ignored by the fashion world are still fresh in her mind. “Ten years ago, the plethora of options that I have now was not available,” she recalls. “The shopping experience was so painful: You’d fall in love with something, but then it didn’t come in your size. Looking back now, I feel so sad for that young woman, because there was so much that she wanted to express.”

Photography by Roseline Bonheur

The fashion industry still has much ground to cover when it comes to size inclusivity, but thanks to a growing number of retailers creating plus-size offerings and a new host of cool-girl brands emerging, it’s a totally different style game. “It was like a flower opening up,” says Gail. “I feel like I’m finally able to express who I really am now with all kinds of different colours, patterns and outfit combinations.”

Promoting age diversity is equally as vital, she adds. “The fashion and beauty industries are very youth driven. We’re women in our mid-40s, and it feels very important to put a positive image out there that fashion is for everyone, regardless of age.”

And with the Thompson sisters willingly being upfront, as opposed to hush-hush, about their wig-wearing ways, they are low-key championing hair diversity by showing—and affirming—the countless styles that afro-textured hair is capable of. It all comes down to making a choice that feels comfortable and convenient for you.

“My hair doesn’t like to be manipulated a lot at all,” says Leslie, whose go-to solution is a half wig that mirrors her natural texture. “It prefers moisture and being left in a style that I don’t have to mess with too much.” Unlike full wigs, which cover your entire head, the popular half wig only covers the back half, leaving the front exposed for a seamless-looking finish. “I always choose wig styles that look like my hair,” she adds.

“For me, it’s absolutely fun,” says Gail of her hopscotching relationship with her hair. “I’ve tried pretty much every hairstyle under the sun, from the Jheri curl to braids to dreadlocks. Currently, I’m wearing a wig and—who knows?—maybe I’ll just shave my hair next! The natural hair movement has definitely helped make it more accessible to wear your hair how you want to wear it.”

Missed our last Texture Talk column? Click here.

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Leg Day Is All About Strong Calves With This Toning Bodyweight Workout

If you aren't showing your calves some love come leg day, you may want to think twice - these muscles bring more to the table than you probably realise.

"The calf works seamlessly in conjunction with the entire body to walk, run, and jump," Michelle Pualani Houston, a NASM-certified personal trainer, says - and that includes the ankle joints that mobilize the foot and toes and the knee to flex or bend.

Did you know that the calves are actually made of two muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus? Houston explains that each muscle functions differently while working cohesively, which is why stretching and strengthening are equally important during a workout.

"To prevent calf injuries, it's best to take a multidimensional approach to your training or exercise protocol," Houston says.

"Incorporate varied types of movement in different environments to avoid overtraining and to prepare the body for more dynamic ranges of movement that sometimes catch you off guard."

Another important takeaway from Houston is that calves are only as effective and strong as their supporting muscle groups. That's why her calf workout incorporates the quads, hamstrings, and glutes to boost stability, strength, and mobility.

Houston suggests resting for 10-15 seconds between sets, but feel free to take more breaks when needed.

Related:
These 6 Doctor-Recommended Stretches Are Exactly What Your Tight, Sore Calves Need


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Classic Hummingbird Cake

Classic Hummingbird Cake is a soft and tender cake that is loaded with tropical flavors including banana and pineapple. Plus it’s perfectly spiced with a hint of cinnamon. All covered with a luscious, smooth cream cheese frosting. Be prepared for this to become your new favorite cake!

Enjoy all of the flavors of the tropics with this Classic Jamaican cake recipe. Loaded up with tropical flavors of bananas and pineapple this cake is perfectly tender. For more flavorful cakes you can also check out this Pineapple Cake, Best Carrot Cake Recipe Ever, and this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Hummingbird cake with a slice of cake taken out of it.

Classic Hummingbird Cake

Move over carrot cake! This tropical flavored, spice cake is worthy of the same amount of praise..if not more! The recipe for Hummingbird Cake is originally from Jamaica and has been a favorite cake recipe in America since the 1970s. This cake is tender and moist thanks to the banana, crushed pineapple, and juices.

The hint of cinnamon and pecans adds a perfect balance of spice and texture to the finished cake. Top it all off with this perfectly smooth cream cheese frosting and this cake is a crowd pleaser!

How to Make Hummingbird Cake:

  1. Toast the pecans: This step only takes a few minutes, but it adds a nice depth of flavor to the pecans in the cake.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Mix together the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix together the wet ingredients: Start with the sugars and eggs. Then add in the oil (which we use instead of butter to help balance the flavors of the cake. Butter can overpower the flavors.) Then add in the bananas and pineapple. Make sure you get all of the juices from the pineapple. Using canned pineapple is best, but you can crush your own pineapple, just be sure to get as much juice as possible.
  4. Add in the dry ingredients to the wet: Combine and fold in the pecans.
  5. Pour into prepared baking pans: Either spray the baking pans with a baking spray that has flour, or grease and flour the baking pans. Traditionally the cake is made as a three layer cake. However, just to keep things a little less complicated I went for a two layer cake.
  6. Bake the cakes: Bake completely and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Under-baking the cake can cause the center to cave in.
  7. Make the cream cheese frosting: Frost and layer the cake when the cakes have cooled completely to room temperature. Top with crushed pecans and serve!

Variations of this Hummingbird Cake Recipe:

  • Make this recipe as cupcakes: spoon the batter into cupcake liners and bake for about 16 minutes. The frosting recipe will be able to be reduced to adjust for the amount needed.
  • Make this a sheet cake: pour the batter into a standard 13×9 cake pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked, with a toothpick inserted in the center coming out clean. Again, the amount of frosting can be adjusted.
  • Add coconut: some recipes do add some sweetened shredded coconut to the cake to add an extra bit of flavor and texture.
  • Use walnuts or leave out the nuts: if needed leave out the nuts, they are not required for the recipe. They are an extra bit of flavor and texture. If you are unable to get or use pecans you could also use walnuts.

How to Store This Cake:

This hummingbird cake with cream cheese frosting should be stored in a sealed container to prevent it from drying out. Store the cake at room temperature for up to 2 days. Or you can seal and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Simply let the cake slices come to room temperature before serving if desired.

A slice of hummingbird cake laying on its side on a blue plate.

More Delicious Cake Recipes to Try: 

Print

Classic Hummingbird Cake

Classic Hummingbird Cake is a soft and tender cake that is loaded with tropical flavors including banana and pineapple. Plus it's perfectly spiced with a hint of cinnamon. All covered with a luscious, smooth cream cheese frosting. Be prepared for this to become your new favorite cake!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Caribbean
Keyword hummingbird, hummingbird cake, hummingbird cake recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 14 Slices
Calories 646kcal
Author Serene Herrera

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1½ cup banana mashed (approx 4 bananas)
  • 8 ounces crushed pineapple
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 2 8 ounce pkgs cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 4½-5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch salt
  • Chopped Pecans for garnish as desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans, set aside.
  • Toast the pecans in a medium size skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir the pecans while toasting for 3-5 minutes until the pecans have darkened in color and are fragrant. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In a medium size mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the sugars and add in the egg. Whisk together. Pour in the oil and stir until mostly combined. Add in the banana and crushed pineapple. Stir until well combined.
  • Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until the batter is just coming together.
  • Chop up the toasted pecans and fold into the batter.
  • Divide the batter and pour into the prepared baking pans. Bake the cakes on the same rack for 30-35 minutes or until baked through and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove the baked cakes and set to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then gently remove the cakes from the pan and continue to cool on a wire rack until cooled completely to room temperature.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Add the room temperature softened cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl. Beat either in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Mix in the vanilla and salt.
  • Gradually add in the powdered sugar while mixing. Continue until the frosting has a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  • Assemble the cake by placing one of the cakes on the plate, top with a thick layer of frosting. Smooth to make an even layer. Gently place the other cake layer upside down on the top (this helps give a nice flat top to the cake. Cover the cake with the rest of the frosting. Garnish with chopped pecans as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 646kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg


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Wellness Beyond Whiteness: Q+A with Shakira Taylor

Shakira Taylor is a qualified Personal Trainer and HulaFitness Instructor working within the fitness, health and wellness industry for over seven years teaching a variety of exercise classes to both adults and children. She specialises in empowering people to achieve weight loss, build confidence, rebalance mindset and find the right nutrition to meet their needs.

She is passionate about small business, a champion for change and diversity in all industries and enjoys helping others to feel motivated to move and achieve in their lives.

In one of your posts, you mentioned of experiencing more racism upon entering the wellness business. Has this experience changed your opinion of the industry? Have you had any expectations of it before you’ve started growing your business there?

Before I began my own business in fitness and wellness I expected the industry to open and welcoming no matter your gender and ethnicity, however, I did find it to be a completely different experience. Starting any business comes with its challenges, obstacles and unexpected surprises to say the least! For me as a curvier woman in her 30’s, it was the lack of acceptance by the fitness industry. 

Prior to starting my own business, I did not realise how competitive the industry was and how there was a massive under-representation of female fitness professionals who are in their 30’s, bigger than a size 12 and from a non-white background. I definitely felt I had to work harder to prove my abilities to be able to run classes and even gain clients.

These experiences have given me the motivation to continue in my business, 5 years later and help other Females do the same.

 

As a Black woman and wellness entrepreneur, do you feel that pressure on women is tougher than on Black men?

It is very important for me to be recognised as a mixed-race woman, as my mother is White English and my father is Jamaican. Since secondary school age (back in ’90s) I have championed on how important it is for me to be recognised as a mixed-race woman rather than a Black woman as if you call me a Black woman you can also call me a White woman which people never do!

It is unfortunate that I have to be judged on my colour rather than my ability and I do believe for women of colour in the wellness space it is harder for us to be recognised compared to Black Men. I believe this as unfortunately there tends to be a stereotype of Black men being either a Personal Trainers or in manual trade, so there is no surprise when you meet a male Black wellness entrepreneur.

 

Since June events, have you seen an actual shift in the wellness industry against racism? Did actions meet the words, expectations or intentions?

I do believe we are starting to see a shift as more open and honest conversations are now taking place with people from all ethnic groups which is vital if we want to see permanent change. It is great to see more online wellness events are including a more diverse line up of speakers, as that was one of my main issues with the industry as I never truly got to see a woman that looked like me. 

However, I think the real test will come when we resume live events again to see if the change will happen then.  Will we see a more diverse panel of knowledgable experts at these events? Or will we continue to see people of colour being used more for the entertainment value or to deliver content?

 

What are the key questions that every wellness industry representative, insider, an entrepreneur has to ask herself and himself when starting or changing the business to be inclusive and diverse?

  • What am I representing
  • Who am I trying to attract
  • Who am I trying to help
  • Language you use in marketing
  • Music you play in classes
  • Are you willing to listen to your audience
  • Brands and partnerships you work with
  • Are you adding value?
  • Are you aware of the different cultural needs and perceptions of wellness, along with Cultural barriers?

What are the key resources you’d point people to educate themselves? Books, websites, podcasts, films, people.

Here are just a few I’d recommend:

If you were put in charge of the Global Wellness Industry, what would be the first changes you’d implement?

Wow, that is a tough one! Talking to brands and publications about representing people of colour equally alongside all ethnic groups. Increasing diversity through branding representing children, teenagers and adults.

Liaising with the sports industry to get action to actually take place instead of actionable awareness. Liaising with the gym industry about the divisions amongst women and men of all colours whilst training in the gym, to create safer and welcoming environments for women to train in.

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Inverted State of Mind

Inversions are some of the most fun and uplifting asana’s we can do in our practice, whether that’s in say a pincha or a handstand. There’s no doubt that inversions are a great way to play and explore movement, but I really believe there is a deeper side to them. They teach you a lot about yourself, a quick gateway into understanding your breath, your focus and where your state of mind is at. When we go upside down, we have to be solely focused on exactly what we are doing, pure concentration. I am an inversion junkie for these reasons. I won’t lie to you though, the journey is challenging, and one that takes constant work. But it’s one that teaches you so much about patience and accepting where the mind and body may be on a certain day, letting go of an outcome of a situation, and just experiencing the practice.

Perspective and Reflection

Going upside down changes things. Time slows down and everything blurs around you. The rest of the world fades out around you and all you are left is with your breath and your body. Being in that state, I feel they bring you in tune with your inner essence, a heightened sense of stillness and raw energy, not questioning your movement or actions. 

How my inversions are when I step onto the mat tell’s me a lot about where I am mentally and energetically. When I am in a flow state, not thinking and just feeling my way, it’s naturally there and I feel like I’m just floating. On days where my mind is a mess and my practice feels heavy, I can’t hold a single thing. But either way, focused or unfocused, inversions give us the opportunity to look within, to access your inner monologue at a deeper level.

Whether that’s in a pincha mayurasana or legs up the wall in a restorative shoulder stand, it draws us in. Allowing us to be with whatever is going on. To feel with a sense of pacification and surrender. To let go into what simply is, and maybe asking those questions “Where is my mind? Where’s the breath and body awareness? Do I need to just slow down and come back to a space of control or do I need to lay with my legs up the wall with a bolster under my back?”

Inversions (as with everything in yoga) is a tool to access that inner conversation.

How to Build a More Stable Inversion Practice

Inversions take consistent work. I wish I could say to you “hey just keep doing it and jumping around and one day, BOOM, it will happen”. Sadly, no. It’s more drills and training than doing. At Least that’s my experience. In saying that, as much as we need to to do the drills, we also need to muck around and just play and explore. It’s a fine balance. But these are five exercises I love to do and that have really helped me in my journey, hopefully helping you on your inversion journey.

  • Wrists – Essential. We aren’t designed to put so much weight onto our wrists, so we need to really work the flexibility and strength. Every morning and before practice, I do them. There are heaps of great calisthenics and gymnastics wrist training videos on youtube I reference and have built my own routine out of so I recommend heading there. This is one I have taken a lot from.
  • Core Work – core in everything is important. Yes, I know it sucks but hey, it is what it is. Hollowbody holds and V ups or (vertical V ups with socks) are my favourite for working the core both statically and dynamically.
  • Lolasana Lifts – have hands about halfway down the thighs (use blocks if needed). Pressing down, lift hips up and try to keep knees as close into the chest as you can. You can keep your feet down on the ground or to make it more fun, try lifting the feet off of the ground. Work both dynamically and statically.
  • Plank – one of the best ways to work straight arm scapular strength. Holding a plank for 1-2 minutes will do wonders.
  • Handstand chest against the wall – one of the best ways to get used to the feeling and muscle activation as well as build endurance in your handstand. The closer you are to the wall, the more challenging it becomes. Try with split legs then legs together, then chest flat against the wall. Anywhere from 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes.
  • Straddle Leg Lifts – another one of my favourites. These work your core, legs and your hip flexors and are a great way for working the muscles needed to begin to work our floats and handstand presses. In a wide-legged seated position, have your fingers out in front with the chest lifted and your spine long. Trying to keep an upright position, lift the legs as high as you can, lifting from the core and deeper muscles rather than the quadriceps. Go for 10 reps of three rounds. 

—

Miles

 

Miles has been around movement, health and yoga all of his life. Growing up with a mother who was a yoga teacher allowed him to be introduced to the practice and its philosophy from a young age, although it wasn’t until his early twenties that he began to dive deeper into the realms of yoga. His lessons are intertwined with his deep love for the philosophy of yoga and the physiology of the human body, not only trying to develop his students physically but also spiritually. You can follow Miles on Instagram and check out his schedule on the website.

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Keto Cheddar Zucchini Waffles

These crispy savory keto waffles are packed with sharp cheddar and zucchini. Easy to make, grain-free, and they make great sandwiches too! This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. Okay, stop right there. Whatever you are doing, drop it. Run to the kitchen. Don’t walk, run! You have to make these super crispy keto...

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Travelling in 2020: Niraj Shah

Car Free Day London 2019 Meditation Teacher, Mind:Unlocked founder Niraj Shah shares his experience of travelling from London to Greece this August and gives practical advice on how to stay calm and grounded if you choose vacation over a staycation this year.

Travelling in the times of pandemic! Was it the trip you booked in advance or a last-minute decision?

We made a late decision for this particular trip, but not a reckless or rushed one. My wife and I had booked three different fully cancellable short flights in July, August & September, but then decided that it made more sense to base ourselves in one place, to live and work from for a month. We can both work remotely and it’s normal for us to combine work and travel. We went from idea to rapid research to securing the ideal villa and flights in 36 hours!

 

Did you feel anxious at all?

No. We’re very experienced, regular air passengers and pre-pandemic plane travel wasn’t a stressful experience for us. We had already travelled once in the pandemic – to Mallorca, Spain in early July – so we also knew that our regular airline had good COVID measures in place. Importantly, we don’t have any other health conditions to consider or kids to look after. Either of those would have likely stopped us travelling by plane.

Additionally, we’re staying in a quiet part of a remote island (Rhodes, Greece), so we’re naturally distanced from crowds too. We’re aware of the worst-case scenarios in terms of lockdowns, quarantines and potential illness and have taken precautions that we feel comfortable with. Risk-based decision making with incomplete information is a regular feature of our business lives, that we also apply to our personal lives.

 

How was the vibe on the plane, at the airport – could you feel the intense energy or was it mellow, as usual?

We travelled on a Saturday morning in August, so Heathrow airport was busy! That said, the vibe felt pretty good to me. Airport staff seemed happy to be back at work and fellow passengers looked generally quite relaxed, all things considered. I have heard anecdotally that not all airport experiences in the pandemic have been as pleasant, so we may have got lucky.

 

You prepared really well for the trip. What exactly did you take with you?

For years I’ve travelled with a high quality 100% blackout sleep mask, earphones and a light hoodie. I see planes as one of the last bastions of WiFi free rest! The mandatory COVID face mask pleasantly completed the cocoon effect in a way that didn’t feel claustrophobic. I’m used to meditating on planes, but this combination helped me to internalise even faster and deeper. It was the closest I’ve felt to meditating either in a significantly quieter environment or a flotation tank, without actually being in a flotation tank. I’ll be continuing with it long after this pandemic is a distant memory.

 

And of course, you meditated! Did you focus on anything in particular during your pre-travel practice? Has meditation helped to relax on the plane too?

I LOVE meditating on planes. There’s no WiFi so that takes a major life distraction away, and it’s a really good way to zone out and journey inwards. Meditation undoubtedly helps to relax on planes, and I like the juxtaposition of turning what could have been a stressful experience into a deeply nourishing one. It’s incredibly freeing to learn and know that we have huge power over how we shape our subjective experiences.

In terms of my focus, in my experience as a teacher and guide of multiple meditation styles, the best meditation styles or techniques for each individual vary greatly based on each of our own lifestyles, goals, cognitive histories and preferences, so I don’t think sharing my focus on this occasion will be very helpful.

Meditation is as unique and individual as we are, there’s no one size fits all meditation style! For meditators or meditation learners, just try to do whatever it is you are practicing or learning at the moment and be kind to yourself.

Remember that a major brain growth opportunity in most meditative styles actually happens when you notice that you’ve become distracted and then you gently bring your focus back to whatever it was you were intentionally doing. That’s the opposite of the unhelpful idea that we need to clear our minds or try to think of nothing!

Bringing our focus back is doing a rep in the mental gym, it’s training our minds to go where we tell them to. That’s not an abstract “woo woo’ statement, it’s how our brains physically develop new neural networks that lead to new behaviours (in this case, increasing our ability to intentionally focus).

 

For those who are choosing vacation over staycation, but still feel anxious, what would be the solutions to bring more calmness to the experience of travelling in 2020?

  • If someone is feeling very anxious about air travel, I think it’s better not to do it. There are so many beautiful places in our home countries, that we often overlook, and now there’s a chance to discover them by road or rail.If someone is really determined to travel by plane or they are in a situation where they decide to go along with it, then the following things can all bring more calmness to travelling in 2020:
  • Get to the airport early, leave plenty of time for unexpected delays. It sounds so simple, but for most people just giving ourselves that gift of a little bit of space and time can take so much of the stress associated with travel away.
  • Be mindful that you may encounter others who are feeling stressed, and more importantly that their behaviour has nothing to do with you. Everyone is being triggered more than usual, so it’s more important than ever to have the intention to diffuse situations rather than escalate them. This is a good thing to keep in mind whatever we’re doing and wherever we’re doing it.
  • Have a plan for food. Know your airline’s current food and drink policy – particularly for longer flights –  and take some of your own anyway so that you aren’t as susceptible to last-minute changes.
  • Have a plan for your mind. That plan could be meditation, it could be reading a book, it could be writing. My plan is generally meditation and sleep, and perhaps reading or watching a movie depending on how long the flight is. It doesn’t matter what your plan is, it matters that you have a focus for your mind that takes you away from the fact that you are in close proximity to strangers, as it’s been credibly suggested that it’s that close proximity to strangers which feeds most of our air travel anxiety.
  • Smile – everyone can clock a smile, even through face masks. It alleviates our own tension, it helps alleviate others’ tension. Everything we do has a ripple effect. What’s your ripple effect going to be

—

Niraj Shah

 

 

 

 

Niraj is known for his science-led, practical and personal approach to meditation; helping people around the world to integrate this powerful mental well-being habit into their modern, unique lives. He combines his interest in brain health, emotional well-being and technology with a love of travel and snowboarding. You can connect with him via Instagram or Mind: Unlocked.

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Q&A 416: How To Reverse Gray Hair (& Other Beauty Biohacks), The Adrenal Fatigue Myth, The Shocking Beer Exercise Results & Much More!

Have a question you'd like Ben to answer on the podcast? Click here, or use the ‘contact' button in the

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Sexual misconduct: is the medical regulator reinventing the wheel?

Sexual misconduct by health practitioners is a serious issue which can cause significant harms to individuals and undermine trust in the health system. One of the major challenges in reducing the incidence of sexual misconduct is that people who have been sexually abused by a health practitioner can be reluctant [...]

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You Can Now Turn Your Sephora Beauty Insider Points Into Charity Donations

Earlier this year, Sephora announced a brand new update to its Beauty Insider program and now, the beauty giant is going one step further by adding a charity donation component to its rewards program.

From today, customers can redeem their points in the Sephora Beauty Insider Rewards Bazaar for a donation to the featured Canadian charity of the month. The charities will change on a monthly basis. For the month of August, donations can be made to the Black Solidarity Fund which is operated by CanadaHelps.org. According to a release, “this is a national fund that represents over 50 Canadian registered charities, focused on the advancement of Black Canadians.” Sephora Canada has previously donated $50,000 to the fund.

So how does it work? Canadian customers can now exchange 500 points for a $10 donation, 1,000 points for a $20 donation or 1,500 points for a $30 donation.

Sephora says the new addition to the rewards program is part of its “continued commitment to driving meaningful change to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and empowered community.” Back in June, the company became the first major retailer to take Canadian designer Aurora James’ 15 Per Cent Pledge, promising to donate 15 per cent of its shelf space to Black-owned beauty brands.

It’s the second major addition to the rewards program, alongside the ability for customers to exchange 500 points for a $10 voucher that is redeemable against their next purchase under the Beauty Insider Cash option. Other new additions to the program include updated shipping options for VIBs and Insider members, as well as new birthday gift offerings.

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When life gives you lemons

Do you crack open the G&T or get a bitter taste in your mouth?

Probably one of the first mindset questions I can remember being asked is ‘is the glass half full or half empty?’ It seems that we have an idea that we’re either in the ‘always look for the positive’ group or the ‘doom and gloom’ category.

Whatever life throws at us there will always be winners and losers. I bet that the supermarkets can’t believe their sales figures this lockdown summer. I went into a famous wine store at the weekend and they said it has been their busiest year ever. While some people are devastated at losing their jobs and being furloughed others are loving at the opportunity to spend more time at home.

How can we increase our chances of being able to see the bright side of a situation?

Here are 3 tips for finding the good even in the bad.

What have you learned?

It’s a strange truth that we seem to have far more opportunity to learn from difficult situations than we ever do when things are going well. What have you learned this summer? Maybe you have enrolled in an online learning programme and even earned a qualification. Maybe you have learned that it is possible to keep in touch with your family and have a bit of fun over Zoom. Maybe you have discovered that you enjoy having more quiet time to yourself.

If you think you haven’t learned anything then I suggest you take some time to really think about it. What has been easier for you in lockdown? What’s been tough? How did you think you would cope at the beginning? How right or wrong were you?

It may not have been a great year for travelling, schooling, eating out or socialising and yet what have you taken from this experience that you never imagined you would get?

Make it a game?

In the corporate world we have long since swapped the negative, moany word ‘problem’ for the more positive, let’s get this sorted word ‘challenge’. Maybe it’s time to change again and make it a ‘game’.

The gamification of learning and problem solving is what is driving computer-based learning and we can use it in the real world too.

How can you make a game out of it? It’s the same technique that Mary Poppins used to get the kids to tidy up. It’s just about finding the fun in any task. How many meals can we make using up the contents of the dried pasta and tinned food cupboards? How can we make rainbow picture to thank the NHS when we don’t have any colouring pens? What can we learn about our colleagues by looking at what’s going on in the background when we Zoom!

I’m not for one minute trying to make light of the reality that is relying on food banks for meals and not being able to see loved ones. I just think that if we can sometimes pretend it’s a game, life can feel a little lighter.

What problem can you turn into a challenge? What challenge can you turn into a game?

Control the controllables.

Finally, an old favourite of mine. Learn to sort the things that bother you into one of three categories.

Can I control it? Can I influence it? Is it totally uncontrollable?

Control

The main thing you can control is you. Everything you do, and everything you say. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be angry. You may not be able to control the event, but you can control your response to it. Take a minute, breathe, and choose how you will react.

Influence

Our ability to influence is growing all the time. Social media has made it easy to ‘find your tribe’ and take on issues that would have looked outside of our control not long ago.

Uncontrollable

This is the category which can create a lot of debate as it could be argued that with enough drive you can influence anything. For example, local lockdown, is it out of our control? Maybe, but can we influence our leaders to hear our point of view? Yes, of course. So, I am not going to get myself into a tricky situation here by suggesting what you think you can or can’t influence!

So, here is the trick.

You decide what category the thing that is bothering you fits into.

If you can control it, then stop complaining about it, control it.

If you can influence it, then stop complaining about it and do something about it.

If you can’t control it, then stop complaining about it and spend your energy on controlling and influencing the things you can.

By focusing on the learning, making challenges a game, and putting your energy into things that you can control and want to influence, you will, more often not, live a glass half full life.

And if you’re making a G&T mine’s a large one!

Words by:

Jacqui Flavell

www.2ndcupoftea.co.uk

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Hunter Schafer is Named as the New Global Brand Ambassador for Shiseido Makeup

Japanese beauty brand Shiseido has today announced Hunter Schafer as its newest global brand ambassador for its makeup division.

The 20-year old trans actress and artist has skyrocketed into the public eye this past year, largely thanks to her role as trans teen Jules Vaughn on HBO’s Euphoria, in which she stars alongside Zendaya. She’s also a favourite in the fashion industry, having walked the runways for the likes of Dior, Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu.

James Boehmer, the global artistic director for Shiseido makeup, praised Schafer saying, “She really represents the current zeitgeist of beauty in that there are no rules, no boundaries and no restrictions.” He continued, “Similar to [the brand], Hunter is both modern and timeless. She continues to write her own narrative, which is what we encourage people to do with makeup.”

Photograph courtesy of Shiseido

As for what she wants to accomplish in her role, Schafer says, “I want to bring more visibility to the notion that you can move beyond one beauty ideal or standard. I’m about levelling up and finding your own frequency in makeup.” She also believes attitudes towards makeup are changing. “From what I’ve seen in the beauty world, I think we’re experiencing a massive movement toward something more artistic and binary. I think that’s important because makeup is for everyone if they want it. It’s an exciting tool. There’s a greater understanding of the universalness that can be attached to makeup.”

Schafer will make her campaign debut for the brand in 2021. Watch this space.

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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Canadian Footwear Brand Vessi Launches Its Newest Waterproof Shoe Today

Talk about making a splash: Since its initially crowdfunded products were introduced in 2017, innovative B.C.-based footwear brand Vessi – co-founded by Andy Wang, Tony Yu and Mikaella Go – has gained a legion of loyal fans. “We wanted to create a shoe that you can wear comfortably through any season,” Go says of Vessi’s selection of styles, which today got an update with the release of the Weekend Sneaker. This latest design has a new pull-tab feature, as well as the waterproof and vegan fabrication the brand is known for.

waterproof sneakers
Photography courtesy of Vessi.

Go highlights the versatility of Vessi’s offerings as being key to its success. “[They’re] something you can dress up or dress down,” she notes, adding that a variety of professions rely on ready-for-anything shoes including nurses, dog walkers and bartenders. Those who prefer life off the beaten path are also avid customers. “It evolved past needing [them] for rain to this idea of being free to do whatever you want every day, without having to worry about anything,” she says.

Outreach has also been a core part of the young brand’s rapid growth. “We always ask [our] community before we make something,” Go says, highlighting everything from colour selection to creating a slip-on style as something the team has taken heed of during the design process.

Vessi is also committed to outreach in other ways, with philanthropy being an important pillar of its philosophy. “We want to give back to the community we grew up in,” Go says. In addition to having its Community Fund, where organizations can pitch to become part of Vessi’s give-back pricing structure, the launch of the Weekend Sneaker affords customers the chance to donate $5 from their deposit on the shoe to one of four mental health-focused groups: The Trevor Project; To Write Love On Her Arms; the Brain & Behaviour Research Foundation; and the Canadian Mental Health Association. “With 2020 panning out this way and mental health being one of the things we want to bring awareness to, it was a very easy decision to do this campaign,” Go says.

waterproof sneaker
Photography courtesy of Vessi.

While the brand itself re-calibrates and responds to shifting consumer demands over the course of the year–Go says that plans to open brick-and-mortar locations have been put on hold for the time being, but adds that instead of having to let employees go during COVID-19, they’ve hired more–she has maintained an optimistic attitude, and uses hours while being unplugged to refresh her perspective.

“I promised myself–and my boyfriend–that every month, we’d get away from the city,” Go says of how she’s tried to alleviate the many mental effects of being in quarantine. “[It’s about] putting our phones away and being present in the moment. It’s really helped me reset my thoughts.”

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