< Previous20 2 10 February 2020 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast PLAY Whether you’re stuck in traffic on Hessa Street, enduring that Dubai-Abu Dhabi commute or wiling Happy Place – Fearne Cotton opens up candidly about mental health throughout Happy Place. Her guests (who are all famous AF, btw) touch on everything from anxiety to depression. The Daily Mediation Podcast – Take 10 minutes away from your desk each day, and take a stroll while listening to this. Thank us later. Asking for a Friend – Everyone’s favourite reality star, Lauren Conrad, has launched the most Lauren Conrad podcast ever. Can this woman do no wrong? Super Soul Conversations – All bow down to Oprah. That is all. Off the Hookah with Phil and Cooper – An up-to-date and sometimes amusing look at the headlines in the Middle East. When Women Win – One of the most-listened to podcasts in the region, this series, hosted by Rana Nawa, highlights stories of female role models from around the world, who share their inspirational journeys. Stuff You Should Know – Why is the Mona Lisa so famous? Do zombies actually exist? Join Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant as they get to the bottom of odd questions. Really, really odd questions. The Dukkan Show – Dukkan translates to ‘home’ in Arabic, and the trio behind this cultural podcast – Omar Tom, Reem Hameed and Mohamed Akkaoui – explore what it means to grow up as ‘third culture kids’ in the Middle East. DM FM – This home-grown series is the brainchild of the incredibly talented (and oh so stylish) Anum Bashir, founder of Desert Mannequin. Fashion No Filter – Camille Charriere and Monica Ainley give you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how the fashion industry operates. PODCA 20 0 February 2020 11 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast PLAY Beyond Today – The BBC’s daily podcast is great for keeping up with what’s going on in the news. Each episode is only 20 mins, which means the bingeability levels are high. Pretty Big Deal – The kween of body confidence, Ashely Graham, taps into her little black book of A-listers for honest, inspiring and boundary-breaking chats. The Big Beauty Broadcast – Yes, that’s right, folks, we’ve only gone and launched a podcast! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts for your monthly dose of all things beauty. Joan and Jericha – “Agony aunts” Joan and Jericha (played by Julia Davis and Vicki Pepperdine) dole out judgemental, offensive and very much satirical “advice” to explicit questions. Getting Curious – Owner of our hearts and Queer Eye superstar Jonathan Van Ness explores issues of the day, with advice from experts. Red Handed – The ultimate for true crime junkies, Suruthi & Hannah just head first into all manner of macabre madness. Tip: don’t listen when alone. You’re Booked – As host Daisy Buchanan puts it: this is a podcast for literary nosey parkers. The series takes you through the bookshelves of authors, celebs, politicians, and just about anyone else who can read! The Hilarious World of Depression – Smashes through the stigma of depression by inviting comedians to talk about their experiences of it. A very necessary podcast, indeed. How to Fail With Elizabeth Day – A podcast that highlights and celebrates the failures in peoples’ lives. Jump straight for former Cosmo editor, Farrah Storr’s episode, for a look into the inner workings of, well, here! Dolly Parton’s America – This nine-part series dives into the Dollyverse and examines the life, art, and cultural influence of one of country music’s most beloved figures. away the hours on the metro, we’ve rounded up our favourite podcast picks for you to plug in and zone out STS for12 February 2020 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast PLAY FINDING MY VOICE – NADIYA HUSSAIN Nadiya Hussain is a woman of many talents. She is a chef, bestselling author and TV presenter. Add to that, she is a mother, a Muslim, a working woman and a celebrity. In Finding My Voice she questions the barriers many women have to overcome to be accepted and heard. An important read for all women who struggle to balance their various roles in life. THE BEACH READ: The Secret Hours – Santa Montefiore When Faye’s mother passes away, she leaves unexpected instructions – her ashes must be scattered in a remote corner of Ireland far from their home in America. How can Faye discover why her mother insisted on being laid to rest in the faraway land? Unanswered questions and deep secrets unravel in this million-copy bestseller. BIG TOPIC: New Kings of The World: Dispatches from Bollywood, Dizi, and K-Pop – Fatima Bhutto For anyone who enjoys a bit of trend spotting. Did you know the latest craze in pop culture is unlikely to come from the West? In this book Fatima Bhutto shines a light at the surge in the popularity of Bollywood, Turkish TV, and K-Pop to discover an emerging cultural phenomenon. Bolooki’s Books HOW TO ARGUE WITH A RACIST – ADAM RUTHERFORD Disagreeing respectfully with others who have strongly conflicting views is not easy to do and debating well is an art form. It is made ten times more difficult when you have to argue with a racist! In this book, Adam Rutherford explains how science can be used to argue against racism and prejudices. THE CONTEMPORARY: Bridge of Clay – Markus Zusak Bestselling author of The Book Thief, Markus Zusak brings us the story of Clay and his brothers, the Dunbar Boys. We follow the five brothers and their survival through loss and abandonment while Clay sets off on a journey to build a bridge which symbolises a deeper connection for his family’s destiny. In this book you will discover love amongst brothers which is not immediately obvious but felt deeply throughout the story. THE CLASSIC: The Broken Wings – Gibran Khalil Gibran Originally written in Arabic in 1912, this book has been translated into English and many other languages over the years. Every sentence of The Broken Wings is lyrical and captures the ultimate beauty in sorrow and heartbreak. It is a love Ahlam Bolooki, festival director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, on what she couldn’t put down this month The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will be taking place 4-9 February in 2020 emirateslitfest.com story you would never wish upon anyone, yet an intense love you would hope to experience during your lifetime. SELF- DEVELOPMENT ONE TO WATCHFebruary 2020 13 PLAY It’s not love, actually WORDS BY: SARA ALHUMIRI. IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK, SUPPLIED What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than watching a movie that will convince you that marriage is the most ridiculous institution on the planet? YOU (2018) I mean… do we even need to explain why this has topped our Anti V-Day list? The Gossip-Girl-meets- Pretty-Little-Liars Netflix original is back for season two, and it’s even scarier and dirtier than the first. THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (1996) This throwback is a must-watch if you’re not feeling the love this February. It may be from 1996, but it’s a rom-com that has truly stood the test of time – just as Ariana Grande, who referenced *that* iconic skit in her music video Thank U, Next . MARRIAGE STORY (2019) HOW TO BE SINGLE (2016) Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson and Alison Brie make for the ultimate holy trifecta. The Back for an unexpected winter edition, the series we all love to hate, Love Island 2020 is here, and this time they’re in South Africa. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t jumped on the LI bandwagon, the series whisks a bunch of contestants, who are readily looking for love, off to an island, where they have to compete against each other for their happily ever after. What could go wrong? LOVE ISLAND (2015) Pop the red helium balloons, steer clear of those heart-shaped chocolates and grab a group of girlfriends for an evening of Anti-Valentine’s Day flicks. Less Netflix and chill, more hot guys who kill (we’re looking at you, Joe). Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast@CosmoMiddleEast WORDS BY: SARA A holy trifecta. The movie chronicles three young singles looking for love in New York, bringing all the LOLs from start to finish. they und ban con off aga afteFebruary 2020 15 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast beauty MAKE-UP, SKINCARE, HAIR, NAILS Attention, animal lovers When was the last time you checked to see if your make-up is cruelty-free? Well, luckily, you don’t have to anymore. Yup, thanks to Nisnass, a whole range of clean beauty products are now just a click away. Save face and, let’s be honest, a whole bunch of cute widdle bunnies — simultaneously — with make-up that doesn’t test on animals. Farsali Unicorn Essence, Dhs265 at Nisnass IMAGE: SUPPLIED16 February 2020 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast BEAUTYBEAUTY 5 SOME BOUNCE That mini rubber strip embedded in the frame must be ~cushiony~. The flexible material helps your lashes absorb pressure and allows the curler to spring open quickly after each use. MAC Cosmetics Full Lash Curler, Dhs100 2 1 4 5 3 3 A WIDE- ENOUGH OPENING Pinched eyelid skin = stuff of nightmares. Your curler should be the width of your full lid and easily fit all your lashes inside. 1 STURDY HANDLES Sounds minor— like, you use this thing for only a few seconds, who cares if it’s a little flimsy? You. You care. Because if your fingers can’t get a nice firm hold, you could lose your grip and also a bunch of lashes (). 2 A METAL FRAME Metal not only lasts longer than, say, plastic that could crack, but its weight also provides more stability. Meaning, no more shaky tools millimeters from your cornea. 4 THE RIGHT SHAPE You know how you shop for shoes that support your high arches (or total lack thereof)? Same thinking goes for these babies: the flatter or rounder your eyelid shape, the flatter or rounder your curler needs to be. ALSO GREAT? THESE GUYS Alllll the musts that make up the perfect gadget By CARLY CARDELLINO VACCARO Read this before buying your next eyelash curler Tweezerman Curl 60º Eyelash Curler, Dhs79 at Ounass Dior Backstage Eyelash Curler, Dhs125 at Sephora Lash Star Stardust Lash Curler, Dhs92 at nordstrom.com JEFFREY WESTBROOK/STUDIO D; STYLED BY ELIZABETH OSBOURNE. SOURCE: CELEBRITY MAK-EUP ARTIST VINCENT OQUENDOHey, hi—your make-up bag? With the lipstick from high school? Toss that stuff before it becomes a biohazard. These guidelines from cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson are your new life manual By CHLOE METZGER So this is how long you can *actually* keep your make-up LIPSTICK MASCARA EYE- SHADOW FOUNDATION EYELINER BLUSH 061218 MONTHSMONTHSMONTHSMONTHS Y O U R T I M E F R A M E LIQUID POWDER POWDER POWDER PENCIL LIQUID LIQUID CREAM ANY KIND CREAM BULLET ...your eye area can harbour a lot of bacteria, making eye-product contamination risks higher. The closed, wet tube = a cosy breeding ground for eye-infecting germs. Mascara’s also got a short life span because... The more moist the make-up, the faster it’ll expire. But powders don’t last so much longer, thanks to constant contact with your water-based skin-care products. Its tips spend lots of time mingling with eye fluids (gross but true), leading to potentially infectious circumstances. Preservatives in blush help protect it from your skin’s own germs. Once they stop working, you’re left with a super-cute petri dish that’s bound to break you out. Mouths. Are. Busy. Your lip colour can only stay “clean” for so long when you re-dip and re-swipe on the daily. 1. Storing your make-up in the bathroom is a hard no. Heat and humidity can cause faster bacteria growth, shortening expiration dates even more. Instead, leave it in a dry place, like your bedroom. 2. Don’t mess with your eye area. Get yourself a spray bottle and mist your shadows and brushes with antimicrobial rubbing alcohol every few weeks. 3. Both pencil and gel liners can harden from exposure to air. Use a clean sharpener (as in soap-and- water-scrub-scrub- scrub clean) once a week to keep them linin’ like new. These rules don’t apply to “green” make-up, which is made without traditional preservatives. Take the expiration dates on the packaging seriously, okay? PSA! HEADS UP! February 2020 17 Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Instagram @CosmoMiddleEast @CosmoMiddleEast BEAUTY18 February 2020 BEAUTY MILLI MIDWOOD, EDITOR IN CHIEF Huda Beauty, Over Achiever Concealer, Dhs132 After watching season one of Huda Boss on Facebook Watch, I couldn’t not give this a whirl. The formula is deliciously creamy, and the full- coverage finish hides a multitude of sins. It’s super buildable, highly pigmented, and is available in a whopping 20 shades. It’s slightly on the pricier side but totes worth it IMO. Beauty lab Under-eye concealers Each month, the Cosmo team tests the newest products to see what reigns supreme. Dark circles, meet your match… MO SARA AL HUMIRI, SOCIAL MEDIA & VIDEO EXECUTIVE Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Concealer, Dhs154 This concealer has been one of my ride or die products since it was released. Its consistency makes application and blending unbelievably easy, especially with its soft water-based texture. One of my favourite parts about this concealer staple is that you can use it in the summer and winter without having to use setting powder after! NIMOTALAI OKI, JUNIOR ASSISTANT Nars, Radiant Creamy Concealer, Dhs165 This is the best lightweight concealer I’ve ever used. I hate feeling like I have make-up on and this concealer stays loyal to that cause. It blends easily into my skin and sometimes, people are convinced that I woke up like this. Totally worth the price and feeling! 22222000220000000000000002220202000 JESSICA COMBES, ASSISTANT DIGITAL EDITOR Maybelline, Instant Age Rewind Concealer, Dhs25 When you’re very pale with cool undertones (like moi) it can be really tricky to find a concealer that overs coverage without being cakey. This concealer is gorgeously soft, slides on like a serum and blends beautifully. The slightly rosy tone does fair skin many a favour while still allowing your natural tones to peek through. The best part is putting it on in the morning, then getting on with my day knowing it won’t budge. ng, thenrnin th mwi w it wowon’t g ing fe favourite parts this concealer that you can u the summeranr without havingt having settinging powdeFebruary 2020 19 BEAUTY uaFebru SONAM BASANTANI, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR Shiseido Synchro Self-Refreshing Concealer, Dh158 at Sephora It was love at first sight, the pigmented concealer has a weightless and breathable finish that covers the darkest of circles and spots while also brightening skin. What I love most is the pioneering ActiveForce™ Formula that refreshes itself through heat, humidity, oils and facial movements to give you a well maintained coverage for up to 24 hours wear-time. HAFSA LODI, CONTRIBUTING FASHION WRITER KVD Vegan Beauty, Lock-It Concealer Crème, Dhs121 at Noon As a sleep-deprived mother, under-eye concealer is make-up ba must-have, and my go-t is the Lock-ock- It Conceaaler Crème byyK Von D. Thhe formula is b pigmented da hydrating, the texture is lusciously smooth, and the fact that 100% anim cruelty-free major plus. s a g to Kat both and y tit’s al-- is a s IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK, SUPPLIEDNext >