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Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024From the editorThe summer before I turned 30 was one of the most glorious on record. Well, in my mind at least. Long, balmy days were filled with drinks and dancing as three of my best friends got married. Except, I wasn’t drinking a drop. And behind the wide grins I pulled in photo after photo, was someone wanting to burn every picture. Not because I didn’t treasure the many beautiful moments I still hold dear now, but because I was deep into a course of isotretinoin treatment for cystic acne. And I’d never felt worse about the way I looked.I’d struggled with breakouts from the second hormones hit my body. Through creams and contraceptive pills, skincare overhauls and antibiotics, the spots persisted. As a teenager, pre-drink pampering sessions were a source…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Category is: 15 years of RuPaul’s Drag Race realness‘The time has come for you to lip-sync for your life…’ It’s been 15 years since RuPaul first uttered those now legendary words to Victoria ‘Porkchop’ Parker and Akashia as they fought to remain in RuPaul’s Drag Race season one. In the years since, the show has transformed from an underground fan-favourite to a global sensation. With over 200 episodes and 17 international franchises (and counting), RuPaul’s Drag Race has become mainstream viewing and an important symbol in the queer community. To celebrate the show turning 15, let’s look back at some of the biggest moments in its herstory.The first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race aired on Logo TV, a channel aimed at LGBTQIA+ audiences, and saw RuPaul, along with Santino Rice and Merle Ginsberg, put nine queens through their…7 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024The global low-downCOSMO HONG KONGEIC Sally TseThe lifestyle in Hong Kong is incredibly fast paced – how does that affect your skincare routines?‘Time is always a concern for us here. We may not have the luxury to enjoy a 90-minute treatment at the beauty salon, so using things like facial masks at home is essential. We also always look for multifunctional formulas to save time in our busy schedules.’COSMO KOREAEIC Seyoung JeongK-beauty has already changed the world of skincare (and for that, we are grateful). What’s on the horizon that we should know about next?‘K-consumers are really into ‘minus care’ right now, which means minimising the number of steps in your beauty routine. Stick balms are very popular for that reason – they melt smoothly into your skin and allow you to…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Exactly how to dermaplane (because we know you’re doing it anyway)First, some basics – because you’ve got to understand the process before you master it. Dermaplaning is a form of physical exfoliation that removes your outermost layer of dead skin cells, as well as any peach fuzz, with a surgical blade, explains licensed aesthetician Joie Tavernise.How sharp that blade is depends on where you’re getting it done. Aestheticians use super-sharp ones, leading to a deeper exfoliation – but professional treatments come with a price tag (dermaplaning costs about £50 per session, with results lasting around two to four weeks). So it’s a good thing the newest at-home tools work almost as well.Possibly the best part of dermaplaning is that it’s quick and painless with instant gratification and zero downtime. Your skin will feel super soft and appear brighter immediately after…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Are those LED face masks worth the £££?I don’t know about you, but when a celeb starts touting a bizarre-looking beauty treatment, my immediate reaction is an eye-roll à la, ‘who paid you to post about this thing that probably does nothing?’ So when I first saw pics of people like Chrissy Teigen using LED devices to treat breakouts, I assumed this was just another ~trendy~ but questionably functional gimmick. Turns out I assumed wrong, because yes, even veteran beauty editors make mistakes. LED – the easier way to say ‘light-emitting diode’ – technically works by shooting out high-intensity light that’s absorbed by your skin. ‘The most common lights are red and blue, and they can be used separately or together,’ explains Mona Gohara, dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale University. Red light is great for…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Just the prettiest engagement rings out there…Heard the hype around lab-grown diamonds?They’ve got the same chemical composition as mined diamonds, but are made in a lab. Laura Kay, director at jewellery boutique Tomfoolery London, explains why more people are prioritising this ethical option. ‘Lab-grown diamonds offer complete reassurance when it comes to your carbon footprint and it’s impossible to tell the difference without advanced technology. Compared with mined diamonds, you can get a much larger lab-grown centre diamond with better clarity, colour and cut for your budget.’The costAccording to tradition, the price tag ‘should’ be equivalent to three months’ wages, but, frankly, some traditions are best left in the past. There are stunning engagement rings out there to suit every budget and it’s what the ring represents that’s important – not the price tag.Ring sizeIf you’re…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Your underwear drawer is crying out for this lingerieWhen it comes to putting a look together, lingerie choice usually ranks last on the list, yet it can affect everything from comfort to confidence. So why is it that shopping for underwear is always such a slog? To help curate the dream undies drawer, we’ve rounded up eight brands that deliver on stylish, trend-led garments, delicate design details, sustainable fabrics and size inclusivity. Let’s go!1 Dora LarsenUSP: Fashion editor favouriteSize range: 32A to 34FPrices start at: £24 for briefs, £46 for a braIt quickly amassed a cult following after its launch in 2016 by former lingerie and fashion buyer, Georgia Larsen, but if you haven’t heard of Dora Larsen, you’ve likely seen the brand’s bright, contemporary styles. Largely crafted from sustainable sheer mesh and lace, the designs are sexy…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024My job is destroying my mental health…but the pay is great WTF do I do?Dear Minaa,Most of my career has been temp work – zero benefits, measly pay – but now I have a permanent position and it’s a major relief. I’m an administrative assistant at a hospital and I love the job. But my boss? An unbelievable micromanager.When I’m knocking out paperwork, she asks for updates every hour until it’s in her hands. And she continues to monitor my every move, despite regularly acknowledging that I’m a hard worker. It has started to make me doubt my abilities. It’s not just me – other colleagues have started pushing back, challenging her authority on the daily, and things have got heated. What sucks even more is that those co-workers aren’t great either. They’ve been here for years and are super cliquey. I gathered the…4 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Try before you train Running shoesThese really made me feel like I was running on clouds. I’m training for a marathon and the intense foam cushioning and rocker-shaped sole meant I bounced my way through a run, helping to shave minutes off my time. They are also super lightweight, so would be great for anyone looking to work on their tempo. Size up, as they’re snug!Amy, SEO executiveI’m not a long-distance runner, but I do a few 5Ks on top of HIIT training. Allbirds’ latest offering are super comfortable, thanks to Bouncy SwiftFoam technology, which kept my feet cushioned on runs of various distances. I normally go for a sportier, more technical look, but these were so comfortable that they’ve really grown on me.Kimberley, features writerThese are a solid choice if you’re seeking sturdy support…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Hate skiing? Go on a ski trip!Haven’t you always wanted to live in The Holiday?If the whole finding-yourself-in-a-snowy-cottage thing sounds pretty damn appealing, keep your eyes peeled for a luxe yet laid-back resort town, such as Breckenridge in Colorado or Courchevel in the French Alps. Walk or bus your non-skiing self around different cafes, bars and restaurants, taking a good book along with you for the ride (may we suggest something like The Resort by Sarah Goodwin to really amp up the snowy vibes?), and check out the shops. Why not go for a horse-drawn sleigh, toboggan or Ski-Doo ride, all followed up with a lovely Aperol Spritz. Yes please.Tipsy snowshoeing is more fun than spin classFresh powder and heavy pours? That’s our sort of winning combination. It’s all about imbibing in wonderland-like conditions (think: igloo…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024For your eyes onlyCosmo Confessions1 The night I became a ‘daddy’ girl forever altered THE course of my sex lifeYou could say I’ve had sex with my share of daddies – by which I mean men who have literally fathered children as well as hot, dominant, sexy-older-man types. But actually calling any of these men ‘Daddy’ out loud? That always felt a bit on the nose. As a teen of the 2010s who would get ready for school listening to Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die album, the whole Daddy thing felt more like a campy shtick than something I could imagine anyone actually saying with some level of erotic authenticity.That is, of course, until my night in bed at a five-star hotel with yet another man old enough to be my father. We…16 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024HAIL TO THEQueensJaidaESSENCE HALLWhat’s the best beauty advice you’ve received from another drag artist on or off the show?Don’t be afraid of the make-up. We can have as much or as little fun as we want to with it. We can always take it off and start again. It’s just make-up.If you could leave the house with only two beauty items in your bag, what would they be?First, probably a palette. Does that count as one? A palette and then a wig, because when the hair is on, the fantasy is real.What’s a beauty tip that you live by?I spray my foundation brush once with setting spray. Next, I apply foundation to the brush and then spray it again before putting it to my face. It allows the make-up to set and…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Dating diariesA new type for a new me?MONDAYTonight, I’m going on the first date I’ve been on in *does the maths* 10 months. Ten months! Like everyone else, I started the year off faithfully sticking to my resolution to date more seriously after coming to the realisation that I’m not going to meet the love of my life inhaling McDonald’s on my sofa on a Friday night. I started strong, going on a date a week, but by the third week of January I decided that, yes, I’d much rather sit on my sofa and eat fast food on a Friday night, actually.Those three dates just reminded me why I’d stopped dating in the first place. It all just feels a bit pointless, doesn’t it? I have some friends with lovely boyfriends but I’ve just not been…6 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Recommended reading to soothe your confused heartTHE PISCESby Melissa BroderBEST LINE: ‘He was beautiful, and yes, I loved him, in one of the infinite ways a person can love. I knew that I would wish a thousand times that things could have ended differently. But I also knew somewhere in me, that there was no other ending.’THREE WOMENby Lisa TaddeoBEST LINE: ‘Throughout history, men have broken hearts in a particular way. They love them or half love them and then grow weary and spend weeks and months extricating themselves soundlessly, pulling their tails back into their doorways, drying themselves off, and never calling again.’I CAPTURE THE CASTLEby Dodie SmithBEST LINE: ‘Just to be in love seemed to be the most blissful luxury I had ever known. The thought came to me that perhaps it is the…1 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024‘Sorry, I can’t. I’m busy adding these releases to my must-watch list’The Iron ClawIn cinemas 9 FebruaryGo ringside with Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Lily James, who star in this sports biopic about the true, tragic story of the famous Von Erich wrestling family. Prepare for fights, sibling drama, more muscles than ever before and some interesting haircuts copied straight from the 80s. Sold.Dune: Part TwoIn cinemas 1 MarchFinally! We’re heading back to the planet of Arrakis for the Dune sequel. As Paul Atreides rises to power, he wages a vengeful war for his family. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya return to our screens, with Academy Award nominees Florence Pugh and Austin Butler also joining the cast.GriseldaNetflix, 25 JanuaryThis is Sofia Vergara as you’ve never seen her before. From the makers of Narcos and Painkiller, this six-part limited series is inspired…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Did someone say BookTok adaptations?It Ends With Us by Colleen HooverWhat’s it about? Blake Lively stars as businesswoman (self-made, but of course) Lily Bloom, who falls for the smart yet distant Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). Then, just as Lily begins to question her relationship, guess who turns up? Yep, it’s her first love, Atlas Corrigan.Anything else we should know? Fans of the book were critical of Blake Lively’s casting *and* some of the costumes. Talk about salty.They Both Die At The End by Adam SilveraWhat’s it about? In a dystopian New York City, teens Rufus and Mateo are informed they have 24 hours to live and spend their final day together.Anything else we should know? The creator of Bridgerton, Chris Van Dusen, has teamed up with Yellowjackets’ Drew Comins and none other than rapper…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Serum foundations1. MAC STUDIO RADIANCE SERUM-POWERED FOUNDATION, £39Forget handbags because, IMO, glowing skin is the best accessory and it’s guaranteed with this foundation. According to stats from Mac, this powerful bottle – which comes in 56 luminous shades – provides 209% hydration for smoother and more radiant skin. And the numbers don’t lie – I’ve yet to lock in as much moisture with any other product.2. PERRICONE MD NO MAKEUP FOUNDATION SERUM SPF20, £52If a light and low-key no make-up make-up look is what you’re in the mood for, this should be at the very top of your beauty buys list. And if you think serum foundations only offer a super sheer dewy finish, think again. The Perricone MD formula provides a rich semi-matte finish that’s ideal for oily complexions. It’ll…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Are online skincare subscription services worth the investment?Online prescription skincare services are having a moment. Forget finding time in your diary (and your GP’s) to book a face-to-face appointment – using expert dermatologists and doctors, these online services aim to digitally decipher how to help your skin and deliver a tailored package straight to your front door.But as demand continues to grow, so too have the services on offer. With so many on the market, all promising to give you good skin, it’s not easy trying to work out which ones are actually worth the money. So, hello, that’s where we come in. We tried out the most hyped online prescription services for a month to see if they genuinely helped with our derm dilemmas*. These are the ones we really rated.RENUDEFrom £20 for three monthsTested by…5 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024The best pimple patches for every kind of breakoutSTICK TO IT Thesehandy little patches are your new skincare secretFOR A CLUSTER OF WHITEHEADSInstead of applying a bunch of individual stickies, save yourself time and money with an XL patch (it can cover multiple breakouts) so you can finally stop picking and start healing.Purifide by Acnecide 3-in-1 Power Patch Salicylic Acid Spot Patches for Blemish-Prone Skin, £9.99 for 36FOR LINGERING ACNE SCARSNot only do these work to reduce spot inflammation, the Canadian Willowherb also helps to fade blemishes and marks left by stubborn spots.FOR JUICY WHITEHEADSYou can legit shrink a zit in half by covering it with one of these dots overnight. The salicylic acid, tea tree extract and niacinamide work together to kill bacteria and calm redness.FOR NOSE BLACKHEADSA smarter alternative to traditional pore strips, these hydrocolloid patches…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024These are the designers you’reabout to see everywhereLondon Fashion WeekTOVEPreviously heads of design and buying at Topshop, Tove founders Camille Perry and Holly Wright know a thing or two about what modern women want to wear. They already hit the big time with summer’s celeb-loved Lauryn dress, but the brand’s debut LFW show cemented its ‘it girl’ status with a full collection of refined, minimalistchic designs.STANDING GROUNDIt’s telling that Salma Hayek recently chose to wear a Standing Ground gown on the red carpet when she could have had her pick of any famous brand. But the talent of Irish designer Michael Stewart speaks for itself, and it’s rumoured that he will bring his couture-worthy eveningwear to Paris this year. All signs of big things to come.SUPRIYA LELEIf it’s subtle sensuality and flattering drapery that you want, you’ll…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024The return of the maxi scarfFORThe bigger, the better, especially when it comes to cold-weather dressing. What’s better than an oversized statement scarf to distract from the freezing British winters, right? And with icon Dua Lipa’s seal of approval, it’s time to join the trend. Simply put: everyone needs a gigantic statement scarf in their life. I’m a huge fan of layering, and there’s nothing dowdy about my favourite blanket scarf and oversized coat styling combo. Whether it’s Acne Studios or Asos, it’s the perfect outfit upgrade. Bored of your same old office attire? Throw on an enormous scarf. Not only are the colour, material and pattern options endless, but you can easily elevate even a basic outfit. As someone who always feels cold, the gigantic scarf trend couldn’t be more appropriate. Plus, it’s Paris…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024I was sober, now I’m not. I feel… weird about it?It was at a wedding over the summer, when a stranger (a renowned boozer) yelled ‘boring’ at me after I turned down a second glass of wine. He was slurring and sweating, but in his eyes, I didn’t have the right vibe.Before I spent 15 months entirely sober in a bid to reset my mental health and relationship with alcohol, I probably would have caved in under the pressure. I’d have even bought him a shot to prove how fun I am, then drunk more wine until I blacked out and spent the next day riddled with self-loathing and anxiety. Between the ages of 14 and 27, my off switch around alcohol was non-existent. I drank multiple times a week, without questioning if I even really wanted to. Sundays were…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024You know, there’s a patch for thatFirst came Gwyneth, then Meghan. Now, anyone who’s anyone in the wellness world appears to be extolling the virtues of ‘miracle’ patches. Packed with essential oils and vitamins that slowly absorb into your skin, they promise to help with everything from sleep issues to stress, anxiety and even, err, your aura. But are all self-care stickers created equal? Team Cosmopolitan put four patches to the test…WHAT: Disciple CBD Miracle Patch, £30 for 30DESIGNED TO: Soothe even the most stressed of minds by infusing your skin with calming CBD through heat activationTESTER: Kimberley Bond, features writerVERDICT: I’m an anxious wreck at the best of times, and ongoing family drama has seen my stress levels rocket. My sleep has been quite badly disturbed, so testing Disciple’s 8mg CBD patch couldn’t have come…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Your 2024 Mercury in retrograde survival guideWhat is Mercury in retrograde?When Mercury goes retrograde, it appears to move backwards through the skies. But it’s just an optical illusion – the planet’s shorter orbit makes it look like it hustles past Earth, slows down and then moves in a backwards loop. Mercury is usually all about communication, travel, messages, information and intellect, so when it’s in retrograde, these areas may be adversely affected. This can mean anything from delays and setbacks to technology mishaps, crossed wires and communication issues.But… you will get through it, with a bit of foresight and planning. Just be sure to save your documents, avoid any big trips or contract signings if you can – and always have a plan B.How to survive and thrive this yearAvoid the big topicsTry not to start…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Gk Barry’s shootig for the stars (and landing on the clouds)The EMERGES FROM A FOG OF WATERMELON ICE vape smoke in a skintight two-piece, stepping into the bubblegum pink studio. Candyfloss-esque clouds hang above her head, while there’s a ‘Press for Prosecco’ button fastened to the back wall. The bar cart is fully stocked with Malibu and gold-tinted vodka bottles, ready and waiting for her next guest.No one knows what the next hour will hold. What her guest will reveal. One thing’s for sure; it’ll be wild and gossipy. But it will also be part of something much bigger. Something that’s breaking the current media and showbiz mould and changing the face of celebrity. We’re entering an era where podcasters are as famous, if not more, than their guests. We’ve moved past the five-minutes-of-fame model. Now, overnight success can actually…13 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024DRESS FOR THE REALITY YOU WANTPassport, stampedKat Graham has literally and figuratively been there, done that. See: her years dominating The Vampire Diaries as Bonnie, her get-stuck-in-your-head musical bops, her full-throated romcom renaissance and her consistent serving of face (as proven by these photos).Now, she’s adding ‘author’ to her long CV. Her first book, an illustrated journal titled Seasons Of You, is available now. And once you’ve used it to guide yourself through a lovely little meditation, feel free to keep up with Kat on her ongoing Time world tour.…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024‘My best sex ever was an exercise in delayed gratification’Anyone who knows me will know I’m a huge fan of having my cake and eating it, too. So, having the possibility of an org*sm, or two, or three, offered up before being mercilessly snatched away isn’t exactly something I’d associate with a fun time. That, however, was until I was getting down to it one rainy Sunday afternoon.We’d planned to go out for a chilled brunch, but there was something about cuddling and getting cosy under the covers while the rain battered the bedroom windows that seemed like a much better idea.One of the many things I love about the guy I’m dating is that he is very generous. He’ll spend (and I’m not exaggerating) hours making me feel good, with no expectation that I reciprocate.He’d been going down…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Presenting: date ideas that don’t suckSure, ‘grabbing coffee’ or ‘getting a drink’ is nice, but the one vibe you definitely don’t need on a date – a first date or 50th date – is same old, same old. For obvious reasons, but also because science. ‘The same brain chemicals that are released during the honeymoon phase of a relationship are released whenever you engage in novel activities together,’ says psychologist Naomi Bernstein. In short, switching up your plans can help keep the mood alive.Plus, on the classic let’s-meet-at-a-bar front, a lot of people are kind of… losing interest in dating via drinking. In fact, 72% of Tinder members say they only drink occasionally or not at all, according to the app’s Future Of Dating report. And anyway, our brains crave variety, says dating coach Damona…4 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Ticket for one, pleaseMy heart was pounding as I made my way into a packed Tuesday screening of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in the winter of 2022. The cinema’s escalator and lengthy snack queues were filled with people meeting up with friends and loved ones to watch Rian Johnson’s latest film, some of them even hugging and catching up over a drink beforehand. And then there was me, handing over my ticket – just the one – to the employee.Going to the cinema alone isn’t really a groundbreaking thing, I know. Plenty of people do it all the time. It’s just that I had never been one of them. This was the end of an era for me, and that realisation hit hard: shame began to creep in – did it…5 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Great skin, around the globeThe buzz around skincare has become louder over the past few years, hasn’t it? Whether that’s with new treatments to trial, an active to add to your beauty product roster or a viral TikTok trend to test out, we are truly in our skinification era in beauty.Yes, the wealth of new skincare can be a little overwhelming at times; there are always new steps to add or fresh ways for us to apply our routines. And a lot of that is down to just how global everything is now. When I was younger, I was so reliant on localised advice on skin issues, such as my sisters or school friends telling me that I needed to try out a scrub for my teenage spots (ouch) or get a certain pack…1 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Hailey Bieber’s coming for your beauty routine‘Wait, another celeb skincare brand?’ is a question beauty eds have been asking, on repeat, for what seems like forever. While there are plenty of top-quality brands, there are also lots that just don’t do anything for us (sorry). But Hailey Bieber’s Rhode isn’t one of them.In summer 2022, shots of Bieber’s ultra-hydrated, glazed-doughnut skin filled our Instagram feeds – and her skincare brand arrived. ‘I’ve always had a deep love for beauty,’ Bieber tells us over Zoom. Her hair is slicked into a ballerina bun, she’s in a cosy cardigan and her skin is plump, dewy and glowing, obviously. ‘My grandma was a make-up artist, so she always loved [beauty]; my mum is the same.’When it comes to Rhode (her middle name), her passion for skincare is clear. Those…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Acne treatments beauty experts swear byTHIS SULPHUR FACE MASK‘My derm recommended sulphur-based skincare to help reduce acne flare-ups, and after using this mask every other night for a week, my skin looked 100% better. My pimples were dried out and my face looked less bumpy and inflamed. It’s a miracle product.’ – Siena Gagliano, associate shopping editor at Cosmo US.THIS SPOT CORRECTOR‘As someone who suffers from excess sebum, I tend to pick my battles when it comes to skincare experimentation. But, to treat blackheads/whiteheads (just oily gal things), this is my go-to. Niacinamide reduces post-inflammatory pigmentation and salicylic acid unclogs my pores.’ – Lia Mappoura, beauty assistant at Cosmo UK.THIS POST-BREAKOUT BALM‘If you want to speed up the recovery process, look no further than this cream. It kick-starts your skin’s healing, reduces the likelihood of…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Rebels with a cause*FASHION TRENDFormer emo kidAccording to the catwalks, we’re now back in the era of emo MySpaceFASHION TRENDHardwareHeavy metal is our style weapon of choice. Get into studs, eyelets and chains…1 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Meet the transgender twin models taking over the fashion worldAllow us to introduce you to Madelyn and Margo Whitley. These 22-year-old Texan twins, signed to PRM agency, have had a huge year modelling for the likes of Rodarte and Helmut Lang, as well as going viral on TikTok with their videos about transitioning. The pair both came out as transgender a year apart, defying an unsupportive, conservative community before swiftly moving to New York where they later landed lucrative modelling contracts. We caught up with them to hear what their next big moves might be…What was it like to grow up as queer young people in a Trump-voting, gun-toting state in the Bible Belt?MADELYN: We went to an all-boys private Catholic high school, so it was kind of terrible. There was a teacher there who would very publicly condemn…4 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Is making yourself sad the ultimate happiness hack?Buzz. Snooze. Repeat. Grab my phone, then fall into a scroll-hole. Each morning begins the same way. As soon as I manage to prise my eyes open, it’s an affront of emails, TikTok, Instagram, news and WhatsApp – all before I’ve even cleaned my teeth. When the screen time reminder pops up, telling me I’ve already used 25 of my allocated 30 minutes for social media, I just press ignore.Instead of filling up my happiness meter, the endless and incessant scrolling (often done without conscious intent) makes me feel icky and gross – and it happens regularly throughout the rest of my day, too. But could the latest wellness buzz phrase – dopamine fasting – which is the idea of eschewing quick happiness hits, found in the likes of notifications,…8 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Morning, sunshine! Here’s the literal first thing you should do1. Congrats, we’re gonna give your life a musical score! Which mood is the most appropriate?a Whatever was playing in the background of those Tom And Jerry chase sequences.b Any Y2K indie tune. All bangers, all the time.c Non-stop, old-school hip hop.2. How do you make it through the brutal post-lunch slump?a A nice, distracting, in-depth social media scroll.b As prolific thought leader Rihanna once said, ‘I gotta get my body moving.’c Power naps. Obviously.3. You just crossed out the final item on your aggressively long to-do list. You are now:a Ready for happy hour! Followed by an hour-long call with an unsuspecting friend to bitch about my day.b Riding a self-care wave.c Can you please just let me enjoy this wonderfully mindless TV bender?4. Think hard on this. Which…2 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Do yourself a favour and adultify your kitchen1 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Offdutywith Vick Hope‘OH MY GOD, I know the flight!’ squeals Vick Hope in a fit of giggles. Last summer, I spotted her while boarding a late-night EasyJet flight to Ibiza. Multiple hen dos filtered down the cabin one by one until they saw Hope’s signature gorgeous, tumbling curls, warm smile and glowing skin. Cue the immediate chorus of, ‘Oh my god, are you Vick Hope?’ and each of them, in turn, sitting down in the vacant seat next to the 34-year-old presenter to ask for a photo, to which she sweetly obliged.‘Look, I respect anyone just trying to have a good time,’ Hope says, laughing again. ‘Also, there’s this fallacy that Jordan [North] started on the radio that I’m always on a private jet, so I’m glad someone saw me. I was…14 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Beware theOnlyFans pimpI could be earning hundreds of pounds a week, apparently. I’ve been spotted, online, for my potential. And, as I wait impatiently for payday, dragging myself through those long days at work where nothing extraordinary happens, it’s tempting. Really tempting. How? I can become one of the OnlyFans 1%. At least, that’s what this agency is telling me. They would manage everything, I’d work less and earn more, and I wouldn’t even need to show my face. Win, win, right? But, as I was about to discover, what these agencies are really doing is less manager, more pimp… They’re selling a lie dressed as ‘the dream’.One google of OnlyFans and the stories come rolling in. There’s the ‘Florida woman who quit her Chick-fil-A job to become an OnlyFans model and…14 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Are screenshots ruining dating for everyone?*‘Oh wow, long day for Tom from Hinge,’ I say as my friend holds up her phone. We’re having lunch and she’s showing me a screenshot taken from a chat with a man she met online. We do this all the time: sharing receipts from conversations we’ve had on dating apps, laughing or cringing at the weird things strangers say to us. And it seems fine, because we’re only showing each other, in person or in our private chats, and everyone does it. It’s no big deal, right? Maybe not. But does the moral code change when you go public?These days, our lives are inherently lived online. And we share almost everything – whether intentionally or not – with millions of strangers on the internet without much thought. So it’s…6 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Are we all in the same weirdly devastating three-month situationship?The worst break-up I ever had wasn’t even a real break-up. It was whatever you call it when you decide to tell the person you’re dating that you love them, then cry yourself to sleep in their bed when they reject you. I was 21, he was 37, and I had fallen into the kind of delirious infatuation that almost feels inevitable a few months into a romantically ambiguous thing where one party is more emotionally invested than the other. I’d forgotten that these quick but intense quasirelationships almost always end this way, with someone (hi) feeling gutted.I know you can relate. And you know who else can? Taylor Swift. Her 2010 situationship with Jake Gyllenhaal was rumoured to be responsible for not one, not two, but four different versions…3 min
Cosmopolitan UK|February/March 2024Hanging at home with Olivia DeanWhat’s the first thing you do in the morning?I wish it was something cool. Sometimes it’s yoga, but sometimes it’s TikTok.What’s your favourite room in your home?I just moved into my own flat and it’s the first time I’ve had a place to myself. I love my bathroom – it’s becoming a real sanctuary. I’m trying to keep it minimalist.How do you find living by yourself?I’ve been sharing with different friends for the last seven years and I’ve loved it. But our house always ended up being the house party place. I need to be able to go to the party, then leave.What’s your signature dinner-party dish?At my dinner parties, I love to do a themed cuisine and then play music from that country. I recently threw a Moroccan-themed dinner…2 min
