Editor's picks

DIY beauty treatments are split into two categories; there’s the fun stuff – face masks, nail art and the likes – and then there is the serious stuff. The high-risk, I-literally-can’t-f***-this-up stuff. Eyebrows are definitely the latter (I remember what I did to them in 2008 – never again). Luckily, we’ve got brow master, Shavata, to guide us. By Beth Ludolf

Lash extensions hanging on for dear life? Infills aren’t an option right now but – repeat after me – that doesn’t mean you should pull them out. It’s sacrilege for your natural lashes and we’re not meant to be touching our face, remember? Besides, it’s so easy to remove them properly. By Beth Ludolf

A massage (by a professional) is one of life’s greatest pleasures but with salons currently closed, that pleasure is going to have to wait. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your muscle tension will too. Here’s a few techniques self-massage techniques that will help (we’re not saying it will be as relaxing though). By Beth Ludolf

Not having enough time is probably the number one excuse for not cleaning your makeup brushes as often as you should, right? Well, there’s no time like the present (especially when you’re in isolation). Here’s everything you need to know. By Beth Ludolf

The world is a pretty scary place right now – and this time, we can’t just go to the pub and wait for it all to blow over. If you’re not already isolating, it’s likely you will be soon and, let’s be honest, it’s not going to be easy. Remaining positive is key and, while we don’t expect anyone to relish isolation,  there are some (albeit small) wins, in your beauty routine at least. By Beth Ludolf

Washing your hands, the biggest trend of 2020, thanks to Coronavirus. It may be the most effective way to prevent spreading germs, but it’s a nightmare for your skin. When you’re frequently washing your hands, you strip the skin of its natural oils (same applies to your hair), which dries them out. Here are some things you can do – because cutting down on washing definitely isn’t an option. By Beth Ludolf

People keep saying that isolation is a good time for DIY and, seen as salons are shut for the moment, we agree (yes, beauty DIY counts). We’ve already divulged our tips for removing your gel mani at home and next up? Acrylic nails. By Beth Ludolf

Staying at home has its pros and cons. A pro: you can get your cost-per-wear down on *that* cashmere tracksuit you bought ages ago. A con: you can’t make your gel removal appointment. That’s not an excuse to pick them off, though. Here’s how to remove them at home, just like a nail technician. By Beth Ludolf

Right, I’ve made a decision and I’m putting it here in writing so I can’t go back on it; this is the year that I (finally) stop biting my nails and grow them. And that means they need to be healthy. I spoke to nail pro, Lauren Williams – Director of award-winning nail bar, London Grace – to find out how to get the strong, healthy nails of my dreams. By Beth Ludolf

Hey Betty, I’ve just moved to London and I’ve heard the pollution can cause breakouts. What can I do to prevent them?  Ellie B, 25   Being exposed to pollution is (unfortunately) inevitable, especially if you live in a city. We often hear about the effect breathing in pollution can have on our overall health, but what about our skin? I consulted Victoria Schofield, educator at Dermalogica and expert in all-things-skin, “We’re seeing more and more research linking air pollution to skin damage as a result of the pollution particles entering the skin through our pores.”, she explains.   Healthy skin relies…

It’s a fact of life that good hair equals good mood - especially when you don’t have to lift a finger to create it. And that is why God created blow drys. If I was ever to win the lottery, I would get one every other day. Unfortunately, for now, I need to keep mine looking fresh for as long as humanly possible - here’s how. By Beth Ludolf

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.  By Beth Ludolf

After a lifelong pursuit of silky-smooth hair - and multiple fruitless attempts using various “frizz-free” hair masks - a few months ago, I finally bit the bullet and headed down to the salon for a keratin treatment. Granted, the immediate results were a dream (and a compliment-magnet), but I was sceptical whether it would be worth the hefty price tag. These are my thoughts a couple of months post-treatment. By Beth Ludolf

2019 was a pretty great year for beauty trends. We’ve relived the 90s, gone in on the glitter and rhinestones (thanks to Euphoria) and made our brows bushier than ever and 2020 is looking no different. We’ve lined up a whole host of emerging nail trends to start off the new decade the right way - with a fresh mani.  By Beth Ludolf

Short hair is great, don’t get me wrong, but being able to do that thing where you leave your hair tucked into your jumper is so nonchalant and chic that I’m actually considering extensions for that reason alone. Extensions are great for changing up your hair - they can add length, thickness and allow you to experiment with cuts and colours without really doing anything to your natural locks. We’ve broken down five different types of extensions to help you pick the right one for you. By Beth Ludolf

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

I don’t know who needs to hear this but, put down the scissors. A DIY fringe will not solve your problems. Nor will bleach (trust me, accidental-orange hair is not good for the old stress levels). If you’re planning a drastic hair change, then do just that: plan it. And leave it to the experts, please. By Beth Ludolf

Imagine a life without Google. No, seriously. Imagine not being able to find out who that-actor-in-that-film was or how long to boil an egg for by doing a quick search. I use Google multiple times a day, for everything from directions to beauty tips - and I’m not the only one. In 2019, there were 3.3 million beauty-related searches in Europe alone. What were people searching? Well, we’ve got the questions (and the answers). By Beth Ludolf

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

Blues Navy, cornflower, classic baby blue; blues are noted for their calming and cooling effect. It’s been seen to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Breathe by Blu Cantrell makes so much more sense now. Reds Red is a colour of power that brings feelings of strength but this sultry shade also has a playful side. It’s said to have a physical trigger (rather than mental) why is why it’s used in traffic signs and romantic imagery. Yellows  The marmite of the colour wheel. While some of us find yellow bright and cherry, the high saturation of the colour can…

I recently calculated that I’ve spent around 26 days (!) of my life straightening my hair which, let me tell you, is not time well-spent. Firstly, there are much better ways to spend your time. Like going to the pub or watching Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Secondly, my hair is guaranteed to frizz if there’s any sign of humidity - or an ex in the vicinity (I swear, it knows). I’m talking bouffant. And not in a chic vintage way. By Beth Ludolf

sSome people recommend getting a massage twice a week and while that is a lovely thought - and genuine #lifegoals - these people clearly have a lot more money than me *sighs*. Whether you’re a once-a-week or once-in-a-blue-moon kinda person, here are some easy ways you can prolong that post-massage feeling. By Beth Ludolf

A facial is a winning treatment, combining the soothing comfort of a massage, with majorly glowing skin. So you’re finished at the spa, and you’ve photographed that fresh, newborn skin (multiple, multiple times), what needs to be done to keep your face feeling fantastic? Here’s our top 5 tips for maintaining that post-facial feeling. Yep, you should probably book your next one, just to try them out. By Rachel Spedding

With so many types of massage on offer these days, choosing which to go for is a tricky gig (like deciding what you fancy on Deliveroo, with fewer arguments). Deep tissue is the most popular choice on Treatwell – our most-booked massage in 2018, in fact – while Swedish, Thai, and chair massage offer various solutions to muscular pain and feeling ‘zen’. You could try them all out for size, or just read this. Your call. *Books four massages instantly*. By Rachel Spedding