Lockdown restrictions are slowly being lifted and with less than a week to go until Step 2 of the lockdown roadmap comes into effect we’re already looking ahead and compiling a list of all the things we can’t wait to do come the 12th of April - and beyond. Here are the top 15 things we’re looking forward to the most. What’s on your list? WRITTEN BY Louise Carleton

Shower after every workout  It might sound obvious but make sure you shower immediately after you’ve sweat. Dry sweat can clog your pores causing spots and acne flare-ups. Not to mention all that lovely bacteria that’s mixed in with our sweat can cause rashes and infections if it’s not properly washed away. Make sure your showers aren’t too hot either, as this can dry out your skin.   Try to avoid wearing makeup  We all want to look good while working out but a full face of makeup can actually do your skin more harm than good. Sweat and increased…

If you’re anything like us you’re counting down the days until salons can reopen. It’s been a long time since we sat in the salon chair and when we say our hair is crying out for some TLC, we mean it. We spoke to afro Hairdresser extraordinaire, Debora at La Aibamania to find out what we can do in preparation for our first appointment back in the salon. Here are her top three tips:

We’ve let our unruly brows run riot in lockdown, so an eyebrow shape is top of the list when salons reopen - there’s not long to go. Some of us have taken matters into our own hands, getting pretty good at shaping our brows (or doing just enough to keep the monobrow at bay).  With just over a month to go now is the perfect time to put down the tweezers, leave the wax strips to one side and let those brows grow. A grown-out brow will give your therapist lots to work with and help you achieve a new…

What should I do if the hair is too long? Remember, your hair should be no less than a quarter of an inch long. If it’s too long, Sofia suggests giving it a trim, “make sure you leave about 1 cm of growth though, to make sure the wax can pick the hairs up”. If you’re not confident trimming it yourself (it can be trickier than you think), your therapist can do this for you before your wax.  If I resorted back to shaving during lockdown, will my first wax hurt more? You’re not alone in worrying about the pain…

#NoMoreNoShows “No shows”, where someone books an appointment but doesn’t turn up on the day, without letting the salon know in advance - have been a problem in the industry for some time. In fact, reports state that 33.7% of people have “no-showed” at some point.  Right now, after months of closure and reopening with reduced capacity, the hair and beauty industry is struggling. The industry needs our support more than ever before. We’re supporting the #NoMoreNoShows campaign, which aims to educate customers on the potentially devastating effects of not turning up to their booking and the impact that this loss…

What is a colour correction service?  A colour correction helps with three things; when the shade of your hair is either too light or too dark, there are unwanted tones or the colour is patchy. “This could be a small tweak, a drastic change or when a box dye has gone wrong,” Natalie explains, “there are usually a few different steps involved, compared to a normal colour service”.  How long does a colour correction take?  According to Natalie, “it could be anywhere between a few hours and a few months” depending on the desired look, the colour that’s been done…

You might need to book something different from your usual  “To put it simply, the length of any colour appointment will have to be extended to compensate for the root re-growth,” Carly points out. When you’re booking your appointment you should err on the side of caution, opting for the treatment that gives your stylist the most time - “It’s better to have more time to correct serious re-growth than to book a shorter appointment and have to rebook”. Think of this as just another ‘new normal’.   If you normally get highlights  Book: A full head of highlights  With…

Increased hygiene measures  This one is pretty obvious. You’ll be expected to wash your hands upon arrival and before leaving your appointment. Salons will be allowing extra time during every appointment to thoroughly clean the area - chairs, basins, everything. If you feel unwell (or have been recently), you’ll need to stay at home and reschedule your appointment.     Arriving at your appointment Hoping for a walk-in appointment? Think again. Booking is key to help the salons regulate their customers. When you get to your appointment, waiting areas will be closed (to limit the number of people in the salon),…

It would be dramatic to say that hair removal is the bane of my life, but hair removal is the bane of my life. I wish I was comfortable going au natural, but sadly I’m not - maybe one day, when the pursuit for dolphin-smooth skin becomes too much for me. I’ve tried four different methods of hair removal to see which is the best (or least-awful) for *down there*, to save you the time - and the pain. By Beth Ludolf

I saw a meme the other day that said: “my eyebrows literally need a haircut, not a wax” and, well - I can relate. Lockdown was the perfect opportunity to grow out your brows, without having to worry about that seriously unruly phase. But, with salons hopefully reopening soon (please), it’s time to hand them over to a professional. We spoke to the unrivalled queen of brows, Shavata, about which treatments to try.   By Beth Ludolf

Contrary to popular opinion, waxing isn’t actually that bad - you just need to make sure the conditions are right. Think of it like this, say you went out for a picnic (bear with us), it started raining and you forgot the crisps, you probably wouldn’t enjoy the picnic. Well, waxing is like that but instead of checking the weather and remembering the snacks, you need to time your appointment and steer clear of alcohol beforehand. Here are the waxing mistakes you should avoid. By Beth Ludolf

I mean, seriously, because I can’t remember. If I could sum up 2020 in three words it would be “WFH”, or maybe “house every weekend” (and I don't mean the song). Socialising has been replaced by social distancing. For me, that means greasy hair days are easier to hide (shout out “switch camera off” mode), and washing my hair is more of a treat than a necessity - which is actually good for your hair too, you know?  The sleek bun is one of the few hairstyles where the greasier the hair, the better the bun (in my expert opinion,…

Aside from how to poach an egg, and the severity of a tissue ending up in the washing machine, mum's taught us a whole bunch of stuff. Beauty advice included. Perhaps you've been bleaching your locks with lemon juice since the tender age of 12, or rubbing Vaseline into your lashes every night. Whatever advice has stuck, you're probably (like us) curious to know which of mum's 'tips' are actually true. We've done the digging, and it's time to debunk some mum myths (with the help of industry experts). Hair, nails, brows – all the stuff you've been wondering for…

Whether your mum is the most glamorous woman you know, a wash-and-go lover or a seriously low maintenance kind of person, their beauty advice is often the first we hear (and the one we always refer back to. We asked a handful of beauty lovers to share the best advice they learnt from their mums. Listen and learn.

Argan Oil The gold standard when it comes to hair oil and likely the one you’ve heard lots about. Argan oil is rich in essential nutrients, vitamins and fatty acids all of which help lock in moisture and restore dry and damaged hair. It helps increase the hair's natural elasticity making it feel soft and easy to manage as well as giving it a brilliant shine.   Coconut Oil Coconut oil isn’t just for the kitchen; it’s a natural moisturiser that can be used on both your hair and body. Rich in vitamin E and essential amino acids coconut oil…

We have a date - 12th April in England (!!!) - that salons will hopefully open (provided everything is safe), which means our dreaming about the treatments we’re booking has stepped up a notch. We’re already dead set on the haircut we’re getting, now for the nails. We’ve been obsessing over the modern French mani and now pic ’n’ mix nails.  Otherwise known as indie nails or, simply, a different design on every nail. It’s no wonder these amazingly OTT nails are trending after months (and months, and months) of bare nails.  When it comes to designs, pick a theme…

We have a date - 12th April in England  (!!!) - that salons will hopefully open (provided everything is safe), which means our dreaming about the treatments we’re booking has stepped up a notch. We’re already dead set on the haircut we’re getting, now for the nails.  We’ve been loving the modern take on the classic French manicure for a while now and it’s not going anywhere for 2021. We’ve seen it on Gigi Hadid, Chiara Ferragni and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley - not to mention all over Instagram.  What makes this 90s classic a modern fave? A few little personalised twists.…

Fruit acids (AHA) You’ve probably heard of AHAs, it stands for alpha hydroxy acid (in case you wondered). The best known of these is glycolic acid - a chemical exfoliator found in toners, serums, exfoliators and creams that removes the surface layer of dead skin cells for a smoother complexion. Other AHAs include lactic acid, critic acid and mandelic acid.    Salicylic acid (BHA) Beta hydroxy acid, otherwise known as salicylic acid, is the number one for fighting acne. BHAs can get deeper into the pores to remove dead skin cells, impurities and excess sebum. While salicylic acid can help…

What is niacinamide?  Simply put, it’s a form of vitamin B3 (like how retinol is actually a form of vitamin A). Like many other vitamins, it’s pretty darn great for the skin because it works with the natural proteins in the skin, strengthening them. So, what’s so good about it?   It’s compatible with all skin types and other products One thing we love about niacinamide is that is works for all skin types. Yep, even sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. It also works extremely well with any of the other products in your routine (retinol, antioxidants, the lot). Because of…

Lockdown one was all about embracing no makeup days (and enjoying the skin benefits) but now it’s lockdown number three and we’re bored. So, we’re practising for when the restrictions lift. We’re talking hairstyles, makeup, you name it. Today: which shade of eyeshadow to wear to accentuate your eye colour.  First things first, there are literally no rules when it comes to makeup. We’re purely talking about the best shades for making your eyes pop. According to science (well, the colour wheel), of course.

We’re all pretty well-versed on the skincare changes we should make in the winter months - two words: more moisturising, and ‘lip balm’, come to think of it - but do you pay the same amount of attention to your haircare? Much like our skin, our hair needs more moisture during winter. The colder temperatures outdoors and the central heating indoors make the air much dryer which lifts the hair cuticle, letting moisture out more easily and leaving the hair dry and frizzy. Here are some of the changes you should make to your hair routine during the winter.

Snow, wind, rain - this weather is almost making us glad that we’re cooped up indoors. Not only is it absolutely freezing, but our skin is dry, cracked and flaky and cranking up that central heating is only making things worse (it dries out the air causing moisture to evaporate from the skin much faster). It really is a double-edged sword. Whether you struggle with year-round chapped skin or it just crops up in winter, urea is the ingredient to get to know.