We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
Look, I am human, and I have a lot of hair. That can only mean one thing: like millions of style-conscious people before me, I covet every Dyson styler on the market.
Mind I say “covet,” and not “own”. That’s because the brand’s offerings are notoriously on the pricier side, and while my colleagues assure me it’s worth it, I’d rather not pony up that much cash upfront if I can help it.
Personally, I’ve got my beady eye on the Corrale straightener, which is the only kind that has flexible copper plates which gather your hair together for better control.
But that’s not the only styler on the site. You can also nab a refurbished Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which people who usually find drying their hair a plan-cancel-worthy ordeal have probably craved for years, from £6.66 a month.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
For many of us, the changing of the seasons each year goes hand in hand with something of a vibe shift. As the temperature gets lower and lower by the day, our desire for cosy comfort gets higher and higher.
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Gone are the days of floaty, floral summer dresses and bright, zesty lip colours. They’re replaced by a renewed interest in things like grunge looks and leather jackets, not just to keep us warmer, but to fit the season’s overall mood.
And our appetite for autumn-friendly scents is no different.
If you’re looking to shake up your scent collection for the new season, Dream Glaze is a particularly great pick.
With its notes of caramelised hazelnut, sandalwood, and cocoa fudge, it’s delicious and indulgent, helping you bring cosy and autumnal vibes with you wherever you go.
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Think that sounds like the stuff of costly designer, perfume house heaven? Think again, because this scent is part of the uber-versatile and majorly affordable Adidas Vibes fragrance collection.
This two-in-one body hair and body mist is ideal for everything from giving your tresses a scent boost after a good gym sesh to spritzing your clothes before you leave the house.
If you’d rather channel a different vibe to the comforting sweetness of Dream Glaze, there are plenty of other options to choose from, too.
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For a relaxing mood boost, try Get Comfy, which has notes of vanilla, peony, and mandarin.
If you want to set yourself up for a great day, spritz on a bit of Happy Feels and enjoy its notes of jasmine tea, grapefruit, and cedarwood oil.
And for an energising hit of mango, sweet lemon and black pepper, spray some Spark Up.
At just £13 each from Boots, why pick just one vibe when there’s a whole spectrum of moods to enjoy?
The colour is exquisite. The nail art is sublime. You step out the door of the salon, reach for your keys and – whoops, there goes your perfect manicure.
A good salon manicure (the traditional polish kind, not the gel kind) can last as long as a week, but you can wreck it in just a few seconds if you aren’t careful.
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Professional nail artists have seen it all, and they’ve got some smart tips for keeping nails in tip-top shape.
How Long To Sit Tight In The Salon
Once the manicure is done, you’ll be tempted to dash out and get on with your day, but don’t do it. Thea Green, founder of British beauty brand Nails.Inc, said,
“Plan to sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes after your manicure is finished. That’s usually enough for polish to be touch-dry, but not fully set. I always say: ‘Dry to the touch doesn’t mean dent-proof.’”
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As Green noted, those minutes of sitting are only the beginning, and it will take some time before you’re completely in the clear. “Even though the polish may look dry on the surface, it actually takes several hours to fully cure,” said nail artist Britney Tokyo.
How To Pregame The Polishing
Before polish is applied, get your game plan for leaving in place. If you wore a coat or jacket into the salon, put it on now.
But wait, there’s more, according to Julie Ventura, Orly Beauty’s global education manager: “Pay for your manicure before polish is applied to avoid rummaging in your purse,” she said. “And if you drove to the salon, get your keys out so you’re ready to go.”
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What To Do For The Next Hour (Or So)
This is the time to be super aware of your newly gorgeous hands, and to treat them accordingly. You might not realise how much you use your nails as tools, not jewels, as the pros say, until you’re faced with a fresh manicure and a cold can of soda that you’d like to enjoy.
“The first few hours are when smudges, dents and chips happen most,” Green said.
Here’s how to manoeuvre in the world with a new manicure, Ventura said: “Try to use the pads of your fingers rather than letting anything come into contact with your nails.”
The ‘Hateful 8’ Things That Ruin Your Manicure Investment
Here’s a quick expert list of the most smudge-prone post-manicure behaviours that you should avoid in the few hours after your appointment:
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Digging in a purse or bag, which these experts agreed is the most common smudge-causing mistake. “Metal — like keys or handles — is especially harsh and can scratch glossy finishes,” Green said.
Hot water: “I recommend avoiding super hot water for a few hours,” said nail artist Jenny Bui.
Using nails as tools: “Don’t peel labels, pop open cans or scratch surfaces,” Green said.
Going to sleep: Even if that relaxing manicure has worn you out, be vigilant, the experts said. “’Sheet marks’ are a real thing,” Green said. “If you have a late-night manicure, be careful, because fabric imprints happen when polish isn’t fully dried.”
“Pushing buttons too hard, like elevators and phones, can smudge fresh nails,” Bui said.
“Don’t put your hands into tight pockets,” Tokyo said.
“Opening boxes messes up my nails the most easily,” said nail artist Bana Jarjour.
“Even changing sheets can cause smudges,” Jarjour added.
Products That Might Help
You may be able to request a product that will help speed up the drying. “Quick-dry drops, sprays and even fast-dry topcoats can make a big difference,” Bui said.
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“I personally love using a high-quality quick-dry topcoat, because it provides shine and protection while reducing drying time. For clients who can’t sit long, that’s my go-to.”
“Lately, I’ve been recommending a polish brand called Dazzle Dry,” Tokyo said. “It fully hardens much faster than traditional polish, which is a big advantage. The application method is a little different from regular polish, and because the products are more expensive, only certain salons carry it.”
If The Worst Happens
If you’ve gone ahead and smudged that great look, never fear, because fixes are possible. “A great hack is to get a drop of acetone on the pad of your finger and quickly but gently pat the smudge out before the acetone evaporates,” Ventura said. “Repeat until it’s smooth again.”
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“For chips, fill it in like a patch job instead of redoing the whole nail,” Bui said. “But if it’s really bad, sometimes it’s best to start fresh on that one finger.”
There’s something about the thought of prescription skincare that makes me feel a bit anxious.
I love new lotions and potions (who doesn’t?), but my skin can be a right sensitive Sally – I’ve had some pretty uncomfortable reactions to overly-strong concoctions in the past.
Think redness, burning, tingling; all things you don’t really want your face to experience after trying something new.
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Yet since having kids, my skin has changed A LOT. Its lost some of its elasticity and vibrance, becoming a bit dull. I’ve also aged because, well, I’ve gotten older (and had many a sleepless night, which I’m sure doesn’t help). There are more lines cropping up here and there. My skin doesn’t feel as tight as it once did.
I’ve been lucky in a lot of respects as I haven’t had bad breakouts or issues with pigmentation, both of which can crop up after having babies (cheers, hormones).
But it’s fair to say my usual skincare combo of CeraVe cleanser and a Beauty Pie moisturiser had been working very hard – and my skin still felt like it was left wanting.
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I figured a change was in order. But where to even begin? I don’t have time to visit a dermatologist (nor the money, let’s face it).
You simply explain what you want to treat – whether that’s acne, melasma, rosacea or something else. In my case, I just wanted less tired mama and more glow get ’em.
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As part of the online consultation process you also share information about your skin and what you’ve reacted to in the past. It’s pretty extensive – it’s also worth noting they cater to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so if you let them know they can tailor your products accordingly.
In my case, I wanted something that was anti-ageing and would help give me a bit of a glow. I received their:
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Caring squalane cream cleanser – a super luxurious cleanser that melts off makeup, doesn’t dry you out, and leaves skin really soft.
Azelaic acid/niacinamide lotion, which I’ve been applying after cleansing each night. I was really worried this was going to bring me out in a rash but it didn’t.
Nourishing ceramide + peptide moisturiser, which I use morning and night. It’s just the right amount of nourishing without being greasy.
Vitamin C 15% fresh batch ascorbic acid – I’ve been using this after cleansing in the morning and before applying moisturiser. It does tend to leave my skin a bit tight but I heap the moisturiser on after and it seems to balance it all out.
And that’s my routine.
Natasha Hinde
My skin definitely feels brighter and tighter than it was.
Even in the space of just a few days after using these four products, I noticed my skin felt brighter, tighter and the smoothest it’s ever been. (Or at least, the smoothest it’s been as an adult.)
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Honestly, my cheeks are rivalling my toddler’s right now for softness. I can’t stop stroking them. I’ve even had compliments from strangers (which never happens!).
I was very dubious about how well an online consultation could work – and how accurate it would be – however I’m pleased to report I’m a convert. Now to see if it stands the test of time…
In the meantime, if you want to try it for yourself, your first month of personalised skincare should be £24.99, but is currently £2.90 – so really, what are you waiting for?
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
In my twenties, I applied SPF on holidays and if it was a particularly hot day back home. But when my partner, then in his early 30s, was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and needed surgery to remove it, I knew I needed to wake up and wear the damn sun cream every single day.
The product, made in Switzerland, contains ingredients to “help fight inflammation and sun damage”. It’s known as a non-comedogenic SPF, meaning the lightweight formula shouldn’t clog pores. I can confirm it doesn’t.
I’ve also never had sunburn on my face while wearing it, so I’m guessing (/hoping) it’s doing the trick in the sun damage department.
The primer adds a bit of a glow that no other skincare product seems to offer me and my typically dull skin. It’s not greasy, or streaky. Makeup goes on a treat, too.
There is not a day that goes by when I don’t use it – even those days when I’m sat at home, makeup free, I make sure that I slather this on my face after showering.
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It’s pretty watery – so be careful when you squeeze the bottle – but it glides onto the skin wonderfully, leaving your face feeling hydrated and glowy.
There are 3,102 reviews (and counting) on Beauty Pie’s site. Here’s a snippet of what people are saying about the Featherlight SPF:
“Lovely product, non greasy and perfect under make up. Thoroughly recommend this product.”
“This was first given to me as a gift a few years ago and I have used it ever since. I golf and have had no sun damage since using this lovely, light cream.”
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“This is my second purchase of this item. I love that it properly hydrates my skin and most importantly, it doesn’t leave white streaky marks!”
“Spent ages looking for a SPF that I’m not allergic to and isn’t greasy, this one is perfect.”
If there was only one product I was allowed to take on a desert island, this would be it – not even the Collection eyeliner I’ve been buying and wearing on repeat since the early 2000s could rival it.
And at £15 for a bottle that lasts roughly six months (maybe longer, depending on how liberally you apply it), I’m wondering why you’re still reading this article and not buying a basket full for yourself…
BAAPS commented on the study, saying: “The findings underscore the hidden costs and potential risks of bargain procedures abroad, with Turkey emerging as a prominent destination.”
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To learn more about this high regret rate and the issues people face when heading abroad for cosmetic surgery, HuffPost UK spoke with leading consultant plastic surgeon Elena Prousskaia.
The results of cheap cosmetic surgery can be harmful to our health
Prousskaia says: “As a consultant plastic surgeon with almost 20 years of experience, I regularly see patients dealing with the consequences of low-cost cosmetic procedures performed overseas.
“Many return home with results that are not only disappointing but, in some cases, medically concerning – requiring urgent or complex revision surgery.”
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These complications aren’t simple, either.
The consultant reveals: “The complications I most often treat include infection, poor scarring, asymmetry, and, occasionally, permanent tissue damage.
“Commonly, these are for breast augmentation and body contouring surgery. These outcomes aren’t just bad luck – they’re frequently the result of inadequate preoperative screening, rushed consultations and trying to fit in too many patients.”
Undergoing surgery – cosmetic or not – is no small feat, and Prousskaia warns that doing so right after travelling is not advised: “In some cases, patients undergo surgery within 24 hours of landing, without time to recover from travel or receive thorough medical evaluations.”
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Postoperative care is often overlooked, too
Proussakaia says: “When it comes to postoperative care, this can be lacking. This could include not having enough time to properly recuperate before discharge, being given inadequate advice to carry on recovery at home and not being properly schooled about how to spot complications.
“Often, when surgery goes wrong, this is during the aftercare – it is such a critical time to be well supported and informed.”
Getting cosmetic surgery in the UK can be more difficult, but with good reason
In the UK, she reveals, we are held to stringent regulatory standards.
“Surgeons are GMC-registered, facilities are inspected, and patients must be given sufficient time and information to make informed decisions. Overseas, standards vary widely. Some clinics prioritise volume over safety, and patients may not meet their surgeon until the day of surgery.
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“Revision surgery is not straightforward. Operating on already-compromised tissue increases the risk of further complications, and the psychological impact – from regret to anxiety – can be profound.”
What to do if you’re considering cosmetic surgery abroad
If you are still considering heading overseas for cosmetic treatment, the surgeon recommends following these steps:
Verify credentials – Your surgeon should be listed on a specialist register, such as the GMC in the UK or equivalent in other countries. Ask about their training and how often they perform the procedure you’re considering.
Ask about aftercare – Safe surgery doesn’t end in the operating room. Make sure you’ll receive proper follow-up care and know what support is available if something goes wrong after you return home.
Take your time – Avoid any clinic that rushes you into surgery. You should have time to ask questions, reflect, and fully understand the risks before committing.
“Cosmetic surgery should never be rushed or treated as a ‘bargain’. It’s still surgery — with all the risks that entails. Always choose safety over savings.”
When the “Bold Glamour” filter on TikTok was created in early 2023, people were shocked by how seamless it looked, and that it wasn’t glitching like other face-altering filters. Despite everyone admiring its technological improvement, it led to an uproar online and offline, with celebrities like Katherine Heigl showing the shocking difference it made.
It’s been widelyreported that filters on social media can create a disconnect between online and real life and lower one’s self-esteem. The issue doesn’t just affect teens — it can negatively affect anyone. The curation of social media leads many people to use filters in order to receive positive feedback, which then reinforces the belief that we should be relying on them, explained Natalie Buchwald, a therapist and founder of Manhattan Mental Health Counseling.
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You can, of course, still use filters and have a healthy self-image, but experts advise considering the reasons you use filters in the first place.
“While occasional use of filters doesn’t inherently indicate low self-esteem, dependence on them can be problematic,” Buchwald said. “Maintaining a healthy self-image involves recognizing one’s intrinsic worth without relying on digital enhancements.”
Long-term exposure to a filtered image of yourself may create issues in your self-image, even leading to seeking cosmetic surgery to achieve that image of yourself. “Often called ‘Snapchat dysmorphia,’ it describes individuals seeking cosmetic surgery to replicate their filtered selfies. This can manifest in body insecurity and dysmorphia,” Buchwald added.
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HuffPost spoke to threeinfluencers who regularly use beauty filters to understand why and how these filters affect their self-esteem.
“I’m super open about beauty standards, filters and treatments on my page. I use beauty filters pretty often! Most of the time, while filming on TikTok I’m using one because of ease, and sometimes TikTok automatically puts them on your face.
“I prefer filters that don’t make me look like a completely different person. I try to remind myself that skin texture, blemishes, redness, undereye bags are all normal. Most things you see online are very unrealistic and you shouldn’t compare yourself to them.
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“Filters did change how I saw myself. Social media is so unrealistic, so when you look at yourself in a mirror and you don’t have a smooth foundation filter on, it will look different. A few years back when the filters were heavier, I would wear a lot more makeup in real life to really smooth out my skin or contour my face, and I also ended up getting lip filler and Botox done because I was comparing myself to a filter that made my lips bigger or my skin smooth. Seeing myself with plumper lips or no wrinkles has influenced the treatments I’ve done. I still get minimal lip filler to this day. I’ve always been super transparent about getting procedures done online, even back then. Now I’m pretty confident in myself with or without makeup.
“Looking at the ‘perfect’ version of yourself can make you a bit critical of your natural features. Generally, being a content creator can make you critical about yourself and your appearance; with or without filters, I’m staring at my face all day long editing videos. This often will make you notice things most people probably don’t see.
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“If social media removed beauty filters, it wouldn’t affect my content at all! I’m super open on my page, with and without filters, and always will be. I think I might put a little bit of makeup on before I film some of my content to make myself more presentable than I do now, but I would be totally fine with that. I think it would make social media a healthier space for everyone, including myself.”
“I use beauty filters occasionally when filming my TikTok videos, usually ones that enhance smoothness subtly without drastically changing my features. Without a filter, I feel just as confident. For me, it’s less about changing how I look and more about maintaining a particular style, visually.
“I wouldn’t say I’m addicted to using filters. They don’t necessarily make me criticize myself, but more aware of how different enhancements can affect one’s perception. I don’t rely on them to define my self-image.
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“Filters can certainly influence beauty standards and make people more self-critical. I think that’s all a byproduct of being on social media. Unless people are openly mentioning they are using filters, it’s hard to tell. As consumers, we may assume these creators are like this in real life, too.
“Personally, using filters hasn’t influenced me to get cosmetic treatments, but I can see how constant exposure to ‘perfect’ images can create unrealistic expectations, which is why I make it known to my audience when I use beauty filters, rather than hide the fact that I am using them. I do have lip filler, and in hindsight, I may have been influenced by the ‘perfect’ images we see on social media.”
“I use filters that smooth out the skin very often. I initially started using them out of curiosity, and now it has become a habit — I do it automatically. Honestly, I have no issue with how I look without filters. The only reason I use light filters is because I used to have acne, and it used to bother me.
“I have created content without a filter many times, and I have no problem with that, nor does it make me uncomfortable.
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“I wouldn’t say filters make me critical of my natural features, just that I liked how my skin looked without blemishes and acne marks when I had acne. Many women have been influenced by filters, trying to achieve this smooth image in real life. I know from some doctor friends that people ask to look like their filtered selves [via medical intervention]. However, that has never happened to me.”
What’s the best way to navigate filters?
Of course, users aren’t necessarily to blame; the platforms have to take responsibility, noted Buchwald. “Similar to how certain posts are highlighted as #Advertisement, the social media platforms need to demand users who edit their photos to add a similar #filtered tag to avoid skewing the public perception of what is normal.”
There may be some changes soon on that front, as TikTok is said to be banning face-altering filters like “Bold Glamour” for teen use, as these can have dramatic effects on the self-esteem of impressionable young people.
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“Young people and parents saw the benefit in being authentic online and recognised the positive impact of belonging and connecting online,” wrote Christine Grahn, head of public policy and government relations for TikTok in Europe, in a recent newsroom statement.
Comparing yourself to online filtered images can trigger social comparison, explained Buchwald. “This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-worth, as one’s unfiltered reality may not match the enhanced images presented online. It’s a competition where no one can win as there’s always ‘something else you can improve,’ which can be a very toxic mentality to have about your self-image.”
There are ways to combat negative self-image created by one’s online presence. Buchwald recommends a few different ways; seeking professional advice like therapy to foster self-acceptance, mindfulness practices and spending time in nature as a way to ground yourself and distance yourself from the bubble of the online world. Finally, avoid consuming content that makes you feel bad about yourself or even limit your social media usage until these feelings don’t consume you.
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Interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity and length.
Help and support:
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.
Jameela Jamil, an actor and host of body positivity podcast I Weigh, is pretty well-known for sharing her thoughts on the pressures women face to look a certain way.
So perhaps it’s not surprising that she recently wrote an Instagram post about “how weird it’s going to be when soon all women on television look the same but men have so much variety.”
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The post said that women are getting “the same nose, the same cheekbones, the same jaw, the same eyes, the same eyebrows, the same eyelids, the same lips and are starting to aim for the same forever age and body.”
This sounds similar to other body positivity advocate’s concerns about “Instagram face,” an identikit appearance a lot of women on social media seem to share.
“Can you imagine a world in which every man feels RESPONSIBLE to have to save up for painful, expensive surgery to look exactly like Cillian Murphy?” she asked.
Though she stresses she respects women’s choice to pick whatever look they like, she asked “how much choice is it when you’re being bombarded with a ‘beauty standard’?”
“I’m jealous that so many men are so embraced and celebrated for what makes them different,” Jameela continued. “I want that for us.”
The actor also said she’s annoyed at the amount of money being made off of women’s insecurities, often by men, adding she noticed the beauty standard narrowing during lockdown.
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“Variety is choice. Variety is agency. Variety is freedom,” she shared before a carousel of beauty trend-based images and a picture of Lindsay Lohan’s “done” face.
“100% agree. And why are everyone’s teeth neon white lately?” one commenter wrote.
“My 10-year-old told me I should get Botox on my jaw to look sharper, the other day. I hate social media. It is ruining our kids,” another lamented.
“You’re not alone. This conversation needs to be loud. A new trend every year, cosmetic surgeries are normal now!! It’s so sad thinking women feel pressured to get them to be considered beautiful,” yet another Instagram user opined.
Still, some thought the actor was a little off the mark.
“I feel like this exact conversation was had over 20 years ago and was a way to bash women for what they wanted to do with their bodies,” a comment reads.
“I disagree. I don’t think Kate Winslet looks like Davina McCall. Or that Dawn French or Oti Mabuse look the same,” someone else shared.
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Still, most of the comments seem to be in line with a top response, which simply says “PREACH!”.
There’s so much that your body does to reset and refresh while you’re sleeping, and your skin is no exception.
“Just like our entire body, the skin has a circadian rhythm,” said dermatologist Dr.Helen M. Torok. “It repairs at night and protects during the day. The skin works hard to renew itself from the damage done throughout the day. Your skin cells regenerate at night, recovering from high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, that can wreak havoc on your body during the day.”
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As such, it’s important to make the most of the money you’re spending on skin care during the overnight hours, when it can work its magic most effectively. Essentially, it’s your chance to undo everything that you did to your skin throughout the previous day.
“The repair of damage from UV exposure, pollution and other environmental stressors occurs at night, when the skin’s blood flow increases,” said dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia. “This is also when collagen production is boosted and harmful free radicals are neutralised.” Dermatologist Dr.Blair Murphy-Rose added, “It’s believed that the rate of skin renewal doubles at night.”
Your skin absorbs products better when you’re sleeping.
As productive as the skin is at night, you can make it even more so with the application of products it can really drink in and use. “If you aren’t doing targeted nighttime care, you’re missing the opportunity to support skin’s natural repair mechanisms,” Badreshia said.
“Your nighttime skin care routine should facilitate repairs and regeneration,” Murphy-Rose said. “The nighttime skin care product you apply can boost the skin’s hydration overnight or target cell turnover while you rest,” Wolinsky said.
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There’s one thing you MUST do at night.
Each of the experts revealed what they believe to be the biggest non-negotiable for nighttime skin care.
Murphy-Rose insists on using an eye cream. “Our skin undergoes significant water loss through the skin at night if we don’t take measures to prevent it,” Murphy-Rose said. “While some will tell you that an eye cream is unnecessary, the truth is that an undereye cream, which is typically richer than your facial moisturiser, can help to prevent water loss through this very thin skin while sleeping. Dehydrated eyes are more tired-appearing eyes, so I do recommend applying an undereye cream before bedtime.”
Aja Koska via Getty Images
Skip the 12-step routine.
Wolinsky suggests using your most potent products at night. “Night is a good time to use any products that may have a slight odour, or may bleach clothing, like benzoyl peroxide, or which may be deactivated by the daytime UV rays, like tretinoin and some other retinoids,” Wolinsky said.
Retinol gets another vote: “My opinion is that with the exception of people with rosacea or overly sensitive skin, everyone should be using a retinol, and they’re ideal for nighttime use,” said dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman. “The benefits are numerous and unparalleled and are arguably the most important step that you can take for overall skin health and anti-aging after sun protection factor. Retinols regulate cell turnover, promote effective exfoliation, prevent acne, even discolouration, control oil, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores and so much more.”
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And if you can’t even with the idea of slathering something on, at least wash the dirt off, experts said. “The biggest mistake people make is not washing their faces,” Hartman said. “The one thing you must do is wash your face at night before you go to sleep. You want to remove makeup, oil and other impurities that are “stuck” to the face from the day. If you go to bed with your face unwashed, you are asking for a breakout, or oily skin.”
KISS = Keep it simple, skin.
If the thought of caring for your skin is the last thing you want to do most nights, know that these dermatologists understand the struggle is real. One way to ensure that you’ll follow through is to simplify this one part of your life. “The majority of patients tell me that they are more consistent with their morning routine versus their nighttime routine, as a result of being tired from the day and just wanting to crawl into bed out of sheer exhaustion,” Torok said. “Others find their nighttime routine overwhelming and are not confident on how to layer their nighttime skin care routine.”
“Patients tend to overdo skin care and add unnecessary steps,” Wolinsky chimed in. “My recommendation is to cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser and then follow with a small amount of a retinoid if tolerated and a hydrating thicker moisturiser. If skipping retinoid that evening, then just moisturise.”
“Consistency is key,” Badreshia said. “The benefits of nighttime skin care accumulate over time, and a consistent, targeted approach can lead to significant improvements in skin health and appearance. Listening to your skin and adjusting your routine as needed can also help address emerging issues before they become more significant concerns.″
Many people use the month of January to try out lifestyle changes, like going alcohol-free for “Dry January” or abstaining from animal products for “Veganuary.” But one January movement you might be less familiar with is “Januhairy.”
A portmanteau of “January” and “hairy,” Januhairy is a movement that encourages people to put their razors down and let their body hair grow out for the month ― and then perhaps year-round if they enjoy the experience. While Movember and No Shave November aim to raise awareness around men’s health and cancer, Januhairy is about challenging societal beauty norms, especially for women and femme-presenting people.
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“It’s a way for us to question body hair standards and why we follow these societal norms that make us feel like body hair isn’t beautiful or feminine or acceptable on a woman’s body — despite being acceptable on a man’s body — and it challenges the feeling that our body hair is innately gross when it’s just hair,” Esther Calixte-Bea, a body hair activist and visual artist, told HuffPost.
Indeed, Januhairy founder Laura Jackson launched the movement just before January 2019 to raise money for a body-image-focused organisation called Body Gossip, and to empower women to stop shaving, waxing and lasering ― or at least question why they might feel they have to.
“I think it’s an interesting way for women to try to grow out their hair in a collective way, as a form of resistance, as a form of self-experimentation, and as a playful and fun form of rebellion,” said Breanne Fahs, a professor of women and gender studies at Arizona State University and author of “Unshaved: Resistance and Revolution in Women’s Body Hair Politics.”
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In many ways, Januhairy serves as a reminder that women removing their body hair is a relatively recent phenomenon.
“It came about in the early 1920s as a result of several different factors: the advent of fashion photography, the end of WWI and men coming home with their (mandatory) razor kits, the 1918 pandemic moved bathing from communal settings to individual household bathrooms for middle-class households, and the Gillette razor company making a conscious decision to market razors to women and sell them on the ‘grossness’ of body hair in order to make money,” Fahs explained. “Prior to the 1920s, women mostly did not remove their body hair voluntarily. This occurred only in the context of colonial conquest, etc.”
As fashion trends evolved toward sleeveless tops that showed women’s underarms and skirts that revealed a little more leg, Gillette released its “Milady Decoletté” razor for women in 1915 and marketed it as a product that “solves an embarrassing personal problem.” Although there is evidence of ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians removing body hair, women around the early 20th century were not so focused on hairlessness.
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Women shaving their legs with mechanical razors in New York City in 1927.
“As a Black woman, I was interested to read an article that shared how it was mostly white women who propagated the idea of a woman being hairless as the ideal,” Calixte-Bea said. “I’ve also heard from women from African countries that they didn’t feel obligated to shave their legs until they arrived in America or Canada. My hairiness mostly comes from my Ivorian side, and I’ve learned that in my ancestors’ time, body hair was seen as something beautiful. So i think my body hair tells the story of my family and my ancestors.”
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While marketers might have made women see body hair as “an embarrassing personal problem,” the practice of removing it generally has no basis in medical or hygiene concerns.
“In reality, hair is normal, and having hair or choosing not to shave your hair is actually embracing what is normal,” said Dr. Susan Massick, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Not shaving and leaving hair to grow in places like the armpits, bikini area and legs is not unhygienic. Believe it or not, pubic hair, for example, serves a protective purpose, particularly for women’s vaginal health. If people choose or prefer to shave, that is fine to do. Keep in mind that for some people, shaving can actually be irritating to the skin, causing bumpy, painful breakouts and rashes.”
In recent years, there have been some shifts toward body hair acceptance in Western culture, but for the most part, the changes haven’t been as significant as many would hope.
“We’re seeing some more body hair on-screen, and some companies have even figured out how to sell razors with body-hair-positive marketing,” Conger said. “But I don’t think that’s translated into full-blown norm shifting since the vast majority of cisgender women regularly shave our legs and pits.”
She pointed to the moment when Julia Roberts revealed her unshaved armpit hair at the 1999 premiere of “Notting Hill” and the subsequent media frenzy (though the actor later admitted that it was not intended as any sort of statement).
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Julia Roberts at the premiere of “Notting Hill” in London in April 1999.
“She forgot to shave once, and pop culture will never un-remember it,” Conger said. “Almost 25 years later, if say, Taylor Swift hit a red carpet with visible pit hair, the internet would probably cave in on itself. I think body hair removal is still so persistent partly because the hair-free pressure starts young, and it often comes from peers and parents alike. As long as we expect girls to start shaving, women won’t be ‘allowed’ to stop.”
Fahs agreed that notions of the norm shifting have been overstated, with some estimates saying that over 95-99% of women in the U.S., Australia and England still remove their body hair. She finds it encouraging, however, to see women use opportunities like Januhairy to try to grow out their body hair and see how it feels.
“It’s always better to see the power of a norm by breaking it, and it’s a great way to understand your body better!” Fahs said, sharing what she would say to someone considering taking part in Januhairy. “Go for it! It can teach you many things about who thinks they have a say in your body and how you present your body in the world. It can also teach you about your own biases about grooming and femininity related to body hair. Body hair is a powerful site of gender and power!”
Conger echoed this sentiment, applauding the movement’s impact in making folks reconsider this “this time-consuming, sometimes painful and expensive femininity maintenance.”
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“Januhairy is an opportunity to opt out of a beauty norm, but more importantly, it’s a chance to check our own reactions to women’s body hair and understand how it’s different for people with polycystic ovarian syndrome, for instance, or Sikh women who keep kesh,” she added.
January is also a particularly good time of year for people to experiment with their body hair if they’re hesitant.
“If you live somewhere with a cold winter like I do in Canada, you get to grow out your body hair while covering it outside and not feeling like anyone is going to judge you,” Calixte-Bea said.
Conger believes that “Januhairy” is a catchier way to describe what many women and femme people already do during cold weather months.
“That’s the thing about body hair, right?” she said. “It’s only ‘taboo’ when other people can see it.”
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Growing out your body hair for yourself in a cold season provides a type of safe space to push back against the norms and discourse that make us see ourselves in a negative light.
“Once you get home, you can see yourself as you are,” Calixte-Bea added. “It’s a very liberating experience to see your body as it naturally is and not once you’ve changed it. Working in retail, I’ve seen women of all ages talk about the things they hate about their bodies, but that’s not something I want for myself and other women.”
Of course, everyone is welcome to try growing out their body hair at any time of year. And if you don’t enjoy how it feels, you aren’t obligated to continue.
“I think it is important to normalise hair and having body hair in much the same way society should embrace all body types,” Massick said. “My philosophy is ‘you do you’ ― do what feels right.”
