Latest news with #JoHoare
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Stinky Britain is in the grips of a B.O crisis and I know why – there are 6 reasons you might be whiffy & easy solutions
Beauty editor Jo also gives you tips on how to beat B.O with high street saviours as she reveals why unwanted whiffs are on the rise this summer DON'T SWEAT IT Stinky Britain is in the grips of a B.O crisis and I know why – there are 6 reasons you might be whiffy & easy solutions BEAUTY editor Jo Hoare has had enough of Britain's summer stink. But are natural deodorants really to blame? Soap-dodgers beware, as she investigates what's really making the nation so whiffy. 4 Body odour seems to have made a big comeback for 2025 due to natural deodorants Credit: Getty 4 Working from home has made some of us forget basic hygiene rules Credit: Getty 4 If your morning journey requires any kind of exertion such as cycling, please factor in time for a pre-work shower Credit: Getty YOU know what I didn't expect to make a comeback in 2025? Body odour. Sure, some of these Nineties trends (disc belts, I'm looking at you) are a little questionable, but I never imagined I'd be reliving the stink of my sixth form common room, which was full of sweaty teens using only Impulse and Lynx to dull their hormonal armpits. We all smell sometimes, but anyone who has been on a train or bus, or to a shop or supermarket, during the recent heatwave can't fail to have noticed one thing: B.O is officially on the rise. It's got so bad that I've seriously considered messaging BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood to ask if she'll include an 'odour-ometer' alongside her pollen count, just so I know whether to dig out my old Covid masks and a vial of smelling salts to make my morning commute more bearable. I'm not alone, either, as last month a poll revealed that almost half of Brits (47 per cent) live in fear of developing sweaty smells. But what's causing this current B.O bonanza? Two words: natural deodorant. Once the mainstay of hippy shops and those weird catalogues that fall out of gardening magazines, we've moved away from gunky pots that looked like you'd find them at the back of the fridge, or strange rocks you were supposed to rub into your pits. Now, natural deo is a thing of beauty, with designer scents, instagrammable packaging and – shockingly – zero change from £20 vibes. But there's one problem. It often doesn't work. On a chilly day, where temperatures don't reach double digits and you're doing nothing more strenuous than making a cuppa, you might just be OK. I don't wear deodorant - I put another solution on my armpits instead, I can even do gym sessions without sweating But chuck in sunshine, any form of physical activity, or the merest hint of a haywire hormone and you're done for. Even the rich and famous aren't immune. Made In Chelsea's Melissa Tattam admitted on her Wednesdays podcast with Sophie Habboo that, due to using natural deodorant, she 'f***ing stinks'. So why are we doing it to ourselves? I get it. I've dabbled in the natural stuff, too, driven by a desire for sustainability, curiosity and wanting to have a product on my dressing table that didn't scream 'stops you stinking for 72 hours you filthy pig'. (Sidenote: who actually needs their deodorant to work for three days? Have a shower.) I wanted to be a believer in natural deodorant, I really did. But I also wanted to be able to lift my arm to hold the rail of the Tube without my fellow passengers collapsing. So what is it about some natural deodorants that makes us more prone to ponging? 'Most natural deodorants don't contain aluminium salts, the key ingredient in traditional antiperspirants that physically blocks sweat glands and reduces perspiration,' explains GP and women's health specialist Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp. 'Instead, natural formulations usually rely on ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, or magnesium hydroxide to neutralise odour rather than prevent sweating. 4 Make sure to wear socks in your trainers to avoid unwanted odours Credit: Getty 'In high temperatures, or when you're hormonally prone to sweating more – as with perimenopause, menstruation, or pregnancy – or exercising heavily, this can be a losing battle. 'There's also limited peer-reviewed evidence for the efficacy of many 'natural' deodorant ingredients and many products also need frequent reapplication to stay effective, which isn't always practical.' So far, so stinky. But it's not entirely the fault of natural deo – some people seem to actively encourage unwanted whiffs with their bad habits. Here's my rundown of the worst offenders: The smug cyclist We get it, you're saving the planet – and a fortune in train fares. What you're not saving is our noses. If your morning journey requires any kind of exertion, then please factor in time for a pre-work shower. The fast fashionista Man-made fabrics might mean you can have a different outfit every day of the summer for less than the price of a meal deal, but you might be costing yourself friends. Polyester, nylon and acrylics trap moisture, heat and odour creating a toxic B.O timebomb. The sock dodger Gen Z have done us a favour with their crew sock obsession. Admittedly, they can end up looking like those compression socks people wear to combat DVT, but at least they don't have stinky feet. Even trainer socks lead to cheesy trotters, slipping down just enough to allow foul foot odours to infiltrate your footwear. Night-time showerers I like an extra ten minutes in bed as much as the next person, but skipping a morning shower when the nighttime temps haven't dropped below 20 is a bad idea. Yes, it's nice to get into bed feeling fresh, but right now, showering first thing is a B.O-busting no-brainer. The WFH brigade Working from home has its perks, but it's made some of us forget basic hygiene rules. Wearing the same shirt all week is fine if your only co-worker is a houseplant, but once you rejoin the human race, it's time to reacquaint yourself with the washing machine.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Stinky Britain is in the grips of a B.O crisis and I know why – there are 6 reasons you might be whiffy & easy solutions
BEAUTY editor Jo Hoare has had enough of Britain's summer stink. But are natural deodorants really to blame? Soap-dodgers beware, as she investigates what's really making the nation so whiffy. 4 Body odour seems to have made a big comeback for 2025 due to natural deodorants Credit: Getty 4 Working from home has made some of us forget basic hygiene rules Credit: Getty 4 If your morning journey requires any kind of exertion such as cycling, please factor in time for a pre-work shower Credit: Getty YOU know what I didn't expect to make a comeback in 2025? Body odour. Sure, some of these Nineties trends (disc belts, I'm looking at you) are a little questionable, but I never imagined I'd be reliving the stink of my sixth form common room, which was full of sweaty teens using only Impulse and Lynx to dull their hormonal armpits. We all smell sometimes, but anyone who has been on a train or bus, or to a shop or supermarket, during the recent heatwave can't fail to have noticed one thing: It's got so bad that I've seriously considered messaging BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood to ask if she'll include an 'odour-ometer' alongside her pollen count, just so I know whether to dig out my old Covid masks and a vial of smelling salts to make my morning commute more bearable. I'm not alone, either, as last month a poll revealed that almost half of Brits (47 per cent) live in fear of developing sweaty smells. But what's causing this current B.O bonanza? Two words: natural deodorant. Once the mainstay of hippy shops and those weird catalogues that fall out of gardening magazines, we've moved away from gunky pots that looked like you'd find them at the back of the fridge, or strange rocks you were supposed to rub into your pits. Now, natural deo is a thing of beauty, with designer scents, instagrammable packaging and – shockingly – zero change from £20 vibes. But there's one problem. It often doesn't work. On a chilly day, where temperatures don't reach double digits and you're doing nothing more strenuous than making a cuppa, you might just be OK. I don't wear deodorant - I put another solution on my armpits instead, I can even do gym sessions without sweating But chuck in sunshine, any form of physical activity, or the merest hint of a haywire hormone and you're done for. Even the rich and famous aren't immune. Made In Chelsea's Melissa Tattam admitted on her Wednesdays podcast with So why are we doing it to ourselves? I get it. I've dabbled in the natural stuff, too, driven by a desire for sustainability, curiosity and wanting to have a product on my dressing table that didn't scream 'stops you stinking for 72 hours you filthy pig'. (Sidenote: who actually needs their deodorant to work for three days? Have a shower.) I wanted to be a believer in natural deodorant, I really did. But I also wanted to be able to lift my arm to hold the rail of the Tube without my fellow passengers collapsing. So what is it about some natural deodorants that makes us more prone to ponging? 'Most natural deodorants don't contain aluminium salts, the key ingredient in traditional antiperspirants that physically blocks sweat glands and reduces perspiration,' explains GP and women's health specialist Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp. 'Instead, natural formulations usually rely on ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, or magnesium hydroxide to neutralise odour rather than prevent sweating. 4 Make sure to wear socks in your trainers to avoid unwanted odours Credit: Getty 'In high temperatures, or when you're hormonally prone to sweating more – as with perimenopause, menstruation, or pregnancy – or exercising heavily, this can be a losing battle. 'There's also limited peer-reviewed evidence for the efficacy of many 'natural' deodorant ingredients and many products also need frequent reapplication to stay effective, which isn't always practical.' So far, so stinky. But it's not entirely the fault of natural deo – some people seem to actively encourage unwanted whiffs with their bad habits. Here's my rundown of the worst offenders: The smug cyclist We get it, you're saving the planet – and a fortune in train fares. What you're not saving is our noses. If your morning journey requires any kind of exertion, then please factor in time for a pre-work shower. The fast fashionista Man-made fabrics might mean you can have a different outfit every day of the summer for less than the price of a meal deal, but you might be costing yourself friends. Polyester, nylon and acrylics trap moisture, heat and odour creating a toxic B.O timebomb. The sock dodger Gen Z have done us a favour with their crew sock obsession. Admittedly, they can end up looking like those compression socks people wear to combat DVT, but at least they don't have stinky feet. Even trainer socks lead to cheesy trotters, slipping down just enough to allow foul foot odours to infiltrate your footwear. Night-time showerers I like an extra ten minutes in bed as much as the next person, but skipping a morning shower when the nighttime temps haven't dropped below 20 is a bad idea. Yes, it's nice to get into bed feeling fresh, but right now, showering first thing is a B.O-busting no-brainer. The WFH brigade Working from home has its perks, but it's made some of us forget basic hygiene rules. Wearing the same shirt all week is fine if your only co-worker is a houseplant, but once you rejoin the human race , it's time to reacquaint yourself with the washing machine. Beat B.O with these high street saviours: Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe, £12, Boots Spritz some of this on a tissue and you've got your own all-over cleansing wipe – perfect for freshening up pits and bits. Deofresh Insoles, £2.99, Superdrug Not just for pongy trainers, these are perfect for that other Nineties stink magnet, the ballet flat. Pop them in every pair, pronto. Dettol Antibacterial Soap, £2 for two, Boots Glamorous it ain't, but if you have strong-smelling pits or feet, then you might want to switch your shower gel out for an antibac body wash or soap. It will help get rid of the B.O-causing bacteria on your skin. Avoid your delicate bits and use with a sponge or shower puff for a good lather. Sure Women Whole Body Deodorant Cream, £2.62 (reduced from £5.25), Boots Because it's not just pits that sweat, the deo market has realised that we might need help in, erm, 'other areas'. This is the best of the bunch and great for anyone who suffers from a clammy cleavage or thigh chafing. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner, £7.70, Don't want to fork out on anything new? You might already have the secret to sweet pits in your bathroom cabinet. If you find you're still a bit whiffy, even after a shower, then soak a cotton pad with a glycolic toner and sweep over underarms. It won't stop future sweating, but it will help get rid of bacteria from old sweat.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Stinky Britain is in the grips of a B.O crisis and I know why – there are 6 reasons you might be whiffy & easy solutions
BEAUTY editor Jo Hoare has had enough of Britain's summer stink. But are natural deodorants really to blame? Soap-dodgers beware, as she investigates what's really making the nation so whiffy. 4 4 4 YOU know what I didn't expect to make a comeback in 2025? Body odour. Sure, some of these Nineties trends (disc belts, I'm looking at you) are a little questionable, but I never imagined I'd be reliving the stink of my sixth form common room, which was full of sweaty teens using only Impulse and Lynx to dull their hormonal armpits. We all smell sometimes, but anyone who has been on a train or bus, or to a shop or supermarket, during the recent heatwave can't fail to have noticed one thing: B.O is officially on the rise. It's got so bad that I've seriously considered messaging BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood to ask if she'll include an 'odour-ometer' alongside her pollen count, just so I know whether to dig out my old Covid masks and a vial of smelling salts to make my morning commute more bearable. I'm not alone, either, as last month a poll revealed that almost half of Brits (47 per cent) live in fear of developing sweaty smells. But what's causing this current B.O bonanza? Two words: natural deodorant. Once the mainstay of hippy shops and those weird catalogues that fall out of gardening magazines, we've moved away from gunky pots that looked like you'd find them at the back of the fridge, or strange rocks you were supposed to rub into your pits. Now, natural deo is a thing of beauty, with designer scents, instagrammable packaging and – shockingly – zero change from £20 vibes. But there's one problem. It often doesn't work. On a chilly day, where temperatures don't reach double digits and you're doing nothing more strenuous than making a cuppa, you might just be OK. But chuck in sunshine, any form of physical activity, or the merest hint of a haywire hormone and you're done for. Even the rich and famous aren't immune. Made In Chelsea 's Melissa Tattam admitted on her Wednesdays podcast with Sophie Habboo that, due to using natural deodorant, she 'f***ing stinks'. So why are we doing it to ourselves? I get it. I've dabbled in the natural stuff, too, driven by a desire for sustainability, curiosity and wanting to have a product on my dressing table that didn't scream 'stops you stinking for 72 hours you filthy pig'. (Sidenote: who actually needs their deodorant to work for three days? Have a shower.) I wanted to be a believer in natural deodorant, I really did. But I also wanted to be able to lift my arm to hold the rail of the Tube without my fellow passengers collapsing. So what is it about some natural deodorants that makes us more prone to ponging? 'Most natural deodorants don't contain aluminium salts, the key ingredient in traditional antiperspirants that physically blocks sweat glands and reduces perspiration,' explains GP and women's health specialist Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp. 'Instead, natural formulations usually rely on ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, or magnesium hydroxide to neutralise odour rather than prevent sweating. 4 'In high temperatures, or when you're hormonally prone to sweating more – as with perimenopause, menstruation, or pregnancy – or exercising heavily, this can be a losing battle. 'There's also limited peer-reviewed evidence for the efficacy of many 'natural' deodorant ingredients and many products also need frequent reapplication to stay effective, which isn't always practical.' So far, so stinky. But it's not entirely the fault of natural deo – some people seem to actively encourage unwanted whiffs with their bad habits. Here's my rundown of the worst offenders: The smug cyclist We get it, you're saving the planet – and a fortune in train fares. What you're not saving is our noses. If your morning journey requires any kind of exertion, then please factor in time for a pre-work shower. The fast fashionista Man-made fabrics might mean you can have a different outfit every day of the summer for less than the price of a meal deal, but you might be costing yourself friends. Polyester, nylon and acrylics trap moisture, heat and odour creating a toxic B.O timebomb. The sock dodger Gen Z have done us a favour with their crew sock obsession. Admittedly, they can end up looking like those compression socks people wear to combat DVT, but at least they don't have stinky feet. Even trainer socks lead to cheesy trotters, slipping down just enough to allow foul foot odours to infiltrate your footwear. Night-time showerers I like an extra ten minutes in bed as much as the next person, but skipping a morning shower when the nighttime temps haven't dropped below 20 is a bad idea. Yes, it's nice to get into bed feeling fresh, but right now, showering first thing is a B.O-busting no-brainer. The WFH brigade Working from home has its perks, but it's made some of us forget basic hygiene rules. Wearing the same shirt all week is fine if your only co-worker is a houseplant, but once you rejoin the human race, it's time to reacquaint yourself with the washing machine. Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe, £12, Boots Spritz some of this on a tissue and you've got your own all-over cleansing wipe – perfect for freshening up pits and bits. Deofresh Insoles, £2.99, Superdrug Not just for pongy trainers, these are perfect for that other Nineties stink magnet, the ballet flat. Pop them in every pair, pronto. Dettol Antibacterial Soap, £2 for two, Boots Glamorous it ain't, but if you have strong-smelling pits or feet, then you might want to switch your shower gel out for an antibac body wash or soap. It will help get rid of the B.O-causing bacteria on your skin. Avoid your delicate bits and use with a sponge or shower puff for a good lather. Sure Women Whole Body Deodorant Cream, £2.62 (reduced from £5.25), Boots Because it's not just pits that sweat, the deo market has realised that we might need help in, erm, 'other areas'. This is the best of the bunch and great for anyone who suffers from a clammy cleavage or thigh chafing. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner, £7.70, Don't want to fork out on anything new? You might already have the secret to sweet pits in your bathroom cabinet. If you find you're still a bit whiffy, even after a shower, then soak a cotton pad with a glycolic toner and sweep over underarms. It won't stop future sweating, but it will help get rid of bacteria from old sweat.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I used Botox for 15 years in a bid to look like Dannii Minogue – but a shock photo caused me to quit
Jo Hoare spent £5000 on the procedure that left her looking 'like a tambourine' SKIN DEEP I used Botox for 15 years in a bid to look like Dannii Minogue – but a shock photo caused me to quit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN I tell people I started getting Botox because of Dannii Minogue they look a little surprised. After all, it's not like copying a celebrity haircut or being inspired by an outfit, but there was a little more to it than that. 7 Jo Hoare has given up Botox for good after one shocking photo Credit: Jo Hoare 7 Seeing her lack of expression in this snap left Jo craving a more natural look Credit: Jo Hoare It was 2008 and I was the beauty editor on a celebrity magazine, Dannii was one of The X Factor judges and we were obsessed with her. This was the year of Alexandra Burke, JLS and Diana Vickers so X Factor and Dannii were everywhere and my editor wanted a new spin on the much-loved Aussie star. 'I want you to go and live life as Dannii Minogue for the day,' he announced. Being tasked with living like an A-lister for the day was not an unusual work request. I just considered myself lucky I wasn't the one chosen to be Cheryl Cole in her dressing gown stalking the aisles of Tesco like our poor editorial assistant. Life as Dannii - as imagined by my boss - was a whirlwind of champagne afternoon tea, personal styling appointments, fancy blow dries and a quick trip to Harley Street for a few syringes of Botox. I wasn't entirely sure this was how Dannii spent her days but it sure beat an afternoon cleaning out the fashion cupboard. Shopping, booze and a bouncy blow dry down, I apprehensively rang the doorbell of a fancy London clinic to be met by an at-the-time very well-known Botox doctor. He charged £150 an area, so my forehead and round the eyes would have set me back £300 (which 15 years ago was easily the cost of a week long holiday) and is rumoured to have jabbed European royalty. This was the era of Trinny and Susannah shouting at people for the thickness of their scarves (and ankles) on their show What Not to Wear, a robot judging the colour of your fake tan on Snog, Marry or Avoid and a frankly deranged South African woman squinting in horror at your crow's feet on 10 Years Younger. Charlotte Crosby shows off bloodied forehead after having Botox and lip treatment weeks after giving birth In short, things were pretty brutal, which is why I wasn't too surprised by the savage comments the doctor made as he jabbed my forehead and around my eyes with a needle (at least they drowned out the crunch of bone). He told me I definitely needed a breast lift, I could do with lip filler and that bizarrely my haircut made my face look too small. I was 29 at the time. I stumbled out of the clinic, trembling and feeling slightly dazed. I jumped into the nearest taxi and waited to see the results. A few days later and all memories of the pain and humiliation had gone, a small price to pay for my now beautifully smooth, wrinkle-free skin. This started my 15 year love affair with Botox. In the UK, an estimated 900,000 Botox injections are performed annually. Nine out of 10 procedures in the cosmetic market are for Botox and dermal fillers, with the industry projected to reach over £3.6 billion by the end of 2025. 7 Jo began using the fillers as part of a work assignment but got hooked Credit: Jo Hoare 7 She says she spent around £5000 on the injections Credit: Jo Hoare Aesthetic doctor, Dr Jane Leonard explains why we're seeing such an increase: "It's largely down to social media and people being much more open and honest about what they've had done and the results they've seen. "This means we're all more aware and educated, we've even got aesthetic doctors becoming influencers in their own right with thousands of followers." As a beauty editor I had access to the best creams, lotions and potions money could buy, but I also partied every night and went on a load of sunshine-filled trips. And, I was notoriously lazy, often falling into bed without so much as a glance at a face wipe. I used Botox to cancel out these bad skincare habits visiting the great and good (and not-so-good) aesthetic doctors of London, constantly chasing after the latest 'oh he does Nicole Kidman you know' fix. I looked as ecstatic as I felt, but eyebrows up and my forehead was as devoid of emotion as a tambourine Jo Hoare It didn't always work out as planned. One heavy-handed practitioner left me with a brow so heavy it felt like he'd injected cement not Botox and gave me permanently sweaty eyelids. It was so bad I had to rub deodorant onto my face. Another left me with huge crescents of painful black and blue bruising days before I was a bridesmaid. But still I continued. I was lucky enough to get most of my treatments for free but once I found a doctor I really trusted I did pay for my treatments, I was shelling out around £300, three times a year which over five years meant I spent nearly £5,000 on my face. My partner at the time hated it as he associated any kind of aesthetic practice with OTT horror stories and would often say he was frightened I'd come back 'looking like Lesley Ash'. My female friends and family were mostly curious and I did in fact send several of them my doctors way and some of them are still her patients! I loved how I looked until a golden retriever stopped it all. I was on a trip to something called The Golden Retriever Experience in Devon, which is essentially sitting in a hall whilst a pack of 22 golden retrievers come in and you cuddle them. It was the happiest I'd been in months - until I saw the photos. Caught totally off guard in a moment of pure joy, from the eyes down I looked as ecstatic as I felt, but eyebrows up and my forehead was as devoid of emotion as a tambourine. I realised that I usually posed for photos in a controlled smile that didn't capture the discrepancy between the top third and the rest of my face but IRL this was more how I looked. Horrified I cancelled my next appointment and I've now been Botox free for more than two years. DANNII MINOGUE ON BOTOX Dannii Minogue has admitted that Botox was her go-to mechanism for coping during difficult times in her lift. The 53-year-old singer revealed in 2017: 'There was a lot of pain in my personal life and I felt more settled using Botox. 'That was my crutch through the tough times. I' m clearly not using it now! I am in a good place.' Dannii's long-serving hair and makeup artist Michael Brennan says she now keeps her youthful glow with a good skincare regime and regular facials. Dannii added: 'It's obviously down to the boring things that we know are good for you - sleep, exercise, drinking water.' Dr Jane explains that this can be a common decision for women in their mid-40's: 'If you have Botox in your forehead for a long time you had the benefit of dual function anti-ageing, you've been smoothing the lines and restricting the moment so you get fewer lines. However what happens once you hit mid-40's is the lower two thirds of your face ages differently because of things like loss of collagen, loss of hyaluronic acid, change in fat pads and bone density. 7 Dannii Minogue previously revealed that she used Botox as a 'crutch' Credit: Rex Features 7 Dannii has since revealed she has stepped back from the procedure Credit: ABC This means your face can start not 'matching' with the lower portion looking decades older. If you want to avoid this mismatch then it does mean quite a commitment to anti-ageing all over with treatments like bio-stimulators (Profhilo and polynucleotides), really diligent SPF use and skincare including Retinol.' For me the lack of Botox means I've had to seriously step up my beauty routine. I now subscribe to a prescription anti-ageing skincare service and wear factor 50 daily, but it's been worth it. I've never achieved the boiled egg perfection I got with injections, my skin looks happy and healthy Jo Hoare Although I've never achieved the boiled egg perfection I got with injections, my skin looks happy and healthy. I thought I'd sworn off Botox for life until early menopause hit at 45. It transformed my skin nearly overnight and while I can live with the expression lines, the deep frown between my brows is getting me down. I've resisted so far but will I fall back in love with Botox again? Watch this space.
