The six beauty products that will bring optimism to your life this week
Each week, Marie Claire’s Beauty and Style Director, Lisa Oxenham, brings you the lowdown on her edit of products that will add joy and positive energy to your beauty ritual and self-care routine. From uplifting oils and calming serums to relaxing bath-time classics, these products are designed to give your self-esteem a boost.
We’ve spoken a lot over the past year about how beauty rituals can help elevate our moods – and how we feel about our self-image can really have an impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing, with the act of self-care is a positive affirmation in itself, before any products even enter the equation. For me, it begins with my cleanser. At the moment I’m using Neal Yard’s Cleansing Melt – not only does this nourish the skin, but the frankincense aromatherapy oil, the gel-to-milk texture, and feel of the massage is a form of calming meditation, too. I massage into my skin while practising 7-11 breathing (a relaxing technique where you breathe in for seven seconds and breathe out for 11), a tool I was taught by psychotherapist Lee Pycroft to calm the parasympathetic nervous system.
Imagery by Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray, £35, Space NK
As well as the gut, I put energy into caring for my skin microbiome as the science really holds up. Sweet Biome is a spritzer dedicated to supporting our microbiome with a mist of fermented sake extract, kombucha, and hops. Those are the three ingredients that are credited to helping your acid mantle and microbiome. Meanwhile, coconut water and sodium PCA act as hydrating antioxidants and electrolytes, and the minerals zinc, copper, and calcium gluconate assist our natural collagen supply and barrier repair. I’ve used it when my skin is completely clean to recalibrate and as a pep up over minimal makeup throughout the day to give my skin a sweet spritz of fermented sake goodness.
If it’s a facial in a pot you’re looking for, this organic, preservative-free resurfacing serum mask that rapidly transforms skin and is so enjoyable to use, is the one. It works by soaking the skin cells in a special nutrient-rich renewal formula that encourages glow. The sumptuous rose otto scent is spa-like and the creamy consistency easily massages into the skin to gently polish with no stinging, tingling or tightening. I remove with a warm, clean flannel and see immediately the noticeable after-effects. My skin is left looking radiant and supple thanks to the plethora of cold pressed seed oils that pack the mask with Omegas 3, 6 and 9 to hydrate and deliver nutrition to the skin. It may be pricey, but the results are excellent (I’d particularly recommend it for dry, dehydrated or dull skins).
My new favourite hand cream is 95% natural and a smart multi-tasker. It’s a bit richer than most hand creams, which I love as my hands are dry from working on my vegetable patch and from washing them so often during the pandemic. As soon as I’ve washed my hands, I swoop out a blob and rub it in letting the product dissolve quickly. In my experience, that’s the best time to use a hand cream — when your hands are dry enough after washing, but not parched. It contains Caudalie’s patented Viniferine, known for its effective anti-dark spot treatment and the scent is super fresh. I’ve seen a difference after using it for two weeks.
I know they’re good for the gut, but working out what probiotic strains to take can be confusing. At the moment I’m taking Oskia’s Lactoferrin – a multifunctional glycoprotein present in high levels in Colostrum (a mothers first post-natal milk) that gives babies their first immunity against pathogens. Anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial, the milk protein benefits both the skin and immunity, from supporting the gut microbiome to aiding tissue and skin repair through its promotion of cell regeneration. I take one capsule first thing with water and wait 30 mins before I have my first cup of green tea.
This time of year calls for a restart button – and nothing makes your body skin feel brand new as well as a body scrub. This one smells like the most heavenly spa. The scrub granules, which are made from finely-milled walnut shell, are small, so it’s not too heavy-duty, in a good way. The healer behind this range is Karen Ruimy and if you want to feel calmer, less anxious and understand emotional and spiritual health more, I’d urge you to watch her Instagram Lives. This body polish contains a powered Amber gemstone that the brand states has natural pain-relieving properties, can cleanse energy, and encourages lightness in the heart. It also carries Rhodiola, a perennial flowering plant that helps the body manage stress, energises the spirit and bestows a sense of balance. Alongside orange extract, shea butter, and cocoa, it leaves you feeling clean and moisturised.
Facing up to rape culture, where do we start changing the culture of toxic masculinity? Six male activists working towards gender equality share their advice on how to push for change
(Getty Images)
The past weeks has seen a deluge of school sex abuse allegations from women and girls, via platform Everyone’s Invited — 8,000 at the latest count. While commentators are quick to blame everything from pornography, to parents (somewhat optimistically encouraged to ‘shop their sons’ by a police chief), to a lack of decent sex and consent education, the problem is a murkier affair.
The real issue is this: misogyny, and inequality more generally, are rife. From birth, through school, and via our encounters with strangers, family and friends, women and girls are frequently told that our lives matter less. Our opinions are less valid. We’re moany, too emotional. We’re frigid and we’re sluts. You only have to spend five minutes on social media to spot women being told what to do (or not do) with their bodies.
The school abuse scandal is another justifiable outpouring of grief and rage, much like the #MeToo movement before it, and, more recently, the response to Sarah Everard’s murder.
It sometimes feels that not a week goes by without marginalized groups sharing their stories, but no meaningful change seems forthcoming. Striving for gender equality is a huge issue to unpack, and it’s naïve to think we can reach it without enlisting the help of men.
While, quite rightly, the emphasis is mostly on women’s voices, it’s also helpful to hear from men who are already ‘walking the walk’ when it comes to redressing the imbalance.
Here we’ve spoken to six men who are actively working towards gender equality, on the changes they themselves have made, and how they’d encourage others to progress.
“I was part of the problem fuelled by lad culture”
Ben West, 20, is a mental health campaigner who has hosted recent Instagram Lives around the topic of sexual harassment
“I’m very happy to put my hands up and say that I’m probably part of the problem, or at least was when I was at school, because I was fuelled by that ‘lad culture’. But I didn’t even realise there was a problem. There was a lack of awareness, and being in groups and making jokes about women, and maybe even calling out to some women… that sort of behaviour in school was seen as acceptable for boys. I was definitely part of that group, but now I obviously realise that was wrong.
Mental health campaigner Ben West
“When we look at mental health in men we get that ‘strong silent’ type, and boys being taught to be strong, to be stoic, to be the lad in the group. In the same way that culture affects male mental health, it also creates a disrespectful view towards women — it’s fuelled by that same culture.
“I’ve had so many women saying: ‘it’s so good to hear you talking about this’, but why shouldn’t we all be talking about this? This is mad! I shouldn’t be thanked for being a guy talking about this. On social media you see women getting angry about these issues, but where’s the outrage in men? We should be outraged. This is our problem.
“When we talk about racism, it’s not good enough to just not be racist anymore, we have to be anti racist. In the same way, it’s not good enough to just not be catcalling women, you have to be anti violence against women.
“Change needs to be fuelled by conversations we’ve had with women, but it needs to be acted on by men.”
“Toxic masculinity’ has been weaponized, it often shuts men down”
“One of the first things men can do to be better allies to women is to listen. Listen to women, to non-binary people, to trans people, and to listen to ourselves. We must be willing to sit in the discomfort of our own thoughts and feelings, listen to the people in our lives and around us, reflect and ask ourselves hard questions.
“Why did what she said bother me? Why did I get defensive towards them? Why do I feel it necessary to defend myself when women say that they don’t feel safe out in the world? If we hear feedback we don’t like, instead of jumping into defensive mode, we should be silent and consider what is being said.
“Then the next step is taking action. It’s that simple (and it’s that difficult too). Personally, I don’t use the phrase toxic masculinity. I have learned through my conversations with men around the world that the most productive way to reach men is to call us into the conversation vs. call us out. Because the phrase ‘toxic masculinity’ has been weaponized, it often shuts men down and closes them off the second they hear it, even if the intention of the conversation is to invite us to look at the things that are not working for us and for others.”
“A lot of men feel scared to talk about women’s experiences”
David Challen, 34, is a domestic abuse campaigner, and successfully campaigned to free his mum Sally in a landmark case recognising coercive control
“Change can happen, it’s just about engaging a lot of men who are willing to listen but who need a route forward. A lot of men feel aimless with what to do, and are scared to talk about women’s experiences for fear of getting it wrong.
David Challen (Jonathan Brady: PA Wire)
“We all have a part to play. You don’t know where that sexist joke in your friendship group is going. Is it going further? Is there a rabbit hole of abuse behind closed doors? You have to keep your eyes and ears open to the forms of abuse: economic abuse, post-separation abuse, coercive control. In my mother’s case we had statements from both sides of the family, which when put with her testimony, offered a complete scope of abuse. We didn’t know the scale of it until we put all the stories together.
“If you’re unsure of where to start, men should start with social media. They should follow more women, follow a domestic abuse charity, follow a charity like Centre for Women’s Justice to get a scope on the battles that are still being fought. It’s just tuning ourselves in better to be more informed about what’s going on. There are a lot of accounts by women who are sharing their daily, lived experience, and if they’re brave enough to share it, we should at least be brave enough to watch and learn.
“There is a space for men who want to support women’s voices – because it is about supporting, it’s not about taking over. Outside the court during my mother’s appeal there were men [supportive of her case] and they were part of helping achieve that judgement. I was at the Sarah Everard vigil and there were a lot of men there, both with partners and by themselves. I think that’s what women want to see – action.
“Speak to the women in your life, if they feel comfortable and consent to speak about what they’ve been through. Those are the people who can shepherd you the most in a safe place, rather than engaging with random women online.”
“We must stop with the #NotAllMen and hold the perpetrators accountable”
Dhruv Kulshreshtha, 23, student and volunteer delegate to UN Commission on the Status of Women
Dhruv Kulshreshtha
“We know that ‘not all men’ are a part of the problem, but if one man is a part of the problem and the 99 others just stand there and do nothing about it, they may as well be a bigger problem than the one. If men want to prove their belief that ‘not all men’ are a part of the problem, rather than using such hashtags, JOIN THE SOLUTION! Take the right stance and stand by it and only then will ‘not all men’ be a part of the problem.
“The reason I applied for a position on the UN Women UK delegation to the CSW was that I believe that there is a need for more men to actively participate in and contribute to gender equality movements pertaining to sexual harassment, domestic violence and workplace discrimination against women. I strongly believe that victim-blaming and slogans such as ‘NotAllMen’ are hurdles to holding the actual perpetrators accountable.”
“Men need to stand up to those who cause harm at any level”
“Toxic masculinity encompasses a wide range of negative behaviours, everything from casual sexism and homophobia to severe physical and sexual violence. It’s part of what builds a dangerous culture of power and dominance throughout much of the world, whose victims tend to be women, LGBTQ+ people, even children. But it also hurts men themselves: it teaches them to bottle up their emotions, dismisses mental health concerns as weaknesses and plays a massive part in the overwhelming gender disparity in suicide rates. And while, yes, some people obviously benefit from such a culture, you’d struggle to find a human alive who hasn’t been negatively affected in some way by toxic masculinity.
Jack Urwin
“The first step in becoming an ally is simply to listen. We must seek out the stories of women and marginalised people, try to understand the trauma they’ve faced, however uncomfortable it makes men feel, and constantly ask ourselves how we can improve our own behaviour and attitudes. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s likely something all us men will have to do for the rest of our lives. It might not be easy, but it’s vital.
“Beyond that, there are some more concrete measures men can take. Make space for women and LGBTQ+ people and amplify their voices. Learn when male opinion might not need to be vocalised. Think about the ways we can use our inherent power as a man to actively fight for progress, while making sure not to speak over the people we’re supposed to be championing or making this about us.
“Most importantly, we must speak out and stand up to those who cause harm at any level, whether it’s challenging our friends for making sexist jokes or providing a physical barrier when we witness a man harassing someone. Men, unfortunately, tend to prize the opinions of other men above any other group, so we must make sure to use that for good.”
“The culture can change but it has to start with men looking inwards”
Simon Gallow, 28, UN Women UK volunteer advocate
Simon Gallow
“My message to all men is simple: if you see toxic behaviours or things that make you feel uncomfortable, particularly around women, then call it out – in other words, ‘see something, say something.’”
“Men, in the UK and across the world, desperately need to have a moment of self-reflection. What is it about masculinity that means we don’t always spend more time with our children, choose certain jobs, be open about our emotions – and most importantly, treat women with the respect they deserve? We can change the culture around masculinity but it has to start by looking inwards, asking ourselves what we can do to change our behaviour and the behaviour of those around us.
The change we want to see
So what exactly are women, and other marginalised genders, asking of men?
“I cannot speak for all non-binary people, but for me one major issue [with toxic masculinity] is the invalidation of one’s perception of their gender, which can happen in the form of physical or verbal violence, or even through gaslighting,” says Dani Martiri (they/he), 26, a member of the group Rebel Majesty, which works towards gender equality among other issues.
Dani Martiri
“To be better allies, men need to step aside, don’t speak on our behalf, don’t assault/kill us, show up if they call themselves allies, educate themselves but not expect trans folk and women to do that (at least not like we’re Wikipedia), question their own relationship to toxic masculinity and their desires, understand that these desires can be fluid too. And also understand that no one, by claiming their rights, is trying to strip them of their fundamental rights as human beings.”
Ava Vakil:“Social media is part of the problem”
“I think toxic masculinity has been around forever but social media really plays a part in escalating and amplifying it,” says Ava Vakil, whose open letter to the headmaster of King’s College, Wimbledon, about the school’s ‘hotbed of sexual violence’ went viral in early March 2021.
“On social media we have so many examples of men in positions of power engaging in shocking behaviour. The effect of that I think is huge because there’s so little accountability or consequence that people think it’s normal, and it becomes normal.
“Ultimately, it’s going to be millions of small changes that push us along the path to gender equality.”
“As women, and other marginalised genders, we can keep powering the conversation by collectively sharing our stories – it’s the best way to help others realise the scale of the problem.
“I think whilst an individual story is so powerful and so important, sometimes it can become easily dismissed as just that – an individual story. People lose sight of how widespread this is, and how much of a culture problem it is,” says Ava.
“The problem with focusing on just one person is that people think if the perpetrator in that situation is held accountable then the problem is solved. But that takes out the complexity of misogyny everywhere else in the world, so we need to keep reminding ourselves that this is institutional, and this is cultural, and not something that’s going to be dismantled overnight.”
It’s critical to act collectively
One great space for men to learn is via the UN Women’s HeForShe project. “It was created for this purpose – it’s not about saying men should be doing the work FOR women, it’s about acknowledging that gender equality is good for all of society, and we’ll only get there if we make it work for everyone,” says UN Women UK Executive Director Claire Barnett. “We encourage anyone who identifies as a man and wants to get involved to sign up to come along to our heforshe summit.”
There’s no disputing it’s a bleak time for women and girls right now.
UN Women UK Executive Director Claire Barnett
It may feel like misogyny is a growing problem, but these stories aren’t new. There has always been a gross imbalance between genders. While recent news, rightly, continues to shock, it’s crucial that these stories are out there, being shared widely – and not just amongst women.
Whatever gender you identify as, this is a critical time for us all to start acting collectively. Gender imbalance ultimately serves no one, and only by listening, amplifying, sharing and demanding equality (from schools, businesses, the Government, and within our own households) will we start to see meaningful change.
* You can sign Rebel Majesty’s petition to recognise non-binary and gender non-conforming identities in all UK legal documentation
* Lizzy Dening is the founder of Survivor Stories, an award-winning project collecting interviews with survivors of sexual violence
Despite the lockdown slowly easing, many companies are shifting their business models to more flexible hours as well as working from home days. Which means now’s the perfect time to invest in ethical loungewear.
Why? Because if sweatshirts and hoodies are to become one of your wardrobe essentials for the foreseeable (who’d have thought it?) them you might as well invest in sustainable fashion brands which are producing eco-friendly clothes which have a lower negative impact on the planet.
As with any other ethical garment, you firstly want to look at which fabrics are used to create ethical loungewear. Are they made from certified organic cotton that is more durable and is more biodegradable? Or have they been made with recycled materials such as plastic waste found in the sea?
Then you want to question the supply chain. Where were the pieces made, how long was their journey from the factory to you (ie carbon footprint), are the workers treated fairly and how much energy is used to make them? If a brand is transparent about its practices, you’ll usually be able to find this information on their website on the ‘about us’ or ‘our story’ section.
You might also want to check out whether a brand has partnered up with any charities that give back to communities and the planet. For example, Ninety Percent gives 90% of its profits between charitable causes (customers can vote for which ones by entering a code found on the garments) and the people that help make its clothes.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, Republicans have introduced a record 127 bills on transgender issues this year, across 22 states.
Thousands of transgender people and their supporters take part in London's first ever Trans Pride march through the streets of British capital on 14 September, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This week, legislators in Arkansas have approved a bill which states that transgender children will be denied gender-affirming healthcare.
The bill, which has now been sent to the governor, was voted for on Monday, and saw The Senate vote in favour of the legislation 28 to seven.
The bill proposes a total ban on healthcare provision for trans minors under the age of eighteen. This would include a ban on doctors providing hormone treatment or surgery to minors, and a ban on doctors referring any minors for treatment.
It also stipulates that insurers have the right to refuse to cover gender-affirming care for trans individuals of all ages.
These treatments have all been endorsed by well-known medical associations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, highlighting no medical concern.
Similarly, they’re backed by human rights activists like The American Civil Liberties Union, who urge governors to see how much gender-affirming healthcare improves the mental wellbeing of young, vulnerable trans children.
The bill, understandably, has been widely criticised.
So, what next? The bill has to be approved or rejected by Asa Hutchinson, the state’s governor, within the next five days. If he does neither, it will become law without his backing. He is a Republican who has previously shown support for similar anti-trans bills.
He also signed a bill on Friday which gives doctors the right to refuse to treat a patient ‘because of religious or moral objections.’ Several LGBTQ+ activists have pointed out that this could be used to deny members of their community the care they need.
Sadly, there are several other bills restricting trans rights emerging all over South America. In the states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, they’ve passed bills restricting trans women from participating in school sports teams of the gender they identify.
The stats are quite shocking. Conservative legislators have proposed more bills aimed to restrict trans rights so far this year than ever before. According to the Human Rights Campaign, one of the biggest LGBTQ+ organisations in the US, Republicans have introduced a record 127 bills on transgender issues this year, across 22 states.
This makes 2021 the year the US saw the most anti-trans legislation bills filed in a single year.
To show your support for trans youth, you can share your stance on your social platform or call or email Arkansas Governor Hutchinson on 501-682-2345 or at asa.hutchinson@governor.arkansas.gov asking him to veto HB 1570. For a more general guide to supporting trans youth, do visit the Stonewall website, where their guide to showing your support is insightful.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have stepped down as royal family members and relocated to California, but that certainly doesn’t stop them from making headlines.
This past month was no exception as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed the news that they were expecting their second child and announced that they would not be returning to royal duties.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made particular news this month as they sat down for an in-depth interview with Oprah Winfrey, a rare move for the notoriously private couple.
The Duke and Duchess spoke about everything from mental health and their relationship with the royal family to their current pregnancy, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle even revealing that they are expecting a baby girl.
It wasn’t the Oprah interview however that made Meghan Markle headline news this week, but instead a viral anecdote of an awkward moment between her and a friend – and we’re glad we weren’t involved.
The incident in question reportedly involved an unnamed friend in the UK accidentally sending Meghan a voice note complaining that she uses too many emojis.
‘One of Meghan’s British friends fell out with her because Meghan was writing all these messages with loads of emojis,’ a source told the Daily Mail. ‘The friend dictated a WhatsApp voice note saying, “God, Meghan is so annoying with all her emojis, she keeps sending me all these emojis.” But then the friend sent the voice memo to Meghan herself by accident instead of sending it to a mutual friend.’
1 in 5 women are currently suffering from COVID-related menstrual problems.
The reasons for a missed period can be hard to identify at the best of times. Is it a hormonal problem? Are you eating enough? Are you exercising too much? Or could it be a more serious underlying condition like PCOS or endometriosis?
But, interestingly, menstrual problems seem to be on the rise. Did you know? Studies have found that 1 in 5 women are currently suffering from COVID-related menstrual problems. Several self-reported surveys indicating that this figure could be as high as 30%.
That’s basically a fifth of women reporting that their TOTM has become irregular since the beginning of the pandemic. But why? And how?
According to doctor Sarah Brewer, Healthspan Medical Director, your period would be classified as ‘irregular’ if the length of time between each, plus the duration of bleeding and amount you bleed, vary from bleed to bleed. “Irregular periods are most common in the early teens and again as the menopause approaches,” she shares. “Plus, many women do find their periods are occasionally irregular. Failure to ovulate sometimes occurs in women with otherwise normal menstrual cycles.”
But if you’re wondering why now – we’ve roped in two doctors to answer all your questions. Keep reading for advice on what to do if your monthly bleeds are all over the place, plus all the reasons for a missed period, too.
7 reasons for a missed period
The most obvious reason you’ve missed a period is pregnancy, but once you’ve ruled that out, what else could be the cause? According to doctor Brewer, periods may become irregular as a result of:
1. Physical stress (eg excessive exercise; stress of lockdown)
2. Emotional stress (eg stress of COVID-19 pandemic, bereavement, depression)
3. Significant loss of weight (eg anorexia nervosa)
4. An over-active or under-active thyroid gland
5. Polycystic ovaran syndrome (PCOS)
6. Gynaecological problems, such as an ovarian tumour
7. Approaching menopause.
She also shares that an irregular, heavy period that was also late could be due to a miscarriage. “If you think this could be the case, always seek medical advice,” she stresses.
Why has the pandemic had an impact on our periods?
According to Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, they’ve been seeing an increasing number of period-related issues in their clinics.
But why? Short answer: increased stress, anxiety and workload, and less easy access to doctors and GP clinics. “There are several factors responsible. These include anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic and lockdown, increase in the workload for women due to home-schooling and working from home, not forgetting the affect of COVID infection on general and reproductive health,” he shares.
What should I do if I’ve missed a period?
First things first – take a pregnancy test if you have any doubt at all that you could be expecting.
From there, it’s important to keep a record of when bleeding occurs, doctor Brewer advises. “If your vaginal blood loss is irregular, this may help to tell true irregular periods from regular periods, and establish what is irregular non-menstrual bleeding in-between,” she explains.
Do note: The doctor explains that irregular bleeding that is non-cyclical (aka, not due to normal menstruation) is known as metrorrhagia. “This will always needs investigating to find out the cause, so do book an appointment with your GP,” she advises.
6 tips for dealing with missed a period
1. Get to know your ‘normal’ cycle
Keeping a track of your cycle, according to Pisal. “There are loads of smartphone apps that will help,” he shares. We like Clue, Flo and Glow.
Do note that a ‘normal’ cycle can have anything from 21 to 42 days between bleeds. “That is entirely regular,” Pisal reassures.
2. Make sure you’re living a balanced lifestyle
Might sounds obvious, but many menstrual problems could be prevented by better self care. “Make sure you’re getting balanced nutrition, regular exercise and adequate sleep, and try and maintain a healthy body weight,” Pisal recommends. “They’re all important factors in maintaining a regular menstrual cycle,” he continues.
Rad our guide to self love, while you’re here – it’ll help.
3. Try and notice a pattern
So, your period is slightly delayed or slightly early. Don’t panic immediately, shares Pisal. “There’s no cause for concern unless it becomes a persistent pattern,” he shares. “Do keep an eye on things – usually the cycle will return back to normal,” he explains.
4. Watch out for red flags
Again, if your periods do become persistently irregular, it’s time to book a GP appointment. Other red flag symptoms include:
Prolonged bleeding
Heavier flow
Bleeding between periods
Bleeding after sex.
5. Practice self care
Top tip from Pisal: don’t ignore what can feel like boring self-care.
“This includes having your cervical screening when invited, having your contraception reviewed when appropriate, and looking after yourself during the premenstrual and menstrual period,” he explains.
6. Maintain a healthy hormone balance
Sounds scary, isn’t really. Maintaining your hormones essentially means eating well and looking after yourself. For a healthy hormone balance, doctor Brewer advises you aim for:
Eat a healthy, low-fat, preferably organic diet
Eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day
Eat essential fatty acids, like nuts, seeds, pulses and fish
Be mindful of your intake of sugar and salt
Avoid convenience, pre-processed foods and additives – eat home-made meals as much as possible
Be mindful of your alcohol consumption
Be mindful of your caffeine consumption – aim for no more than three caffeinated drinks a day
Never skip a meal, especially breakfast
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Final note: don’t be afraid or shy to talk about your concerns, shares Pisal. “Whether that’s on social media, with your line manager, or with your friends and family, breaking the taboo around menstruation is important. It’s time we normalise talking about female health,” he concludes.
Fermented Sake Spray, £35, Space NK
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