We all hate split ends. They can ruin your style and make your hair appear dull and lifeless. We’ve asked hairstylist Mark Hill to reveal all about split ends and how to avoid them.

What are Split Ends?

Split Ends are more common on longer hair; as the hair grows and reaches a certain length, the protective layer of the hair, the cuticle, becomes damaged and allows the fibres of the inner layers to fray. Although most often at the ends, splits and tears can happen anywhere along the hair causing breakage to leave the feathery appearance we all call split ends.

Book your appointment at the hairdressers

Just by snipping the ends off will mean your hair will be less likely to split, and will help stop causing any more damage to your hair.  Even if you are growing your hair, make sure you get a trim booked every 8 weeks to keep the ends of your hair healthy and strong.

Condition

Make sure your use a conditioner every time you shampoo your hair.  A conditioner will help close the hairs cuticles tightly after shampooing and using them actually helps prevent damage.  Some people stay away from conditioners as they think they make their hair too soft and floppy.  If this is you, then you are using the wrong conditioner.

Use a conditioning treatment

If you use heated appliances, have a colour regularly, or your hair feels brittle, apply a treatment at least once a week and leave for about 10 minutes, longer if you have the time.  Try to keep your hair warm whilst the treatment is on as this will increase the conditioning power, so either wrap your hair in a towel or lay in a hot bath.

Always use protection

Prevention is better than cure, so always use a Heat Protection Spray before you use any heated appliance. These will help to seal the cuticles even further to prevent split ends and will add a great shine to your hair.

Dr Hilary Jones gives his top 5 tips for beating the Blue Monday blues

We’re deep in the dog days of winter and winter depression is a very real thing. On what is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year, ITV Daybreak’s Health Editor and Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Dr Hilary Jones, gives his top 5 tips to keep you smiling on Blue Monday.

Looking good and feeling good tend to go hand in hand.  How many times have you walked out of the house with your hair in a top-knot, wearing yesterday’s tracksuit and an ill fitted bra, feeling like you can dominate the world?  

The key to looking good starts from within and then radiates out.  If our mood is good in the morning we tend to dress better and walk with more attitude.  We’ve compiled a guide to help you achieve a feeling of gorgeousness from the foundations.

Eat Well

We put a lot of effort into ensuring our cars have the right lubricants.  But how much effort do we put into our own bodies?  Imagine putting petrol into a diesel car, it simply wouldn’t work.  The key to feeling good lies with diet.  So stop skipping breakfast and kick start your day with a protein kick or a nutrient rich smoothie.  

Hydrate, Rehydrate

Our bodies can survive for a long time without food but starved of water you can die within 4 days.  Hydration is the king of clear looking skin and a fresh feeling body as it flushes all the toxins that build up from the outside environment or processed foods.  Aim for 2 ltrs a day or more if you are doing heavy cardio sessions.

Moisturise.  Every day

Nailed feeling good on the inside and your skin is already showing the benefits.  Coconut oil is a fantastic natural base to give your skin that extra boost.  It’s antibacterial so fantastic for keeping away spots and (eeww) any unwanted smells.  Whilst it might sound greasy, coconut produces quite a dry oil.  Use it on your face, body and even your hair.  You’ll smell great too.  Skin protection is important too so take a look at these Five Reasons You Should Be Wearing SPF This Winter

Getting The First Layer Right

We all know that feeling of getting home after work and pinging off our uncomfy bra but imagine getting home at night and taking everything else off except your bra.  Gorgeous underwear will make you feel sexy and when you feel sexy? You look sexy.  It radiates out of you.  Look for a great day to night set like this beautiful Empreinte French inspired collection.  

Comfort Is King

We aren’t suggesting topping off your hard work with a onesie, although that would be cosy.  When it comes to clothing you have to make sure the fit is spot on.  Ever bought a pair of skinny jeans that slide down your bum as you put your shoes on?  Take time to select your outfit and when buying clothes, ignore the size label.  Most high street shops have huge variations between sizes.  Cut the labels out if you must.  Just be comfy.

Smell Fantastic

Nothing is better than knowing you leave a trail of people behind you inhaling your awesome.  Invest in a good quality perfume which will leave you smelling glorious all day.  

These simple steps from the base up will ensure you rule every day.  Looking good and feeling great.  

Shoes, dear shoes. Oh, how do we love thee? Of course, we are not the first women to be completely obsessed with our shoes. And nor will we be the last. First, there was Cinderella, then there was Carrie Bradshaw. Oh, and nearly every single female out there, if we’re counting.

Indeed, we are yet to meet a woman that doesn’t have strong feelings towards their shoe collection. But have you ever wondered the actual reasons behind the obsession? We did, so we asked Sarah Watkinson-Yull, founder of British brand Yull Shoes, to share here 8 IDEAL reasons why women love shoes.

CONFIDENCE

Shoes give you more confidence. I am frequently asked ‘why did you go into shoes?’ and the simple answer is ‘I just love the way that you can put on a pair of shoes and feel so different – Shoes for me are my rescue remedy!’

When people see you walking down the street in the new women’s Diana Ferrari shoes, you can’t help but feel great. Having a good pair of shoes on your feet can boost your confidence and make you feel like you can conquer anything.

IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE

‘Wearing the right pair of shoes can improve your posture. Anyone with back problems knows that a lot of problems are due to slouching and wearing the wrong shoes. Shoes can change your appearance, and I’m a firm believer in nude heels elongating your legs. The best investment shoes are a pair of well made and well cut nude courts. Our Mayfair Nude’s are a perfect example!’

COMPLETE AN OUTFIT

Simply put, shoes complete an outfit. A little black dress can be dressed down with some flats, or alternatively, dressed up with some heels. A change of shoes is all you need to go from smart to casual or vice versa. They represent the icing on the cake, but flipped over.

VARIETY

As the guys at Shoe Time so sagely intone, there’s just so much a variety of shoes out there; shoes perfect for all occasions, wellies for festivals, heels for special occasions, every day comfortable shoes, boots for the cold and snow, sandals for the beach…just so many different shoes for different occasions to fill your wardrobe with! We particularly love our new Brighton Brogues which add a pop of colour to any outfit.

SIZE DOESN’T MATTER

Shoes, it has to be said, don’t discriminate. They adapt to our changes without missing a beat. Or step. Indeed, we can pile on a few extra pounds and our shoes will always forgive you by still fitting. That’s the beauty.

YOU CAN COLLECT THEM

Some shoes can be considered as collectors items. Some people even buy two pairs of the same shoes – one for display and one to wear. This is prevalent with shoes that are limited editions, or collaborative releases. People can express themselves via whatever are the current hot shoes on the market, and choose to tie an outfit together with a classic heel, bright platform, or trendy sneaker.

THE TELL A STORY

‘There’s a great old saying that you can tell all you need to know about a person by the shoes that they’re wearing. Tell a story, play on it and go elaborate by adding some adding drama to your outfit – our Chelsea Flower’s do the job perfectly’.

RETAIL THERAPY

It has been proven that buying new shoes increases the shopper’s dopamine levels by an unusually large amount. A natural high that makes you feel good and have self-confidence? Count us in!

Massage provides more than superficial benefits. Even though most people think of getting a massage for the relaxation benefits that it provides, there are also plenty of deeper physical benefits that your body receives from a professional massage therapist. For example, massage can help reduce stress levels and blood pressure while promoting increased blood flow throughout the body. It can even help you sleep better, resulting in less pain during the day.

Continue reading to learn about just a few of the many deeper benefits of massage. Then consider getting one so that you can reap these benefits and feel better too.

Get Better Sleep

When you sleep, your body is able to slow down and begin to regenerate. Therefore, those who have difficulty sleeping or who are unable to get into a deep sleep for very long do not experience these benefits. But a massage can help.

After getting a treatment with a professional massage therapist, your body will be able to spend additional time in the deep sleep phase, which is restorative to the body. A half-hour massage a few times a week can even help fibromyalgia sufferers sleep roughly one hour longer than they typically would, allowing the body to heal while reducing pain.

Reduce High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a serious condition, but it is one that you might be able to control with diet and lifestyle changes. Studies have also shown that you can reduce your blood pressure if you suffer from hypertension if you get a deep tissue massage that lasts anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.

In addition to reducing blood pressure levels, this type of massage also reduces the level of stress hormone in your body, allowing your heart rate to regulate while releasing oxytocin and serotonin, which will make you feel at ease and boost your mood.

Boost Your Immune System’s Strength

Higher cortisol levels cause lower levels of natural killer cells that the immune system uses to combat a variety of illnesses. These killer cells target everything from viruses and bacteria, to cancer, so they’re the front line of defence of your immune system. But getting a massage several times a week helps the body become stronger. Serotonin, dopamine, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells increase, while depression and hostility will decrease.

Release Tension in the Muscles and Improve Flexibility

When your muscles are tense and tight as a result of stress or long hours exhibiting poor posture while sitting at a desk, they will become less flexible. In addition to causing pain, this also reduces your range of motion. But massage can undo some of this damage, especially if you get a massage regularly. Some forms of massage can be more effective than others, such as those that incorporate the use of hot stones that further reduce tightness and promote blood flow.

Choosing The Right Type Of Massage for Your Needs

Different massage techniques offer unique advantages for your wellbeing. The benefits of Swedish massage, for instance, include gentle, flowing strokes that are particularly effective at reducing muscle tension and promoting overall relaxation. Deep tissue massage, as mentioned earlier, targets chronic muscle problems and helps lower blood pressure. Sports massage can help athletes prevent injuries and improve performance, while Thai massage combines stretching with pressure points to enhance flexibility and energy flow.

Your massage therapist can help you select the best technique based on your specific needs, whether you’re looking to relieve chronic pain, reduce anxiety, or simply unwind after a stressful week. Some people even combine different massage styles in their wellness routine to maximise the therapeutic effects.

You know you should exercise in order to maintain health and for many other reasons. But you may not realize that running can actually help you obtain the healthy skin you’ve always wanted to have. There are many different ways in which running can help your skin. Here are just a few.

The Healthy Glow

When you get your heart pumping during a good run, your skin gets fresh oxygenated blood. That gives you a nice, healthy glow right after you are done working out. The more often you run, the longer the glow lasts.

Reduced Wrinkles

Running has a way of relieving the stresses of everyday life. You will have a healthy level of cortisol from your regular work outs and that helps cut back on skin breakouts and other unwanted skin issues. Cortisol also stimulates collagen growth, which helps keep the skin from wrinkling and sagging.

Relives Acne

Working out boosts circulation and that nourishes the skin. This helps to draw toxins out of the body as you sweat, which also cleans the pores and rids of congestion. Working out can even correct hormonal imbalances that sometimes cause acne in adults. When you run on a regular basis, you could very well see your acne improve or disappear completely as a result.

Other Beauty Health

Not only will your skin show improvements when you run, but you will also notice your hair will be stronger and healthier. The flow of blood and nutrients your skin receives also happens to your hair follicles. This will promote growth. As you lower your stress levels, your hair will be less brittle and less will fall out.

Any type of work out can help you with healthy skin, but running definitely improves circulation and reduces stress. It is also good for the heart, the body and overall health. If you haven’t run before, start with slow runs for a short amount of time and work your way up to a thirty-minute run at a quicker pace. Maybe, you will eventually run in a marathon, such as the New Jersey Half Marathon . You will see the health results pile up as you add to your running routine.