If Your Hair Still Feels Lacklustre No Matter What You Try, a Pre-Shampoo Treatment Could Be What’s Missing

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We're all familiar with the benefits that targeted shampoos, hair masks, and heat protectants can do, but not many of us are maximising our haircare routine with pre-shampoo treatments. However, they are often the one step that your hair and scalp are desperately in need of.

If you've ever felt like your hair is still lacking something even after trying countless post-wash products, it's likely that you need to think more about what you're doing before shampooing—and how you're treating your scalp as well as your ends. Whether you're dealing with oiliness, dullness, frizz, or weak hair that needs strengthening, a pre-shampoo product could be for you.

Pre-shampoo treatments are anything you add to your hair before washing, rather than after, and can include hair growth serums, hair oils, spray conditioners, or even bond builders. Wet hair is much stretchier and more prone to breakage than dry hair, so applying products pre-wash helps protect and repair your hair in its strongest state.

As someone on a hair health journey and looking to get as much length as possible, these are the pre-shampoo treatments I swear by for noticeable results.

How We Test

The Marie Claire UK team takes product testing seriously, committed to delivering accurate, honest, and genuinely helpful reviews for our readers. For this piece, I've rounded up pre-shampoo products that I have used on my hair several times and have seen results from. I assessed texture, packaging, ease of use, how it feels on the scalp, and the all-important results after shampooing.

Best Pre-Shampoo Treatments

• Best for growth: Nature Spell, £9.99 at Amazon
• Best for repair: Olaplex No.3, £30.24 at Lookfantastic
• Best for strength: Rhute, £35 at Rhute
• Best for shine: Gisou, £22 at Sephora
• Best for scalp health: Olaplex No.0.5, £41 at Lookfantastic
• Best for oil reduction: Sam McKnight, £36 at Lookfantastic
• Best overnight treatment: Hair Syrup, £14.50 at Boots
• Best for blondes: She's Thick, £30 at She's Thick

Best for Growth: Nature Spell Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth With Root Comb Applicator

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

Nature Spell's rosemary oil is my most used pre-shampoo treatment, and it has almost certainly made a difference to my hair growth judging by the amount of friends that have marvelled at how long my hair has become recently. I apply mine using the handy dropper bottle anywhere from 20 minutes to the night before washing my hair, and despite the oil formula, it washes out easily with regular shampoo. As well as nourishing the scalp, my hair always looks and feels much silkier after washing with much less frizz to contend with.

Nature Spell

Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth With Root Comb Applicator

Best for Repair: Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

Olaplex's hero product, No. 3, is the single haircare product I have never stopped using—I apply it once a week without fail, and you can tell how well-loved my pre-launch sample bottle is. The newly reformulated bond technology repairs damaged hair in just a few minutes when applied to wet, but not yet shampooed, hair. It replenishes moisture for increased softness, smoothness, and manageability, and reduces breakage and split ends to strengthen hair over time. If you have particularly damaged hair that needs more than just a heavy-duty conditioner, this pre-shampoo treatment will make the world of difference.

Olaplex

No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment

Best for Strength: Rhute Triple Density Complex

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

Unlike many scalp oils, this Rhute formula is applied from roots to ends to target hair density, shedding, breakage, overall strength. It's also much more lightweight than traditional hair oils, so it even works for fine hair that without leaving a residue. I love that this hybrid treatment offers both scalp care and strand nourishment in one, so you don't need to turn to different products for your scalp and ends. I'm also a huge fan of the subtly sweet scent that makes me look forward to applying it a few times a week. After several uses, my hair not only appears to be shedding less (a huge plus for me), but it's also softer and shinier.

Rhute

Triple Density Complex

Best for Shine: Gisou Honey Gloss Collagen Drops Hair Oil

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

I've been using these Gisou drops for months to tame dry hair, but I recently discovered that they can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment too. This works particularly well if you have dull but fine hair that doesn't agree with overly oily formulas, as this product is much more watery in nature and easy to wash out. Apply as many drops as your hair needs to your ends and leave for at least 30 minutes before washing out, and the hair looks much glossier and feels softer too.

Gisou

Honey Gloss Collagen Drops Hair Oil

Best for Scalp Health: Olaplex No. 0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

Poor scalp health can lead to increased hair shedding, dryness, and a wealth of other issues—so a scalp treatment can make the world of difference. I've been using the Olaplex Scalp Longevity Treatment for a while and I love that it's totally non-greasy, easy to apply, and its instant soothing powers that nourish the scalp's barrier. If you have a particularly dry or flaky scalp, this is for you. Although it can be applied post-shampoo too, I find that it works best applied the night before washing so it can really sink in and get to work. It isn't heavy or oily, so it's more than comfortable to sleep in. Plus, it means that my hair and scalp feel extra clean and nourished after shampooing.

Olaplex

No. 0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

Best for Oil Reduction: Hair by Sam McKnight Pure Genius 98% Natural Scalp Restoring Oil

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

It may sound counterintuitive to use an oil to combat greasiness, but that's exactly what this Sam McKnight pre-wash treatment does. It helps to refresh your scalp so your hair feels cleaner, softer, and more hydrated post-shampoo. Apply to dirty hair, massage into the scalp, and leave for a minimum of ten minutes whilst it gets to work. The formula helps to lift build-up on your roots so your hair feels cleaner, but it also locks in moisture so your scalp won't produce excess oil to rehydrate after washing.

Hair by Sam Mcknight

Pure Genius 98% Natural Scalp Restoring Oil

Best Overnight Treatment: Hair Syrup Pre-Wash Hair Oil Rapunzel

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

If you're after a heavy-duty treatment you can leave to sink in overnight, Hair Syrup gets my vote. It's designed for dull and stubborn hair that struggles to grow, saturating it with nourishing ingredients to moisturise from root to end. It does have a heavier feel due to the oil formula, but it still washes out easily with shampoo. I apply it all over my dry hair the night before washing, and it not only makes my hair much easier to manage the next day, but it makes it significantly softer and glossier too.

Hair Syrup

Pre-Wash Hair Oil Rapunzel

Best for Blondes: She's Thick Hair Growth & Repair Oil for Blondes

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

If you bleach your hair, you know just how brittle and dull it can get. This pre-wash treatment is designed with blondes in mind, strengthening and conditioning whilst protecting colour—and making hair feel thicker and look shinier. It has a lovely minty scent that revitalises the scalp, and it has a moisturising oily texture that isn't too heavy. It's another one that washes out easily in the shower, and it can be used from roots to ends on dry hair and left on for as long as you like.

She's Thick

Hair Growth & Repair Oil for Blondes

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The Post-Summer Skin Reset—A Dermatologist’s Guide to Tackling Sun Damage

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After months spent basking in the sunshine, you may start to notice increased pigmentation and other signs of sun damage appearing on your skin come September. While it can be an unwelcome consequence of summer, it’s incredibly common—and the good news is there are plenty of ways to help repair and restore sun-damaged skin.

"Sun damage is one of the most significant threats to skin health and it impacts the skin in a range of ways," says Dr Leah Totton, a medical and cosmetic doctor and founder of Dr Leah Clinics. Many of us don't realise sun damage is happening until well after summer, which is why understanding causes, prevention, and repair is so crucial to avoid long-term problems.

From beginner-friendly retinol and salon treatments that support repair to SPF moisturisers and foundations that ward off further damage, here's what you need to know about treating sun-damaged skin.

What are the signs of sun damage?

"Common signs of sun-damaged skin include sunburn in the short term. But longer term the signs of sun damage include increased pigmentation in the form of freckles and moles, melasma age spots that can appear on exposed areas, actinic keratoses which are rough scaly patches, and broken enlarged blood vessels typically around the nose and cheeks," explains Dr Leah.

"UV radiation also breaks down collagen and elastin, which leads to a loss of skin elasticity resulting in sagging skin and fine lines. One of the most common signs of sun damage that we see people seeking to address in clinic are age spots, melasma and hyperpigmentation—all of which are extremely common towards the end of the summer."

Can sun damage be reversed?

"Sun damage occurs primarily from UV radiation which impacts the skin in two main ways," explains Dr Leah. "UVB rays damage DNA in skin cells, creating structural errors, whereas UVA rays generate oxidative damage that breaks down collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.

"Sun damage can be partially reversed through a combination of topical products, in-clinic treatments, and consistent sun protection, however not all the damage can be fully undone." That's why keeping on top of SPF application is so crucial year-round, but particularly throughout the summer months.

What products or treatments should I use to target sun damage?

"Topical ingredients that can help to treat sun damage include retinoids, vitamin C and AHAs," says Dr Leah. "These ingredients are known for their ability to stimulate collagen production, accelerate cell renewal and fade pigmentation. However, whilst they can improve the surface appearance of sun-damaged skin, they can’t fully reverse structural changes in the dermis like an in-clinic treatment can," she notes.

If you have severe sun damage, a professional treatment may be the best solution. "The most effective way to target sun damage is through in-clinic treatments which address the changes in the dermis and trigger the skin’s natural repair process, promoting cell turnover," says Dr Leah.

"At Dr Leah Clinics our key treatment to address sun damage is a combination BBL and Moxi treatment. BBL stands for BroadBand Light, and this is an advanced form of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy that uses broad-spectrum light to target pigment in the skin, such as melanin in brown spots and haemoglobin in red spots or blood vessels.

"Moxi uses a non-ablative fractional laser to create tiny micro-coagulation zones. This helps to prompt the body to rid itself of damaged cells and then build fresh collagen for a smoother surface. It targets the superficial layers of the skin without removing the outermost layer, with the tiny performations triggering the skin’s natural repair process. By stimulating collagen remodelling it promotes cell turnover and improves skin tone, texture, and pigmentation. It’s effective for early sun damage, fine lines, uneven tone, and pigmentation issues. The combination of Moxi and BBL is effective because they target different layers of the skin and support each other’s results."

How can I prevent further sun damage?

"The key to preventing further sun damage is protecting all exposed skin with a broad spectrum high factor SPF at all times, not just when it’s sunny," says Dr Leah. "It’s important to apply SPF more often if you’re sweating or in and out of water, and to also wear protective clothing such as sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats."

Products to help sun damaged skin

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light

A repairing moisturiser will not only soothe sun-damaged skin, but can lock in any hydration that may have been lost. This particular formula ensures 72 hours of hydration without disrupting the skin’s natural balance, delivering long-lasting soothing properties.

Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin

I swear by this ointment for use on the lips, dry patches, or areas that need some TLC. It can be used pretty much anywhere to calm dry, chapped or cracked skin, and it feels particularly good after a sun burn.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm

Cicaplast balm can be used on the whole body to intensely soothe and hydrate. The thick formula feels instantly nourishing when applied, and it keeps the skin hydrated and protected.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Moisturiser

This soothing moisturiser protects the skin's barrier which is much needed after sun damage. It also protects against environmental aggressors and pollutants to keep skin safe when used with SPF daily.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum

Formulated with hyaluronic acid that provides 72-hour hydration to plump and smooth the skin, this night serum will get dehydrated and sun-damaged skin looking and feeling healthier.

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum 30ml

I swear by the SkinCeuticals vitamin C for protecting against environmental aggressors and lightening dark spots and pigmentation. The watery formula sinks in instantly and makes a noticeable difference to overall skin tone.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum

Encouraging visible elasticity, firmness, and radiance, this retinoid diminishes the look of uneven texture, dullness, and discolouration that can come from sun damage. It's also gentle enough for beginners.

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing AHA + BHA Toner

A gentle chemical exfoliant, this toner will help to resurface the skin and boost radiance when your complexion needs a gentle pick-me-up.

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Women in Sport 2026: Featuring Chloe Kelly, Elite Beauty Products, Grand Prix 2.0 and So Much More

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Chloe Kelly: “I Never Take Playing for My Country for Granted—I Just Want to Give it My All”

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For our sixth Women in Sport cover shoot, we’re on location at a remote farm in Buckinghamshire. The temperatures are practically Mediterranean, but the heat doesn’t seem to faze Lioness, trailblazer and global icon Chloe Kelly, who shot to fame after scoring the winning goal in the 2022 Euros final. She arrives on set with her three cavapoochons, Otis, Rolo and Brody, raving about an acai bowl she had for breakfast (with Nutella on top, of course; she’s on record as being a huge fan) and—having recently signed with the brand for a reported seven figures—wearing head-to-toe adidas.

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Lyla Cheng; Top and Skirt, Stella McCartney)

As a lifelong Arsenal supporter and Lionesses admirer, it’s hard not to fangirl. I was in the stands for her Euros 2022 winning goal against Germany, which brought glory to the nation for the first time in 56 years. I was in a pub in Euston when she scored the winning Euros penalty last year, cementing England’s first ever double-Euro victory. And I was in the crowd at this year’s Arsenal parade, where the screams for the women’s team were as loud (if not louder) than the men’s.

I’ll never forget her waving her shirt around her head in victory during that 2022 final—a cultural moment that embodied freedom, strength, and unbridled joy. It became a symbol for something much bigger, resonating with women globally and reminding us not only of how strong we are, but what we can achieve. That celebration, alongside the unprecedented win, cemented women’s football as a mainstay and changed the course of history forever.

But for Kelly, it was just another day at the office. “Being at Wembley and winning a major tournament that I’d dreamt of as a young girl was surreal. But then you’re back to reality,” she laughs. “It was all over in a flash—I honestly can’t remember much about it.”

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Jacket, adidas; Skirt, Zimmermann; Shoes, Toga)

What she does remember is the amazing group of teammates she played alongside, the shift it instigated for growth of the sport, and the post-match celebrations—her favourite being a street party with her parents’ neighbours on the estate she grew up on in West London. “It was really nice to go home, show my medal and celebrate with those people, because actually, they’re the ones that made this moment. When I was young, they allowed me into that cage or pushed me to be better. You learn about yourself in those moments, you know?”

The cage she’s referring to is the enclosed football pitch on Windmill Park Estate in Southall where she spent her formative years playing with her five older brothers (Kelly is the youngest child of seven). She smiles as she admits that most of her happiest childhood memories centre around that cage. “We’d play late at night or early in the morning; whenever we could,” she recalls. “I was the only girl there, which I felt very comfortable with, because they made me feel like I belonged there.”

She also acknowledges how lucky she was to have had that—both having the cage there on the estate and being given access to it—when she knows lots of other young girls still aren’t given that today. “Not having to pay to play sport is something that should be for everyone,” she says. “But I understand that many girls wouldn’t be able to go into that environment and feel comfortable. Thanks to my brothers, I was.” Normalising mixed workout groups and creating safe, welcoming sports spaces for all genders is a change she’d love to see.

(Image credit: Future)

To picture a younger Kelly kicking a ball around a council estate is almost hard to envisage now—as one of England’s best players, we’re more used to seeing her playing on pitches at the world’s best stadiums. Alongside scoring several of England’s winning Euro goals in 2022 and 2025, Kelly was ranked fifth in the Ballon d’Or Féminin last year (a season she called her best). Loved by football fans, she’s amassed a cult-like fanbase who praise her for being “clutch” under pressure (videos of Arsenal fans screaming her name went viral in May during the Champions League parade), while to millions of others globally—many of them less interested in the sport than they are in Kelly herself—she’s a role model, icon, and inspiration.

This wasn’t always the case. Kelly was something of a dark horse during the 2022 Euro tournament—she spent a lot of time away from competitive play after a near-year-long injury almost threatened her inclusion in the squad altogether. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and a feat Kelly’s proud of to this day. “To be honest, I was a whole heap of emotions,” she says, looking back at that time. I was out for 11 months with my ACL. Looking at it now, for any player that’s going through that, I hope it can serve as inspiration.”

So much has shifted for women’s football—and Kelly personally—in the past few years, that ACL injury likely now feels like a lifetime ago. She got married in 2024; in 2025, she moved to Arsenal from Manchester City after four years at the club.

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Dress, Johanna Parv)

Her departure from City last year was dubbed by Sky Sports as “one of the most public and fraught transfers in WSL history”, and Kelly herself has been open about how tumultuous that period of time was for her, both mentally and physically—to the point that her hair started falling out. “I had alopecia, and I never really accepted that,” she admits. “I’d heard about it from people and TV, but when I started losing my hair, I was only 26, and I just thought to myself: ‘I play football because I love it, and now I don’t love it so much, my hair’s falling out.’ It wasn’t the football itself—it was the environment around me,” she reflects.

Another time, she says, her husband, Scott, had to pick her up off the bathroom floor after crippling anxiety and panic attacks left her constantly being sick. “That was the moment for me where I was like, ‘No, this isn’t normal.’ I accepted it as normal for too long.”

It’s hard to picture the footballer stressed, let alone this level of unwell. We’ve met on multiple occasions, and she’s always exuded calm, is constantly smiling, and has a soothing, easy-going presence. Kelly credits therapy, journalling, and a change of environment for rebuilding her mental health. “I worked with an amazing psychiatrist, and I look back at that time now, and I’m like: ‘That’s one in my pocket I can always keep,’ she says. “I have a book that has everything that I’ve learned.”

Speaking candidly about mental health is, Kelly believes, crucial for someone in her position. “It’s important that we speak up and use our voice to show what’s normal and what’s not normal,” she says, “because someone else might not feel comfortable enough to.”

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Top, David Koma; Shorts, Johanna Parv)

Something that becomes increasingly apparent as we chat is that Kelly—multifaceted, personable, admirably open—is so much more than “just” a footballer. That is, of course, part of her global appeal. Despite fronting campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, she remains remarkably down to earth. “I just wanted to be a footballer,” she jokes when I ask her what it’s like seeing her face on billboards.

But being included in global campaigns and getting dressed up for red-carpet events—like the recent Harper’s Bazaar Woman of the Year Awards (where she shared that being there made her feel like “that girl”)—make her realise how far she’s come. “Sometimes when things aren’t going well, and it’s not great on the pitch, it’s like having a little switch off,” she says. “It’s nice to glam up and not always be in football kit. I love switching it up. I love my streetwear, but I love heels and glamming up, too.”

Reflecting on how her style has evolved over the years, she credits curiosity, growing confidence, and her friend and stylist, Karl Willett. “I love learning about fashion,” she enthuses. “My biggest learning has been to not always just look at what’s on the hanger—you have to like how you wear it, and have the confidence to go with it.”

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Jacket, adidas; Skirt, Zimmermann)

When I ask her how she deals with the pressure of the global stage and her “clutch” reputation, Kelly is collected in her response. “It’s just my job, really, to be the best I can possibly be in that moment. I never take playing for my country for granted—I just want to give it my all.” She also credits her sister, Paris, for keeping her sane. Paris “hates” football, which helps Kelly to switch off. “I value the balance,” she admits.

Kelly smiles as she recounts the family parties they used to host whenever England were playing in a major tournament—they’d wear their football shirts, complete with captains’ armbands—and host neighbours in the back garden, “Vindaloo” playing on the speaker.

“I’m proud to be English, and I’ve always been a proper England fan.” She grins. “Every time I step on the pitch, I remember that young girl and try to envisage what she’d want as a fan. She’d want energy, excitement, and to win—so I play with my heart on my sleeve and try to create energy from within.”

(Image credit: Future)

So, what’s next? Kelly would love to see young girls encouraged into the sport in the same way she was. She can see how much the space has shifted, even in the last three years, but thinks there’s still a way to go. “I watched a video the other day of a young girl going over to her coach. She was one of the only girls in the team. She was uncomfortable and felt like, if she made a mistake, it’s because she was a girl. I’d like to see some change there in terms of mindset.”

Progress is happening, she says, but girls are still feeling like they don’t belong in certain fields. “Hopefully, in the future, there will be more space for those girls to feel like they have a place to go.” In Kelly’s opinion, the onus lies with the parents and the boys: together, they have the power to make spaces inclusive. “Seeing both girls and boys with our names on the back of their shirts is a game-changing moment for us,” she explains, “because the boys could be the ones to make sure those girls are accepted in those environments.”

She’s also passionate about evening out the playing field for existing professional female footballers. The resources and support she and her fellow teammates get at Arsenal is second-to-none (the club has a female health coach and an extensive support network of physios, coaches and trainers to support players through their menstrual cycles, pregnancies and breast health). But not every club offers—or is currently able to offer—the same. “It’s amazing to see the game taking steps forward,” she says, “but there’s so much more that can be done.”

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Jacket, Top and Skirt, Feng Chen Wang)

There’s also the pressing issue of the gender sporting gap. Kelly notes that at the moment female footballers are “kind of like guinea pigs”, with regard to monitoring and assessing how the female body responds to training and playing at the level they’re at. “There’s just not enough research, because we haven’t been professional for long enough,” she says. “A lot of research is still on men’s bodies—on the pitches that they play on, and the boots that they wear.” All professional female footballers want, she adds, is the funding, research, and support systems to be able to do their jobs in the same way men can.

Kelly is keen to inspire as many youngsters into football as possible, too, especially those that come from backgrounds similar to hers: “I’m proud to be from West London, and proud to represent that area. If I can inspire young girls and boys to see what’s possible… that’s a mark I’d like to leave.”

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Dress, Johanna Parv)

“It’s important to remember where I came from,” she continues. “I’ll never forget that young girl from a council estate. That’s what makes me appreciative of my life now and determined to show young girls that anything is possible.”

One thing’s for sure—she’s not slowing down anytime soon. “I’m really happy with my career so far,” she says, smiling, “but I want to win so much more, too.” There’s no doubt at all in my mind that she will.

(Image credit: Steph Wilson; Styling: Top and Skirt, Prada)

Photographer - Steph Wilson
Stylist - Lyla Cheng
Managing Director - Hannah Almassi
Editor - Ally Head
Makeup Artist - Athena Paginton
Hair Stylist - Narad Kutowaroo
Manicurist - Nichole Williams at Stella Creative Artists using CHANEL Le Vernis in Skieuse and CHANEL La Crème Main
Videographer - Rebecca Munroe
Photography Assistant - Paulina Mytych
Styling Assistant - Marilena Angelides
Production - Town Productions

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If You’ve Fallen Out of Love With Foundation in Your 30s, This Hydrating, Blurring Alternative Still Gives Impressive Coverage

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Turning 34 several weeks ago meant having a funny internal conversation about whether I could still realistically count myself in my 'early-thirties' these days. The conclusion I came to was that no, I was now officially in 'mid-thirties' territory – and while there was nothing scary about this whatsoever, it did offer me the perfect opportunity to take stock of my skincare and makeup to determine if it's still working for me at this age.

Makeup-wise, I feel as though I've sort of grown out of foundations. As you hit your thirties and beyond, it's fairly normal to switch to lighter base products that don't cling to dryness, fine lines, and the like. I've since become a skin tint girlie through and through. But sometimes, I do feel like reaching for a foundation, be it on a day when my skin needs a little extra 'help,' or before an evening event I want a little 'more' for.

This is when I discovered the magic of foundation balms, which are said to be a great option for your thirties and beyond thanks to their sheer-yet-buildable coverage and blurring properties. Pro Makeup Artist, Joy Adenuga, calls them "an excellent option for anyone concerned about dryness or fine lines, as they move with the skin rather than settling into texture." That said, they're pretty versatile, working for a range of skin types (normal, dry, combination). Oily skin types may just need to powder them down, but can still certainly enjoy them.

Foundation balms, Adenuga describes, "make for easy application and bridge the gap between skincare and foundation." She adds: "Unlike traditional liquid foundations, which tend to be water-based and available in a range of finishes from matte to dewy, balm formulas are rich in emollients, oils and waxes that melt into the skin on contact. This gives them a creamy texture and a finish that looks incredibly skin-like rather than overly perfected."

For application, Celebrity Makeup Artist Mezhgan Hussainy says starting with less is key. "You can build coverage, but it's much harder to take it away," she explains. "With a balm, I like to pick up a small amount and start in the centre of the face, where most people need the most evening out, and blend outward." For this texture, you can use fingertips, a beauty sponge or a dense brush, "depending on the formula and the finish you want."

If you're interested in trying a balm foundation, the good news is that more and more are hitting the market. From old favourites to newer gems by L'Oreal Paris and Clinique, here's how I fared when trying 5 of the best foundation balms.

How We Test

The Marie Claire UK team takes product testing seriously, committed to delivering accurate, honest, and genuinely helpful reviews for our readers. We applied and wore each of these foundation balms for extended periods and in different conditions to properly assess how they perform. We assessed each for packaging, texture, coverage, skincare benefits, shade range, longevity, and finish.

The Best Foundation Balms

• Best overall: Clinique Daily Calm | £43 at Boots
• Best lightweight: L'Oréal Paris True Match | £18.99 at Boots
• Best matte: Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm | £39 at Boots
• Best dewy: Merit The Minimalist | £34 at Merit
• Best coverage: Trinny London Just A Touch | £29 at Trinny London

Best Overall: Clinique Daily Calm™ Foundation Makeup Balm

Clinique

Clinique Daily Calm™ Foundation Makeup Balm

Before (above) and after (below) applying Clinique Daily Calm™ Foundation Makeup Balm (Image credit: Rebecca Fearn)

Clinique's Daily Calm Foundation Makeup Balm is still fairly new to the market, but it's made a major impression already – particularly, in this case, on me. My favourite of the bunch, this hydrating, blurring balm has a gorgeous skin-like finish thanks to its sheer-yet-buildable coverage. It feels light and fresh on the skin, which is no surprise given it features a soothing botanical blend, calming magnolia, and hyaluronic acid to create the perfect makeup-meets-skincare complexion product.

Best lightweight: L'Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Solid Foundation

L'oréal Paris

True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Solid Foundation

Before (above) and after (below) applying L'Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Solid Foundation (Image credit: Rebecca Fearn)

The newest product to hit the stands, L'Oreal Paris' offering is an affordable way to dip your toe into foundation balms if you're still a little hesitant. This is a great lightweight formula that has a buildable level of coverage, starting super naturally. Perhaps the other biggest selling point here is its skincare-first ingredients list, which spotlights hyaluron emollients to hydrate and blur the skin, for a gorgeous flattering effect that also prioritises skin health. Best applied with a dense foundation brush, this is the perfect entry point into this category.

Best Matte: Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm

Laura Mercier

Tinted Blur Balm

Before (above) and after (below) applying Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm (Image credit: Rebecca Fearn)

Laura Mercier's balm has a definite blurring effect that'll have a clear appeal to those who prefer more of a matte finish. If you're excess oil-prone, this will be a great one to try. I did find the Tinted Blur Balm to feel a little less hydrating than some of the others, meaning it clung to areas of dryness (and a few fine lines) in my skin, perhaps indicating it's better for slightly younger skin. However, this may just be my skin type; if you like a matte finish, it is still well worth a go.

Best Dewy: Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Merit Beauty

The Minimalist

(Image credit: Rebecca Fearn)

Not a 'balm' in the traditional sense, Merit's Complexion Stick is a long-time favourite of mine, and its smooth, balmy texture means I was happy to sneak it into this line-up. For those where time is of the essence come morning time, a balm in a stick like this one is arguably far more convenient; it's just so easy to swipe on and go. The Minimalist has a lovely dewy (yet natural) finish that looks velvety and smooth, and a little goes a long way. Apply it directly to the face, then buff in with a dense brush.

Best Coverage: Trinny London Just A Touch

Trinny London

Just a Touch

(Image credit: Rebecca Fearn)

After something with a little more coverage? Try a rich balm like Trinny London's, which is designed to be used in small amounts (it's very pigmented) and buffed out. I use this right after applying some dewy skincare, and add a little with my fingertips before blending across my face. It can also be used as a concealer when applied directly to a specific area, making it a great multitasker, too.

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If You're Frazzled, Overworked and At Your Limit, These 5 Science-Backed Tips Can Help Avoid Burnout

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So, you’re burnt out. Properly burnt out. The kind where answering “how are you?” feels like an unreasonable question and your idea of self-care is moving your laptop from the desk to the sofa. And yet, for the go-getters, over-achievers, chronic over-committers, and serial multitaskers, many of us are genuinely shocked when a week of annual leave doesn’t magically fix us.

We all (sadly) know the drill: you spend six months running on caffeine, high cortisol and sheer force of will, finally collapse onto a sun lounger, and expect your body to go, 'Ah, lovely. We’re healed.' Except not quite.

Because if the environment, habits and boundaries that got you to burnout in the first place are waiting patiently for your return, a week off can feel less like recovery and more like borrowed time.

The harder pill to swallow? Genuine recovery asks a little more of us. Fueling adequately has to be non-negotiable. Training needs to match your actual capacity, not the imaginary version of yourself who apparently has unlimited energy. And rest comes in more forms than lying horizontally for seven days and hoping for the best.

Reportedly, 776,000 UK workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24, resulting in 16.4 million working days lost. The picture being painted is clear: burnout may not be an official medical diagnosis, but it’s become one of the defining health challenges of modern work. Yet, somehow, we’re still expecting a week off to fix it. So, I put it to the experts: what does genuine recovery actually look like - physically, mentally, and emotionally?

Don't miss our guides to avoidable energy-draining habits, how to boost energy, and how to beat fatigue while you're here.

The Real Reason Why You’re Exhausted But Still Can’t Switch Off

Before we brand ourselves as burnt out because one final straw sent us spectacularly over the edge, it’s worth remembering that burnout has a specific definition. As Emily Austen, author of The Smarter, an empowering manifesto for breaking free from burnout, explains, it isn’t simply another way of saying you’re tired of your job.

“The World Health Organisation classifies it as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic, unmanaged workplace stress,” she says, “characterised as exhaustion, growing cynicism or mental distance from your work, and a drop in your sense of effectiveness. Crucially, burnout is not a medical diagnosis in itself.”

That distinction matters. “Burnout isn't just a mood, and it's also not a catch-all,” Austen says. It can affect mood, regulation, physical health, mental load and social capacity - which perhaps explains why a week in the Algarve isn’t quite the reset button we imagine it will be.

“Here’s what nobody tells you about burnout: it isn’t a deficit you can top up. It’s not a battery. It’s a pattern,” she adds. "A week away doesn’t necessarily touch the pattern, because the pattern was never really about location."

So why, when you’re utterly exhausted, are you still so wired?

Clinical Psychologist Dr Emma Hepburn explains that changes in the brain and body mean that, although you’re worn down and depleted, your threat response can be ramped up - making it surprisingly difficult to switch off. “This leads to one of the ironies of burnout,” she says. “Although you need rest and replenishment, you are on high alert, which makes it hard to sleep or rest.”

Hepburn describes our resources as a kind of ‘body budget’, with the brain constantly trying to keep things in balance. “In burnout, that budget is chronically overdrawn, perhaps even bankrupt”. And, just as one pay cheque won’t clear a mountain of debt, “a short break won’t bring it back into balance”; the body needs longer-term input to replenish its resources.

@sopheallen

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The Link Between Burnout, Safety and Recovery

We’ve established that burnout can leave your threat response ramped up. But what does feeling safe actually have to do with being burnt out - and why does it matter for recovery?

​Maybe I’m naive, but I’d never really connected the two. In my head, burnout was exhaustion, irritability and brain fog - not something that had anything to do with whether my body felt safe.

​But this is where the physiology gets interesting. When your brain perceives an ongoing threat, your body responds accordingly. “When your body doesn't feel safe, it is in what I refer to in my book as ‘threat mode’,” explains health psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen. “Multiple systems - including your hormonal, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune systems - become activated to protect you.

​The problem? They’re not designed to stay switched on indefinitely. “Over a long time, this activation results in further depletion, because you simply don't have the resources to remain activated chronically,” says Windgassen.

​And that creates a rather vicious cycle: the longer your body stays in threat mode, the more depleted its resources become, while that depletion itself makes recovery harder. “When these systems become depleted, your body's ability to recover is physiologically impeded,” she explains.

​TLDR: recovery isn’t simply about doing less. Your body needs to feel safe enough to come out of threat mode.

@drclaireashley

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The Overlooked Role of Food in Burnout Recovery

Now, for the often overlooked piece of the puzzle: food. I’m guilty of blaming exhaustion on under-fuelling, but I’d never really considered that not eating enough could be contributing to how burnt out I feel.

“Chronic stress is energetically expensive,” says nutritionist Hannah Alderson. “When the stress response is repeatedly activated, cortisol helps mobilise glucose to give the brain and muscles energy to deal with a perceived threat. Your body’s greatest asset when you are stressed is energy.”

So what happens when you’re already stressed and then take that energy away? “You’ve got an even more stressed system,” says Alderson. “Skipping meals or chronically under-eating can create another physiological stressor, while falling blood glucose can trigger hormones such as cortisol, potentially adding to that familiar shaky, anxious, irritable, exhausted-but-wired feeling.”

Emerging research supports this: a 2025 study of working adults found that more nutrient-dense dietary patterns were associated with lower levels of emotional exhaustion and cognitive fatigue; meanwhile, research on low energy shows that chronic under-fuelling can affect multiple physiological systems, reinforcing why adequate energy intake matters when the body is already under strain.

The answer isn’t necessarily some magical “stress-busting” nutrient. “Food can support and optimise your stress and resilience and therefore recovery from burnout,” says Alderson. She recommends focusing on the nutritional foundations: regular meals containing protein, healthy fats, fibre-rich carbohydrates and plenty of colourful plants, “to provide steady energy and the nutrients needed for normal nervous-system and energy metabolism.” Magnesium, B vitamins, Omega-3 fats, iron and vitamin D all have a vital role to play, she adds, “although supplements shouldn’t replace food or correct a genuine deficiency.”

@iamrawan_

♬ The Kite Luisa Marion and Noah Floersch - Luisa Marion

5 Science-Backed, Simple Ways to Fix Burnout - According to the experts

Pause the scrolling; we have some good news. Recovery doesn’t have to mean radically overhauling your life overnight. Here, the experts share five simple places to start.

1. Eat breakfast before you reach for the coffee

At the point where you’re completely frazzled? Alderson has one simple nutrition habit she wants you to prioritise: eat breakfast.

“This is a hill I will die on. Ideally, eat within 90 minutes of waking, including a good source of protein alongside fibre and healthy fats. Something as simple as eggs with wholegrain toast and avocado, or Greek yoghurt with berries, nuts and seeds, can give the body a much more supportive start than running on caffeine alone.”

And importantly, have your coffee after food. “Let’s not throw a stimulant into the system first thing,” she says. “Caffeine shouldn't have to do breakfast's job.”

2. It’s time to inspect your boundaries

Repeat after me - your capacity is not a character flaw. Windgassen wants you to start noticing where you’re consistently saying yes when your body is screaming no - and put a boundary there. “Burnout accumulates through repeated breach of your capacity.” This might mean continually saying yes and taking on more than you have the resources for.

And there’s evidence behind the boundary-setting argument. Research increasingly links poor work-life boundary management with poorer wellbeing and burnout, while interventions that actually change workload, job demands and employee control show some of the strongest evidence for reducing burnout.

3. Try a two-minute stress check-in

In a world constantly telling you that you need more - productivity, discipline, wellness - clinical psychologist Dr Claire Plumbly’s advice rings refreshingly simple: you might just need to check in with yourself.

“You don't need an hour-long meditation retreat. Instead, use the natural transition points in your day: between meetings, before picking up the kids or when you shut your laptop, for a quick nervous-system check-in.”

Ask yourself: What state am I in, and what does my body need right now?

After a stressful meeting, that might look like stretching, walking round the block, or shaking off some pent-up energy.

The aim, says Plumbly, is to “listen to your body and choose to respond to its need in that moment”

4. Find a way to psychologically clock off

Contrary to popular belief, answering a few emails from the bathtub at 9 pm doesn’t count as switching off. A 2021 study suggests that psychological detachment from work is quite possibly one of the most important skills for reducing burnout - and, rather inconveniently, the more stressful your job, the more you need it, yet the harder it can be to achieve.

Plumbly recommends finding an easy, transportable activity that “anchors your attention away from work, ideally something that doesn't involve your phone, which can easily become a portal straight back into your inbox. Reading, music, knitting, puzzles, gaming, sport: whatever genuinely absorbs you.”

And if you’re a workaholic - expect resistance. “You will get urges to continue working and to discontinue the detachment activity,” she says. Ride out the urge. “Like any habit, it gets easier with repetition.”

5. Borrow someone else’s compassion

Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy. It can turn up the volume on that horrible voice in your head: You’re failing. You’re behind. You should be coping better.

Hepburn says self-compassion can be an antidote to the shame and negativity that’s often associated with burnout. The problem? When you’re already depleted, finding that compassionate voice yourself can be surprisingly difficult.

Her solution is wonderfully simple: borrow someone else’s.

“When you notice your brain spiralling into hyper-negative territory, think about what a kind friend, partner or person you trust would say to you in that moment, and let their voice replace yours for a while.”

@drsarahnicholls

♬ original sound - Dr Sarah Nicholls

Shop MC UK's recovery essentials:

Adanola Fold Over Wide Leg Yoga Pants

If we’re going to take one thing away from this piece, let it be that rest is a non-negotiable, not a reward for doing enough. These Adanola wide-leg yoga pants are my uniform for exactly that: soft, comfortable, and made for moving, stretching or simply switching off - because sometimes recovery really does mean doing less.

Hello Klean Purifying Shower Head 2.0

Is your idea of switching off standing under a hot shower with absolutely no intention of checking Slack? Me too! But let me put you onto this little shower essential that will level up the experience. The Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 is a small upgrade that makes that daily ritual feel a little more like actual recovery. Self-care really can just be closing the bathroom door and disappearing for ten minutes.

Smarter: 10 lessons for a more productive and less-stressed life

Consider this your permission slip to stop treating busy as a personality trait. Emily Austen’s Smarter is a practical guide to doing less of the frantic, more-is-more nonsense and redefining productivity on your own terms - with lessons on boundaries, energy, multitasking, and, crucially, avoiding burnout.

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