We dreamt about a lot of things during lockdown - nights at the pub, seeing our friends, and a sweet, sweet haircut. Something we’ll never take for granted again.  While scrolling through Instagram and saving endless amounts of inspiration pics probably wasn’t helping the frustration of not being able to head to the salon, it does at least mean that when they did finally reopen we knew exactly what we wanted. Curtain bangs, in case you were wondering.  Curtain bangs are great. They’re notoriously cool (Alexa Chung made sure of that), less high maintenance than you might think and actually…

Lockdown had us pining for the hairdressers, saving hair inspo left, right and centre, and dreaming of all the new looks we would try out once normality resumed. One style that kept catching our eye was locs; a hairstyle that’s becoming ever more popular with both men and women who want to show off their natural hair with pride - in a stylish and easy to manage way. Although locs are pretty low maintenance, there are some things you need to know when it comes to starting and caring for your locs. Loc expert Deborah at La Aibamania gave us…

This awards season has been a *tad* unusual - we think that’s fair to say. However, last night’s Oscars treated us to an IRL (!!!) red carpet moment, and boy, was it worth the wait. From Andra Day’s oh-so 2021 'no-makeup' makeup, to Amanda Seyfried’s classic Hollywood glam -  here are our fave hair and beauty looks from the 2021 Academy Awards. Beth Ryan

We counted down the minutes. We planned our outfits weeks in advance. At times, we thought the day might never actually arrive. But, hallelujah, the 12th finally rolled around, and we were officially allowed back in that sacred British institution - the beer garden.  Cut to one week later, and there is a small chance that you may have over-indulged a little. Hey, we’re right there with you, and we won’t judge. Your skin, on the other hand, might be feeling less than impressed.  If the visible effects of this week’s antics are showing on your face (we’re talking puffiness,…

Pre-2011, my eyebrows were the part of my body I thought about least - I’d pluck them (to near-baldness, according to my #10YearChallenge) and that was that. And then Cara Delevigne came along and eyebrows - and, more importantly, my lack of - bolted into my consciousness. Since then, I’ve grown them out, filled them in, waxed, tinted, threaded, all to mild success (the gauge of success is bushy-ness, in this case). Until now - enter, brow lamination.  By Beth Ludolf

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

Gyms are open again, which means (sadly) no more excuses. Sweating it out might do wonders for our bodies and minds, but our skin? Not so much. If you find that your skin is feeling dull, dehydrated, or breaking out - it may be your workout habits that are to blame. To keep your skin *and* body feeling healthy, bear these tips in mind. You got this.

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

I mean, seriously, because I can’t remember. If I could sum up this past year 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…

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.…

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.