While it's great to watch your plants thrive so much that they start to outgrow their pots, it does mean you need to think about rehoming them. Unfortunately, it means more than simply sizing up the pot.

If you know how to repot your houseplants successfully, you'll know it's not always straightforward. And although there are some similarities, like the signs of knowing when to repot your houseplants, when you're upscaling your garden plants' pots, there are a few more conditions you'll need to keep in mind. The first one is when to do the repotting.

You might be thinking the best time to repot a plant is simply when it grows too big, but with outdoor weather conditions and nutrients to think about, there's a little more complexity to it. Luckily, the garden experts are here to explain when you should do it and why.

When is the best time to repot plants?

If you've noticed your patio container plants thriving and spilling out of their pots, you might be wondering if it's time to upgrade them.

"You should repot once the plant is actively growing so that it can recover properly from being disturbed," explains Dr Russell Sharp, Founder of Eutrema. "Most plants start picking up again in spring as the days get longer, and repotting at that point means the roots can still have months of stronger growth ahead and can establish into the fresh compost before winter."

"If the plant's growing well and the roots still have space, then I'd avoid repotting. It always causes disruption, so there should be a reason for doing it. If a plant genuinely needs more room, doing it during active growth gives it the best chance of settling in without a long period of stress," he adds.

So don't make an autumn garden mistake by repotting your plants too late in the year when they're starting to enter a more dormant period.

What months are best to repot plants?

If you're looking to sort your garden out and move your potted plants into larger-sized pots, there are a few months in the year that you'll want to wait for.

"March, April and May are the best months for most plants when it's getting lighter, and temperatures are becoming more stable," says Dr Russell.

"During this time, plants are moving into their strongest period of growth, and that makes recovery much quicker than it would be in winter when growth is slower and wet compost can sit around the roots for longer," he continues.

Even when you protect your plants from heavy rain during the winter months, the soil retains moisture for much longer, which poses its own risk.

"June can also be a perfectly good time for vigorous plants. I’d only repot in late autumn or winter if there’s a clear problem that can’t wait, such as root rot or compost that has broken down badly," points out Dr Russell.

What are the biggest mistakes when repotting?

It might surprise you, but there are a fair few container gardening mistakes, and repotting comes with several of its own.

Horticulture expert and Commercial Director at LBS Horticulture, Richard Barker, has shared the most common mistakes gardeners make when repotting their plants...

• Wrong pot size: "Repotting into a pot that is too large can harm plants," begins Richard. "The excessive amount of soil can hold too much water, increasing the risk of root rot as it takes longer to dry out. Ideally, the new pot should only be one to two inches larger," he finishes.
• Lack of drainage: When repotting into a decorative container, it's important to check for sufficient drainage. "A pot that lacks drainage holes can mean water pools at the bottom of the pot, suffocating plant roots and increasing the risk of fungal diseases or rot," explains Richard. "If using a decorative pot, you should either drill drainage holes into the pot or use a pot that has drainage holes and can be placed inside of the decorative pot," he adds.
• Wrong soil mix: You'll need to check what type of soil mix your plant requires; the same bag of soil or compost won't suit repotting every type of plant. Richard also points out that using soil that is too heavy can compact and starve plant roots of oxygen, so try to match the potting medium to the plant, mixing in amendments like perlite or orchid bark if needed.
• Handling roots roughly: Richard says, "When repotting, you should avoid aggressively shaking soil from the roots, trimming roots back too much or packing new soil into the pot too tightly." He explains that major root disturbances can cause transplant shock, and tightly compact soil can stop oxygen from reaching the roots. So, he suggests, "After removing a plant from its pot, gently tease soil and tangled roots, aiming to keep some of the old soil around the root ball. Do not pat down the new soil too much, as this stops it from being loose and airy."

Is it best to repot plants when the soil is wet or dry?

While it might make more sense to repot your plants when they're dry and compact, doing this can cause unnecessary stress.

"Ideally, you should repot plants when their existing soil is moist, not dry or soaking wet. The slightly damp soil helps to cushion the plant's roots so that they do not dry out or break during repotting, and it can make cleaning up afterwards easier," explains Richard.

"Moist soil also helps to keep the root ball of the plant intact, as soil that is too dry can cause it to crumble. For the best results, water plants thoroughly a day or two before repotting," he continues.

Watering your garden plants properly a couple of days prior will mean the soil is moist enough but not too wet and messy.

Having your gardening tool essentials at the ready will make this whole process a lot easier, and if you want to avoid a mess, putting a sheet of plastic down where you're working can make all the difference.

I'm known for being fairly placid, and not much rattles me. At least, this was true until menopause hit a few years ago. So, the idea of punching and kicking as exercise never appealed to me more than my yoga, Pilates and rowing workouts. My partner, however, loves boxing. He has a punching bag and (multiple!) pairs of gloves at home. Recently, he suggested I join him for a kickboxing class.

Reluctant as I was, I decided it couldn't hurt to try it out. I started running at 50 as a total beginner - how hard could this be? Well, it turned out the class wasn't for me, but I did enjoy the workout, and since all the equipment was sitting in my house anyway, I decided to try it again at home.

To get on the right track, I spoke to Kerry Fox, an instructor at Paul Roberts Modern Martial Arts in the High Peak, not far from where I live. She told me the sport is an "incredibly effective full-body workout, combining cardiovascular conditioning with repeated resistance training", so it's a great one to try.

My kickboxing workout

I start with a five-minute warm-up. This includes marching in place, lifting the knees as high as possible, star jumps, and heel digs.

My main workout follows the format from my class and lasts for 20 minutes. It consists of a jab with your lead hand, a straight punch, and a hook, repeated for two minutes, then switching sides. It’s important to move your feet while you’re doing this and not just stand in one place. Then punch the bag with alternating hands, as quickly as you can.

The next part is the kicks. Start with front kicks, which are all about getting the knee up high and kicking out with your toes pointed. I struggled with this because I have mild arthritis in the top of my feet, meaning any impact on that area is painful. But as long as I make sure my foot isn’t hitting the bag, I’m fine.

The last part of the workout is push kicks, my favourite part. This is basically driving the heel of your foot into the bag to push it away from you. You can really put some force into this - a benefit for the mind, as well as the body.

The workout ends with a five-minute cool down. This starts with stepping from side to side slowly, with a focus on deep breathing. Then hamstring and calf stretches. Finally, to finish, there are a few rounds of deep breathing, standing up tall and raising my arms above my head.

Benefits of kickboxing as a workout

1. Helps build muscle and strength

It's fair to say that I felt every muscle in my body after my first kickboxing workout. Jabs, hooks, and crosses engage the shoulders, upper back, arms, and chest, while kicks work the glutes (buttocks), quadriceps (thighs), hamstrings (back of thighs), and calves.

I found I was moving more than I thought in my kickboxing workout as well. My core was working hard. As you bring your knees up high and twist, the abdominal muscles engage. Over 20 minutes, this is a serious core workout.

2. Relieves stress

Although I'm usually a pretty calm person, there's something very therapeutic about getting all your frustrations out on the punching bag. For me, it’s less about imagining someone you want to punch, and more about relieving pent-up stress through these power movements.

"Intense exercise releases endorphins and other mood-regulating chemicals,” says Kerry. “Training regularly can also help regulate cortisol (stress), and the concentration required to learn combinations disrupts rumination, so the benefits of kickboxing really go beyond the physical and into the psychological."

Though the class didn't work out for me, there are plenty around the country, and the added mental health benefits of being part of a community shouldn't be ignored. Try out your local one.

I also found a great sense of achievement in mastering this new skill and the various techniques needed to successfully take part in a kickboxing workout.

3. Boosts balance

I thought I was pretty good at standing on one leg, as I do this regularly in yoga, but shifting your weight to one leg while kicking forcefully with the other is a whole other matter.

Part of kickboxing training is getting faster while executing these single-leg movements. I found this really engaged my core, and after a few weeks, better balance became second nature.

"In kickboxing, the brain and body must work together continuously, so it develops balance, spatial awareness, coordination and reaction speed," says Kerry.

It also helps improve proprioception, says Samantha Charlwood, a sports therapist and British champion powerlifter. "This is the brain's ability to know where parts of the body are without looking at them. It's a key part of staying independent as we age, and since many kickboxing exercises focus on unilateral, one-sided movements, it helps with this."

4. May help with weight loss

I didn't take up kickboxing to lose weight, but it makes sense that a joint cardio and strength workout like this one burns a lot of calories. As you build muscle, your metabolic rate speeds up, which also helps burn more calories at rest.

If you were looking to lose weight, kickboxing could be a good workout to help you get there, alongside dietary changes.

"The strength training associated with kickboxing will bring out the look of holding more muscle, so it can be a great way to change the composition of the body," says Samantha. This is otherwise known as 'toning'.

5. It's a form of self defence

Hopefully, neither you nor I will need to defend ourselves, but this skill is an insurance policy. I saw teenage girls at the class I went to who were there for this very purpose.

But it’s not only about knowing the moves. “There are two parts to this,” says Samantha. “First, through the training you may develop skills that will help if you need to defend yourself. Second, and perhaps more importantly, knowing you can defend yourself gives you more confidence to go about in the world. That confidence may deter someone from targeting you in the first place, and it enables you to live a life without fear.”

For Kerry Fox, this confidence comes through training. “Learning to strike effectively, move with purpose and intention and respond under pressure builds confidence based on tangible evidence. Your progression physically and mentally can be felt but also measured as you improve.”

Kickboxing workouts to try at home

Learn the techniques

10-minute kickboxing

Cardio kickboxing for 30 minutes

The Great British Bake Off is back (hurrah!), and while the focus was on biscuits this week, we couldn't help but take note of Nigella Lawson's moreish cake-inspired manicure...

Delectable manicures are proving more popular than ever; just take a look at the list of 2026 nail trends, and you'll see that foodie nails are everywhere right now, from tomato reds to chocolate brown hues. In fact, this week we've seen a surge in people talking about jammy nails on social media – think rich, opulent shades with a high-shine, jelly-like finish.

So, we must admit, our eyes couldn't help but gravitate towards Nigella's manicure of choice during last night's episode of Bake Off. The television cook adorned elegantly talons painted with a creamy hue that was aptly reminiscent of a certain classic jam-filled sponge...

Having only seen glimpses of the mani on our television screens, fortunately for us, the Great British Bake Off account posted a photo of the judges and hosts on Instagram, which gave us a closer look at Lawson's nails.

The look in question saw Nigella sport a creamy nude-neutral nail polish – an utterly chic, timeless Victoria sponge-esque colour that is fit for afternoon tea. That said, when watching the show, there was also a slight pinkish tone to the nails, embracing the jammy, strawberry elements of the British cake classic.

The food writer opted for a short square nail shape, which only aided the classic nature of the manicure. However, being so minimalist and neutral, it's a look that easily lends itself to a variety of nail shapes and lengths – from long almond to shorter squoval nails.

It’s one of makeup’s great ironies. The bit of cosmetic kit that many of us – me included – turn to in midlife to hide dark shadows and minimise crinkles around our eyes can do the exact opposite hours after application. Yes, I’m looking at you, concealer.

It may make under-eye skin look brighter, fresher and smoother when you tap it on, but from my experience, it quickly dries up and draws attention to shadows, fine lines and wrinkles by caking and sitting in the crevices.

This concealer conundrum is such a common bugbear that the question, “How do I fix this without reapplying my eye makeup?” has been asked by millions of online users, from TikTok through to Reddit. The answer, according to Ash K. Holm, makeup artist to Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek, among others, is a quick slick of one particular eye balm.

How does the trick work?

It may not be the most glamorous analogy, but think of adding balm to concealer a bit like adding water to cracked clay. As skincare balms tend to be packed with nourishing oils and waxes, they are ideal for infusing moisture back into cakey concealer, plumping it up with hydration and transforming it into a smoother consistency.

This in turn makes the colour more malleable again, so you can re-blend it seamlessly over skin, while applying directly from the stick means minimal makeup disturbance.

Being in stick format, balms are also perfectly portable and ideal for pulling out of your handbag later in the day when needed most. I’m particularly impressed by Holm’s choice of RoC eye balm, not only for its concealer-revitalising power and lightweight feel, but because the formula is also packed with brightening vitamin C and skin-strengthening peptides.

Those benefits will, of course, take longer to work than a single application, but I do find the cooling effect pleasantly de-puffing, and the skin around my eyes definitely looks more luminous every time I apply it.

What's the trick to applying eye balm over concealer?

Similar to Holm, who applies her balm in small, feathery strokes wherever concealer is creasing, I sweep it under my eyes with very light pressure, working from the inner corner outwards to trace the lash line.

You can see the soft sheen where you’ve applied it, so use your middle finger to gently press in with the tiniest circling movement, then leave to settle for a moment. As the concealer and the balm meld together into a flattering velvety texture, start softly blending over shadows, lines or wrinkles with your fingertip or a fine concealer brush.

My top tip is to add a tiny extra pop of balm at the inner corner of each eye to give a pretty sheen and reflective brightness. And voila! Your concealer looks as fresh as when you first applied it – and my creasing concealer conundrum is solved for good.

Why does undereye concealer crease?

The layers of muscle and tissue around the eyes – just inside our orbital bone – are expressive, moving as we smile, speak or frown. Naturally, the outermost layer of skin moves too, meaning that any makeup sitting on top of it doesn’t stay in place either (it’s the same reason your eyeshadow creases, but that’s another story).

Whether a powder, cream or liquid formula, concealer can start to settle in any folds, like fine lines and wrinkles, as it moves around. Combined with the makeup’s colour pigment drying out during the day, as the oils in the skin absorb powder or the water content in liquid formulas evaporates, you’re left with clumpy, creased-up coverage that needs rehydration.

Many people think you have to spend hours in the gym to see progress in key fitness markers like strength, stability, and coordination. Jennifer Aniston, who has become one of the loudest advocates for strength training for women in recent years, proves it's not true.

She told Today.com that she started doing Pvolve workouts as a "secret streamer" while recovering from a back injury. She then reached out for personal training sessions, and shortly after, became a public partner for the brand.

The platform hosts expert-led, follow-along sessions and uses a combination of weights, like dumbbells, resistance bands, and Pilates ball-like accessories, to build full-body strength and challenge the "little tiny micro muscles that are hiding underneath the big muscles", says the star. Here's her latest 30-minute workout.

1. Chest press and glute bridge

The chest press and glute bridge are both compound movements, meaning they work multiple muscles at once. Jennifer does this exercise using the p.ball - but a regular Pilates ball would work, too.

Holding this ball between the knees helps align the legs throughout the movement and fire up the muscles on the inner thighs.

Here's how to do it:

• Come down onto your yoga mat, bringing your feet towards your body.
• Place the ball between your knees and grab your dumbbells.
• Bring your arms out to the sides, slightly less than a full right angle.
• Push your arms up into a press, bringing the dumbbells over your chest. As you do so, push through your feet and bring your hips up.
• Pause for a moment at the top, then lower back down.
• Repeat this for 12 to 15 repetitions, for 3 sets.

2. Tricep skill crushers and toe taps

While the 'skull crusher' exercise works the triceps (muscles on the back of the arms), toe taps recruit the core muscles and hip flexors.

Jennifer uses light ankle weights to add resistance to her toe taps.

Here's how to do it:

• Lie flat on your mat, bring your knees up and off the floor so they form a right angle, and your shins sit parallel to the ceiling. Raise your arms up straight, holding one dumbbell between them.
• Keeping your arm straight, bend at the elbow and slowly bring the weight towards your forehead. At the same time, extend your leg at the hip and touch your toe to the floor.
• Bring both arms and leg up to the starting position and repeat 12 to 15 times for three sets, making sure to switch legs.

3. Staggered stance to stand

The staggered stance is similar to a split squat, but you keep your legs slightly closer together. It's great for building single-leg strength, balance, and coordination, as most of your body weight remains on your front foot.

Here's how to do it:

• Holding onto dumbbells, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Step forward slightly with one leg. If you struggle to balance, bring your foot out wider as you step forwards.
• Bend both knees, dropping down until your back shin is parallel to the ground, if you can.
• Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your front foot to return to standing.
• Repeat 12 to 15 times, for 3 sets, making sure to switch front legs halfway through.

5. Bicep curl in open step to stand

Think of the open step like a wide squat. While the bicep curl targets the upper body, the open step is a quadriceps-strengthening exercise that also recruits the smaller muscles in the lower body around the knees and hips.

Here's how to do it:

• Stand with a dumbbell in each hand. Take a large step out to the side, turning your feet out to sit in line with the direction of your knees.
• Sit back in the gentle squat.
• Bring the dumbbells up into a bicep curl, making sure to keep your elbows tight to your body. Pause at the top.
• Repeat 12 to 15 times for 3 sets.

6. Standing fire hydrant

The fire hydrant is a glute exercise. It targets the muscles in the buttocks. While it's normally done from the comfort of a yoga mat, Jennifer does it standing. This boosts strength as well as balance and stability, as you have to take one foot off the floor and out to the side.

Here's how to do it:

• Stand hip-width apart, holding one dumbbell between your hands.
• Hinge forward slightly at your hips and brace your core.
• Take one leg off the floor, bend at the knee, and bring it out to the side, extending from your hip.
• Make sure you don't wobble or twist your body. Keep it facing forward.
• Pause your leg at the top of the movement, then slowly bring it back down.
• Repeat 12 to 15 times, making sure to switch legs halfway through. Do this 3 times.

I find myself wearing less makeup as I get older, which is ironic, really – when my skin was plump and smooth, I’d layer on my trusted full-coverage MAC foundation, followed by powder bronzer, blush and highlighter. Now, as I notice fine lines around my eyes and a general loss of elasticity, I often skip foundation altogether.

It’s a change that makeup artist Aimee Connolly approves of. Sitting down with the founder of Sculpted by Aimee at her flagship store on Carnaby Street, the Irish beauty expert tells me that one of the biggest makeup mistakes she sees people making is sticking to the same amount, texture or consistency of product they’ve always used, rather than considering what actually works for their skin now.

As our skin changes, she explains, our makeup routine sometimes needs to change with it. The good news? That doesn’t mean overhauling your entire makeup bag. Often, a few considered tweaks are all it takes.

Ahead, Connolly shares the simple changes worth making – from rethinking your skin prep and foundation to choosing creamier textures and taking a lighter-handed approach to definition.

Tip 1: Look at your skincare routine

"Perhaps twenty years ago your routine could have been a little less considered, and now, you do need to give it a bit more time,” says Connolly.

“A lot of the time, when makeup is gathering or skin texture is showing more, it can be down to dehydrated skin or a lack of skin prep,” says Connolly. Ceramides are one ingredient she particularly rates.

“I absolutely adore them,” she says. Found naturally in the skin barrier, ceramides support its ability to retain moisture. "It just gives that extra bit of oomph back into the skin,” says Connolly. “You need that pillowy cushion feel to get the most from your makeup.”

Tip 2: Be more selective with your coverage

“You might have tolerated heavier coverage before, but actually, now less can be more,” says Connolly. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo foundation altogether. When it comes to how to apply foundation on mature skin, the key is to be more selective about where you place product, rather than treating the entire complexion in the same way.

A lightweight tinted moisturiser is a good place to start, paired with concealer where you want a little more coverage. Alternatively, Connolly suggests a medium-coverage foundation with a skin-like finish. “If there’s redness, rosacea, pigmentation or blemishes that you want to cover, you can absolutely still do that,” she says.

“It doesn’t mean the entire face needs the same level of coverage.” Ultimately, it’s about allowing more of your natural skin to show through without sacrificing coverage where you want it.

Tip 3: Embrace cream textures

“Cream products all the way,” says Connolly, who recommends reaching for cream blush and highlighter to bring freshness back into the complexion. “They give you bounce and reflectiveness. I’m not talking about 3D glitter, but a freshness of texture that you simply can’t mimic with a powder.”

That’s not to say you need to abandon powders completely. Much like the cream vs powder bronzer debate, it comes down to the finish you want to achieve and what works for your skin. Powders can work particularly well for oilier skin types, and Connolly says there’s no reason you can’t mix the two textures. “You might use a powder bronzer to get your structure and shape and then add cream in the areas where you want glow or a pop of colour,” she explains.

One thing Connolly wouldn’t recommend, however, is layering powder blush over cream in an attempt to improve its staying power. “I think it’s a bit of a shame because you’re applying a cream for that cream deliciousness, and then a powder can dull it down,” she says.

Instead, look for a long-wearing, pigmented cream blush that’s designed to stay put. “I’d focus on getting a formula you know is going to last rather than having to compensate with powder on top. People are too busy to be worried about reapplying every few hours.”

Tip 4: Soften harsh lines

Definition can enhance our features, but Connolly believes the key is to soften any hard edges. Take eyeliner, for instance. “I would never just leave it sitting across the lash line,” she says. “I’d always diffuse it with a finger or a brush to soften it.” The same applies to lip liner. “I love a lip shape, and I love definition, but I’ll always blend the liner into the lip, blur it with my finger or blend it with a balm.”

Bronzer and sculpting products should be well buffed, too, so that the colour appears to melt into the complexion rather than looking overly defined. “Sometimes we think those lines are giving us definition, but they can actually make the features look a little harsh,” says Connolly.

There's something about September that feels like the perfect time to reset and introduce newness. As for the latter, it seems the beauty brands have taken note...

In fact, this month has been nothing short of busy for new beauty launches, and, as is always the case, we've spent the last few weeks testing each and every one to see whether they are genuinely worth your money. We've tried everything from slathering on one of the best face masks for repairing damaged skin barriers to one of the best lightweight foundations that is infused with firming skincare ingredients.

So, without further ado, these are the 11 newest buys on the block this September that are a cut above the rest, including an Elemis eye serum and wide-plate hair straighteners – and much more.

11 of the best new beauty launches to hit the market in September

Over the last four weeks, we've been spritzing one of the best perfumes for women and trialling some innovative formulas, such as longevity skincare and a grey hair-delaying scalp serum. All this and more, as we give you an insight into our testing throughout September...

In other news...

🧴Victoria Beckham Beauty's Portofino ’97 scent now arrives in a Body Lotion and Hair Perfume

🕯️ NEOM launches Slow Down Range, designed to de-stress and calm, created exclusively for John Lewis

🍫🍒 Gisou announces limited-edition chocolate cherry collection across their bestselling lip oils, hair masks and hair perfumes

🎄 Dyson announces the limited-edition 2026 Festive Colourway as Plum and Copper

💄 YSL Beauté has officially arrived at Space NK

🇬🇧 K-Beauty-Lifestyle Brand BOTARI makes its launch in the UK with luxurious hand creams

💁‍♀️ Beauty Works has revealed an upgraded version of their Everyday Straightener

‼️ This month's honourable mentions go to ILIA's Thru Line Waterproof Eyeliner, Dr Barbara Sturm's Super Anti-Aging Face Mask Rich, VIEVE Skin Nova Concealer, amika’s The Protector colour-protecting haircare range.

You’ll see plenty of teenagers hanging out at skateparks or gliding down pavements on their boards, but look closely. You may see a grown woman behind the hoodie having the time of her life.

Ever since skateboarding made its Olympic debut in 2021, interest in the sport has grown. Its governing body, Skateboard GB, reported a post-Olympics bump and now estimates that 750,000 people skate regularly, 22% of whom are women and girls. Although young men and boys dominate skate culture, University of Exeter research has discovered rising participation among older age groups.

For the growing cohort of women, skateboarding in 'midlife' isn’t about reclaiming youth, but about improving balance, coordination, and the mental agility to learn new tricks. Skills that become increasingly important as we age.

The benefits go further than that. Practising and finally nailing skills and tricks, such as dropping in (tipping over the edge down a slope), carving (skating a long curved arc), performing an ollie (pulling the board into the air with your feet) or a kick turn (twisting from the tail of the board), are big confidence boosters. And at a time when menopause and life’s responsibilities may dominate, gliding around on a skateboard can offer freedom and sheer joy.

Caroline Keylock, 49, Worthing, Sussex

Caroline never had the urge to skateboard as a kid, having put it firmly in the ‘for boys’ box. But when her son wanted to learn to skate, she realised she didn’t want a life of watching from the sidelines while everyone else had fun. So, she joined him on his first lesson, just before her 45^th birthday.

“That first experience was fantastically scary, but also fantastically fun,” she recalls. “My son was a natural, I wasn’t, but I was so proud of myself and was hooked from the off.”

After a quick stop at a Brighton skate shop for a skateboard (“my only brief was ‘no skulls’”), Caroline started joining beginner skateboarding nights. She struggled to find other like-minded women her age in person, but online, she noticed small groups of female skateboarders over 40 popping up around the country. It inspired her to start Board Women, a community of almost 13,000 midlife women interested in board sports. The group, which also covers surfing and snowboarding, produces a regular podcast and runs meet-ups and culture days.

“The events we run are amazing and help overcome the barrier of turning up on your own,” assures Caroline, who knows from personal experience that it can feel intimidating to turn up at a skatepark as a beginner.

“I remember approaching an indoor park, hearing the clattering of skateboards and realising that there were going to be good skateboarders there. I almost walked out.” However, a few skaters rallied round and made her feel welcome. “It made me realise that so much of these fears of not fitting in are actually in your head. The skateboarding community is incredibly welcoming - whatever your age, gender or background - it’s what makes it beautiful.”

Now a few years on from that first lesson, Caroline says: “I’m still a scaredy cat skateboarder. I learn to do new tricks holding hands with my instructor, then holding a finger, then just having him there, as so much of it is about overcoming the mental barriers. I don’t have a big bag of tricks, but I can do pretty big drop-ins, and I’m gradually conquering pump tracks [a loop with bumps and banked corners] and bowls, which are super fun.”

Caroline finds that skating every week clears her mind. "You can’t possibly think about anything else when you’re skateboarding. To have an hour without any mental noise is incredibly alluring.”

Her weekly lessons also push her out of her comfort zone. “Skateboarding is a good reminder that we can do hard things. Mostly though, it just gives me a huge amount of joy. I know my son is quite proud that his mum still does things that are fun and exciting.”

Rebecca Hornblower, 52, London

A recent health scare was the wake-up call Rebecca needed to try new things in life, and so this year marked the start of her skateboarding journey. Alongside friends, who were renewing their old love for skating, Rebecca hit the skatepark in January.

Her first time skating wasn’t as terrifying as she feared. “At first I was embarrassed, but my friends are total legends. They gave me the basics and explained that everyone is always learning in skating. Everyone slams at some point. That totally changed my mindset.”

She credits her supportive friends and the community she’s discovered as the reason she’s kept skating. “I’ve never felt like I don’t fit in. We go to the skatepark on a weekday morning when there aren’t any kids around, so we meet older skaters. It blows me away how many older people skate. Everyone is always ready with advice and help if they see you struggling. It’s wonderful and completely judgement-free.”

Rebecca started attending adult lessons at London-based Skate Hub where she learnt to drop in, kick turn and do fakies (riding backwards). She highly recommends lessons for beginners as “it can take a little longer to master something because with age comes fear, and we have to overcome that too.” She now keeps her skateboarding kit in her van so she can whip it out anywhere, sometimes to indulge in her favourite pastime of cruising along a seafront promenade.

She credits skateboarding with making her more fearless. “Although I’m extremely conscious of breaking my wrists - I’m into water sports, but hitting concrete is something else – skating has made me realise I can try anything I want to,” she says.

“It’s also made me acknowledge that I don’t have to be brilliant at everything. I just have to enjoy it.” As for her grown-up kids, “they just roll their eyes at me: it’s another reason to do what I want to do!” For any midlife women keen but unsure whether they should skateboard at this age, she says, “Remember, it’s not a midlife crisis, it’s just living your best life.”

Samantha Metcalfe, 62, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

Inspired by “badass women in California, skateboarding in cut-off denim”, Sam was a keen and fearless skateboarder as a teen. “Sadly, I gave it up after a couple of summers because I was the only girl, and it wasn’t really what girls did back then,” she says. But decades later, at 56, she traded a wetsuit for a longboard skateboard and returned to it.

On that first skate as a 50-something, Sam says, “I felt like I’d found an old friend again. Suddenly I was transported back to my youth: the feeling of freedom and playing out, it never gets old.”

Now 62, Sam knows she’s not your average skateboarder and is used to getting funny looks when she’s out and about. “Sometimes I wonder what people think, but as soon as I go out [and skate], this all fades away. I don’t care what anyone thinks. Most smile and I’ve learnt to ignore the naysayers.”

Wherever she goes, the response from the skateboarding community has been incredible. Turning up to skateparks across the UK and Europe, what starts with sceptical looks often ends in “young people holding my hand, clapping and hollering.”

She has happy memories of skating with her own sons when they were in their 20s: “I never saw that coming. They’re super proud of their mum and were the ones who encouraged me to document my skate journey on Instagram.”

Her social media presence (@justolderskate.sam) has even led to famous skaters like Tony Hawk messaging her.

She credits her active life of skateboarding, surfing, sea swimming, weights, yoga and jogging for keeping her fit, strong and happy. However, tackling tricks like big drop-ins does come with risks. “I've fallen on my head about four times, had a concussion about three times, split my lip, had black eyes, a swollen face, really hurt my arm, bruised my bottom and hips, despite all the padding.”

It was in February this year that a particularly nasty fall resulted in a fractured pelvis, humerus and another concussion. She admits that this time, it has made her nervous to return to the skatepark, for now. As she slowly builds her confidence again, she’s more than happy cruising along the seafront on her board.

For Sam, the sport is about much more than being a daredevil. “Skating is great therapy and has helped me get through many things, like the loss of my lovely mum. Once I have my feet near my skateboard, everything else peels away, and I’m in the moment.”

She loves seeing girls and women getting into the sport now, and encourages anyone to give it a go. “I never imagined such a brilliant, active life in my 60s: it’s proving to be a prime time for me,” says Sam. “Instead of slowing down, I feel like I’m actually speeding up! I’d just love to see how long I can keep doing this stuff.”

Julia Kurzeja, 65, London

At the age of 61, when she was looking for a new challenge in life, Julia stumbled across a BBC clip of Lena Salmi, one of Finland’s oldest skateboarders (who’s still skating in her 70s). Watching her was enough to inspire Julia to give it a go.

She bought a longboard as it's considered an easier board for beginners to manoeuvre and took her first lesson along a river path. “I was absolutely terrified and just couldn’t turn at all,” she remembers. “I was frightened by the smallest thing, including a terrifying pigeon that got in the way!” However, she persevered, got better and now has no problem executing classic moves such as dropping in and carving a bowl.

At skateparks, she often realises she’s the only woman among a throng of teenage boys, but she’s never embarrassed or bothered by it. “If you do it often enough, you don’t worry about it. I don’t even care anymore.”

Teenagers aside, she has connected with other older women and believes that the community is one of the best things about skateboarding. “There are lots of midlife men and women, and we all support each other and have a really good time.”

But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. She almost gave up after suffering a serious injury after just four months of skating. She came back, yet then broke her wrist doing a drop-in, an experience she describes as “horrible”. But like a boomerang, she came back again and continues to skate, chronicling her progress on Instagram (@julesbikerskater).

Julia believes skateboarding is fantastic for both her physical and mental health. “I imagine it’s something to do with the adrenaline. Also, it’s a group activity, as well as something you can do solo. You really can’t go wrong.” She adds, “My advice for midlife women, or indeed men, is you’ve just got to try it. You’ll be amazed.”

Tips for skateboarding as a beginner

Aga Wood, 52, founder of the non-profit Everyone on Boards and the London Skate Mums Collective, only started skateboarding in her mid-40s. Here, she offers sound advice for other women inspired to step onto a board later in life.

• Think ‘attitude over age’: “You’re never too old to start; it’s about the approach,” explains Aga. “[At our meet-ups] we welcome beginners and believe that age shouldn’t be a barrier. Our oldest participant is in her 70s, and seeing how much joy and confidence she gets from skating is incredibly inspiring.”
• Try a lesson: Learn the basics and build your confidence in one-to-one sessions with a skate coach if you’re nervous about going it alone. Everyone on Boards runs London-based sessions for all ages, or Skateboard GB lists skate schools and coach-led sessions for beginners across the UK.
• Find your community: Aga believes connection with supportive and like-minded people can help you take that first step. “Having somewhere you feel welcome, with other women around you, and coaches who understand that everyone starts at a different level, can make a huge difference,” she says. “Our skate jams and community events are also designed to be welcoming and inclusive, with different ages and abilities taking part.”
• Wear protective kit: Falls are inevitable, so pull on a helmet, wrist protectors, knee and elbow pads to protect you, especially when you’re just starting. Protective kit will also give you a bit more confidence to move.

My beauty collection has no class system. A quick rootle around my makeup bag would reveal chemist lip balms nestled in with designer eyeliner, and I truly believe the best mascaras are budget high street buys.

However, I'd be lying if I denied gravitating towards the luxury end of things when it comes to foundation, because frankly, you do tend to get what you pay for. I find this especially true of the best lightweight foundations - the pricier ones are stuffed with skincare ingredients and have elegant formulas that do a better job of looking like great skin, not makeup.

But as with any rule, there are exceptions. And after deviating from my go-to £40+ base to try a £10 option in the name of professional research, It turned out to be a long-lasting pore-blurring buy that's really worth shouting about.

The thing that really stands out with this base, and where a lot of budget-friendly foundations fall down, is the way it lasts. I went from a 3 pm application right to the end of a busy, warm and mildly boozy night (our woman&home beauty awards 2026 celebration to be precise) without experiencing any oxidisation of the colour or creasing into the lines around my eyes.

That's a very strong performance for a £10 base, and though I noticed my chin perhaps could have used a little top-up by bedtime at 11pm-ish, you really can't knock that staying power. I'd try a 'foundation sandwich' technique with some powder and setting spray next time in oil-prone areas; I imagine it would resolve that snag nicely.

Shade-wise, there are 18 options, and I'd say each one is fairly adaptable, although in the age of 30+ strong shade ranges, a few more wouldn't hurt. Oh, and if you have very dry or rough-textured skin, you might find even the softly mattifying nature of this not quite right.

These are only very small things, of course. Like a Strictly judge commenting on a talented celebrity's every tiny foible, I'm nitpicking because this foundation is pretty fabulous, especially for the price, and definitely outperformed all my expectations.

Sarah Creal is the most famous beauty mogul you've never heard of. But industry types usually have. The highly respected co-founder and former CEO of Victoria Beckham Beauty has had what I'd call a megacareer, leading beauty product development at Tom Ford, Estée Lauder and Prada, amongst many, many others.

After leaving VB in 2022, Creal was pondering her next move and had an epiphany: no luxury beauty brand was specifically creating products for women aged 40+. Madness, when you consider the enthusiasm and - no point dancing around it - spending power of grown-up consumers.

And so work began on her eponymous line, aiming to excite, inspire, and serve women Creal's own age. Think: the best tubing mascara that never smudges, or non-sticky skincare-infused lip gloss. It's already making waves in the US, and now that it's landed in the UK, I can see why.

Testing is on faces aged 40-65 only; advertising is too, and the resulting luxury makeup and skincare line is beyond excellent. So excellent, in fact, that instead of my usual Sunday Service schtick of telling you the one thing you should buy, I'm going to mention three.

As ever in my Sunday Service to you, I like to give a little demonstration of whatever product I'm rhapsodising about can do. So behold, my frankly quite knackered, underslept bare face (I'd been in Ibiza!), then wearing Creal's concealer, liner and mascara. An improvement, non?

Of course, most makeup can put on a decent show when freshly applied in a photo, but the thing I can't stress enough is how well these products perform. That's the secret sauce and what Creal instinctively understands about her audience - we want stuff that works and keeps on working.

In the words of Sarah herself, "None of us wants to apply eye makeup only to see that, an hour later, we look like we don’t know how! We do; it’s just that as we have evolved, so have our routines, and often the formulas we are using are counteracting one another. Our features have also changed, and we want and need more from our products."

If there's one thing most women get better at, into our 40s and beyond it's asking for more of what we need. This feels like the makeup range we've been crying out for, and it truly delivers the goods. Sounds good? Great! Let's chat next Sunday.

If there’s one autumn investment that will never fail, it’s a cashmere jumper. Yes, cashmere blends can be pricier than synthetic fabrics, but there's such a huge difference in the quality - and how it regulates your body temperature - that it’s more than worth having a couple in your autumn capsule wardrobe. And if that isn’t enough to sell you, Coleen Rooney’s sumptuous neutral knit on This Morning will be the look to have you convinced.

A great knit is comparable to the perfect winter coat - it forms the backbone of your cold weather outfit rotation and works wonders for cosiness when temperatures drop. Because cashmere does such a good job at insulating, you’ll find that cashmere jumpers can afford to be much thinner than other fabrics whilst being much warmer. That means you don’t have any bulkiness, and its natural moisture-wicking properties keep it breathable too.

Coleen paired her soft knit with simple black trousers, and it shows just how much this texture can elevate even simple looks. Invest in one of the best cashmere jumpers, and you’ll have a piece that can be styled in infinite ways over autumn and winter.

Shop camel jumpers

Whether you opt for 100% cashmere, a wool blend, or a slightly more affordable natural fabric, you’ll want to wear your jumper on repeat. Whilst a crisp white shirt is the summer staple that polishes off any look, a knit is the substitution that will make your autumn outfit ideas look their best.

The beauty of a neutral camel or beige tone, like Coleen’s, is how versatile it is. It’s no secret that these shades can be paired with anything, and the warm undertones will add that little something extra to your look. Whether you favour light wash denim, tailored black trousers, or even a leather skirt, the right knit will look just as good with any bottoms.

A slouchier shape can be tucked into high-waisted trousers for some extra shape, or you can lean into the relaxed look with some matching cashmere trousers and ballet pumps for a comfy yet polished finish that you’ll never want to deviate from.

For the woman&home beauty team, getting prepared for Christmas doesn't just mean refreshing our party wardrobe or making sure all of our present buying is complete. In fact, one of the biggest tasks on our to-do list begins months before December even arrives.

We've been opening advent calendar doors since the height of summer, in a bid to discover all of the best beauty advent calendars on the market for 2026. Whether it's fragrance advent calendars or Christmas countdowns packed with incredible skincare and makeup, we're clued up on what's on offer this festive season.

We've been wowed by the likes of Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland calendar, the iconic Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar and the jam-packed Sephora Favourites Advent Calendar. But when it comes to a calendar that puts R&R at the forefront of your December, you needn't look further than the ESPA Moments of Wellness Advent Calendar.

Boasting a £190 price tag and a value of over £600, the 25-day countdown has everything you need for the ultimate festive season pampering.

What's inside the ESPA Moments of Wellness Advent Calendar 2026?

If you're someone who wants to know exactly what's inside your beauty advent calendar of choice before you splash the cash, rather than holding out for surprises, we've got you covered.

These are the 25 products inside the ESPA Moments of Wellness Advent Calendar:

• Clean & Green Detox Mask 30ml (Travel Size)
• Energising Bath & Shower Gel 30ml (Travel Size)
• Exfoliating Body Polish 100ml (Full Size)
• Muscle Rescue Balm 15g (Travel Size)
• Nourishing Lip Treatment 5ml (Full Size)
• Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser 30ml (Travel Size)
• Optimal Skin Pro-Moisturiser 30ml (Travel Size)
• Optimal Skin Pro-Serum 30ml (Full Size)
• Overnight Hydration Therapy 15ml (Travel Size)
• Pink Hair and Scalp Mud 30ml (Travel Size)
• Pomelo Lip Balm 10g (Full Size)
• Positivity Bath & Shower Gel 100ml (Full Size)
• Refining Skin Polish 15ml (Travel Size)
• Replenishing Treatment Oil 30ml (Full Size)
• Restorative Bath & Body Oil 15ml (Travel Size)
• Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool (One size)
• Silk Eye Mask (One size)
• Silk Scrunchie (One size)
• Skin Rescue Balm 30g (Full Size)
• Soothing Bath & Body Oil 15ml (Travel Size)
• Tri Active™ Regenerating Bio-Retinol Sleeping Serum 30ml (Full Size)
• Tri Active™ Regenerating Smooth & Firm Body Butter 100ml (Full Size)
• Tri-Active Regenerating Moisture Complex 30ml (Travel Size)
• Winter Spice Candle 80g (Mini)
• Yuzu & Ginger Cleansing Sorbet 50ml (Travel Size)

When and where can I buy the ESPA Moments of Wellness Advent Calendar?

ESPA's 2026 Moments of Wellness Advent Calendar is available to buy now ahead of December.

The luxurious Christmas countdown can be bought online from the ESPA website, with free next day delivery for customers in the UK.

Cult Beauty also stocks the ESPA advent calendar, with free standard and next day delivery on offer.

It can also be bought online from LookFantastic, with free standard delivery to your home or a chosen collection point.

Want to train your core without endless crunches and plank variations? You’re in the right place. The appeal of a strong and stable mid-section is going nowhere fast (and rightly so). I'm constantly looking for accessible and effective moves to help build mine.

With this in mind, I asked top PT and coach of over 25 years, Caroline Idiens (aka Caroline's Circuits), to share the one move she wishes she’d taught clients sooner. The one at the very top of her list? The dead bug exercise.

"While it's not a 'new' exercise per se, it is definitely one which I teach a lot more now for the core than I did 25 years ago," says Caroline. "It used to be that we only focused on moves like crunches and bicycles to target the abdominals, but things have moved on, and the dead bug is one of my favourite moves for building deep core strength.”

How to do the dead bug exercise

• Lie with your back on the mat, legs in tabletop position at a 90-degree angle.
• Engage your core and press your lower back into the mat (focus on the waistband of your leggings remaining in contact with the floor).
• Slowly extend the opposite arm and leg until they are straight, without dropping too low or arching the back.
• Come back to the centre position with knees above hips, wrists above shoulders.
• Repeat on the other side.

Expert tip: “The key to the dead bug is to keep your lower back flat down on the mat, and focus on control rather than speed,” says Caroline. “However, you can reduce this movement by keeping your legs high if you find your back arching and build up your core strength gradually.”

Deadbug exercise benefits

1. Trains core strength and stability

The dead bug is excellent for activating the deep core as well as the superficial abdominals (what we traditionally think of as the abs).

The deep core comprises four muscles: the transverse abdominis (the deepest core muscle, which wraps horizontally around our midsection to stabilise and support the spine), the multifidus (smaller, but no less crucial stabilising muscles that allow us to bend, twist, reach and so on), the diaphragm and the pelvic floor.

To achieve full core strength, it’s important to focus on these as much as (if not more than) the more obvious (and aesthetically tempting) abs.

“In my view, the deadbug is superior to standard crunches for building deep core strength,” says Caroline. “It recruits the deep abdominal muscles, including the transverse abdominis, for core stability and strength. Additionally, it helps to protect your lower back by teaching your spine to stay stable while your arms and legs move.”

2. Boosts coordination and posture

A strong core and improved posture go hand in hand, and you’ll notice you'll hold yourself straighter with consistent work.

“The dead bug helps not only with coordination (mirroring everyday movements such as walking) but also can help improve posture too,” says Caroline. “Since you’re working to control your pelvic position and resist your lower back arching as the arms and legs move contralaterally, it engages and supports the muscles that keep your spine aligned.”

3. Very accessible

One of our favourite dead bug benefits? It’s suitable for pretty much everyone. “The dead bug appeals to many of us as it is low impact, joint-friendly, and easy to modify for beginners or more advanced exercisers,” says Caroline.

If you want to make it harder, you can do this exercise with a light pair of dumbbells.

4. Builds functional strength

It’s easy to think that being strong means lifting heavy and exclusively strength training, but true strength is about more than this. For midlife women in particular, our focus is best placed on what’s known as functional strength. By this, we mean being able to easily move in everyday life, whether that’s reaching, lifting, twisting, bending or carrying.

According to a study conducted by physiologist Dr Kirstie Elliot-Sale, more than half (59%) of women said being able to move through daily life comfortably and confidently is a more meaningful measure of strength than lifting maximum weight.

The deadbug is a great way to build functional strength, as it not only builds core strength but also strengthens the hip flexors and trains one of our most basic movement patterns: the hip hinge.

Tips for doing the dead bug exercise

The deadbug can easily be modified or advanced, depending on experience and ability. “You can make the move more challenging by adding in dumbbells,” says Caroline. “But be sure to start light. Try to progressively straighten the legs as long and low as possible without arching through the back.

“If you’re a beginner, I would start with bodyweight only and tap the heel to the floor, keeping your knees bent. You can also use a Swiss ball to challenge yourself further or train one side at a time to test how strong you are unilaterally.”

Not quite ready for a weighted dead bug? Work up to it by looping a resistance band around your ankles to add extra tension to the move, or pop on some ankle weights for even more spice.

Who knew the secret to a well-dressed bed was mismatched pillowcases and duvet covers? Despite being an interiors editor for decades, I'd never tried the method of mixing contrasting patterns and colours when dressing the bed until now.

I never thought I'd see the day when I intentionally use mismatched designs to create a layered bedding look, but this stylist's tips have changed everything.

A thoughtful bedding tutorial from a stylist on the Dunelm team shows how breaking the rules by combining mismatched colours, patterns and textures can create an irresistibly cosy bed dressed for hunkering down this season. I was instantly intrigued.

How to style the layered bedding look: expert tips

The idea is simple yet highly effective, but many of us might not consider it because it feels counterintuitive to purposefully choose mismatched bedding. But after seeing how much it can transform a bed, I wasted no time ordering new pillowcases and flat sheets so I could recreate the look at home.

To achieve an effortlessly layered bedding look, Dunelm's stylist Anna offers her top tips and tricks. "I start by laying out four pillowcases to see which colours and prints I like together," she begins. "Then I choose a set I want to make my feature."

Anna then explains that she chose the Embroidered Walker set in Ink Blue, a striking colour that feels like a heavier patchwork design thanks to the embroidered detailing.

"I've opted for a plain complementary colour for the bottom sheet; I chose caramel to match the rug." A great way to tie in accent colours that already exist within the room.

Having multiple coloured sheets and pillowcase options helps create different looks, so each time you dress the bed it can feel slightly different.

"I'll add pillows in my feature set at the back," Anna explains, demonstrating where she places the first two Ink Blue pillows that match the duvet set. She then adds two pillows in alternative colours and prints to create the layered bedding effect. "Pick up two contrasting pillows, so I've got at least one plain colour and one print in the mix for a textured feel."

To finish dressing the bed, she brings back the featured Ink Blue set for the duvet cover. So while the scheme has mismatched elements, it doesn't clash because the colour palette remains consistent throughout.

Think of it as the bedding equivalent of the gradient layering paint trend, where you choose different tones from the same colour family.

Lastly, Anna recommends adding extra layers with cushions and blankets to make the whole scheme feel even cosier. "Break up the visual weight of the duvet with a throw and cushions. When adding the throws and accent cushions, Anna advises tying in the colours as much as possible so it looks cohesive.

"I've gone for a throw in a secondary print, which adds another element of texture against the plain coloured duvet." Her chosen throw design is also reversible, which gives further options to change the look from day-to-day.

Not only does this layered bedding trick help to make your bed feel instantly warm and cosy for the colder months, but it also helps to make the bedroom look more expensive and considered.

To us, autumn is one of the best seasons for scent. It's synonmous with warming woods, decadent gourmands and crisp, herbaceous notes so good, you just want to surround yourself with them. Be it with a candle or, in our beauty team's case, a plethora of rich-smelling body care buys.

Indeed, as a new season arrives, our bathroom cabinets, much like our wardrobes, are getting a little reshuffle. It's out with the lightweight formulas and summery, best-smelling body lotions and in with more indulgent and autumnal scented products. As far as we're concerned, the arrival of the 'ber' months is a full-body affair, so no, we're not just planning to spritz ourselves with an autumn perfume (though that is always a lovely way to toast the seasonal shift). Instead, we're swapping out an array of essentials to better fit the browning leaves, fuzzy fabrics and overall cosiness the cold tends to bring. Think almondy oils and bubble baths, heady rose hand creams and musky deodorants.

So, if you too want to embrace the season, from head to toe, we have nine luxe and cosy-smelling body care buys to share that we, as a beauty team, love and will be using for the foreseeable future.

The 9 autumn-scented body care buys we're swapping into our routines

Fiona's autumnal body care picks

For Digital Beauty Editor Fiona McKim, her new-season routine is a medley of rose, pistachio, and fig smells.

Sennen's autumn body care picks

From body wash to her everyday deodorant, Digital Beauty Writer Sennen Prickett is taking her immersion into the autumn season very seriously.

Naomi's autumn body care picks

Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson, is breaking up with every aspect of her summer routine, tapping in woody-scented body washes and warm, amber and vanilla bubble baths instead.

Everyone starts somewhere in Pilates, and that's at the very beginning. While you might see women stretching effortlessly through a Pilates workout at home or a Reformer class today, they likely started on the mat just like everyone else.

Master Pilates Instructor Risa Sheppard has been teaching beginner Pilates classes for decades. There are a few movements she prioritises to build a good base for the practice.

"Pilates is especially beneficial because it teaches the body to work as an integrated whole, rather than focusing on strengthening isolated muscles," she tells woman&home, and it all starts with the core.

"Pilates trains the abdominal muscles to create what I call 'the centre'. Think of the centre as a 'girdle of strength' that wraps around the lower abdominals, back muscles, and buttocks. It is from where all movement flows, allowing limbs to move freely and directly."

1. Moving from your centre

Risa says beginners should prioritise movements which teach core control and how to move from your centre. “The precise, controlled movements of Pilates improve your awareness of where your body is in space. This is extremely important for balance, coordination, and overall body control.”

• Lie on your back with your knees bent. Feel your spine connected to the floor or mat.
• Lift your arms toward the ceiling, keeping your shoulders relaxed and connected to the mat, with your fingers pointing toward the ceiling.
• Focus on the area between your tailbone and pelvis and imagine a large white light at the centre of your body.
• Inhale as you slowly lower your arms out to the sides. Think of using your centre as the fulcrum from which you lower your arms. Bring your fingers back toward the ceiling as you exhale.
• Repeat 8–10 times.

2. Bird dog

The bird dog exercise builds spinal stability while introducing balance and body coordination. It’s a great exercise for beginners who are starting to improve their core strength. It also works all of the posterior chain muscles in your back without putting too much pressure on your lower back.

Resistance bands, wrist or ankle weights and dumbbells can all be added once you’ve mastered the basics.

Here's how to do it:

• Start on your hands and knees.
• Extend one leg and the opposite arm.
• Keep your pelvis level and your spine stable.
• Hold for 3–5 seconds, then switch sides.
• Repeat 5–8 times per side.

3. Pelvic press

The pelvic press, also known as a shoulder or glute bridge, is one of the most common and popular Pilates exercises. Risa explains that it “connects the abdominals with the glutes and hamstrings while teaching you to maintain pelvic control”.

Make sure you don’t arch your back while you’re doing this exercise. The core should be engaged, spine neutral, and pelvis slightly tucked under.

Here's how to do it:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and parallel.
• Inhale. Tilt your pelvis toward the ceiling and slowly roll up, one vertebra at a time, until you reach approximately your waist level.
• Focus on feeling each vertebra roll up sequentially.
• Hold for a moment or two, then exhale and slowly lower back down, one vertebra at a time.
• Repeat 5 - 6 times.

Collectively, the woman&home beauty team boasts decades of experience testing a variety of beauty buys, meaning we're well-versed in knowing how to pick out a genuinely good formula from the rest.

Seeing a beauty product to the very end is one of the biggest compliments our team can give – a rare achievement that these 9 buys earned in September. We're talking one of the best foundations from Merit Beauty that offers seamless coverage in seconds to a bubble bath that fills your bathroom with a moreishly sweet aroma.

But it doesn't stop there; we've also scribbled our way through a micro brow pencil that mimics natural hairs and squeezed a tube of glow-boosting liquid highlighter dry. All this and more when you carry on reading...

The 9 products our beauty team have used every last drop of this month

Warning: A handful of images showing our well-loved beauty products ahead! From an affordable K-beauty calming serum to a smoothing body wash that banishes KP bumps, the following 9 buys are so impressive that our beauty team has used every last drop of them this month.

The final instalment of our 2026 Reader Approved Awards is here, and this time we're turning our attention to the products that help keep our homes clean, fresh, and, occasionally, looking like we have our lives together.

We've once again handed the reins over to our brilliant woman&home Tester Network, asking real readers to put some of the biggest names in home cleaning through their paces. From clever robot vacuums that promise to take the hard work out of vacuuming to laundry innovations and steam-powered gadgets designed to make those particularly awkward cleaning jobs a little easier, these products have had to prove themselves to our testers in their own homes.

Because when it comes to cleaning, reality is rarely as straightforward as in TV adverts. A vacuum might promise incredible suction, but can you actually be bothered to drag it up stairs or wrestle it out of the cupboard? A mop might leave floors sparkling, but is it worth the hassle? And does a laundry product really shift stubborn marks that somehow survive every wash?

We wanted to see how these products performed when used as part of everyday life. Our testers put them through their paces in their own homes, assessing everything from ease of use and cleaning performance to versatility, convenience and those all-important little details that can make a chore feel considerably less like a chore.

The result is our final collection of 2026 Reader Approved cleaning champions – products that impressed our readers where it really counts: at home.

1. Floor cleaning award winners

Best floor cleaner

Best robot vacuum

Best cordless vacuum

Best vacuum for pet hair

Best upright vacuum

2. Laundry award winners

Best laundry sheets

Best laundry capsules

Best washing powder

Best fabric softener

Best stain remover

3. Deep-cleaning award winners

Best steam cleaner

Best mop

Best toilet brush

How we tested our Reader-Approved cleaning award winners

To make sure these awards reflect what cleaning products are really like to live with, every shortlisted product was put through its paces by members of our woman&home Tester Network in their own homes.

Rather than simply judging a product on its first impression, our testers incorporated each item into their normal cleaning routines. They considered the things that matter most when you're actually trying to keep a home clean: how easy products are to set up and use, how effectively they perform, whether they make chores quicker or easier, and whether they're something you'd genuinely reach for again.

For vacuum cleaners and floor-care products, testers considered manoeuvrability, cleaning performance, versatility, storage and overall convenience. Laundry products were assessed on cleaning performance, ease of use, fragrance and how well they tackled everyday marks. Bathroom and steam-cleaning products were judged on effectiveness, practicality and how much effort was required to achieve a good result.

We also encouraged testers to be honest about the drawbacks. No cleaning product is perfect, and a genuinely useful review needs to tell you what might make you hesitate before buying.

Once testing was complete, we calculated the average score for each product from the testers' feedback. The products that consistently impressed our readers were crowned our Reader Approved winners.

And that's a wrap on our 2026 woman&home Reader Approved Awards. From better sleep and bedtime rituals to kitchen heroes and now these chore-busting cleaning champions, our readers have put some of the year's most talked-about products through their paces – and these are the products that earned their place among our Reader Approved winners.

As a parent, there’s nothing worse than being made to feel uncomfortable. We’ve all been there – disapproving looks at restaurants, tuts when you board a plane, even when the kids are being perfectly behaved, so I’m always a little apprehensive when visiting a luxury hotel. Thankfully, The Berkeley Hotel, a stone’s throw from London’s Hyde Park, made every member of our family feel truly welcomed. My daughters, Sophie, 8, and Amelia, 4, hadn’t stayed in the capital before, so we want an all-out luxurious experience they’ll remember forever.

Part of the prestigious Maybourne Hotel Group, which also owns institutions like nearby Claridge’s and The Connaught, The Berkeley is located in upmarket Knightsbridge and deserves every one of its five stars. From the heated rooftop pool, to the individually designed rooms and suites, and the numerous dining options, it’s almost a shame to leave and see the sights when you're staying here, as there’s so much to enjoy inside its beautifully decorated walls.

What makes The Berkeley great for families?

From the minute we arrived, staff took the time to speak and interact directly with the girls, rather than seeing them as an inconvenience, which is how we’ve felt at some luxury hotels. The doormen rushed to carry the pushchair (a must for transporting tired legs) up the stairs for us, and then led my daughters straight to the welcome lounge and offered them a bag of sweets each…they clearly know the way to children’s hearts.

The hotel offers a A Family Story package, which means you get a second room for the children for free if you’re booking a suite, or at 50% off if you’re in a room. This includes lots of gifts and surprises for all members of the family.

Our girls had board games on their beds, as well as the cutest princess and fairy bedding with crowns on their pillows and ballgowns on their duvets. There were also mini welcome muffins for the girls, and a bottle of excellent Champagne and a cake for us adults to enjoy.

If you let the hotel know 48 hours in advance, you can check in from 10am, which is an absolute game changer for families. It means you can get settled in and pop back to your room during a busy day of sightseeing. So much more convenient than the usual 3pm check in, and means you really get to maximise your stay.

Our room had the biggest smart television I’ve ever seen, which proved perfect for a movie night, and you can even order games consoles to be delivered to your room if you want to keep them quiet for a while.

The swimming pools

The absolute hero of the hotel for the girls had to be the rooftop pool, which overlooks Hyde Park and was deserted on both days we visited. There are super comfy loungers, a bar serving an impressive array of drinks, and you can also order food to enjoy.

It’s always a blessing when the pool water is a comfortable temperature, and the girls jumped straight in here and didn’t want to leave! There are complimentary pool towles for guests to use, and you’re welcome to head up wearing the bath robes in your room.

Unfortunately the health club was closed for refrubishment when we visited (a great reason to go back!), but Surrene Belgravia offers four floors of wellness, open exclusively to hotel guests and club members. As well as a 22m lap pool, there’s a state-of-the-art gym, Tracy Anderson fitness studio, saunas, steam rooms and snow showers to enjoy, plus a treatment menu designed to combat modern-day stress. Yes, please.

Children are able to use the outdoor pool at all hours it opens, and the indoor pool during set family hours in the morning and afternoon.

What are the rooms like?

There are 190 luxurious rooms and suites at The Berkeley, with many able to be linked together to create flexible accommodation for families. Honestly, when we first saw our Grand Pavilion Penthouse, I thought I might just refuse to leave – it was bigger than most homes, with a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the rooftops of London.

Each area of the suite had floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to make the most of the incredible views, with button-operated blinds and curtains for when we wanted privacy. The wraparound terrace was a real highlight, with our own firepit and blankets making it the perfect place to curl up with a glass of champagne when the girls had fallen asleep.

As well as a dining room, living room, bar area and master suite, we had two walk-in wardrobes, a dressing room and two bathrooms, with state-of-the-art smart toilets, a luxurious slipper bath and his and hers marble sinks. The girls’ room, which was joined to it, had twin beds and its own bathroom, complete with child-sized robes, slippers and toiletries designed for delicate younger skin.

There were fully stocked bars and fridges in both rooms, with complimentary soft drinks and water, which was restocked at turndown. The girls loved being able to help themselves to a bottle of juice or milk, and there are also lots of alcoholic drinks available for adults at an extra charge.

I always judge a hotel room by the quality of the hairdryer and here I had not only a Dyson hairdryer, but also a complete Dyson Air Wrap system located within an immaculately-lit dressing room – absolute heaven for getting ready. Amenities throughout are just exquisite, from the eco-friendly shaving and tooth care kits, to the divine-smelling toiletries.

There are some serious perks to booking a suite here, too, including complimentary massage per adult, clothes pressing on arrival, a 24/7 butler at your disposal, free airport or train station transfers in the house BMW fleet, and even a one-way helicopter transfer if you truly want to arrive in style.

What food and drink is on offer?

Before checking to our room, in we headed to the Cedric Grolet Counter, the hotel’s world-renowned pâtissier-in-residence. We took a front-row seat to watch some of the incredible creations being made, from fruits and flowers that look exactly like the real thing but taste like heaven, to famed croissants.

My pesky nut allergy meant there were a few things I couldn’t have, but I was very envious of the afternoon tea selections I could see being served and thoroughly enjoyed by juicy white chocolate mango filled with creamy mousse and caramelised mango chunks. The staff were again amazing with the girls, explaining what they were doing and serving the best chocolate chip cookies with milk for them to enjoy.

For dinner, we headed down to abc kitchen, the first UK offshoot of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s acclaimed New York eatery. It's located in the adjoining The Emory, also part of The Maybourne family. Again, there was no need to worry about having the girls with us – our waiter bought them mocktails, and directed us straight to the pizza section of the menu!

For us adults, there was a feast of Mexican and Latin American-inspired dishes to devour. Highlights included heirloom beetroot carpaccio with creamy avocado, crispy dover sole tacos with tangy apple slaw, and heavenly arroz con pollo – a risotto with crackling chicken skin, lemon zest and black pepper. Our waiter was so friendly and accommodating, and we loved being able to watch the world go by outside the restaurant windows, overlooking Hyde Park.

For special occasions, La Môme London is The Berkeley’s flagship restaurant and offers a taste of the French Riviera. The girls are quite fussy eaters, so we’ve made a resolution to dine there next time we have a child-free break.

The hotel’s A Family Story package includes breakfast for all ages, which can be taken in your room or one of the restaurants within the hotel. We decided to take advantage of the butler and full-sized dining room in our suite and order a leisurely breakfast. I absolutely loved that the ordering card wasn’t one of the tick lists you usually get in hotels, but simply said ‘What would you like for breakfast?’. It meant we could all order exactly what we wanted, and it arrived piping hot and beautifully presented.

Things to do

Central London is your playground when you’re staying here, with Hyde Park and its rose garden, memorials and Serpentine lake, literally opposite the hotel. We took a 10-minute stroll down Constitution Hill to Buckingham Palace for the obligatory tourist pictures, before heading to Selfridges for something the girls had wanted to do since it opened – visit the Jellycat Fish & Chips pop-up at Selfridges.

I have to say this is one of the most surreal, but enjoyable, things I’ve ever done! You book a slot to visit the fish and chip counter that’s located within the toy department on the fourth floor. It’s free to book but you have to purchase an item from the counter, all of which are limited edition and not available anywhere else. The girls chose a Lily Fish and Cosy Chips soft toy each, but there are also sausages, fish pie and mushy peas available.

Staff at the counter interact with you as if it were a real fish and chip counter, encouraging you to add salt and vinegar to your toys, and playing games with you as they wrap them up and pop them in a limited edition bag. You also get free stickers, pin badges and limited edition napkins to remember the day by.

How to get there

I drive to central London for work, and by the time you’ve factored in the Ultra Low Emission Zone and Congestion Charge, it’s better value, and less stress, to use public transport.

We travelled first class from Birmingham International to London Euston with Avanti West Coast, which the girls absolutely loved. You get access to the first class lounges at the stations before you travel with complimentary food, drinks and magazines to enjoy, then there is table service onboard for further drinks and snacks, all of which are included.

We’ll never be able to afford to fly first class as a family, but weekend first class train tickets with Avanti start at £63 one way, making it a more affordable slice of luxury.

It's reassuring to hear that even leading interior designers sometimes get it wrong when decorating their own homes, and even better when they are willing to share their personal experience to aid our design journeys.

One such interior designer is Abigail Ahern, who has an instantly recognisable, distinct personal style. Think cocooning spaces drenched in colour, layered with tactile textures and thoughtful layered lighting, but it turns out that wasn't always the case.

Last month, Abigail revealed her foolproof design tricks that never go out of style, and this week she confessed to the decorating mistakes she made early on, before she found her stride in the interiors world. These are the simple design errors she encourages all homeowners to avoid to make a house feel like a home.

Decorating mistakes to avoid: confessions of Abigail Ahern

"Number one, I played it way too safe with colour in the early years," Abigail begins. "Everything was white for about seven years and it didn't make me feel happy. Colour is personal, so if white makes you happy, have it, but for me it really didn't."

Like many, Abigail was likely conforming to the theory that white provides a perfectly safe background colour to add accents, but in reality white can be hard to pull off in most rooms – unless you want a stark, contemporary feel.

However, the real issue is often not choosing the right shade of white paint, so it doesn't feel warm enough or reflect enough light into the space. That goes for all the latest interior paint colour trends; choose colours you love, but also ones that best suit each space.

"Number two: underestimating the power of texture," Abigail continues. "When you add textural pieces to your room, (whether) a tablescape or a vignette, it literally gives it so much intrigue and depth."

Texture doesn't apply merely to soft, woolly layers; it also incorporates natural textures through foliage or raw wooden materials that add depth and intrigue to a room. I agree with Abigail that texture is one of the most important elements in a room's DNA to ensure it appeals to the other senses, because a tactile space instantly feels more comforting and welcoming.

Last but certainly not least, Abigail touches on the importance of balancing scale. "The biggest one, number three, is playing around with scale. When you add something that is too big in a space, it makes it feel really magical," she says poetically.

"So like, super large over here - it takes you out of your comfort zone, but what it does is it creates intrigue and depth and all the coolest interior designers around the world use that."

Like the rule of styling in three, this is one of those elements of interior design that all experts can agree on. By playing with scale, you create a natural flow throughout the room that encourages the eye to explore every aspect – floor to ceiling.

Decorating your home may be a hugely personal choice; however, it is always nice to know you're aligned with leading interior designers. Abigail's advice overall is to "play around with scale, add a load of texture and don't be too boring when it comes to your colour choices."

Taking these key elements into consideration when decorating your space ensures you create a home you truly love, not one that conforms to fleeting trends and ideals of what a home should look like.

Sourdough is to September what mince pies are to Christmas: a match made in heaven. You can bake sourdough at any time of year, as long as you have a good recipe, but early autumn is the sweet spot for beginners. The air is still warm enough to give your starter a healthy rise, without the sticky heat that sends it racing off like an over-excited puppy.

Now, with Bake Off back on our screens and a little chill creeping in to the mornings, there's never been a better time to get your hands doughy. But, before you start to knead, it's worth gathering a few baking essentials, because the perfect sourdough takes time, patience, and the right kit.

From starter houses to Nordic whisks, these are the little items that will give your loaf the edge and help you go from flat-out flop to crust-ing it. And when you want all the details on what they're doing in the Bake Off tent, you know where to find it.

9 Baking Essentials For Baking The Perfect Sourdough Loaf

These nine essentials will make sure that your sourdough rises to the occasion, whether you're a baking beginner or seasoned sourdough hand. Ince you've caught the bug, you might find yourself eyeing up stand mixers, because these can take the elbow grease out of bigger batches. But the beauty of sourdough is that you can get started with some very simple accessories. So, dust off your banneton, feed your starter, and get your apron. It's time to get a slice of sourdough this September.

As a fashion editor with over 20 years' experience, the best handbag brands (that are also affordable) are one of the things I'm asked about most. Whether it's practical but stylish, timeless and elegant or arm candy that packs a punch, a well-crafted bag can transform an outfit in an instant.

And while the latest autumn/winter handbag trends for 2026 will instantly update your look, there are some labels that are producing beautiful bags that offer contemporary style without being bound by an individual season, making them an even better investment. And they truly don't have to cost the earth.

There has been a huge shift in the cost of luxury goods over the last ten years, and with well-known fashion houses now charging £1000s for the smallest of clutches, it might seem that a beautiful bag is now out of reach, but there is a growing crop of affordable luxury accessory brands that are bucking the trend. Delivering leather handbags with gorgeous hardware for what we term affordable luxury.

11 handbag brands that are worth investing in

Many of the best designer bags cost £1000s, but for those looking for quality at a more affordable price, there are affordable options out there. Good-sized totes with striking finishes for around the £400-£600 mark, with prices starting from £150. These include hand-crafted leather and suede, and timeless design, giving you excellent cost-per-wear and luxe colours that mean you truly can enjoy your bag for years to come. Some of the brands on here do have price options, but they entry priced products too, allowing them to make the cut. Here are 11 labels I recommend that cover every taste.

1. DeMellier

• Browse all DeMellier bags

DeMellier embodies the concept of affordable luxury and is one of the leaders in mid-market, well-crafted leather goods. DeMellier founder Mireia Luisia-Lindh has created an elegant, contemporary handbag brand that delivers polished style, cult status and is ethically and sustainably made for under £700 (for the largest totes), meaning the medium and smaller options are even more budget-friendly.

Styles start from as little as £365, making them the absolute sweet spot of investment shopping. Stick to classic shapes and timeless colour palettes, and these are bags you can wear again and again, and you'd be in good company. From the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, to Katie Holmes, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Emily Blunt and many more, DeMellier has garnered a legion of fans for its sophisticated styles that add polish to any look.

The best DeMellier bags to shop now? My favourites include The New York collection for work: sleek, modern, and ever-so-grown-up; it's the bag collection that tells the world you have it together. While for party, the striking hardware on the Nano means this mini bag packs a punch every time.

2. Aspinal of London

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British heritage brand Aspinal of London is another Royal and celebrity favourite (Kate Middleton has been spotted with its bags) that has been adding timeless elegance to wardrobes since 2001. Craftsmanship and luxury materials are balanced by a playfulness, as the brand weaves contemporary colour, embellishment and prints alongside classic silhouettes that keep fans returning every season.

Beautiful leathers and a love of gifting expand the product range beyond handbags into leather-bound notebooks and sumptuous silk scarves, but it's the likes of its Mayfair bag that it's perhaps best known for.

However, while Aspinal's occasion bags are a regular on the red carpet, there are a host of bag styles for every occasion: totes, hobos, clutches and larger luggage items, meaning every bag whim is catered for in the most sophisticated way.

3. Mulberry

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Fresh from London Fashion Week, Mulberry has been a style staple for decades, and the brand is now under the design stewardship of British talent, Christopher Kane. Returning to the catwalk to showcase its spring/summer 2027 collection, it feels like it's about to have a bit of a revival, making it the perfect time to reinvest.

I have always been a Mulberry girl, perhaps influenced by its 00s and 2010s cult status thanks to the Bayswater and the Alexa, which punctuated my first foray into designer bags, and I'd say it's back on the fashion map in a big way.

This is the one label in the list that does push up the average price, with bags pushing into that four-figure bracket, although there is a good selection under that. But with 50% of the British brand's icons still made in its Somerset factories, Mulberry is the largest luxury leather goods manufacturer in the UK, and keeping those skills alive is something worth supporting. It's also worth noting that Mulberry does offer pre-loved items and has been known to go on sale, so it's worth bookmarking.

4. Strathberry

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Elegant, timeless yet utterly contemporary, Strathberry has gained a legion of A-list and Royal fans for its elevated designs and its instantly recognisable metal music bar hardware.

A beautiful leather goods brand, the Edinburgh-based label was founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Guy and Leanne Hundleby. The bags are crafted in Spain and focus on quiet luxury bags, with strikingly vintage-inspired silhouettes with a very modern twist.

While Strathberry has added soft suede hobos, drawstring pouches and raffia designs to its ever-expanding product offering, for me, Strathberry's most iconic designs, like the Mosaic, feature more structured shapes, polished chain crossbody bags and totes, which you can rely on for everyday elegance and into the evening.

5. Dragon Diffusion

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Specialising in woven leather, Dragon Diffusion is made on demand, which does mean that your purchase takes 8-10 weeks, but it is literally crafted just for you. This saves on waste and cost, adding to the brand's sustainable credentials, which are at the heart of its ethos.

Delivering a woven aesthetic, made popular by the likes of Bottega Veneta, Dragon Diffusion uses vegetable-dyed leathers to craft gorgeous bags and belts in a magical array of colours. From totes to shoulder bags, you're looking at a top-end price of around £500 for the brand's largest pieces.

Handwoven, Dragon Diffusion has been spotted on the arms of some of the world's most stylish women, from Alexa Chung to Dakota Johnson, and the label has also paired up with style favourites Rixo in the past, firmly putting them on the fashion map and opening them up to a wider audience.

6. Kate Spade

• Browse Kate Spade bags

Launched in 1993, Kate Brosnaham Spade was an accessories editor on the hunt for utilitarian handbags, something suitable for work but still stylish. Beginning with just six pieces, the brand became a global phenomenon, and now the affordable but still much-loved line is packed with colour and creativity, alongside timeless staples and vintage-inspired, ladylike designs.

With plenty of quirky hero pieces, the brand recently went viral for its Dauscand shoulder bag, which quickly sold out, and the label continues to inject fun into fashion, season upon season. But don't be fooled. Contemporary suede and sleek shoulder bags remain the backbone of the Kate Spade collection, providing AM to PM style.

Head here for bags under £400, and plenty of options around the £225 mark. Gorgeous curved crescent bags, luxe-looking totes and modern pouches tap into trends without compromising on wearability. Want a speedy style update? The bag charms are a hero small buy to restyle current looks too.

7. Longchamp

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When it comes to bags, Longchamp is probably best known for its Le Pliage, the fabric tote with a main zip pocket and a neat, central fold-over flap, secured with a popper is one of fashion's most instantly recognisable designs, but if that's all Longchamp means to you, it's time to think again.

The beautiful French luxury goods brand has what can only be described as a sprawling collection, beyond the £115 medium canvas tote, and one that is well worth investigating. The Le Pliage itself has been reimagined in recent seasons, and now alongside the staple shoulder bag, there is a series of quirkier takes on the classic - including East-West, customisable and evening bag silhouettes.

Away from the Le Pliage is a host of other Longchamp styles that are less well-known, but worth your consideration. Le Smartas, the name suggests, is a very polished edit, with timeless styles in buttery soft leathers, and more high-fashion-led hardware. Here, a small crossbody bag or bucket bag will cost around £450.

With nine other bag families, there is something for every occasion and price point at Longchamp, so remember, never judge a brand by its canvas tote.

8. Fairfax and Favor

• Browse Fairfax and Favor bags

British charm is perhaps the most apt way to describe Fairfax and Favor, a brand that has been championing British heritage style long before it became a catwalk trend. Handcrafted, the ever-growing offering of country-coded handbags with a hint of city flair is the kind of modern arm-candy that you can return to again and again.

While there are pops of print and texture within the range, a focus on timeless design, shape, material and colourways is paramount. Tan, navy, black and brown dominate the collection, ensuring your investment buy isn't relying on the autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026, it's a buy-now, wear-for-life purchase.

Smaller clutches cost £125, while shoulder bags are around a very reasonable £295, with the brand's best-selling Windsor bag (a gorgeous work option) clocking in under £450 - an absolute style steal. Like many accessories labels in this piece, Fairfax and Favor have gained Royal approval, with the likes of Zara Tindall spotted carrying the brand's Mini Windsor.

9. Anya Hindmarch

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I can't talk handbag brands without spotlighting Anya Hindmarch, the accessory brand that puts fun into fashion. There is, however, a core line of polished accessories that I think often gets missed in favour of Anya's quirkier designs. The travel tote has been on my wish list for the longest time - with multiple pockets, it would make an amazing baby bag that would spin into a great work bag, or carry-on luggage, too. Don't sleep on Anya's clutch bags, which cover everything from classic to wild cards. And the same goes for the totes too - whether you want a piece of art or a sleek suede style, Hindmarch has you covered.

Pop art for the modern age, an Anya Hindmarch bag is a conversation starter. Using modern iconography to create standout bags, expect everything from the current Peanuts Space Snoopy collaboration, a Sweet 'n' Low tote, an embellished Nurofen Mini Bucket bag, and a new line of Kellogg's-inspired designs launching soon.

You might also recognise Anya's signature googley eye motif, which is used both on the brand's bags and in collaborations with the likes of Uniqlo, to deliver a playful twist for every item. Kate Middleton, Emma Watson, Claudia Schiffer and many more famous names are counted as fans of the brand.

And it isn't just fantasy that underpins Anya Hindmarch. A champion of the reusable tote, you may know the label for the likes of the 'I'm not a plastic bag' bag and continued sustainable canvas tote collaborations that offer a relatively inexpensive way to buy into the label. There is now a recycled plastic edit called 'I am a plastic bag' that strays into the affordable luxury market too.

10. Holland Cooper

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Quintessentially British, Holland Cooper is the perfect accompaniment to the heritage trend that has become quite the fixture in our wardrobe. With a love of all things equestrian, you can really feel the love of tradition and timelessness that founder Jade injects into every piece.

Beautiful tweeds, luxe leathers and classic style fused with a contemporary flair carry through every aspect of the brand, and its handbags evoke that feeling too.

Holdalls, totes and crossbody designs punctuate a collection of leather and suede in chocolate and tan hues, ensuring a very rich-looking finish. Utilising the Holland Cooper's emblem in gold hardware and as an all-over print, there are both quiet luxury and statement looks taken care of here. The chocolate suede Milan tote feels very on-trend, echoing current bag trends, and would make a lovely addition to any work wardrobe, while smaller pieces, like the Country Camera Bag (£229), offer practicality in droves, at a price you'll love.

11. Lulu Guiness

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The originator of the witty brand, Lulu Guinness, is nothing short of a fashion legend. Her playful take on accessories has seen her handbags sported by the likes of Kate Moss and Gillian Anderson, amongst countless others.

With the trend for quirky, statement handbags very much back on the fashion map, Lulu Guinness has had something of a revival in the last five years, and with 36 years under her belt, the creative designer continues to wow with new ideas every season.

Creating collector's items, Lulu's lips clutch is perhaps the brand's most iconic piece, although the recent line of tote shoppers has made the brand accessible to a whole new generation of fans.

Full of wit and enchantment, The Collectibles are the brand's most show-stopping designs, bringing form and function together, and yet these are all under £350, proving that fabulous fashion and eye-catching design don't need to break the bank.

What to consider before buying from a handbag brand

If you're not someone who usually buys branded bags, or have been thinking about taking the first steps into designer handbags, then every label on this list is worth looking at, and they all have a slightly different niche or style.

While Chanel 2.55 or Hermes Birkins might fill your social media timelines, and they are indeed very beautiful bags for those able to get their hands on them, not being able to shop high-end price points doesn't exclude you from owning a special piece.

The most important thing to remember when investing in a higher-ticket item is to think about how and where you will wear your bag. What colour will work best with your existing capsule wardrobe? Do you want something that blends, or something that contrasts with your autumn outfit ideas? Consider the fabric: generally, when investing in higher-ticket items, you can expect gorgeous suede and luxe leather that will wear beautifully, and of course, hardware - statement or discreet - what fits your style?

Why choose a handbag brand over a general retailer?

Accessories are a core part of most fashion brands, but a bag specialist, or a brand that has built its handbag offering significantly, cultivating core styles and specific hardware, will have crafting luxury leather goods down to a fine art. And every brand on this list has also spent time cultivating a signature style, a particular emblem or clasp that immediately makes it recognisable, setting your purchase apart from the crowd.

Have I ever regretted investing in a handbag?

Honestly? No. I still think about the ones that got away. The original Alexander McQueen knuckle duster clutch that I just did not have the disposable income for, and the silk Bimba y Lola backpack that I think about at least every six months and it's been well over a decade (maybe two) since I abandoned it in a Spanish store.

While I'm not lucky enough to be swimming in great bag purchases (one can dream), a great handbag is a pivotal wardrobe purchase. It can hold power, open conversation and make you feel put together, even when you're not.

From my first DKNY at Dickens and Jones to the sample sale purchases that gave me a designer thrill at a bargain price tag, affordable luxury is not a necessity, but sometimes, when we can, it's just nice to have lovely things, and every bag brand on this list does just that.

Our buttocks are made for more than sitting on. Three muscles make up this area, and one of them, the gluteus maximus, is the largest in the body. We need it to be strong for everything from standing up from a chair and climbing stairs to supporting full-body stability.

Trinny Woodall has been a fitness fan for decades. She often shares her home workouts online, joined by friends and trainers. This time, she's revealed her go-to 15-minute set of glute exercises, alongside PT Nathalie Hayward.

“We need to keep [our glutes] strong and supple,” says Nathalie in the video, shared on Instagram. “So we need to do release work and stretching as well."

The warm up

Many people are prone to skiping a good warm-up in favour of getting to the workout faster, but Nathalie says that warming up muscles is "absolutely crucial".

"It prevents injury and gets your muscles prepped for movement," she says.

Here's her go-to warm up for the glutes:

• Windscreen Wipers
• Glute Bridges
• Cat-Cow Stretch
• All-Fours Leg Lifts

Once they’re fully warmed up, Trinny and Nathalie stand up on their yoga mat to begin their glute and leg exercises. The trainer suggests doing a few sets of the five-move routine to create an effective 15-minute workout.

The workout

1. Squats

Squats are a compound movement, meaning they work many muscles at the same time. In this classic squat stance, Nathalie stresses that your body weight should be "evenly balanced between both feet" to avoid doing a side lunge.

Here's how to do it:

• Stand with your legs together.
• Step out with one leg and squat deeply.
• Bring your legs back together and step out with the other leg.
• Continue for a minute.

2. Hamstring hinges

You'll be familiar with the hip hinge if you normally do deadlifts or RDLs in the gym. Trinny does this one with a set of dumbbells to increase the intensity but Nathalie sticks with bodyweight. It works the back of your legs and the glutes.

Here's how to do it:

• Inhale and push your hips back, keeping a soft bend in your knees.
• Pretend you're trying to hit a button on the wall behind you.
• Push back until you can feel a deep stretch through your hamstrings on the back of your legs.
• Push through your feet to return to standing.

3. Side-lying leg lifts

As well as focusing on the glutes, the side-lying leg lift recruits muscles in the upper-body as well. It's a great one for improving stability in the shoulders and back as well as you rest on one arm.

Here's how to do it:

• Lie on your side with your knees bent.
• Rest on one straight arm and keep the other arm on your hip.
• The easier variation is to just raise the top bent knee and then lower it down again.
• The harder version is to lift both hips off the mat and then raise your top leg.

4. Frog bridges

A frog bridge is very similar to a glute bridge but bringing your feet together "isolates the gluteus maximus", says Nathalie.

Here's how to do it:

• Start with the soles of your feet together and your knees bent.
• Lift the hips and gently squeeze the glutes.
• Hold the pose at the top for a few seconds before lowering back down again.

5. Reverse lunges

The final exercise in Trinny and Nathalie's workout is the reverse lunge. This one works muscles in the inner thigh, the quadriceps, and the calves, says the PT.

Here's how to do it:

• Start with both feet together.
• Step back with one leg and bend the knee as close to the mat as possible.
• Bring the leg back in and swap to the other side.

While Nathalie demonstrates the reverse lunges, Trinny demonstrates a ski squat against the wall. This is better for people who have knee issues, says the trainer, so feel free to swap out the lunges for this variation.

A ski squat is the same as a wall sit. You use the wall for stability but stay in a squat position for as long as you can.

The beauty industry is an incredibly exciting one to work in. It’s so fast-paced - there’s always a new beauty launch, a buzzy new ingredient, or a shiny new brand to get wooed by. It can mean, though, that we’re a little obsessed with the hot new thing - our heads get turned so often we’re in danger of turning into owls.

To celebrate the 100th year of woman&home and our 2026 beauty awards, we wanted to spotlight the iconic buys that have really stood the test of time. Those seminal buys that have really earned their spots in the beauty hall of fame. These are the products we’d be panicked to see vanish from shop shelves or our bathroom cabinets.

With most launching decades ago, our icons really prove that newer isn’t always better. There’s a reason why they’re still such bestsellers - and let us tell you why.

Beauty director, Sarah Cooper-White

"I’ve worked as a beauty journalist for a long time (over 20 years!), and Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream is one of the mainstay recommendations I’ve made throughout my career," raves beauty director Sarah Cooper-White. "It’s one of the first products I thought of when we were building the icons awards category because it really embodies exactly what we wanted to create from this spotlight - hardworking, effective buys that have been around for most of woman&home’s history, and are likely to still be around in another 100 years.

It was created by Elizabeth Arden herself in 1930 - the name was coined by a client who used the cream on her child’s grazed knee - she applied it, and 8 hours later it was better. I can vouch that it really works - I do actually use it on my kids’ cuts and grazes! It’s also brilliant for parched lips and dry patches and can also be used as a barrier cream and brow tamer. It’s just brilliant - I have one in every handbag. I absolutely love it."

Beauty editor, Stephanie Maylor

"Launched in the mid ‘90s exclusively to QVC, this cult cleanser has racked up more than 150 awards, thanks to its winning formula that combines naturally active ingredients with scientific innovation and proven results," says beauty editor Stephanie Maylor. "I can’t remember the first time I used Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, but I know how many bottles I’ve got through since. It’s the cleanser I always go back to between forays into new formulas. I love the soothing scent. I love the buttery-feel. I love how well it removes my make-up, and how plump and quenched my skin feels after.

In a saturated market, with cleansers that target every complexion concern and skin type, this is refreshingly simple - a one size fits all formula that cleanses without stripping, replenishing skin with the hero botanicals - chamomile, rosemary, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil. The real USP comes from the ‘Hot Cloth’ portion - a cotton muslin cloth that gently removes excess product and provides skin with a gentle exfoliation."

Senior beauty editor, Rhiannon Derbyshire

According to senior beauty editor Rhiannon Derbyshire, "Max Factor was a makeup artist who worked in the very early days of cinema, and he invented products we still use today, including the first concealer available to buy in retail shops and the first mascara to be applied from a tube. In keeping with its Hollywood history, Marilyn Monroe was said to be a fan of Max Factor lipsticks, so it’s no wonder that this formula has remained so timeless.

She continues, "I wear red lipstick every day, and this formula is one of the main ones I recommend. It’s so easy to apply - it really glides onto lips and doesn’t cling to dry patches, and the satin finish is a lot more forgiving and less intimidating than a full-blown matte. The colour is perfect too - it’s a true red that genuinely does suit everyone. I also really love the gold packaging, which makes it look and feel much more expensive than it is. The price impresses me every time - for £9.99, you can truly transform yourself - physically and spiritually. "

Beauty editor, Jess Beech

"Launched in the 1950s, the Dove Beauty Bar was revolutionary for being formulated with a quarter moisturising cream, making it a nourishing alternative to classic soap," explains beauty editor Jess Beech. "I have used Dove Beauty Bar every day for as long as I can remember. My mum always has one in her shower, so that fresh, soapy scent always reminds me of home. The Beauty Bar manages to hit the perfect balance of leaving you feeling really, truly clean (rather than just overwhelming you with scent) but without drying out your skin.

Other soaps end up either a bit dry or a bit sticky, and I’ve never found another that hasn't made me feel like I’ve stepped back in time. I used to use the Dove Beauty Bar on my face too as a teenager, and while I wouldn’t recommend that now as a 34-year-old beauty editor, I would say it’s still a much better and gentler alternative to mini hotel shower gel if you’re in a tight spot. Proof that not all beauty icons need to be fancy, or cost more than £2."

Beauty writer, Annie Milroy

"Founded in 1994, heritage English brand; Jo Malone is as quintessentially British as beauty brands can get," according to beauty writer Annie Milroy. "For as long as I can remember, being gifted anything from Jo Malone has always been the ultimate luxurious treat and for many, the recognisable butter yellow and black bags are a symbol of the best of British beauty.

I still recall the day I received my first Jo Malone gift; a Lime Basil & Mandarin Candle, which had been on every birthday and Christmas list for years. 18 year-old-me wanted to feel sophisticated and chic, and only a Jo Malone candle would make me feel this way. It’s fresh, light and comforting- everything you could want from a home scent. Subtle yet impactful, zesty lime is balanced with herby basil and fresh mandarin, producing a scent so beautiful you’ll never want to be without it. Truly, there’s no scent more fitting of an icon award than this."

Beauty director, Sarah Cooper-White

"This is such a nostalgic scent for me," enthuses beauty director Sarah Cooper-White. "It’s true that perfumes have the power to really transport you to a particular place - when it comes to Dewberry, I’m right back in my senior school classroom, spritzed head-to-toe in the scent. I even used to get the full Dewberry sets wrapped in cellophane as a teenager!

The perfume oil is a lovely way to wear it - it’s a lot subtler, while still having the distinct fruity Dewberry scent. Dewberry originally launched in 1988 to the delight of my friends and me, but during the noughties it vanished from the shelves. I was thrilled to see it back this year - long may it stay."

Beauty writer, Sennen Prickett

"Anyone in the market to revive damaged hair is already well-acquainted with Philip Kingsley’s Elasticiser Treatment. Launching in 1974, this deeply conditioning formula was the world’s first pre-shampoo treatment mask and was originally created for the one and only Audrey Hepburn – I mean, it couldn’t get more iconic if it tried. Since it made its debut to the public back in 1982, it’s no surprise that it has gone on to gain a cult following and win a plethora of awards.

I reach for this intensely nourishing hair mask whenever my strands are in need of some TLC, as it delivers a surge of moisture inside the hair cuticle, leaving my tresses silky, stronger and full of bounce. What’s more, it even offers UV protection post-hair wash to help prolong the vibrancy of colour-treated hair.”

Beauty channel editor, Fiona McKim

"When I first started at w&h as a baby beauty editor, I had some catching up to do," explains beauty channel editor Fiona McKim. "I started my career writing features, so I tried to sponge up intel by asking every beauty ed I met what products they used. One acronym constantly came up, and I spent weeks wondering what this mysterious ANR was until my boss, Jo GB, kindly explained it was Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, that 'everyone' used it because it was 'the best.' Simple as that.

Ask a room of beauty eds the same question today, and this would still dominate the responses, mine included. That's good going for a 44-year-old serum in a crowded market. And why ANR? (yes I call it that too now) It was the first-ever night serum, brought hyaluronic acid to the market, and has been continuously tweaked so the tech stays up to date, with peptides, antioxidants, and more. It works on any skin type, slots into any routine, and I'd recommend it to anyone - frequently do. ANR is rightly revered and was always going to be a shoo-in for our 100th birthday honours list."

Digital beauty writer, Naomi Jamieson

"A fellow centenarian this year, an icon for a reason and loved by many a celeb (including Victoria Beckham), Weleda's Skin Food is the rich and ultra-nourishing multi-tasker every bathroom cabinet needs. The formula blends hydrating botanicals like wild pansy, chamomile, rosemary and calendula to deliver an intensive, soothing treatment to the skin - whether you're applying it to your face, hands or dry elbows.

It's a personal go-to of mine in the winter months, when my skin tends to get very irritated and red, as it not only offers relief but leaves a lasting dewy barrier behind that wards off tightness and looks lovely under makeup, too."

Collectively boasting years of testing products for a living, it's safe to say that the woman&home beauty team knows how to spot an impressive formula amongst the rest.

With payday looming, it's only right that we do our due diligence by sharing our favourite new beauty launches that hit the shelves in September and will cost you less than £25 a piece.

This month has offered nothing short of variety, from a hydrating shampoo that's just landed on UK shores and a cherry-cocoa hair mask to an oil-absorbing moisturiser and one of the best lip liners that stays put all day long. All this and more below...

12 new beauty launches under £25 to hit the shelves in September

Take it from us, there's a lot of under-£25 beauty buys worth talking about this month, from a longevity skincare serum to a festive NEOM candle that boasts a comforting, room-filling aroma – and so much more.