Sonia Haria

Seventy-year-old Berkshire resident Huguette Boyagis receives a beauty makeover after decades of wearing the same black-eyeliner look and tying back her fine, long hair. Lisa Eldridge creates a softer, more open-eyed make-up style with neutral tones and a natural lip definition, while Luke Hersheson adds face-framing layers, volume and tousled waves without sacrificing much length. Skincare expert Katharine Mackenzie Paterson recommends adding an evening retinoid, and brow specialist Jaimineey Patel tidies the area around Huguette’s tattooed eyebrows. Huguette says the new haircut is easy to maintain and that the make-up lesson has given her new ways to define her features.

A heatwave prompted a shift in skincare habits, leading to regular use of sheet masks that improved hydration and cooling effects. Growing UK interest in South Korean beauty products reflects rapid market expansion, with affordable options key to routine use. Masks from Anua, Beauty of Joseon and Dr Jart+ are highlighted for their effectiveness, textures and soothing qualities, reinforcing the appeal of simple, high‑impact treatments.

Setting sprays are recommended as an effective way to keep makeup intact in hot weather, offering a skin‑friendly alternative to hairspray with hydrating and protective ingredients. Different formulations vary in their fixing strength, with options from One/Size and Milk highlighted for mattifying, waterproof, or hydrating effects. Applying spray between makeup layers and pairing it with powder improves longevity, and carrying a mini for touch‑ups helps maintain glow throughout the day.

Eyebrow mapping is presented as an effective method for determining the most flattering brow shape by aligning with natural proportions. Professional guidance highlights how mapping refines the brow’s start, arch, and end points while encouraging minimal, natural-looking enhancements. Techniques for at-home mapping, tinting, and filling sparse areas are outlined alongside product recommendations. Experiences from four participants show improvements in shape, fullness, and symmetry, reinforcing the value of mapping and expert shaping for long-term brow maintenance.

High temperatures prompt interest in practical, stylish ways to keep hair off the face. A low half‑up barrette style works well for short hair, balancing facial proportions. Longer hair benefits from a modern chignon secured with grips and enhanced with accessories. UV protection, Philip Kingsley’s Swimcap cream, and smoothing sticks help maintain shine and control frizz in hot weather.

Affordable sunscreens under £20 are assessed with a clear preference for Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun SPF50+, praised for its texture, effectiveness and value. Additional strong options include CeraVe’s Invisible Hydrating Fluid, Altruist’s Face Fluid SPF30, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios UVMune 400, Garnier’s tinted Vitamin C SPF50+, and Cetaphil’s Daily Defence Cream, each recommended for specific skin types and needs.

Advice on reducing tired appearance includes cooling methods such as cold water, spoons and cryotherapy tools, along with reusable under‑eye patches to ease puffiness. Facial massage and rejuvenating serums or oils help restore luminosity, while concealers, correctors and cream blushes brighten and even the complexion for a more rested look.

Advice on where to save and where to invest in skincare highlights affordable day creams and cleansers, while recommending spending more on targeted serums and eye creams for better results. Several effective budget options are recommended alongside higher-priced treatments praised for noticeable benefits and advanced formulations.

Laura Mercier shares techniques for achieving long-lasting summer makeup in midlife, emphasizing lightweight skincare layers, the use of primers, and creating a natural glow with tinted moisturisers, selective concealing, bronzer and blush. She highlights the importance of fine powders for setting makeup and preventing creasing, particularly under the eyes, and suggests several products suited to different skin types to maintain a fresh look in hot weather.

A review of Aldi’s £5.99 Lacura Cleansing Balm finds the original version highly effective, offering good texture, thorough cleansing and strong value compared with luxury alternatives from Elemis, Skin Rocks and Then I Met You. The rose variant is considered overly synthetic in scent, and the packaging basic, but the reviewer concludes the original balm delivers excellent results at a very low cost.

Texturising sprays are recommended as a modern alternative to hairspray, offering volume, movement and a soft finish across different hair lengths. Larry King highlights techniques for applying these sprays to achieve natural, flexible styles. Several product options, including sprays, powders and wax sticks, are reviewed for adding texture, grip or smoothing flyaways, with guidance on when and how to use each for best results.

The piece reviews several new-season tinted moisturisers after extensive real-world testing. Refy’s Skin Base is praised for foundation‑like endurance and a radiant, non‑greasy finish. Dr Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm is recommended for dry skin and offers light, skincare‑focused coverage with flexible shades. Bare Minerals’ Luminous Skin Tint is highlighted for its easy stick format, strong shade range and natural glow. These products are positioned as reliable options for varying skin needs and application preferences.

Guidance for finding a natural-looking nude lipstick emphasizes matching lip tone rather than skin tone, with recommendations for shades and formulas from brands including Victoria Beckham Beauty, Merit, Violette FR and Clinique. Several specific products are highlighted for their flattering colours, textures and ease of use, along with tips for creating a soft, natural finish using lip stains and liners.

Lisa Eldridge outlines a five-step routine for natural and ageless make-up, emphasising subtle eyeshadow shaping, targeted concealing, soft bronzing and blush placement, structured brows, and techniques for fuller-looking lips. The approach focuses on enhancing features without heavy coverage, using precise application methods and a selection of professional-grade products to create a youthful, lifted look suitable for all ages.

A review of No7’s new Prime Forever skincare range highlights the cleanser, antioxidant serum and SPF50 primer as effective, well‑formulated options, especially for people in their 30s seeking preventative skincare. After trialling the products for several weeks, the serum and SPF emerge as the strongest performers due to their texture, scientific backing and results. Alternatives from other brands are suggested across categories, and the moisturiser is deemed less essential than the serum at its price point.

Beauty experts share practical, no-cost techniques to enhance make-up results, highlighting methods for lifting the face with blusher, softening lip lines with eye cream and subtle lip definition, creating brow lift through targeted pencil application, and improving mascara performance with a saline solution trick. These tips focus on maximizing existing products through refined application strategies.

A large review from Anglia Ruskin University finds that long-term collagen supplement use can improve skin elasticity, hydration and joint health, though not as a quick anti-wrinkle fix. Collagen production declines with age, and supplements should complement, not replace, healthy habits. Several marine and bovine collagen products are highlighted, with the writer reporting good personal results from consistent use of powders and tablets. New formulations target users of weight-loss drugs, while a range of powders, tablets and liquids offer alternatives depending on preference and budget.

Newly released mascaras are evaluated for performance, value and wearability, with standout options from Rimmel, No7, Lancôme, Blink Brow Bar, Urban Decay and Stila. Formulas are assessed for lift, volume, buildability, smudge resistance and suitability for sensitive eyes, with tubing mascaras highlighted for their ease of removal. Lancôme’s latest launch earns praise for long-lasting volume, while more affordable choices from Rimmel and No7 offer strong everyday performance.

Boots’ new under-£10 skincare range offers affordable alternatives to popular Korean beauty products, with standout items including the Cica Cream, Exfoliating Pore Pads, and Vanilla Lip Sleep Mask. While most of the line performs well and mirrors the benefits of pricier brands, the Centella Cleansing Oil is noted as less effective than its higher-end counterpart. The range is praised for accessible pricing, appealing packaging, and making trending formulations budget friendly.

Margot Robbie’s glowing red-carpet look is attributed to a meticulous skin-prep routine and specific make-up techniques used by her long-time artist Pati Dubroff. The Ziip Halo 2.0 micro-current device is highlighted as a key tool for lifting and brightening the skin, complemented by natural bronzing drops from Three Warriors for subtle sculpting. Dubroff’s signature blush technique involves layering two Chanel shades to create a lifted, flushed effect, while Robbie’s soft eye look is achieved with brown-focused lashes and mascara. The piece details the products and methods behind Robbie’s recent promotional appearances, particularly for Wuthering Heights.

Tamzin Outhwaite describes regaining confidence at 55 after undergoing a year-long course of Neogen nitrogen plasma treatments to address skin tone, sagging and sun damage while maintaining natural facial movement for acting roles. She links her decision to weight-loss‑related changes and industry expectations, noting tighter skin and reduced pore size after early sessions. Inspired by Shirley Ballas’s experience, she valued the minimal downtime and continues to rely on affordable skincare brands recommended by her daughter. Regular sauna use enhances her wellbeing, and she says the treatment has improved her self-esteem and sense of youthfulness.

Bobbi Brown shares simple make-up techniques tailored for mature skin, emphasizing hydration, subtle brightening, pink-toned blush, and soft eye definition to counter signs of tiredness. She highlights practical tools from her own line and others, encourages comfort with natural aging, and offers guidance for finding flattering lipstick shades that enhance natural features.

Subtle lip-enhancing techniques and natural-toned liners can restore definition and fullness lost with age. Lisa Eldridge recommends gentle application and proper lip preparation to create a soft, natural-looking border that enhances symmetry. Rising demand for understated, plumping effects has led artists such as Mario Dedivanovic to revive popular shades and promote methods focused on shaping the Cupid’s bow and slightly overlining key areas. Lip liners offer structure and balance that lipsticks alone cannot, making them valuable tools for achieving fuller, more even lips.