Wedding beauty, hair, makeup, skincare, fragrances and health & fitness

Castor Oil for Lash Growth: Myth or Must-Have?

With castor oil trending on TikTok as a natural remedy for lash growth, many beauty lovers are wondering whether it can help restore brittle lashes and achieve a fuller-looking finish. Badur Toufic, RapidLash Brand Manager, explains the difference between conditioning lashes with castor oil and using dedicated lash and brow serums. Discover how RapidLash® and RapidBrow® combine ingredients such as polypeptides, biotin, panthenol and pumpkin seed extract to support the appearance of healthier-looking lashes and brows. Badur also shares why consistency is essential, what results you might expect from a regular routine and why there is no overnight solution to achieving your lash goals.

The K Beauty trends set to influence London Fashion Week SS27

With London Fashion Week SS27 taking place from 17 to 21 September, Skin Cupid founder and K-Beauty expert Melody Yuan looks at the Korean techniques already influencing the London runway. From blurred lips and dewy glass skin to diffused blush, these beauty trends have appeared across recent seasons at shows including Erdem, Burberry, Roksanda and Harris Reed. Melody also predicts three K-Beauty influences that could be next to make their mark: aegyo sal, cloudglow skin and nose blush. Alongside runway inspiration, she shares simple ways to recreate each look at home, from softly blended lips and luminous skin to a subtle flush across the nose, using products available through Skin Cupid.

Poco Beauty lands at Selfridges: The Irish brand redefining elevated, effortless beauty arrives in the UK

Irish beauty brand Poco Beauty, founded by entrepreneur and CEO Pippa O'Connor Ormond in 2023, has launched in the UK exclusively at Selfridges. Known for its sold-out products and effortless approach to everyday beauty, the brand creates multi-use make-up and skincare essentials designed to enhance natural features while keeping routines simple. Its hero Universal Glow Original SPF 30 (£32) has sold more than one million units and is the number one skincare product across the Brown Thomas Group. The UK launch includes the Universal Glow collection, Skintuition Foundation and Concealer, and the Korean-formulated Dreamglow skincare range. Poco Beauty is now available online and in Selfridges stores across London, Manchester and Birmingham, with all products vegan and cruelty-free.

When to start teeth whitening before your wedding, from someone who got it wrong

Planning your wedding-day smile? Daniel Smith, founder of Coventry-based Pure Glow Teeth Whitening, shares the whitening mistake he made himself – and the advice he wishes he had known sooner. From when to start your treatment and why a four-week window is better than leaving it until the last minute, to managing sensitivity and choosing peroxide-free alternatives, Daniel explains how to approach whitening before the big day. He also shares practical tips, including booking a hygienist six to eight weeks beforehand, taking a before photo and avoiding making changes during the final week. With Pure Glow's PAP+ strips designed as a peroxide-free option, his advice is all about planning ahead for a brighter wedding-day smile.

Dr Tara Lalvani shares her beauty kit top tips

With a wedding make-up trial planned for autumn, getting some extra practice in at home can be a great way to build confidence and perfect your application ahead of the big day. From improving your lighting to investing in tools that help with precision and blending, the right beauty kit can make all the difference when it comes to achieving a polished, professional-looking finish. Dr Tara Lalvani, founder of Beautifect, a luxury beauty tool brand says: "I believe that doing your makeup should always be an empowering, enjoyable experience whether it is for a special occasion like a wedding for just to feel your best every day but for me it often felt like an inconvenience."

The Aloha Girls Launches Wellness App Bringing Expert Nutrition, Pilates and Community Together in One Place

Founded by Registered Nutritionist Hannah Cartwright and Certified Pilates Instructor Alice West, The Aloha Girls is redefining wellness with a realistic, science-backed approach that puts balance before restriction. August 2026 Wellness doesn't have to mean cutting out the foods you love, spending hours in the gym or chasing the latest trend. That's the message behind The Aloha Girls, the rapidly growing wellness platform founded by Hannah Cartwright and Alice West, who are on a mission to make feeling your best simpler, more sustainable and genuinely enjoyable. Built on nearly three decades of friendship and a shared passion for helping women feel stronger, healthier and more confident, The Aloha Girls combine evidence-based nutrition with accessible pilates to create a wellness platform designed for real life.

Autumn/Winter Bridal Hair Trends: Expert Wedding Hair Tips for Brides and Grooms

Whether you're dreaming of glossy Hollywood waves, an elegant updo or a naturally polished look, choosing the right hairstyle is an important part of your wedding-day vision. We caught up with bridal hair expert Lena Schirinzi from Butchers Salon in Shoreditch to discover the biggest autumn/winter hair trends for brides and grooms, her top tips for creating a more sustainable bridal look, and the simple styling hacks that will keep your hair looking flawless whatever the weather. This autumn/winter they're seeing a move towards effortless, healthy-looking hair rather than overly structured styles. Sleek updos, textured French twists and glossy waves remain popular for brides, often accessorised with pearls, veils or flowers. For grooms, it's all about well-groomed, natural styles with healthy texture and subtle styling.

A-List Stylist Shares Why Your Hair Colour Doesn't Look as Vibrant as It Once Did

Whether you wear buttery blonde, rich brunette, fiery red, bold pink or glossy black, it's only natural for coloured hair to lose its intensity over time. From frequent washing and heat styling to UV exposure and everyday wear, there are several reasons even the brightest shades can start to look dull or faded. We spoke to A-List Stylist & SHRINE Key Opinion Leader, Ashley Lee (Fern McCann, Renee Rapp, Grace Rosa), who reveals why colour fades faster than you might think, how to keep your shade looking salon-fresh for longer, and the simple at-home trick that can instantly revive vibrancy between appointments.

How to choose the perfect wedding fragrance this summer

Your wedding fragrance is more than the finishing touch – it's a lasting reminder of one of life's most memorable days. Rebecca Jaquest, founder and creator of the luxury organic fragrance brand NYITA, shares her expert advice on selecting a signature wedding scent that feels truly personal. From the enduring appeal of romantic florals and precious neroli to the art of fragrance layering with nourishing body oils, Rebecca reveals how to create a scent memory you'll treasure forever. She also explores the biggest bridal fragrance trends for Summer 2026, encouraging brides to choose timeless, sustainable perfumes that reflect their individuality rather than passing fashions.

New products from Oriflame

New products from Swedish beauty and makeup company Oriflame. Including lotions, balms and overnight cream. The luxurious, hydrating hand and body wash is infused with essential oils to gently cleanse skin, leaving it soft, smooth and delicately perfumed with the sophisticated scent of natural origin lotus and cedarwood. It's paraben free and dermatologically tested as well as formulated to be biodegradable. Oriflame's overnight mask is beauty sleep in a bottle! Carefully formulated and masterfully mixed, it combines a potent blend of hyaluronic acid, inca inchi oil, and cupuaçu butter. Absorbing quickly and efficiently into your skin, you wake up with a beautifully rejuvenated and youthful looking complexion.

Move over skincare, K-Beauty's latest innovation starts in the shower with water wellness

Meet Niki Namkyoung Lee, founder of PICKI NIKI, the German-designed shower filtration brand bringing Korea's water wellness movement to the UK. Developed with Korean filtration specialists and K-Beauty experts, PICKI NIKI was created to help combat the effects of hard water on skin and hair. After relocating from Seoul to Berlin, Niki experienced increased dryness and irritation, inspiring her to create a solution that combines beauty innovation with everyday self-care. Launched in 2022, the award-winning brand now serves more than 10,000 customers and has been recognised by The Independent's IndyBest and Marie Claire UK.

How to protect your skin from summer weather whiplash before your wedding with a simple expert skincare routine

Britain's unpredictable summer weather can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving brides-to-be battling breakouts, dehydration and sensitivity just weeks before the big day. Cosmetic scientist and chemist Bruce Green, founder of SOS Skin Care, explains why "weather whiplash" is causing complexions to become stressed and shares a simple skincare routine to help restore balance. Rather than overhauling your regime, Bruce recommends focusing on consistency, supporting the skin barrier, reducing exfoliation and using a lightweight SPF alongside a gentle cleanser. His practical advice is designed to keep your skin calm, healthy and glowing in the lead-up to your wedding, whatever the forecast has in store.

The best lightweight SPF to wear under your wedding makeup for a late summer wedding

Planning a late summer wedding? Protecting your skin from UV damage is just as important on your wedding day as achieving a flawless makeup look. Alexandra Georgio, Managing Director of Clinic Brands, explains why daily SPF should be an essential part of every bridal skincare routine and recommends SKEYNDOR Age Photo Defence as the ideal lightweight formula to wear beneath makeup. Designed to feel silky, transparent and non-comedogenic, it helps keep skin protected without leaving a greasy or shiny finish. Alexandra also advises incorporating SPF into your routine well before the big day to maintain calm, healthy skin, while remembering to protect your chest and décolletage too.

Ted Baker Launches Ocean-Inspired Fragrance for 2026

Ted Baker has expanded its Floralicious fragrance collection with the launch of Isla, a fresh new scent inspired by the calming power of the ocean. Designed to evoke the feeling of a peaceful day by the sea, Isla combines marine-inspired notes with bright citrus, soft florals and warm woody accords to create a fragrance that is both uplifting and relaxing. Top notes of aquatic accords, citrus and bamboo give way to a heart of lotus, sea spray and white florals, while amber and creamy woods provide a comforting finish.

Thinking About DIY Wedding Nails? Here's How to Use Gel Kits Safely

As wedding preparations gather pace, many brides are turning their attention to their nails, hoping to achieve a flawless manicure that will look beautiful in photographs and last throughout the celebrations. With at-home gel manicure kits becoming increasingly popular, they can seem like a convenient and cost-effective way to maintain salon-quality nails in the lead-up to the big day. However, questions remain about whether these kits are safe to use and how to avoid common mistakes that could damage the nails or surrounding skin. Gemma Romano, Chief Marketing Officer at Mylee, the UK's leading gel nail specialist, shares her expert advice on using gel manicure kits safely at home, debunking common myths and explaining how brides can achieve long-lasting, healthy-looking wedding nails.

Why Matcha Could Be the Secret to Radiant Wedding-Day Skin

As brides-to-be prepare for their wedding day, many are seeking skincare ingredients that deliver visible results while supporting long-term skin health. One ingredient attracting attention this summer is matcha, a green tea extract known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fulya Gündogdu, founder of holistic skincare and fragrance brand Fiolas, explains why matcha can be a valuable addition to a pre-wedding beauty routine, helping to soothe, protect and rejuvenate the skin. She also shares her recommended bridal skincare ritual, featuring FIOLA's Glutathione Serum, Intensive SOS Gel and Mineral Sunscreen SPF50, designed to leave skin looking refreshed, nourished and naturally radiant ahead of the big day.

Floral Street launches Enchanted Masquerade Perfume Mist for Bridgerton fans, now at Boots, M&S and online

Floral Street has launched its newest fragrance addition, Enchanted Masquerade Perfume Mist, available now for £24 (125ml). Shoppers can find the new scent today at Floralstreet.com, online at Boots and M&S, plus selected stores nationwide. Created for Bridgerton in partnership with Netflix, the floral gourmand fragrance combines fresh pear, hazelnut and gardenia with honeyed Centifolia rose, skin musks and sweet cedarwood. The perfume mist is enriched with mood-boosting, skin-loving ingredients and revitalising rose floral water, making it ideal for everyday use, layering with the matching eau de parfum or refreshing fragrance on the go. A romantic and playful new launch inspired by elegance and intrigue.

Your Final Bridal Beauty Plan: Skin, Hair & Glow Essentials

If you're reading this with only 2 weeks to go before your wedding day, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and quiet pressure to look your absolute best. The good news? You don't need drastic changes to feel radiant—just a few simple tweaks that enhance what's already there. You can't lose a dress size (and then your dress won't fit anyway), and your hair won't suddenly grow 2 inches in a week. But you can improve natural hydration for hair and skin in only a few days. Hydration is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity, supporting a plumper, more luminous complexion and softer, more supple hair texture.

Practical dietary and sleep hygiene strategies to help you stay energized and relaxed

Planning a wedding is an incredibly exciting milestone, but it can also bring its fair share of stress, especially when working within a budget. With so much to organise, many soon-to-be-brides and grooms find themselves feeling restless and even losing sleep. Here, Ros Simmons, co-owner of Curated Beauty London and nutritional therapist, explores practical dietary and sleep hygiene strategies to help you stay energized and relaxed during this busy period, along with safe, natural, non-addictive products that can support a restful night's sleep.

Ros advises: "It's completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed in the lead-up to your wedding, especially when you're balancing excitement with budgets and long to-do lists. Sleep is often the first thing to suffer, but it's also the one thing that will help you feel calmer, clearer and more like yourself."

How to find the perfect fragrance for your wedding day

For those planning a wedding later this year, choosing the perfect fragrance can be a meaningful part of the big day. A fresh, elegant scent can complement a late summer celebration, something light enough to avoid being overpowering, yet distinctive enough to stand out within the bridal party. With so many options available, understanding how to select the right fragrance and apply it effectively can help create a scent memory that lasts long after the day itself.

Christina Kamester, head of fragrances at So...?, Scentology and Escentual's affordable fragrance brands, explains: "Choosing a scent is a very personal choice. Many brides like to choose something new that will forever be associated with their special day. Ensure you trial wearing a new scent a few times beforehand, not just smelling it on paper but on your skin, as everyone's skin chemistry reacts differently with fragrance, to make sure you are happy with the scent and its level of strength and longevity.