By Nica Dobles for THREAD PH

When you hear rave reviews for a certain skincare product, it can be tempting to hit Add to Cart right away and begin applying the product as soon as it arrives on your doorstep. But this immediate, enthusiastic adoption can lead you down a road of pain and disappointment.

Skin concerns, especially acne, can be exacerbated, if not outright caused, by using skincare and makeup that’s actually incompatible with your skin. The truth is, when it comes to skincare, your mileage may vary. No matter how well Product X worked for your friend or your favorite beauty guru, there’s always a slight chance that it won’t work for you. You’d be surprised how much of your skin problems might actually just be due to using the entirely wrong products.

Enter patch testing — a skincare step that we’re all guilty of skipping, but one that’s absolutely essential to building an effective skincare routine.

What is patch testing?

It’s basically what it sounds like. You apply a new product to a small patch of your skin to test if it works for you.

Why would skincare products be incompatible with my skin?

Most obviously, allergies. But depending on your genetics, your skin might just not take to certain ingredients or formulations, no matter how beloved by others (for me, it’s niacinamide). This can cause irritation, pore clogging, rashes, and severe breakouts.

How do I patch test?

It depends on what you’re testing for.

For allergic reactions

Patch test behind your ear or inside your elbow (or some other area of your body that normally ins’t visible). Apply a small amount of the new product to this area. If 24–48 hours go by without any reaction, it should generally be safe to use. But if you want to be extra sure, patch test again somewhere closer to your face (maybe the side of your chin).

For irritants and breakouts

Patch test where your skin is most sensitive and/or prone to breakouts — this can be on your forehead, your cheeks, your chin. The key is to apply on just the right-sized area of skin — large enough to see any negative effects, but not too big that a breakout would be too noticeable.

Apply the new product on this area every day for about a week (make sure you don’t use any other products on this patch at the same time) and observe.

Complicating this process is the fact that if the product you’re using has active ingredients, like acids or retinol, it could cause some redness in the short term (i.e. thirty minutes after application), but this should go away if it isn’t a real irritant. In the long run, though, actives can cause purging for as long as six weeks — meaning your skin will get worse before it gets better.

I’ve never patch-tested before, but I already have a skincare routine that isn’t really working. What do I do?

As hard as it is: start from zero. Stop using all your products and cut back to the gentlest cleanser you can find for a week to “reboot” your skin. Afterwards, introduce products back to your routine one by one, patch-testing as you go so you can really understand what wor

ks best for your skin.

We know: it’s a tricky and painful process, but building a skincare routine that actually works for you takes a lot of patience and trial and error. And trust us — it’ll be worth it in the end.

The Beginner’s Guide To Patch Testing Skincare Products was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By Nica Dobles for Thread PH

You’ve probably been using a toner ever since you started using an actual cleanser to wash your face, but you might not really know what it does, or how it works.

The first toner my mom gave me to use in my pre-teen years was one of those old-school ones: alcohol-filled and very drying, it was supposed to clean my oily face better, but probably ended up making my skin worse.

Luckily, we’ve come a long way since then — now, we understand that skincare is all about hydration, regardless of your skin type, and today’s generation of toners are formulated to reflect this. The Korean beauty wave has made toners even more eciting.

Here’s what you need to know about this essential skincare step:

What is toner, anyway?

Toner is a liquid that looks and feels similar to water, designed to refresh and hydrate your skin, acting as a primer for the rest of your skincare routine. It’s often also packed with oils and extracts to target specific skin concerns.

When do you apply toner?

Right after you cleanse (or double cleanse). Your facial cleanser might not get every bit of dirt on your face, and can sometimes even leave a thin layer of film behind. The stronger cleansers can even alter the natural pH balance of your skin, so think of toner as resetting your skin after cleansing. It restores the pH balance, making your skin more receptive to the active ingredients of the rest of your skincare products.

For most toners, use them in both your day and night routines, but if you’re using an especially drying one, it might be best to use it once a day.

How do you apply toner?

You can soak a cotton pad or ball with the toner and gently swipe your face with it, but it’s gentler on your skin to apply with your hands (plus it saves you some product). Pour or spritz the toner on your fingers and tap or pat onto your skin.

What toner should I use?

Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

You’ll want a toner with ingredients that can control oil and clear out your pores without drying your skin, such as salicylic acid, aloe vera, and tea tree oil.

Dry or Sensitive Skin

Look for a toner that gives you extra hydration with gentle, soothing, calming ingredients. Avoid products with alcohol/denatured alcohol, fragrances, and menthol.

Aging Skin

Get younger-looking skin by boosting your skin cell turnover — look for a toner with skin-refining ingredients and antioxidants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and rose water. This will help brighten up and smoothen dull skin with fine lines for a fresher face.

• This New Generation Of Lipsticks Might Just Change What You Look For In A Lippie
• How To Maintain Good Skin While Working Out

The Beginner’s Guide to Toner was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By Patricia Ong for THREAD PH

Applying powder on your face sounds as straightforward as it gets. It may seem like such a simple concept — get a brush, dip it in the powder, sweep it over your face, and viola, right?

Wrong. Doing it aimlessly will make you look washed out, cakey, or overly-dry.

To avoid that, here’s our guide to the most common mistakes people make when applying powder — and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Applying it everywhere

If you’re prone to oily skin, chances are you’ve been applying powder all over your face to keep it shine-free. The problem is, mattifying your whole face leaves you with an unnatural finish and a flat look. If your skin doesn’t look right to begin with, your whole makeup regime won’t either.

What you should do is to apply powder on your T-zone. This includes your nose, between your brows, forehead, and chin. Even if you have oily skin, placing powder on just these areas will prevent your skin from looking greasy without making your complexion look dull.

Mistake #2: Not wiping off excess

You know how some celebs look powdery under bright lights? It’s often because they forget a very important step. Remember, powder is not a sweep-and-go process. No matter how little product you think you’re using, there’s always a little bit of excess, so don’t forget to remove it.

You can use a clean makeup brush or dab a moist makeup sponge over your face. This will ensure that dry particles are picked up. This is especially important for translucent powder since it tends to pop under flash photography. One trick you can do is to take a selfie with flash before you head out the door — if you don’t see any white blotches on your face, then you’re good to go!

BEAUTY PRODUCTS Online @ ZALORA Singapore

Mistake #3: Using the wrong type of powder

Pressed powder, translucent powder, and loose powder — they’re all the same right? Not really. While most face powders have the same purpose, some work better than others for specific makeup concerns.

For baking or setting your makeup, try using loose translucent powder, while pressed powder should be used for touch-ups since it provides a more precise and controlled coverage. Loose powder dispenses lighter and appears more even on the skin, making it your best bet for that soft-focus finish.

Mistake #4: Setting your makeup last

Many think that setting with powder is the final step for every routine. Although this does work, it’s not the most viable option. This is because powder has a tendency to fade as the day wears on. Applying it as a final “seal” means you’re depending on only one layer to keep your whole face of makeup intact.

The best way is to set after every layer of base makeup — this means after foundation, and then after concealer. Then continue your makeup routine. This will not only give the powder time to blend, it also allows other products you apply over it adhere better on your skin. Once you’re done with your makeup, set everything again with a sweep of powder as a final touch.

• BEAUTY PRODUCTS Online @ ZALORA Singapore
• Build Your Kit: Create The Perfect Lipstick Collection

By Patricia Ong for THREAD PH

Applying powder on your face sounds as straightforward as it gets. It may seem like such a simple concept — get a brush, dip it in the powder, sweep it over your face, and viola, right?

Wrong. Doing it aimlessly will make you look washed out, cakey, or overly-dry.

To avoid that, here’s our guide to the most common mistakes people make when applying powder — and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Applying it everywhere

If you’re prone to oily skin, chances are you’ve been applying powder all over your face to keep it shine-free. The problem is, mattifying your whole face leaves you with an unnatural finish and a flat look. If your skin doesn’t look right to begin with, your whole makeup regime won’t either.

What you should do is to apply powder on your T-zone. This includes your nose, between your brows, forehead, and chin. Even if you have oily skin, placing powder on just these areas will prevent your skin from looking greasy without making your complexion look dull.

Mistake #2: Not wiping off excess

You know how some celebs look powdery under bright lights? It’s often because they forget a very important step. Remember, powder is not a sweep-and-go process. No matter how little product you think you’re using, there’s always a little bit of excess, so don’t forget to remove it.

You can use a clean makeup brush or dab a moist makeup sponge over your face. This will ensure that dry particles are picked up. This is especially important for translucent powder since it tends to pop under flash photography. One trick you can do is to take a selfie with flash before you head out the door — if you don’t see any white blotches on your face, then you’re good to go!

sigma | at Zalora

Mistake #3: Using the wrong type of powder

Pressed powder, translucent powder, and loose powder — they’re all the same right? Not really. While most face powders have the same purpose, some work better than others for specific makeup concerns.

For baking or setting your makeup, try using loose translucent powder, while pressed powder should be used for touch-ups since it provides a more precise and controlled coverage. Loose powder dispenses lighter and appears more even on the skin, making it your best bet for that soft-focus finish.

Max Factor Singapore | Buy Max Factor Online on ZALORA Singapore

Mistake #4: Setting your makeup last

Many think that setting with powder is the final step for every routine. Although this does work, it’s not the most viable option. This is because powder has a tendency to fade as the day wears on. Applying it as a final “seal” means you’re depending on only one layer to keep your whole face of makeup intact.

The best way is to set after every layer of base makeup — this means after foundation, and then after concealer. Then continue your makeup routine. This will not only give the powder time to blend, it also allows other products you apply over it adhere better on your skin. Once you’re done with your makeup, set everything again with a sweep of powder as a final touch.

More Stories:

• Setting Spray: a Trick Or Treat?
• This New Generation Of Lipsticks Might Just Change What You Look For In A Lippie

You’re Doing It Wrong: Powder Edition was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By Patricia Ong for THREAD PH

Finding the right lipstick shade is a personal yet exciting journey. The combinations of waxes, pigments, emollients, and oils can make or break a look. Lipstick is more than just a shade — it expresses a mood or even picks you up when you’re feeling a shade of blue. For many, choosing the right lipstick may seem pretty overwhelming because of the endless options.

All lipsticks are different — shapes and sizes, undertones, and shade of skin can influence your choice of color. Since you needs a wide range of colors to pull off different looks, we created a guide to complete your stellar lipstick collection.

Texture

With so many different lipstick textures, the thought of having to choose just one can be mind-boggling. A small tip is that instead of spending your money on every type of texture, just keep a few matte options instead. You can easily change the texture by adding some shimmer or shine on top.

We do realize however that not everyone likes the feel of matte lipstick, so here’s a short guide to the most basic lipstick textures to add to your kit:

1. Mattes

These deliver full coverage with no shine, and is seriously on trend right now! Pigment with mattes are usually on a higher spectrum compared to other textures, which means it has longer wear without smudging or smearing. If you’re looking for lipsticks that have dense color, then matte will surely make your lips pop. Bold is beautiful!

2. Frosts

These lipsticks are more subtle in color due to the density of minerals in the formula, which reduces the overall pigment payoff. Frosts usually come in very light shades, so most of the time, the only thing you see is the texture of the product. It’s important to also take into consideration that although this can be fun to use, frost lipsticks tend to make your overall makeup look outdated if not used correctly. Packed with pearlescent shimmer, these colors aren’t for the faint of heart but they do add a touch of glitz and glamour on a special occasion.

3. Sheers

The lipstick that adds a kissable tint to any pout, sheer lipsticks lasts longer than lip gloss and are perfect if you want your lips to nudge for attention rather than beg for it. The finish is perfect for a natural look but can easily be built up for a stronger and bolder shade.

4. Satins and Creams

These two are perfect for everyday wear due to their medium coverage. It’s also the most widely available lipstick today. The high moisture level it has also makes it easy to apply on your lips. Creamy and satin lipsticks have a finish that comes between matte and glossy.

Color

When it comes to lipstick color, most fall into one or two categories — either brights or neutrals.

1. Brights

• Reds: Truly a classic shade that never goes out of style. This is definitely a must-have and it’s best if you collect both blue and orange based reds. When you need a product with a certain undertone, you can always use reds since they are easy to fit and manipulate to suit your needs.
• Pinks: Pinks range from baby pink and dusty rose to carnation and fuchsia. There are so many broad shades of pink, that they can be pulled off as soft and subtle to deep and rich. Bright pinks can be as glamorous as reds so it’s nice to keep a shade or two in your kit.
• Oranges and Corals: Many usually disregard orange shades, but this color helps get rid of blue tones in your complexion, giving you brighter looking skin. You can spice up your collection with some bright corals, deep oranges, and pale peaches.

2. Neutrals

• Taupe and Browns: One of the most versatile colors there is. You can achieve both dramatic or natural looks with these shades due to their rich and deep finish. This is also perfect if you want lipsticks to match your natural lip color.
• Nudes: These work well on all types of skin tones and ages. Nudes come in the form of pink and peach based shades, which easily compliments any natural makeup looks.

What is your go-to lipstick texture and shade? Let us know in the comments section below!

More Stories:

• The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Correct Sunblock
• 7 Little-Known Places to Visit in Tokyo

Build Your Kit: Create The Perfect Lipstick Collection was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Original story from Thread PH

Last August, we brought some of our favorite fashion ambassadors to Sicogon Island, Philippines on #TheZALORAGetaway.

On the getaway, 14 influencers from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines enjoyed four days of beachside dinners, island hopping, and even a fitness class!

Check out some of the highlights from the trip:

We kicked the trip off with a bang with a welcome dinner at Cove Manila once everyone flew in.

The next day started bright and early as we flew from Manila to Roxas City, then took a boat to Sicogon Island — just in time for check-in at Huni Resort.

Before everyone could get to relaxing, though, they earned the break with a fitness session led by none other than Liv Lo.

Decked out in Reebok, Liv put them through their paces with a HIIT yoga class right by the beach.

The next day was all about island hopping. The influencers explored the beautiful Tumaquin Island and Gigantes Island, taking perfect Instagram-worthy shots in Instagram-worthy clothes from Pomelo.

Afterwards everyone dressed up in Forever New for a private dinner by the ocean and drinks afterwards — a perfect way to spend the last night at Sicogon.

Before leaving the island, though, we were able to try some paddleboarding and squeeze in some R&R by the pool — as well as some group photos, of course!

After that, it was back to Manila, and then back to everyone’s home countries. Going home after an amazing vacation is always a bittersweet feeling, but we’re happy everyone had a blast — and we’re already looking forward to the next adventure and #TheZALORAGetaway!

A huge thank you to our partners who made #TheZALORAGetaway possible: Globe, Ayala Land, Sicogon Island, Huni Sicogon, Balay Kogon, Cove Manila, Reebok, Forever New, Pomelo, Rosefield, Castify, and Benefit.

More Stories:

• FASHION SPOTLIGHT: BLANC & ECLARE By Jessica Jung Arrives at ZALORA
• How to Choose your Holy Grail Lipstick

Here’s What You Missed From The ZALORA Getaway was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By Liz Claudio for THREAD PH

What a week! Last October 5, after a grueling three days of challenges, fierce competitors, and extreme weather conditions, we witnessed the crowning of Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 winners.

Make Me A ZALORA Model is the first-ever regional model-scouting contest pushed through social media. The first cycle was in 2016, and for the third cycle this year, over 4 weeks in August, participants were able to join the competition via Instagram by sharing a selfie or OOTD with the hashtag #MMAZMCycle3.

Our ZALORA team went through more than 7,000 participants to trim it down to our six male and six female finalists — two from each of the Asian countries ZALORA is present in. Check out the video below to meet our finalists!

Aspiring models from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines got a shot at becoming the face of ZALORA for 2019 and win coveted prizes, including:

1. A contract with Upfront, a top modelling agency in Singapore.
2. A three-month stint as a ZALORA in-house model, based in ZALORA’s Regional Production Hub in Malaysia
3. A year’s worth of wardrobe from ZALORA

Just becoming the face of six countries across the region sounds like a pretty good deal to us, but a modeling contract and a year’s worth of clothes from ZALORA? That’s got to be the cherry on top, but to get there, our finalists had to go through three challenges — no easy feat for any model.

Challenge 1: Headshot

It wasn’t all fun and games when the finalists arrived in Manila, Philippines, where this year’s competition was held. The models were quickly whisked away to a Headshot Challenge for each model to showcase their unique personality to set themselves apart from their competitors. Check out how quirky and playful our finalists were for their first MMAZM challenge:

Malaysia finalist Syahir, Indonesia finalist Gabriella, and Philippines finalist Jeremiah pulled it off:

Challenge 2: Video Editorial

The stakes got even higher for the second day challenge, which took the competition from the studio to the streets. The finalists were tasked with a video editorial to show how they work in a group and how they would stand out not just from their competitors, but also their surroundings. Check out how they owned the streets:

Which country do you think rocked the Video Editorial?

Challenge 3: Photo Editorial

The final challenge for this cycle brought out the inner top model for all our finalists, as they were asked to show high-fashion and edgy looks to conquer the shoot. Photo Editorial standouts include Singapore finalist Annika Sager and Hong Kong finalist Eddie Chan.

Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 Finale Night

To wrap up the competition, this year’s MMAZM finale night was held in The Island in Bonifacio Global City. The venue was filled with music, fashion and all things ZALORA, with goodies for guests and special awards co-presented by brand partners.

Most Personable

Presented by Desigual, a brand that’s vibrant and full of expression and character, the Most Personable award went to Shurvir Arora from Singapore and Norfarahim Nor Ain from Malaysia.

Best Portrait Shot

The Best Portrait Shot award was awarded to Annika Sager from Singapore and Ahmad Syahir from Malaysia by Make Up For Ever, which prides itself with quality products to accentuate features, perfect for your close-up.

Most Commercial

Ouwey, accessible fashion for everyday wear, relatable to everyone, awarded the Most Commercial award to Yunike Fransisca from Hong Kong and Jeremiah Lisbo from Philippines.

Most Solid Performance

Both Indonesian finalists Gabriella Cecilia and Charles Hwang won the Most Solid Performance from Casetify for their video editorial shoot performance.

Are you ready to find out who among our finalists won the coveted title of MMAZM Cycle 3 Grand Winner?

Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 Winners

After the special awards were announced, it was the panel — with judges Ashley Wong (Head of Production in ZALORA Malaysia), Florence Song (Head Stylist from ZALORA Malaysia), Watson Tan (Founder of Upfront Models Singapore), Chris Daguimol (Regional Director of Public Relations and Social Media), and Paulo Campos (CEO of ZALORA Philippines) — announced the grand winners.

Your Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 winners are Hong Kong’s Yunike Fransisca and Philippines’ Jeremiah Lisbo! Their overall performance throughout the cycle made them stand out from the competition, ultimately bagging the winner title.

All our finalists slayed photoshoots, breezed through video editorials, and rocked the runway to showcase all what they have learned throughout their whole MMAZM experience. It was a sight to see their growth in such a short amount of time and we can’t wait what’s in store for all our finalists in the future!

In the meantime, keep an eye out for Yunike and Jeremiah on ZALORA!

That’s all for MMAZM Cycle 3! See you all soon for Make Me a ZALORA Model Cycle 4?

RECAP: Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

It is understandable that some of us always want to be perfect and wear makeup in all circumstances, including working out. Yet, if we choose the wrong makeup, it may hinder our skin from breathing and block our pores, causing acne and blackheads.

Here are some tips to make your workout makeup last with minimal damage to your skin:

Thin & Long-Lasting Foundation

Avoid thick and oily foundations during a sweat session as they can cause clogged pores. Instead, try skin-friendly, long-lasting and thin foundation, those that contain minerals or water-based ones as they help to lessen the burden on our skin and keep our pores clear.

2. Water-proof Eyeliner & Mascara

Having eyeliner and mascara running down your face is one of the biggest makeup disaster. To avoid panda eyes, all you need is sweat- and sebum-proof eyeliner and mascara. If you want a more subtle look, consider applying just the mascara — a trick that can open up your peepers for a wide-awake look.

3. Subtle Color Lip Tint

You won’t want to put obvious color on your lips like you are going to a club, so opt for nude and light shade like rosy-pink or coral to get that peaches-and-cream look. For a natural-looking blush, simply use your fingertips to blend some tint onto your cheeks.

4. Gentle Cleansing Product

One of the biggest reasons why your skin is prone to breakouts may be due to the wrong choice of cleansing product. One that is too harsh can irritate your skin, dry it out, or clog your pores, especially as your skin may be sensitive after a workout. Washing off your makeup as soon as possible with a gentle and hydrating cleansing foam or oil can purify and replenish your skin’s moisture.

It is always important to choose the most suitable makeup for your skin, especially if you insist wearing it for a sweat session. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to go au naturel and embrace your natural beauty!

Secrets to Maintaining Perfect Makeup While Working Out was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

As we reach the end of summer, you probably want to make the most of the remaining time. From shopping for new beachwear, making a vacation itinerary to booking a place to stay, a summer vaycay is not complete without that dewy beach glow. No, we are not talking about suntanning; we’re talking having that sunkissed glow even before heading for your vacation.

Here are some simple makeup tips that will do the trick:

1. Create a smooth base

First and foremost, create a smooth base on your face by using a primer, which helps to combat shine and provide a smooth base for your foundation to last longer on your face — especially as you will be spending a lot of time under the sun, upon which your makeup will melt from the heat.

2. Fake a Flush

Want that radiant post-workout flush? Re-create it by dabbing on a hint of pink on your cheeks and the tip of your nose (yes, for real!). For that natural touch, use a textured cream blush and blend it onto your face.

3. Light Your Face Up

This is where everything comes in place! Light your face up with a highlighter, which gives you that natural looking beach glow. Apply it on the T-zone area, cheeks, inner corner of your eyes, as well as your chin. For that extra oomph, apply it on your neck and shoulders too!

4. Seal your lips

Never forget to ensure that your lips are smooth and supple by sealing it with lip balm and nude lip liner. Line your lips with a nude shade to give that refined shape and apply lip balm to avoid your lips from cracking under all that heat. And remember to always hydrate!

Are you ready to get your summer beach glow face? Let us know some of your own secret makeup tricks in the comments section below!

[Beauty 101] How to Get That Dewy Beach Glow Look was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Are you wondering how some women have such effortlessly sexy pouts even when they have naturally thin lips? The answer is easy: utilize the power of makeup! Here are some makeup tricks that will help you achieve the plump lips you desire:

1. Smooth it out

First and foremost, scrub your lips to remove any dead skin cells. You can use a lip scrub product or simply gently scrub your lips with your toothbrush in a circular motion. Once that is done, apply some lip balm to lock in moisture for that smooth finish.

2. Lip Contour

Who says contouring is just for your face? You can do it for your lips as well to get the illusion of a perfectly plumped pout. Work with the natural creases of your lips and play with light and dark contour shades.

3. Conceal

The use of concealer is to be applied on your cupid’s bow and across the lines of your top lip. This is to give that sharp defined lip look once you apply on your lipstick.

4. Use lip-liner

The next step is to draw the outline of your lips but go over a bit from your natural lip line. Choose a lip-liner colour that is a shade darker than your lipstick shade and blend well.

5. Put on matte lipstick

Matte lipstick may have a dry texture but make sure you do step 1 before applying it on your lips. The matte texture gives that natural sexy lip colour which makes your lips pop.

So are you ready to get your sexy pout? What other tips could help? Leave your ideas down below!

Tricks on How to Make Your Lips Plumper was originally published in THREAD by ZALORA Singapore on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.