Right, it’s December 1st and that means it’s officially the festive season and no one can say it’s too early. It’s going to be a bit different this year, granted. There won’t be a knees-up at work, Christmas markets aren't open and you can’t have the whole family around on the big day – that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the stuff you normally do though, treatments included. Here are some extremely valid excuses why you should still do it too, in case you need some gentle enabling. WRITTEN BY Beth Ludolf

Every time a new spot appears – uninvited may I add – on my face, I can guess with about 99.9% accuracy what caused it. That big, painful, under-the-skin one on my chin? Time of the month. The angry ones around my mouth? Maskne, ugh, 2020. Diet is another big one (don’t worry, we’re not about to go all ‘you are what you eat’ on you). Eating too much red meat, refined sugar and saturated fats, or drinking too much alcohol are all classic culprits. Obviously, we’re not going to tell you to cut out chocolate or wine (we’re not that cruel)…

We have a few go-to’s when it comes to beauty advice. Our stylists, obviously, that friend who’s always trying the newest miracle ingredients – and now, Reddit (yep, that’s the social media platform with forums on literally everything under the sun) and TikTok. They both have thriving communities of hair, beauty and skincare obsessives. In this series, we’ll be sharing the need-to-know tips and tricks we found from hours (and hours) of scrolling. Consider this your hair and beauty school cop-out (see what we did there?).  WRITTEN BY Beth Ludolf

Newsflash: All-over colour found dead – and these looks killed it.  Milennial pink, 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

What are the benefits? Facial acupuncture is a great non-surgical alternative for slowing down the ageing process. Vivienne, owner of Primo Herb, explains, “facial acupuncture increases circulation in the face and promotes collagen production” – two key factors in achieving youthful-looking skin. The micro-wounds left by the needles kickstart the regeneration process and increase blood flow and oxygen, keeping the skin from looking puffy or tired.   What actually happens in an acupuncture session?  It’s not just about sticking needles into your skin, willy-nilly, so don’t try it at home. Before your treatment starts, your therapist will discuss your skin’s needs and…

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, at least). It’s no-fuss – one of…

Let’s get straight to the point: dandruff is annoying. I know first hand how much it impacts your self-confidence and how darn stubborn it can be. But, instead of attacking your scalp further (with harsh products and resentment), adopting a softer approach and giving it a little extra TLC is the way to go. Kill it with kindness. Healthy, shiny hair (that’s flake-free) relies on a balanced scalp so it’s important to detoxify the skin, eliminating impurities and restoring hydration and oxygenation. We’ll talk you through it. By Beth Ludolf

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…

Some men’s trends are best left in history (Ugg boots, I’m looking at you). Haircuts on the other hand… It’s not just the nostalgia, these styles keep cropping up on the catwalk and the high street, which confirms it – we’ve got a haircut revival on our hands. From throwback chops, to the resurrection of the mullet (potentially), these are the hairstyles making a comeback. By Rachel Spedding

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 a 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

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…

Remember that episode of Friends where Chandler tries to bond with Monica’s dad but accidentally sits on his lap in the steam room (naked) and then severely misjudges the dress code of the hot tub (again, naked)? Horrifying. Absolutely horrifying. Spa days are meant to help stress, not cause it. Relax, we’ve got the answers to all your spa-related questions.  By Beth Ludolf

Cupping – Jennifer Aniston has been at it for years, and Olympic athletes swear it, but what’s involved? The ancient technique, derived from traditional Chinese and Egyptian medicine brings blood to the surface of the skin to relieve muscular pain. Practiced alongside acupuncture, and popular amongst celebs, we’re getting to grips with exactly what’s involved (because those circular back patches have left us curious for too long). Everything you need to know about cupping, right here.   By Rachel Spedding

You may have heard of it, and you’ve definitely seen it (it’s the one with the needles): acupuncture is a treatment derived from Chinese medicine. The main goal of the treatment is to relieve physical and mental tension, through balancing qi (pronounced ‘chee’) in the body. It’s an oldie, but a goodie, as the ancient technique has been practiced over the centuries, and is still hugely popular today. Ready to give the needles a try? Here’s what’s involved, the benefits, and the answer to the question you’re all wondering: how much does it hurt?   By Rachel Spedding

If Ross from Friends has taught us anything, it’s that you should always do your research before heading for a spray tan (and leather pants are a bad idea, as a general rule). There’s hair nets, there’s posing, there’s strange sticky feet involved, but most importantly, there’s a golden tan awaiting that’ll stay put on your skin for up to a week. Rejoice. To prep you for some spritzing, here’s a 10-step guide of exactly what goes down in the spray tan booth.   By Rachel Spedding

It's a modern process Turns out, CACI facials use some serious tech (I’d envisioned old-school equipment, for some reason). CACI synergy (the latest version) stimulated my facial muscles with metal prongs to deliver micro-currents beneath the skin. As it hit my skin I felt a twitching, tingling sensation, that was a little itchy after.    Not just to lift and tone At the same time as giving my muscles a workout, my therapist used the machine to exfoliate my skin with ‘orbital microdermabrasion’. I also got a dose of LED to brighten and boost my skin tone too (always welcome).…

There's nothing not to like It doesn’t hurt, it’s pretty relaxing and it ticks every skin box possible; deep-cleansing, hydrating and glow-giving. I don’t usually go for an ‘all-rounder’, but this felt like it did but more than just give my skin a temporary glow.   It made me feel squeaky clean A good deep cleanse is an important part of any oxygen facial, which is great for my oily/combination skin. It felt like it blasted through my pores to properly detox. Oxygen actually encourages the skin's own natural detox – preventing the build-up of toxins from our diet and…

Fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne scars: our skin has a lot to answer for sometimes. These are the little details that make ‘us’ us, but if you’re trying to hide, or ‘correct’, we do know a treatment that will help you to fall in love with your skin once more. Microneedling, the clue is in the name, uses micro-needles to puncture the skin. Don’t panic, it’s a minimally invasive treatment with visible results. So, if your skin’s proving problematic (and you’re not set on embracing it), here’s what’s involved. By Rachel Spedding

Like a supercharged version of your favourite facial, microdermabrasion sends dead skin cells packing, leaving you practically glowing. It does this by gently blasting your face with fine crystals or a diamond tip. Then, it sucks away the debris. On top of giving you a quick beauty boost, it can treat a range of skin imperfections. Ready?

Pub on a Sunday. 99 with a flake. Westlife. The classics. Sticking to the good stuff extends to our beauty treatments too, because sometimes, there’s nothing better than an old school manicure. No UV lamps, no tin foil removal, just a traditional freshening-up of the fingertips. Gel nails can have a bad reputation (FYI, here’s the truth), but the classic mani really is a nail saver. So aside from the normal cleaning service – cuticles pushed back, tips trimmed, nails buffed – why is this the darkhorse favourite? Here’s why the classic manicure is a good idea. By Rachel Spedding