Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Woman & Home

It’s been a year of uncertainty, but one thing is for sure – whether New Year’s Eve finds me dancing with friends at a fabulous party or sipping champagne at home on the sofa, I’m going to dress up, inspired by the fabulous Jenny Agutter, interviewed on p18, who says she goes high glamour even if she’s only staying indoors. Since reading Professional skin prep tips! (p90), I’ve tried them and, I have to tell you, they really work! Combined with the genius shapewear guide on p74, they make the business of getting ready a whole lot more effective and enjoyable. Meanwhile, I always like to look back at last year’s resolutions, usually with a hollow laugh – no, I did not drink more water or learn Italian. This year…

1. Hot lips This golden lip topper contains skincare-inspired ingredients to plump lips. Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gold, £25, charlottetilbury.com 2. Glow on This radiant powder will switch on your complexion and infuse the skin with light. Givenchy Prisme Libre Highlighter, £38.50, givenchybeauty.com 3. Scarlet woman Dress lips in Santa red for some festive pizzazz, with a matte finish. Gucci Beauty Limited-Edition Rouge à Lèvres Mat in 25 Goldie Red, £35, selfridges.com 4. Grown-up glitter This eyeshadow adds seasonal sparkle. MAC Shapeshifter Duo Chrome Eyeshadow in Right Before Your Eyes, £17.50, maccosmetics.co.uk 5. Merry mani This inky grape polish is an elegant take on your typical dark and brooding black, wine and navy. OPI Nail Lacquer in Heart to Party, £13.90, opiuk.com 6. Precious metals Update the smoky eye…

✢ FLING OPEN THE CURTAINS Exposure to natural light in the morning resets your internal body clock and reduces that groggy feeling when you wake. ✢ TRY HERBS Keep stress at bay with ashwagandha. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce anxiety and improve focus. Try Ashwagandha capsules, £16.95 for 30, Boots. ✢ USE ACUPRESSURE Apply 30-40 seconds of pressure to the ‘Stomach 36 acupoint’. This powerful pressure point increases energy – you’ll find it about a hand length below the kneecap, on the outside of the tibia.…

What’s the best decision you’ve ever made in life? Deciding to ‘have a go’ has been a little thread throughout my life. The key to making a good decision is to not overthink things. It doesn’t matter whether I’m jumping backwards out of a helicopter on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins or going for an interview at Sky, I’ve had a go. What frightens you? Being restricted because of poor health. We don’t know what life has in store, but as you get older, the odds are against you. That’s why I’m determined to live as healthily and happily as possible. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? An ex-boyfriend’s father once said to me, ’Aim to do your best and the rest follows,’ so simply aim to excel…

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, 65, is a leading gynaecologist who was the second-ever female president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and is the Chair of Wellbeing of Women. She lives in London and has grown-up twin daughters. After lockdown, I held a party to celebrate being made a dame in the 2020 New Year’s Honours. As I raised a glass with my twin daughters Jenny and Clare, now 29, they pointed out how much their late grandfather Jack would have enjoyed himself. He’d have been over the moon to see my journey, from the first in our family to be properly educated, to becoming president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and being recognised for my contribution to women’s health. My father was raised…

Thrifty trick Bag yourself a bargain by shopping at a police auction. Police auctions sell off stolen goods retrieved from criminals as well as lost property, where it hasn’t been possible to trace the owner. They also flog assets that were bought legally but using the proceeds of crime. It’s luck of the draw what’s on sale at any time, but some of the most common listings include jewellery, electronics, mobile phones, camera equipment, cars and bicycles. Often sold without a reserve price, you may nab items for a fraction of their normal value. Check out bumblebee auctions.co.uk, the national police website specifically for selling off lost or stolen goods. Just bear in mind that all but the smallest items are likely to be collection only from individual police stations. Find…

BRAS Intricate necklines might be stylish, but they can wreak havoc with your underwear. Look for multiway bras, so you can manipulate straps according to your outfit, or try seamless, strapless designs. Made with non-slip technology to keep the bra in place BRIEFS Visible panty lines are the enemy of dressing up, so invest in some high-waisted briefs, which will disappear under any look. Styles with tummy-control panels will help to smooth across your middle, so that dresses and skirts skim beautifully. Uses innovative panels to enhance your natural curves SHORTS For a little extra coverage and smoothing around the thighs and bottom, shaping shorts could be the answer for you. In a variety of tones, these non-chafe styles will help you dance the night away without a worry in…

There are two schools of thought on the relationship between skincare and make-up. Some see it as an equal partnership, with cosmetics acting as a flattering glaze over your complexion’s best assets. Others engage their make-up bag in a heavy-handed hostile takeover – smothering this neglected bit and ‘fixing’ that one. Clearly, Team A is a happier headspace. So if you’re planning a glam look for a special event, do as the experts do and show your skin some love first. These professional prep tricks will help your finished beauty look shine even brighter. THE NIGHT BEFORE Try a glow-boosting treatment by A-list facialist Chelseé Lewis. ‘The night before a party, I would recommend a gorgeous at-home mini facial. Start by massaging with a face oil, using stroking movements out…

1 BEST FOR DEEP CLEANSING PMD Clean Body, £145, pmdbeauty.com Exfoliating your body is great for radiant skin, but if this seems like a chore, make it easier with this clever tool. Delivering massaging vibrations that whisk off dead skin cells, this high-tech cleansing brush has interchangeable heads and a hygienic silicone exterior that make showering a spa-like experience. 2 BEST FOR BETTER SKIN AND HAIR Réduit Spa Gold, £279, reduit.com Recreating a spa-like treatment at home can seem fruitless without the tech, but this handheld, micro-misting gadget is about to change everything. Simply plug in a ‘pod’ and this stylish system applies the chosen treatment using Magnetic Misting technology to deliver active ingredients deeper and far more effectively than traditional methods. 3 BEST FOR TIGHTENING JOWLS AND NECK Cellreturn…

✢ Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy parts of the body. The causes of lupus are not fully understood. ✢ Common lupus symptoms include  joint pain, extreme tiredness and skin rashes. In severe cases, lupus  can damage the heart, lungs,  brain or kidneys. ✢ It is known as the ‘mimicking disease’ because some symptoms are similar to other health conditions such as ME and arthritis, so it can be difficult to diagnose. ✢ For more information and support, visit lupusuk.org.uk…

✢ Take the ‘less is more’ approach Choose non- or low-alcohol alternatives to your usual tipple. ✢ Opt for white spirits Drinks such as brandy, red wine or dark rum contain chemicals that irritate blood vessels. ✢ Check the label Buy sulphite-free and low-tannin wines. Sulphites and tannins can cause headaches. ✢ Swap Prosecco for beer The polyphenols in hop and beer may help relieve hot flushes***. ✢ Know when to stop As we age, loss of water through cartilage and tendons makes it difficult for us to dilute alcohol.…

Fiction! Many of you may have been told to wear cotton knickers to keep your vagina healthy and stop you getting thrush. The vagina is an internal tube and naturally has a slightly acidic pH. If this pH becomes out of balance, then you can get thrush or bacterial vaginosis, but the knickers you wear cannot affect the internal pH of your vagina! If you’re wearing tight-fitting knickers made of synthetic material, then the area may get hot, and fungi do like warm, moist areas. So you may be more prone to a fungal rash in your groin, but the knickers you wear can’t cause thrush. If you find wearing knickers makes you itchy, get checked by your GP, as there may be a skin condition that is irritated by…

SWAG THE STAIRCASE Give your stairway statement style with a swagged greenery garland along the banister. Use a pre-lit garland, tying it with wide ribbon. 6ft Fraser Fir faux garland with LED lights, £139, balsamhill.co.uk DECK THE HALL Create a welcoming display to greet guests. Load a console table with candle lanterns and mini light-up houses that will create a cosy glow. Place a basket underneath and fill with wrapped gifts and sprigs of greenery. Empire console table, from £279, scumblegoosie.co.uk Add festive colour Brighten up a sideboard or shelf by filling a couple of glass vases with painted pine cones. Choose colours that match your decor, using tester pots and painting cones from dark to light to create a subtle ombré effect. Broadwell glass vases, from £15, gardentrading.co.uk Pretty-up…

✢ Add warmth to a winter scheme with antique brass accessories, ribbed glass votives filled with tea lights, and velvety shades of ochre. ✢ Bring in boho elements with a Berber-style rug or tufted cushions. ✢ Use simple paper honeycomb decorations to transform a table for a celebration. Vintage-look glassware and crockery will also help to create a sense of occasion. ✢ Create a cosy space with plenty of throws and blankets to curl up with on the sofa.…

Lamb arancini Perfect as a canapé or to include on the New Year’s buffet table. Makes 20 • Ready in 1 hr 15 mins, plus chilling 2tbsp olive oil 100g carrots, very finely diced 100g onion, very finely diced 100g celery, very finely diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 300g lamb mince 1tsp tomato purée 300g risotto rice 375ml dry white wine 1ltr hot lamb stock 2 x 125g balls mozzarella, diced 200g Emmental, grated For the crust: 100g flour 2 eggs, beaten 200g panko breadcrumbs Vegetable or groundnut oil, for deep-frying 1 Heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the carrots, onion, celery and garlic for 5 mins, until soft but with no colour. 2 Add the lamb mince and brown just to remove the redness. Spoon in…

Best for… POETRY LOVERS WHERE Grasmere, Cumbria, Lake District There aren’t many more atmospheric places to escape to than this area of the UK. William Wordsworth declared Grasmere ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. The Jerwood Centre is next to Dove Cottage, which was Wordsworth’s home, and holds the majority of his original verse manuscripts. The current exhibition celebrates the work of William’s sister – Dorothy: Writer, Sister, Friend – and runs until August 2022. Dorothy was admired and respected for her work as a gardener, philanthropist, mountaineer and author of The Grasmere Journal. The Centre holds regular events, from poetry readings to writing groups and workshops. Admission to Dove Cottage, Museum, Garden-Orchard and  Woodland is £12 for adults; wordsworth.org.uk STAY Forest Side was a favourite of the…

PSYCHOLOGICAL The Dark by Emma Haughton (£12.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) It’s been another stellar year for thrillers, and this atmospheric locked-room mystery was an exciting entrant. In a bid to escape her own demons in the UK, Kate takes a job as the resident doctor in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth – a remote outpost in Antarctica. While she knew the isolation was going to be tough, she didn’t expect a killer to be living among the 12 residents. With extreme temperatures and total darkness outside, Kate has to figure out which one of them it is. A modern-day Agatha Christie on ice, this is so remarkably well-written, you’ll get shivers as you read it. HUMOROUS CRIME Exit by Belinda Bauer (£14.99,…

CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY  Since the middle of December you have been re-evaluating certain feelings. The 9th and 29th are big days for working them out. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD  In February you’re full of energy as you crusade for something you feel extremely passionate about – then things calm down. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates.…

JULIE MONTAGU , aka Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, is a TV presenter, yoga teacher, author, royal commentator and mother of four. On p56, she talks about running the Mapperton Estate, in Dorset, with her husband Luke. Which is your favourite town or city and why? My favourite city to visit is Fivizzano, Tuscany, known as ‘the Florence of the Lunigiana’, which has extraordinary hillside views. It’s near the sea and a ski resort, so I am able to do the two activities I love most – swim and ski. Actor, writer and mum to four teenagers, JACKIE CLUNE plays hatchet-faced old bags on stage and screen (her words!) and manages a women’s rugby team. Author of I’m Just a Teenage  Punchbag and Give a Little Love, she shares the list of New…

Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

With the festivities in full swing, you’ll be forgiven if all you want to do is lie quietly in a dark room. Many of us will be running on empty this month – and is it any wonder? A stress-filled couple of years along with frantic Christmas prep, a rekindled social life, and an excess of food and drink, means peak exhaustion is just around the corner. In fact, UK adults already report feeling drained and low in energy for two hours, 56 minutes a day* – which is a lot of time lost when you could be enjoying life. But the good news is there are things you can do to stop tiredness in its tracks. Discover what’s leaving you depleted right now and make some tweaks to beat…

✢ 120-150: YOU NEED TO AVOID BURNOUT You have endless energy and enjoy exercising, are passionate about a healthy diet and like to hit your daily goals – this often means you cram too much in. ‘High-energy individuals tend to have a short attention span,’ says personal trainer Faya Nilsson. If you’re constantly on the go, you may find lack of preparation time is your biggest issue, adds life coach Carole Ann Rice. Try to establish a fixed schedule, and stick to it so that you don’t crash and burn. ✢ 85-115: YOU NEED SUSTAINED ENERGY On a typical day, you have highs and lows influenced by exercise and your diet. ‘Many people have a limited awareness of the foods they should be consuming to regulate mood and energy,’ says…

Professor Chloe Orkin, 48, is a consultant physician and professor of HIV medicine, whose pioneering work was inspired by the loss of a close friend. She’s the president of the Medical Women’s Federation, and lives in London with her wife Flick, 58, their three dogs and two cats. At my medical school interview in Johannesburg, South Africa, I was asked how I would manage being a doctor and having children. I remember saying, ‘I bet you didn’t ask that of the male applicants,’ and I left in a fury. More than 30 years on, there are still clear and measurable inequities in our profession. I was raised to be a feminist. My father would point out that words like ‘human’ or ‘person’ contain within them ‘man’ or ‘son’, and my…

‘WE’VE ALWAYS SEEN THE WORLD THE SAME WAY’ Emily Gunnis: On my first day at Cardiff University, nearly 30 years ago, I met Clodagh Higginson. She had curly red hair and a wicked sense of humour, and we immediately clicked. She was a cool, Irish hippy and she thought I was a funny sort of toff. Despite our differences, we were both lost souls and we became inseparable. During my first week at university she heard me crying on the phone home. She came over and asked, ‘Do you want to get a drink?’ From then on, we got up to all kinds of mischief together. She’s hilarious and we’ve always seen the world the same way. We’re planning a trip, to drink cocktails, go on long walks and get…

7.30am We’re dressed and ready early. Luke’s phone soon starts ringing, as he’s chief troubleshooter, so he’ll be off to sort out the card machine in the café or to check on the rare White Park horned cattle we’ve just introduced. After tea and a light breakfast, I’ll check on the café, visitor tours and any leaks. We include as much of our homegrown produce as possible and the venison pasties are legendary. 1pm We don’t have a chef of our own so if we have a business lunch, it will be me chopping up salads or making soup with foraged ingredients, such as elder and nettles. Otherwise, I’ll grab some me-time to practise yoga, then have a snack on the hoof. 2.30pm My afternoons are spent filming for our…

Slip on your dancing shoes and grab your clutch bag, as the party season is now in full swing. If you’re unsure about splashing out on a whole new outfit, a simple accessory update could be all you need to refresh your look. Opulent jewel tones in rich fabrics, such as suede and satin, are the perfect additions for adding a luxe finishing touch. They are also great to brighten up that reliable little black dress. So this Christmas, let your accessories do the talking to really pack a style punch. ✢ Lime shoes, £65, aldoshoes.co.uk ✢ Rainbow bag, £149, kurtgeiger.com ✢ Teal clutch, £28, Dorothy Perkins at debenhams.com ✢ Pink glitter bag, £95, tedbaker.com ✢ Multicoloured court shoes, £130, boden.co.uk ✢ Red shoes, £120, dunelondon.com…

LONG-LINE CARDIGANS Wrap up in a maxi cardigan – it’s perfect for layering ahead of a night in. Throw over jeans and a Breton top if you’re heading out. CHUNKY SOCKS Give your feet a treat in socks that will keep your toes toasty warm when it’s freezing cold outside. SATIN SETS Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t add glamour to your loungewear. Sumptuous silky sets and chic chemises will make you feel luxe. Team with knitted cardigans for a subtly sexy feel that oozes elegance. LOUNGE PANTS Forget restrictive waistbands – bag a pair of relaxed-fit trousers and you won’t look back. Opt for wide-leg cuts that skims thighs, or cuffed bottoms that will keep you warm. SOFT KNITS Whether you opt for lush cashmere or chunky cable, a…

TYPE 2A The loosest of all curls, hair tends to look straight from the crown, developing slight bends you move along the strand. TYPE 2B Grows relatively straight from root, but the wave starts closer to the crown than 2A. The best way to picture this is as beachy waves. TYPE 2C The tightest wound of all the waves. They’re also more prone to frizz, with increased body and thickness. TYPE 3A Big and bouncy curls that look like loose spirals. They’re the widest of all curl types and tend to need little maintenance. TYPE 3B Slightly springier and more tightly wound, these curls would sometimes be described as ringlets. TYPE 3C Boasting plenty of volume, these curls are tight, but not necessarily all the same diameter. You may find…

Dewy skin You don’t have to wear lots of make-up to look fabulous. Use a radiance primer before you apply foundation, to give your skin a beautiful healthy sheen, then apply a subtle dose of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones and brow bone. Make sure your brows and lashes are groomed to perfection too. TOOLKIT ✢ Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Radiance Primer SPF 25, £40 , is packed with goodness to keep your foundation looking fresh. ✢ Guerlain Terracotta Gold Bronze The Bronzing Powder, £39, guerlain.com , buffed over cheekbones, adds a subtle sheen. ✢ Jones Road The Mascara, £24 , has a curved wand to help curl and lift lashes for a wide-eyed effect; no falsies needed. Say yes to a red lip! Feel too shy…

A number of changes can happen with fluctuating hormone levels. ‘The shape of the eye can alter, meaning a change in prescription is needed, or wearing contact lenses may be more difficult,’ says David. And that’s not all. ‘Commonly, postmenopausal women experience dry-eye syndrome, where the eyes feel scratchy. This is often accompanied by blurry vision and increased light sensitivity, made worse by air conditioning. Your optometrist can recommend the best treatment for you.’…

‘Don’t roll your eyes, but digital scales are great’ Hello you lovely bunch. This month is all about stuff! But really, really useful stuff. I’ve tried to keep the prices along the stocking filler lines – no Apple Watches here – so their worthiness may need supplementing with a totally indulgent pair of Astrid & Miyu earrings. Just saying. Anyway, here they are, in no particular order. First up, a bumbag – Deuter Belt I (£16, millets.co.uk) – the perfect companion to a good two-hour hike. Hanky, phone, keys, specs. Waterproof is best. This kept my phone dry for miles across Northumberland last summer. Next, Merino No Show Socks (£9.99, moggans.com). I love a well-fitting trainer sock and these are no ordinary ones. Again, my sister and clients can vouch…

Janey Lee Grace, founder of thesoberclub.com, on what she gained from giving up. ‘I wasn’t at rock bottom, but the anxiety definitely got worse. I often had a fuzzy headache, was irritable, bloated and always hot. I felt fearful and panicky. I now see that my mood swings and anxiety were exacerbated by alcohol. Once I stopped drinking, almost everything got better, and I realised how much it had made my menopausal symptoms worse. ‘Ask yourself: “Could my life be better without booze?” If the answer is “yes”, give it a go. Your skin clears, you have a “sober glow”, and you feel a sense of clarity and confidence. I used to think a large glass of wine was self-care – now I’ve replaced it with walks, baths, yoga or…

Post-Christmas, there will be lots of talk about diets, how to lose weight and get healthy. But there is no magic, one-size-fits-all diet out there, and certainly not a diet that you can do for a bit and then stop without regaining weight. All diets work in the same way – to lose weight, the total number of calories in is less than the number burned. But it’s not quite as simple as ‘calories in versus calories out’, because while in weight-loss terms, all calories are created equal, in nutrition terms, they are not! So let’s say that your daily calorie need is 2,000 calories a day. If you eat more than this you’ll gain weight; eat less than this and you will lose it. Whether the calories come from…

MAKE A TABLE CENTREPIECE Add height to your table with a raised centrepiece. Line a tiered cake stand with Christmas baubles and fill in gaps with sprigs of fir, pine cones and dried fruits. Medium cake plates (two used), £46 each, and footed cake plate, £57, all sophieconran.com SET THE MOOD AFTER DARK Create a glamorous table setting for festive suppers. Mix jewel tones of emerald and teal with sparkling accents of ruby red and gold for a luxe look. Line the table with a plain green runner to start, layering up place settings with tableware and finishing off with a cluster of gold dinner candles as a centrepiece. Motion corduroy dining chairs, £199 for two, Forest Star pattern metallic gin glasses, £10 each, and Gemstone Forest garland, £20, all…

✢ Do as much prep ahead as you can. Dishes such as the red cabbage salad and zabaglione can all be made ahead, so give you some breathing room. ✢ Sharing dishes give flexibility to serve on the table or as a buffet, and save time plating up. ✢ Cocktails are a great way to greet your guests – my favourite is a negroni. ✢ The key for me is always, less is more. Don’t be too adventurous, stick with what you know. ✢ I always like to have a few easy-fix nibbles (olives, charcuterie etc) that can be eaten with your hands. ✢ Give yourself time so you don’t end up running around at the last minute when people have arrived. ✢ Make a prep-ahead dessert. If it’s ready-plated,…

PICTURE BOOK The Whale Who Wanted More by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field (£6.99, PB, Hachette) We love a children’s book that rhymes, and any story that is joyous to read aloud to children is a winner in our eyes. Humphrey the whale goes in search of objects to make him happy – only to find that friendship might be the answer. A thought-provoking tale. TEENAGE THRILLER Codename Firefly by C.J. Daugherty (£8.99, PB, Moonflower Publishing) Gray, the daughter of the UK Prime Minister, has been sent for her own protection to an elite boarding school in the British countryside. She has to battle the demons of her past while evading those of the present. As a former newspaper reporter and crime writer, C.J. Daugherty…

These days, Call the Midwife and Christmas go hand in hand, and it’s hard to imagine the hugely successful BBC1 drama without Jenny Agutter, who plays viewer favourite Sister Julienne. Call the Midwife is back for another special this year and, to celebrate, we’re meeting Jenny, 68, on a festive cover shoot. It’s always a treat seeing the actor all glammed up and a world away from her nun’s habit – but while Jenny looks right at home on the shoot, she jokes that fans are often surprised if they spot her out and about. She says, ‘I think people are disappointed if they bump into me in the supermarket and I look like s***!’ Of course, we can’t imagine anybody would be disappointed to meet her! Jenny and husband…

1 Which of these do you agree with the most? A I factor in ‘me time’ but it gets sidelined for chores B I’m often flagging by 3pm C I’m always dashing around and fit lots in 2 What best describes your daily routine? A I aim to give 110% to everything B I spend most of my time sat at a computer C I’m busy, but I take breaks too 3 I wake up in the morning and… A Hit the snooze button and roll over B Dive straight into my emails and to-do list C Do a workout first thing 4 You feel tired and not at your best… A Never B Some days C Every day 5 If you’re stressed during daily life… A You find it…

Have you ever wondered whether to investigate your family tree? I can definitely recommend giving it a go. We can’t all discover we’re related to royalty, but you never know who you might find, what brilliant new friendships you could make, or just how rewarding it can be. So many people are researching their ancestry these days, but it wasn’t something I’d ever thought of attempting. The way I discovered mine came about nine years ago, completely out of the blue, without me having to do any of the work myself. (I’ve always been quite lazy!) ‘We’re both so happy we found each other’ A letter arrived one morning, from one of those heir-hunter companies. They explained that for some time they’d been investigating the case of a man who’d…

New Year’s resolutions are for softies who haven’t worked out that it’s not us who are the problem – it’s them! If only other people would stop doing all those annoying things that make us react in ways that we don’t like, life would be perfect. So, in the spirit of a great New Year’s Eve blame game, here are the resolutions I have graciously designed for those I live with – and anyone else who happens to cross my path. MY HUSBAND I would like my husband to resolve to change most of his personal habits and personality, truth be told. Imagine the time I could save in 2022 if I didn’t have to point out his failings constantly! Chiefly, these are: ✢ Spending every Sunday from April-October playing…

‘I’M HUMBLED BY THE SELFLESS PATIENTS WHO DONATE THEIR BODIES’ Dr Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, 43, helped develop a world-first autopsy study to investigate how cancer spreads, and is featured in a major new exhibition of  cancer pioneers. She lives in London with her medic husband Adam, 45, and their five-year-old son, Noah. When I tell people what I do, they’ll sometimes say, ‘Oh, like Silent Witness?’ It is pretty much like that, but without the criminal investigations, and I’ll bring it back to the science and the patient. I work with dying patients whose wish is to donate their body to cancer research. The Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment (PEACE) study follows a simple premise: cancer patients agree to donate their body to science after they die so that we…

Music was my armour. As a child, I was quite shy with people I didn’t know and kept my cards close to my chest. I’m only a year and four months older than my sister Cheryl, but I felt the responsibility of being an older sibling. She and I shared a passion for music and were often late for school because we’d be listening to The Jacksons. Music reflects who we are and where we want to be, and I thought how amazing it would be to go on stage with your siblings, doing what you love. If you like a particular type of music, you do the dances, you find your people and you find yourself. Forewarned is forearmed. I suffer terribly with stage fright but rehearsing helps. Over…

When I was born my father, the actor Sir John Mills, was a big star, and remained that way until he died at 97. My parents couldn’t bear to be apart, so as children we were all very familiar with being backstage at a theatre or on set at a film studio. Dad toured a lot, so in this picture of me with my parents, sister Juliet and brother Jonathan, we were probably in Brighton for a play he was in. Despite Dad’s celebrity, at home, life was very ordinary – but that all changed when the director J Lee Thompson came to visit. He spotted me, aged 12, playing in the garden, and immediately cast me as the lead role in his new film, Tiger Bay. It was meant…

‘We wanted a sophisticated, complex but natural perfume’ Catrin MacDonnell, 51, and Hemali Modha, 52, are the team behind natural perfume brand, Jones & Modha. Both live in Bristol: Catrin with husband Simon and sons Tomos, 21, and Sam, 18; and Hemali with sons Kiash, 18, and Milan, 15, plus Willow the dog. THE IDEA Catrin I knew Hemali through the business community in Bristol. She ran a clothing boutique and I’m a business coach and co-own Papadeli, a deli, caterer and cookery school, with my husband Simon. Our sons also happened to play in the same football team, so we had that in common too. Hemali We often talked about how we loved organic skincare but couldn’t find a natural perfume that we liked, that was sophisticated and complex.…

SKIRTING THE ISSUE ✢ A midi slip skirt is amazingly versatile and works for a multitude of occasions. It’s a fail-safe option with a T-shirt and trainers or a jumper and heels. ✢ Delicate fabrics such as silk or satin skim over curves. Offset the slinky style with a jumper that falls to your hips if you’re conscious of your middle. ✢ Keep tonal with burgundies and pinks, which help to streamline your figure. Jumper, £155, sizes xs-l, scotch-soda.com; skirt, £110, sizes 6-22, boden.co.uk; shoes, £135, tedbaker.com; bag, £22, Accessorize at very.co.uk; ring, £115, monicavinader.com CREAM DREAM ✢ Think light clothes are just for summer? Think again! Winter whites look effortlessly chic and freshen up your wardrobe. ✢ Use textures like faux fur, wool and satin to your advantage. Choose…

We’re all in the mood to party, so let sequins, ruffles, velvet and 1970s glam take centre stage. It’s time to hit the dance floor. Sequins and metallics were on the digital runways at Burberry, Michael Kors, Chanel, Balmain, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Halpern and Versace. The inspiration behind all this lustre was what we’d all want to wear when we could celebrate again – and they nailed it! When I first saw these fabulous sequinned disco pants from marksandspencer.com, I knew they were ‘the ones’ for all festive parties. Everyone on the shoot for this outfit wanted them too, so they’re sure to be a bestseller. Worried they’ll be itchy or scratchy? Me too – in the past, I was all about putting up with discomfort if it looked…

‘Finding the correct products and using the right quantity is key to styling a good curl and keeping them at their optimum health,’ explains Michael Lendon, from the Aveda pro team. ‘Using a light touch is also important when styling curly hair. Don’t be too heavy-handed, as you may promote frizz.’ Using your hairdryer on a cooler setting once your hair is completely dry will add to the weightless texture. Or try the new Shark Style IQ Hair Dryer & Styler, £229, johnlewis.com, which cleverly adjusts the airflow and temperature when used with the diffuser, to style curls without damage or frizz. Type 2 curls Search out lightweight shampoos and conditioners. ‘Wavy hair often needs a super-strong-hold botanical gel to achieve definition,’ advises Keisha. ‘A good tip for type 2…

Harsh acids ‘Avoid glycolic acid exfoliants. This alpha hydroxy acid has small molecules that penetrate the skin deeply. It’s the most aggressive AHA so should only be used at least 72 hours before an event,’ advises aesthetician Abigail Oleck Hewett. Hot baths If you love a long hot soak, make sure you do it the day before the big bash. Residual body heat from bathing can stick around for hours, causing make-up melt, flushing and shine outbreaks on your T-zone. Puff-inducers Alcohol, salty food and lack of sleep are a surefire route to puffy, blotchy skin so, if you can, be sensible the night before. If you can’t, Abigail recommends a cooling massage with BeauSkin CryoOrbs, £89.99 , for ‘minimising inflammation, helping lymphatic drainage and reducing redness’.…

Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could dramatically increase someone’s chances of survival. Dr Sarah Brewer, medical director at Healthspan, says: 1 If you find someone collapsed, check for signs of consciousness by gently shaking their shoulders and asking ‘Are you all right?’ If there’s no response, leave the person in the position they’re in and open their airway. 2 To do this: Place your palm across the person’s forehead and put two fingers of your other hand on their chin. Gently tilt the head back, lifting the chin. This moves the tongue from the back of the throat and opens the airway. 3 Check if the person is breathing. If they’re not, gently lay them on their back and perform hands-only CPR. 4 Kneel down, place the heel of one hand…

I was diagnosed with lupus – an incurable immune system illness – in my mid-20s. At the time, I was busy and active, but I also had strange health issues that I couldn’t shake. These ranged from breathlessness and aching joints to itchy spots and bruises on my legs. I also had debilitating fatigue. I’d experienced this tiredness, along with fevers, as a child, but it had never been associated with something more serious. I went to my GP constantly, but they couldn’t tell me why I felt so ill. My brother would come, too, and beg the doctor to help. This continued for several years, until I was referred to a  consultant. I went from hospital to hospital having tests, until a brilliant doctor, who is an expert on…

Does a glass of merlot trigger a migraine? Sipping on a G&T lead to a racing heart when you wake the next day? Or do you have hangover anxiety, aka ‘hangxiety’, for days after drinking? If yes, then alcohol could be aggravating your menopausal symptoms. And if it sounds familiar, you’re not alone – women aged 45-74 (those of us in our meno- and post-menopausal years) have been found to drink more than younger generations*, so it’s no wonder so many of us are suffering. We imbibe to relax or reward ourselves, but could your nightcap be hindering instead of helping? With party season in full swing, here’s what you need to know. WHY DRINKING IS WORSE FOR WOMEN Can your partner still knock back several pints and be fine…

Q Can adults get attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? My son was diagnosed with it last year and has been put on medication, which has really helped. Looking back at his behaviour, I realise my husband has lots of the same symptoms – could he have it too? AADHD is a condition that appears in childhood, but it’s possible that your husband has it and hasn’t been diagnosed. Symptoms can include appearing restless and fidgety, having difficulties concentrating and being impulsive. For many children their symptoms improve with age, but it can be present in an adult. Often, the symptoms in adulthood may be slightly different to childhood. They include being able to focus intensely on things they find interesting or stimulating, but struggle to focus with other tasks, being…

The festive period is a foodie’s dream, with a whole host of indulgent foods at your fingertips. This does, however, often lead to a glut of leftovers. Try making a pie by combining meat and veg in a white sauce or gravy and topping the mixture with a buttery flaky pastry (pop a packet of frozen pastry in the trolley when you’re doing your festive food shop) or cheesy mash. Our favourite combination at Christmastime is to use up the turkey and make a curried turkey and vegetable pie; if you’re making the pastry yourself, you can include some herbs and spices for extra flavour. Other common leftovers such as ham, cabbage and Brussels sprouts can also easily be incorporated into a pie filling. If you can’t eat the pie…

THANK TAKK FOR THAT Personal care brand TAKK wants to reduce damage to the environment by tackling excess consumption – therefore it focuses on only essential products such as shampoo, toothpaste, dental floss and moisturiser. All items are cruelty-free, suitable for vegans, gender-neutral and as locally sourced as possible; takk.co.uk GREENER GARDEN ROOMS If you want more space, Into the Garden Room has a sustainable solution. It uses ground screws, a low-carbon and effective alternative to concrete, along with certified managed timber, recycled decking and BRE Green Guide A-rated insulation in all builds. Wild-flower roofs are also available; intothegarden room.com MORE DAIRY-FREE MILK Hemp is used in more than 25,000 products, including various plant-based food and drink items. Good Hemp, the UK’s first hemp grower, based on a farm in…

WHEN TO GO ✢ November to March is the best weather, averaging 33C with cool sea breezes. From end of March to May, temperatures rise to 40C and humidity increases. Monsoon season, with torrential rain and high winds, typically spans June to September/ October. Many resorts shut down and the sea is not safe to swim in. ✢ Christmas and New Year are super busy, and prices shoot up. WHERE TO STAY ✢ Prices start at £885 per person for B&B and flights for one week in north Goa, in February 2022, with Tui; tui.co.uk/destinations/asia/ india/goa/north-goa/holidaysnorth-goa.html ✢ B&B for a sea-facing double room with air con in Rama Resort, Agonda, costs approx £54.50 per room, per night; ramaresort.com FLIGHTS ✢ Tui has direct return flights to Goa from £703 per…

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY What you say and agree to in early January has consequences later on. It’s important that you end up restating an opinion or renegotiating an agreement. Call 0905 789 4160* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Now your feel-good ruler has landed in Pisces, the year is off to a good start. He often brings good luck, so go with opportunities that come along. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL You start the year desperate to get on with something you hope will alter your future. You can make huge changes, but after the 14th, the details need finalising. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly,…