Refinery29 UK

“Tobagonians are resilient people,” Marsha Patrick, our friendly yet firm host, repeatedly tells us on our journey around the island. The 7.5-mile-wide, untouched land changed hands 33 times during colonialism, ping-ponging between the French, Dutch, Spanish, British, and even the Courlanders (modern-day Latvia). Despite a legacy rife with colonial conflict, slavery, and bloody uprisings, there is something distinctly peaceful about the people and island of Tobago.

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We're asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last penny. A note to say that this will sadly be the last money diary that is published to Refinery29 UK. The company is winding down production after an amazing decade of content, meaning articles will stop going live soon.

As a long-time fan of coming-of-age stories, the buzz around shows like Queenie and Boarders marks to me what feels like a turning point in UK television. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a wave of series centring nuanced, well-written, emotionally complex portrayals of Black British girlhood and young womanhood. These shows don’t just give us polished role models — they offer characters who are messy, flawed, relatable, and deeply human.

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We're asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last penny. This week: "I'm a 35-year-old personal assistant living in London. I moved here almost seven years ago from Northern Ireland after feeling very stagnant and unfulfilled amongst mostly married friends and a very traditional, non-diverse culture that wasn’t aligning with me.

From boosting hydration to smoothing texture, the benefits of snail mucin are well-documented among skincare enthusiasts. But the beloved ingredient isn’t right for everyone. For starters, it’s not vegan (duh). Then there’s the tricky possibility of developing an allergic reaction to the stuff, which we try to avoid for obvious reasons.

If I were to ask, 'What do you know of yourself?' How would you answer? After six years of therapy and countless iterations of being, I’ve come to know myself as kind, ambitious, unexpectedly funny, and compassionate. But in the same breath, I’d also admit that I’m afraid of abandonment, that I chase perfection because I believe it makes me more likeable, and that I am, at my core, deeply sensitive to the world around me.

I keep a handful of images permanently bookmarked on my camera roll: candid selfies of Scandinavian fashion influencers with bleached blonde hair flicked out in layers — the kind of effortless glamour that makes me want to book a salon appointment immediately. I already have some layers in my long hair, so the look was somewhat achievable with a bit of professional blowdry magic. However, I can never quite hit the same level of volume and luxuriousness with my curling iron at home.

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We're asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last penny. Editor's note: Totals have been converted from EUR to GBP and are correct at time of writing. This week: "I'm 42 and have UK settled status, but I left London for Portugal during the pandemic. Since my last Money Diary covering my redundancy, I have done numerous interviews.

The matcha PR arc is nothing short of iconic. Once an unknown health drink, the powdered green tea quickly replaced the flat white as the wellness girlie’s beverage of choice. It didn’t stop there: matcha’s pastel green hue has infiltrated all corners of our lives, from matcha coloured manicures to matcha-infused desserts and even matcha-inspired skincare.

Louis Vuitton has always been synonymous with fashion and travel accessories, and now, the iconic French maison is expanding its collection of luxury goods (including a fragrance range that launched in 2016) to bet big on makeup. Today marks a new chapter in the heritage brand’s history with La Beauté Louis Vuitton, a debut collection of beauty products that combines signature LV house codes. And behind it all? Iconic makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath, as creative director.