Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Woman & Home

editor’s letter Ever since I joined the over-50 club, I’ve taken a keen interest in preserving my skin. While I always had a skincare routine of sorts, it very much depended on how busy I was, or what was immediately to hand. I confess I sometimes used those convenient disposable face wipes to remove my make-up. Unfortunately, the next day, my complexion revealed its dislike of that lazy method by rewarding me with spots and dry patches – meaning I had to wear an extra layer of foundation for days – so no more wipes for me! I also swore off sunbathing this year, after frying myself during a heatwave week in 2021. While I undoubtedly look better with a tan, I have decided that, going forward, a youthful glow…

1. Blush crush Deep berry blush shades look gorgeous on darker skin tones. This works on cheeks, lips and eyes. E.l.f. Luminous Putty Blush in St Barts, £7, elfcosmetics.co.uk 2. Barely-there balm This has impressive colour pay-off while hydrating lips, and the shade is heavenly. Jones Road The Lip Tint in Black Cherry, £24, jonesroadbeauty.com 3. Pro palette This versatile palette is perfect for the new season. Fenty Beauty Snapshadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette, £22, boots.com 4. Nail it Nothing screams autumn more than a merlot-toned manicure. Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in Le Temps Des Cerises, £15, spacenk.com 5. Emphasise eyes Monotone shadows are easy to apply and impactful, no blending required. Chanel Ombre Première Powder Eyeshadow in Desert Rouge, £29, chanel.com 6. On the lash This brown-tinted mulberry…

It’s a glorious morning when Ruth Langsford sweeps into our gorgeous West London location house, clutching a tray of coffees for the team. Always punctual (her late dad Dennis spent 28 years in the Army, so timekeeping is her thing) and easy-going, sharing company with the TV presenter is akin to time spent with a close pal. For Ruth, relatability rules. Whenever she speaks on the television or to her million-strong Insta fans, it’s from the heart. She’s opened up about marital niggles with her TV host husband Eamonn Holmes, 62, the trials and tribulations of mothering their son Jack, 20, and she turned to social media to reveal that her glossy locks are, in fact, not all hers. ‘It’s all extensions and highlights! People say I’ve got lovely hair.…

From bonnets, breeches, big houses and even bigger skirts, to suits – and cheekbones as sharp as blades – viewing figures prove we love to lose ourselves in a costume romp. When the world feels unpredictable, we turn to the past to find comfort for what Pride and Prejudice’s Mrs Bennet describes as her ‘poor nerves’. Little wonder the popularity of period dramas has boomed in times of pandemic and political uncertainty, with increasingly lush and lavish costumes making the humble mopcap seem so… well, last century. In Netflix’s hit show Bridgerton, the wigs, rhinestones and ruffles would fit easily in the pre-French Revolution court of Marie Antoinette. Veteran New York costume designer Ellen Mirojnick headed up a wardrobe team of 238 and said, ‘It was like a Bridgerton city…

Women often talk about feeling invisible in midlife. I don’t feel like that at all. I look after myself and I’m pretty confident and outgoing. Having said that, my husband is definitely ageing better than me. How it all began I met Jason at secondary school, and I was 14 when he first asked me to go to a party with him. I fancied him – all the girls did – but I was far too shy, and a bit scared, not least because I hadn’t even kissed a boy at that point. So I politely said ‘No thank you’. By the time we got together, when we were 19, he’d already gone out with most of the girls from my school. People we were at school with would never…

As a single woman, I’ve found the pool of people who are free to ‘do’ Saturday nights has shrunk as I’ve reached midlife. Since my marriage ended seven years ago, I realised I was missing out because if friends were busy, I’d stay in. With this in mind, I decided to try a solo night out. It was more challenging than I thought, deciding where to go that didn’t involve feeling like I had to wave a sign saying ‘I’m normal!’. I felt limited by the connotations of being a woman alone in certain spaces – imagining people might think I’d either been stood up or was waiting to be picked up. So rather than sip cocktails in a hotel bar or visit a new restaurant, I chose the theatre.…

What is your earliest memory of singing? Singing (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? with my sister Bernie. She would be on all fours and she’d go ‘Woof, woof’. I would have been about five and she would have been about three. What would have been your plan B if you hadn’t been in a group with your sisters? I’d like to have done make-up or been a beautician. What’s your best quality? I’m a good listener. I’d like to say I am kind too. Friends and family do come and ask me to listen to them. I’ll always be there for them. What scares you most in life? The diagnosis that I have. My [secondary breast] cancer is treatable but not curable, so dying scares me. I…

‘I love throwing clay on the wheel’ Lancashire-born Helen Blair, 56, trained as a graphic designer and worked in publishing for more than 30 years before turning her pottery hobby into a business. She lives in south-east London with her partner Rob and two children. THE IDEA When we moved house in London 17 years ago, I discovered a pottery studio close by and I started taking lessons. As a designer, any form of creativity was interesting to me. I realised that I love throwing clay on the wheel and enjoyed having lessons over the next few years. Working freelance in publishing meant I could balance my job with taking time to develop my skills, but I found that pottery was taking over more and more of my mind space.…

As the leaves begin to fall, it’s time to embrace the change in the seasons with an autumn-inspired candle. Bring warmth into your home with rich aromas of fig and bergamot, or for an optimistic, uplifting experience, try a zesty orange fragrance. The smoky notes of a wood-fire scent will help you embrace those darker evenings and start thinking about cosy nights on the sofa wrapped in a chunky knitted throw – then all you’ll need is that cup of hot chocolate……

Amazing arches Brush up on your brow skills for a fuller, more defined look OVERPLUCKED? One of the biggest beauty crimes of the 1990s was the skinny brow trend, which saw many of us plucking to oblivion. Brows can tend to get more sparse as we age too, but the good news is you can encourage growth with the help of a serum. You can’t go wrong with Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, £99, revitalash.co.uk. Expensive, yes, but it really works. A cheaper alternative is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, £12.40, cultbeauty.co.uk – it will be slower, but you’ll see a difference with daily use. SHAPE UP ‘Brows will always look their best and balance all facial features if they follow their natural outline,’ says Blink Brow Bar founder…

Suffering from post-holiday blues? Soothe them with a scroll through your summer snaps and it could benefit your relationship too. According to a new German study, reminiscing about ‘relationship-defining memories’ strengthens romantic bonds. ‘This is a tool we use in therapy to help couples who are struggling to reconnect,’ says consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni*. Surprisingly, the study found that even negative experiences – if recollected similarly – have the potential to bring you closer together. ‘Plus, reminding yourself of joyful experiences could lead you to make decisions that bring more moments of happiness in the future,’ says Dr Touroni. Try printing and framing your favourite shots or creating a scrapbook so your memories are close at hand – lifting your mood and inspiring your next adventure.…

Stand still for a minute and sniff the air. Got it? That back-to-school smell? Lovely, isn’t it?! It’s bursting with newness, change, renewed vigour, motivation and we, my friends, are going to grab ourselves a mighty handful of that. I’ve always thought September is a much better time to take stock, make plans (and lists!) than January. Post-Christmas we’re lethargic, tired and dampened by the weightiness of overindulgence, with only the dark tunnel of January to look forward to. But right here, right now, lovely friends, there are four golden months stretching before us and we’re going to use them to carve out a lasting health-and-fitness regime for ourselves. Nothing intimidating, just some gentle steps towards improvement. But before we go through it point by point, please understand this. Change…

Whether added to tea or sprinkled on cereal, could your daily sugar choices be better? The NHS recommends no more than 5% of your daily energy intake should come from added sugars, which is the equivalent of six teaspoons or 25g for women. These different types of sugar and sweetener could add vitamins and minerals to your diet, or slow that blood sugar spike. COCONUT SUGAR While it’s made using coconut tree flower sap, it tastes nothing like coconut and more like brown sugar – it’s also granulated so it’s ideal for baking. BENEFITS Less heavily processed than refined white sugar, ‘it contains iron, calcium, potassium, zinc and antioxidants,’ says training and nutrition specialist David Wiener*. Coconut sugar’s glycemic index (GI) – a measure of how fast it raises blood…

DREAMY DECOR Set the mood with a tranquil scheme that will make you feel refreshed in the morning but restful when evening falls. Opt for nature-inspired tones such as green or soft, muted neutrals, and layer up linens and tactile bedding for an opulent, cosy feel. PLAN IT RIGHT While bedroom furniture and accessories need to look good, comfort and functionality are also key. Consider the size of your bedroom, as a big and bulky bed will overcrowd a small space. And plenty of storage is a must. STYLISH DETAILS It’s the finishing touches that make any bedroom complete, from an extra blanket or cushion, to scented candles or fragranced pillows. Create a sense of calm with soothing textures, breathable natural linens, air-purifying greenery and mindful music.…

1 Opt for focused light in workspaces Whether you need extra light for reading a book, looking at your laptop or studying paperwork, supplementing your scheme with task lighting is a must. A simple table lamp might be sufficient depending on the job at hand or, for more focused work, an angled work lamp that is fully adjustable might be a better option. Palmer stacked wood table lamp, £99, next.co.uk 2 Set the mood in a living room To create a cosy feel in a sitting room, try to bring in light from several different sources. Instead of opting for one single overhead bulb, spread focus across the whole room with a combination of lamps. Nancy Arc Floor lamp, £119, and table lamp, £69, both marksandspencer.com 3…

TH E MENU FOR 6 TO START French onion soup FOR THE MAIN Slow-cooked beef casserole ON THE SIDE Spinach and kale gratin, and Harissa and bay butter potatoes FOR PUD Pear and blackberry tart TO START French onion soup with cheese and Marmite toasts Our British twist on the French classic can be made ahead of time, ready to warm up to serve with the oozy cheese toasts. Serves 6 as a starter (or 4 as a main) • Ready in 1 hr 25 mins 40g butter, plus 1tsp1.25kg (4-6 large) onions, finely sliced2tbsp plain flour3 garlic cloves, crushed200ml dry cider2 x 500ml pouches fresh beef stock For the toasts: 1 bunch spring onions6 slices of baguette2tsp Marmite40g mature Cheddar, grated 1 In a large, heavy-based pan that…

Milly Johnson’s love for writing and her readers is infectious. Her books are funny, heartwarming, moving and clever – and they strike a chord with readers all over the world. Together, Again is a story about sisters helping each other to recover from the scars of their childhood and overcoming adversity. Milly was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and still lives there with her partner and Eurasier dog called Bear, two rescue black moggies, Vince and Theo, and a rescue white rabbit called Alan. She has two grown-up sons. This may be my 20th novel but I still have imposter syndrome. I’ve seen writers in this industry who have been around a long time, and they topple. Suddenly their books aren’t selling and there’s no rhyme or reason to it,…

MAGGIE O’FARRELL is the author of a bestselling memoir, and nine novels, the newest of which is The Marriage Portrait. On page 33, she tells us about her unusual workmate. What’s your favourite heirloom? A sampler, sewn by my grandmother, which demonstrates different lettering. She sewed it to practise individual stitches; it includes the sentence ‘The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’, containing every letter of our alphabet. The amount of labour in it is astonishing; I could never do anything like that. On page 175, author MILLY JOHNSON shares the inspiration behind some of her most popular books, which champion women and highlight the importance of friendship and community. Together, Again is her 20th novel. What’s your favourite heirloom? When I was 16, my dad gave me…

WARM THINGS UP…

My writing studio – a converted greenhouse at the bottom of the garden – is a place I must constantly defend as my territory. At any given time, at least one if not all of my cats are plaintively seeking entry. Once inside, they like to pick their way across the desk, scattering pages and lapping at mugs of tea. Various bees and insects coast in through the window, then require assistance to get back into the wild. My teenage son is always after it as a venue for late-night carousing. ‘Who else would listen to my wittering about metaphors?’ The only creature I’m truly happy to share it with is the tortoise. For several months a year, she and I cohabit quite contentedly, me in my chair, she sunning…

Iconic hair brand Nicky Clarke offers the latest in haircare technology with the introduction of the brand’s first professional range – Infrared Pro – plus some additions to its line of electrical styling products, with the relaunch of the customer-favourite Frizz Control range. This summer, Nicky Clarke relaunched its much loved Frizz Control range, featuring a straightener, a hairdryer and a hot-air styler. The high-performance Frizz Control range uses ionic technology to help smooth hair and reduce frizz, and offers multiple heat settings, perfect for achieving the salon-sleek results. The professional-grade Infrared Pro range, comprising a hairdryer and a straightener, utilises twin deep-penetrating infrared-light technology, which distributes heat evenly into the hair and scalp, heating the hair gently from the inside out, resulting in the repair of damaged and processed…

As a child, my calm home life allowed me to be truly myself. I loved being the centre of attention – I still do! – and was always the one talking at dinner. Neither of my parents were like that but they were such a strong couple and there was never any arguing in our house. It was a very happy, stable environment, and that brings out the freedom to do and say whatever you want. Look ahead, go for the new things in life. That was my mentality until a couple of years ago. But turning 50 last January, coupled with the pandemic, was a lethal cocktail for reflection, and I’ve enjoyed looking back. When I left the town of my birth [the market town of Frodsham in Cheshire]…

As a card-carrying Yorkshire lass, moving to Los Angeles was an adjustment; the traffic, year-round sunshine, cheerful, exercise-loving, seemingly ageless humans who always want to go hiking… I mean, what’s wrong with a cup of tea and a nice sit-down? But despite my inbuilt mistrust of anyone who chooses to exercise for fun, I have to admit that eventually, all that extra sunlight does something to your brain. Before you know it, you’re drinking fresh pressed green juice every morning and extolling the virtues of your Peloton to a Sony development exec, while in the queue for Space Mountain at Disneyland. It’s a far cry from waiting on a Greggs’ steak bake on a damp Thursday morning in Doncaster. Just different That said, it’s been 13 years since I moved…

‘NUDITY IS A GREAT LEVELLER’ Helen Berriman, 46, started going clothes-free during lockdown in 2020. She now works for British Naturism (bn.org.uk), the UK’s internationally recognised organisation for naturism. She lives in Kent with her partner Simon, 46, and daughter, who’s 15. I’m a relative newbie to naturism, having only discovered the joys of it during the first lockdown. Before that, I couldn’t understand it. I was raised in a single-parent family with two older brothers. Nudity wasn’t an issue but it also wasn’t celebrated. But, at 14, I was raped and this shaped my views on sex and nudity for years to come. I struggled to feel comfortable and content in relationships. In 2005, I married my first partner, who encouraged me to cover up. We split up in…

Good to know If you have credit card debt and are paying interest each month, try shifting the balance to a 0% balance transfer card. They allow you to clear your debt without any interest charges for a set period, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds. Some providers give you up to 34 months interest-free, but there is a transfer fee to pay (around 2.7%). You can get fee-free ones, but you get less time to pay off your balance (around 22 months interest-free). The exact deal you get will depend on your credit score. Before you apply, use an eligibility checker, such as the one on GoCompare (gocompare.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards) to see what the latest deals are and which one you’re likely to be accepted for. Remember to only use these…

EASTERN INFLUENCE The simplicity and minimalism of traditional Japanese designs are subtly chic and really stand the test of time. Choose well-cut pieces such as a crinkle-cut top or a kimono jacket, which adds versatility to many outfits. Jacket, £49.50, sizes 6-24, and shoes, £69, both marksandspencer.com; top, £98, and skirt, £119, both sizes 4-18, thewhitecompany.com; belt, £9.99, hm.com GONE HIKING Loungewear meets the great outdoors as knitted joggers, slouchy cashmere and padded outerwear appear on the high street. These on-trend practical coats will be perfect for layering under heavier wool versions once the big chill arrives. Coat, £250, sizes 6-20, jaeger.co.uk; jumper, £259, sizes xs-l, mycashmere.co; trousers, £110, sizes 4-18, thewhitecompany.com; boots, £359, lkbennett.com CO-ORD CHIC Nothing beats the ease of throwing on a coordinating two-piece and achieving instant…

1 SORT STUBBORN PIGMENTATION If you’ve been exposed to high amounts of UV rays, your skin might be prone to brown spots, which can develop as we age. ‘Hyperpigmentation happens when there is an increase of melanin, usually in an uneven or patchy way,’ explains Dr Emma Craythorne, SkinCeuticals consultant dermatologist. ‘It’s often caused by UV exposure “injuring” the skin, resulting in cells making more pigment.’ It occurs in areas that see the sun most, such as face, chest and hands. Treat it at home The best course of action is always prevention, so protect skin against UVA, UVB and visible light by using an SPF50, such as SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF50, £45, skinceuticals.co.uk. This will inhibit your skin’s tendency to overproduce melanin. Also, invest in a…

Thinking about a fresh start? Then look no further. We’ve teamed up with Slimming World – the UK and Ireland’s leading weight-loss organisation – to help you hit your weight-loss goals this September. With their Food Optimising eating plan, you’ll never go hungry – and you could lose up to 7lb in just two weeks!* HOW IT WORKS Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. Feel free to repeat meals you enjoy, and you’ll find more ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie. Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on scientific principles of appetite regulation, and helps members to reduce their energy intake and lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived. Free Food is at the heart of Food Optimising. Choose from a huge range of…

Q I hate being sick. This started after I had a horrible bout of food poisoning. I feel nauseous and anxious when someone talks about it or even if it comes up on the TV. I throw away food days before the expiry date and I’ve stopped going to restaurants or out with friends, as I’m concerned I will get ill. Can this be helped? I want my life back! AIt sounds like you have developed a phobia of vomiting. Phobias are overwhelming fears and can be related to anything from a place to an object or situation. It can be extremely debilitating and have a significant impact on your life. This is because, essentially, you’re changing your life to avoid being in a position where you might be faced…

home inspiration When Anna and Joel Loader made the decision to move out of London, the couple set their sights on a small village in Berkshire, close to where Anna had grown up. ‘We came out of the station and there was the feel of autumn – the smell of woodsmoke and mist over the canal,’ says Anna. ‘The setting sold the village to us. We knew it would be a lovely place to live.’ By 2008, they thought they had found their dream home, only for it to be sold straight away before they even had a chance to view it. But, as luck would have it, the deal soon fell through and the estate agent got back in touch to arrange a viewing. ‘It was a lovely house,…

Sausage and courgette orecchiette Sausage meat is a flavourful shortcut in this quick ragu that’s also light on calories. Swap in any veggies lingering in the veg drawer in place of the courgette. Serves 2 • Ready in 20 mins 2 good-quality pork sausages, skin removed and discarded150g orecchiette pasta (or other pasta shape)1 courgette, thinly sliced100g frozen soffritto mix (an aromatic mix of onion, carrot and celery), blitzed in a food processor to little pieces20g Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra to serve To serve: Fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil (optional) 1 Heat a large frying pan over a high heat, add the sausage meat, then reduce the heat to medium and fry, stirring to break up the sausage, for 3 mins until golden. Remove from the pan…

MAGICAL OMAN Presenter Charlotte Hawkins falls for the gentle allure of this beautiful country bordering the Arabian Sea. I had thought Oman was the best undiscovered secret holiday location with all the right ingredients – guaranteed sunshine, stunning scenery, welcoming people, good food, and with a direct flight time of just seven hours. How wrong could I be? It turned out to be not so secret after all, for as soon as I started telling people where we were off to, it seems they’d either already been, had a friend who was going, or had a hankering to go. So what is it that’s making Oman the latest go-to destination? For us it was the sunshine all year round – plus, I wanted to try somewhere new, but didn’t want…

The knock on the door surprised Laura. She’d only moved in a few days before, she knew no one in the village, and she wasn’t expecting any deliveries. She fought her way past the forest of boxes she had yet to unpack. Standing on her step was an old man. He was tall and broad-shouldered, although the years had stooped him somewhat. His white hair looked as if it had been left on his head in the wake of a large explosion. He wore a shirt of well-washed white cotton, a sturdy pair of green cords held up by a weathered leather belt, and battered moccasin slippers that could have been as old as Laura herself. ‘Aha!’ he boomed, with a beaming grin that shed enough years to reveal…

horoscopes Star sign of the month LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER The theme of a difficult relationship concludes near the 9th, but keep the conversation going, you’ll be amazed what you achieve by the 25th. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD Young people present challenges you’ll be dealing with until next spring. In November, a long-term plan needs a rethink. Call 0905 789 4156* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER October thrives during Scorpio season – the 23rd. Your new moon on the 25th marks a significant beginning, so say yes to any opportunities that come your way. Call 0905 789 4157* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER Children, projects and lovers provide life’s best experiences, although a…

HOLIDAY MEMORIES I so enjoyed Fiona Gibson’s piece [August] about the perils of holidaying with friends. It made me reminisce about trips I’ve had with others. Most seem to revolve around snoring. Like my old school friend who snored like a trouper, my sister-in-law, who kept the campsite awake – and not forgetting my mother, who snores so loudly she wakes herself up. Ann ACE ADVICE We always read your money articles and saw Kalpana Fitzpatrick’s advice [Smart with money, July] on claiming marriage allowance. Somehow, the 2018 changes completely passed us by. We followed the link to the Government website, and were rewarded with a large cheque and an improved tax coding. Thanks so much. Mike and Carole AMAZING MORRIS DANCERS How dare Kathy Lette cast aspersions about Morris…

W&H STREET STYLE Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

‘I FOLLOWED MY HEART’ Kim Scolding, 57, moved from Cardiff to Tuscany, where she lives in an old farmhouse and runs a wine business on the I Cipressi vineyard. If anyone had told me five years ago that by my mid-50s I’d be divorced, living in Tuscany and running a wine-making business, I’d have laughed. My ex-husband and I were both GPs, together since medical school. We had a lovely home near Cardiff, a great social life and wonderful holidays. We’d been to Italy many times and thought about retiring there in our 60s. In 2017, we were holidaying in Tuscany, and browsing property websites, as you do. I spotted a beautiful old farmhouse with its own vineyard, just 10 minutes up the road. ‘The future feels full of positivity…

This is me, aged 24, in the arms of an American motorcycle cop who had just swooped to my rescue after I’d been left stranded at Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi. I had never felt so cool and it was the most rock ‘n’ roll moment of my life. Let me explain… It was spring 1990 and I was on a sightseeing trip around the Southern United States, taking in Elvis’ Graceland home, Sun Studio in downtown Memphis, and the tiny two-room shack on the outskirts of Tupelo where the king of rock and roll was born in 1935. It was an organised tour, full of Elvis fans just like me, but I was the only one on the trip travelling alone. Fed up of waiting for anyone to…

Last week, as I sat writing the first draft of my new novel at my desk, a snatch of conversation drifted from the garden through the open window. ‘Henry’s definitely Mum’s favourite,’ my daughter, Lily, 19, was saying. ‘It’s so obvious.’ ‘No way!’ my son, Matt, 24, retorted. ‘It’s definitely you, Lily. You’re the girl.’ Henry, 27, laughed. ‘Are you kidding? It’s you, Matt. She loves it when you write her those long letters about what a great mum she is every Christmas.’ As my three children moved out of earshot, I sat frozen at my desk, taken aback by what I’d overheard. Like most parents, I’d always bent over backwards to ensure I treated my offspring equally. I spent the same on each of them at Christmas and birthdays,…

Welcome to woman&home Christmas Live, a brand-new boutique event taking place at London’s etc.venues County Hall on 19 November – it will be the perfect way to begin the festive season with friends. Celebrate and relax at this lovely riverside setting, from where you can enjoy views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye. The woman&home Christmas Live experience will showcase creative demos, festive food and drink tasting, beauty treatments, inspiring fashion, crafts and a luxury Christmas market. Expect to see experts and celebrities presenting top fashion styles to help you find the perfect party outfit, plus big beauty brands with their best gifts for the Christmas season. And our event wouldn’t be complete without our much-anticipated goody bag, packed with make-up and skincare products worth…

HOW IT WORKED To discover the companies who deliver the best service to their customers, we asked 5,736 female UK residents aged 40 years plus to provide customer response ratings for 187 brands across banking, credit cards and general insurance. The winners have been selected based solely on the vote of the consumers. None of the companies have paid to take part. Providers were scored across several metrics, including trust, recommendations, customer service, innovation and technology, and overall satisfaction. Here’s who rated highest and for what. WINNING BANK ACCOUNT TOP CURRENT ACCOUNT Monzo The online bank received the highest total score across all categories, and scores particularly well when it comes to innovation and the quality of its app. Monzo also ranks highly for customer service and overall satisfaction. TOP…

Curved silhouettes Set to be one of autumn's biggest bag trends, these curvaceous designs nod to the noughties yet have a modern, directional feel. One for the minimalists, the clean lines and elegant shape will add a chic finishing touch to any outfit. Colour pops Our wardrobes often become more muted during the winter months. What better way to introduce colour than with a bright, bold bag? Experimenting with accessories is the easiest way to try new shades and update your style at the same time. Chunky soles Practical and comfortable, chunky-soled shoes and boots are here to stay. Offset their tough exterior and team with pretty, floaty dresses and skirts. They’re also perfect paired with jeans for a cool, off-duty style. Buttery textures It doesn’t get more luxurious than…

1 ALL BASES COVERED Prime, protect and perfect your complexion in one easy step with this sophisticated yet affordable BB cream. Its lightweight SPF50 formula safeguards your skin from UV rays and allows for comfortable all-day coverage. Don’t be concerned by the smaller range of shades, it simply allows your natural radiance to shine through. You’d be surprised just how many skin tones will find a match. L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cover, £11.99, boots.com 2 SKINCARE FUSION This foundation is an interesting hybrid – part make-up and part skincare serum, using a refined blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid and gently exfoliating mandelic acid. This clever product delivers a healthy, flawless glow and works hard to improve skin quality with every wear. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow,…

We know when you reach your healthy weight, it makes life feel easier. With the woman&home diet by Jane Plan, there’s no extra cooking, and nothing to worry about when it comes to portion sizes and calories – it’s super-convenient. To help you take the first step, we have a great money-off offer for you. SAVE AN EXTRA £15 EACH MONTH Use code WHP1022 at janeplan.com or call 020 3489 4770 *Prices quoted have applied £15 discount and do not include any website offers. Prices may vary from time to time, see Jane Plan website for current prices. Not combinable with any other code. P&P charges may apply. Offer operated by and your resulting contract is with Jane Plan Ltd, a company wholly independent of woman&home, published by Future plc.…

HOW TO DO IT 1 Put 85g caster sugar, 100g blackberries, 160g plums or damsons, halved and stones removed, 50g raspberries (or use more blackberries if you have a glut), 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, and 1 x 75cl bottle of gin in a wide-necked, sterilised Kilnertype jar. Seal and shake well to mix. 2 Shake the jar every day for a week, then store away in a cool, dark place for 3 months. 3 Strain the gin into a jug through a sieve and discard the fruits, and carefully decant into bottles. Keep it for yourself or give away as presents. They’re great to have ready for drinking or gifting at Christmas. HOW TO SERVE Hedgerow Royale (Serves 1) Fill a glass with a handful of crushed ice…

home inspiration ✢ Pick one base colour to use throughout your home and connect your spaces. A navy or oatmeal neutral works well in most homes and can be carried through each room with paints and furnishings. ✢ Lift a darker navy scheme with metallic pieces. Brass tones add warmth and cosiness, while nickel gives a luxe finish. ✢ Choose rugs, throws and woven baskets with geometric prints, and look out for striking furniture and accessories.…

Funeral footprints Like everything, funerals have an environmental footprint. There are ways to reduce this impact, though. Sophia Campbell-Shaw, of Woven Farewell Coffins in Dorset, suggests, ‘You can choose not to be embalmed, use a biodegradable coffin, have British or living flowers instead of cut flowers, use a natural burial ground or electric cremator, and encourage funeral-goers to car-share.’ Picking up plastics Abel & Cole has introduced the first doorstep flexible plastics recycling service in the UK, collecting soft plastics such as bread bags and salad packets from customers. Some environmentalists have criticised similar in-store schemes, arguing for less plastic packaging in the first place. Until such time, however, deposit plastics you can scrunch in these collections – and ask your supermarket to offer such recycling if they don’t already.…

SISTERLY LOVE When Things Are Alive They Hum by Hannah Bent (£14.99, HB, Ultimo Press) Marlowe is forced to return home to Hong Kong, where her sister Harper’s congenital heart defect is worsening. To survive, Harper needs a heart transplant, but disturbingly, medical discrimination denies Harper a place on the transplant list because she has Down’s syndrome. Family dynamics are tested to the limit in this emotive and confronting debut. SECRETS SURFACE The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves (£20, HB, Pan Macmillan) As we’ve come to expect from Ann Cleeves’ bestselling Vera series, this instalment oozes atmosphere and tension. When the five-year reunion of old school friends on Holy Island ends in death for one of them, DI Stanhope’s steely determination to uncover the truth soon has her suspects spooked.…

last laugh ‘I’d get up each day at the crack of noon’ Growing up in Australia, I was always an early bird. Each morning I was up at sparrow’s fart for a surf or quick kayak. Down Under, the weather is so glorious you don’t want to miss out on one sunbeam. But when I moved to London, that grey duvet for a sky meant learning to conquer the Great Indoors. London has the world’s best nightlife. Theatre, concerts, cabaret, musicals, opera, comedy clubs… the creative smorgasbord on offer is like a cultural all-you-can-eat banquet. Who’d want to sleep through that? From then on, I’d get up each day at the crack of noon. If I ever appeared before lunch, my partner would call the fire brigade, thinking our mattress…