List of All Articles with Tag 'ash'

Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire honors the late, great Mike Leach at Big 12 Media Days.It is still so incredibly sad that "The Pirate" Mike Leach is no longer with us.The former Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State head football coach passed away during the hol...

Devotees claim eyelash growth serums are the Holy Grail, giving you long, fluttery lashes that will have your friends wondering if you’re wearing falsies. It will probably come as no surprise that TikTok has been flooded with videos from users showing off their impressive transformations after several weeks of daily use, with 114m views under the search ‘lash growth serum’. There’s now a huge variety of products on the market – from big name beauty brands to companies that specialise in lashes and brows – and prices vary massively. But do they really work for everyone? Experts run through everything you need to know about lash-boosting serums… What is the science behind eyelash growth serums? All lash serums, whether they’re applied like eyeliner or with a mascara-style wand, are designed with essentially the same aim. “To promote the growth of natural lashes, resulting in longer and thicker lashes with regular use,” says Nima Pourian, founder of UKLash. “By nourishing and moisturising the lashes with ingredients like Panthenol, peptides, and biotin”, serums can “enhance the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, leading to healthier and fuller lashes”. Some serums on the market contain hormones called prostaglandins – or a synthetic version – that extend the growth phase of the lash cycle, meaning the hairs get longer before they fall out. Others, such as The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, use peptides to achieve the same aim without hormones. Gabriella Elio, founder of Sweed Beauty, came up with a hormone-free serum after learning some people can “get allergic reactions, pigmentations and are sensitive to serums since they contain prostaglandins”. As with any new beauty product you’re trying, it’s sensible to perform a patch test first. “Although reactions are rare, the eye area can be sensitive, so it’s best to check for any sensitivity beforehand,” says Pourian. “Apply a small amount of the serum to a small area, such as a corner of the forehead, behind the ear, or the side of the neck. Wait approximately 24 hours to observe any skin sensitivity.” It’s particularly important to be careful with products used so close to the eyes, so do your research and buy from a reputable retailer. How long does it take to see results? “The time it takes to see results may vary individually, depending on the stage of the lash growth cycle when the serum is started,” says Pourian. “That’s why it is recommended to use eyelash and eyebrow serums once a day for eight to 12 weeks, which aligns with a full growth cycle.” You’ll have to be patient, because you can’t simply double up to get lengthy lashes twice as fast. “It is crucial to follow the instructions provided with the serum and avoid overuse,” he continues. “Like any other topical skincare product, proper usage and adherence to the recommended application frequency will ensure the best results.” Do you have to keep using the serum forever? “If you discontinue using the product your lashes will continue to go through their natural growth and shedding phases,” says Claire Larsen, global master educator at RevitaLash Cosmetics. “So the new lashes that come back in will be untreated and will appear the way they originally did before starting your lash serum. If you love the results, you are a lifer!” However, you can reduce the frequency of use once you reach the maintenance phase. Pourian advises: “Once you have achieved your desired results, it is recommended to use the lash serum three to four times a week to maintain the length and health of your lashes.” Are there any reasons why a serum might not work? Proper application is key to making sure the serum can get to work quickly and effectively. “If the serum is not applied properly, such as being applied like mascara instead of reaching the roots and hair follicles, it may not yield desired results,” says Pourian. “It’s important to avoid using other products like oil-based cleansers or serums before applying the lash serum, as they can create a barrier, preventing proper absorption.” And remember, you’ve got to be consistent with daily use for at least a few weeks before you’ll see a noticeable difference. “Certain medical conditions, health issues, hormonal changes and lifestyle factors can influence the results of lash serums,” Pourian adds, meaning your lashes might not reach TikTok-worthy proportions, or may take longer to do so. “Genetics also play a role, as individuals naturally have different hair, lash, or brow growth genetics. This doesn’t mean the serum won’t work at all, but it may result in less significant outcomes.” Go long: 8 highly-rated lash serums to try 1. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, £12.40, LookFantastic 2. L’Oreal Paris Clinically Proven Lash Serum, £11.99 (was £14.99), Superdrug 3. Mavala Double Lash Night Treatment, £17.50, Boots 4. UKLash Eyelash Serum, £37.99 5. RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum, £39.99, Escentual 6. Sweed Beauty Eyelash Growth Serum, £42 7. Olaplex Lashbond Building Serum, £64 8. RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner, £109 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sex Education star Patricia Allison: I’ve learned boundaries are extremely important Non-binary influencers share what they wish people understood about their experience Camilla will not receive £360,000 annuity from parliament like Prince Philip did

Yankees GM Brian Cashman poured ice-cold water on the idea that Aaron Judge will be back shortly after the end of the All-Star break.One day, the Yankees will see Aaron Judge return to the lineup. That day is certainly not today. And it's probably not particularly soon either.Hopeful ru...

Fran Drescher, the president of the SAG-AFTRA union, responded to criticism on Thursday for traveling to Italy to attend Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda festivities this past weekend as her 160,000-member actors' union faced a deadline to go on strike.

If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll probably spot some tiny metal rivets surrounding the front pockets. Like a lot of details in life, we’ve become accustomed to seeing them. So why are they there?

Fast fashion retailer Shein has been accused by independent designers of infringement-related racketeering activities in a new lawsuit. According to The Fashion Law, a lawsuit was filed on Tuesday (11 July) in California federal court that accused the clothing giant of using a “secretive algorithm” to identify trending art and allegedly reproducing the independent designs for its fast fashion website. The three independent artists suing Shein – Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez, and Jay Baron – claimed both Shein and its parent company, Zoetop Business Company, Ltd, engaged in “produc[ing], distribut[ing], and selling exact copies of their creative works,” which they allege is “part and parcel of Shein’s ‘design’ process and organizational DNA.” In the suit, Perry, Martinez and Baron claim Shein replicated “truly exact copies of [their] copyrightable graphic designs” such as Berry’s artwork titled “Make It Fun” and Blintz’s “Orange Daises” design. Barron’s “Trying My Best” artwork, which they claim was also copied by Shein, is not only a registered copyright but the phrase was also trademarked by Barron. As a result, the plaintiffs argue that they “have suffered and will continue to suffer substantial damage” to their businesses and “a diminishment in the value of their designs and art, their rights, and their reputations”. In the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that Shein created a “secretive algorithm” to identify growing fashion trends and “produce very small quantities of [its] item for sale” – as 100-200 units per SKU – in the case that an artist claims “the design was stolen”. “The brand has made billions by creating a secretive algorithm that astonishingly determines nascent fashion trends – and by coupling it with a corporate structure, including production and fulfillment schemes, that are perfectly executed to grease the wheels of the algorithm, including its unsavory and illegal aspects,” the artists argue in the suit. “When Shein copies a small or independent designer, the most likely outcome (without brand protection specialists and specialized software on the lookout) is that the infringement will go unnoticed,” the complaint reads. The lawsuit named Chris Xu as the maker behind the algorithm, a “mysterious tech genius” who has allegedly made Shein “the world’s top clothing company through high technology, not high design.” While Shein has faced many lawsuits in recent years, the newest complaint is notable for its Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claim. RICO is a federal law designed to combat organized crime in the United States, and individuals or organisations can use the RICO Act to file civil claims against racketeering activities performed as an ongoing criminal enterprise. Another requirement to file a RICO claim is that the offending party is not just an individual or business but a criminal organization, as the suit claims Shein’s alleged infringement activity is “committed not by a single entity, but by a de-facto association of entities.” The plaintiffs claim that Shein’s “confusing corporate structure” allows the company to “avoid liability” in the case of intellectual property infringement, adding that the brand’s “first line of defense” when facing a copyright or trademark cease and desist is “removing the product from its sites with blaming the misconduct on another [Shein entity] actor (implying such actor is independent).” As a result, the artists have accused Shein of “multiple acts of racketeering and criminal copyright infringement” and are seeking past and future damages, as well as compensation for legal fees and injunctive relief to “prevent further racketeering activity”. This is not the first time Shein has faced accusations of infringement. In May, artist Maggie Stephenson settled with Shein for an undisclosed amount after she filed a $100 million lawsuit last year. That same month, Italian fashion designer Giuliano Calza claimed the retailer stole shoe designs from his streetwear label, GCDS. The new lawsuit comes after a Shein-sponsored influencer trip made headlines for promoting Shein’s factory in Guangzhou, China. The influencers were invited to tour Shein’s “innovation factory”, as they posted videos showing a clean, brightly lit factory with automated bots assisting in processing and packaging orders. However, the influencer trip faced backlash as many pointed out the fast fashion company’s accusations of labour abuse and its negative impact on the environment. The Independent has contacted Shein for comment. Read More Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’: ‘Maybe I am the fool’ Influencers face backlash for promoting Shein factory during PR trip in China Parent company of fast-fashion brand Shein to pay New York state $1.9m for data breach Barbie premiere: All the best pink carpet looks as Margot Robbie film shows in London Why these women are – and aren’t – shaving their armpits this summer These are the summer bag trends you need to know about

US prosecutors charged the former CEO of bankrupt cryptocurrency platform Celsius Networks with defrauding customers and misleading them about the company's business.

If the Chiefs sign De'Andre Hopkins, rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice could benefit even more than Patrick Mahomes.De'Andre Hopkins is the best free-agent wide receiver left on the open market. Several teams appear interested in his services, including wideout-needy organizations like ...

Khloé Kardashian says don't rule out her brother Rob Kardashian's return to reality TV.

The premiere of the highly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, premiered in London on Wednesday evening (12 July), and the pink carpet did not disappoint. Fans queued for hours for the premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square, awaiting the chance to see their favourite celebrities bring their Barbie best to the star-studded event. There were high expectations for Margot Robbie, who plays the lead doll, to up the ante on her outfit for the night. The star has been praised for all of her Barbie-inspired looks during the global press tour, as she became known for recreating some of the world’s most famous doll’s iconic outfits. Other cast members who dazzled on the pink carpet included Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken, America Ferrera, Dua Lipa, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, and Sharon Rooney. A flurry of UK celebrities also appeared at the premiere, including former Love Island winners Ekin-Su and Davide, who recently broke up, and Liberty Poole. Presenters including Rylan Clark and Amelia Dimoldenberg were also in attendance, with the latter replicating a truly iconic (and apt) Barbie look for her role as host on the pink carpet. Here are our favourite looks from the Barbie premiere in London. Margot Robbie The Australian actor floored fans when she stepped onto the pink carpet in a pale pink custom Vivienne Westwood gown with a white trimmed neckline and opera gloves. The look replicated that of the 1960 Enchanted Evening Barbie, continuing Robbie’s streak of emulating the doll’s most famous outfits during the film’s press tour. She accessorised with a pearl choker and barely-there glittery heels, and swept her hair in an elegant updo. Amelia Dimoldenberg The Chicken Shop Date presenter, who was hosting the pink carpet, took a leaf out of Robbie’s book and replicated another Barbie look. Dimoldenberg arrived dressed as I Can Be… News Anchor Barbie, complete with a pink tweed jacket with black trim, a satin skirt with a ruffle hem and a blonde wig with a side-swept fringe that looked exactly like the doll’s. Sharing her look, Dimoldenberg tweeted: “Never do anything by halves.” America Ferrera The Ugly Betty star looked stunning in a plunging black Roland Mouret dress encrusted in rhinestones, with sheer black opera globes and a black clutch. She completed the look with heels from Giuseppe Zanotti. Sharing her look, as well as some fun selfies with the rest of the cast, on Instagram, Ferrera said: “London Barbie premiere [black heart emoji] [disco ball emoji] Fun with some faves.” Nicola Coughlan Derry Girls star Coughlan was dripping in sparkle when she stepped onto the pink carpet in a stunning custom Wiederhoeft dress, featuring a square neckline and finger loop sleeves that created a dramatic effect. Her red hair was kept off her face and styled with low-key, but classic waves, and she wore silver heels to top off the look. Dua Lipa The “One Kiss” singer wore a colourful Versace chainmail gown from the label’s La Vacanza collection, which Lipa co-designed. The slinky dress featured a neon butterfly and floral print and gold chain straps. She continued the garden theme by accessorising with ladybug charms and butterfly brooches, as well as silver stilettos with butterfly appliques. Hari Nef The actor went against the grain on the pink carpet by appearing in a more goth-inspired look. Nef, who plays a Barbie in the film, wore a black dress by Dilara Findikoglu with a high neck and cap sleeves, and covered in… cutlery? Silver butter knives created an unusual silhouette for Nef, who completed the stand-out look with nude heels and short red hair. Simu Liu Kens aren’t meant to stand out in Barbie’s universe, but Simu Liu tossed that rule out the window with his all-black Fendi ensemble at the premiere. At first glance, his outfit might appear monotonous, but a closer look reveals a halter neck top and trousers with delicate floral embroidery and a black jumper tied casually around his shoulders. Liu also wore platform boots, a Ben Baller gold chain and an Audemars Piguet watch. Ncuti Gatwa Did someone say “hotpants”? Sex Education star Gatwa certainly heard the call, as he turned up on the pink carpet in a custom Valentino look, featuring a dramatic white cape, a very low-cut, long-sleeved top and super-short sparkly silver shorts. Never one to blend into the background, he capped off the eye-popping look with a white hat and chunky black shoes, as well as a silver necklace from Tiffany & Co. Greta Gerwig The film’s director joined the event in a Barbiecore pale pink Erdem gown and matching cape. The cape’s neckline was encrusted with silver rhinestones and she carried a small silver clutch from Jimmy Choo to match. This is only the second time Gerwig has worn pink on the Barbie press tour, with the first being a vibrant pink Valentino dress with a matching blazer, bag and studded pumps. Read More I keep forgetting my dog’s birthday – could a luxury pet party make it up to him? Fans applaud Florence Pugh’s response to Emily Blunt’s red carpet wardrobe malfunction Maya Jama reflects on 2019 breakup with Stormzy: “I used to think that sexism was dying out”

Body hair might be a concern in the summer, as you strip down to a bikini or bask on the beach. But, as new research from Dove reveals 62% of us feel insecure about our underarms, here’s why these three women are choosing to grow out or whip off their armpit hair, defying the weight of societal expectation. Content creator and author, Megan Crabbe What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer? “I won’t be shaving my armpits this summer. I spent so many years shaving my underarm hair on auto-pilot – every shower from the age of 11 onwards came with a shave. I realised there was this part of my body that grows naturally. Letting my underarms grow is another small way of reclaiming my body in the face of misogynistic beauty standards,” says content creator and Dove ambassador Crabbe. What do you think society expects? “People expect women’s underarms to be smooth, hairless, and bright – that’s all we’ve seen for so long in advertising and media. I remember seeing so many magazine covers of slim white women with their arms up and barely an indent where their armpit should be, let alone any sign of hair or discolouration. “If I’m in feminist or queer company, I know there will be less judgement, because those spaces are more understanding of bodily autonomy and letting go of societal expectations. ” How do you see your summer body? “I embrace seeing my body from all angles, in all forms, in any season, but it’s taken me a long time to get here. These days, I can see an image of myself in a bikini with visible cellulite, a stomach that isn’t flat and underarm hair flourishing and think, ‘Hey, that’s cute!’ “This particular body represents all of the battles I’ve fought – against diet culture, against anorexia, against beauty standards – and won.” Content creator and makeup artist, Shahira Allen What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer? “This summer, I will be doing whatever the mood calls for with my armpits! Sometimes, I let the hair grow and other times, I like it smooth and clean-shaven. Either way, it will be my choice and I’ll make sure I feel confident and fabulous about my underarms this summer,” the creator explains. What do you think society expects? “A long time ago, society elevated women’s insecurities and made us believe no body hair on a woman is the way to be feminine. I think society expects me to spend money ‘maintaining my body’ in the most unrealistic way possible,” she says. How do you see your summer body? “I’m still learning to see my body in my 30s and it’s been a long journey. Some days, I love what I see and other days, I struggle with a roll, lump or bump. I deserve to soak up the sun and be happy, and I know there’s a young person out there who needs to see people like me being happy and thriving in our natural bodies.” Body-positive content creator and LGBTQ+ activist, Katie Budenberg What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer?“I will be doing whatever I fancy on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes, I enjoy the feeling of smooth armpits and sometimes I think I look cool with bushes under each pit. I have been tempted to dye my armpits with the lesbian flag for Pride Month,” Budenberg laughs. What do you think society expects? “Society would rather not see me at all, and if they have to lay eyes on me, then I must be hairless from the eyebrows down – like a newborn baby, even though I’m a 25-year-old woman. “Women are constantly made to feel like they have to be small, weak and hairless, and I refuse to satisfy this anymore; I will take up space, be unapologetically me, and hairy if I want to be,” she says. How do you see your summer body? “My summer body is ready to go. It’s Fed-Girl-Summer this year, where we satisfy our hunger cues, don’t worry about looking bloated and no longer feel the need to suck in our stomachs. I will never let cellulite, body hair or insecurities dictate whether I have a fun time or not again.”

Soaring mortgage costs and the end of the government’s Help-to-Buy programme saw first-time buyers’ home reservations halve in