Every year when September rolls around, I venture up into the attic to retrieve the suitcase that houses my winter clothes during the summer - unpacking them into my wardrobe and leaving my summer dresses in their place. This year I’ll be doing the same with my skincare. Not lugging them up to the attic, but making some switches that will help my skin weather the cold months ahead. And you should do the same - here’s why.  A sudden change in temperature damages our skin’s barrier which means we’re more susceptible to aggravators (like pollution). This can leave skin…

Remember back in 2010, when Rihanna released her new album, Loud, and inspired an entire generation to reach for the red box dye? I truly never thought I’d be lusting over red hair again after that - but here we are. After Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa both debuted bright red hues, a comeback was inevitable.  So, what do you need to know before taking the plunge? Well, red hair isn’t exactly low maintenance. You’ll need regular colour top-ups and a little bit of extra TLC.  Glossing or semi-permanent colours are a good option if you’re not ready to commit.…

Look, I know what you’re thinking - in a year full of uncertainty, why oh why would I get a fringe? We get it, it’s a notoriously risky move - it's also one of autumn's biggest hair trends (we're thanking Marianne from Normal People). So, without further ado, we’ve lined up a fresh batch of inspiration. Give in to temptation, book the darn fringe.  Contrary to popular opinion, anyone can wear a fringe (and look great doing it), it’s just about finding the right style. A blunt-cut, all-one-length fringe can look a little harsh while keeping a little more length…

Maybe it’s because summer never really began or the fact that we’ve been wearing joggers pretty much exclusively for the last 6 months, but this year, we’re really darn excited for autumn. If you’re not feeling it, a scroll through these autumnal nails will probably help.  Summer was all about bold nails (the brighter the better) but this autumn’s trends are much softer. Autumn’s signature tones - mustards, burnt oranges and reds - are a no-brainer, every year. Mixing them with earthy pastels, warm nudes and rich jewel tones (AKA, a dream) keep them on-trend for 2020. Add a matte…

In the immortal words of Joni Mitchell, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. I mean, she was talking about building car parks and we’re talking about natural curls but the message is pretty much the same.  If you’ve got naturally curly hair, your hair care routine is probably extensive. Curly hair needs TLC or it can actually lose its curl pattern altogether. Getting it back isn’t easy, either. In fact, if your hair is badly damaged, that curl pattern probably ain’t ever coming back (not fully, at least).  So, what’s to blame? Well, damage, obviously - from…

What is a Face Mapping® skin analysis appointment? Basically, it’s an opportunity to get to know your skin, with a professional. “It’s a quick and easy way to identify and understand your skin type and the condition of your skin,” Hannah told us, “our skin experts can then prescribe you a personalised skincare regimen which will help you achieve your skin goals”.  What happens during a Face Mapping® skin analysis appointment? Well, firstly, your skin will be cleansed (to ensure safety). Your therapist will then discuss with you what you’re looking to achieve with your skin. “They will consider all…

‘Face masks’ used to mean skincare, nowadays it’s more about healthcare. A lot of us will have never worn a protective mask and are probably unaware of the effects it can have on the skin (ahh, ignorance really is bliss). Luckily, we’ve broken down how to protect and care for our skin while rolling with the new normal. By Beth Ludolf

I wholeheartedly believe that you don’t know true joy until you’ve felt how soft your feet are after a pedicure. And how darn good they look, ugh *chefs’ kiss*. If you haven’t tried a pedicure, grab a pair of flip-flops and hit the salon. You’ll never look back. If you have, this is for you - we spoke to nail pro, Parris Ashworth, Manager at Nails Inc, about maintaining your pedi at home.  By Beth Ludolf

I think we can all agree, once and for all, that we all deserve a spa break right now. Picture it; a weekend jaunt to the English countryside, sun shining (we can hope), fluffy robe covering your freshly-massaged body as you head for a dip in the outdoor pool. If you need a little more help visualising, look no further. We’ve lined up five of the best. By Beth Ludolf Find more spas with outdoor pools

They say never meet your heroes, but we’ve never heard them say ‘don’t ask your hair hero for advice’. So, with that in mind, we spoke to celebrity hairstylist and Creative Director at Headmasters, Andrew Barton, about the fundamental hair rules we should all be following. After all, he’s been in the industry for 30 years, been on the telly for years and worked with Eva Longoria - ‘expert’ doesn’t even cut it. By Beth Ludolf

What is the Dermalogica ProSkin Advanced treatment? It’s a facial - but, like, a really good one. According to Hannah, the most effective technology suited for your skin will be selected on the day, from hydradermabrasion to improve tone and texture to LED light therapy to brighten and boost collagen. Plus,  deep cleansing with active ingredients (the good stuff), and loads of relaxing stuff too - think facial massage, deep breathing and hot towels. Oh, and it’s 60-minutes long (the perfect time to decompress).    What happens during the treatment? One of the (many) good things about the ProSkin Advanced facial is that it’s fully…

The humble beard.  Whether it's on your face because you couldn't be bothered to get rid, or it's more of a well-crafted labour of love, it's hard to not to be fan. When it comes to sculpting, there are a number of styles to choose from (aside from 'letting it do its thing'), so here's five of them. The most popular, if you will, ready to present to the barber at your next grooming appointment. By Rachel Spedding

Hello, my name is Beth and I’m addicted to nail extensions. I’ve been getting acrylics and hard gel extensions non-stop for about two years so - as you can imagine - when I heard about Apres Gel-X extensions, the acrylic-alternative favoured by celebrities (dah-ling), I was itching to find out more. Luckily for you, I'm taking the liberty of passing it on - you're welcome. Looking to get in done? Colourriot Nails in London is your place. By Beth Ludolf

Cleanse and exfoliate First things first, always clean your face first. Use a face wash to remove any impurities and then go in with a light scrub. Skipping cleansing means dirt and dead skin cells can clog your razor and blunt the blade which is a definite shortcut to razor burn, nicks and cuts. The exfoliation helps with ingrown hairs too - it’s a win-win.    Prep the skin  The best time to shave is after a shower. The warmth of the steam hydrates the skin, opens the pores and softens the hairs - making them easier to cut and…

It’s happened to the best of us. In the chair, gown on, scissors ready - then the nerve goes and it’s all just “this, but shorter.”  Deciding on a new hairstyle is tough, but knowing how to ask for it is tougher. Don’t let your vocab hold you back. We’ve gathered up 7 popular styles right now and exactly what you need to ask to get them. By Liam Clifford

We won’t mention that cliffhanger at the end of Season 5 – firstly because we’re not here for spoilers but also because we have literally no clue how it’s going to turn out. One thing we do know? The Shelby’s have great hair. Arthur’s is up for debate. But, on the whole, the Shelby’s have great hair. It seems the majority of the UK agree (‘Peaky Blinders haircut’ trends on Google a lot). To get the coveted cut, ask your barber for a ‘crop’, with short back and sides, and extra length left up top. A ‘sweeping fringe’ at the…

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

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 (bare 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

You've tinted your brows. Everything is fuller, sharper, all-round preened. You've seen a world of 'perfect' brows and can't imagine one without. Fear not, tinters, there are simple tricks that'll keep that dye lasting long beyond your nightly makeup removal. From where to go, to how to care for 'em, here are the four things you need to do to keep your brows looking top-notch once you're out the salon door. By Rachel Spedding

#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…

Until you’ve had a facial, it’s easy to think of it as, well, a glorified face wash and, I guess on some level, it kind of is. It’s still worth getting one though - even just for that proper squeaky-clean feeling alone. If you’re thinking of giving it a go, here’s some of the stuff you might be wondering about. By Beth Ludolf

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBwkjzGgXe5/   https://www.instagram.com/p/B5DnmvvgttP/   https://www.instagram.com/p/CCeyxTvH0jX/   https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8xhT4jBxl/   https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pOCvYH7v-/   https://www.instagram.com/p/CClprLMAXnl/   https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fnmd0DOc4/   Nail salons are finally open (hallelujah). With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area.          

It’s summer which means we’ve all swapped our jumpers for t-shirts, trainers for sandals (pedicure, anyone?) and our jeans for shorts. Yep, bare legs. But, do you ever find your legs covered in weird black dots? Well, it turns out these are pretty common. They’re actually (informally) known as ‘strawberry legs’. The cause? Clogged pores. Here’s how to prevent them from forming. By Beth Ludolf