From the 17th-century French court to the Victorian times, beauty was measured by paleness which led to a rise in women drawing on their veins with blue paste
Jul 04, 2024
Since 18th-century pantomimes, clown make-up has been a symbol of rebellion against conventional beauty standards and the status quo. Now it’s infiltrating the mainstream
Jun 28, 2024
On Thursday June 20, we mark the longest day of the year – here are some rituals and Venusian rites to celebrate the solstice
Jun 19, 2024
From Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers to Your Sister is a Werewolf, horror heroines of the 80s gave new meaning to the term ‘maneater’ and played on male anxieties of artifice and female power
Jun 17, 2024
The skincare ingredient is all over our TikTok feeds – but what actually is it and does it really deserve all the attention?
May 29, 2024
From punk rock rebels to trendy twinks, the rat tail’s history is intertwined with themes of class, identity and political defiance
Nov 16, 2023
From a symbol of femininity and fertility to a subversive and counterculture act of rebellion, long hair has represented ever-changing values throughout history
Nov 03, 2023
Astrologer and witch Grace McGrade explains the ancient pagan origins of Halloween, and shares her alternative rituals to celebrate it
Oct 31, 2023
The mysterious sad girl aesthetic is all over beauty right now, from the bows and ribbons of Sandy Liang to the coquette characters of Sofia Coppola films – and it can all be traced back to Picnic at Hanging Rock
Oct 19, 2023
Priestess, sorceress and spellcaster Isabella Greenwood shares everything you need to know about adventuring beyond the physical body
Aug 16, 2023
From Pam Grier to Pam Anderson, we unpack the pop cultural history of the smoky eye – and how it became shorthand for seduction, sex and power
Jul 04, 2023
As we witness a redux of yuppie culture and embrace of prepster looks, the black stretchy headband is making its return. Kristen Bateman explores the hair accessory’s cultural history and current role as a stealth wealth symbol
May 25, 2023
Offering refuge, transformation and community, beauty parlours in movies are spaces where the fantasy and mundanity of life converge
Apr 05, 2023
From the amphetamine-fuelled “rainbow diet pills” of the 60s and the fen-phen “miracle” drug of the 80s to Ozempic in the present day, the history of weight-loss drugs is long and deadly
Apr 04, 2023
As the make-up look returns to fashion, we unpack the best blue eye shadow moments in the history of cult cinema
Jan 24, 2023
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