That Life Style Show: April 2020

Thursday, 30 April 2020

Mollie's Feel-Good Feed: My top binge-worthy TV series

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This week our columnist shares some serious fodder for your next Netflix binge

Welcome to Mollie’s Feel-Good Feed, a place where each week Mollie King shares her round-up of the things bringing her joy in these strange and uncertain times. Check back each week for uplifting music, self care tips and, hopefully, a smile being put on your face.

OK, possibly the toughest category yet this week. After last week’s uplifting films, I’m going to be filling you in on my top binge-worthy TV series!

Who doesn’t love scrolling from episode to episode every night, putting off the boring face cleansing routine before bed, with the ‘surely one more episode won’t hurt’ attitude? A gripping series can completely take you away from what’s going on in the world, which I think right now is crucial. I for one definitely need to switch off sometimes, and a good series is the perfect way to do that… accompanied by a large Dairy Milk and popcorn, of course!

Mollie King

Top of the list has to be my favourite four gal pals (I do have real friends too), Sex and the City. Any time I need a laugh or a little pick-me-up, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are there for me. These girls leave nothing to the imagination, which is why I love them most! Between the four of them, I think it’s safe to say they’ve gone through almost every relationship dilemma there is. This series has me laughing out loud, time and time again!

Big Little Lies! I think we all wanted this to be good the minute we heard it was a Reese Witherspoon creation, and had Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Alexander Skarsgard starring. It has to be said, I think Reese is one of those actors who never lets us down. She’s had another huge hit with this one, and if series one wasn’t big enough, she only went and bagged Meryl Streep for the second. No biggie! I love that it’s lead by a strong female cast, and if like me you can’t get enough of it, the soundtrack is perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.

I can’t not mention Amazon Prime’s The Marvellous Mrs Maisel next. Set in New York in the 1950s, this series brings me so much joy and a feeling of calm while watching it. It’s an absolute gift for anyone who appreciates wonderful cinematography – by that I mean watching how one camera moves from location to location with no cuts, how the director gets those 360 degree shots, and how it navigates from actor to actor with no break points. You wouldn’t want to be the actor who messes up their lines three minutes into the take.

But enough of the geeky stuff; the way it makes you feel as if you’ve gone back in time, seeing New York completely different to what we know today, is only the starting point of what makes this series so brilliant. The script is warm and funny, and it’s impossible to not love the leading lady, or as they’ve quite rightly put it, The Marvellous Mrs Maisel.

Read more: The best box sets ever to stream now

This next recommendation is a little far afield… that sentence doesn’t quite work, but you’ll see where I’m going. It’s NFL series All or Nothing. In all honesty, I first put this series on as something to nap to when I needed 40 winks after an early start. But much to my surprise, I was soon cruising from episode to episode, completely glued, wanting to finding out which players had made the team after pre-season training and how far the team had got that season.

Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely one for sports fans; there’s also an All or Nothing series that follows Manchester City. But above all that, it follows young players’ journeys and watches them strive for their dreams. Each season follows a different team, so as a total NFL novice, this was the perfect way to figure out which team I wanted to get behind. It doesn’t matter which season you start with, but personally I think the one that follows The LA Rams is the best… and that’s not just because of star player and quarterback Jared Goff, I promise!

Who can forget the excitement when Doctor Foster first hit our screens five years ago! This BBC show follows a doctor who suspects her husband is having an affair. Pour yourself a gin and tonic for this one, Suranne Jones is ready to get to the bottom of it – and boy, does she.

This next series comes with a warning; you’re going to cry… in a good way! This Is Us is so heart warming and emotional that it makes you want to hug whoever’s next to you. It really can take you a million miles away from whatever’s going on in your life. Following a family’s ups and downs, it’s impossible to not fall in love with all the characters.

I think the beauty of this show is the relationship between all of the characters, and how developed each character is. They all have their strengths, but also a lot of weaknesses too, which to me, as a viewer, makes me love them more.

Even though this next series came out in 2005 it still delivers on every level. Prison Break will have you on the edge of your seat and watching through your fingers from the get-go. I often wonder with thrillers like this, how they can possibly keep the excitement going series after series as, let’s be honest, a lot of them tend to veer off and we lose interest by series three. But this series just keeps on giving – stick with it!

I am never on a break with this show, Friends. Quite literally, I fall asleep to it every single night without fail, which might explain why I know every line from the show. I first started watching it when I was 11 years old with my mum and older sisters, and still remember asking my mum what ‘playing hard to get’ meant. And they say we learn nothing from watching TV!

These six New Yorkers will have you glued to your screen – whether it’s the on-off relationship of Ross and Rachel, or the bromance between Joey and Chandler, these best friends will soon start to feel like your own after a single season.

I couldn’t end this column without mentioning The Jinx. This documentary series follows accused murderer Robert Durst, who was linked to the murders of his wife, a family friend and his neighbour, but always denied it. It’s impossible not become a detective yourself when watching this one, and I can promise you’ll want to rewind the final episode. I’m pretty certain you will want to binge this one within a couple of days – but you’ll probably fancy a light episode of Friends to cleanse the palette afterwards!

Thanks so much for reading Mollie’s Feel-Good Feed – check back on Marie Claire every Friday for more of my feel-good recommendations. Take care and stay safe!

The post Mollie's Feel-Good Feed: My top binge-worthy TV series appeared first on Marie Claire.

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The Best Purple Shampoo For Every Shade of Blonde

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Ah, blonde hair. It conjures up the nostalgia of Sun-In, the sexiness of Brigitte Bardot and makes us wish we all could be California girls. Except when brassy tones creep in and ruin the sun-lifted effect. Thankfully, both bottle blondes and those naturally blessed know the secret to keeping a hue cool is purple shampoo.

What causes brassiness?

‘Lighter strands often struggle to look shiny and healthy,’ says Steve Shiel, scientific director at L’Oreal. ‘This is because free radicals in the colouring process break down protein so blonde hair becomes porous.’

This porousness means bleached hair soaks up unwanted minerals and metals in your tap water and acquires a yellow tinge over time.

‘It also means that blonde hair absorbs light instead of reflecting it and is more prone to damage,’ adds Shiel.

What is purple shampoo?

Put simply, violet-hued shampoo is the haircare equivalent of a surly bodyguard. It protects against dullness and unwanted warm tones between colour appointments.

‘Purple shampoo neutralises the yellow in blonde hair, leaving a creamy to ash result,’ explains leading colourist and celebrity favourite, Josh Wood. ‘This is because yellow and purple sit opposite each other on the colour wheel.’

best purple shampoo

So when you wash with this particular shade of shampoo, it deposits purple pigment into blonde hair, to counteract any yellowy tones that start to shine through.

How to use purple shampoo

This may seem obvious but a violet-based shampoo is not made for your daily lather.

Those who bleach and live in hard water areas (which creates more mineral build-up on strands), should only use it once a week.

Meaning, one bottle will last you until your next colour appointment, if not longer.

best purple shampoo

But Zoe Irwin, creative director at John Frieda Salons, advises clients to be careful as purple-based products can be drying.

‘I decant half my purple shampoo into half a bottle of Oribe Shampoo For Moisture Control,’ she says.

‘The effect is softer, both in terms of the colour and how my hair feels afterwards. I wouldn’t recommend taking your purple shampoo right down to the ends.The hair there can be up to four years old so will grab onto too much of the purple pigment. If you can’t avoid it, coat the ends in conditioner first to create a hydrating base and to dilute the shampoo. Then apply your purple shampoo in an ‘s’ shape on mid-lengths and work it in with your fingers to deposit the pigment evenly.’

Staining is another issue you’ll want to avoid.

‘If you leave a purple shampoo on for too long, your hair will have a blue-purple tinge to it,’ Irwin cautions.

Session stylist Ali Pirzadeh concurs and recommends using your regular conditioner afterwards. ‘I wouldn’t bother with a purple conditioner as well, as you want to make sure your hair is still being nourished.’

Here are our picks for the best purple shampoo. There’s something for everyone – whether you’re looking for the best shampoo for oily hair or one that will give you more grit for styling. And that’s not all. We’ve also pulled together some natural options, so if you have a sensitive scalp, you’re in luck.

Best purple shampoo for blonde and brassy hair

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How to clean make-up brushes – the complete guide (and what NOT to do)

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It's easier than you think!

If you use them, even if it’s just one, then it’s absolutely essential that you understand how to clean make-up brushes properly. And, hey, we’re guessing you have enough time on your hands right now to give your brushes some love.

Let’s be completely honest, you can rarely be arsed to give your tools a good old clean. But, as Australian model Anthea Page stressed with photographic evidence, you should never skip washing your make-up brushes. Ensuring you have clean make-up brushes helps you avoid a whole host of skin problems, including nasty infections.

The best make-up brushes deserve proper love and care, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know about cleaning them. From exactly how you should clean your tools to how often they need a wash, you’ll be a pro in no time.

How often should you clean make-up brushes?

This will vary a little depending on how often you use your make-up brushes. If you use them on a daily basis, then you’re going to need to clean them more than if you use them a couple of times a week.

But no matter how often you use them, brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. We say give them a deep clean at least once a week, and ideally use a cleaning spray between uses to freshen them up.

We like bareMinerals Quick Change Brush Cleaning Spray, £10, or NYX On The Spot Brush Cleanser Spray, £9.

And, as any professional make-up artist will tell you, if you use your make-up brushes on other people they must be cleaned after every single use, to avoid the spread of skin conditions or infections.

How to clean make-up brushes at home

Cleaning your make-up brushes is a lot easier than you might think – it can be done in the comfort of your own home (specifically, your bathroom or kitchen).

Start by rinsing under running water to get some of the excess make-up out of the brush. Then work ordinary shampoo or dish soap into the damp brush head, and rinse. ‘I find dish soap works really well because it’s made to remove oils, so it works really well for your brushes, says Vincent Ford, Global Make-up Artist for NARS. ‘When you use an antibacterial soap, it’s also going to disinfect the brush.’

Hold your brushes downwards when rinsing, so that all of the excess oil and old make-up washes straight down the sink. When the water runs clear, squeeze the excess out from the brush. When they are damp – not wet – stand them in your make-up brush holder or over the edge of a table to dry.

‘The worst thing you can do for brushes is [leave them to] dry while they’re wet,’ Vincent explains. ‘The water will go into the base of the brush and make the glue kind of separate from the brush handle.’

Ace brush brand Real Techniques have two products that make the cleansing process that little bit easier, below.

Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel, £6.99, Lookfantastic

how to clean your makeup brushes real techniques

Buy now

Douse your brushes in this – it rids the bristles of oil, make-up and impurities – then work them over the nodules on the palette to really get rid of every last speck of dirt.

Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Palette, £12.99, Lookfantastic

how to clean your makeup brushes real techniques

Buy now

We’re also completely obsessed with The Apprentice winner, Tom Pellereau’s StylPro Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer, £29.95. This super duper piece of technology cleans and dries brushes in seconds, meaning that you can get back to using your brushes faster.

how to clean makeup brushes Stylpro

Buy now

We bet you’ve never been so excited to go home and clean your make-up brushes.

Whichever technique you choose, just make sure you’re doing it regularly. That’s an order.

The post How to clean make-up brushes – the complete guide (and what NOT to do) appeared first on Marie Claire.

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These Instagram home office ideas will make you want to redecorate ASAP

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Working from home for the foreseeable future? Draw some inspiration from these stunning Instagram office desk set-ups to do it right...

Words by Jenny Proudfoot and shopping edit by Penny Goldstone

With the majority of the nation isolated to our houses for the foreseeable future, working from home longterm has become a reality.

Unfortunately, our lives are a lot less Instagrammable than we’d like them to be, and too many of us have desk set ups that involve balancing laptops on pizza boxes in front of the TV. Don’t get us wrong – this is fine for a hungover Friday, but if we’re in this for the long haul, a home office revamp might be needed to get our mental health in check.

We’re talking mood boards, Apple Macs, the odd pot plant, a scattering of pretty books that we have no intention of actually reading, an artfully placed Byredo hand cream and casual peonies thrown in an old Mason jar. The essentials.

But where to start?

If you’re in need of home office desk ideas, here are some of the most beautiful working spaces we could find on Instagram, and scroll down to shop our favourite pieces to recreate them.

The retro chic home office

Retro chic home office essentials:

A retro wooden desk and matching chair seem to be essential, accompanied by some cool framed drawings, some monochrome Etsy pottery, a couple of eucalyptus leaves from Columbia Road flower market and a vintage Fujifilm camera.

The Hygge home office

Hygge home office essentials:

A green and white colour scheme prove to work, but the real Hygge must-haves are a clear desk, as many plants as you can get your hands on and a hell of a lot of wicker. We’re talking wicker chairs, wicker Anthropologie baskets and wicker bags.

The minimalist home office

Minimalist home office essentials:

Plain white walls and wooden floors are ideal, especially when spruced up with a large black desk, a decorative trunk from Life of Riley or Anrhopologie, faux hide rugs, large mirrors, hanging light bulbs and a smattering of monochrome coffee table books.

The farmhouse home office

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Now more than ever I’m appreciating this home office space. Working from home has been seamless but also having the girls home to home school adds to the appreciation for a space like this. We all have our work stations set-up and the girls have been enjoying all the fun virtual learning opportunities. While a bit tricky working and homeschooling simultaneously, we are all making the best of it and enjoying our extra time together. . . . #modernfarmhouse #bohodecor #midcenturymodern #woodandwhite #antiquefarmhouse #myafh #decorsteals #officegoals #magnoliahome #hearthandhandwithmagnolia #ispyraddesign #interioryesplz #mybhghome #mybhg #farmhousefeatures #farmhousefanatics #shiplapwalls #kirklands #workingfromhome #workingmom #homeschooling #homeschoollife #officeorganization

A post shared by LaTisha Deutsch (@lovehomemadehome) on Mar 18, 2020 at 4:19pm PDT

Farmhouse home office essentials:

A farmhouse home office aesthetic preferably involves a farmhouse or a cosy shed, but should be able to be accomplished anywhere with the right elements. Wood panels, wooden shelves, wooden desk and a wooden floor are essential for a cabin vibe. And decor wise, we’re talking quilted chairs, boho Oliver Bonas cushions and a lot of green plants from Bloombox Club.

The greenhouse home office

Greenhouse home office essentials:

A greenhouse home office is best in a greenhouse, with big windows and a lot of natural light proving necessary. A glass/ wood desk also gives a nice effect, but the key element is plants – a greenhouse home office cannot have enough hanging plants.

The Scandi home office

Scandi home office essentials:

Scandi home offices are not only some of the most popular, but also the easiest ideas to execute. Essential elements include a clear space, an Anthopologie wicker basket, a terrarium, a few cacti, a fluffy rug and an extremely large plant. And of course, the staple of every Scandi home office – a Charles Eames chair (or a £30 replica).

The rose gold home office

Rose gold home office essentials:

Rose gold office essentials are in the name really – anything rose gold works. From mesh baskets from Flying Tiger and books to ornamental Etsy watering cans, terrariums and vintage Panasonic cameras. The trick with a rose gold themed office however is to offset it with a monochrome wall, a plain wooden desk and a neutral coloured chair.

The hipster home office

Hipster home office essentials:

Hipster home offices are simple and fun to create, but if you have a bare-brick wall in your home, you’re half way there already. Other essentials include a couple of Anglepoise floor lamps, a bohemian La Redoute rug, a vintage Roberts radio and all the overgrown pot plants you can find.

The plant-based home office

Plant-based home office essentials:

Plant-based home office essentials are also all in the name. The key – squeeze as many plants as you can possibly find into the space. Additional elements include a wooden desk, a couple of big floor baskets and a brightly painted chair.

The monochrome home office

Monochrome home office essentials:

Monochrome home office essentials are very simple – everything needs to be black and white. A white wall and desk are a good way of ensuring that your home office doesn’t get too dark. Then, the chair, wall art and additional furnishings can add the darker colours – a black mesh Flying Tiger pin board, a Notonthehighstreet wall calendar, and – judging by this picture – a John Lewis espresso mug.

Happy redecorating!

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