The six beauty products that will bring optimism to your life this week
Each week, Marie Claire’s Beauty and Style Director, Lisa Oxenham, brings you the lowdown on her edit of products that will add joy and positive energy to your beauty ritual and self-care routine. From uplifting oils and calming serums to relaxing bath-time treatments, these products are designed to give your self-esteem a boost.
I am devoted to baths as my shoulders, neck and legs always seem to feel so tight and achy and a good soak never fails to sort them out. Weleda has some of the most beautiful bath milks in the business, and their new Arnica Muscle Soak infused with arnica and soothing silver birch leaves releases stiff muscles, while the natural herbal smell of rosemary and lavender clears the sinuses, promotes circulation, and evokes wild forest bathing.
A magical elixir of bakuchiol (which offers retinol-like benefits to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minus the aggravation that retinol can cause thus making it perfect for my sensitive skin), niacinamide (which helps minimise imperfections and redness), and Aurelia’s secret formula that helps reduce cellular damage and boost collagen production. It not only decreases the look of my existing enlarged pores but also helps refine my skin for more even tone.
I was gutted when this ran out. It may be super expensive, but just a few drops of this 22-botanical oil blend before bed and in the morning after my serum plumped fine lines and imparted a visible glow even for sensitive, dry and mature skin. Formulated with smart-ageing antioxidants, restoring phytoceramides, plumping fatty acids, and illuminating vitamins to revive, strengthen and protect the skin. Unfortunately (at £175) I’m addicted.
Whether it’s the intense stress that your body is going through when fighting covid, the emotional, physical or mental stress of dealing with symptoms or trying to stay afloat during a pandemic, there is an increase in cases of hair loss and thinning. Experts are unclear whether it’s more closely related to the physiological toll of infection or extreme emotional stress. So, what’s available? There are the medical solutions, but Natucain is definitely another route to consider if you want to go down the natural route. This treatment is made with 100% natural ingredients and patented with a formula that stimulates hair at the root, prompting a long growth phase and minimising the phase where the hair falls out. It also provides ample nutrients to facilitate hair follicle reconstruction, resulting in new hair growth and less hair loss. It contains no hormones, silicones, parabens, or sulphates – and is cruelty-free.
Nothing boosts circulation, eliminates toxins and revitalises skin quite like a great body scrub. I love the whole wild beauty ethos of this brand. Their scrub uses a combination of rosemary, geranium and Rhug honey and is made with organic and wild foraged ingredients from Rhug Estate. The organic sugar is a natural humectant that brings moisture into the skin and it is also rich in glycolic acid to buff away dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover, resulting in skin that’s at its youthful best.
Everything with The Organic Pharmacy is about what you’re putting in your body. “To detox is to allow and support your body to eliminate toxins,” says founder Margo Marrone – and in her view all the junk that builds up from what we eat and how we live our lives (and this includes stress, which creates toxins too) contributes to all sorts of illnesses and malaise. To reset the body, they encourage you to set time aside to make nutritious meals (there’s leaflet from Farmgirl in the kit for quick and easy healthy recipes), and make time to chew food slowly and calmly. This 10-day supplement kit then works alongside to help cleanse and refresh the body, with the nutrients within aiming to calm the digestive tract, aid drainage and liver function, and encourage the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, which the vitamins and minerals work to defend cells from oxidative stress. It’s simple: in the morning, take three Detox Capsules at least one hour before eating. Then take two of each Superantioxidants, Phytonutrients+MSM and Essential Fatty Acid+B complex capsules every morning with breakfast. In the evening, take three Detox capsules at least one hour after eating. Keep on top of your water intake (at least eight glasses per day). As you take the supplements, my advice would be to eat mindfully, reconnecting with the flavours and textures of food. By day five I had more energy, no highs, no lows, no dips, no cravings.
Don’t despair if foreign travel isn’t on the agenda this summer – there are plenty of amazing sights to be seen right on your doorstep. Which is why we’ve partnered with Zopa to bring you some top tips on enjoying London on a budget.
Credit: Zopa
OK, we’ll admit it: London and budget are two words seldom seen in the same sentence. Because yes, the capital can be exorbitantly expensive. But that doesn’t mean London on a budget is impossible. From travel to sightseeing, there are plenty of purse-friendly ways to enjoy one of the greatest cities in the world this summer – it’s just about looking in the right places. Luckily, we’re on hand to help. In partnership withZopa, we’ve rounded up some foolproof advice on getting the most out of your trip to London, without blowing your budget.
How to see London on a budget
Go contactless
It goes without saying that public transport is much cheaper than Ubering (or worse, black cabbing) everywhere. And while walking is much cheaper still, tapping in and out with your debit or credit card is your best bet if you want to cover all corners of the capital during your trip.
Credit: Zopa
The underground can be expensive if you’re buying single fares throughout the day, but using your Zopa card will mean you can keep close track of your journeys, while knowing exactly how much you’re spending. While an Oyster card will cost you £5, your existing debit or credit card works almost identically – without incurring any extra charge, or causing any embarrassing faff at the turnstile when you’ve forgotten to top up. Like Oyster cards, contactless cards have a capped fee of around £8.50 per day, meaning you’re unlikely to pay more than that for a day’s travel around central London.
With a Zopa card, you can apply online and manage everything in their easy-to-use app . And don’t worry if you’re visiting London from further afield: there are no fees for spending abroad or going over your credit limit. Plus, your card will always be safe and secure because you can instantly freeze it in the app. (Credit card representative 34.9% APR Variable).
Know your bus routes
Open top bus tours can be incredibly fun – just ask Joey and Chandler fromFriends.But if shelling out for a tour isn’t quite within your budget this time round, knowing your central London bus routes is a great hack for seeing the key sights all at once. (Just make sure you get a good seat on the top deck.)
We especially love:
Route 15:An iconic London bus route that passes through the likes of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Paul’s, Fleet Street, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and Trafalgar Square.
Route 9:A pretty way to see the Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Piccadilly, St. James’s Palace, and Trafalgar Square.
And with Tfl’s bus hopper fare allowing you unlimited journeys on buses and trams within an hour of touching in for just £1.55, you’ll be able to stop for a quick tour of any of the sights that take your fancy along the way.
The best things in life are free
Some of the best things to do in London are free. With around 26 of the city’s museums allowing free entry, you could happily spend days in London without paying for anything other than accommodation, food and travel. Whether you’re an art lover – in which case Tate Britain, Tate Modern, National Gallery, the V&A, and the Royal Academy are a must – or a history buff – see you at the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the Imperial War Museum – London has something for everyone. Of course, certain exhibitions charge an entry fee, but we promise that there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than wandering the galleries and having coffee by the river. (British weather permitting.) Note, though, that as we emerge from lockdown, you’ll likely need to book a slot in advance. So get in there early.
Take in the great outdoors
Sure, we might be biased, but we reckon that London has some of the best parks this side of the globe. For all its bustle, you’re never too far from a green space in London, and the city is dotted with plush, leafy sanctuaries perfect for escaping the noise. From renting a lawn chair for as little as £2 in Hyde Park, to having a picnic overlooking the entire city on Hampstead Heath (followed by a swim in the outdoor ponds), there are so many ways to take in some of the city’s famous beauty spots during your trip. The problem is deciding just which ones…
Go thrifting
In terms of shopping, London has just about everything: from landmark luxury department stores like Harrods, Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges,to flagship high street favourites. But it’s the city’s selection of thrift and vintage stores that will forever have our hearts. Browse the rails at Camden Market, Portobello Road and Old Spitalfields for unique gifts, clothes and homewares, or hit up some of London’s best thrift stores for one-off finds. The East End is your best bet for thrifting, with places like ATIKA, The Brick Lane Vintage Market, Rokit and Levisons Vintage Clothing all within walking distance of each other. A must-see, even if you’re just browsing with a coffee in hand.
Who are Zopa?
Credit: Zopa
Zopa have been turning money on its head since 2005. Customer focused with no catches,Zopa offer access to simpler, better-valueloans(15.4% representative APR) andcredit cards(34.9% representative APR variable) to take the hassle out of money management.
Their no-nonsense credit cards put you in control – just apply online, and manage everything in their simple app. As well as getting instant payment notifications and real-time balance updates so you can keep close track of your spending, you’ll be able to prepare for some of life’s more unexpected expenses with a credit Safety Net; an innovative feature that lets you set aside some of your available credit balance should you need it.
Zopa’s loans are just as straightforward – often offering some of the lowest rates around. If five-star reviews on Trustpilot aren’t all the convincing you need, check your rates on theZopa websitein less than three minutes. (And no, this won’t affect your credit score at all.)
It’s not just our compulsive fast fashion habit that’s harming the planet – lockdown has seen a huge spike in throwaway fast homeware trends, too. Here’s how re-commerce sites like Gumtree are helping us to shop more sustainably, while offering some of the dreamiest interiors finds around.
In partnership with Gumtree
Did you know that a sofa bought second-hand represents a carbon saving equivalent to 485 hot showers? Or that opting for a second-hand table saves the equivalent carbon of a 315km car journey? Yep, it’s not just our bank balance that benefits from shopping at re-commerce sites like Gumtree – shopping second-hand has a huge impact on the planet, too.
If we’ve learnt anything over the past year, it’s the importance of having a home that feels like a sanctuary. After all, if you’re going to spend 365 days (and counting) confined to the same space, better make sure that it’s one you love and feel comfortable in.
Unsurprisingly, lockdown saw a huge spike in homeware shopping and DIY – with many of us funnelling the disposable income that we’d normally spend on things like clothes, holidays, and eating out into fixing up our homes. But is our new-found interiors obsession causing us to unwittingly contribute to the fast homeware movement?
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 45% of greenhouse gas emissions come from how we make and use products. Meaning fast fashion isn’t the only culprit contributing to the climate crisis. As brands increasingly encourage impulsive, trend-led homeware buys, we need to take stock of how we shop across the board.
Which is where Gumtree comes in. Far from saying don’t shop, the re-commerce site says shop better and more consciously – something we at Marie Claire have long been committed to as we strive to tackle the climate crisis head-on.
Relying on fast homeware buys to style your home is easy, sure. (Hands up who else is being bombarded with targeted Instagram ads for influencer-endorsed interiors these days.) But something we’ve discovered along the way is that by making small changes to our everyday purchasing decisions, long-term change is actually a lot easier than we’d initially thought.
Gumtree allows you to regularly and affordably (because let’s be real, redecorating can be eye-wateringly expensive) refresh your interiors, while also reducing the volume of furniture being produced. Or, if you’re a seller, it allows you to pass on your no longer needed interiors finds to someone you know will love and appreciate them, without adding to the planet’s worsening landfill problem.
It’s no accident that the site is making such positive strides towards a more sustainable future. Alongside their 20 years of championing re-commerce as a more sustainable way to shop – cementing the site as the UK’s most trusted platform for repurposing, reusing and reimagining how we consume – Gumtree have been working with the University of Leeds to calculate the carbon saving of buying second-hand for over 1200 ‘For Sale’ items on their site.
Among their resulting research is the stark finding that if every home worker bought a new desk, lamp, laptop, printer, filing cabinet and chair, it’d leave the same carbon footprint as having the heating on for 462 million years. And that’s just the environmental impact of shopping for one room – or corner – of your home.
But aside from its obvious environmental benefits, shopping second-hand is also just a great way of sourcing unique, one-off interiors buys that will make your space feel uniquely yours. From good-as-new headboards to vintage sideboards, chairs to couches, you name it, Gumtree has it – whatever your budget, whatever your aesthetic. (And you can bet yourself that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for on the site for much cheaper than if you were buying it from a low-quality, fast homeware retailer, too.)
Which is why we’re joining the re-commerce revolution – making small changes in our shopping habits for a big impact on the planet.
But don’t worry if you’re a little lacking on the inspiration front. Follow @Gumtreeuk for a regular dose of interiors inspo, one-off vintage gems, ingenious DIY ideas, and some seriously chic second-hand homeware.
If you know Anissa Kermiche’s work, then you know she’s one of the female jewellery designers that celebrates women’s bodies through gorgeous jewellery, and her latest design is no exception.
To celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day, is collaborating with Sanitation First, a charity which helps bring sanitation for people living in acute poverty, whether that is feminine hygiene products or toilets.
She is launching a pair of earrings in celebration of women’s bodies, whilst raising awareness of the outdated taboos surrounding periods.
Aptly named The Lady Days, the gold earrings are shaped like drops, depicting our periods as a sign of health, vitality and strength rather than something we should hide or be ashamed of.
Ayesha Shand, Sanitation First Ambassador, says, ‘Anissa’s jewellery and ceramics are a celebration of all that it means to be a woman; she celebrates everything we’re taught to hide from the wobbly bits, to buoyantly natural bushes and now the greatest taboo of all: our periods. I couldn’t think of a better partner in crime, to address the debilitating menstrual taboos that women face in India.’
Sanitation First’s campaign ‘CODE RED’ is battling to keep girls in India in school by providing them with clean and safe hygiene facilities and the menstrual education needed to eradicate outdated taboos. In India, 1 in 5 girls drop out of school when they start their period, 23 million annually, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality.
The earrings will retail at £210 and will launch at Matches and on Anissa Kermiche‘s site on 28th May, joining her existing homeware and jewellery collections.
A percentage of the proceeds will go to the charity.
Your definitive guide to all the best sex apps on the market - but would you use one?
Smiling young woman, sitting on the floor at home, talking on the phone.
Dating apps have survived the test of time – many of us are guilty of a Sunday night swipe session when The Fear still hasn’t passed and Monday Dread kicks in. But instead of the traditional drinks-and-a-movie hook up, more and more of us are downloading the best sex apps that promise no strings sex.
We all know Tinder is notorious for being one of the best sex apps out there, but, fun fact, it isn’t the only one.
Here’s our full edit of the best sex apps to help you find the ideal Netflix and chill buddy, or to practice the best kamasutra sex positions with. Whether you’re after a hook-up or no-strings sex, there’s an app for everyone. Oh, and while you’re here, do make sure you read our guide to the best sex toys, too.
18 best sex apps to try for casual hookups
1. Thursday
How does Thursday work?
Perhaps surprisingly, Thursday only works on… yep, you guessed it, Thursdays. The new app, set to launch on 6th May in London and New York, is based around the premise that you should actually be having IRL dates, so only gives you a short but sweet 24 hours to chase those matches and arrange those dates.
It’s invite only, and according to the app, 110,000 lucky users are already signed up. Plus, catfishing is banned, and all users must be verified and prove their identify (with a passport or driver’s license scan) pre-joining.
Don’t worry if you don’t live in London or New York – the app will roll out to Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and Dublin later in the month.
Why is it one of the best sex apps?
Well, it’s very talked about at the moment, semi-exclusive, and encourages you to get off your screen and spend more time actually out there dating… what’s not to like? Plus, they’re hosting members only events from the summer. Enjoy.
Fun fact: 87% of people said they felt ‘greater sex life satisfaction’ having used Lover for just a week. Not bad. Lover promises to offer a science-based approach to sexual hiccups and issues and essentially acts as a personal sex therapist. Think research-based content and guides covering exactly what you’re keen explore sexually.
Why is it one of the best sex apps?
As above, it comes complete with guides, videos and educational games, so you can watch, listen, play and learn. Not only will it spice things up in the bedroom, but it’ll help you educate yourself on how to improve your sexual wellbeing, too. Think feeling more relaxed during sex, getting connected with your partner, and expressing your sexual desires. Because having a healthy sex life = better health generally. Hear, hear.
It’s free to download, but to unlock all content, you have to pay a £9.99 weekly subscription fee.
This is dating with a difference – instead of tirelessly swiping right, your friends do the hard work for you. All you have to do is decide whether or not the matches they’ve made on your behalf are up to scratch. You create a crew with your BFFs which opens a group chat and you pick the people that you think your pals would be suited to, and they do the same for you. You can chat privately in your crew, discuss potential matches, and share profiles of people who you want to set up.
Why is Ship one of the best sex apps?
It’s fairly new, so you might not find as many potential partners as the original apps – but give it time. The concept is fun and gives you the opportunity to match people you might not usually swipe right for.
Free for iPhone users, it asks to link to your Facebook to access your location, photos, interests, plus ‘friends’ who are signed up too. It links you up to singles who are up for sex in your postcode, but remember – the more info you put on about yourself, the more you can see about others.
Why is Blendr one of the best sex apps?
Popular with young professionals (we came across a mix of 20-something chefs, builders, students, musicians and lawyers) who aren’t shy when it comes to no-strings sex.
With a tag line like ‘why be limited to one option at a time’, you know what you’re getting with HUD. Join 9 million users on the casual dating app by linking your Facebook profile or mobile number and you’re off. No strings attached.
Why is HUD one of the best sex apps?
It’ll definitely help you on your no strings sex quest, but be warned – people can join anonymously, which does compromise the quality of people you’re meeting a little. Although their video chat does have an auto blur safety feature.
An app that keeps your naked photos, belfies, and sex videos safe and secure. You can only access the files if you and the other person(s) involved enter passwords. The idea behind this is that only you and your partner can watch your previous bedroom antics together.
Why is Disckreet one of the best sex apps?
Good for couples or f*** buddies who want to spice things up in a safe way. It’s a solution to revenge porn.
An Android app that turns your phone into a vibrator. Yes, really. It can be controlled remotely by your partner, making even long distance hook-ups possible.
Why is Sexy Vibes one of the best sex apps?
Call us prudes, but we’re not keen on the thought of our phone (that goes so close to our face) being used as a sex toy.
Great if you want to find no strings sex right now. Once you’re a member, you submit a request and state whether you’re looking for a man or a woman and where you’d prefer to meet. You’ll then be given some potential matches.
Why is Pure one of the best sex apps?
Great for privacy. Your photo and tagline are only displayed for an hour at a time, which also means you’d better move fast.
3Fun recommends profiles based on the GPS and users’ preferences. If you want to like someone’s profile, you can tap the heart button. If you don’t like a profile, you can tap the “X” button. Whenever you like a profile and that person likes your profile, then you both become matched. It is Free to chat with your matches.
3Fun is mainly aimed at individuals looking for threesomes, and allows couples to chat synchronously from one account – If new users choose the ‘couple’ option when they initially create their 3Fun account, they will both be able to log in to that account from two different mobile devices and chat with others at the same time.
Why is 3Fun one of the best sex apps?
3Fun is the fastest-growing dating app in its field. Most of the important features are free. There are a lot of members using the app who are interested in these kinds of “three people” arrangements. The unique photo verification feature helps its users avoid meeting the fake and scammers. However, it has had some data privacy issues in the past, so do be wary of that.
Always wanted a threesome but never known where to find that special (extra) someone? Well, just like 3Fun, Feeld is a dating app to help you out. Feeld works much like Tinder; log on through Facebook (there’s an option to change your name), choose the composition of your group (2+1, or 1+1+1) and swipe through hundreds of potential matches in your area.
Why is Feeld one of the best sex apps?
This app has the ease of tinder, and much like that, most of the fun lies in the swiping. Once you’ve matched, how things proceed is up to you. Just remember to keep your friends informed of your whereabouts – taking extra precaution when meeting strangers is always advised.
This app combines selfie-taking with Netflix. What more could we possibly want? Guys take a selfie and post it along with what they’re watching. If a girl likes both offerings, she fires back a selfie mimicking his, opening up a chat.
Why is Mimitate one of the best sex apps?
This app eliminates unwanted advances, as you’ll never receive messages unless you show interest by way of your selfie. Plus, it’s a hilarious and ingenious idea. Who knew taking selfies while watching Netflix could lead to so much fun?
This is the app to satisfy all your kinks and fetishes. Getting beyond the small talk it gets down to the nitty-gritty of what you want – you know, what you really, really want.
Why is Whiplr one of the best sex apps?
You don’t need Facebook to log in to this one and can choose a nickname. It’s very specific gender and kink-wise, so the potential is there to find your perfect partner. However, the free service is limited and full use is a costly £14.99/£7.50 a month, monthly/annually. I guess the question is, how much you value your kink?
Bumble calls itself a feminist app; for any matches that happen, the woman must start the chat within 24 hours, or it disappears. It’s become one of the best-known dating and sex apps on the market for helping people to build valuable relationships. Not the best option for casual flings, but definitely worth joining the millions who use the app if you’re after something a bit more invested.
Why is Bumble one of the best sex apps?
Pressure is high with that time limit, but it helps you quickly figure out whether that guy is worth the initial message. Plus, the control is totally in your hands, and you know that rules and safety regulations should be strict, as it’s such a well known and developed app.
Going on holiday? Who cares what’s at the end of the plane journey, with this app the fun starts before you even land. Wingman lets you connect with others on your flight, giving you the chance for a sneaky in-flight get-together. Perhaps one to download for post-lockdown when we’re allowed to travel again…
Why is Wingman one of the best sex apps?
We’re not sure how likely it is that there’s someone fanciable on your flight who also has this app. But if you want to start your holiday romance before you’ve even left UK airspace, it’s probably the best place to start.
Forget Grindr, Her is a hook-up app for LGBTQ women, by LGBTQ women. While it sells itself as more of a lesbian/bi/trans community rather than a dating platform, it’s one of the most popular apps for the audience in the entire world. Beyond meeting other like-minded individuals, you’ll also be able to find out about gay-friendly news and events going on in your area so you can take things offline.
Why is Her one of the best sex apps?
There aren’t enough apps out there for our LGBTQ sisters and as far as they go, this is one of the best. We love the news and events updates, too.
16. Happn
How does Happn work?
If you want the magic of a meet-cute alongside your one night stand, Happn is a good bet. It started out in France back in 2015, but it’s quickly picked up speed around the world. The way it works is this: after you’ve finished setting up your profile, it tracks where you and other users have crossed paths – as well as how many times it’s happened (or happnd). It functions the same way as a match and you can strike up a conversation with them on the app.
Why is Happn one of the best sex apps?
We really love the concept of Happn and there’s some mighty fine talent on there. Its 250m radius is awesome for big sprawling cities like London, but if you’re somewhere like Leamington Spa then the pool’s going to dry up quick.
It’s like Tinder but exclusively for one-night stands. If you’re looking for a casual but ongoing hook-up, an FWB situation, or simply a one-time only bit of fun, the app is for you.
Why is Casualx one of the best sex apps?
Users know that they’re signing up for no-strings sex, and the app is really easy to use. Plus, the security features will help you feel safe. The downside, however, is that if you’re looking for something quick and close your matches might not be that nearby.
So, you’ve heard of String, the dating app that wants you to ‘date with your voice’. String hopes to change how you date by matching singles by encouraging you to. communicate differently. When you connect with someone, you must send each other recorded voice notes if you want to chat.
Why is String one of the best sex apps?
Well, it already guaranteed to be somewhat more intimate than sending a simple text message. You may feel like it’s easier to bond with your date if you’re constantly talking via VN.
While we were busy using text talk like ‘WYUT’ and ‘Cu l8r’ as teenagers, the founders are targeting students as sending voice notes is the most popular way of communicating when it comes to Gen Z. Of course, things might get a little long-winded if you match with a chatterbox – but it’s worth a try, right?
And now, the serious bit. Meeting up with total strangers is not a risk-free exercise, and more so if the prospect of having no strings sex is on the cards.
Avoid revealing your exact location, keep it vague or change your address.
Do a background check on Twitter and type their name into google to pull up further info on them.
Speak on the phone before meeting to get an idea of their personality.
Look for inconsistencies, such as where they say they live or what they do. If you think they are lying. Make your excuses and cut contact.
Go with your instinct and gut feeling.
Always arrange to meet in a public place during the day.
Have your own transportation.
Let a friend know exactly where you are meeting and make them check in with you by text a couple of hours in to check all is ok.
Have you got a dating story you’d like to share? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter @marieclaireuk
