THEWILL DOWNTOWN NOVEMBER 02, 2025

THE SKINCARE Baddie

EDITOR’S NOTE

YPhoto: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

ou may remember Thelma Lawson from Big Brother Naija season 10, as the one who other housemates often complimented on her skin. It turns out she is in the beauty business and has been for some years. Lawson started her beauty business while she was in school, and it has grown over the years. She began as a makeup artist, then later started stocking products that were good for her skin. Compliments started rolling in, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Read Thelma Lawson’s story on pages 8 to 10 of this issue.

Bucket hats are known to be quite cool, and depending on whether you are going for casual streetwear, a chic and edgy look, or a laid-back vibe, a bucket hat can instantly elevate your outfit. With this accessory, you don’t have to try too hard to make it work —it blends comfort with style. This week’s fashion pages suggest ways to wear a bucket hat regardless of your style. You’ll find this on pages 4 and 5.

Our beauty page discusses lip discolouration and ways to improve it. While our lips can be discoloured for various reasons, from smoking to using the wrong products, our article offers ways to reverse the discolouration. Scroll to page 13 for this.

I’ve never heard of a sad rom-com, but this week’s movie seems to be just that. Our correspondent reviews Roofman; he scores it a 7.5 and says it’s a good one to watch, but I’m not sure I can handle a sad movie. Therefore, I’m torn between seeing it and passing, but that shouldn’t stop you. I hope you enjoy the movie.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah

@onahluciaa + 2348033239132

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Writer: Johnson Chukwueke

Design & Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’

Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun

Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’

Untold Truths The Reinvention Myth 07 How to Wear Bucket Hats and Look Effortlessly Stylish 04-05 FASHION #UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS LUXURY SILK

DOWNTOWN ZODIAC

8-10 15 16 REVIEW DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL COVER Thelma Lawson The Skincare Baddie

12 Strength Has Left the Group Chat

Scorpio The Mysterious Force of Passion And Power

Almost Celibate

Roofman

Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm

- Contributing Writer

Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

Dorcas Akintoye @mila_dfa_ - Contributing Writer

Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with 5 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty.  She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.

Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind

- Contributing Writer

Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.

Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh

- Contributing Writer

Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.

BUCKET HATS AND LOOK EFFORTLESSLY STYLISH HOW TO WEAR

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

There’s something effortlessly cool about bucket hats; they’ve grown to become a major fashion statement. Whether you’re going for casual streetwear, something chic and edgy, or a laid-back vibe, a bucket hat can instantly elevate your outfit. The beauty of this accessory is that it blends comfort with style; you don’t have to try too hard to make it work. Here, we show you how to wear a bucket hat and make it work for you, no matter your style.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

When it comes to bucket hats, simplicity always wins. You don’t need to overthink your outfit. A bucket hat naturally adds personality to your look, so the rest of your outfit can stay clean and minimal. Stick to plain, well-fitting clothes in neutral shades. Let the hat be the standout piece that adds just the right amount of edge to your appearance.

PLAY WITH COLOURS AND TEXTURES

Bucket hats come in so many fabrics: cotton, denim, corduroy, leather, and even crochet. You can use these textures to match your outfit’s mood or season. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour, too—neutral tones for a classic feel or bold colours for a fun, eye-catching twist.

MATCH THE OCCASION

A bucket hat can fit almost anywhere, from streetwear to beach days, casual outings, and smart-casualevenevents. The trick is choosing the right one for the setting. A structured fabric offers a neat, polished look, while soft fabrics or prints work well for laidback days. Think of your bucket hat as a finishing touch that matches your environment and mood.

FASHION

BALANCE YOUR PROPORTIONS

Since bucket hats draw attention to your upper body, balance is key. If your hat has a wide brim or bold colour, keep your clothing simple. If your outfit already has volume or strong patterns, choose a plain or subtle hat. The idea is to keep everything in harmony so the hat complements your outfit rather than competing with it.

STYLE IT WITH CONFIDENCE

No matter how you wear it, confidence is the key. A bucket hat stands out best when you wear it like it’s yours. Slightly tilt it forward for a relaxed vibe or keep it straight for a neat, classic look. When you feel good in it, it naturally shows, and that’s what makes the difference between just wearing a hat and making a style statement.

The secret to pulling off a bucket hat look is confidence. It’s one of those accessories that instantly changes your outfit from basic to stylish. Experiment with colours, textures, and prints until you find what suits your style. Whether you prefer something simple or expressive, there’s always a way to make it fit your personal style. The most important thing is to wear it in a way that feels natural to you.

SALLY CHIWUZIE @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind

UNTOLD TRUTHS THE REINVENTION MYTH

There’s a strange kind of pressure that comes with being told to “find yourself” – as though the self were a lost item, misplaced under a pile of laundry, waiting patiently to be rediscovered once you finally get your life in order.

But what if finding yourself isn’t a onetime event? What if you never actually stay found?

She used to think she knew exactly who she was until life started throwing its curveballs. The job loss that came out of nowhere. The breakup that split her life into before and after. The illness in the family. The betrayal she never saw coming. Each one demanded a new version of her, not because she wanted to reinvent, but because survival required it.

For a while, she clung to the idea of reinvention as salvation. Change the wardrobe. Cut the hair. Start the business. Heal the heart. New year, new me. It worked — until the next blow came. Then another. And another.

At some point, she realised that life never really gives you a second to breathe before it throws the next test.

The version of herself she had just managed to build was already being dismantled.

The truth she had resisted all along began to reveal itself: self-discovery isn’t a destination. It’s a cycle.

Every tragedy, every joy, every quiet Tuesday morning remakes you in small, invisible ways. You can be the strongest person in the room at noon and crumble into tears by nightfall — and both versions are real.

She began to see how often the world romanticises transformation — as though there’s a single “after” to arrive at. The glowup. The reinvention. The healed version. But the glow fades. Healing unravels. The

“best self” is a moving target. Everyone likes to talk about resilience, but nobody admits how exhausting it is to keep rebuilding from scratch. You finally get the hang of one identity — the career woman, the wife, the mother, the entrepreneur — and then something happens that renders all of it obsolete. You are forced to meet yourself again, stripped of the titles, standing bare in front of life’s next demand. She used to think there was one defining event — the moment she would become the final version of herself. But now she knows there is no finish line. There are only chapters. Each time life knocks her down, she returns slightly different. Softer, maybe. Or harder. Wiser,

but wearier. Still standing but standing differently. And that, she’s learned, is its own kind of beauty. People often mistake this constant evolution for inconsistency. They call it confusion. But perhaps the truest form of self-knowledge is acknowledging that we are never one thing for too long. Every heartbreak reshapes us. Every failure humbles us. Every joy expands us. The woman she was before the death, before the breakup, before the friendship fell apart — she no longer exists. But the woman she is now carries them all within her, every version still whispering through the cracks.

Maybe that’s what maturity really is: not becoming unbreakable but learning how to gather the pieces faster each time.

There’s freedom in accepting that you will always be a work in progress. The pressure to have it all figured out lifts. The guilt for changing your mind disappears. You realise that the “best version” of you is simply the one that shows up, with whatever courage remains, in the middle of yet another storm.

So yes, keep reinventing if you must — but not because the world demands it. Do it because living demands it. Because every ending forces you to meet yourself anew. Because the only constant is that the goalpost will keep moving, and you will keep moving with it.

And perhaps this is the #Unshakable truth: we are all becoming, endlessly. There is no final form, no perfect peace, no ultimate version of self. There is only you that exists in this moment — before the next curveball, before the next rebirth — doing her best with what she knows today.

‘See’ you next week.

THELMA LAWSON THE SKINCARE BADDIE

Somepeople chase the spotlight; others build it. Thelma Lawson is one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces from Big Brother Naija (BBN) Season 10, and it is safe to say she is evolving far beyond the screens that first brought her fame. Over the years, she has worked her way into becoming a thriving entrepreneur, skincare expert, and influencer, a living proof that beauty and business can coexist powerfully.

After her memorable stint on BBN, Thelma refuses to be boxed in by reality TV fame. Instead, she is taking that momentum and turning it into a brand empire. She has put plans in place to ensure her brand, Bellissimo Store, becomes a trusted name in Nigeria’s fastgrowing skincare industry —a sanctuary for quality products, expert guidance, and self-care made simple. Through Bellissimo, she’s not just selling beauty; she’s redefining it, advocating for confidence, authenticity, and wellness-driven lifestyles.

Beyond her entrepreneurial strides, Lawson is steadily building a strong digital presence that feels personal yet aspirational. Her Instagram feed blends glamour and grit, a mix of chic aesthetics, skincare reviews, and honest conversations about her skincare journey. It’s this balance that has endeared her to fans who see in her not just a celebrity, but a relatable force of nature.

In this exclusive interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s Johnson Chukwueke, Thelma Lawson speaks on her entrepreneurial journey, from starting out as a hustling student to building a brand and gaining visibility through one of Nigeria’s biggest platforms. Her story is one of ambition and resilience, a reminder that with motivation and drive, anyone can turn their vision into reality.

What inspired you to start Bellissimo Store, and how did your vision for the brand come to life?

Back then, in school around 2015, I won a makeup scholarship in an Instagram competition run by House of Tara; it was a one-month, professional-class-type thing. So I started as a makeup artist, and by the time I got admitted to the university, I had already built an audience.

I think at that time I already had around 16k followers, and I didn’t want to lose that crowd because I was in school full-time from 8 am-5 pm. What I did was switch to selling makeup products. Because they knew I was good at my craft, whenever I recommended something to them, they trusted it, and just like that, I started my store in my selfcontained room while in school.

“I

have always been a confident person —some might say troublemaker — but I just feel it’s their way of saying I am confident and self-aware. I went into the house very confident, very self-aware. I got used to the backlash and trolls, especially back then when I made the brand faceless because of the backlash I was getting from my peers, but like I said, I got used to it.”

The name “Bellissimo” is Spanish and means “Beauty/ Beautiful” in English. I was trying to run a faceless brand because, at the time, I was getting a lot of backlash from my peers for taking me like 2 years to get into the university. So I just went with Bellissimo Store. I wanted to name it “Beauty Store,” but it sounded so ordinary, so I chose a different language.

I began getting more demand for my products, and the kind of customers I had grew from just students to people outside the school environment. They didn’t want stories of me being in class, so I got myself a store shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak. My main target for my store has always been people on a budget. As the business grew, I began stocking high-end products as well. I must add that I started the business just to have money, honestly. You know, have some extra money to buy data, buy food, snacks, or clothes, and eventually it became my biggest cash cow, so I took it seriously.

The skincare industry is highly competitive — what unique value or philosophy sets Bellissimo Store apart from other beauty brands?

I have a personal relationship with most of my customers, especially the long-term customers. When I say long-term, I mean the customers I have grown up with, right from when I was a student, till now. My business thrives mainly on referrals, and I started doing vlogs, reviewing products, and explaining things to my customers. At one point, I was offering free skincare consultations, and then I made them affordable. So if someone has a skincare issue, they come to me, and, seeing my reviews, they know I know what I am doing. So these things brought more audience to me. It became easy for them just to sit down, talk to me, and trust my recommendations. When I post, they see that I am not just selling the product; I am also living it. So yeah, things like that make my brand stand out.

How did your personal skincare journey influence the products and approach behind Bellissimo Store?

In my personal skincare journey, it took me some time to really understand what skincare was about, and then my business reached a stage where it was more than just random recommendations. I was hearing terminologies that I wasn’t used to, and this made me go to a skincare school. Actually, I did a cosmetic

course and a manual facial at a beauty therapy institute, which is a South African company with schools in Nigeria. The reason I took that course was that I wanted to learn more about ingredients and their functions. After gaining that knowledge, I would say it influenced my buying. I began buying what the customers needed, and not just something that was trending at that time in the market. If I identify that a certain ingredient can solve the problem, that’s what I get. So my personal experience comes in handy when I am doing product reviews. If I use a facial cleanser and it feels good on my skin, I begin stocking on that product, recommend it to my customers, especially since I have used it and it was good on me. If you go to my store, I don’t necessarily have a wide variety of products, but the ones that you see at the store are products I have personally used or my siblings have used. This way, I can make genuine reviews on the products.

One of the sponsors of Big Brother is a skincare brand. I hadn’t used any of their products until I got into the house, and when I did, it felt good on my skin. I decided to open discussions with them to become a major distributor of their products. So yeah, that’s how my personal journey influences the products I sell.

How do you balance being the face of your brand while also managing the business side of things?

Okay, that’s pretty easy because it’s skincare I am dealing with, and if the face can move markets, then everything automatically becomes smooth.

The face is pretty, the skin is flawless, and those are great for the brand, so it’s not difficult for me. Like I said, I have a personal relationship with my customers, and they aren’t getting from me because I am the best in the world, not at all; they are buying from me because it’s Thema, they want to support me, and they know I know what I am doing. At this point, I can’t be faceless; everyone knows who has the brand. It’s now my lifestyle, and I am not struggling to be the face of the brand and manage the business.

have money looking at me in the account, and getting a lot of demand from Lagos. We were sending out products to Lagos, and I became open to having a branch in Lagos after a trip I had to Lagos. I actually went to Benin Republic, and when I came to Lagos, I felt immediately that it had the market I was looking for. So after my final year, I moved to Lagos. Luckily, I found the shop I liked in Yaba almost immediately, and I set it up. That was a big moment for me.

Where do you see your brand in the next five years — any plans for expansion or collaborations?

I am looking to collaborate with brands directly. I don’t want to just restock, I don’t want any third-party dealings, I just want to actually collaborate with big brands from the U.K., U.S, you know, be their official distributor in Nigeria. That’s one of the reasons I went on Big Brother, to gain that visibility and be a proper wholesaler. I want to give retail prices, maintain the supply chain from manufacturers to wholesalers, and then to retailers.

How did your experience on Big Brother Naija shape your confidence and direction as an entrepreneur? I have always been a confident person — some might say troublemaker —but I just feel it’s their way of saying I am confident and self-aware. I went into the house very confident, very self-aware. I got used to the backlash and trolls, especially back then when I made the brand faceless because of the backlash I was getting from my peers, but like I said, I got used to it. I was pretty much used to everything and ready for everything as well. Seeing that there were skincare vendors coming on board made me feel like I was definitely in the right season. My housemates kept asking me what I was using for my skin, what they could use for theirs. I kept getting compliments, and it felt good to recommend them as well. It really boosted my confidence even more. Then, coming out of the house, I saw that my skin got lots of compliments from the public as well. I quickly gave myself a nickname, “The Skincare Baddie.”

The fame that comes after BBN can be overwhelming — how do you plan on channelling that attention into building something sustainable?

“It just becomes easier when I start my day with God; that’s my spiritual care. For my mental or emotional care, I avoid people who bring unnecessary drama to me. I have blocked a lot of people on social media; it’s just not something I want to see or get involved with. I also make it a routine to check myself healthwise, making sure I am good”

What has been your proudest moment since launching Bellissimo Store?

I would say around 2022, I was having a big break, we were getting more orders than usual. At that point, I had more money than I expected. I would restock the store, and still

Every day on social media, I am making sure I put my business out there. Like I said, it is my biggest cash cow. I am not an influencer with a business; I am a business owner with influence. So at no point will I leave my business and start focusing on something else. I am looking to work with brands to influence campaigns, but my main focus is my business. So whatever traffic I am getting, it’s for my business. I introduce myself as “Your favourite skincare baddie, Thelma Lawson,” or when I end a tweet, I am constantly reminding people with skincare hashtags as well. I am not focusing on the negative part, so it’s going to be very hard for people to move me.

What lessons from the BBN experience do you still apply to your business or personal growth today?

I think I will say the house taught me how to wake up early, before the house I used to wake up like 10am, I can go to the shop anytime, having that boss lady vibe, but now

that I have other things going on, I have to wake up very early in the day, and somehow that has helped in the energy I bring as I get to do more. I was doing a lot before going into the house really.

How do you unwind after a long day running your business and managing your online presence? Oh, I like going to coffee stores, and I like having a relaxing time. I am going after this to where I will unwind with my colleagues. I think we would have sushi. I like trying out new food and new restaurants as well. I like trying new stuff in general. I also like having to sit by myself a lot, and just have a lot of quiet time, especially when I am thinking a lot about business. What does self-care look like for you beyond skincare — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?

I play a lot of Christian songs. I don’t go to church every Sunday, but I try my best to join morning devotions,

and it helps me with a good start to my day. It just becomes easier when I start my day with God; that’s my spiritual care. For my mental or emotional care, I avoid people who bring unnecessary drama to me. I have blocked a lot of people on social media; it’s just not something I want to see or get involved with. I also make it a routine to check myself healthwise, making sure I am good; there’s a certain type of peace of mind that comes with knowing your body system is at its peak.

What’s one thing about you that your fans or customers would be surprised to learn?

I think it’s the fact that I just enjoy being by myself. I have so much fun being by myself, it will be surprising to quite a number of people because they know me to be jovial and outgoing, and yes, I can be up and about and be the life of the party, but to be honest, I would rather be by myself in bed.

ADA OBIAJUNWA

@aaddaahh

STRENGTH HAS LEFT THE GROUP CHAT

(Also known as: The Ministry of I Don’t Have Strength)

Atthis stage, peace is more important than being right.

Strength is prepaid — once it finishes, please wait till next month.

There’s a new ministry in town. No office, no budget, no staff — just tired people.

Welcome to The Ministry of I Don’t Have Strength.

There was a time I had opinions, energy, and follow-up spirit.

Now, when I see nonsense, I just whisper, “God abeg,” and scroll. Growth looks different these days.

I don’t argue again. You can say the sky is orange; I’ll nod and say, “Beautiful shade of mango.”

You think Lagos traffic will soon end? I’ll say “Amen” for you. At this stage, peace is more important than being right.

Everything now passes through an energy audit.

Who deserves full power supply? Who should be on generator mode? And who should be permanently disconnected?

My energy is prepaid. Once it finishes, please wait till next month.

I used to reply to every message immediately — even the ones that start with “hey” and no follow-up.

Now, if I open your message

and my spirit sighs, I just close it and whisper, “Holy Spirit, handle this one.” Some days, I even rehearse my reply in my head and feel like I’ve sent it. Next thing, two weeks have passed, and the message is still sitting there like an orphan.

WhatsApp groups — muted. Family drama — archived. Any call after 9 p.m.? That one is between you and God.

Strength is a limited resource. I’m no longer distributing it like handbills.

Once upon a time, I’d explain, defend, and analyse. Now? Silence is my favourite language. If you misunderstand me, enjoy it.

If you assume the worst, I’ll pray clarity meets you halfway.

If you raise your voice, I’ll just reduce your volume in my mind.

It’s not pride. It’s preservation.

There’s a peace that comes when you stop fixing things that clearly enjoy being broken.

Every family group chat has that one uncle who starts political debates at 7 a.m. sharp.

Before, I used to type essays with evidence and Bible verses.

Now, I just reply “God will help us” and mute for eight hours. Not everything deserves your bandwidth.

We grew up hearing, “Be strong.” But no one told us that strength runs out.

Sometimes being strong means sitting down, turning off your phone, and letting the world sort itself out.

We’ve glorified endurance too much.

Some of us aren’t strong anymore — we’re just tired, but with manners.

And that’s fine.

Strength isn’t always pushing harder.

Sometimes, it’s choosing not to push at all.

I’ve stopped forcing appearances too.

The version of me who RSVPs for an event is not the same one who wakes up on the day of the event. One has energy and makeup inspiration; the other just wants to wear pyjamas and scroll Instagram in peace.

Sometimes I even dress halfway and suddenly remember my peace doesn’t like noise. I simply remove the lashes, send “on my way” with love, and lie down.

These days, I manage my energy like a budget. Friends who overthink my silence? Five percent.

Random WhatsApp broadcasts? Zero. People who bring calm? Unlimited supply. Myself? Full battery mode. Everyone else? We’ll review next quarter.

You know those friends who only call when there’s chaos?

Before, I used to answer and play therapist. Now, once I see their name, I say, “Lord, please minister to them directly,” and go back to Netflix.

It’s not wickedness. It’s wisdom.

When I say, “I don’t have strength,” it doesn’t mean I’ve given up.

It means I’ve grown.

It means I’m choosing peace over pressure. It means I’m done explaining myself to people who already decided not to understand. It means I’m saving energy for laughter, stillness, prayer, and the few people who refill me.

So when I say, “I don’t have strength,” please don’t rush to encourage me. I’m not weak. I’m just wise.

I rest like it’s a profession. I ignore nonsense like it’s therapy. And when drama calls, I let it ring out.

Because peace is expensive. And strength is no longer free.

This calm, this ease, this laughter I protect so fiercely — that’s the real Luxury Silk.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIP DISCOLOURATION

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Our lips are among the first things people notice about us, and when they lose their natural colour, it can make us feel less confident. Lip discolouration happens when your lips look darker, patchy, or uneven. Several things can cause this: too much sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, constant licking of lips, harsh lip products, or even certain medical conditions. While it may not always be serious, it can still affect your appearance. The good news is that there are simple, effective ways to manage and improve it.

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of dark and dull-looking lips. When your body doesn’t get enough water, your lips become dry, cracked, and darker in tone. Drinking enough water daily is one of the simplest solutions, as it helps the lips stay soft and plump. Along with hydration, using a moisturising lip balm with natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera is important. These keep the lips nourished and prevent dryness.

Just like your skin, your lips are sensitive to the sun. Constant exposure to sunlight can cause them to darken over time. Many people forget to protect their lips, focusing only on their skin. To prevent this, it’s best to use a lip balm that contains SPF, which acts as a shield against harmful UV rays. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, reapply it every few hours for full protection.

QUIT SMOKING AND AVOID HARSH PRODUCTS

Smoking is one of the fastest ways to discolour lips. The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes stain the lips and cause them to darken permanently over time. Similarly, using poor-quality or expired lip products can damage the delicate skin on your lips. Reducing or quitting smoking will not only help your lips recover but also benefit your overall health. Being mindful of the lipsticks, glosses, and balms you use is equally important. PROTECT YOUR LIPS FROM THE SUN STAY HYDRATED AND MOISTURISE REGULARLY EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS GENTLY

Dead skin cells often accumulate on the lips, making them appear darker or duller. Exfoliating helps remove dead cells, allowing fresh, healthy skin to show through. You can make a simple scrub at home with sugar and honey, then gently rub it onto your lips in circular motions before rinsing off. Another method is to use a soft toothbrush to brush the lips gently. This should only be done once or twice a week to avoid irritation.

TRY NATURAL REMEDIES AND HEALTHY HABITS

There are natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can gradually restore lip colour. A mix of lemon juice and honey works well because lemon naturally lightens while honey hydrates. Beetroot juice can also be applied to give lips a natural pink tint. Beyond topical remedies, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins C and E, helps repair skin from within. Getting enough sleep is another often-overlooked factor, as tiredness can make lips look dull.

Lip discolouration is not something to fear. With proper care, it can often be reversed. If the discolouration doesn’t improve or is accompanied by pain or sores, it’s best to see a doctor. With patience and consistency, your lips can return to their natural beauty.

DOWNTOWN ZODIAC

SCORPIO

The Mysterious Force of Passion And Power

OCTOBER 23RD - NOVEMBER 21ST

ELEMENT: WATER RULING PLANET: PLUTO SYMBOL: THE SCORPION FLOWER: PEONIES, ILLICIUM, CHRYSANTHEMUM BIRTHSTONES: TOPAZ

BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE

There’s something undeniably magnetic about Scorpios. Born between October 23 and November 21, they carry an aura of mystery that pulls people in like a moth to a flame. Scorpios don’t just walk into a room; they command it. With their intense gaze and quiet confidence, they are often misunderstood, but once you get close, you realise they’re a blend of depth, loyalty, and unshakable drive.

This water sign, ruled by Pluto, thrives on transformation. Whether it’s in love, work, or self-growth, Scorpios are constantly shedding old skin and emerging stronger.

Here are some core traits that define these fascinating souls.

Deeply Intuitive And Emotionally Intelligent

Scorpios can sense what’s unspoken. They read between the lines, understand energy shifts, and often know what you’re feeling before you do. Their intuition makes them powerful decision-makers and trustworthy confidants.

Fiercely Loyal And Protective

When a Scorpio cares about you, they’ll go to great lengths to keep you safe. They don’t give their loyalty easily, but once you have it, it’s solid gold. Betray them, though, and you’ll see the sting of the scorpion firsthand.

Toke Makinwa, November 3rd

Ambitious And Relentless Scorpios don’t do anything halfway. Whether they’re building a career, nurturing a relationship, or mastering a craft, they go all in. Their determination often takes them to incredible heights, and they rarely stop until they’ve achieved their vision.

Scorpios are the silent storm, mysterious, passionate, and powerful. They challenge the world around them while constantly evolving within themselves. Beneath their cool exterior lies a fire that never goes out, making them one of the zodiac’s most complex and captivating signs.

Falz, October 27th

cassy’s chronicles

ALMOST CELIBATE

Rejection can make you become something you’re not. I learned that the hard way. For a long time, I was that girl, wild, confident, and untouchable. I had fun. I had sex. I did things that made me feel

into my dream of becoming a singer. The first week was chaos. The second was better. By the third, I started to breathe again. My mornings felt lighter. I could hear myself think. I started writing songs again, honest ones, not just

different. He sounded softer, more open. And somehow, I wasn’t the same girl either. I wasn’t desperate or trying to prove anything. I was just me.

Then he said, “Can I see you?”

MOVIE REVIEW:

Roofman

Thesaddest romantic comedy ever —or maybe the most lighthearted tragedy in years —Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman is a film that perfectly embodies the description of its lead character delivered by a correctional officer halfway through the movie.

“He’s a very smart individual, probably genius level,” says the prison guard. “He’s also a complete idiot.”

There you have Jeffrey Manchester, a real-life Army veteran who robbed 40 McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in the roof, was sent to prison for 45 years, escaped, lived undetected in a Toys “R” Us for six months and risked it all by romancing a churchgoing single mother.

His glaring contradictions form the bedrock of Cianfrance’s film, which embraces the duality by playing up the charm and likeability of a rom-com couple whose meet-cute involves a prison break and a bag of stolen toys.

Cianfrance’s last few movies, the multigenerational epic The Place Beyond the Pines and the weighty The Light Between Oceans — have been predominantly dark. Roofman feels lighter, friendlier and funnier.

But as the Paramount Pictures film goes on, its pleasures play out under the shadow of an all-but-inevitable doom; this is a film that feels enjoyable, but only if you can ignore what’s coming for these characters.

Still, there’s a very good reason Channing Tatum was chosen to play Manchester. The film keeps telling us that Jeffrey is a good guy, even though he robs multiple  McDonald’s in an attempt to provide for the three children he and his estranged wife have. It’s easier to shrug off that string of felonies if the felon is played by the effortlessly charming Tatum, who somehow gets us to believe he’s just a little misguided.

“This is the part of the story where I hope you’re wondering how a nice guy like me got involved in this,” he says in a voiceover in the opening moments of the film, and it’s to his credit that we swallow the “nice guy like me” line. (I mean, hey, he gave the McDonald’s manager his hoodie before locking the guy in the walk-in refrigerator!)

Jeffrey, we’re told by his old Army buddy Steve (Lakeith Stanfield), has the remarkable ability to notice things that other people don’t, which makes him an asset in war zones and also in small towns with restaurants ripe for robbing. And when he’s sent to prison for one of those robberies that goes bad, his skill set also means that he can figure out how to get out.

The problem is that whole genius/idiot thing. Jeffrey wants to stay in the Charlotte area because that’s where his kids are,

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

though he knows contacting them would result in immediate arrest. He stumbles on a Toys “R” Us store and hides there, first in a crawlspace and later in a more luxurious hideaway he fashions behind a wall of bicycles.

All of this plays out with a light touch, and with music by Christopher Bear that manages to be playful and a little sentimental even in the prison scenes. Between the tone of the film and the easygoing appeal of Tatum, Roofman gives us little choice but to root for Jeffrey, even when he puts on roller skates and does some questionable Tom Cruise/Risky Business moves in the toy store aisles or attacks the Elmo display in a fit of frustration.

And while he doesn’t really mean to start romancing Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst) when he brings a bag of pilfered goods to the toy drive she runs at a local church, he does it so naturally and she responds so eagerly that we kind of have to root for them, too. It helps that Dunst is grounded as always, and under normal circumstances, they’d be an ideal rom-com couple.

But these are not normal circumstances. Cianfrance’s movie may play like a rom-com, but the rom and the com are taking place under a giant shadow; no matter how much you want to see this couple succeed, you can’t ignore that settling down to cosy domesticity in the city where law enforcement knows what he looks like and is searching for him is simply not going to happen.

So this is a rom-com with a big but. There’s a hysterical scene where Jeffrey is bathing himself in the toy store restroom when the store manager (Peter Dinklage) shows up unexpectedly and confronts the stark-naked intruder … but that just means he’s probably going to be caught sooner. There’s a fun scene where Jeffrey and Leigh shop for a used car, and his wild driving helps mend tensions with Leigh’s teenage daughter … but a photo of the happy family with their new car can only be one more opportunity for someone to spot Jeffrey.

Roofman has it both ways; it’s funny and foreboding, sweet and troubling, light on its feet but with an inescapable undertone of uneasiness, even dread. Jeffrey works hard to keep way too many balls in the air — relationships, hiding places, escape plans put together by Steve and his girlfriend Michelle (Juno Temple) — while Leigh puts on a brave face that can’t hide her increasing doubts (something Dunst is exceptionally good at conveying without calling attention to what she’s doing).

The tonal juggling act isn’t always seamless, but in a way, the contradictions are what give Roofman its life. It’s a sad movie, really, but it’s also a lot of fun. And if that doesn’t make sense, maybe it’s the whole point.

better than it had any right to be!

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Gen V returns for its sophomore season with renewed confidence, proving definitively that it’s evolved far beyond mere The Boys spin-off territory into essential viewing. The opening trio of episodes delivers a potent cocktail of stylish ultraviolence, razorsharp social commentary, and character-driven storytelling that feels both timely and timeless. With Vought’s authoritarian grip tightening around  Godolkin University and our young heroes navigating an increasingly dangerous landscape, Season 2 establishes itself as a worthy successor that honours its predecessor while charting bold new territory.

Season 2 launches directly from the Godolkin massacre’s bloody aftermath. The surviving student heroes return to a fundamentally transformed God U, where Vought has installed the unsettling Dean Cipher as enforcer of new authoritarian measures. Under his leadership, non-supes face open contempt while Starlight sympathisers are branded terrorists. Jordan and Emma emerge from Vought’s detention centre, forced to deliver scripted statements, while Marie remains on the run after learning devastating news about Andre’s fate. Her discovery of a mysterious Vought operation codenamed “Odessa” sets the central mystery in motion. The political atmosphere crackles with tension, drawing uncomfortable parallels to contemporary authoritarian rhetoric that The Boys universe never shies away from.

Gen V continues to use its greatest strength, showcasing the outrageous superpowers as sophisticated metaphors for personal growth and self-discovery. The core ensemble delivers consistently strong performances, with each actor bringing nuanced depth to characters who could easily become onedimensional archetypes. Jazz Sinclair anchors the season as Marie, balancing vulnerability with fierce determination as her character grapples

with trauma and newfound responsibilities. London Thor and Derek Luh continue their compelling dual portrayal of Jordan, exploring themes of identity and self-acceptance with remarkable sensitivity. Lizzie Broadway’s Emma provides crucial emotional grounding, while newcomer Hamish Linklater proves a welcome addition as Dean Cipher. Linklater brings quiet, creepy menace to the role, creating an antagonist who feels genuinely threatening without resorting to cartoonish villainy. His performance adds gravitas to the series’ exploration of institutional corruption and abuse of power.

The series maintains the brilliant balance of extreme violence and meaningful social commentary from season 1. The political landscape feels urgently relevant, with the show’s depiction of authoritarian overreach and persecution of dissidents resonating with contemporary concerns. The writing skillfully weaves these larger themes into personal storylines

without feeling heavy-handed or preachy. The violence serves a narrative purpose rather than existing for shock value alone, though the series certainly doesn’t shy away from its more extreme moments. The season’s greatest achievement lies in building upon the overarching Boys universe storyline while maintaining its unique identity. Unlike many spin-offs that feel derivative, Gen V offers compelling narratives that stand independently while enriching the larger mythology. The primary weakness remains occasional over-reliance on connections to the parent series, particularly in early episodes. While these cameos provide continuity, they sometimes feel like unnecessary validation rather than organic story elements.

Gen V Season 2 succeeds spectacularly as both continuation and evolution. The series has matured beyond its origins to become essential viewing that equals, and occasionally surpasses, its acclaimed parent series. The opening episodes demonstrate remarkable confidence in balancing extreme content with meaningful themes, creating entertainment that’s both viscerally exciting and intellectually engaging. Gen V Season 2 establishes itself as television that’s as brutal as it is brilliant, proving that superhero deconstructions still have plenty of unexplored territory.