Darren
@mxdarren.bsky.social
29. Writer and activist according to Metro UK. One of Attitude mag’s 101 LGBTQ trailblazers 2022. Podcast - https://linktr.ee/turninglewkspod Opinions are mine. They/She
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Darren
@mxdarren.bsky.social
· 10d
Howard Kong on Modern Femininity, Red Carpet Balance, and Trusting Your Own Timeline
Howard Kong’s makeup doesn’t shout - it glows.
turninglewks.substack.com
New blog post! I chatted with Howard Kong all about modern femininity in makeup ✨
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
New blog post! I chatted with Howard Kong all about modern femininity in makeup ✨
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
Howard Kong on Modern Femininity, Red Carpet Balance, and Trusting Your Own Timeline
Howard Kong’s makeup doesn’t shout - it glows.
turninglewks.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:14 PM
New blog post! I chatted with Howard Kong all about modern femininity in makeup ✨
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
From soft-glam to red carpet ready, and all about trusting your own timeline. 💄💫
Read it here 👉 turninglewks.substack.com/p/howard-kon...
#TurningLewks #MakeupMood #GlowUp
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Gen Z and Gen A are changing their relationship with the internet and how that shift is showing up in beauty.
The sift from algorithm-led, short-form content to people craving ownership, slowness and intention again. ⬇️
turninglewks.substack.com/p/why-algori...
The sift from algorithm-led, short-form content to people craving ownership, slowness and intention again. ⬇️
turninglewks.substack.com/p/why-algori...
Why Algorithm Beauty Is Fading (and Colour Is Making a Comeback)
There is no denying that there has been a growing shift recently in how young people (Gen Z and A) are interacting with social media, the internet and technology.
turninglewks.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Gen Z and Gen A are changing their relationship with the internet and how that shift is showing up in beauty.
The sift from algorithm-led, short-form content to people craving ownership, slowness and intention again. ⬇️
turninglewks.substack.com/p/why-algori...
The sift from algorithm-led, short-form content to people craving ownership, slowness and intention again. ⬇️
turninglewks.substack.com/p/why-algori...
I went shopping at Battersea today and bought from m&s, Uniqlo and space nk… I’ve become so middle class and I hate it
November 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I went shopping at Battersea today and bought from m&s, Uniqlo and space nk… I’ve become so middle class and I hate it
To celebrate #Halloween today, I've written a blog on one of the biggest #makeup trends of 2025 - Dark Glam.
Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/turningl...
Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/turningl...
Dark Glam Is In: Inside the Gothic Makeup Trend of 2025
Dark lips, smoked-out eyes, sharp liner: gothic-inspired makeup has stepped firmly into the spotlight.
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
To celebrate #Halloween today, I've written a blog on one of the biggest #makeup trends of 2025 - Dark Glam.
Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/turningl...
Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/turningl...
Reposted by Darren
New Turning Lewks ep is live! 🎙️
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
September 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
New Turning Lewks ep is live! 🎙️
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
New Turning Lewks ep is live! 🎙️
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
September 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
New Turning Lewks ep is live! 🎙️
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
This time I chat with Lexi Blac - Glow Up S7 star, drag queen, and MUA.
We cover his drag-to-MUA journey, behind-the-scenes of Glow Up & his mission to put colour + creativity back at the heart of makeup.
Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Finding beauty brands that truly align with your values can feel harder than ever - especially around #TransRights.
I wrote a new piece for Gender Swap on how to spot if a #beauty brand is genuinely #trans-inclusive (and not just performative).
Read it here 👉 genderswap.org/blog/f/how-t...
I wrote a new piece for Gender Swap on how to spot if a #beauty brand is genuinely #trans-inclusive (and not just performative).
Read it here 👉 genderswap.org/blog/f/how-t...
How to Spot if a Beauty Brand is Truly Trans-Inclusive
Written by Darren Mew, Founder of Turning Lewks Podcast
genderswap.org
August 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Finding beauty brands that truly align with your values can feel harder than ever - especially around #TransRights.
I wrote a new piece for Gender Swap on how to spot if a #beauty brand is genuinely #trans-inclusive (and not just performative).
Read it here 👉 genderswap.org/blog/f/how-t...
I wrote a new piece for Gender Swap on how to spot if a #beauty brand is genuinely #trans-inclusive (and not just performative).
Read it here 👉 genderswap.org/blog/f/how-t...
Reposted by Darren
Reposted by Darren
“Protecting women and children” is the fig-leaf white, privileged, cis men wear to try and maintain their power and status* while they punch down on minorities! 😖
A power and status granted to them *because* they’re white, privileged, cis men! (They KNOW this, which is why they’re so fragile!) 😣
A power and status granted to them *because* they’re white, privileged, cis men! (They KNOW this, which is why they’re so fragile!) 😣
A total disgrace of a paper.
A total disgrace of a man.
I would worry for Jenrick’s daughters too, being brought up by a hate-mongering opportunist, driven mad by Tory failure and now desperate to whip up prejudice, division and social unrest in his vile pursuit of power.
A total disgrace of a man.
I would worry for Jenrick’s daughters too, being brought up by a hate-mongering opportunist, driven mad by Tory failure and now desperate to whip up prejudice, division and social unrest in his vile pursuit of power.
August 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“Protecting women and children” is the fig-leaf white, privileged, cis men wear to try and maintain their power and status* while they punch down on minorities! 😖
A power and status granted to them *because* they’re white, privileged, cis men! (They KNOW this, which is why they’re so fragile!) 😣
A power and status granted to them *because* they’re white, privileged, cis men! (They KNOW this, which is why they’re so fragile!) 😣
Reposted by Darren
🚨HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds arrested in Parliament Square in protest organised by Defend Our Juries
The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
1/3
The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
1/3
August 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
🚨HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds arrested in Parliament Square in protest organised by Defend Our Juries
The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
1/3
The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
1/3
Reposted by Darren
How UK lawmaking has given up on parliamentary democracy…
“The EHRC consultation was a mortifying stitch up, whose cynicism was only diluted by its incompetence. Rarely has an organisation been so embarrassingly obvious in its attempt to secure a particular result” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 @iandunt.bsky.social
“The EHRC consultation was a mortifying stitch up, whose cynicism was only diluted by its incompetence. Rarely has an organisation been so embarrassingly obvious in its attempt to secure a particular result” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 @iandunt.bsky.social
The trans rights stitch-up
How government plans to silence debate on the new rules
open.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
How UK lawmaking has given up on parliamentary democracy…
“The EHRC consultation was a mortifying stitch up, whose cynicism was only diluted by its incompetence. Rarely has an organisation been so embarrassingly obvious in its attempt to secure a particular result” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 @iandunt.bsky.social
“The EHRC consultation was a mortifying stitch up, whose cynicism was only diluted by its incompetence. Rarely has an organisation been so embarrassingly obvious in its attempt to secure a particular result” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 @iandunt.bsky.social
Millennials in jorts… it’s giving midlife crisis.
July 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Millennials in jorts… it’s giving midlife crisis.
I’ve become that really annoying person when ordering drinks “do you have Coke Zero? Only diet? Lemonade then.” “Can I get a decafe oat latte”
July 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I’ve become that really annoying person when ordering drinks “do you have Coke Zero? Only diet? Lemonade then.” “Can I get a decafe oat latte”
It’s 2025 can we stop using Born this way on pride posts
July 19, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It’s 2025 can we stop using Born this way on pride posts
Reposted by Darren
Police in Canterbury today informed a protestor that the phrase "Israel is committing genocide in Gaza" could be considered a declaration of support for Palestine Action and therefore a terrorism offence.
July 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Police in Canterbury today informed a protestor that the phrase "Israel is committing genocide in Gaza" could be considered a declaration of support for Palestine Action and therefore a terrorism offence.
Reposted by Darren
This is section 28 all over again.
🆕🚨 New statutory Relationships and Sex Education guidance published today will:
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
- Restrict schools from using materials that "encourage pupils to question their gender"
- Teaches children the laws about "biological sex"
- Removes all references to the word transgender
What we know so far 🧵
July 16, 2025 at 7:15 AM
This is section 28 all over again.
Reposted by Darren
I fully expect Bridget Phillipson - also the Minister for Education - to entirely disregard any responses to the EHRC consultation, in the same way she did in the consultation about trans-inclusion in PSHE education in schools - which had 2/3 support but was still ignored! 😣😖
July 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM
I fully expect Bridget Phillipson - also the Minister for Education - to entirely disregard any responses to the EHRC consultation, in the same way she did in the consultation about trans-inclusion in PSHE education in schools - which had 2/3 support but was still ignored! 😣😖
I’ve somehow gotten 3 insect bits in my armpit and they’re quite painful 😭🤣
June 28, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I’ve somehow gotten 3 insect bits in my armpit and they’re quite painful 😭🤣
What is a “queer leader”? I see the term being thrown around on LinkedIn all the time and I’m still yet to understand what it means. Like I really don’t get how you “lead” a community or identity 🤷
June 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
What is a “queer leader”? I see the term being thrown around on LinkedIn all the time and I’m still yet to understand what it means. Like I really don’t get how you “lead” a community or identity 🤷
You can really tell now much of a fag someone is by the length of their shorts. Happy pride.
June 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM
You can really tell now much of a fag someone is by the length of their shorts. Happy pride.
Reposted by Darren
“I’m always ready for Mon Mothma Summer.”
Genevieve O’Reilly dancing to Niamos! ☀️🪩
Genevieve O’Reilly dancing to Niamos! ☀️🪩
June 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
“I’m always ready for Mon Mothma Summer.”
Genevieve O’Reilly dancing to Niamos! ☀️🪩
Genevieve O’Reilly dancing to Niamos! ☀️🪩
So excited and thrilled to be part of this project! The brand new makeup support programme for Trans+ people in London will be bringing you a plethora of exciting new resources, content and a mix of online and in person makeup workshops.
Find out more: genderswap.org/blog/f/feel-...
Find out more: genderswap.org/blog/f/feel-...
FEEL GOOD IS HERE! A TRANS+ MAKEUP PROGRAMME
We are so excited to launch a brand new makeup support programme for Trans+ people in London this year, in collaboration with Turning Lewks Podcast and The Outside Project, called the FEEL GOOD progra...
genderswap.org
June 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
So excited and thrilled to be part of this project! The brand new makeup support programme for Trans+ people in London will be bringing you a plethora of exciting new resources, content and a mix of online and in person makeup workshops.
Find out more: genderswap.org/blog/f/feel-...
Find out more: genderswap.org/blog/f/feel-...
Reposted by Darren
Reminder:
If you support Harry Potter in any way, you are directly funding legal attacks on trans people.
There is no separating the art from the artist in this case.
If you support Harry Potter in any way, you are directly funding legal attacks on trans people.
There is no separating the art from the artist in this case.
#UK #JKR In what comes as a surprise to nobody, JK Rowling has embarked on her next phase of her path to radicalization. She now also offers to fund legal cases - provided applicants meet certain criteria. jkrwf.org?fbclid=IwQ0x...
The J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund
A legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights
jkrwf.org
May 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reminder:
If you support Harry Potter in any way, you are directly funding legal attacks on trans people.
There is no separating the art from the artist in this case.
If you support Harry Potter in any way, you are directly funding legal attacks on trans people.
There is no separating the art from the artist in this case.
Reposted by Darren
UN experts are calling on politicians and lawmakers to protect the human rights of trans+ people in the UK, let’s make them listen! WRITE TO YOUR MP. Find a tempate here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
@nancymk.bsky.social @jessothomson.co.uk
@nancymk.bsky.social @jessothomson.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
UN experts are calling on politicians and lawmakers to protect the human rights of trans+ people in the UK, let’s make them listen! WRITE TO YOUR MP. Find a tempate here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
@nancymk.bsky.social @jessothomson.co.uk
@nancymk.bsky.social @jessothomson.co.uk
New episode of my #makeup #podcast is out now! This month I chat with MUA Grace Insole about product development, MUA lead beauty brands and so much more!
Listen on your preferred streaming platform here: linktr.ee/turninglewks...
Listen on your preferred streaming platform here: linktr.ee/turninglewks...
May 19, 2025 at 8:24 PM
New episode of my #makeup #podcast is out now! This month I chat with MUA Grace Insole about product development, MUA lead beauty brands and so much more!
Listen on your preferred streaming platform here: linktr.ee/turninglewks...
Listen on your preferred streaming platform here: linktr.ee/turninglewks...