People keep saying that isolation is a good time for DIY and, seen as salons are shut for the next 3 weeks, we agree (yes, beauty DIY counts). We’ve already divulged our tips for removing your gel mani at home and next up? Acrylic nails. By Beth Ludolf

Staying at home has its pros and cons. A pro: you can get your cost-per-wear down on *that* cashmere tracksuit you bought ages ago. A con: you can’t make your gel removal appointment. That’s not an excuse to pick them off, though. Here’s how to remove them at home, just like a nail technician. By Beth Ludolf

Not having enough time is probably the number one excuse for not cleaning your makeup brushes as often as you should, right? Well, there’s no time like the present (especially when you’re in isolation). Here’s everything you need to know. By Beth Ludolf

Whether you’re self-isolating or social distancing, we’re all united in one thing; the new normal. We commute to our “offices” by merely walking downstairs, we go for a drink with our mates via Facetime and that religious 6-weekly hair appointment? Well, that’s on hold for now. Don’t worry though - it turns out grown-out roots actually look pretty great.  Salon-fresh is unbeatable (obviously), but there’s something really cool about grown-out roots. They give your hair *that* effortless, worn-in look that everyone always talks about. Dial it up with “undone”, messy styling (ask yourself, "what would Blondie do?"). Not the grungey…

The world is a pretty scary place right now - and this time, we can’t just go to the pub and wait for it all to blow over. If you’re not already isolating, it’s likely you will be soon and, let’s be honest, it’s not going to be easy. Remaining positive is key and, while we don’t expect anyone to relish isolation,  there are some (albeit small) wins, in your beauty routine at least. By Beth Ludolf

Washing your hands, the biggest trend of 2020, thanks to Coronavirus. It may be the most effective way to prevent spreading germs, but it's a nightmare for your skin. When you’re frequently washing your hands, you strip the skin of its natural oils (same applies to your hair), which dries them out. Here are some things you can do - because cutting down on washing definitely isn't an option. By Beth Ludolf

The sudden urge to get a fringe can strike at any time. Usually, it fades away as quickly as it appeared but sometimes the seed is planted and your fate is sealed. When your hair is curly there’s an additional layer of unpredictability to contend with. If they're done right, natural bangs look pretty darn cool. The key? Ask your stylist to cut your bangs dry. That way they’ll see your hair’s natural texture and you won’t be surprised by your curls shrinking up that bit too far.  When making any big hair changes you should ease yourself in -…

Newsflash: All-over colour found dead - and these looks killed it.  Sweet peach, baby blue - we’ve pretty much worked our way through the entire spectrum of the rainbow. This is how Instagram’s coolest are wearing colour-pop hair. By Beth Ludolf

Cutting down’s rarely welcome. Food, beer, and now washing your hair. Turns out your daily hair wash shouldn’t actually be, well, daily. Just think of the money you’ll save on shampoo. Could spend it on that food and beer you’re cutting down on.  By Beth Ludolf

There’s nothing more annoying than spending 3+ hours in the salon chair (and not to mention your hard-earned cash), for your colour to fade in a matter of weeks. The culprit? Well, it could be your shampoo. We spoke to Warren Boodaghian, Head of Technical at HOB Salons, who told us that the products you use before your appointment are just as important as afterwards.  By Beth Ludolf

The idea of having someone else clean and scrub your body may feel a little strange but it’s been a part of Moroccan culture for hundreds of year. And things that have been around for that long tend to be pretty good, right? *Googles when wine was invented*. We spoke to Zara Williams from The Spa in Dolphin Square about why everyone should try a hammam cleansing ritual. By Beth Ludolf

The year is 2009. Your parting is basically level with your right ear. Your sweeping fringe is enviable. You look in the mirror and backcomb your hair for the fifteenth time that morning. Life is good.  Ahh, hair trends. You have the power to make us do such questionable things. We talked to Senior Creative Director, Craig Taylor, and Senior Creative Colourist, Francesca Dixon, at Hari’s Salon about the styles cool people are wearing now. Spoiler alert: it’s not a massive side fringe. By Beth Ludolf

Hey Betty, I’ve just moved to London and I’ve heard the pollution can cause breakouts. What can I do to prevent them?  Ellie B, 25 Being exposed to pollution is (unfortunately) inevitable, especially if you live in a city. We often hear about the effect breathing in pollution can have on our overall health, but what about our skin? I consulted Victoria Schofield, educator at Dermalogica and expert in all-things-skin, “We’re seeing more and more research linking air pollution to skin damage as a result of the pollution particles entering the skin through our pores.”, she explains.    Healthy skin…

You know when someone has really great hair? I mean the kind of hair that is so great that it doesn’t matter if the eyeliner they applied on the Piccadilly line is super wonky or if there’s toothpaste down their jumper, they still somehow look totally put together. Every single one of these people has had glossing (obviously I don’t know that to be true but I can’t think of a single other explanation). Let me present the facts. By Beth Ludolf

Let’s be honest, January is pretty bleak. It’s absolutely freezing, it gets dark by 5 pm, payday was a lifetime ago and I’m so deep into dry Jan, I can’t even remember what wine tastes like *weeps*. When it's put like that, it’s no surprise that smiley face nails have become our newest obsession. The perfect antidote to doom and gloom.   Yellow is the classic - think 80s acid house smiley - on a natural nail background (ideal for keeping your mani looking fresh too), but there really are no rules with this one. Loved the rainbow nails trend from…

Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You, Kiera Knightly in Love Actually, Bella Hadid in the front row. What do all of these women have in common? Unfathomable bone structure, yes, but also tendrils. “What on earth are tendrils?”, I hear you cry. They’re those two bits of hair left out of an up-do. Up-dos can look a bit pageant-queen if they’re too done, tendrils give more of an undone, effortless vibe. Playing with the thickness can also give totally different finishes. If you’re going full 90s throwback, keep them ultra-thin and poker-straight. If you want something softer,…

Right, I’ve made a decision and I’m putting it here in writing so I can’t go back on it; this is the year that I (finally) stop biting my nails and grow them. And that means they need to be healthy. I spoke to nail pro, Lauren Williams - Director of award-winning nail bar, London Grace - to find out how to get the strong, healthy nails of my dreams. By Beth Ludolf

I’m not sure why but the word ‘layers’ sends shivers up and down my spine - and I don’t think I’m the only one. Take a look at 2019, for example. It was all about all-one-length blunt-cut bobs. In 2020? We’re making layers great again. Let me introduce you to The Shag. You’ll have seen it around - on cool girls, models, musicians (think Alexa Chung). The Shag is effortlessly cool, worn messy with lots of layers, choppy ends and a fringe. It’s the 70s in a haircut. There’s no one-size-fits-all with this one, your stylist can personalise it to…

I’ve done some crazy things in the name of beauty - honestly, I once ironed my hair with an actual iron -  so when I heard that dermaplaning uses a surgical scalpel to scrape away the layer of dead cells and peach-fuzz facial hairs at your skin’s surface I was more eager than ever. I headed to Dermrefine to try it out for myself - here’s everything I wish I’d known beforehand. By Beth Ludolf

Imagine a life without Google. No, seriously. Imagine not being able to find out who that-actor-in-that-film was or how long to boil an egg for by doing a quick search. I use Google multiple times a day, for everything from directions to beauty tips - and I’m not the only one. In 2019, there were 3.3 million beauty-related searches in Europe alone. What were people searching? Well, we’ve got the questions (and the answers). By Beth Ludolf

Pantone have called it, yet again; 2020’s colour of the year is *drumroll please* Classic Blue. The colour - which apparently instils calm and confidence (I’m listening) - has felt the love from fashion and interiors for a while now. And now it’s beauty’s turn. Let’s start at the top, shall we?  Blue hair is bold, obviously, and it can be hard to nail the shade. Unless your hair is almost white, the yellow undertones can tone the hair to green or turquoise, especially as the colour begins to fade. If you’re going for a pastel or true blue shade,…

We know, we know. New Year’s Eve is the most over-hyped night of the year, but entering a new decade is a pretty good excuse to go all-out (not that we need one), besides it’s the only day of the year I get properly glammed-up just to go to the local. These are the treatments to get you feeling a little extra. By Beth Ludolf

Finding a new shade of nude nail is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it’s bittersweet. It basically means the already-impossible task of choosing a shade is now even harder but I assure you, this time it’s worth it.  Milky nails are the new nude that everyone (include Lizzo) is wearing and we can see why. Milky nails are to winter, what opaque white nails are to summer - heavenly. The semi-translucent finish has a soft, dreamy look which is much less harsh than classic opaque shades.  Still not convinced? Take a look for yourself.  By Beth Ludolf