For a long time, my life was measured in cycles: rounds of chemo, appointments, scans, and side effects. The day I was told I was in remission is the day a new war began — the struggle with the fear of cancer recurrence after treatment. I lived wholly in the ‘during’ of breast cancer. I took a certain pride in it — a quiet, steely resolve to endure whatever was thrown at me. And I did. Actually, that's a lie. I was mostly hysterical and a difficult patient because I was terri

We’ve all been there. The wonder serum that everyone is talking about on TikTok finally arrives and the temptation to slather it on immediately is overwhelming. That urge can be as strong as the need for a strong coffee first-thing in the morning. But in an era of medical-grade actives and high-percentage acids, skipping the skincare patch test is a dangerous game of Russian roulette. You could, quite literally, be playing with fire. While most of us have skipped this vital s

A spa brand dedicated to midlife skincare is celebrating a milestone partnership. Thirns Botanical Skincare, a UK-based purveyor of natural, sustainable products that support cell regeneration and skin resilience, is marking the first anniversary of a partnership with Spa Village Bath, located at the top-rated Gainsborough Spa in Bath. The collaboration launched in April 2025. Formulated using thorn-bearing wild plants found in the UK, Thirns is the brainchild of skincare cli

It is rare to find a beauty release that actually manages to simplify a routine without sacrificing the creative flair we have come to expect from modern artistry brands. When Made By Mitchell announced the Face Case, it promised to be more than just a convenient bundle; it pitched itself as a portable sanctuary for makeup lovers. Having spent some considerable time with this set, I can safely say that Mitchell has managed to bottle magic once again. This review explores why

For many of us, navigating the turbulent seas of chronic illness or cancer recovery, the morning ritual isn't about choosing an outfit; it’s about assessing the damage. We look for the dark circles, the sallow skin, the thinning or missing brows — the physical ‘obviousness’ of a body under siege. Cancer recovery beauty tips can help you negate some of the most distressing aspects of treatment and recovery. There is a profound, often overlooked link between morbidity and aesth

For many makeup enthusiasts, the top lashes are the easy part. We coat, curl and extend them with muscle memory. However, the moment we move the wand towards the lower lash line, things often take a turn for the worse. Between the risk of poking an eye, smudging fresh concealer, or accidentally making ourselves look tired, the lower lashes are the final touch of any makeup routine. If you have ever wondered why your mascara looks heavy or why it seems to migrate down your fac

In the fast-moving sphere of beauty, the distance between a cult must-have and a mystery box filler can be measured in months. But, for the better part of three years, lip oils were the undisputed royalty of not just the vanity table but handbags too. They were the emblem of the clean girl aesthetic — a high-shine, low-effort luxury that promised the nourishment of a treatment with the editorial finish of a gloss. But as we move through the first quarter of 2026, the landscap

If you have ever applied your favourite moisturiser only to feel a sharp, hot prickle or stinging across your cheekbones, you already know the warning sign of a compromised skin barrier. It is a common ‘oh,no!’ moment and is often the result of excesses in modern skincare regimens. Afterall, we have been living through an era of ‘more is more’ — more acids, higher percentages of retinol and more aggressive cleansing. But the skin is a living organ, not an inanimate object lik

In the stampede to hop aboard the glowing, dewy skin trend, many of us have fallen prey to the ‘more is more’ mantra. Influencers slathering on thick layers, elaborate 10-step routines and the real fear of harsh, matte flakiness have collectively convinced us that if a little moisturiser is good, a lot must be sublime. But what if this well-intentioned hydration habit is actually doing your skin more harm than good? It’s time to pull back the curtain on the subtle — and not-s

Remember when applying makeup felt like a full-blown hyperrealism art project? It was anything but effortless. Everyday makeup saw a legion of brushes and sponges spread across your dressing table, each with its own specific, often intimidating, purpose. Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief. In 2026, the beauty world is making a surprising U-turn, embracing a trend that’s as liberating as it is effective: finger-friendly makeup . And, yes, it promises to deliver effortless

There is a specific brand of self-care lie we tell ourselves in the name of beauty. We've all had those self-care fails that usually begin on a Tuesday evening, somewhere between the third ping of a work email and the realisation that the fridge contains nothing but a wilted spring onion and half a lime. It’s the moment we decide: I shall be a Spa Goddess. In my head, this involves a cosy, fluffy robe, a single white lily in a slim vase and a sheet mask that fits my face like

For years, my skincare ritual has been sharply pivoted to achieving visible results: smoother lines, a brighter complexion and improved texture. I’ve chased the ever-elusive promise of younger-looking skin, viewing my elaborate routines as strictly non-negotiable. But what if my skincare regimen could do more than just improve my appearance? What if it could also uplift my mood, reduce stress and even enhance my sense of calm? Enter neurocosmetics, a revolutionary new frontie

We looked at each other and laughed. But we weren’t really ‘laughing’. No, behind our convivial smiles, we were secretly scared stiff. Sat in a hospital ward crammed with moaning, screaming patients, what we were really thinking was: “Please, God, never let this be us.” My cousin and I were at the bedside of another relative who had slipped and broken a hip. Let me tell you, it was awful - prompting me, at least, to consider bone health as an extension of my beauty routine.

For six decades, I’ve held a strong belief in self-empowerment. But, in a one-off, mind-bending plot twist, I’m now entrenched in deep, melancholy regret. It’s not that I’ve spent at least half my life dehydrated and deprived of slow-wave sleep. It’s the pesky little things; those niggling annoyances - the kind that most sensible people shrug off with little more than a light sigh - that I let myself blow out of all proportion to cause deep and destructive stress. And the res

If you’re tired of spending over the odds for premium anti-ageing skincare products that punch way below their weight when it comes to...

Let’s forget product releases and trends for a moment, because there's one fundamental skill that remains the bedrock of any truly...

I truly can’t remember the first time I bought a beauty advent calendar, which is telling. Often stuffed with a mix of deluxe and full-size skincare and makeup treats, most are a five-minute whir of excitement followed by a sense of mild disappointment. That’s probably the reason why I don’t remember that first taste of opening a numbered ‘surprise’ box. And that begs the question: are beauty advent calendars worth buying? For many, Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas with

If you have always dreamed, like me, of owning a PLouise advent calendar but can’t quite stretch to £250, there are a few cheaper festive...

There’s a new UK cosmetics brand on the block - Trouble Maker. If this is the first time you’ve heard about it, trust me, it won’t be the last. Exclusive to Superdrug, Trouble Maker makeup is a vibrant, fun and budget-friendly brand that delivers all the basics, plus a little bit more, at unbelievably low prices. Nothing costs more than £10 and prices start from just £2. With a 3 for 2 offer heralding its launch at Superdrug, it didn’t take much to reel me in. The already qui

The alarm bells are ringing; your face has declared a state of emergency. You’ve had a week (or a month) that’s been, to put it mildly, a bit of a bin fire. Your sleep schedule is a bigger myth than goldfish having a memory span of three seconds. Your hydration consists solely of lukewarm coffee and your face — oh, your face — looks like it’s been neglected longer than Whitby Abbey. Flaky patches, dullness so profound it could rival a total eclipse and pores the size of manho