Arts

SCRIPTED

By Ailin Salybekova

Still working on it

Go to stand

Published: May 31, 2026
Pages: 24

More in this magazine

CoverVolume 1. Scripted by Ailin Salybekova
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
PERFECT, SKINNY,BLESS-ED, LESS TR
Page 9- it's a totally a win. - I haven't been hungry since 2018.
"How to manage social media like me?"My Instagram did not happen to me. I happened to my Instagram. The light through my north-facing window be- tween 6:03 and 6:19 AM is the only correct light that exists. It makes my Bleach London Washed Blue hair look exactly like it does in my head otherworldly, slightly threatening, deeply incon- venient for anyone standing near me. I don't let people stand near me in photos. This is not up for discussion.
Page 11People comment you look like you don't care what anyone thinks. Correct.
Page 12Consider only opinions from people, who are aesthetically plasing.
Page 13Tip of the day:
Page 14
Page 15I begin with the Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil, massaged into dry skin for a full 60 seconds. I have been asleep. I was not impure. I cleanse anyway. I always cleanse. This is followed imme- diately by the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, the first cleanse is for the sins of the night, the second is for the soul and then Bioderma Sen- sibio Micellar Water, because there is always something left behind. Always. The Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant comes next. My skin is turning over its old cells. I under- stand this on a personal level. Then the SK-II Fa- cial Treatment Essence, patted in with both palms pressed together as if praying. I am praying. I am always praying at this stage. Three drops of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic follow no more, less. Once I used four drops. I don't speak about that time.
PlanningMake up Moodboard
Page 17MOTOROLA
Production253 S
Page 199956
ScriptedConcept Scripted a publication about the perfor- mance of everyday life. Not wellness. Not lifestyle. Not beauty in the traditional sense. The space between who you are and who you represent, the exhausting, meticulous, occasionally unhinged labour that lives in that gap.
Page 21This is how I actu- ally look. - It is so easy to fake person, lifestyle, dreams and suurroundings. Don't believe in everything you see and don't try to pressure your- self to change.
Page 22
Page 23This is how I actu- ally look. It is so easy to fake a person, lifestyle, dreams and suurroundings. Don't believe in everything you see and don't try to pressure your- self to change.
Page 24Volume 1. Scripted by Ailin Salybekova

Text of this page

"How to manage social media like me?"

My Instagram did not happen to me. I happened to my Instagram.

The light through my north-facing window be- tween 6:03 and 6:19 AM is the only correct light that exists. It makes my Bleach London Washed Blue hair look exactly like it does in my head otherworldly, slightly threatening, deeply incon- venient for anyone standing near me. I don't let people stand near me in photos. This is not up for discussion.

My hair is blue. Not Pinterest blue, not "dusty lavender that fades to grey in a week" blue. Arc- tic Fox Poseidon over a full bleach, maintained with Fanola No Yellow, which is ironically very yellow in the bottle and I find this funny in a way I don't explain to people. The lip is MAC Matte in Blue-Brown layered under NYX Lip Liner in Midnight. It is the top trend right now. I was do- ing it before it was a trend. The Council has the timestamps.

The Council is what we call the group chat. There are five of us. We did not choose the name ironically.

Yernur handles backgrounds. She once made me retake an entire mirror selfie because a motivational quote was visible on a mug in the reflection. She said it disrupted the "atmosphere of mild dread" we have spent two years cultivat- ing. She was right. The mug has been removed from the apartment.

V manages the grid. She will tell you, without hesitation or remorse, if a post is throwing off the palette. Last month I had a photo three shades too warm. She caught it. I owe her something I cannot name.

Anissa writes the captions. Technically I write them, but Lune removes anything that sounds like I'm trying, anything that sounds like I care, anything that sounds like I had a pleasant day. My captions average six words. They have a combined 340,000 likes. Every single one was workshopped at 11 PM on a Tuesday. Morrigan approves the energy. This is not a joke position.

My morning skincare Glossier Solution, Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream, Summer Fridays Lip But- ter Balm in the blue tint, obviously gets filmed by Dyisik from directly above while I arrange everything on my black slate tray. Six takes min- imum. The products are cold by the time we fin- ish. They look perfect. I feel nothing about this. The blue lip takes 22 minutes to apply correctly. I have been asked if it's uncomfortable. I find the question offensive.