Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-Feb-2025 i Woman

Valentine’s Day… is it a thing for you? Will a card suffice or do you expect flowers or chocolate? This is our bumper issue and no matter your feelings about the day, there is something here for you, whether you’re treating yourself (35% off Liz Earle, page 20), someone else or looking for ideas to drop hints about! I don’t know about you, but my underwear drawer could do with a clear-out. One of my friends told me she’d made a new year’s resolution to wear matching undies every day. I like that idea but it can be so expensive to replace, can’t it? Well, on page 26 we have some lovely lingerie that will make you feel great and won’t leave your bank balance frowning, with prices starting at…

CHANNING TATUM Fans rejoiced when it emerged that Channing was back on the market following his break-up from Zoë Kravitz in October 2024. After showing off his seductive skills in the Magic Mike films we’re sure the actor, 44, will be a taken man again soon enough. ASHLEY BANJO Handsome and talented, Diversity’s Ashley, 36, is the perfect catch. The dancer and presenter, who split from his childhood sweetheart in 2023, can teach us some moves any time! ZAC EFRON Hunky Zac first stole our hearts in High School Musical back in 2006, and we still have the hots for him. The actor, 37, has been single since 2021, but thanks to his shirtless Instagram photos, he has a whole flock of women (us included) ready to snap him up.…

60 IS THE NEW 50! I can’t quite believe that the Duchess of Edinburgh has just turned 60. To me, Sophie has always looked so youthful and glamorous. I know, I know, 60 is the new 50 (if not the new 40!) but I suppose I’d always put her in the same royal ‘bracket’ as William and Catherine – as a thoroughly modern (and young) royal… Resolutely down to earth, she gets on with the job but is funny, feisty, and describes herself as a feminist. I thought it a bit of a newspaper cliche when she was suddenly referred to as the Royal Family’s ‘new secret weapon’ after the death of Queen Elizabeth II – and maybe a bit patronising. After all, she wasn’t doing anything different. But perhaps…

WILD THING This cardigan is a fresh take on a classic piece, with its bold animal print and bright colours. It can be easily styled with jeans for a casual day look or worn over a little black dress for a night out. It’s a versatile piece that effortlessly transitions your wardrobe into spring. The sky may be grey, but your clothes don’t have to be! Cardigan, £17.79, shorts, £9.49, both sizes xs-l, and sunglasses, £4, all shein.co.uk…

Midlife. A stage where you feel more confident and can embrace what you want and don’t want, especially in the bedroom – right? Wrong! Even though we should be more assured as we age, changes in our body can instead cause embarrassment when it comes to intimacy. ‘Many of us are from a generation where sex is considered “private”, which can exacerbate feelings of shame and awkwardness,’ explains love, sex and intimacy coach Sarah Rose Bright (sarahrosebright.co.uk). ‘But we need to let those feelings go and be more comfortable and curious about what feels good to us now.’ Here’s what you need to know. Never assume you’re missing out Reckon you’re the only one doing it less than once a month? You won’t be. ‘Don’t assume or compare your sex…

When you need to be careful about kissing While a smooch with a loved one can be beneficial for your health, it can also come with one or two health warnings… Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day comes around every year and, if you are planning on cosying up to a significant other, here’s one thing you may never have thought of – the health implications of kissing! Let’s start with the good news. Puckering up can lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the levels of a different hormone called oxytocin. This hormone is released during labour and has been proven to assist bonding between a mother and newborn, as well as boosting feelings of love and aiding relaxation. Consequently, kissing can improve your mood…

I’ve never been one to fixate on my looks, and agonise over every blemish or out-of-place hair in the mirror. I’ve always liked to look nice, but as far as I was concerned, life was too short to worry too much about appearances. But when I woke up one day in Autumn 2022 and saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I audibly gasped. My eyes were swollen, my lips had doubled in size and my whole face felt so painful. It was a shock to see myself in such a state. I’d not been feeling like myself lately and had been suffering from numerous health issues, but I’d gone to bed the night before with my own face and had woken up with one that looked nothing at all…

Looking back on my life with Mark, I’ll always feel lucky to have met him, to have shared part of life together, and to have been by his side through the toughest times. He showed me what a happy relationship looked like, and how it felt to be truly loved and cared for. They say the good ones are taken too soon, and that’s definitely true of my Mark. Some might think it’s silly, but as soon as I saw his photo on the Plenty of Fish dating site in October 2014, I had an inkling that I’d marry him. Mark had recently retired from the Royal Navy, had three sons and was living 40 minutes away from my parents’ home in Ashburton, where I was staying after the end…

IF YOU LOVE TO WIN PRIZES THEN VISIT comps.womanmagazine.co.uk Being an Oldham Athletic supporter, what does physicist Brian Cox say is one of his favourite moments ever? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word answer. ACROSS 11 Gloomy donkey created by A. A. Milne (6)12 Compass direction (5-4)13 Outlook (4)14 Lift (8)15 Later than (5)16 Allow (6)17 Transparent panels (7)18 Naughty (11)20 Emerald colour (5)22 People aged 13-19 (9)24 English county (5)28 When to go to sleep (7)29 _ Lohan, actor (7)32 Place to see films (6)34 Replied to a question (8)36 Noel _, comedian (8)37 Jumped (6)39 Cockerel (7)40 Put on a show (7)45 Sandy shore (5)47 Worried (9)48 Instruction, command (5)51 Places to eat (11)53 Missing (7)55 A season…

Returning for a second series, One Question is the seemingly simple quiz where pairs of contestants are faced with a host of possible answers, but only one is correct. If they eliminate the incorrect answers, they’ll be on their way to winning £100,000! Here, host Claudia Winkleman reveals more… It’s been two years since the first series of One Question. What’s it like to be back? It holds a special place in my heart, because of the simplicity of it. There aren’t flashing lights, there isn’t a glitter cannon and there isn’t any complicated decision making. I’m going to give you one question and you just have to find me the answer. I love that. You previously said that you struggled not to help out the contestants during the first…

1 WHICH OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR PLAYS NICK’S MUM IN COMING-OF-AGE SERIES HEARTSTOPPER? A) Olivia ColmanB) Cate BlanchettC) Meryl StreepD) Michelle Yeoh 2 MEG RYAN AND TOM HANKS FIND THEMSELVES SLEEPLESS IN WHICH CITY? A) SwanseaB) SeattleC) StockholmD) San Diego 3 WHAT IS DR DEREK SHEPHERD’S NICKNAME IN GREY’S ANATOMY? A) McSteamyB) McDreamyC) McSexyD) McSleazy 4 IN BRIDGERTON, LORD ANTHONY LEFT MANY HEARTS BROKEN WHEN HE TIED THE KNOT WITH WHOM? A) Penelope FeatheringtonB) Cressida CowperC) Marina ThompsonD) Kate Sharma 5 WHO PLAYS THE HANDSOME PRIEST THAT WHISKS PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE’S UNLUCKY-IN-LOVE FLEABAG OFF HER FEET? A) Andrew ScottB) Benedict CumberbatchC) Jonathan BaileyD) Richard Madden 6 A MOVIE STAR AND A BOOKSELLER, PLAYED BY JULIA ROBERTS AND HUGH GRANT, FALL IN LOVE IN WHICH FILM SET IN LONDON? A) Paddington B) Notting Hill…

Inside Holly’s £10 million empire She may have said goodbye to her reported £730,000-a-year salary when she left This Morning in October 2023 but Holly Willoughby’s bank balance is not suffering. Just last week the presenter unveiled her latest business venture, a homeware collection with Dunelm, as she plans to add to her estimated £10 million empire. Since making her TV debut in 2000, Holly has amassed a fortune from her television portfolio. It’s believed she made £150,000 per series on Celebrity Juice, £23,000 a day for her stint on I’m a Celebrity..., and continues to earn a whopping £200,000 a year for co-presenting Dancing on Ice. But it’s not just on-screen that the star, who turns 44 on 10 February, earns big bucks. With one source calling Holly a…

BELTED DRESSES You can’t beat this throw-on-and-go style. Easy to wear and flattering too, the self-tie belt effortlessly nips in your waist to give a gorgeous hourglass curve. Unfasten the top buttons to complement the bust with a V-neckline. KNITS WITH A TWIST A staple in the colder months, unique design details will add interest to your outfit. Use unusual necklines, exaggerated sleeves, prints and clever colourblocking to flatter the figure and draw the eye towards or away from particular areas. PENCIL SKIRTS Sitting close to your body this style will hug curves and show off your shape. Structured fabrics such as denim, corduroy and faux leather skim over the hips and thighs and are great for everyday wear. Look out for leg openings at the front or back for…

PLUMPER POUT Infused with vegan collagen and nourishing vitamin E, this plumping gloss adds moisture and fullness to your lips. Plus a pop of pink and a high shine finish, too! Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Gloss in UUU-Baby, £19, Boots FRUITY FIX Buff away dead skin with the help of this hardworking body scrub that promises to smooth and soften your limbs. The cherry scent awakens the senses, leaving you feeling invigorated. C by Claire’s Cherry Bliss Bath & Body Scrub, £12, Claire’s BODY ESSENTIALS Pamper yourself head to toe with these fruity must-haves. Remove dead skin with the scrub made from cherry stones, and finish with a layer of nourishment from the body butter. Burst Bodycare Cherry Butter & Scrub Duo, £14, M&S HAPPY HANDS Always leave painting…

While you can’t beat a big, comforting bowl of pasta when it’s cold, carbs get a bad rap. But as one of our three basic nutrients, alongside protein and fat, cutting them out completely is difficult for good reason. Reducing your carbohydrate intake, however, is more sustainable and has great health benefits beyond weight loss. Going low-carb – eating less than 130g a day – can lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and may help reduce blood pressure. We’re talking less bread, pasta, rice, sweets and other sugary, starchy foods including some vegetables, such as root veg and potatoes. Don’t know where to start? Try our simple swaps. CHECK YOUR LABELS Remember to double-check packets at home for the exact carbohydrate content of foods. YOUR HEALTHIER CHOICES Better…

Boost your income with these quick tips There’s money out there with your name on… and discounts and freebies, too, if you know where to look. BIRTHDAY BONANZA Cash in on treats for the whole of your birthday month by signing up for your favourite restaurants/coffee shop/beauty salon’s newsletter or by downloading their apps in exchange for your date of birth. From free Prosecco at Pizza Express to double points at Boots and a free doughnut at Greggs, there are plenty of birthday bonuses to be had! Set up a separate email address for birthday goodies so your main account doesn’t get flooded with spam. TAX RELIEF FOR MARRIED COUPLES Around 2.1m couples are missing out on a tax break, according to the Treasury. Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260…

‘I REALISED THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS TO EXERCISE’ Sabah Hamed, 34, is working to improve representation of underprivileged communities in sport. She lives in Kingston upon Thames with her parents Abdul and Rashida. Growing up, being active was hugely important for me. However, this was unusual for women in the South Asian community. I realised there were many barriers to exercise, from the lack of female-only spaces or appropriate, modest fitness clothing, to a sense that gyms were unsafe and sexualised for women. I became a personal trainer after leaving school. My parents didn’t like me working in a gym and wanted me to get a ‘proper’ job. I started on a graduate scheme at Vodafone, but kept up a personal-training business on the side. At 24, the positive impact…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Somebody somewhere loves you. Venus enters your sign and, over the course of the next couple of months, will set a wrong to rights, mainly regarding a relationship. For your reading ☎09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is an optimum period to talk about money. It’s also a very good time to talk through anything upon which your future security depends. Be confident. For your reading ☎09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun Jupiter gets back on course, so luck begins to play a greater part in life and love. Make the most of these influences. You may not get a second chance. For your reading ☎09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul Your intuition may be telling you…

TIME TO TAKE THE BACK SEAT? I’m about to take the plunge and have an operation on my foot that I have needed for years. It means I won’t be able to drive for six weeks and the reality of that is just beginning to sink in. How will I manage school drop-offs, after-school clubs, and all the daily tasks that require a car? Well this is the reality that up to six million Brits over 70 years old could face if new rules around driving licences are introduced. For as long as I can remember there has been a debate about whether the elderly should be made to retake their driving test as their reactions and road awareness diminishes. I must admit I do find myself holding my breath…

A message of forgiveness and love was at the heart of the Princess of Wales’ successful royal carol concert at Westminster Abbey. Kate talked about the ‘importance of giving and receiving empathy’ and ‘how much we need each other in spite of our differences’ while urging us to live with an ‘open heart’. Yet the irony was not lost on palace courtiers, given that there’s anything but when it comes to the Duchess of Sussex. Many senior royals are still bewildered and deeply hurt by Prince Harry’s trashing of the family’s reputation via TV interviews, his autobiography and various court cases. But most hold the view that it wouldn’t have happened without Meghan. Prince William, in particular, was furious with the barbs hurled at his wife – by both Harry…

No intimacy Two people’s public displays of affection and touch can tell you a lot about their relationship. And Inbaal says that these photos are very telling of the state of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s marriage. ‘Harry’s repeated move, of touching Meghan’s elbow, is interesting to note in the context of a married couple. The elbow is a “safe zone”, meaning that touching it isn’t intimate or passionate,’ she tells Woman, explaining, ‘One could touch the elbow of a stranger or a colleague and it wouldn’t be an invasion, it wouldn’t be overfamiliar.’ Inbaal continues, ‘This isn’t what we expect from a married couple when they touch one another,’ adding, ‘Harry holding on to her elbow is the polar opposite of the more passionate or intimate moves,…

You may have just got used to your teenage daughter borrowing your lipstick, but you might need to worry about your husband or boyfriend pinching your make-up too. Around one in 20 British men now wear cosmetics – with one in 100 using them daily, according to YouGov. And 21% admitted they use beauty products to make themselves feel better*. Male actors and music stars wearing make-up for films, concerts and photo shoots is nothing new, but lately, more male celebrities have been seen proudly painting their faces for red-carpet events, including, Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Elvis actor Austin Butler. Make-up for men is also a hot topic on social media. TikToker Bach Buquen has racked up more than eight million followers showing himself proudly applying foundation or…

FULL CUP Ensure you’re fully supported by these scene-stealers. With flexible fits, super-soft fabrics and beautiful shaping, they’re good enough for every day and romantic date nights. BRALETTE Comfy and sexy? Yes please! These non-wired beauties have that second-skin feeling without compromising on the glamour. That makes them perfect for lounging around in style. BALCONY This delicate silhouette offers a natural uplift for a feelgood finish. The wide-set straps make it easy to pair with any neckline too. Look for floral details for an extra dose of femininity. BODIES Make a statement in an alluring all-in-one. Lean into the romance with sultry black or rich reds and pinks and opt for figure-enhancing details such as piping and mesh panelling.…

Don’t let your boobs hold you back There are two things I maintain we should chuck money at in our fitness wardrobe and that’s running shoes and sports bras. Whatever your size of bosom and whatever your chosen sport, we need to protect the connective tissue (the Cooper’s ligaments) that supports our breasts and gives them their shape. Our posture and spinal health is very much affected by how we carry ourselves, so if we’re constantly worried about bosom jiggling, then we’re in danger of performing exercises badly to overcome this. This then results in aches and injuries elsewhere as the body tries to compensate. Large chests can not only hinder correct lifting, pulling, pushing and jumping, but also our confidence. I’m sure there’s still a fair amount of gawping…

Wondering what the secret is to longevity? The truth is, much of premature ageing and illness can be looped back to an unhealthy lifestyle – but the good news is that through diet, exercise and healthier choices, you can increase your feel-good years and look better for longer, too. Try these tips to help turn back the clock. 1 Wear sunscreen UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin all year round, so apply at least SPF 30 every day, even in winter, to help reduce wrinkles and protect against skin cancer. 2 Get out of breath You don’t need science to tell you exercise is good for you. But did you know it could help keep you young, too? Moving your body regularly reduces inflammation, increases bone strength and…

Think of those very rare, very special moments, when life seems like everything is falling into place. When you look ahead at the coming years, and all the dreams you had hoped for might just go to plan. Everyone’s story will be different, but in my case, I’d met the man I envisaged a future with, we got engaged and then, life threw us a curveball that turned out to be wonderfully chaotic. Craig, then 29, and I met during the lockdown years, matching on dating app Bumble in January 2021 and meeting for a dog walk, with my chow chow, Bear, for our first date in March. Our relationship progressed quickly and, by August, Craig was living with me. We’d discussed all the important topics like marriage and kids,…

A qualified vet for 12 years, Emma Marchington currently teaches veterinary medicine in Surrey. Cut the cost of pet ownership With the rising cost of everyday essentials, many of us are finding it harder to stretch our budgets. Owning a pet, while really rewarding, is a significant financial commitment. It’s easy to feel guilty about cutting back on pet-related expenses, and many pet owners end up making sacrifices themselves rather than reducing what they spend on their furry friends. But with a bit of savvy planning, it’s possible to save money without compromising on the quality of care your pet receives. There’s a lot of discussion about vets’ bills and understandably so. The cost of routine veterinary care can seem expensive and difficult to justify. The bigger bills are often…

THE STARTER Fig and goat’s cheese crostini This sweet and savoury combination is a winner served with a glass of bubbles. MAKES 6 PREP 5 MINSCOOK 6 MINS ✱ 2tbsp runny honey✱ 1 sprig thyme, leaves picked✱ Small pinch chilli flakes✱ 6 thin slices baguette or ciabatta✱ Oil, for brushing✱ 2 ripe figs✱ 6tbsp soft goat’s cheese or cream cheese✱ Handful salad leaves (optional) 1 Gently warm the honey, thyme and chilli flakes in a small pan and set aside to infuse and cool. 2 Heat the grill to high. Brush the bread with a little oil on both sides and arrange on a baking tray. Grill for 2-3 mins each side until crisp and golden. 3 Meanwhile, thinly slice the figs into thin wedges. 4 Spread 1tbsp cheese on…

ARIES Venus will be in your sign for Valentine’s Day, which is perfect for an engagement or wedding. However, with Venus in retrograde through March and April, a relationship could falter. If it’s strong enough, it will be back on course in May. There’s always an element of fate around romance, and with the solar eclipse in Aries on 29 March, a chance meeting could change your life. COMPATIBLE STAR SIGNS Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius TAURUS The Full Moons of 12 May and 5 November are important points for your love life. They breed closure, whether that’s long-term commitment or a relationship that has come to its end. Your inclination might be to fight to save an alliance, but you could be destined for other things and need to let the…

LUCY MECKLENBURGH AND RYAN THOMAS Former Coronation Street actor Ryan and ex-TOWIE star Lucy, 33, first met when they appeared on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls together in 2017. The couple have been engaged since June 2019 and have two children together – Roman, four, and Lilah, two. But it’s not just their family that has grown. Thanks to projects such as multiple reality shows – including Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, which Ryan, 40, won – along with sponsored social media posts and Lucy’s health and wellness app, the pair are now said to be worth an impressive £5.1 million. STACEY DOOLEY AND KEVIN CLIFTON Presenter Stacey, 37, met pro dancer Kevin, 42, when they were paired together on the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing, eventually going on…