With people around the world staying at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, social media platforms have been incredibly active, with new challenges and trends erupting by the hour.
Just when you think you've seen it all – from celebrity handstands to influencers belting pillows to their waists – a new online beauty trend emerges. And it's making a solid case for us all getting glammed up – even if there's nowhere to go.
It’s called the #DontRushChallenge and it seems to have stemmed from boredom, as a 20-year-old business student from England posted a video of herself, from sporting a no-make-up look to being all dolled up within the flick of a make-up brush.
This was then (virtually) passed around to seven friends, who proceeded to do the same thing.
The video, which has amassed more than two million views so far, was set to Don't Rush by UK rap duo Young T and Bugsey – a sweet irony considering the challenge calls on women to change their looks in a matter of seconds.
Since then, the trend has blown up on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where the #DontRushChallenge hashtag has elicited about 201,000 posts at the time of writing. Even the cast of Orange is the New Black took part, using an orange in place of a make-up brush to transition from that at-home to going-out look.
Closer to home, UAE make-up artists and influencers have got on board, including television presenter Aishwarya Ajit and plus-sized beauty blogger Nikita Phulwani.
Emirates' cabin crew seemed to get in on the action as well. Travel blogger Jamilah posted an unofficial Emirates Flight Attendant Edition on YouTube, featuring friends donning their uniforms.
Meanwhile, Sephora Middle East is attempting to create the “longest Don’t Rush Challenge video ever”.
A post on the beauty shop's Instagram page read: "Our amazing Dubai Mall team misses you all very much and while they wait for the stores to open, they have joined together to take the #DontRushChallenge! Help us make the longest #DontRushChallenge video EVER! Stay home, slay with your looks and send in your videos so we can join them all together! Let's break a record."
How does the #DontRushChallenge work?
You nominate the women you want to take part in the challenge with and co-ordinate the sequence (i.e. who appears in the video first, how they’re passing along brushes, and so on).
Every participant then films themselves in their “at-home-no-makeup” look and strikes a pose before covering the camera with a make-up brush before pausing the video. Note: you don’t have to use a make-up brush – any object will do.
Participants then throw the make-up brush out of view to symbolise that they're passing the baton on to the next person
Those taking part can then take all the time they need to get glammed up, change outfits and show off those make-up skills, before putting the brush in front of the camera and starting the recording again. This creates continuity, with the final result giving the impression they got dressed in a second (if only that were possible).
Participants then throw the make-up brush out of view to symbolise that they’re passing the baton on to the next person. And so it begins again.
After all of the participants have compiled individual shots, it’s stitched together using any basic video-editing software. Then it’s posted on social media.
Just don't forget to use the Don't Rush song and hashtag.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
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Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
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2/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
