Innholdsfortegnelse for 26th Jan 2026 i Woman's Own

We’ve made it past Blue Monday and the end of the longest month in the world is nearing! Yes, you might have already given up on your New Year’s resolutions, but so what? Rules are made to be broken! Surviving this long slog is reason enough to celebrate – and we’ve got a jam-packed issue for you! If you’re sacking off the diet (or were never on one to begin with), on p32 we’ve got just the treats you need (those chocolate-dipped Bourbons – ooft!). If you’re after a pick-me-up but don’t want to break the bank (it is still January, after all) turn to p28 for make-up bag updates. Or perhaps, instead of quitting something, you’re looking to move more and need some motivation. If so, p26 has a…

HOLIDAY, ANYONE? It’s the longest month of the year, so we might as well give ourselves something to look forward to Do you know what’s the best feeling at this time? And no, it doesn’t involve going within a tummy-wobble distance of a set of scales! It’s booking a holiday. A proper, get-away-from-it-all break that involves getting on a plane and getting off it somewhere hot, sunny and miles away from your bog-standard life. Something to look forward to in the endless month of January when we say, ‘It’s blooming freezing’ roughly every two minutes. Or one, if you’re me. But the holidays we’re choosing this year are different, evidently. And, curiously, some don’t even involve getting on that plane at all (which might be a blessing if you remember…

*UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. ** OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL . Buy of the week Grey outside? Get your fix of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin with Together Health Vitamin D3 (£7.49 for 30 capsules, amazon.co.uk). No artificial additives and vegan-friendly. THE TO-DO LIST SIP HOT CHOCOLATE Enjoying this before sitting for long periods can protect arteries and lower the chance of heart disease, thanks to cocoa’s flavanol content*. BRUSH YOUR SKIN Struggling to get going on dark mornings? Dry brush your skin before showering to boost circulation and remove energy-zapping toxins. EAT PRUNES Snacking on prunes can help boost bone density**, reducing the risk of breaks. This is due to polyphenols, which slow the rate of bone loss. If you do one thing Handle conflict calmly Have palpitations at the first sign of trouble? Avoiding…

He lies all the time Q I’m fed up with my partner’s lies. They’re not big, but I catch him out daily. He’ll say he walked the dog, paid a bill or went to the GP when he hasn’t. I get so frustrated and I’m losing trust in him. He just acts like I’m overreacting. We’ve been together two years, and I don’t know how much more I can take. A When someone lies about the small stuff, it forces us to question everything they say, which leads to mental exhaustion. Habitual lying is often a symptom of deeper issues like fear, avoidance of conflict or habit. It can be broken with therapy, but only if they’re willing to address it. To cope now, you need to establish clear boundaries.…

READER QUESTION Q How reliable are artificial intelligence tools for giving consumer advice? A People are increasingly using AI, but treat results with caution. Which? researched a number of AI tools, asking them about topics including personal finance, legal queries and consumer rights, and found they gave inaccurate and risky advice. Which? ’s Andrew Laughlin says, ‘Our research uncovered far too many inaccuracies and misleading statements for comfort.’ Find more at which.co.uk. Go green for less Make the most of your vegetables by using every bit you can – for example, you can use peelings in soups and cauliflower leaves in cauliflower cheese. Find more info and suggestions at bbcgoodfood.com’s guide – search for ‘How to use up fruit and vegetable scraps’. 3 easy ways to... Improve your mortgage chances…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr The Moon in your sign on the 25th helps you to gain clarity about an issue that has been confusing you. This new awareness will make all the difference. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Your sign is ruled by Venus, which means you like the finer things in life. Treat yourself to something which makes you feel good about yourself, you deserve it. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Quick-minded and sharp, you can decipher an important message this week which at first makes no sense, but a second look helps you understand everything. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Family is everything to you, so plan to spend some quality time with those closest to you now. Just make sure you make…

BRIMSTONE by Callie Hart (£25, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) This dark romance sequel to Quicksilver is a spicy, mature and addictive enemies-to-lovers romantasy. Saeris Fane, now queen of the Blood Court, must navigate deadly duties, hidden threats, and impossible choices, sending her ward in her stead while facing danger and secrets with Kingfisher. Packed with tension, romance, and high stakes, it’s a global sensation, but read Quicksilver first – the perfect start if you’re curious about romantasy. ONE OF US by Elizabeth Day (£18.99, HB, HarperCollins) In The Party’s follow-up, Elizabeth Day invites us back into upper-class privilege, re-introducing the charismatic yet entitled Ben as he chases political power. Alongside him are Martin, a university lecturer; Serena, Ben’s wife; eco-activist Cosima; disgraced MP Richard Take; and Fliss, Ben’s outcast sister,…

HERE WE GO… AGAIN With a fourth series of hit comedy Here We Go hitting our screens later in 2026, Gavin & Stacey star Alison Steadman is celebrating her 80th year in style as one of our most beloved stars. ‘I love a selfie,’ she quips when I jump in for a snap. ‘They’re quicker than autographs, people leave and then put a filter on them. Job done!’ No filter required for this candid shot of the soon-to-be octogenarian. TURNER NEW TEA LEAF As a jewel thief in ITV1 series Joan, it was diamonds, now Prime Video drama Steal sees Sophie Turner caught in a high-stakes heist in the City of London – out this week. We chatted about her passion for the capital. ‘It’s the banter I love!’ she…

Charles’ NEW SNUB TO HARRY Royal fans may have thought that the battle between King Charles and his wayward son Prince Harry had come to something of a conclusion after their meeting when Harry was in the UK last September. However, according to reports, the King will not be doing the same when Harry is in London next time around – meaning a new snub from Charles to Harry. The 41-year-old prince is due in the UK at the end of January for the latest round of his court case against a newspaper group, which he claims – alongside others including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley – gathered information by unlawful means. Apparently mindful not to be ‘linked’ to the case, Charles is likely to keep his distance from…

Denim A denim dress is the ultimate do-it-all master of everyday dressing and everything in between. This new-season style comes with added belt loops, allowing you to add a faithful favourite belt that’ll nip you in at the waist to create a stunning hourglass silhouette. The floaty skirt shape also helps to balance out hips if you are perfectly pear-shaped. Check midi If you want effortless elegance without the hefty price tag, this dress looks catwalk expensive, especially when styled with complementing burgundy knee-high boots. The cowl neckline adds a softness around the bust creating a naturally flattering frame, while the hanky hemline visually lengthens the legs. Showcase your waistline further by accessorising with a chic leather belt. Thermal knitted Make this knitted dress your go-to for winter warmth and…

Are you quick to ‘claim’ yours? Or do you ‘die inside’ if you let one slide? While it might not always be socially acceptable, everyone breaks wind – the average adult does it 12 to 25 times per day! But while it’s normal to fart, it may be time to pay more attention to your wind. Gas is a live read-out of your gut’s microbiome, says Dr Laura Geige (itsmeandyou.co.uk). ‘When the smell, frequency or volume changes, it’s usually the body’s early warning that something has shifted.’ So, don’t be embarrassed, let our health experts fill you in on what you’re letting out. Spot changes Flatulence is almost always harmless. ‘Breaking wind is generally a very positive sign that your digestive system is doing its job at fermenting and breaking down…

Chocolate-dipped Bourbons MAKES 20 Penguin fans are going to love these triple-choc beauties. YOU WILL NEED 100g unsalted butter, softened80g caster sugar20g soft dark brown sugar1 medium free-range egg180g plain flour, plus extra for dusting40g cocoa powder300g milk chocolate, melted For the buttercream: 50g unsalted butter, softened90g icing sugar, sifted10g cocoa powder½tsp vanilla essence HOW TO DO IT 1 Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. Once smooth and fluffy, mix in the egg. Sift over the flour and cocoa powder, and mix together until just combined. Bring the dough together with your hands and briefly knead. Wrap and chill for 30 mins. 2 Heat the oven to 170C Fan. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of 3mm. Cut into 7x3cm rectangles.…

Tucking into a pepperoni pizza with my kids Noah, then five, and Roman, three, I looked across the table at my husband Sam, 30. While we were all devouring a cheese feast, he was eating a plate of fish and vegetables, washed down with a glass of water. Sam was on a mission to lose weight and nothing was deterring him, even the sight of a delicious pizza. It was summer 2023 and back in May, Sam had had an accident on his motorbike. He’d damaged his knee but it was something that one of his scans revealed that had changed things for him. He had atrial fibrillation – a condition that caused an irregular heartbeat, made worse by being overweight. At 22st, he was big for his 5ft 10in…

SKINNY JABS ABROAD Q So far, I’ve lost 3st using Mounjaro and I’m feeling really good about myself – so much so that I’ve booked my first sunshine holiday in years. I’m going to be away for two weeks, so I will need to take my injection with me. Can I take this with me in my hand luggage? A Usually, it’s advised that any prescription medicine is carried in hand luggage to avoid issues of hold luggage getting lost or delayed. Most airlines don’t require a doctor’s letter, but I would advise you to get one if you can. There may be a small fee for this, but it shows the medication is legitimate and prescribed and helps avoid delays at security. Tonsil trauma Q My daughter gets tonsillitis…

Caring colour Nars Afterglow Lip Balm in Stargaze, £28.50, narscosmetics.co.uk, is a buttery balm that cushions lips in a baby pink tint. This lightweight and non-stick balm nourishes, smooths and softens lips, while providing a sheer and glossy wash of pink colour. Nude eyes This clever liquid-to-powder nude eyeshadow applies like a cream and dries to a powder, for seriously comfortable wear. E.l.f. Liquid Velvet Eyeshadow in Cable Knit, £8, elfcosmetics.co.uk, glides over lids and blends with ease to create endless everyday looks. Plumping primer Essence Bouncy Plump Smoothing Primer, £3.95, justmylook.com, is a refreshing primer that gives a dewy base for the rest of your make-up application. It’s infused with glycerin to hydrate and smooth your skin, promising flawless-looking make-up that lasts. Lovely lashes Upgrade your mascara with a…

Next MINIMAL LUXE Try this sleek look with a muted palette and touches of metallics B&M CALMING NEUTRALS Create a home spa feel with plush bathroom textiles and natural accessories…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows. Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch Originally written as a screenplay and adapted into a novel, Playback is the only work by which crime writer not to have been turned into a film? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ABBOTTCHANDLERCHILDCHRISTIECOBENCOLEDEANFLYNNHARRISHAWKINSJAMESLE CARREMCDERMIDRANKINRENDELL Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words. There is one nine-letter word, for which the clue is: earth mover. 15 = average.…

Film 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE In cinemas now Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell and Cillian Murphy star in the fourth instalment of the 28 Years Later franchise. As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal’s gang, Dr Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world. Music LOUIS TOMLINSON How Did I Get Here? (BMG), out 23 January Former One Direction star Louis returns with his highly-anticipated third solo album. Pop-y and upbeat, it is sure to be a hit with fans, who will love singing along and dancing to this record. Tour STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE TOUR 23 January-15 February. Multiple locations including Leeds, London and Glasgow, tickets from £42 If you’re missing the glitz and glamour of Strictly fret no more as the live tour is waltzing its…

Take That ‘WE’RE EXCITED TO SHARE OUR STORY’ Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald on the story of their iconic boy band… It’s 35 years since Take That burst onto the pop scene back in 1991, before going on to have 12 No 1 hits, including Pray, Never Forget and Back For Good, selling more than 45 million records and thrilling fans in sell-out shows around the world. In three-part documentary Take That, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald share their personal experiences, from the band’s early days, through its split in 1996, and one of the greatest comebacks in British music history, 10 years later. ‘Making this documentary felt right because it was about celebrating the band and the journey we’ve been on,’ says Gary. ‘Our story…

Noticing renovations had finally started at the old bank at the end of my road, I was curious to see inside. I saw four hard-hatted builders on a cigarette break. ‘Mind if I have a quick look?’ I asked with my best smile. I had a little flashback to my 20s and 30s, when that would have opened many a door. A few decades on, though, there were no admiring glances, no trace of a twinkle in their eyes. ‘Go on then,’ one of the lads said, holding out his arm to guide me up a single step! ‘I’m 60, not blooming 100,’ I wanted to howl. ‘I’D GET CHATTED UP ON PLANES AND IN PUBS’ HARMLESS FLIRTATIONS It made me think of my grandma, who, in her late 90s,…