TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE 

By Diane Kerr 

When was the last time you saw a film that thrusts you back to teenage years to unpack, what would happen if all your crushes found out how you felt? Netflix have a released a delightful teen rom-com based on one of Jenny Han’s novels. The film stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Israel Broussard, Emilija Baranac and John Corbett The film follows Lara Jean a bi-racial American Asian, who feels invisible. 

The opening scenes reveal that she is a part of a close family brought up by her lone parent dad after the death of her mother. She is the usual self conscious teen, she has never had a boyfriend and her room, a long with her thoughts are a mess. In fact she prefers to be in the world of romantic novels where she can fantasise about the love of her life; who at the time of the story happens to be her sister’s boyfriend whom she was not able to tell she was crushing on, so now its too late. 

 Lara Jean writes letters to five crushes that she has harboured feelings for and keeps them in a secret box to deal with her emotions not to be sent out. However, yes you’ve guessed it. Nothing is sacred in movie world. They are found and sent out. Refreshingly, perhaps because of the fact that the film was optioned by Will Smith and James Lassiter's production company Overbrook Entertainment. It manages to achieve a well diverse cast that includes an Asian protagonist, and a black former crush who is now gay, without feeling the need to address all the cultural challenges. 

What I thought was nice was that for once these cultural choices weren’t the focus of the story that instead they were included within a story about teenage life and fears of rejection that has probably affected us all. This film exposes several unconscious impulses, such as wanting what we can’t have, jealousy and our fears of rejection. Lara Jean pairs up with one of her crushes in a plot to mutually gain the affections of their true loves by making them jealous. Although that might seem predictable what is seen is Lara Jean literally letting her hair down and finding a friendship with someone going through an equally vulnerable time as her. 

Fortunately this film does not waste time with too many conflicting story-lines, that complicate the delicateness of the overarching message. It does not focus on all their differences, it’s a story about friendship and personal growth. On the surface the story is conceived out of an embarrassing scenario but what unravels is stepping out and getting to know what and who makes you happy and maybe it’s a good idea to let those you care about know how you feel about them instead of harbouring secret feelings because you might just get the love that is perfect for you.

 

BaByliss Pro

Advanced Ceramic Styler

 By Diane Kerr

If your hair is curly, frizzy, static or all of the above, these straighteners are for you! I know that quick heating is definitely a bonus but the other frustration can be the snagging of strands of hair while straightening even worse if someone else is doing it. The BaByliss Pro with nano-titanium plates promises a smooth flawless finish and it delivers. The process was smooth as it heated up very quickly up to 230c without drying out my hair. I often feel the need to go over my hair several times to get the desired effect or have to leave them on sections for longer periods which wasn’t necessary with my new stylist tool. The result was smooth shiny hair with all my strands in tact thanks to the smooth rounded plates instead of the usual cornered ones. The design of the straightener is compact, chic and shiny. It is very reasonably priced in comparison to some of the other brands without compromising on the results or design at RRP of £39.95. Armed with your BaByliss Pro you’ll have all the shine and chic no matter how rebellious your hair.

 

 

Raquel Jones - Unforgiven Press Release

 Press Release

All is not fair in love and war but this NEW Exciting independent artist rocks in with her debut single “Unforgiven” as her verdict.

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M41hbSLqqPc

INTRODUCING

RAQUEL KHARA JONES

DEBUT SINGLE

‘UNFORGIVEN’

OUT NOW!

Meet acclaimed singer/songwriter/actress Raquel Jones kicks off 2019 with a stunning new single lamenting the perils of modern-day relationships

If you have been tired of all the uncertainty of the Tinder and Instagram dating. If you thought that you always have to be on your best ‘Think like a man’ performance only to have no control of the swipe or the ‘ghosting’ This song is for you! While the current dating climate says,  ‘sext please!’ This Rock / RnB song says I am one step ahead and I am not taking it. Literally it’s your loss! 

The Indie Rock / Pop / RnB sound is fantastic and may be the new hybrid way forward for British music. It will appeal to those who remember the 80’s Brits storytelling in their songs and those who are craving a dating revolution. The song is about identifying how you feel openly with being courageous instead of the more recent walking on egg shells approach to relationships. 

Raquel Jones has been working in theatre including London’s West end for over 10 years as a theatre performer so has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Michael Ball, OBE and Beverly Knight, MBE. She has now decided to branch out and become a recording artist.

Raquel Jones is due to go on tour with the rock show ‘American Idiot’ which she will be reprising as one of the original cast after working alongside Aaron Sidwell (Ian Beale, Eastenders) and Xfactor’s Amelia Lilly in the previous run.  Raquel Jones’s impressive resume might explain why the vocals on this track are so effortless. However it is not just the unique sounding tone of her voice that is irresistible, it’s the content of the song. It is catchy and lays out a narrative reminiscent of the ‘80s when songs were relatable. Unforgiven became available on 4^th January on all streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes and Amazon and has already received acknowledgment from some of the industry elite. It has been likened to Metallica and Michael Jackson combined.

Raquel Jones was spotted in her end of year performance at school by a scout and beat her competition landing her with her first role being a West End credit as Lil’ Inez in the cult classic musical Hairspray. Since then she has continued to work in musical theatre but her original craft was a child singer, which she had been doing to large audiences before she was five years old.

Unforgiven was written, composed and performed by Raquel Jones. Production, Mix and Master by AceKeyz

I am sure that this debut rock single will be rolling off everyone’s tongues as soon as they hear it.

Endorsements

“I Love your song, I have it on repeat!” - Rosa O’Reilly, Actress, Wicked

“I genuinely love this, and keep singing it…bought it!” - Adrian Hansel, Westend performer

“When your Emoji also wants to join in and sing” - Various, from Insta

Follow Raquel Khara Jones

Twitter: @raquelKjones

Instagram: raquelkjones

Facebook: http://www.raquel-jones.com

For more information, promo requests, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Diane Kerr

Email: diane.kerr@hotmail.co.uk

Mobile: 07712728951

Black Hair Mag Product review 2020

 

Champney’s, Citrus blush Enlivening Body Butter

I have to say I love this cream. The first thing I noticed is how quickly it absorbed in to the skin. Some heavier butters and creams of this richness slow you down because you are rubbing it in for ages! This ‘Little Pick Me Up’ (as it says on the lid) is perfect after your morning shower, even if you’re running late. The packaging is in a nice size tub of summer in yellow and looks like an indulgent luxury treat before you even open it. The Butter feels rich in consistency but not as heavy or greasy as some of the other brands. It moisturises immediately, absorbs quickly without leaving your skin clammy or too shiny. Some moisturisers are water based emollients and so one can feel dry after a few hours of being exposed to all the dust and fumes of outside. Champney’s Body butter disappears and does the job as if you’ve actually been to the Spa. If that wasn’t all enough, then there’s the refreshing smell of citrus that wakes you up and sets a burst of summer on to your skin to start your day.

 I give Champney’s Body Butter 4/5 only because the smell for me makes this feel like a morning specific indulgence but I love it!

 Bobbi Brown, Bronzing Powder (shade 1, Tawny Brown)

Not many people know how to use bronzer properly, if you are one of those people this bronzer is for you. If you are a bronzer pro, intending to YouTube Bronzer tutorials usually the idea is that it can be used for contouring, looking  Sun kissed or adding some shimmer. How bronzer is usually applied is by highlighting cheek bones and framing the face. So you can brush over your forehead, where the sun hits your face, sweep down the centre of your nose and for a little trouble (where I like it) the plump of the cleavage. Unfortunately this bronzer could not be used so liberally. At a glance it is a golden brown / bronze shade. Once it is applied it has tones of pink and is quite pastel toned in its hue. I found it chalky and to apply this to your face would probably not provide the desired look one would hope to achieve from a bronzer. However as a subtle everyday blusher to give definition to your cheekbones, it was quite pleasant. It is not particularly vibrant and works as more of an autumn shade than a summer bronzer.

 I give it 3/5 – Probably find more reasonably priced blusher that would achieve the same results nice neutral tone

The First Date

By Diane Kerr

There is something smug about being older and dating. I’m not saying that I am not nervous but it’s almost like I already have the upper hand because at this age a woman can say, I’ve already been here, possibly been married, had children and at least had a fair share of relationships. I already know what I am doing here. I’m not here to find out if I like you. I already know I like you, or I wouldn’t be here! I’m here to watch how you treat me. That’s right. I said it! How YOU treat me. This stage is effectively an interview...(for both).

It’s quite baffling that very few men still know the dance although many feel they are the gold dust or the pick of the bunch…the Alfa male. That’s on the back of them having a job, let alone if they are marginally handsome! These men are often serial daters with no intention of getting committed. Did you know that a psychopath doesn’t have to be a murderer? He is just someone who is detached from his emotion, feels no remorse and is often very charming. If you’re not asking the right questions, it’s a short road to heartache or more like a cul-de-sac.

A real woman, (one worth having) is selective. We have suitors but not every man deserves our time. We ask the right questions because we know by now what qualities we are looking for and what our non-negotiables are. I will tell you some of the rookie errors that I have experienced; letting some potentially ‘good men’ flop before lift off on a first date.

Planning

Most women want to plan the way they look for their dates. First impressions and all that; so we would like to hear in advance where we are going (unless it’s a surprise, of course). After we both agree on a date we do not want to wait until the same day to hear from you! I mean is that a sign you are still deciding? Or is it that you think everything has been confirmed so that is sufficient? I can tell you It’s very unsettling!

Keep communication flowing throughout.

The worse thing about the whole process is that women have been socially programmed to believe that the goal is to be ‘chosen’ by some guy. There is always this looming ‘on the shelf’ riding over our heads and before that it’s the ‘biological clock’ syndrome. Therefore especially at a certain age we can be led to feel that it is not profitable or attractive to react with how we actually feel. Over time society has found new ways to reinvent teaching a woman to hold her tongue so we have to breath and come out with something calm and nonchalant like “No worries. I didn’t notice. I’ve been so busy myself” followed by angelic smile. In order to not seem needy or too heavy. Really what we want to do is say,  “What @****~=%^$ are you playing at?! Do you wanna go or not?! This is crap already, I don’t even want to go now!” ( In many octaves higher than our common voice).

Wooed

What we want is Tom Hiddleston type romance, sweeping us off our feet or the softness Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) has for his Garcia. Someone who loves and respects women and is actively aiming to see the real us, our strength and who wants to show up making sure, he knows he values who we are. Why is it that so many men don’t know that on a first date? we don’t want much just a little thought, some chivalry and the attempt to get to know us so you can genuinely see the real person.

Chivalry

This category should be at the top – it’s a great impression - Make sure you’ve kept in contact up until date time, definitely call the day before and on the same day. Let us know that you have all the arrangements under control if possible book in advance. Tell us what time you’re picking us up, pull out a chair, open every door she walks through and my goodness…Pay for the damn meal! (on the first date at least) None of this dutch business!

A lot of women will offer out of politeness but we want men to be men. Men are traditionally the providers and we want to know on a subliminal level that we are looked after. This does not mean necessarily we expect that financially all the time; but it goes towards representing character and values. Is he a gentleman? Will he be generous? Senisitive? If not how will this manifest itself in other areas of his life? Maybe I shouldn’t stick around to find out.

Location

What would be ideal is to find somewhere nice that you would both be able to have a nice conversation, see how the night progresses maybe be taken to another bar straight after for more chatter or to have a Long Island Ice Tea just because you’ve never had one before.

Rounding off the night

After date one. We are all big people so you close the date however you see fit. Personally I’m thinking a peck on the cheek to keep him wanting more. Although I’m not one to talk on the subject, so I’m not passing any judgments here. On my last date, I stayed in the car for hours talking until 5am. I knew if I went in to his house, it would be all over for me. We were kissing away till all the windows steamed up in true Titanic fashion. So I yawned a few and said I had to be up for church.

It has become common knowledge that the secret to lasting love lays in our finesse of self discipline. It seems to have worked for Megan Good and her new hubby. Needless to say mine didn’t last for long – mainly because….well ....I’d like to say I did it on the third date instead of sticking to the 30 day rule because I have earned the right to know what I want and have nothing to prove to anyone but

the truth is, I fancied the pants off him, literally!

As a woman I can ooze status, confidence and sex appeal. I can be strong, my biological clock isn’t set at desperate. So I am accountable for my own choices. What is the most rewarding is the ability to be congruent. I am at one with how I feel and I know what I want. I don’t often make mistakes. I don’t want to play games and I see what I am walking into. The compromise is whether or not I choose wisely to act on what I’ve discovered already or if I am willing to accept that this pairing will be added to a list of new experiences.