Editor's picks

Relieve pressure on your joints  Raise your hand if you spend your day hunched over a screen. It’s probably causing damage to your neck, shoulders and spine. “Regular massage reduces the risk of injury by keeping our bodies supple and improving our range of motion”, Paul, a therapist at Peace Star Therapy, explains, “a good massage will help your body to relax and relieve pressure on your back, neck and joints”.   Boosts your immune system  Regular massage is also great for boosting our immune systems which is super important as we enter flu season and Coronavirus keeps, you know,…

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

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

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…

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…

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…

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.

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 this, you…

Fruit acids (AHA) You’ve probably heard of AHAs, it stands for alpha hydroxy acid (in case you wondered). The best known of these is glycolic acid – a chemical exfoliator found in toners, serums, exfoliators and creams that removes the surface layer of dead skin cells for a smoother complexion. Other AHAs include lactic acid, critic acid and mandelic acid.   Salicylic acid (BHA) Beta hydroxy acid, otherwise known as salicylic acid, is the number one for fighting acne. BHAs can get deeper into the pores to remove dead skin cells, impurities and excess sebum. While salicylic acid can help…

Snow, wind, rain - this weather is almost making us glad that we’re cooped up indoors. Not only is it absolutely freezing, but our skin is dry, cracked and flaky and cranking up that central heating is only making things worse (it dries out the air causing moisture to evaporate from the skin much faster). It really is a double-edged sword. Whether you struggle with year-round chapped skin or it just crops up in winter, urea is the ingredient to get to know. 

We’re all pretty well-versed on the skincare changes we should make in the winter months - two words: more moisturising, and ‘lip balm’, come to think of it - but do you pay the same amount of attention to your haircare? Much like our skin, our hair needs more moisture during winter. The colder temperatures outdoors and the central heating indoors make the air much dryer which lifts the hair cuticle, letting moisture out more easily and leaving the hair dry and frizzy. Here are some of the changes you should make to your hair routine during the winter.

Like all great beauty trends, we stumbled across this one on the Internet. Not Reddit or TikTok this time, but Pinterest. Skinimalism is an ultra-natural, skincare-cum-make-up routine. Think Glossier vibes - effortless, cool, fresh and paired back. Here’s how to hop on the trend.

You’re following every skincare guru on Instagram’s advice, you’ve bought all the latest products and you’re dedicating more time to your skincare routine than you are your career and social life combined but your skin just isn’t playing ball. If this sounds familiar then there’s a high chance it’s because you’re using the wrong products for your skin. Now we’re well and truly in lockdown number three (or is it four? We’ve lost count) and once again with more time on our hands (just please, no more baking banana bread) many of us will start to experiment with our skincare…

Today’s the day that salons in Ireland reopen their doors and if that’s not a Christmas miracle then I don’t know what is. Actually, come to think of it, if you managed to get an appointment this side of the new year that’s also a miracle because calendars filled up f-a-s-t. With that in mind, we’re going strategic. Think long-lasting treatments that will see us through to 2021, no problems. Here’s what’s on the list. WRITTEN BY Beth Ludolf

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…

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…

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…