SPF for Party Season: Make-up Artist Shares The Best Ones

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Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin, and daily wear will help to minimise cumulative sun damage and accelerated signs of ageing. 

As part of Face the Future’s 366 Days of SPF campaign, survey results found that only 22% of the UK apply SPF daily, and only 8% reapply their SPF in a day.

We spoke to resident make-up artist at Face the Future, Rachael Divers, about how to wear SPF through party season…

What is party season make-up/how is it different to everyday wear?

Party makeup tends to be more dramatic and glamorous than your everyday routine. Think shimmery glitters, bold red lips, and smoky eyes in deep browns and rich jewel tones. For skin, party season makeup looks usually feature a fuller coverage foundation and more defined cheekbones with a healthy dose of highlighter. Tis the season to sparkle, after all! 

What trends for party season make-up do you think will be in this year?

Red lips are a timeless Christmas staple, so I’m sure they’ll be in high demand this year. They’re festive, flattering, and universally stylish. No matter your skin tone or type, there’s a perfect red lipstick out there for you! When it comes to eye makeup, I expect to see plenty of glittery and metallic eyeshadows this holiday season. For skin, a flawless and glowing complexion will be the perfect base for any makeup look. 


What is the best SPF for glowy party season skin?
For a ‘lit from within’ glow, opt for moisturising SPF formulas that have added illuminating pigments, like Hello Sunday The Illuminating One Glow Primer SPF50. This gorgeous glow booster gives your skin an ethereal glow that looks beautiful both on its own or under your makeup. If you want a rosy, healthy glow, Sand & Sky Tinted Glow Primer SPF30 is perfect. It’s infused with red seaweed to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, and a Hyaluronic Complex for optimal hydration. 

How can you stop your SPF pilling under your make-up? How long should you wait before doing your skin?

To prevent piling, it’s important to prep your skin properly first to ensure you have a clean base. Start with a thorough cleanse using a gentle cleanser, before following with your favourite moisturiser – water-based formulas are less likely to pill, so opt for these over oil-based formulas. Next, add your water-based SPF on top. 

It’s important to allow time between layering your skincare products to ensure proper absorption of the formulas – a few to ten minutes is usually plenty of time. This can also help to prevent pilling as you’re not overloading your skin. 

Are there any application techniques / advise for how to apply your products for long-wear?

One of my favourite techniques that you can use to keep your base products in place all day and night is ‘baking’; this is a makeup technique that’s been around for years! In makeup setting terms, baking involves setting your concealer and foundation with a generous amount of translucent powder and allowing it to “bake” (set) on your skin for several minutes before brushing it away with a fluffy brush. This method can help to control oil, reduce shine, and create a smooth, long-lasting base for your makeup. It’s best applied using a dampened beauty blender to gently press the powder into place. If you worry that your powder will look too cakey on your skin, you can spritz it with a makeup setting spray for a flawless finish an extra hold.  

For party eyes, make sure to use waterproof formulas when it comes to mascara and eyeliner.

For lips, liquid lipsticks are a great choice! You can also use the baking technique on your lips. Simply apply two layers of your favourite lipstick, blotting in between each layer, then apply your translucent powder over the top and allow it to set for a couple of minutes before gently dusting it away. This technique can feel drying on your lips, so prep them well beforehand to ensure comfort and no signs of flaking. 

How/can you re-apply SPF throughout the day without redoing make-up?

To re-apply your SPF throughout the day without disrupting your makeup, it’s best to look for a spray-on formula. Hello Sunday The Retouch One – Face Mist SPF30 is ultra-fine and invisible, so it’s perfect for topping up your protection throughout the day.  Another great product us Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50 – it’s transparent and water resistant and gives high broad-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB, Infrared A and Blue Light. It also won’t leave a sticky feeling on your skin, so you’ll feel perfectly comfortable all day.

Which SPFs are best under makeup for matte finish?

Choose formulas that specify they have a matte finish or have ‘oil control’, like La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF50+. This has an invisible, mattifying, lightweight texture that’s great alone or under your makeup.

NEW BEAUTY LAUNCH | Mylee’s Blooming Gel

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Who doesn’t love a good nail? Whether you prefer a marble mani, flirty florals or gorgeous gradients, Mylee have you covered. Set to be THE nail trend for AW24, Watercolour nails are made blooming easy with Mylee’s BRAND NEW Blooming Gel collection.

Simply apply the gel over your chosen colour, paint your design on top, and watch your canvas bloom. Magic at your very fingertips, quite literally.

Marble Quad, £26.99, www.mylee.co.uk

Marvel with a marble mani that’s no longer impossible to DIY. Create the cult classic trend with this do-it-all kit, including Mylee’s innovative Blooming Gel (that allows gel polish colours to spread magically), moon-white Luna, peony-pink Californian Love, and man-made metal Steel My Heart. Ready, set, marble.

Marble Quad, £26.99, www.mylee.co.uk

Marvel with a marble mani that’s no longer impossible to DIY. Create the cult classic trend with this do-it-all kit, including Mylee’s innovative Blooming Gel (that allows gel polish colours to spread magically), moon-white Luna, peony-pink Californian Love, and man-made metal Steel My Heart. Ready, set, marble.

Fantastic Books To Read Now

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Secret’s of the Watch House Jenny Ashcroft

This is a wonderful and atmospheric novel which sweeps you away, not letting you go until the very last page. Perfect for fans of historical fiction.

Cornwall, 1934.

Violet Ellis is living in the shadows of her father’s ruined reputation. So, when wealthy widower James Atherton offers her employment, she immediately begins the treacherous journey to his home on the remote Cornish island of Aoife’s Bay – despite the bone-chilling allegations surrounding his late wife Elizabeth’s death.

In James’s company, Violet begins to feel the love that has been missing all her life. But when anonymous letters start to plague the bay’s residents, threatening to expose what really happened to Elizabeth, Violet feels the hostility towards her grow. She has an unsettling sense of being watched in her new home, and as the mysteries of the island draw her in, she starts to fear she might never find a way out …

Sweeping across London, Oxford and the wilds of the West Country, this novel is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Louise Douglas and Lucinda Riley. The Secrets of the Watch House is out now.

The Trip Phoebe Morgan

I’m a huge fan of Phoebe Morgan. She writes these dark and complex book which you can really stick your teeth into. She’s also amazing at writing books that are readable in a way that is very hard to write. If I have four hours and a Phoebe Morgan book, I’m happy. Now the weather has turned The Trip will also transport you back to summer. We all need a bit of that, don’t we?

The perfect holiday. The perfect crime.

Four friends on the holiday of a lifetime. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise.

Four friends who’d do anything for each other, until now.

Only one of them committed a crime.

But all four know how to keep a secret.

And they’re all guilty of something…

This fast paced and tense thriller is out now.

Until We Shatter Kate Dylan

Kate Dylan is one of the best YA authors writing today. Her books are marvel on steroids, with a fun, feminist twist. Until We Shatter is an enemies to lovers heist fantasy from the author of Mindwalker. Sheer brilliance and just as good as Mindwalker. Kate Dylan drowns you in the world she has built and sometimes you will wish she left you there. She takes no prisoners. Loved it.

Out on October 17.

And Still We March Marisa Bate

This is not just a book on feminism. It is also a stunning and brave feminist memoir on domestic abuse and single motherhood. Weaving the personal and the political into a must read book. Considering what is happening with women’s rights these days, And Still We March, is an essential read for everyone. Well researched, it educates and leaves you feeling a little more empowered.

Around the world, women’s rights are under attack. 

In 2022, the US Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, restricting access to abortion across America. The decision mirrored a global trend towards a devastating unravelling of women’s freedoms; a reversal of hard-won progress, and a battle that continues to be fought on both sides of the Atlantic.

Following in the footsteps of her mother fifty years before her, Marisa Bate is galvanised to journey across America, meeting the women on the ground, and telling the stories behind the headlines. Examining half a century of feminist struggle in the UK and the US, she also finds herself tracing the roots of her own family, seamlessly interweaving the personal with the political.

Lyrical, poignant, and bursting with defiant hope, And Still We March is an urgent and perceptive dissection of female autonomy, motherhood, and a woman’s right to choose.

And Still We March is available here.

The Commuter Emma Curtis

Oh how I adored The Commuter. It’s an absolute masterpiece on thriller writing. I inhaled this book, desperate to get back to it as soon as I put it down. It’s got a flawed female character (my favourite kind) and a plot that doesn’t let you go. Dark and addictive with a huge dollop of style.

I used to dread rush hour. Now I live for it…

Rachel wakes from a coma to discover her controlling husband has been killed, and the police suspect her of involvement.

But all Rachel can recall from the last few weeks are tantalising flashes of a fellow commuter. A man whose name she doesn’t know.

A man who has disappeared without a trace.

Now Rachel is a wealthy widow and the vultures are circling, wanting her in prison for murder, or failing that … dead.

Can Rachel discover the truth in time to save herself?

The Commuter is out now.

One Hundreds Moments Of Us Jon Rance

One Hundreds Moments Of Us is fantastic. A wonderful steak of a novel that really fills you up. It has One Day vibes as it follows Ashley and Charlie and their relationship over the decades. This brilliant idea is executed perfectly as we read about one hundred moments of their relationship. With stunning characterisation and nostalgia in abundance for millennials I am going to have to insist you buy a copy now.

They say life is made up of moments.

So is a relationship.

From the moment he sets his eyes on Ashley Oliver at sixth form on the cusp of the new millennium, Charlie falls in love. It isn’t all sunshine and roses though and it takes several years and more than one chance meeting before they begin their relationship.

Will they survive everything the world has to throw at them or will the pressure of life, love, and London be too much for them?

Told through moments big and small, trivial and significant, this is the moving and uplifting story of a relationship – the ups, the downs, and everything in between.

An unforgettable romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens, Jill Mansell and Mike Gayle.

A Merry Little Christmas Cathy Bramley

Who doesn’t love a Christmas book. Cathy Bramley has written a snowy book full of female friendship and the real issues of being a women. I really enjoyed how it captured the real complexity of female friendship and being in a different place from a friend. Ultimately uplifting and heartwarming, it doesn’t shy away from real life. A perfect snowy read.

In the snowy market town of Wetherly, Merry is about to take on her biggest project yet – the arrival of a new baby. She has always dreamed of being a mother, since losing her mum at a young age. Everyone is so excited, so why is Merry feeling terrified? And why is she struggling to open up to business partner and best friend Nell, whose help she needs at their thriving candle shop more than ever?

What Nell desperately wants for Christmas is a baby with husband Olek. But when she uncovers a shocking truth about Olek’s past, dreams of a family are turned upside down. Nell feels she has no-one to turn to, as Merry is wrapped up in her own plans for the new baby.

Tensions run high as Christmas approaches, and Merry and Nell’s friendship reaches breaking point. As long-held secrets finally come to light, can Nell and Merry save the most precious gift of all – their friendship?

A Merry Little Christmas is out 10 October.

Joe & Seph’s Fresh Chilli Jam Gourmet Popcorn – A Marriage Of Giants – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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I can’t believe that two of the yummiest treat-makers have got together to make pure heaven. But it’s true, I’ve pinched myself hard and I’m definitely not dreaming – Joe&Seph’s have teamed with Tracklements to make Joe & Seph’s Fresh Chilli Jam Gourmet Popcorn and it’s astoundingly good.

Both these British companies hand-make their products in small batches using only 100% natural ingredients, and consequently the flavours and quality of all of their range are second to none. Joe & Seph’s create perfect popcorn by using a (healthier) air-popping technique and extra large “mushroom” kernels. Then they coat these super big popcorns in a smooth caramel made from fresh butter.

Wiltshire-based Tracklements have been making condiments and savoury jellies from traditional recipes for over fifty years and their fresh chilli jam is to die for.

So how inspired to combine Joe & Seph’s sweet crunchy popcorn and buttery caramel with the tangy and delicious fresh Tracklements chilli jam? That final chilli kick really clinches the sweet perfection.

With a RRP of £4.00 for 70g pack (4 servings) this makes a fabulous snack to accompany drinks with friends – although personally I’d recommend you just quietly buy it for yourself – it’s far too good to share.

Available from www.tracklements.co.uk and www.joeandsephs.co.uk

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Ilkley Literature Festival kicks off on 4th October – don’t miss it!

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Ted Hughes and Michael Dawson at King’s Hall back in the day…

The north’s longest-running literature festival, now in its 51st year, began on Friday 4 October. Around 90 events run across 17 days until 20 October at the King’s Hall and in venues across the spa town.

The first festival weekend features the former leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, discussing whether we can reclaim ideas of Englishness from the cheerleaders of exceptionalism and nationalism in her event Another England, and former One Show presenter, Adrian Chiles, brings his idiosyncratic takes on British life to the King’s Hall, discussing his offbeat Guardian columns that gained him a cult following.

Award-winning slam poet – and self-confessed Michael Jackson mega fan – Vanessa Kisuule starts a conversation on the pleasures and perils of fandom and the costs of hero worship. Orwell-Prize winning journalist Paul Caruana Galizia discusses the assassination of his mother, the Maltese journalist and anti-corruption campaigner, Daphne Caruana Galizia, and his family’s quest for justice in his event A Death in Malta.

To date, 24 events have already sold out across the festival, including the opening event with Patrick Grant of the Great British Sewing Bee, as well as headline authors Theresa May, Gyles Brandreth, Dame Harriet Walter, Alan Hollinghurst and Miranda Sawyer.

Erica Morris, Ilkley Literature festival director, said: “We can’t wait to welcome readers and audiences to experience this wealth of incredible writers – novelists, poets, journalists, historians, political commentators, essayists, and children’s authors. We hope people will join in, be inspired, and enjoy a raft of contemporary ideas, debate, and discussion from ethics of AI to the history of Britpop.”

There is so much more to see, hear and … But no… For the full programme go to www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk – give yourself a treat and go. Enjoy!

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw 

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 As the nights get darker and Autumn draws in it’s the perfect time to curl up with a book. There is no book more perfect for a wintry evening than The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells. Modern magic meets perfect prose. I read this in one day. It is an absolute masterpiece and one of my favourite books of the year. It incorporates magic in a modern way that feels natural.You will love meeting the Woodsmoke women as much as I did. An evocative and compelling story about lost love and the magic of coming home. Absolute perfection.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells follows Carrie Morgan, who expects trouble when she returns to Woodsmoke after ten years. What she does not predict is the beautiful stranger who walks into her life with the first frost. 

Cecilia Ahern also loved it: ‘It captivated me from the very first page. It reminds me of why I love writing and why I love reading. It’s magical and grounding at the same time, otherworldly and natural. I absolutely treasured it from beginning to end.’

Rachel Greenlaw grew up in North Cornwall, surrounded by wild moorland. She studied English with Creative Writing at Falmouth University before moving to the Scilly Isles. She is an expert on life on a remote island.

I lost my sunglasses and became a victim to ‘creepy’ smartphone surveillance

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SHADE-Y PRACTICES: I LOST MY SUNGLASSES AND BECAME A VICTIM OF ‘CREEPY’ SMARTPHONE SURVEILLANCE 

A real-life story shared with the cybersecurity company NordVPN highlights the growing concern around eavesdropping devices and how much our phones might be listening to us. 

It comes following a leak involving one of Facebook’s marketing partners, which revealed how the social media giant allegedly listens in on conversations to tailor ads.

  • A Norfolk woman has told how she was bombarded with ‘creepy’ targeted ads online after she misplaced her favourite pair of sunglasses
  • Adverts promoting the same brand of shades appeared after speaking to friends and family in person and in private messages asking if they had seen them
  • As consumers become increasingly aware of these privacy concerns, NordVPN reminds consumers of the importance of understanding and managing smartphone permissions and settings

A Norfolk woman has told how she received ‘creepy’ targeted advertisements for the sunglasses she had just misplaced – despite only telling friends and family she had lost them.

Emily Thomson, 27, misplaced her Messy Weekend sunglasses at a family barbeque this summer but didn’t realise her search would reveal a disturbing truth about smartphone privacy.

Photo: Emily Thomson in her Messy Weekend sunglasses on holiday in Barcelona

Emily 1.jpg

She said: “I know they are just sunglasses, but they were my favourite pair. So I was feeling really annoyed at myself for not being more careful with them.” 

Miss Thomson reached out to friends and family who had joined her at the beach. She talked to them in person, sent Whatsapp and Facebook messages, and made phone calls to see if anyone had spotted her lost shades. 

Most importantly, she never searched online for new sunglasses.

But within days, she noticed sunglasses advertisements for the exact brand appearing on her social media feeds.

Miss Thomson, of Norwich, said: “At first, I thought it was just a coincidence but then I realised I had never searched for these sunglasses online. I had only talked about them in person and in private messages.”

The experience led Miss Thomson to suspect that her smartphone was listening to her conversations and using that information to target her with ads. 

This practice, often referred to as “eavesdropping”, has been a subject of debate and concern among privacy advocates for years.

While tech companies have repeatedly denied using smartphone microphones to gather data for advertising purposes, many users remain sceptical. 

Miss Thomson’s experience highlights concerns about digital privacy and the extent to which our devices may be monitoring our daily lives.

She added: “It’s creepy and slightly annoying. It felt like my phone was mocking me, as if to say ‘we’ve heard you lost your sunglasses, why don’t you just buy another pair’.

“It’s like you can’t have a private conversation anymore without it being used to sell me something.”

Photo: Emily Thomson, centre, in her Messy Weekend sunglasses with friends

Emily 2.jpg

As consumers become increasingly aware of these privacy concerns, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and managing smartphone permissions and settings. 

Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, comments: “In today’s digital age, protecting your online privacy is more important than ever. 

“Emily’s experience highlights the need for vigilance in managing our digital footprint.

“To safeguard your privacy, make sure to review and limit app permissions on your devices. Be particularly cautious with microphone and location access. Remember, convenience often comes at the cost of privacy.

“Regularly audit your social media privacy settings and be mindful of the information you share online. Even seemingly innocent details can be used for targeted advertising or more nefarious purposes.

“You can also encrypt your online communications and sensitive data by using a VPN service, such as NordVPN, when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to prevent eavesdropping.

“Be wary of phishing attempts and suspicious links. Always verify the sender’s identity before clicking on links or downloading attachments, even if they appear to come from known sources.

“Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and consider employing a password manager to keep track of them securely. Never use the same password for multiple accounts.

“By implementing these strategies, you can significantly increase your online privacy and security, ensuring that your digital life remains under your control — not in the hands of advertisers or potential cybercriminals”

Is It Time To Try Magnesium Water?

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I hear about magnesium all the time. From muscle aches to better sleep, it is having it’s moment. I decided to try Magnesium Water from BetterYou. I’m now a firm fan. Not only are they refreshing and taste great, but they also make me feel healthier. From hydration, focus and energy, there is a drink for that. I will definitely be drinking these again.

Award-winning British wellbeing brand BetterYou has long been recognised as the market leader in magnesium innovation. Their latest launch BetterYou® MagnesiumWater™, is designed to refresh, hydrate, and optimise mental and physical performance and wellbeing needs through the power of magnesium. 

BetterYou magnesium drinks provide the optimal level of essential magnesium (180mg per serving) in a great-tasting recipe. The range includes:

Hydrate – A low-calorie citrus and botanical-flavoured Magnesium Water with added electrolytes to maximise magnesium absorption and rehydration. This drink can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Energy – Energising Magnesium Water with a B vitamin blend to support natural energy levels, flavoured with an uplifting blend of pomegranate and rhubarb. This drink is best enjoyed during the day to boost energy and help to optimise energy before or after a workout.

Focus – A functional magnesium drink with blueberry and mint extract, vitamin B blend and caffeine to support concentration. This drink works well for those looking to boost mental clarity and concentration throughout the day. It can also be helpful for those working long hours needing something to help refresh and support focus.

Added benefits:  Electrolyte-rich • Low calorie • Naturally low sugar • No artificial sweeteners • Zero additives

BetterYou Magnesium Water RRP:4-pack (mixed flavours) £5.9712-pack £19.99 24-pack £34.99

BetterYou Magnesium Water is available online at betteryou.com, in Holland & Barrett stores/online, on Amazon and in independent health foods store retailers nationwide. According to the NHS, the amount of magnesium you need per day is:300 mg a day for men (19 – 64 years) 270 mg a day for women (19 – 64 years)

Expert opinion “Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral essential for various biochemical reactions, from nerve function and muscle contraction to bone development,” says Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, PhD. “It plays a vital role in converting food into energy, repairing DNA, and ensuring the regular function of the heart and lungs. It can also help to promote sleep, boost mood, support healthy bones,  boost exercise performance, and relieve muscle tension.”