This discomfort followed me from my teens to university and into adult life – a constant imaginary friend always there to remind you of your lowly place in the world. It gradually evolved into a toxic obsession with thinness – and all that it promised: success, acceptance and prettiness. Last Thursday (October 26), the Online Safety Act was introduced, with enforcement set to come after further consultation. Designed to make 'the UK the safest place in the world to be online', here's how the new legislation will shape online content in the beauty... Not ‘Just’ A Salon launches nationwide to highlight the importance of hairdressers for wellbeing and community

White beauty standards are afforded their power in part because whiteness and proximity to whiteness has been the unquestioned norm for so long that their privileges are almost invisible to those who are elevated.Do you ever wonder why you slather on skincare, remove body hair, or painstakingly contour? Is it because you want to, or feel like you should? The British Beauty Council appoints Kate Moss – Supermodel, COSMOSS brand founder, and industry entrepreneur – as Global Ambassador, to help support raising the awareness and reputation of the British Beauty Industry. Assuming the inaugural role of Global Ambassador,... The Online Safety Act has received Royal Assent, here’s what it means for beauty We've all had those moments. The ones where you look in the mirror and nothing feels ok. For Anita Bhagwandas, this started when she was a child and it created an enduring internal torment about her looks.

The word ‘ugly’ – and its connotations – isn’t just used blatantly and aggressively of course – it can be implied in more nuanced ways, through advertising and social media, for example. The suggestion being that if you can look a certain way, your life will be perfect. That pity factor is aimed at all women who defy patriarchal norms of behaviour and cast those like Madonna, who refuse to ‘put it away’, into a negative light. So, it’s no wonder that appearing ageless has become one of the few ways women have to battle against a force that wants them to just ‘disappear’ (with the anti-ageing and cosmetic surgery industries only too happy to offer their services in exchange for our cash). But here again, there’s a fine line to tread because while female celebrities like Madonna are often subjected to tabloid headlines stating they’ve gone ‘too far’, those who choose to age naturally are accused of looking tired or having ‘given up’. The sweet spot is being frozen by time—in a way that the male gaze deems both acceptable and desirable, of course.Having already noticed the book’s undeniable impact on my own everyday life, and with a new understanding of Anita Bhagwandas’ intentions being exactly this, I can’t help but feel Ugly has potential to be a powerful tool in dismantling this repetitious and outdated notion of unattainable beauty. I’ll make a moodboard of beauty and fashion looks I want to try just because I love them and they represent me. And I’ll try one new thing every week. Everyone should read this book, but perhaps most imperatively, all women and girls. Its the kind of book I wished I could have read as a teen, because so much of it described how I was raised to view, observe and consume beauty culture growing up. Anita’s experience in the industry both as a journalist and a brand consultant gives a very unique, detailed and practical look at how to really finesse and cut through to ensure maximum results when pitching. From the angle to the actual approach, creative AND insider anecdotal tips, this was by far the strongest refresh AND new learnings workshop I’ve attended in a very long while.Add to that specific bespoke advice from pre-submitted questions in a confidential and constructive discussion environment, and the “story” here is – SIGN UP. NOW. I’m also beauty columnist for The Guardian Saturday magazine, freelance Beauty Director at Condé Nast Traveller, and contribute to several international publications.

We're all told that this is just part of growing up, but it stays with us, evolving as we age. The internet tells us we should love ourselves, whilst bombarding us with images of airbrushed perfection, upholding centuries-old beauty standards which we can't always see. Our beauty rituals are so often based around things we think we need to fix, grow and develop - sometimes tipping into dangerous obsession.

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We're still told that it's good to be thin rather than bigger... even though we have body positivity," Bhagwandas shares. That trend for highlighting the ends of our noses to create a defined tip is, again, a beauty ideal that stems from whiteness. MAC artistic director Terry Barber told me in a feature for Glamour: “Everyone is trying to look the same to fit into a social media and reality TV look. The danger is this is a Caucasian beauty ideal for all women. This new beauty ideal is also based on the idea of surgical correction – the highly sexualised kind you see on Love Island and The Kardashians.