‘Metal is girlypop’: why TikTok’s metal fans are embracing cuteness

From the ‘Slipknot is girlypop’ trend to online sub-genres such as bimbocore and Barbiegrind, the girlies are proving that metal is for everyone

Music

Apr 12, 2024

Emma Wilkes

Music

Incels and sad girls: how memes have changed the way we categorise music

With infinite access to music online, users are making connections between artists and bands that have little in common

Music

Apr 10, 2024

Günseli Yalcinkaya

Life & Culture

Young women keep being punched on the streets of New York

After sharing their stories on TikTok, these women are beginning to suspect that the assailant is the same man

Life & Culture

Mar 26, 2024

Music

In defense of Dylan Mulvaney’s ‘Days of Girlhood’ song

While ‘girl’ trends have been heavily criticised, many young women argue that they have helped them reclaim parts of their femininity that they were denied growing up. So why is it such a problem when trans women participate?

Music

Mar 18, 2024

Halima Jibril

Fashion

Scab bag! Trader Joe’s union-busting tote is your hottest new accessory

The teenagers of America need their tote bags and some silly little labour laws aren’t getting in the way

Fashion

Mar 13, 2024

Elliot Hoste

Life & Culture

Vienna Ayla is leading the theatre kid renaissance

We spoke to the actress about her viral TikToks, her obsession with mockumentaries and why it’s important to be silly everywhere, but especially at work

Life & Culture

Mar 13, 2024

Halima Jibril

Life & Culture

Tradwives are levelling up

From Nara Smith to Gwen The Milkmaid, tradwives make up some of the biggest influencers on social media – but why are we so invested in their lives?

Life & Culture

Mar 12, 2024

Günseli Yalcinkaya

Art & Photography

The British Museum tries and fails to get down with the girlies

A TikTok post – promoting an exhibition about Roman military history as a great way for single women to meet men – has been met with widespread accusations of sexism

Art & Photography

Mar 06, 2024

James Greig

Beauty

Detangling matted hair TikTok depression

How dematting TikToks are helping destigmatise depression

A frank depiction of one of the less talked about symptoms of depression and other mental health struggles, detangling videos on TikTok are offering hope and recovery

Beauty

Feb 29, 2024

Ella Cory-Wright

Beauty

TikTok plastic surgery trends visual weight ratio

How TikTok filters are shaping the latest plastic surgery trends

TikTok filters are more realistic than ever, showing us what we could look like with a few simple tweaks – and this is increasingly impacting what cosmetic procedures we’re seeking out

Beauty

Feb 28, 2024

Alexandra Hildreth

Life & Culture

The UK government is now enlisting TikTok stars to deter migrants

Under the new scheme, social media influencers from around the world will be paid to promote Britain’s stringent anti-immigration laws

Life & Culture

Feb 14, 2024

James Greig

Life & Culture

Why are we all so obsessed with book clubs now?

Young people are combating loneliness by bonding over books IRL

Life & Culture

Feb 14, 2024

Olivia Allen

Life & Culture

TikTok music ban: why your favourite artists have suddenly been muted

It’s official: Universal Music Group has removed their artists’ music from the platform

Life & Culture

Feb 01, 2024

Halima Jibril

Beauty

Can TikTok’s subliminal messages really make your lips bigger?

From straightening uneven teeth to making your boobs grow, subliminal message videos are promising to solve your body image concerns via playlists

Beauty

Jan 24, 2024

Morgan Fargo

Beauty

Bunny pretty, visual weight Tiktok glow-up culture

We have entered the age of TikTok face

From ‘are you cat pretty, bunny pretty, deer pretty or fox pretty?’ to ‘are you boy pretty or girl pretty?’, viral beauty trends offer us the illusion of variety and choice while encouraging algorithmic sameness

Beauty

Jan 22, 2024

Günseli Yalcinkaya