GHETTS – BLACK ROSE ft. KOJEY RADICAL

Directed by Netti Hurley

An ode to black female beauty

‘Black Rose’ is an anthem for intersectional feminism from grime artist Ghetts, and ruminates on the rapper’s hopes and fears of raising his daughter in a society that regularly neglects women of colour. Paired with black and white imagery from London director Netti Hurley, the video is a hard-hitting exploration of black womanhood and representation, opening with the rapper’s young daughter asking, “Daddy, how come there’s no dolls that look like me in the shop?” Ghetts’ lyrics weave social commentary and personal experience, focussing on colourism and hyper-sexualisation of black women in the media, and delivers a moving message of black and female empowerment.  

‘Inspired by the work of famous black female artists such as Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson and the poetry of Maya Angelou, this film is an ode to black female beauty in every sense,’ says Hurley.

What Is Beauty…

Directed by Anna Ginsburg

Animation examining the changing, yet never-ending pressure on women to conform

Anna Ginsburg has created a beautiful animated look at the evolution of the female body and it’s perceptions over the last 30,000 years. Released on International Women’s Day and commissioned by CNN to launch their global series on beauty, the film is an examination of the changing (but never ending) pressures on women to conform to body shape ideals.

The flowing animation begins in 28,000 BC, morphing between sculptures of Fertility Goddesses through ancient Egyptian views of perception and then through the ages; The Bronze Age, Ancient Greek, the Renaissance and beyond. The shapes are constantly shrinking and stretching, As the modern era is reached, the female body is seen through technology, becoming painfully and dangerously distorted. Film ends with a message to reject the unattainable, often impossible and dangerous ideals imposed on women.

Anna Ginsburg

Anna Ginsburg, is an animator and director living in London.

I Got It From My Mama

We inherit their eyes, their smile, their cheek bones and knowledge. We even mimic their gestures and laughs. Moms are extremely influential in our lives. I am fortunate to have my amazing mother who I have learned so much from- whether it’s a life lesson or love lesson, my mother have been an amazing example and supporter in my life. We might not share the same genes but we are basically the same person. She has offered a bevy of sound beauty advice and life advice. I might have never started using sunscreen as soon as I did if it wasn’t for her. I got my looks from my mama!

On Valentine’s Day, I had the pleasure of asking her some fun beauty questions. Oh yeah, I got these questions and idea from Pucker and Pout. Enjoy!!

What was the first beauty tip you received from your mom?

Mom: I really don’t remember.

Me: My mother told me to always wear sunscreen, she always made me as a child wear sunscreen. She also told me not to ever smoke a cigarette.

What product have you used since you were a young woman that you swear by?

Mom: It has to be Vaseline. It is a good moisturizer.

Me: I have been wearing Nars foundation since 8th grade and even though I wear Fenty Beauty now, Nars is still and forever my go-to makeup brand.

As you matured, how did you beauty regimen change? Products?

Mom: As far as a makeup routine, nothing has changed for me. I never have and still to this day don’t wear foundation. I only wear a little blush, lipstick and sometimes eyeshadow. I now try different skincare and beauty products because my daughter either get them for free or buy them for me. I just don’t like too much stuff on my face, I keep everything simple which works for me.

Me: I moisturized gently and daily. When I do wear makeup, I make sure before going to bed to take off my makeup and wash face. Products only change in a form that they are more expensive and now I use items that are for my skin type. I am more aware.

What is something you wish you started doing years ago and/or what do you regret doing?

Mom: Drinking more water, I am training myself to drink more water every day. I regret smoking, it is a bad habbit I picked up when I was in college.

Me: I regret sleeping in my makeup whenever I felt lazy and wished I started eating healthier and sticking with it sooner. So yeah, I wish I was more discipline and had more self-control.

What makes you feel most beautiful?

Mom: I feel most beautiful when I am happy!

Me: When my skin is clear and glowing!

Instapurging’ Will Make Your Life 50 Percent Less Stressful

Remember back when you first got an Instagram account? It was a simpler time, full of grainy remnants of drunken nights out and the occasional delightfully nostalgic #TBT.

Now, though, we sometimes find ourselves getting stressed out about during our daily (OK, thrice daily) Insta scroll.

If you’re like us, you need to get on board with “Instapurging,” ridding your feed of any accounts that make you feel stressed, inadequate or any other negative emotion.

All you need to do is go through the list of people you follow and take stock of how each makes you feel. If there’s a lifestyle blogger whose picture-perfect shots make you feel bummed out, unfollow. Keeping up with your favorite celebs and pseudo-celebs can be fun, but staring at Kim Kardashian’s superhuman waist-to-hip ratio for the 700th time can start to weigh on your psyche.

Sometimes, I just need to press that restart button and unfollow everyone except for Oprah, BeautyLeeBar, and Rihanna. It doesn’t mean I hate you, it just means our energy might not match which is okay with me. Sometimes I forget Instagram is just Instagram. Even, a perfect picture isn’t perfect. Its how you see things that can cause either a positive or negative thinking. 

Instapurging is good for the mind and the soul. I do it every month so when you see me start unfollowing bunch of people, this is why. It’s just a refresher that I think we all desire for at times. Taking a break from Instagram helps with my anxiety so much and am glad I don’t really have to deal with trolls. Its okay to take a break, Instagram will be there when you come back.Â