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

Some things are just inherently cool, like leather jackets, flat whites and those precarious little beanies that skaters wear. Take one look at Instagram and you’ll see that blunt-cut bobs are firmly in that category - especially when worn with said leather jacket and beanie.  Blunt bobs have a seriously effortless vibe to them but don’t be fooled; shorter doesn’t mean easier. Bobs are actually a lot higher-maintenance than long hair - tying it up is not an option and heat-styling and products are inevitable. While jawline-skimming cuts can accentuate your bone structure, for thicker hair, keep it a little…

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

I’ve had a lifelong love affair with nail art. In my teenage years, I’d dip my nails in vodka and press newspaper on them. I was obsessed with the infamous Barry M crackle polish (not to mention carefully-dotted Tipp-ex polka dots). Nowadays, nail art looks a little more advanced. The breakout trend filling our feeds? Wave nails.  Wave nails combine bits of all the best nail trends we’re sporting at the moment. They’re like a softer take on geometric - fluid waves rather than straight lines - with all the colours of mismatch nails and the longevity of negative space…

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

Pantone have called it, yet again; 2020’s colour of the year is *drumroll please* Classic Blue. The colour - which apparently instils calm and confidence (I’m listening) - has felt the love from fashion and interiors for a while now. And now it’s beauty’s turn. Let’s start at the top, shall we?  Blue hair is bold, obviously, and it can be hard to nail the shade. Unless your hair is almost white, the yellow undertones can tone the hair to green or turquoise, especially as the colour begins to fade. If you’re going for a pastel or true blue shade,…

Finding a new shade of nude nail is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it’s bittersweet. It basically means the already-impossible task of choosing a shade is now even harder but I assure you, this time it’s worth it.  Milky nails are the new nude that everyone (include Lizzo) is wearing and we can see why. Milky nails are to winter, what opaque white nails are to summer - heavenly. The semi-translucent finish has a soft, dreamy look which is much less harsh than classic opaque shades.  Still not convinced? Take a look for yourself.  By Beth Ludolf

For eleven months of the year, I’m an all-black-everything kinda girl, but as soon as December rolls around I have an incessant need to put glitter on everything. If you don’t share this sickness (it really is a sickness) or ire on the side of understated – regardless what month it is – then I assure you, embracing sparkle doesn’t have to be maximalist. We’ve found a bunch of nail art designs that are equal measures festive and wearable – even if you’re a minimalist. An accent nail (usually on your ring finger) can spruce up even the simplest of…

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

I think autumn gets a bad rap. Yes, it means summer is over - did it even begin? - and yes, it can be an absolute nightmare to dress for - freezing in the mornings, boiling by lunchtime - but it’s all my warm-toned dreams come true. So, you can imagine my joy at the copper hair trend. Bonfires, golden leaves, pumpkin spice: super-warm tones are inherently autumn (read: I'm already on board).  Auburn is a failsafe - the brown undertone flatters all skin tones - but if you’re after added-drama, go for a rich copper. Just like rainbow brights,…

I know that officially autumn doesn't start until the 23rd of September but, look, Bake Off has started and pumpkin spice lattes are back which means that summer is over. Sorry, but it’s true. While the same cannot be said for dark nights, we’re welcoming autumn’s nail trends with open arms. By Beth Ludolf

Some things in life are inevitable. The sun will set every evening, I will always eat the entire share-size bag of crisps and most of us will go grey. That’s just life. Grey hair has a bad rap for meaning you’re getting old but, unless thirty is old (it’s not), that’s BS. With the right care, silver hair is just as cool as its predecessor. Who needs pigment anyway? By Beth Ludolf

The 90s have an undeniable cult following (and rightly so, they’re iconic). That's probably why their revival shows no sign of slowing - especially in beauty. Beyonce is bringing back french tips, Rihanna is sporting a whole head of mini buns and the make-up from HBO’s Euphoria has some serious Gwen-Stefani-at-the-1998-VMAs vibes (yep, face gems baby). Obviously, Instagram’s coolest girls are all in. The trend they’re loving? Two-tone hair (rocked by none other than [queen] Geri Halliwell).  Two-tone hair - as well as earning serious nostalgia points - looks great on all hair lengths and textures and is super playful. Go classic with blonde…

Round  The simple, low maintenance shape Short and sweet, round nails are smoothed into perfectly round semi-circles. They’re the most durable – and therefore low maintenance – shape. No need for nail extensions, an express gel mani is all you need for this one.   Square Good for short nails. Exactly what it says on the tin, nails are filed flat on top with squared-off corners. If you have slender fingers and narrow nail beds, this shape will be extremely flattering. If not, it can make fingers appear shorter.   Almond Born in the 90s and still going strong  Guess what? We’re still obsessed…

Maybe you choose gel because a friend recommended it, maybe you’re a first-timer, or maybe you’re in it for the hand massage bit at the end. Either way, as you sit comfortably in your salon chair, ever look to your fingertips and think ‘what actually is this gel stuff?’. We’re well-versed in the world of manicures (it’s kind of what we do best), so you need wonder no more. From how it’s done, to how it comes off, here’s our guide to the gel manicure. Easy. Except choosing your colour – that’s not easy. By Rachel Spedding

Brows, legs, those cheeky chin hairs – you can wax wherever you want, if you want to. The only rule? Timings. Hair needs to be long enough for wax to grab from the root, and that varies across the body. Technical stuff, sort of, but we’ve got your back (and front): here’s a timeline of when to wax each body part, so all you need to worry about is which pair of wide-leg trousers to wear afterwards. By Rachel Spedding