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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Fat jabs gave me Ozempic face with sagging cheeks and thin lips – but I've found solution WITHOUT fillers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOOKING at my reflection in the mirror, I felt delighted to see my petite size 8 figure once again. But as I glanced up to my face, the gaunt woman staring back at me came as a shock. 10 Rebecca Tidy shed 6st with the help of weight loss injections - but ended up with 'Ozempic face' Credit: Lorna Roach 10 Rebecca went from 7st to 13st in four years Credit: Supplied After having skin cancer treatment in 2019 and becoming a single mum in lockdown, I'd gone from 7st to 13st in four years. So I recently turned to weight loss jabs to regain my former shape. I didn't regret it, but the side effect – 'Ozempic face' – as seen on celebrities like Sharon Osborne, wasn't something I'd bargained on. I was 38 years old, but my sunken cheeks, gaunt eyes and thin lips had aged me overnight. One relative had helpfully pointed out my new 'jowls' at a family gathering, while strangers on X told me I looked like a drug addict or permanently unwell. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt. When I first gained weight, it didn't bother me at first. Yes, none of my clothes fitted me my 5ft 4ins frame any more, but I was simply grateful to be alive for my daughter Mabel, now seven. My mind was taken up with getting through my separation from her dad and surviving the pandemic. Baking banana bread was more of a priority than working out. But as the trauma of my illness and break-up eased, I realised I wanted to feel like my old self again and ditch the stretchy leggings I had become so attached to. In December 2023, I headed back to the gym four times a week and tried to eat less – but the weight was slow to drop off. Some weeks I didn't lose anything, despite trying so hard. Nutritionist reveals which stars could be suffering from 'Ozempic face' & why some like Kelly Clarkson get away without It didn't help that medication I was taking for OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder] was an appetite stimulant. But stopping that wasn't an option. After speaking to an online pharmacist I decided to try the jabs, which cost £179 a month. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. I had a false start with Saxenda, which gave me stomach pains, before settling into using Mounjaro in June 2024. Over a 12-month period, I dropped back down to a size 8, without any of the anticipated stretch marks or loose skin. It felt great to wear my old clothes again. But while I didn't love how my body looked at 13st, I preferred the appearance of my face compared to when I was skinny. DRAMATIC CHANGE It had fullness and shape, my skin glowed and there were barely any wrinkles. I was dismayed by the dramatic change that came with slimming down and knew that no amount of 'miracle' skincare potions would ease the deep lines either side of my mouth, loss of volume in my cheeks, or the dark circles under my eyes. For the first time ever, my skin felt crepey and dull, plus everything below my cheeks had dropped that little bit further south. I considered more jabs to help and spent hours researching cheek fillers, nasolabial fold treatments and those skin rejuvenators that can bring back volume. Some of the before-and-after photos online looked amazing. 10 An example of 'bad' make-up on Rebecca contour, which will only make you look more gaunt Credit: Lorna Roach But realistically, I knew I'd be lucky to walk out of a decent clinic with any change from £1,000. And even then, it would not be a permanent solution. I don't regret the jabs one bit. Now I'm back to a healthy weight, I have more energy and confidence. At the same time, it's not shallow to want to feel good when I look in the mirror. If makeup can help me restore my pride when I see my reflection and make the best of what I've got, it will be a much cheaper fix – and easier for a busy single mum to recreate at home. Follow the six simple steps TOP makeup artist Aimee Adams reveals the tricks she used to transform Rebecca's look – and how others can use them to counter the signs of 'Ozempic face' 10 Top make-up artist Aimee Adams reveals the tricks she used to counter signs of 'Ozempic face' Credit: Lorna Roach START WITH THE SKIN Opt for products that contain collagen and hyaluronic acid, to restore brightness and improve the tone. Make-up isn't Botox, but working from as healthy a base as possible will make the best of what you have. Nip+Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Jelly Eye Patches are perfect for an instant boost (£19.95 for 20 pairs, Boots). 10 Nip+Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Jelly Eye Patches, £19.95 for 20 pairs, Boots Credit: Supplied TIME TO SHINE Your base needs to reflect the light away from those grey hollows, so avoid heavy matt foundations and concealers. I like Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum (£20, Boots) and Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer (£44, Amazon) to get a dewy feel. 10 Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum, £20, Boots Credit: Supplied KEEP AWAY FROM THE KARDASHIANS It might work for Kim and co, but contouring will only make you look more gaunt. Opt for a classic pink or peach cream blusher that isn't too oily on the apples of your cheeks instead, to add fullness and a flush of youth. Water-based Delilah In Bloom Radiant Liquid Blush in Tiger Lilly (£23, Next) is perfect, set in place with a blush powder. 10 Delilah In Bloom Radiant Liquid Blush in Tiger Lilly, £23, Next Credit: Supplied GO FOR GOLD A smokey eye won't make your eyes pop if they are looking sunken. Choose a golden eyeshadow to counteract it and add brightness, with a soft and smudgable brown eyeliner. Finish with a couple of little lash extensions on the outsides to open things up, curl them and add a coat of Avon Exxtravert Extreme Volume Mascara (£9.50, Avon). Fill out those brows too, with Merit Beauty 1990 Ultra Fine Eyebrow Gel Pencil (£21, Sephora). 10 Merit Beauty 1990 Ultra Fine Eyebrow Gel Pencil, £21, Sephora Credit: Supplied BE NATURAL A bold liner and lipstick is overkill and will seem fake. Choose a shade similar to your real lip colour if you really want to add volume, like e.l.f Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner in Soft Pink (£4, plus a dewy or glossy finish. If you want more extreme results, try PS Plumping Lip Serum (£3, Primark) – it can sting, but the difference is noticeable. 10 PS Plumping Lip Serum, £3, Primark Credit: Supplied SET AND MATCH Makeup can gather in the lines of your skin unless you set it properly after applying. Sprays are popular, but a powder is longer-lasting and works well with creamier makeup, if used sparingly. You don't want it to become cakey. I'm a fan of English Mineral Makeup Fairy Godmother (£59, 10 English Mineral Makeup Fairy Godmother, £59, Credit: Supplied REBECCA'S VERDICT I LOVED the way Aimee transformed my face, making me look younger, healthier and less tired. The under eyes were my favourite part – I couldn't believe how she got rid of those dark circles. I've learned that the best approach is not to go heavy, especially with contour, which is a surprise given how obsessed makeup influencers are with this technique. I'm definitely going to ditch it for a peach blusher and also swap my usual matte lipstick for a gloss. This will be so much more affordable than aesthetic treatments – and fun to do.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
How I stuck a £3.99 patch on my body to turbo boost my flagging libido… but did it help spice up sex life?
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. We also reveal four libido boosting alternatives t o the patches to rev things up in the bedroom SEXUAL HEALING How I stuck a £3.99 patch on my body to turbo boost my flagging libido… but did it help spice up sex life? NO matter how much you love and fancy your partner, there are times when you just don't feel sexy. I've been with my husband Bryn, 42, for 17 years and our sex life looks a lot different to when we first met, especially since having our two daughters, now ten and three. 9 Clio Wood, with husband Bryn, finds out if a stick-on supplement can rev up things in the bedroom Credit: Lorna Roach 9 She tested out The Patch Collection's Libido version Credit: Lorna Roach 9 The patches contains a variety of plant extracts and herbs Credit: Supplied Recent research by Higher Nature found one in four women aged over 50 has no interest in sex, while 81 per cent say their libido has declined since menopause. But it isn't just Gen X struggling – studies have shown Millennials and Gen Z have less sex than previous generations at their age. A 2018 study by counselling Relate found that 61 per cent of people in their 30s were having less sex than they would like and 31 per cent said they've 'lost their libido since having children'. I can relate to this. After a traumatic birth with my first daughter, sex was painful for a long time due to scarring and pelvic floor issues. It took months for me to find out what the problem was and years to recover. Thankfully we've put in a lot of work to get back to enjoying sex. Bryn and I have a happy balance, both favouring quality over quantity, and trying to avoid comparisons with other couples. Sometimes we have sex three times a week, particularly just after I've ovulated and my hormones are telling me to get busy making babies. But at other times things are a bit quiet in the bedroom department and it might not be for weeks or months. Forget vibrators and sexy lingerie - perk your sex life up with a libido-enhancing supplement This tends to be because we're tired and busy. On top of raising our kids, we are moving house, Bryn has changed jobs and I'm running my own business. These are all some of the most stressful things you can do in life and there's little time to switch off, let alone find an extra hour to get turned on. We all know sex can be fun, but it's also about connecting with your other half and even with yourself - which isn't always easy. For us, the times when we are both in the mood are when sparks really fly. But the tricky part is getting our libidos in sync, especially of late. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome, especially when we know we have a child-free few hours to enjoy ourselves. Luckily, there's a growing market for products that claim to boost your libido. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome Rather than drugs like Viagra, designed to get things up and ready for action, these are more subtle. They contain ingredients that claim to stimulate your desire for getting intimate. One of the most affordable options is patches that you stick onto your body half an hour before you'd like to jump into bed. They enter your bloodstream topically through the skin, for faster absorption and no impact on the gut. I was sent a pack from The Patch Collection, who produce patches to aid with everything from jetlag and metabolism to insect bites and period pain. Their Libido version contains a variety of plant extracts and herbs - fo-ti, damiana, gotu kola, saw palmetto, tribulus terrestris, Siberian ginseng and L-arginine. These ingredients lay claim to benefits like increased energy and better mental clarity. Saw Palmetto may balance hormones while L-arginine could increase blood flow. Cringe-free A single patch costs £3.99 – or you can get a pack of 15 for £19.99, working out at just £1.33 each, with extra discounts if you subscribe. Generally, we enjoy vanilla sex but with a few sprinkles thrown in. It's not unusual for us to try a new toy and we have tried libido boosters in the past - with some success, so we are both up for trying these. They're discreet, arriving in the post in anonymous and cringe-free packaging. The instructions are straightforward. You simply peel off the back, stick on a hairless area of skin and you're done. They are barely noticeable, with no pulling when you take it off. The first time I use them, the instructions say to put the patch on around 30 minutes ahead of time to feel the effects. I do this after dinner, a bit ahead of going to bed. As I wait, there's a little shift in my libido - but not much. 9 There wasn't the real oomph of arousal that I was hoping, says Clio of the patches Credit: Lorna Roach 9 Bryn says there wasn't the impact he'd expected either from the £3.99 product Credit: Lorna Roach I give it a little longer but don't get the hoped-for turbo boost and luckily (or not), Bryn slept badly the night before so our planned sexy session doesn't happen. It's a disappointing start. The second time, after a few days apart from each other, we both try the patches - they are unisex. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates. According to the NHS, one in five men suffer with loss of libido at some point in their lives. We try to keep things as 'normal' as possible to make the experiment fair, so we avoid having romantic or sexy touches, like a special dinner or lacy underwear. We go to bed at the usual time and this time we do have sex. It's enjoyable. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates However, we're often more turned on when we've been away from each other so it's hard to tell if the change is due to that absence or the boost from the patches. We decide to give it one last shot. Maybe 30 minutes before a roll in the hay just isn't long enough to light our fires? We choose a weekend when we are away together with friends, both wearing our patches for the whole day. The result? Well, we do have sex - we're away without the kids, after all. We had spent quality time together, in grown-up company, not worried about the kids all day, and had a delicious dinner date. This can make all the difference. However, there wasn't the real oomph of arousal that I was hoping for. Bryn says there wasn't the impact he'd expected either. We've used other libido boosters before which, in our experience, have worked better. Hanx's Libido Lift - which is £3 per sachet - works fast, and lasts for ages. When I tried that I was stunned by how quickly I felt turned on. I had gulped it down mixed with water before bed and it worked wonders. We also once experimented with libido boosting chocolates by the brand ForPlay. Gold-flecked, they brought on an intense feeling which lasted well into the next day. So much so that the second time we used them I only ate half a square of chocolate so I wasn't left turned on the next morning. For me these libido patches did not have the same effect. Maybe the placebo effect of using the patch may be stronger than the work of its ingredients. When I felt a twinge of arousal, it could have been from circumstances as much as the patch itself. This might be due to the delivery method – I don't think you can get as much active ingredient as you need via the skin. I also wonder if different people will respond to the ingredients better than others or need a stronger dose of one element to have an effect? But it's still worth giving a go, as even just the thought of getting frisky with your partner might be the bedroom boost you need. And if it doesn't work, give a different one a try! Clio is the author of Get Your Mojo Back: Sex, Pleasure and Intimacy After Birth, £14.99, Watkins. 4 MORE LIBIDO BOOSTING BUYS Hanx Libido Lift, £14.99 for five sachets, 9 Hanx Libido Lift are peach-flavoured supplement easily dissolvable in water or cocktails Credit: Supplied This peach-flavoured supplement is easily dissolvable in water, smoothies or cocktails, containing traditional aphrodisiac maca root powder, as well as vitamin B6, Tribulus terrestris, L-arginine and maritime pine bark extract. ForPlay Chocolates, £28, 9 ForPlay Chocolates includes three for him and three for her, plus six play cards Credit: Supplied There's a luxury vibe to these adaptogen-infused treats to enjoy together. Includes three for him and three for her, plus six play cards. Available in milk or dark. Oh Collective Date Night Chocolates, £14.95, 9 Oh Collective Date Night Chocolates include a truth or dare card Credit: Supplied These dark chocolate and strawberry treats have extra oomph thanks to maca, panax ginseng, damiana and cayenne. Box includes four chocs plus a truth or dare card. Novomins Turn Me On Gummies, £19.99, 9 The Novomins Turn Me On Gummies are a classic vitamin supplement boost wellbeing Credit: Supplied These gummies are more of a classic vitamin supplement, containing maca, damiana and L-arginine as well as zinc and vitamins B6 and B12 to boost wellbeing.
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I'm a mum-of-six who blew benefits on secret £150-a-day scratchcard addiction – no one had idea about my reckless habit
Marie Ellefsen, 45, from Colchester, Essex, also reveals the eye-watering sum she spent on scratchcards over 20 years LOTTO PAIN I'm a mum-of-six who blew benefits on secret £150-a-day scratchcard addiction – no one had idea about my reckless habit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OPENING my purse, I stared at the crisp £10 note – the last of my week's benefits to support our family of eight. Most people would have felt a wave of panic, but I was gripped by a familiar adrenalin surge as I dashed in to the corner shop and exchanged it for scratchcards. 5 Marie Ellefsen gambled away the last of her Universal Credit on her secret sratch card addiction Credit: Lorna Roach 5 Marie's husband was completely unaware of her addiction - despite her asking for money and lying that it was food To an outsider, it might have looked reckless, even selfish, to gamble away the last of my Universal Credit. But the truth is, I'd been doing it for 20 years. Worse still, my secret compulsion — hidden from everyone I loved, including my husband — was costing me an unbelievable £150 a week. Now, as I celebrate one year free from a scratchcard addiction that nearly tore my family apart, it's hard to believe it all began with a single £1 card back in 2005, when I was just 25. The brightly coloured tickets had always stood out to me as I queued at the tills, and I'd wondered what I might win if I bought one. Handing over the cash on that run-of-the-mill day, when curiosity just happened to get the better of me, I felt excited to have one of the £1 cards in my hand. I started scratching away, dreaming of the £100,000 jackpot, and couldn't believe it when I saw that I had won £20. I was ecstatic and immediately bought 20 more cards of the same kind. But, to my dismay, I didn't win a penny on any of them. Without realising it, I was already hooked. I'd felt so elated, it was a massive buzz — and I wanted that again. I started obsessing over what I'd do with the money when I won big. I daydreamed about buying my two boys — the eldest of the six I have now, currently aged 28 and 23, the treats they begged for. S Club 7's Jo O'Meara and England football legend Peter Shilton speak about their gambling addiction I was on benefits back then, as I'd been a full-time mum since I'd had my first baby aged 17. My husband Michael, now 52 and a furniture maker, was unemployed. We didn't have much money and the idea of a lucky break was so tempting. So the following day, I found myself heading back to the shop to buy my next card — and it became a daily habit. Every time I clutched one in my hand, I felt exhilarated and thought this would be our chance to have a better life. 'Sobbed for hours and finally confessed' Despite then having sons aged 13 and eight to raise, I continued to chase the jackpot by spending £5 a day on tickets. But within three months, that had doubled to £10 a day — all at the same corner shop. If I got lucky, I'd go straight back to the cashier with my winnings to buy more cards. No one had any idea about my habit. I knew it wasn't healthy, but it never occurred to me how much I was actually spending. I was addicted to the thrill as I would get a win roughly three times a week, usually only £10 or so. After a couple of months, I scooped £100 — my biggest amount to date — but I spent the lot on more scratchcards. When I walked in to the shop, the cashier would say: 'Here for your cards?' My destructive behaviour went on for 16 years, which sounds incredible to me now, but is sadly not unusual. As a mum, it was my outlet for stress, my secret. I always made sure I kept back the £70 I needed for the week from my benefits. Deep down, I was ashamed and couldn't bring myself to admit to Michael what I was doing — and I'd make sure to toss the cards away in public bins before I went home. This destructive behaviour went on for 16 years, which sounds incredible to me now. But sadly, it is not unusual. Women typically mask gambling addictions for seven years, according to charity Gamble Aware. In December 2021, things suddenly intensified when I won £500 on a £5 scratchcard. This time, I didn't plough it all into more tickets, though. Instead, I used it to buy my Christmas shopping, as I was a mum to five children by then. Normally, I couldn't afford to buy them presents, but that year I handed them the Smyths Toys catalogue and let them take their pick. I had used scratchcards every day during each of my pregnancies, and bought them as soon as I was fit enough to get out of the house after each birth. And I was so happy that it seemed to have paid off, and that I could finally buy the kids the £70 toys they wanted. On Christmas morning, they grinned from ear to ear as they ripped open computer tablets, Barbie houses and talking dolls. I felt so proud to have been able to give them what they deserved — but that merely served as a catalyst for more gambling. In fact, from that moment on, I was at the shops buying as many scratchcards as I could afford on benefits. I got £700 a month in Universal Credit, and would set aside as little as possible for my weekly food shops and bills — so that everything else could fund my gambling habit. 5 I was going into several shops now, not even realising how many scratchcards I was buying, says Marie My family were my priority - if I ran out of money and my husband didn't have any I'd sell my stuff to buy cards. Now I'm free from scratchcards, I'd say you shouldn't use benefit money to buy them, but in addiction it warps your mind. I was buying from several places now, not just the corner shop, and I didn't realise how many scratchcards I was snapping up. I'd also never made a conscious decision to use my benefit money. I was just hooked. If I ran out of cash, I'd ask Michael, who was working by then, for some — lying to him that it was for food. He never questioned it. He'd just place a note in my hand and I'd run to the shop to bulk buy scratchcards. At the time, I didn't feel bad. When it's an addiction, you don't think like that. I feel so guilty about it now. I wish I had told him sooner. In 2023, when I won another £500, my spending shot up from £50 to £150 a day. I was chasing my tail, determined to get a jackpot of a million quid. I really felt that what I was doing was for the benefit of my family, and I was spending around 30 minutes each day walking to at least three shops to hide my addiction. Then, one day at the end of May last year, reality hit. I had gone on my usual scratchcard jaunt, splurging £50 on £5 cards in one newsagent. I forked out £50 more, and won £20, but then I went to another corner shop and lost the lot. My heart sank when I realised that was £120 gone in a heartbeat. And suddenly, I knew that I couldn't keep doing this. 5 I'd never made a conscious decision to use my benefit money, I was just hooked, says Marie Credit: Lorna Roach 5 Marie says her addiction to scratchcards was to pay for treats that she wanted to spoil her kids with Credit: SWNS I totalled up my spending on gambling and realised that, over 20 years, I'd thrown roughly £98,500 at my card addiction. We live in a rented house — that money could have been put towards a deposit to buy our dream home. Instead, it was gone. I sobbed for hours. That day, after pulling myself together, I finally confessed my addiction to Michael. He was shocked by how much I'd spent on scratchcards, but he wasn't angry and he didn't shout. He told me he wished I hadn't kept it a secret for so long. He just looked deflated. His reaction was a reminder of why I love him so much. After the shock had subsided, we made a plan to kick my habit for good. I went cold turkey, cutting scratch cards out completely, making sure I never ventured out alone so I didn't get the urge to buy any. HOW TO TACKLE A GAMBLING ADDICTION IN FIVE STEPS MARIE'S story shows how quickly buying 'just one more' scratch card can spiral into a devastating habit. If you're struggling with gambling, here are TV psychologist Emma Kenny's five steps to help. ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM Recognise your behaviour for what it is and admit that it's become harmful. Acceptance is key before real change can happen SEEK SUPPORT Confiding in someone you trust can bring immense relief. Friends, family, or even online support groups offer practical help and reduce feelings of isolation, just like Marie opening up to her husband. SET FIRM BOUNDARIES Limit your access to tempting situations by avoiding gambling environments or going shopping with a companion. Marie stopped going out alone initially, removing the chance to secretly buy scratch cards. ESTABLISH FINANCIAL CONTROLS Hand over control of your finances or arrange automatic bill payments to minimise impulse spending. Tracking daily expenses can reveal the true cost of gambling and reinforce new habits. CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL HELP Contact dedicated hotlines, counsellors, or charities that specialise in gambling support. They can guide you with tailored strategies and provide accountability. Walking into a supermarket, I couldn't even glance in the direction of the counter where they were displayed. I had to be strict with myself. It took every bit of strength I had, but I never relapsed. Finally, after six months, the urge started to subside and I could go out alone again. I was able to walk into a newsagent, look at scratchcards and think, 'I don't miss you'. I've told the children who are old enough to understand, and they are so proud of me. Now, I have found an unusual way to keep my gambling urge at bay — by viewing videos on YouTube of other people losing money on scratchcards. Watching three or four a day reminds me how much I frittered away. It's heartbreaking to think that if I hadn't spent that money, and had saved it instead, I would effectively have won the jackpot I originally dreamed of — but I can't live off regret. What I can do is tell my story in the hope it helps others. Addiction isn't something to be ashamed of — and it IS possible to beat it. Just remember you're highly unlikely to land that big win — you won't even make your money back in the long term. All you're doing is chasing a dream.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I tried out TikTok's fashion hack 333 Method to streamline wardrobe – and it could save you THOUSANDS
I DO not leave myself enough time in the morning to give very much thought to my outfits. Working in fashion, you might think choosing what to wear would be one of my top priorities, but in actual fact, I much prefer using the time for extra sleep. 7 Abby McHale is trying the 333 Method - a viral fashion hack to create a more streamed look using three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes Credit: Lorna Roach So I'm always trying to think of easy ways to make my wardrobe simpler and more wearable. Enter the 333 Method — TikTok's latest fashion hack. A take on a capsule wardrobe, the premise is that you have just three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes that you can rotate and make multiple outfits from. Big on social media, there are countless creators showing how best to create a more streamlined look. It all sounds and looks simple enough, but it does require some thought and organisation. And as someone who doesn't like to be pictured in the same outfit more than once — a colleague once told me that she very rarely sees me in the same clothes at work — dropping down to just nine pieces, with three of them being pairs of shoes, could prove to be a major challenge. But if it meant less thinking time — and more precious sleep time — I was up for the challenge. The items all needed to work together and be cohesive, which meant I didn't want to clash patterns too much. Plus I needed to make sure I had enough variety in the choice of clothing. When it came to tops, I knew I definitely needed a T-shirt in the mix. Fashion fans spot cheap beach co-ord & bikinis in Tesco F&F that are a must-have for your summer holiday I'm a sucker for a graphic tee and this bright and bold 'Santa Monica' one from Tu at Sainsbury's felt very apt for this time of year. I also decided to incorporate a blazer, as not only does it smarten up any look you may be going for, but it also adds an extra layer which is great when the evenings become chilly. 7 Abby incorporated a blazer with her graphic tee to smarten up the look Credit: Lorna Roach 7 Abby also paired the t-shirt with cream palazzo trousers Credit: Lorna Roach 7 For a casual look, the checked skirt from Reserved added a nice pop of colour Credit: Lorna Roach Finishing up my line-up of tops is a classic shirt — again, a smart option, but one that can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned, with the T-shirt underneath. Moving on to bottoms and, of course, a good pair of jeans is essential, as well as a pair of wide-leg trousers, just in case I want something slightly more formal. A midi skirt is also a must for my bottom half and I thought a checked skirt from Reserved added a nice pop of colour. Lastly came my shoe choices. Trainers were a no-brainer as I wear mine most days, but I also wanted to add in a pair of small heels and some sandals so that I could mix and match as I see fit. With my nine items selected, I was ready to put the 333 method to the test. Waking up on Monday for work, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The weather looked fairly bright, so I picked the T-shirt, skirt and sandals — no fuss or scrambling around in my wardrobe for the perfect look required. STRESS REDUCED This continued for the rest of the working week, which saw me opt for wide-leg trousers with a blazer and heels, then jeans with T-shirt and trainers, and so on . . . You'd think you might run out of outfits soon enough, but that wasn't the case. Everything really could be worn with everything and that is the key — finding enough pieces that all work together makes putting the outfits together more seamless. And it actually made me more inventive than I normally am with my clothes. For example, I would never have thought to wear a white-collared blouse with the cream palazzo trousers, but it actually turned out to be one of my favourite combinations. Not only did I feel well put together, but I even had lots of comments from other people about my new look and great I looked. There's another upside to the 333 method — saving bags of cash. 7 I would never have thought to wear a white-collared blouse with the cream palazzo trousers, but it actually turned out to be one of my favourite combinations Credit: Lorna Roach 7 The skirt added a lovely pop of colour to the white blouse outfit Credit: Lorna Roach 7 Abby estimates that if she continued using this method, she would save thousands Credit: Lorna Roach Usually I buy a couple of new pieces a month, allocating around £100 for clothes. But by introducing the 333 method, it definitely makes you stop and think whether you actually need something new — and how much wear you may get out of something. If I were to carry on, I have no doubt I would save myself thousands. You can tailor this technique to different seasons, too, swapping your sandals out for a pair of boots, your T-shirt for a jumper, a satin skirt for something more heavy duty. This way it keeps things a bit more interesting and fresh, but you're still working your wardrobe in the same way. A downside I didn't foresee was just how quickly you have to turn the washing around — especially with the T-shirt and shirt, which require more washing than some of the other pieces. But overall I'm super-impressed at just how many different ways that you can wear some of the simplest pieces in your wardrobe. SAVE THOUSANDS Only having nine items can seem limiting to some people and I think I may expand my roster of clothes to add a bit more variety, but once you have the basic premise down, there really is so much you can do with the 333 method. I'll also be adapting it for when I go on holiday, as this kind of method is perfect for a trip away and means a lot less stress when thinking what to pack and what items go together each day. Will I only use this going forward? Certainly. I'll definitely do versions of the method when I go on holiday, or when I'm switching up my wardrobe for each season, this will be my starting point. However, I do LOVE wearing different things and I work in fashion after all, so I think it would be slightly too repetitive for me to use the 333 method every day. I do think it's a great system if you want to go back to basics and build a wearable wardrobe.
