It’s 2021, you’ve been chatting with your latest crush on Hily for a few days now, and they finally asked you on a video call date. You’re slightly freaked out—you’ve never been on a virtual date before and aren’t sure what’s expected of you. Don’t worry, the fabulous Sheerah Ravindren has got you covered. In addition to our brand new digital guide to dating in 2021, we asked Ravindren to share her top 5 reasons why video call dates can be just as fun as real-life ones as well as her go-to tips when it comes to getting ready for one. Bonus? You don’t even have to wear trousers if you don’t feel like it!
Throughout the past year, our tracksuits, comfy t-shirts and slippers have seen more use than we could ever have imagined. Yes, embracing comfort was fun at first, but as time passed, we all felt the need to get dressed up every once in a while—all we wanted was an actual reason, and if you’re wondering about how to approach your first video call date, then you’ve got a good reason right here.
This brings us to the first crucial step prior to your oh-so-awaited video call with your cute match on Hily: your outfit. If fashion is not your thing in the first place, then look at it from the bright side; meeting someone on a video call will mean that less focus will be placed on what you’re wearing. Don’t let that fool you however, as not being able to interact with someone face to face will also mean that more attention will be drawn to small details such as where you choose to answer the call from and whether you made sure to clean up the room. In other words, make tiny efforts, have a shower beforehand, get out of your favourite hoodie (but don’t throw it on the floor of your bedroom).
Speaking about her first date outfits, Ravindren told Screen Shot, “Currently deciding what I’m gonna do with my hair and my makeup, but before I go into that, what am I going to wear, right? I always happen to pick all the granny vintage shirts, so I guess it’s a granny vintage shirts vibe today—kind of smart casual.” If granny chic is not your style, just go for something cute that you think is a little bit more ‘out there’ than your usual WFH fit. Whatever makes you confident yet still comfortable should be the right choice—if you’re into it, then that’s all that matters! “It is about being comfortable, right?”
In terms of makeup decisions, Ravindren recommends going for a simple look, “When it comes to makeup, I actually like to keep it very simple. I often don’t wear that much makeup or any makeup at all. I like a dewy, natural, very fresh look. I use a serum as the base, and I don’t wear foundation—I just apply makeup on my moisturised face. I add some eye gel, quite a lot of blush and highlighter on, because it blends in afterwards.”
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
As she shares herself, Ravindren is no makeup expert, so feel free to do whatever works for you. It’s all about feeling comfortable, remember? Now, what about the real question here: why should you spend some of your precious time getting ready for a video call date? What are the pros of digital dating, according to Ravindren?
“First of all, you’re lucky enough to be in the comfort of your own environment and you’re the one who gets to set the scene in order to make you feel comfortable from the get-go”. While some people are comfortable anywhere, many daters might realise that being able to first meet someone in an environment that is familiar and safe is life-changing.
“Also, it’s cheaper! You don’t have to worry about travel costs,” and we couldn’t agree more. No money? No problem! You don’t have to stress about how expensive the cocktails are in that trendy bar you’ve selected or wonder if both of you are going to split the bill, all you need is your lovely self.
“Video call dates are also so great because they help to further confirm whether you both are going to be a great pairing (be that romantically or even platonically). If the spark isn’t there, then it’s not going to be as awkward if it were in real-life.”
And last but not least, “You don’t have to worry about wearing trousers! It’s only the top half of your body that shows but be careful if you’re getting up—you might end up putting up a show you didn’t plan to reveal so soon!”
Video dates, along with the extra spice they add in 2021’s dating experience, might actually outlive social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic, so why not get involved in the new dating norm now while you have all the hot tips you need from Ravindren? Hily is literally a click away.
Video call dates are a safe, non-stressful vibe check that helps you assess whether there’s any chemistry between you and your potential interest. They’re here to help you decide exactly who you connect with to take on a real-life date; an added ‘test’ that we probably all wish existed sooner.
“Hello my pretty bimbabies, how are we doing today? You okay?,” is a breathy introduction to BimboTok, a space dedicated to hyperfeminine “girls, gays and theys” on TikTok. Decked in Juicy Couture, hoops and lashes, creators in this community are backed with one strong purpose: challenging gender inequalities to help build an inclusive future.
Among its pioneers is Chrissy Chlapecka, a ‘new-age bimbo’ addressing toxic masculinity and gender oppression, leading the change to transform the word ‘bimbo’ into an “all-inclusive, gender-neutral leftist icon.” To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, Screen Shot spoke to Chlapecka to highlight her commitment towards challenging norms through her community, platform and online presence, in turn inspiring others to do the same.
“Fighting gender inequality means being yourself, loving yourself and not letting any misogynistic person get in your way,” Chlapecka preaches. The 20-year-old creator is a “radical leftist who is pro-sex work, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ and pro-choice.” She believes everyone deserves a space in this world despite society straitjacketing these terms of living. According to Chlapecka, challenging gender inequality includes putting our foot down and telling the world “I’m here. I’m going to take up my space and rise to the occasion. I’m going to be myself, do what I want and not apologise for it.”
With close to 80 million likes on her TikTok, Chlapecka is the creator of ‘Bimbo Bibble’, a manifesto of 10 ‘cummandments’ which include being bad at math and “barking at straight people.” The radical creator perceives bimboism and femininity as self-love with a jab at societal standards. “My community, the BimboTok, the place that I’ve created, is so important to me because all it means to me is self-love. I will wear a mini-skirt with pride and you’re not going to blame me for the way that men treat us. We’re going to blame men for the way men treat us,” she adds.
@chrissychlapecka let’s stop saying boys will be boys & actually hold them accountable. #fyp #femininityispower
♬ original sound - chrissy
Chlapecka pens her TikToks as an open letter to viewers, seeking to foster a safe space for those who want to “embrace their femininity.” “The message that I’m sending on my platform is extremely important to me because it is something I needed to hear long ago,” she admits. With #godisawoman, #femininityispower and #stopmen, Chlapecka advises viewers to “not listen to those who are constantly bashing us, telling us that we aren’t enough,” instead churning wholesome content “for those who need somebody to tell them ‘Hey, you’ve got this. You’re okay. I love you’.”
In a recent video, Chlapecka addressed the concept of a ‘bimbo girlfriend’ with redeeming qualities such as “asking about your day, listening and actually knowing how to make you cum” with side effects including “falling deeply in love, not knowing 3+3, obsession with the colour pink, the need to castrate homophobes and stepping on patriarchy while wearing a mini skirt.” Amassing over 1 million views, Chlapecka is set to reclaim the word ‘bimbo’ in a positive, self-loving light by fearlessly embracing all of the pejorative aspects that come with the term.
The “proud bimbo” admits to valuing her emotional intelligence in efforts to transform the age-old pejorative term into a badge of honour—now worn proudly by emotionally-intellectual and sexually-empowered icons.
@chrissychlapecka UR NEW VIRTUAL BIMBO GF💖💕🌈🌸 #bimbo #bimbotok #ily #gf #ihatecaptialism
♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling
From challenge comes change, and when asked about her advice to other young women out there looking to challenge gender identities themselves, Chlapecka stresses the need to “fully embrace who you are” and remember that “femininity is power, femininity is beauty, femininity is everything this world needs.”
“Do not let people who are energy-suckers take that away from you because you are beautiful,” Chlapecka adds, “It does not matter how you look on the outside, what matters is inside. If you’re spreading soft love and accepting everybody, that’s what it is—that’s the key.”
And quoting Chlapecka’s iconic, Pinterest-board-worthy outro to celebrate International Women’s Day this year: “I love you, now say it back.”