Month: June 2020

June 21, 2020 at 06:30AM As someone who has extremely fine hair that is also very long and colour-treated, I struggle to keep it in good condition at the best of times. Right now though, as I’m about six weeks overdue for a cut and colour, my hair is crying out for some love. It’s scraggly, lifeless and the ends are dry and split. Sadly though, whereas many people turn to hydrating and repairing masks to help give their frazzled lengths some life, hair masks have always just made my hair greasy. While I have my skincare and makeup routine down to a fine art, when it comes to my hair, I have always struggled to know exactly what it needs. Every mask, oil or spray recommended to me just seemed to make my hair feel weighed-down and limp. Upon explaining to a hairdresser that I had finally admitted defeat as I sat in the salon chair, she made me reel off a list of the masks I had tried. “Have you ever considered that you’re just using the wrong masks?” she asked. And the truth is, I hadn’t. I had always assumed that all hair masks did the same thing, just to varying levels. But how wrong I was. From that moment onward, I dedicated my nightly bath routine to finding the perfect non-greasy hair masks that still work to repair and nourish individual strands. So with well over a year under my belt of trying just about every single mask out there, it’s

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June 21, 2020 at 06:30AM As a beauty editor, there are only so many times you can harp on about the importance of looking after your skin barrier before you send a room to sleep. The truth is, while us beauty eds love geeking out over the sciencey stuff about skincare, the majority of people just want to know the basics. You know, the really necessary information like what ingredients the skin actually needs to maintain its health. Personally, the one beauty ingredient my skin genuinely can’t be without is ceramides. Sure, I know that these things are different for everyone, but I genuinely believe (and have many experts to back me up) that every single one of us should be using ceramide-based beauty products whenever and wherever we can. And let me be clear, this isn’t beauty fluff, this is the real deal. If you want healthy, plump, glowing skin, ceramides should really be at the very heart of your skincare routine. In fact, since I started incorporating ceramides into basically every product I use, my skin has never looked healthier. And I know what you’re thinking: What exactly are ceramides?! Well, let me explain. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know. In short, ceramides are the stuff that hold our skin together. “Ceramides are fats, known as lipids, that make up approximately 50% of the skin’s epidermis. They act as a glue that binds our skin cells together, providing strength to the skin’s barrier against the environment and

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June 21, 2020 at 06:30AM Summer is officially here and, if the weather forecast is anything to go by, we’ve got some seriously hot, sunny days ahead of us. And I’m not sure about you, but the minute things start heating up, any will I have to keep my daily beauty routine alive diminishes. Very quickly, my twice-daily, ten-step skincare routine becomes a simple two-step cleanse (with refreshingly cold water, of course) with a generous smattering of lightweight but repairing serum afterwards. Similarly, any desire to spend time applying makeup vanishes as the threat of it melting off in minutes makes the whole act seem a little pointless. There is, however, one beauty product that I find myself reaching for far more than any other during the summer months. Sure, if I had to pick my most important summer beauty product, it would be SPF (there’s no such thing as too much protection), but my most frequently used products are without question face mists. And, while people may say that their existence is pointless, I beg to differ. You see, after I have gone through a phase of using face mists religiously, when I fall out of the rhythm, I can’t help but notice that my skin lacks a certain glow. While face mists were once little more than a refreshing spritz used to cool our skin down on hot days, now the formulas mean business. They’re packed with skin-loving ingredients that deliver a radiance that looks as though it’s shining from the inside

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June 21, 2020 at 06:08AM Well, it’s fair to say that summer has well and truly arrived, along with the predictable British downpours. While we’re spending more time outdoors now, we still need some staples that will make sense for our prolonged time indoors too.  So what are we wearing in summer 2020? For us, whether we’re inside or outside, it will be a capsule consisting of versatile, wear-with-everything staples. From polo tops and patterned skirts to floral dresses and chunky sandals, this summer we’ll not only be investing in items that can easily be mixed-and-matched but also items that will remain on high rotation in our closets for seasons to come. Puff-sleeve tops, which have been popular throughout winter, will continue their reign in our wardrobes, though summer iterations will feature crisp white cotton and even statement collars. Meanwhile, minimalist ’90s-style dresses have made a comeback, complete with A-line silhouettes, square necklines and thin straps. As far as footwear is concerned, influencers are already proving the thong sandal is here to stay, while on the comfier side, chunky flats will become our dependable daily option. Keep scrolling for the nine key items that are making up our capsule wardrobe this summer. Next up, the biggest S/S 20 fashion trends you need to know.  This piece was published at an earlier date and has been updated.  Author Zoe Anastasiou | Whowhatwear Selected by CWC

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June 21, 2020 at 06:03AM In high school, my uniform was a very vibrant shade of purple. Everything from my school dress to my blazer and school bag was created in the violet hue. In fact, the school was so committed to our school colour that several classrooms had purple carpets and even the chairs in our assembly hall matched the consistent theme.  After being completely surrounded by the colour for six years, upon leaving high-school I swore I’d never wear purple again. And over the last ten years, I’ve managed to stay true to this rule, practically avoiding the hue altogether—even in 2018 when ultra violet was dubbed Pantone’s colour of the year. However, this summer, it seems my evasion of the shade is set to end as a few key looks have managed to convince me to try the colour once more.  With Nina Sandbech leading the charge, purple has begun to pop up all over my social media feed. Though it’s not the statement-making shade I was deterred by in my youth. This season, we’re seeing a subtle shade of pastel purple gaining popularity and it’s pretty enough to change the mind of even the toughest of critics (myself included). From shirts to blazers, slip dresses to bucket hats, these photos have convinced me to try them all. Keep scrolling to see how influencers are styling the shade and then shop my favourite purple pieces below.  Next up, the biggest S/S 20 fashion trends you need to know. Author Zoe

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June 21, 2020 at 06:00AM As with all major shoe trends, well, especially of recent years, it starts with one brand: The Row. The pared-back aesthetic of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens’ brand has created so many brilliant footwear styles—from last summer’s strappy sandal to winter’s chunky tread boot. And now? Today, it’s the turn of the closed-toe sandal. The Row‘s version sold out some time ago but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other seriously cool versions out there.  Personally, I love Charles & Keith’s patent iterations. The black is chic but the yellow ones have a summer charm to them that I can’t resist. Then there are versions from New Look and ASOS. But if you’re looking for something designer then French brand K.Jacques has a classic pair too. Keep scrolling to see how to wear them and then shop an edit. Style Notes: Brittany Bathgate wears her The Row sandals with a pair of black jeans and a cream knitted vest top. Style Notes: I love how Alexis Foreman has paired her school girl-style shoes with socks.  Style Notes: The pairing of these shoes with an oversized dress and bucket hat is exactly what I’ll be doing.  Next up, the biggest spring/summer 2020 fashion trends to know.  Author Elinor Block | Whowhatwear Selected by CWC

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