American Apparel: A statement we can agree on

Kettle Mag, 24th January 2014

http://www.kettlemag.co.uk/article/american-apparel-statement-we-can-agree

So often criticised, and rightly so, for over sexualising their ad campaigns, American Apparel have finally done something we can agree with. Fixing merkins (or pubic hair wigs, for those not in the know) to their lingerie mannequins, the store is attempting to ‘spark up curiosity and conversation about what we deem beautiful and sexy.’

With society all too keen to tell women they must be totally hairless, save for their head, this New York window display is getting people talking for all the right reasons.

In a recent survey it was revealed 51 per cent of women don’t groom their public hair, preferring to go natural. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz have also spoken about their acceptance of their lady gardens, with Paltrow claiming she ‘rocks a 70s vibe down there.’ 

So if this many women, celebrities included, are shunning the waxer, why is American Apparel’s recent window display such a big deal?

Mannequins: Good role models?

Since the invention of the bikini in the 1960s it has been much more commonplace to remove any unsightly hair that may make an appearance. But this trend has only grown in popularity in recent decades, and now to even have a ‘landing strip’ can be seen as taboo.

It has been reported girls as young as 10 are having waxes to stunt growth so they don’t have to suffer when they reach puberty. American Apparel is saying what we should all be saying—pubic hair is not a bad thing. We shouldn’t be teaching girls that their natural body is wrong or shameful in anyway.

Arguably, this trend for the bald vagina is being kept alive by the porn industry. With every girl on camera completely hairless, it has become the norm for everyone, porn star or not. Stupid really, when the only reason these girls are waxed to within an inch of their life is so the camera can see all the graphic details.

Twitter users have come out in force over this issue. Splitting almost completely down the middle, some hate it while others think it’s a brilliant step forward for feminism and body choice and acceptance.  

After all, that is really what it comes down to—personal choice. I think we can all agree that we should not be spreading the message that natural body hair is disgusting or unhygienic in anyway (despite what the ads may tell us) but we shouldn’t be chastising anyone for their own grooming habits. If you want to go au natural and rock a full bush, do it and don’t let the twitter trolls tell you wrong.

These mannequins are doing their job—looking fabulous in their rather interesting sheer lingerie and sparking a debate that shouldn’t really need to be debated in 2014. A woman, just like these mannequins can look beautiful, stylish and full of confidence with or without a full bush.

Rock your own style with confidence, whether you channel the 70s, go totally bare, or even, to hell with, get a funky pattern waxed into your pubes. It’s your vagina after all!

Being environmentally friendly at university

Concrete, 28th January 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/eco-friendly-student/

Being environmentally friendly at university may not the top priority for you, as after all those LCR nights your reading list is now longer than your arm. But protecting the environment isn’t as challenging as you may think. Simple things like turning off a light when you leave the room will not only help keep your carbon footprint down, but your household bills down too.

The same goes for the central heating. It might be the best feeling in world to have that heating turned up to 20 on the thermostat, but just turning it down just slightly will go a long way, and you will hardly notice the temperature change. Huddle under blankets or in your pyjamas and the heating could even go off!

If you and your flatmates are cooking dinner at the same time, the heating from the stove or oven will keep your house toasty for longer than you can imagine. Joint meals are one of the best ways to both help the environment and save money. You will be creating far less waste and you can even take any leftovers for lunch the next day.

Although you probably spend long enough staring at computer screens, if your seminar leader has mentioned you don’t need to print this week’s reading: don’t! Printing off 20 pages of that boring essay you are pretty confident you won’t use again is a huge waste of resources. But if you really must print your reading, perhaps share with a course friend, each getting half a week with the essay. Not only are you doing your bit to save the trees but it will encourage you to actually do the reading, and if you’re lucky your friend might write helpful notes all over it.

Walking or cycling to campus is a brilliant way to save money and help the environment. Rather than sitting on a stale bus, forking out hundreds for an annual bus pass, cycling will help you clear your head before that three hour seminar and act as a free gym! If cycling isn’t your thing, re-live your school days and walk. Plug in your headphones or walk in with a course friend or flatmate, and what may seem like a half hour trek from Unthank will turn into a great way to socialise. However if you do live impossibly far for campus (Bowthorpe, we’re looking at you) then try to always get the bus rather than investing in a car.

Being environmentally friendly is a lot easier than you might assume. Separating your household rubbish is practically mandatory now, so putting a bit of extra effort in to ensure your recycling all the right things isn’t too hard. With small and simple acts, not only are you helping planet earth, but by controlling how much energy you use, you’re keeping your bills down too; in the end, everybody wins!

Make up advice

Concrete, 28th January 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/beauty-tips-day-evening/

Day
Day time looks can be a little tired and plain. For a great twist, ditch the over-used black liner for a daring electric blue; try Superslick Liquid Eyeliner by MAC in ‘Signature Blue’. You could even go for a purple or green if you’re feeling adventurous. For a more soft approach, tease your lash line with a coloured eye shadow rather than liner. Go for a natural shimmery gold for a base over your eyelid, this will catch the light and add depth to your day look. Try the new Urban Decay Naked 3 pallette to find your perfect shade.

For your face, go for a matte foundation to even out the shimmer on your eyes, we love Clean Finish Matte Foundation by Rimmel. A light dusting of a light pink blusher on the apples of your cheeks will give you a clean and fresh look, perfect for any day!

Evening
For a bold evening look don’t be afraid to do both lips and eyes. Using black and brown shades across the lid and into the socket softens what would usually be considered a harsh look, and using a thin black liner in the lash line allows for impact without too much drama. Go for khol pencil for an even softer look, we love Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil, try in black or brown. A soft dark eye means you can go big with false eyelashes, try Eylure Naturalites Natural Texture False Eyelashes for a dramatic yet more subtle look.

Photos: Moji Adegbile

For the foundation, embrace a shimmery look for evening, layer on both a pink blush and a bronzer just above the cheekbone to add some delicate contouring. A red lip is an evening staple – a pillar box red suits almost everyone but go a bit darker for a vampier vibe; we love MAC’s Ruby Woo for its matte finish.