Lucy Smith

Charlotte Tilbury’s 2026 Hollywood Beauty Wonderland advent calendar costs £170, contains 15 products across 12 doors, and has a stated total value of £323. The calendar adds three products year-on-year, lowers the price by £5 and introduces an exclusive mini Pillow Talk makeup bag and limited-edition gua sha, alongside several returning bestsellers. The reviewer praises the product performance and more wearable colour selection but notes that only three items are full-size, several products repeat from last year, and the calendar lacks complexion products despite Charlotte Tilbury’s recent launches. It is judged to be mostly worth the price and better than the previous edition, but more suited to existing Charlotte Tilbury devotees than shoppers seeking variety or the strongest market value.

Lucy Smith rates Augustinus Bader’s The Solar Shield body sunscreen 4/5 after testing it during a hot UK staycation and at the beach. The SPF50 formula is non-greasy, fragrance-free, leaves no white cast and resists sand, but it is not water resistant and was less hydrating than expected from its TFC8 complex and premium price. Smith concludes that it is not worth £120 as a poolside or full-body holiday sunscreen, but may be justifiable for targeted daily use on areas such as the décolletage and arms as an extension of an anti-ageing skincare routine.

Next’s £10 Eau Nude is presented as a close, budget-friendly alternative to Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. After testing both fragrances, the reviewer found that they share a bright citrus opening and soft rose heart, although Eau Nude has a sweeter dry-down while Coco Mademoiselle has a more earthy vetiver trail. The article recommends Eau Nude for shoppers seeking a similar sophisticated scent without paying luxury-fragrance prices.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu keeps the original fragrance’s citrus-floral character but replaces mandarin and orange with grapefruit and lychee, adding sweeter amber and vanilla notes. Testing found it remained detectable for around five hours, worked well across seasons and occasions, and felt younger and more playful than the original. However, it was judged less unique and less timeless than the classic Coco Mademoiselle, making it a complementary alternative rather than a replacement.

The writer compares Next’s £10 Eau Nude eau de parfum with Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle and finds the two surprisingly similar. Both feature bright citrus openings and soft rose notes, although Eau Nude has a sweeter dry-down while Chanel’s fragrance develops an earthier vetiver trail. Available in several sizes and formats, Eau Nude is recommended as a substantially cheaper alternative for shoppers seeking Coco Mademoiselle’s style.

Harvey Nichols has opened a waitlist for its 2026 beauty advent calendar, priced at £250 with an advertised value of more than £1,000. The calendar will contain 29 products across 25 days, including 16 full-size items—eight fewer products and four fewer full-size items than in 2025. La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury and Sisley are among the confirmed brands, while the retailer has not yet announced a sale date. Its separate fragrance calendar costs £175, contains 16 products including four full-size items, and will feature Escentric Molecules, Ex Nihilo and Matiere Premiere. The reduced product counts are viewed as acceptable if they result in a more premium selection, although the article criticizes the removable packaging sleeve and hopes for more new fragrance brands.

Lucy Smith reviews Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu Eau de Parfum, a sweeter and fruitier reinterpretation of the original Coco Mademoiselle. Its grapefruit, lychee, rose, jasmine, amber, patchouli and vanilla notes create a youthful, versatile scent that remains detectable for several hours without being overpowering. The reviewer considers it a worthy alternative for people who find the original too mature, but gives the original Coco Mademoiselle the edge for timelessness and distinctive character.

Multiple testers with varied hair types evaluated Davines’ refreshed essential haircare range, finding consistently strong performance across cleansing, hydration, shine and manageability. Minu stood out for maintaining brightness in coloured hair, Melu for reducing heat damage, and Solu for deep cleansing without stripping. Reviewers highlighted improved softness, reduced frizz and enhanced volume depending on formula, supported by the brand’s sustainability ethos. While scents and lathering varied by product, no major drawbacks were reported aside from premium pricing and occasional packaging inconveniences.

A comparison of Hello Klean’s shower head 2.0 and the newer shower head+ highlights similar filtration performance but added smart features in the upgraded model. The shower head+ offers temperature alerts, personalized filter tracking and app-based insights, though issues with pressure sensitivity, syncing reliability and performance with power showers limit its value. While the filtration significantly improves hair brightness and reduces mineral buildup, the reviewer advises most users to choose the 2.0 due to the £45 price difference, recommending the plus model only for those who need temperature guidance or detailed usage tracking.

Celebrity make-up artist Wendy Rowe outlines how proper skin preparation, compatible product formulas and slower, more deliberate application techniques prevent pilling, patchiness, cakiness and separation. She highlights common mistakes involving moisturiser, SPF, oils and over-layering, explains how conflicting ingredients like silicones and water-based formulas cause issues, and offers fixes for common errors without restarting. Rowe stresses that effective tools, clean brushes and damp sponges make a significant difference, and that good skincare and technique matter more than expensive products.

Harrods introduces its 2026 line of beauty, fragrance, and hair and body advent calendars, each offering expanded product selections and more full-size items than previous years. The beauty calendar includes 34 products from luxury skincare, makeup, and haircare brands, while the fragrance edition features niche and exclusive scents. The hair and body calendar maintains its price and continues to blend well-known and emerging brands. All calendars open for pre‑orders in early August.

Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu offers a sweeter, fruitier interpretation of the original fragrance, introducing lychee and grapefruit while maintaining the citrus-floral DNA. The scent skews younger and is versatile for both day and evening wear, though it feels less unique than Chanel’s most iconic perfumes. Its longevity is strong without being overpowering, and it appeals to fans of sweet or amber-floral fragrances. While it doesn’t replace the original Coco Mademoiselle, it stands as a complementary and appealing new addition to the line.

A low-cost Amazon Haul Bedelite silk pillowcase delivered performance comparable to far more expensive brands, providing a cool feel, reduced hair tangles, fewer sleep creases, and a premium appearance. Made from high‑grade 22‑momme mulberry silk, it impressed in fabric quality, comfort, and overnight results despite longer delivery times and no free shipping. Its strong value challenges the need to buy pricier options from established brands like Blissy or Slip.

A £49 Boots SPF and skin beauty box delivers strong value with 12 products worth more than £260, combining premium sun protection, Korean and Japanese skincare favourites, and everyday essentials. Nine full-size items enhance the bundle’s overall worth, with standout performers including offerings from Elemis, Ole Henriksen, Beauty of Joseon, Shiseido and Round Lab. While a few inclusions feel less impactful, the curated mix forms a complete and effective summer skincare routine, making the box a worthwhile purchase for both skincare enthusiasts and those looking to refresh their seasonal regimen.

Major UK retailers are preparing to launch their 2026 beauty advent calendars, with Liberty London leading by opening its waitlist and revealing high‑value contents. Other retailers including Harrods, Space NK, Cult Beauty, Harvey Nichols, Sephora, M&S, Boots, John Lewis and Next are expected to follow through late summer, each anticipated to include new brand launches, trending products and returning best‑sellers. While release dates remain unconfirmed, past calendars indicate launches will roll out from July through autumn. Beauty advent calendars typically offer strong value, though suitability depends on personal needs, travel habits, routine and budget.

A limited-time Sephora discount offers 20 percent off a wide range of beauty products, including several top-rated items personally tested by the reviewer. Featured recommendations include SPF moisturisers, foundations, eye patches, haircare, LED treatment devices, and other popular skincare and makeup products. The selection highlights performance, texture, and suitability for various skin needs, providing guidance on worthwhile purchases while the discount is active.