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среда, 19 февраля 2020 г.
Here's who won big at the 2020 BRIT awards last night
This evening saw the BRIT awards, with the 2020 ceremony, hosted this year by Jack Whitehall, celebrating the past year in music.
The viral news started on the red carpet, with Billie Eilish sporting Burberry nails and Lizzo dressing up as an actual Hershey’s chocolate bar.
…. @moschino dress @lorraineschwartz jewerly @judithleiberny bag @erierinailz nails @iwantalexx makeup @theshelbyswain hair @brettalannelson styling @marko_monroe styling It was what happened on the stage however that made the most news, from Stormzy crediting the women on his team during his Best Male Artist acceptance speech to Lewis Capaldi cleaning up the awards.
So who won big at the BRITs? Here’s everything to know…
Male Solo Artist
Dave
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Michael Kiwanuka
WINNER: Stormzy
Female Solo Artist
Charli XCX
FKA Twigs
Freya Ridings
WINNER: Mabel
Mahalia
Best Group
Bastille
Bring Me the Horizon
Coldplay
D-Block Europe
WINNER: Foals
Song of the Year
AJ Tracey – Ladbroke Grove
Calvin Harris & Rag’n’Bone Man – Giant
Dave ft Burna Boy – Location
Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care
WINNER: Lewis Capaldi – Someone You loved
Mabel – Don’t Call Me Up
Mark Ronson ft Miley Cyrus – Nothing Breaks like A heart
Sam Smith & Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
Stormzy – Vossi Bop
Tom Walker – Just You and I
Mastercard Album of the Year
WINNER: Dave – Psychodrama
Harry Styles – Fine Line
Lewis Capaldi – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
Stormzy – Heavy is the Head
Best New artist
Aitch
Dave
WINNER: Lewis Capaldi
Mabel
Sam Fender
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
WINNER: Tyler the Creator
Congratulations to all nominees and winners.
The post Here's who won big at the 2020 BRIT awards last night appeared first on Marie Claire.
The BRIT awards paid an emotional tribute to 'a member of the family' Caroline Flack
It was tragically announced just days ago that 40-year-old TV presenter Caroline Flack had committed suicide, with her death prompting a movement to ‘be kind’ in her memory.
At tonight’s BRIT awards, host Jack Whitehall paid tribute to Caroline.
#BRITs2020 host Jack Whitehall opened the awards ceremony with a tribute to Caroline Flack, describing the late TV presenter as a "kind and vibrant person with an infectious sense of fun".
Follow live updates from the awards here: https://t.co/GfPZDjwrCZ pic.twitter.com/1KYHcnAVGk
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 18, 2020
‘Over the weekend, we learnt the awful news that a member of the BRITs family, our friend Caroline Flack, tragically passed away.
‘She was a kind and vibrant person with an infectious sense of fun. She will be sorely missed,’ Jack said of Caroline. ‘I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say our thoughts are with her friends and family.’
Closing the emotional tribute, Jack stepped back to let Lewis Capaldi play his hit song, ‘Someone You Loved’.
Getty Images
This comes in a series of tributes to Caroline, with Harry Styles wearing a black ribbon pinned to the lapel of his BRITs outfit, seemingly in tribute to his ex girlfriend.
‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February,’ a statement from her family read over the weekend. ‘We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask that the make no attempt to contact us and/or photograph us.’
Our thoughts are with Caroline’s loved ones.
The post The BRIT awards paid an emotional tribute to 'a member of the family' Caroline Flack appeared first on Marie Claire.
Stormzy just credited the women on his team during his acceptance speech
This evening saw the BRIT awards, with the 2020 ceremony, hosted this year by Jack Whitehall, celebrating the past year in music.
The viral news started on the red carpet, with Billie Eilish sporting Burberry nails and Lizzo dressing up as an actual Hershey’s chocolate bar.
It was what happened on the stage however that made the most news, with British grime and hip-hop artist Stormzy picking up the award for Male Solo Artist.
After beating out Dave, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi and Michael Kiwanuka for the gong, Stormzy took to the stage to deliver one of the most memorable award acceptance speeches in BRITs history.
"I am so happy, man." Beyond proud of @stormzy and his Male Solo Artist win!
#BRITs pic.twitter.com/SJ0AI2rDXX
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) February 18, 2020
Stormzy dedicated his BRIT award to the women on his team.
This comes after criticism that not enough women were represented in the award nominations.
‘I am so happy, man,’ Stormzy announced following his win, before thanking his mum and his manager.
’To be the Best Male, I’ve got the most incredible females on my team,’ he went on to announce, before listing their individual names. ‘I love you lot. You are the greatest. The best male is nothing without these incredible females. I love you.’
He concluded his speech: ‘And to every single person that has supported me, I love you. Thank you so much.’
Like we needed a reason to love Stormzy more!
The post Stormzy just credited the women on his team during his acceptance speech appeared first on Marie Claire.
вторник, 18 февраля 2020 г.
Lizzo just wore an actual chocolate bar to the BRIT Awards
This evening saw the BRIT awards, with the 2020 ceremony, hosted this year by Jack Whitehall, celebrating the past year in music.
Harry Styles and Billie Eilish were expected to perform, but the celebrities in attendance were making viral news before the audience even took their seats.
Getty Images
Yes, from Billie Eilish’s Burberry nails to Ellie Goulding’s floral sheer dress, the BRITs red carpet was making a storm from the get-go.
No one turned as many heads however as Lizzo, with the 31-year-old actually wearing a chocolate bar wrapper as a dress. And not just any chocolate bar wrapper, a Hershey’s chocolate bar wrapper
The dress in question was custom-made by Jeremy Scott for Moschino, and it came with a matching chocolate bar clutch, embellished with the words ‘100%’, in reference to her lyrics, ’I’m 100 per cent that bitch’.
Lizzo is nominated for a BRIT for International Female Solo Artist, going up against Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello and Lana Del Rey.
Whatever happens in terms of awards however, she’s definitely won the red carpet, with Twitter users posting in their hundreds about her bold look.
‘The best kind of chocolate,’ the singer captioned a photo of the look on her Instagram page, posting another with the words, ‘If you ever wondered what I tasted like…’
Forever bowing down to you, Lizzo.
The post Lizzo just wore an actual chocolate bar to the BRIT Awards appeared first on Marie Claire.
Is it time we admit Love Island is outdated?
Even before Caroline Flack’s tragic death there were questions over the brand, linked to former contestants’ suicides and reduced ratings. Here, Olivia Foster asks if it’s time we admit it’s run its course
Following the announcement of Caroline Flack’s sudden and shocking death on Saturday 15 February, Love Island was not broadcast for two days but it returned last night with a tribute given by her friend and show narrator Iain Stirling. However many fans posted on social media they just didn’t feel right watching the show after the former presenter’s suicide – the fourth associated with the ITV2 show – and viewers did tune out, with an average audience of 1.93 million recorded by ratings supplier Overnights.tv.
Of course, when a new series of Love Island was first touted last year, it was safe to say people were excited. Would it be the antidote to the depressing winter months we’d all been looking for? Well, apparently not, even before Caroline’s death, the show was in trouble with recent reports revealing figures had dropped a massive 800,000 since the last summer series. In fact, in Ireland it was even reported that more people tuned in to see the Prime Time Leaders Debate on the February 1st, than watched the South Africa based show.
Getty Images
So what’s gone wrong? Well, the beginning of the series was mired by complaints and issues; from criticisms of the inclusion of 23-year-old Ollie Williams – who was seen posing next to a dead animal in a (since deleted) Instagram post – to accusations of racism and gaslighting being levied at Connor Durham.
One of this year’s Love Island contestants, Connor Durham (Photo Credit: ITV)
As for the Winter Love Island being posited as the cure for the winter blues, it’s only really served to make us feel worse about ourselves. In the summer we can relate to the Islanders (exceptionally tanned bodies and extensive bikini collections aside), we’re hot and horny and LI makes us believe that we too could get off with a six-pack wielding fireman, or a personal trainer from Essex with eyes so blue you could swim in them. Now our hearts are as cold our hands and we’ve barely seen our own bodies for months so the thought of rubbing them up against someone else is as alien as the thought of a Prime Minister who actually cares about people.
Then there is the image issue. For several seasons the show has been criticised for its lack of body diversity, with the majority of the shows female stars barely pushing over a size 10. But the casting producers fail season in, season out, to do anything about it. In 2019 ITV Studios Entertainment creative director Richard Cowles said, ‘I think we try to be as representative and diverse as possible.’ But when you consider that up 98,000 people were said to have applied for previous series, it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t possible to cast a wider variety of people.
What’s more, previous stars have begun to reveal the unhealthy lengths they’ve gone to prepare for their stint in the villa, leaving further questions about what it means to promote these unrealistic body goals. Former star Ellie Brown recently confessed to one newspaper, ‘One of the biggest myths about Love Island is that we look so toned, tanned and skinny all the time. In reality, I practically starved myself going into the villa — eating nothing but fish and vegetables for months and spending hours sweating away in the gym each day.’
(Photo Credit: ITV)
It is hardly surprising, then, that after six series things have started to get a little stilted, with one Twitter user calling the contestants, ‘The most boring set of islanders,’. Another called the show, ‘dull as dishwater.’ Like Big Brother and the X Factor before it, what was once an exciting new format has become to feel tired, especially as there is very little going on by way of new twists and turns to keep us entertained. Part of the problem behind this is – of course – is that the contestants will have seen the show before, such a juggernaut is it that you’d have to have lived with your head under a pillow and with no social media in order to miss it. So chats about ‘where your head is at,’ now feel performative rather than sweet, and Casa Amor is no longer a shock, but an expected few episodes in every series.
With only one week remaining before this show’s finale, its future and future direction is unclear. Although it’s unlikely the show will be axed, given that last year an ITV executive said they had never considered cancelling Love Island in the wake of the deaths of two former Islanders, Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. However, they’re now in uncharted waters with their former presenter’s death most definitely reigniting the conversation, and with calls from the public for the show to be taken permanently off air. If it remains, here’s hoping we see some serious changes for the better the next time Love Island comes around.
In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie
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Bring It On: The Musical is coming to the UK and we're so ready
Can you believe that Bring It On is 20 years old? The cheerleading cult classic is timeless, a perfect 00’s (just about) movie about cheer team rivalry and spirit fingers, starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union.
And now the fan favourite is heading to the UK stage – and we are so ready.
Selladoor Worldwide is producing the show and according to London Theatre One, it will take the audience on a ‘high-flying, energy-fuelled journey which tackles friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness, wrapped up in explosive choreography and tricks.’
The storyline will differ somewhat from the original movie. The synopsis reads: ‘Cheer-royalty and newly crowned Squad Captain, Campbell, should be embarking on her most cheertastic senior year at Truman High School.
‘When she’s forced to move to the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High, Campbell fears her life is over. But an unlikely friendship catapults Campbell back into contention with a powerhouse squad and the fire to achieve the impossible.’
The musical, with a score by Tom Kitt and Hamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda, first launched on Broadway in 2012 and ran 21 previews and 173 performances. It was initially set to make its way overseas in 2017 but was postponed, later opening for a month in 2018 produced by the British Youth Theatre Academy.
Now, the UK tour is set to take place with scheduled stop offs at:
- Birmingham Hippodrome from 2 to 6 June 2020
- Sunderland Empire from 9 to 13 June
- Milton Keynes Theatre 16 to 20 June
- Wales Millennium Centre 23 to 27 June
- Stoke Regent Theatre 30 June to 4 July
- Hull New Theatre 7 to 11 July
- Bradford Alhambra Theatre 14 to 18 July
- Manchester Opera House 21 to 25 July
- Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 4 to 8 August
- Theatre Royal Plymouth 11 to 15 August
- New Theatre Peterborough from 18 to 22 August
- Royal Concert Hall Nottingham 25 to 29 August
- Glasgow King’s Theatre 1 to 5 September
- Liverpool Empire 8 to 12 September
- His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen 15 to 19 September
- Theatre Royal Brighton 22 to 26 September
- Everyman Theatre Cheltenham 29 September to 3 October
- Blackpool Grand Theatre 6 to 10 October
- Malvern Festival Theatre 17 to 21 November
- Edinburgh Festival Theatre 24 to 28 November
It was also announced that Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and former Love Island star Amber Davies will star as characters Cameron and Campbell.
Ready? OK.
The post Bring It On: The Musical is coming to the UK and we're so ready appeared first on Marie Claire.
Disney is launching a princess wedding gown collection and it's magical
If you’re planning to tie the knot, you’ll likely be visiting several potential wedding venues, organising favours and flowers, and realising that putting together the perfect seating plan really is that difficult.
You’ve also probably got a million ideas about the dress that you want to wear on your big day. Fishtail, flowy, ballgown, basque – there are so many options that it can be more than a little overwhelming.
You can forget the huge price tag, too. There are so many affordable wedding dresses and stunning high street wedding dresses out there that you can find the gown of your dreams for a fraction of the cost.
But if you know exactly what you’re after and dream of looking like a Disney princess as you walk down the aisle then thank your lucky stars because a fairytale wedding gown collection now exists and it looks absolutely magical.
House of Mouse and Allure Brides have collaborated on the Fairy Tale Weddings Collection which includes 16 styles – including Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Tiana, and Snow White – that ‘capture the style and spirit of Disney Princess characters.’
The Ariel-inspired gown features ‘a gorgeous ruffled skirt that moves gracefully as the ocean’s tide’.
Then there’s an elegant ballgown inspired by Belle, which looks stunning.
Fans have also been given a sneak peak of the Princess Tiana gown that is absolutely dreamy.
The full collection will debut at New York Bridal Fashion Week in April 2020, and Allure Bridals CEO Kelly Crum said in a statement: ‘So many brides grow up admiring their favourite Disney Princess characters and are inspired by their journeys, gowns and stories of the classic films.
‘Our design team worked tirelessly on each of these incredible gowns, as each dress features intricate detailing specifically inspired by the timeless characters known and loved by all of us at Allure and Kleinfeld, as well as our brides. We are honoured to work with Disney on this collection and see the romance of it come to life.’
Incorporating materials such as soft mikado, ethereal tulle and flowing chiffon, the dresses will be available at selected bridal boutiques across North America with prices ranging from $1,200 to $2,500. A selected seven of the styles will be available exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal stores in New York and Toronto with prices ranging from $3,500 to $10,000.
So if you really want to look like a Disney princess on your wedding day, perhaps a trip overseas is in order…
The post Disney is launching a princess wedding gown collection and it's magical appeared first on Marie Claire.
Five things you need to know about the new Audi e-tron
Available in two models - the e-tron and e-tron Launch Edition - Audi's first fully electric car is a perfect blend of luxury and sustainability
With its recent pledge to become totally carbon-neutral by 2050, Audi is paving the way when it comes to sustainability in motoring. The German manufacturer’s plan to massively expand its electric range has us all excited at the thought of driving one of our favourite luxury brands without polluting the city. A five door SUV, complete with smooth electric steering, a high-voltage battery and an oh so toasty interior, Audi’s first fully electric car is available in two models, and it’s kick starting the eco revolution.
The need to know:
Tech
Radical tech features are the pinnacle of the e-tron’s design. Besides featuring the Audi A8’s already renowned voice-controlled operating system, wireless handset charging, NMI navigation plus and sophisticated parking with 360-degree display, the e-tron sets itself apart from other models with dynamic alloy wheels and LED headlights to enhance visibility in surrounding traffic.
Audi takes its technological prowess one step further with the Launch Edition, which sports platinum-look alloy wheels and sophisticated Matrix LED headlamps. It also has a camera-based traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree camera offering both panoramic and bird’s eye views of the car to make even the most challenging of parking manoeuvres feel like a total breeze.
Comfort
While the e-tron’s seats are doused in stylish leather upholstery, the Launch Edition takes luxury to a whole new level with its premium grade Valcona hide. Offering additional features such as a panoramic glass sunroof and electric steering wheel adjustment, the Launch offers a relaxed driving experience like no other. No surprise then that its the choice for celebrities attending this year’s Brit awards and a host of sporting events this summer including the Polo.
Photo Credit: Audi
An additional remote control feature in the Launch also allows the driver to activate seat heating, ventilation, window seating and air-conditioning well before a journey even begins, making each road trip inevitably snug.
Power
The 95kWh battery hidden beneath the passenger compartment of the new e-tron is the dynamic force of Audi’s new creation. It feeds two electric motors, delivering a collective output of up to 300kW, facilitating an exhilarating 5.7-second 0-62 mph acceleration and a top speed of up to 124 mph.
Audi’s adaptive air suspension ensures a drive that is as silent as it is smooth, with the sophisticated power management of both motors ensuring optimal control at all times.
Charging up
Offering a charging mechanism for both at home and on the road, the Audi e-tron makes for a smoother sustainable driving experience than ever before. With two charging points positioned conveniently on each of its front wings, sockets that connect the car to a home AC electricity supply are revealed at just the touch of a button.
The e-tron’s innovative charging service also provides customers with easy access to fast DC charging stations across Europe at up to 150kW. Providing recharging to 80% of capacity in as little as 30 minutes, the e-tron makes difficult long distance trips a thing of the past.
Price
The e-tron and e-tron Launch Edition models are now available to order priced at £71,520 and £82,270 respectively.
For more information on the new Audi e-tron, visit audi.co.uk
The post Five things you need to know about the new Audi e-tron appeared first on Marie Claire.
Take a drive down memory lane in the unapologetically vintage Caterham 7
The Caterham 7 is the Malteser of the car world - impossibly light and very tempting
Words by Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto-Trader
The Caterham 7 has been with us since the Fifties, when it was called the Lotus 7, and the styling of this quirky British two-seat sports car remains unapologetically vintage. You cannot imagine how much fun it is until you have been for a test drive. With no heavy safety or warning systems aboard, this is the Malteser of the car world – impossibly light and very tempting. And for budding novice racing drivers, the company offers the Caterham Academy. We’ve done it and it’s a whole lot of fun.
Price
How well do you know your spanner from your wrench? The Caterham 7 is probably the only two-seater sports car you can buy ready made by the factory, or in kit form to build yourself. Unless you know your way round a tool box blindfolded, we’d strongly recommend the former. So that’ll be £29,395 ready built, instead of £26,490 for the kit.
Our car also came with the large chassis for another £2,500, which means you don’t have to be a size 10 to fit in comfortably. You can pay a further £75 to have a painted “7” on the grill, £300 for embroidered “7” headrests, £95 for side door arm rests and £995 for a limited slip differential which means it goes faster and more neatly round the corners by allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds.
Style
You can judge for yourself the effects of that Fifties styling, with the frog-eye chrome head lamps, fat exhaust running round the side and boxy little cabin for two people. We’ve never been that keen, but will forgive the looks for the way it feels to sit inside while it rushes along the road, jiggling and popping, with everyone smiling at you, and small children pointing with delight. On a summer’s day, there are few finer experiences, and it’s absolutely tiny, so will fit in any parking space you care to find.
Inside, there’s a small Momo racing steering wheel, and the list of extras just makes you laugh, because you realise what Caterham determines are expendable creature comforts in the pursuit of light weight: fully carpeted interior, black vinyl boot cover, full windscreen, hood and side screens, mats and boot floor carpet, black leather seats, heater, polished exhaust, petrol filler cap in silver or black and a choice of four paints: black, red, green or yellow.
Photo Credit: Caterham Cars
Tech
Nothing. Really. Nothing. No radio, no satnav, no display screen, no air-con, certainly no Bluetooth or phone connection. No USB ports, no lane-departure warning systems, no traction control, no nothing. No central locking, because there are no doors, just leather poppers on the side sills. You do get an immobiliser – put the key in the slot by the steering wheel, turn it and the immobiliser will unlock the system. Then push the red starter button to fire her up. You also get dials for fuel, speed and revs.
Apart from that, as we said: nothing. Which is partly what makes it so great for learning to race in – with no electronic interference or driving aids, it’s a pure, linear experience involving the brake, throttle and clutch pedals to learn where the boundaries are.
Comfort
This is a car far more suited to women than men, because it’s very narrow – you wear it more than drive it. The three pedals are so closely situated that you have to wear thin-soled shoes or you risk stepping on two pedals at once. You more or less lie down to drive, your legs stretching down the tunnel to the pedals, which sounds scary but is actually very comfy and a more natural driving position. It doesn’t pay to think how close your bottom is to the ground at 70mph, however.
We have driven one as a daily commuter in London, all year round. As long as your hood fits snugly over the car, there are surprisingly few drafts, and the heater works well, although you won’t actually need it as so much heat comes off the transmission tunnel. It’s not a car recommenced for those with back problems however, as you have to fold yourself in and back out, being careful to step over the hot exhaust which runs alongside your door. We commuted in heels and skirt for weeks however, and all was well, although it might be an idea to do a course of yoga alongside ownership.
Power
Bear with us briefly in geeksville here while we explain what makes this car so much fun: the Ford 2.0-litre engine produces 135bhp which isn’t a lot of power on paper, but what’s important is something called the power-to-weight ratio, meaning that in cars such as this, which weigh next to nothing (565kg is next to nothing in the car world), you don’t need much power to go really quickly. And so the 270S sprints from 0-60mph in just five seconds. And because you’re very low to the ground, with the little wheels jiggling up and down in front of you, the exhaust popping loudly and the air rushing by, you feel like you’re flying. This is seriously the most fun you can have in a car for under £30,000. There’s a dinky five-speed manual gearbox with a short little movement between each gear, and you lie down, blip your feet, flick your wrist and spin the little wheel, and hurtle down the road with the sun on your head and the sights and smells whizzing past. It’s pure, unadulterated joy.
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Lena Dunham was refreshingly honest about her appearance on the catwalk
Lena Dunham made her surprise catwalk debut at London Fashion Week, starring in the 16ARLINGTON show.
The Girls actress modelled a gold dress with full skirt and leather-style bow top, paired with black tights and heels.
She was apparently asked to walk the show by designers Marco Capaldo and Kikka Cavenati, after they spotted her wearing one of their designs – an orange sequin dress – to the premiere of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Now Lena has revealed that after the initial joy of being asked, she immediately worried about feeling insecure next to the other models. She took to her Instagram, writing, ‘When my friends at @16arlington asked me to walk the runway, I basically yelled “YES WHEN!?” Who doesn’t want to be a supermodel!? I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day, just like Linda Evangelista (JK, will work for chips.).’
#LFW #LondonFashionWeek (
: Mitchell Sams)‘It was only after my initial scream of joy that I realized this would hit on a lot of my insecurities- about my body, desire-ability and general coolness,’ she added.
Luckily it turned out to be a positive experience. She revealed, ‘Marco & Federica are such sensitive, funny and wise artists and they created a show that could make any woman feel beautiful and unusual and happy in her total uniqueness. I loved meeting girls from all over the world (wow, your job is a lot harder than it looks- I can barely move my legs after that strut, so hats off to models) and I’m so proud to call the designers my friends.’
The actress was overwhelmed by positive comments from her fans.
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What does the Pope have to do with the contraceptive pill?
From weight gain to mental health problems, the contraceptive pill has been linked to an array of health complaints since it first became available in the UK 60 years ago. Here Dr Zoe Williams weighs up the effects of the pill on our bodies, and whether its time to switch to something better.
Today, its almost impossible to imagine a world without that freedom to enjoy sex without the constant fear of pregnancy but until 1961, that was the reality. It’s no wonder that in 1961, when the pill first became available in Britain, it was viewed as a panacea. For the first time in history women had control over when and how often they became pregnant.
The pill remains the most popular contraceptive in Britain, with over 3 million women choosing to take it and 70% of all women in Britain having used the pill at some stage in their lives. But there are rising concerns about its suitability and suggested side effects. So is it time to move on from the pill – have we actually outgrown it? Are we polluting our bodies with synthetic hormones and suffering side effects unnecessarily? Lets break it down to basics.
How do the hormones in the pill actually stop pregnancy?
The pill replaces some of your body’s natural hormones with synthetic ones*. These hormones work to thicken the mucous in the cervix and/or prevent the release of an egg, and therefore prevent pregnancy. The way in which it works hasn’t really changed in the 60 years that it has been in existence, but the types and doses of hormones have evolved.
*The combined pill contains two types of synthetic hormone – Oestrogen and Progestogen. The Progestogen only pill contains just Progestogen.
Is it really that effective?
Yes! If taken religiously it’s over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy (but we are only human so it’s actually closer to 91%). Longer acting options, such as the injection, implant or intrauterine devices are almost 100% effective, as they remove the ‘human error’ element of forgetfulness. These LARCs (long acting reversible contraceptive) are the methods of contraception that I, as a GP would encourage women to try.
How safe is it it?
When it comes to prescription drugs, safety is paramount. This is especially so when it comes to the Pill, not just because so many women take it, but also because it is a drug that is somewhat taken by choice, rather than absolute necessity to treat an illness or disease. Large public interest means that it has been under constant scrutiny by the media and has often been the victim of media ‘slamming’, with headline news alerting us to the extreme dangers of the pill. But are these dangers backed by evidence?
For the same reasons as identified above, the contraceptive pill has been under thorough scientific examination for over 50 years, and repeatedly the evidence tells us that the benefits of the pill heavily outweigh the risks*.
*This applies to the population at large. The pill is not safe for everyone and your GP or nurse will assess you individually to identify any risk factors that you have, which means that the pill is not safe for you.
Dr Zoe Williams
What are the dangers?
Cancer
Although the pill is associated with a very slight increase in risk of breast cancer, this is offset by a reduced risk of getting cancer of the ovaries, womb and bowel, meaning that there is no overall increased risk of cancer from taking the pill
Blood clots – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
The synthetic hormones in the pill, particularly the progestogens can result in an activation of the blood clotting system. In a small number of cases it can result in a blood clot. Smoking, obesity and immobility are also risk factors for DVT.
Being on the pill can increase the risk of a blood clot by up to 6 times. This sounds like a lot, but it isn’t, because the background risk is so very small, it equates to between 3 and 10 additional cases of blood clot for every 10,000 women who take the pill for a year. To put this into context, in the months following pregnancy (which the pill is of course supposed to prevent), the risk of a blood clot is 200 times the background risk.
During the famous ‘pill scare’ of 1995, new unpublished research was reported on by the media, however messages they put our were misleading. They reported that newer brands of pill had double the risk of causing a blood clot than older brands. Whilst this statement was factually correct, it was only half of the story. The entire story was that the newer brand had the same level of risk that we had always thought and it turned out that the older brands had only half the risk that was previously thought, so were in fact even safer. There was absolutely no cause for concern by anyone taking or prescribing the pill.
The way in which this was reported by the media scared many women into stopping the pill. The following year there were additional 13,600 abortions, which equates to a 9% rise in abortions. There was a 25% increase in births. On top of that its estimated that this cost £57 million to the NHS.
How about the side effects so many of us put up with?
The synthetic hormones in the pill can cause side effects ranging from bloating, acne and breast soreness, to depression and even suicidality. A survey conducted by BBC Horizon last year found that many women felt these side effects should just be tolerated. With around 30 different types of contraceptive pill on the market, and at least 10 alternative methods of contraception no one should feel it necessary to endure negative side effects of the pill.
And let’s not forget that the pill can have some positive side effects, and is therefore sometimes prescribed for purposes other than contraception. These can include treating acne, alleviating PMT and managing painful, heavy periods.
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Is male contraception ever going to be widely available?
There are many forms of female contraception, but for men the choices are sparse, with just condoms or vasectomy on offer. What about a male contraceptive pill, now wouldn’t that be an idea? Well it’s not for the want of trying. Scientists have been striving to perfect the male pill for almost as long as the female pill has been in existence. Trial after trial has had success in finding a pharmaceutical wonder that is effective at preventing pregnancy, but the same issues arise again and again, when tested on large numbers of men they report unacceptable side effects – bloating, mood disturbance, loss of libido, and headaches! Sound familiar?
The bottom line… should we be taking the pill or not?
Although the pill remains a safe and effective method of contraception, no woman out there should feel that she must or should tolerate negative side effects from the pill. We know that men certainly wouldn’t.
And though the pill remains very much a valid option, it may be time to re-evaluate the way in which it is taken, by getting rid of the 7-day pill break, as that would be what is best for us women, and who cares what the pope thinks about it?
Zoe’s take homes for taking the contraceptive pill
- The pill remains a safe and effective method of contraception
- LARC methods are more effective, as they eliminate the human error of forgetfulness
- When starting the pill (or a new type) keep a symptom diary for at least 3 months and if you have negative side effects go straight back to your nurse or GP to change it
- Consider speaking to your nurse or GP if you think the 7-day pill free week is contributing to side effects or you ever forget to take the first pills in the packet. Taking it continuously may be the solution
The post What does the Pope have to do with the contraceptive pill? appeared first on Marie Claire.
Kate Middleton opens up about being hospitalised with severe morning sickness
Kate Middleton is one of the most talked about women in the world, making viral news with everything from her fashion statements (hello Kate Middleton effect) to her public appearances.
Over the weekend, the Duchess of Cambridge hit the headlines once more, making her podcast debut on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby.
During the podcast, Kate opened up on subjects that she has never publicly approached before, from the ‘terrifying’ post-birth photo call on the steps of the Lindo Wing to her experiences with mum guilt.
The Duchess of Cambridge has joined @MrsGiFletcher for an episode of the ‘Happy Mum, Happy Baby’ podcast to talk about her landmark #5BigQuestions survey. On the special episode of ‘Happy Mum, Happy Baby’, released on Saturday, 15th February at 1600 GMT The Duchess and Giovanna discuss the importance of the early years, their shared experiences as mothers to three children, and The Duchess’s ‘5 Big Questions on the Under fives’ survey. It’s not too late to have your say in the biggest national conversation on the early years — visit the link in our bio to complete the survey 
and help bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come.One of the most groundbreaking parts of the interview however saw Kate open up to Giovanna about her acute morning sickness, with the Duchess suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum during all three of her pregnancies.
‘I got very bad morning sickness, so I’m not the happiest of pregnant people,’ Kate explained, to which Giovanna asked: ‘Have you had it every time or just the first time?’
‘Yes, unfortunately,’ Kate responded. ‘Lots of people have it far, far worse, but it was definitely a challenge. Not just for me but also for your loved ones around you – and I think that’s the thing – being pregnant and having a newborn baby and things like that, impacts everybody in the family.’
She then went on to explain how after giving birth to baby George, she was desperate to leave the hospital, having spent so much time there due to her Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
‘Everything goes in a bit of a blur,’ Kate explained, recalling the hours after birth. ‘I think, yeah I did stay in hospital overnight, I remember it was one of the hottest days and night with huge thunderstorms so I didn’t get a huge amount of sleep, but George did which was really great.’
She continued: ‘I was keen to get home because, for me, being in hospital, I had all the memories of being in hospital because of being sick so it wasn’t a place I wanted to hang around in.’
Happy Mum, Happy Baby is out now.
The post Kate Middleton opens up about being hospitalised with severe morning sickness appeared first on Marie Claire.
How Victoria Beckham is teaching her children to deal with online negativity
Words by Ally Head
She’s best known as one of the five Spice Girls and for her successful career transition from pop star to fashion designer—she stole the show at this year’s AW20 Fashion Week, in all the right ways. So well known, in fact, that you often forget that Victoria Beckham is also a working mum with four kids, Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 15, and Harper, 8.
As one of the most famous celebrity couples in the world, the Beckhams (and their children) have lived most of their lives in the public eye, and as a result, have fans and followers from all over the world (the five online have 105 million Instagram followers alone).
Now that the three boys are old enough to be on social media, Victoria has opened up about how she’s teaching them to deal with the negativity they’re often at the receiving end of.
Talking to CNBC‘s Tania Bryer after her fashion show on Sunday, Victoria admitted that she finds thinking about the repercussions that can come from children being on social media ‘a little bit scary,’ especially as a parent.
‘We’re a really close family. The children sometimes get judged, for things they might like or they might post and people are watching everything that they do. They don’t know, they’re children, you know.’
The fashion designer continued: ‘I think that can be a little bit scary. But you know, it’s something relatively new for so many of us, so we’re all still learning.’
So how is she taking steps to ensure her kids stay safe online, in a world where trolling and negativity are becoming more and more commonplace? Well, she encourages them not to focus on any negative comments they receive and instead, use their social platforms to spread positivity.
She said: ‘We just try to not focus on that and stay very positive.’
Take Romeo’s TikTok account, for example, where he shares funny videos of him, his girlfriend and his friends dancing to his 280k followers. One recent video, in which he shows mum Victoria dancing to the Spice Girls track ‘Spice Up Your Life’, got 4.1 million views.
Hear, hear. In light of the tragic death of presenter Caroline Flack this weekend and reports circulating about her depression stemming from negative trolling online, remember: in a world where you can be anything, be kind.
The post How Victoria Beckham is teaching her children to deal with online negativity appeared first on Marie Claire.
Welcome to your SS20 denim edit
All the denim styles you need to know about.
A new pair of jeans is always the coolest way to update your wardrobe, regardless of the season. However, finding the perfect pair of jeans can be a tricky business. Skinny jeans that are too baggy, cropped jeans that are too long, high waisted jeans that are too tight at the waist and wide at the hips… there are so many factors to take into account.
With that in mind, I’ve scoured my favoured designer and high street denim brands to find the perfect pair of jeans to suit your body shape, and scroll down for a lowdown on the best jean trends for the new season.
Best high waisted jeans
High waisted flared jeans are a safe investment for this season. Models at Dior team theirs slogan t-shirts and Breton tops, while at Calvin Klein, it’s a colour block shirt and double denim situation. That style is best suited to tall girls, while petite and curvier frames can bank on high waisted mum jeans or culottes.
Best mom jeans
Mom jeans are very much in, as are dad jeans, the new update on the style. Again, pick a wider leg, preferably in a light wash, 80s style. Wear with a tucked-in t-shirt and converse for a casual look, and swap for a loose blouse and white ankle boots for a dressier option. Style tip for the AW19 season: tuck your jeans into knee high boots.
Best skinny jeans
There’s something timeless and versatile about a pair of classic black jeans, especially paired with a roll-neck, checked blazer and headband, Sloane-ranger style.
As with most trends, it’s all about proportion, so balance tights jeans with a loose top, though a Breton t-shirt and ballerina pumps are also great additions to dark blue skinny jeans, Audrey Hepburn style.
Best jeans for curvy women
Just because you’re curvy doesn’t mean you can’t wear skinny jeans, or any other style for that matter, it’s all down to the waist. A high waist will be more flattering, and if you’re after a 50s style silhouette, flared cropped jeans will do wonders.
Best jeans for tall women
Tall women are lucky in that they can get away with a lot of styles. Long wide leg trousers, skinny jeans, cropped culottes… take your pic. Plus, lots of brands like Levi’s and Topshop offer tall styles, so you really are spoiled for choice.
Best jeans for short women
These days, most brands have an offering of jeans in different lengths, which is heaven for petite girls like me – I used to have to attack my jeans with scissors to make them fit. My go-to are still Topshop jeans for any style – it’s no wonder they sell a pair of these jeans every 10 seconds, they really do go with everything.
While skinny jeans are always a safe bet, cropped styles look really good on short women too. There’s something about seeing a flash of ankle that elongates the frame. Try cropped straight leg or wide leg styles.
Ripped jeans
Ripped jeans are a wardrobe staple that’s well worth investing in. This season though, they are discreet, with just a small rip on the knee or thigh, or a ripped hem. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even rip your own jeans using our DIY guide.
How often to wash your jeans
While we’re on the subject, let’s get one thing straight: you probably ARE washing your jeans too often, so stop. Because you don’t want to lose the stiffness and therefore shape of the jeans, it’s usually best to wash them every fortnight or monthly instead, and forget about washing them straight after you’ve bought them too. Some people store theirs in the freezer too, though the jury’s still out on that one.
So now that you’re an expert on all things denim, scroll down to for my edit of the best jeans to buy now.
The post Welcome to your SS20 denim edit appeared first on Marie Claire.
Disney is launching a princess wedding gown collection and it's magical
If you’re planning to tie the knot, you’ll likely be visiting several potential wedding venues, organising favours and flowers, and realising that putting together the perfect seating plan really is that difficult.
You’ve also probably got a million ideas about the dress that you want to wear on your big day. Fishtail, flowy, ballgown, basque – there are so many options that it can be more than a little overwhelming.
You can forget the huge price tag, too. There are so many affordable wedding dresses and stunning high street wedding dresses out there that you can find the gown of your dreams for a fraction of the cost.
But if you know exactly what you’re after and dream of looking like a Disney princess as you walk down the aisle then thank your lucky stars because a fairytale wedding gown collection now exists and it looks absolutely magical.
House of Mouse and Allure Brides have collaborated on the Fairy Tale Weddings Collection which includes 16 styles – including Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Tiana, and Snow White – that ‘capture the style and spirit of Disney Princess characters.’
The Ariel-inspired gown features ‘a gorgeous ruffled skirt that moves gracefully as the ocean’s tide’.
Then there’s an elegant ballgown inspired by Belle, which looks stunning.
Fans have also been given a sneak peak of the Princess Tiana gown that is absolutely dreamy.
The full collection will debut at New York Bridal Fashion Week in April 2020, and Allure Bridals CEO Kelly Crum said in a statement: ‘So many brides grow up admiring their favourite Disney Princess characters and are inspired by their journeys, gowns and stories of the classic films.
‘Our design team worked tirelessly on each of these incredible gowns, as each dress features intricate detailing specifically inspired by the timeless characters known and loved by all of us at Allure and Kleinfeld, as well as our brides. We are honoured to work with Disney on this collection and see the romance of it come to life.’
Incorporating materials such as soft mikado, ethereal tulle and flowing chiffon, the dresses will be available at selected bridal boutiques across North America with prices ranging from $1,200 to $2,500. A selected seven of the styles will be available exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal stores in New York and Toronto with prices ranging from $3,500 to $10,000.
So if you really want to look like a Disney princess on your wedding day, perhaps a trip overseas is in order…
The post Disney is launching a princess wedding gown collection and it's magical appeared first on Marie Claire.
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