Latest news with #Soph
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I tried Zoe Ball's 'gut shrinking' massage - I dropped an inch off my waist in one hour'
Zoe Ball recently wowed fans when she revealed a dramatic body transformation after a massage that melted inches off her waist. The former Radio 2 Breakfast Show host, 54, shared photos on her Instagram of her belly before and after a £200 one-hour body contouring treatment with Sophie Yerby, founder of the Soph London clinic. But Zoe, who was tackling her menopause weight gain, is not the only celebrity to opt for body contouring treatments - A-listers including Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber are also fans. At 26, I'm far from menopausal but like many women I suffer from bloating and discomfort - particularly at the end of the day. Could body contour specialist Soph, as she's known, shrink my waistline? Zoe Ball looks happy in first outing since Radio 2 exit after low-key appearance at Elton John gig A former childcare worker, Soph started taking beauty courses and discovered body contouring, setting up her business three years ago. She drew upon her own health journey, overcoming an autoimmune disease, to create her signature massage. She now juggles transforming her clients' physiques with caring for her 103-year-old grandmother and being mum to two adopted young children. Now thanks to the Zoe Ball Effect, she's booked up for the next six months. "I didn't think I could be more busy," she laughs. The Body by Soph Method, which costs £120, has two core steps: lymphatic drainage and Brazilian sculpting. The first technique de-puffs and reduces swelling by moving lymph fluid from the tissues to be flushed out of the body. Brazilian body sculpting massage then focuses on deep tissue stimulation to improve blood flow and even help break down fat cells. The full Zoe Ball treatment includes two extra steps: cavitation, where ultrasound is used to melt fat so it can be flushed out of the body and radio frequency (RF), which uses electromagnetic energy to make skin firmer and appear more youthful. Soph says the treatment is especially beneficial for anyone experiencing fluid retention or menopause symptoms and she describes it as a full-body reset from the inside out. "The results typically last around 10 days, but making healthier lifestyle choices can help extend the benefits," she says. "Regular sessions will definitely support your lymphatic system and overall health. If you add cavitation, which helps break down stubborn fat, the results can last even longer." I'm not looking for permanent fat removal, and Soph says that the lymphatic drainage and Brazilian sculpting alone can dramatically reduce bloating and shrink waistlines so I opted for that. I was advised to drink plenty of water leading up to the appointment and to avoid heavy meals the day before. Eating one hour before the appointment was also a no-no. I was nervous about having my belly pushed and pummelled, but Soph explained that we have a "drainage system" called lymph and it doesn't have a pump like our circulatory system, it relies on muscle movement or massages for it to all move through our body. "Your lymph can become stagnant and once it becomes stagnant we get a build up of toxins, viruses, infections and even cancer cells," she says. "We also have T cells which help fight cancer cells and help fight infections. If they aren't moving around your lymphatic system and they stay stuck, then it's not going to do its job." Soph says one of the key aspects of her treatment is how she helps her clients relax prior to the massage. "As soon as my clients walk in, I guide them into a relaxed state because if the body isn't calm, it won't respond properly. "I completed a life coaching and hypnotherapy course to help me do this. It's not done in an obvious way, but it works. Once the nervous system is soothed, we begin working on the lymphatic system, followed by deep gut and colon massage," she says. "Together, it's a total game changer for women that helps you feel lighter, calmer, and more in control." She started off by massaging the lymph nodes in my arms, armpits, and at the top of my legs. These little bean-shaped organs help filter substances out of the lymphatic fluid. "Then it goes deeper, to the fluid around the tissues - that's where you get your visible results," Soph says. Lymphatic drainage also reduces inflammation, which is a key factor in many long-term health issues - chronic inflammation has been linked to heart disease, dementia, and even cancer. Soph is passionate about the subject thanks to her own experience. "This method was created from my own personal healing journey. After developing an autoimmune disease, I was struggling with black eyes, hives, rashes, joint pain, and anxiety attacks. The only thing that truly helped me was lymphatic drainage massage. It became my lifeline," she says. "From that experience, I developed my own method that goes deeper than just contouring. I added gut and colon massage because I realised how much emotion and tension we store in the stomach. So often, bloating isn't just about what we eat, it's about stress and a sluggish digestive system. "Stress is a big one, and I can't emphasise this enough but once you look after yourself and your body all this bloating will stop," says Soph, who's even written a book on the subject, A Simple Guide to Understanding the Lymphatic System. "It will get rid of all this tightness and tenderness and you will feel a lot more free." Then it was on to the Brazilian sculpting, employing "deeper pressure" on my stomach to help drain toxins, boost metabolise and reduce fluid retention. Soph worked her hands around my middle but this was no typical bliss-out massage - wooden tools including rollers, a gua sha-type device (similar to the slim stone tool that you scrape over your face to de-puff and improve circulation) and a suction cup were used on my stomach and waist. "You massage up, around and down," Soph explains. "Always clockwise, never anti-clockwise. If you push backwards, you can push the stool backwards which will make the client physically sick." The sensations were unfamiliar but I was determined to relax into it. And after the treatment, the results spoke for themselves. You could tell instantly that my bloated stomach - which had felt firm to the touch - had softened and I didn't feel as swollen. My waistline looked smaller and cinched, and Soph had managed to reduce the water-weight around my ribs - something I didn't even realise I had. Before the treatment, my waist measured 28in, and afterwards that had reduced to 27.5in. I felt lighter and slimmer, and the sides of my body felt less puffy. A week later and the effects have yet to wear off. It's easy to see why this treatment is such a hit with A-listers - I'll certainly be going for another.
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Surprising ways to update your wardrobe for spring (including, whisper it, a £29.50 white shoe)
Spring has sprung – and with it a surge of discontent with my own wardrobe. Billowing cherry blossoms and the promise of brighter days ahead might be in the air, but sadly that does not mean an immediate carte blanche to waft around in linen for the next six months. Mornings are still frigid (there was rime covering the ground when I left for the office this morning, dear reader). Layering is still very much still a girl's best friend. But for those of us game to get on board with the seasonal sartorial shift – whatever our unpredictable weather – there are tempting new pieces in the shops and a sportier, slightly androgynous mood in the fashion ether. Thankfully, getting in on the look doesn't mean buying an entirely new wardrobe, rather it's about learning a few styling tricks and investing in a surprising new hero piece or two: a 'borrowed-from-the-boys' bomber, a knit T-shirt or – steel yourselves – a pair of white shoes. With all this in mind, I took to The Telegraph photo studio to test drive five of spring's new game-changing pieces, with styling tips and advice from some of the best dressed women I know. Why not try: a sequinned skirt for day I've never been shy to wear a shine for the day (life's too short not to sparkle before dusk, right?) Still, I've always felt slightly squeamish about a sequinned skirt in spring, surely it's a more wintry item? 'Sequins are something that should be worn all year round. After you've finished the party season, think about matching them with an easy-to-wear white T-shirt, a crisp white shirt, a denim shirt with any of your sequin skirts. It won't feel overdressed. Definitely try with a flat shoe or a lace-up sandal as the sun starts shining,' says Nicola Rose, creative director and former fashion director of Red magazine. Merino wool and cashmere polo, £55 and denim shacket, £29.50, Marks & Spencer, Recycled sequin skirt, £169, Baukjen, Leather loafers, £205, Bobbies, Sterling silver earrings, £295, Alighieri In the studio I choose a sleek sequin skirt by Baukjen that is made from recycled eco-plastic sequins, which have a soft, pearly glow that looks elegant and not too glitzy. My first stab at styling it for daytime with a sweatshirt looks a bit shapeless, but (after a bit of experimenting) I settle on a knit polo and a denim shacket combo that feels both relaxed and pulled together – a very easy look to wear for day. I particularly like the cut on this skirt, which skims rather than hugs my hips, but I feel that at my height (5ft 4 and ¾ in), a shorter length would have made this a truly versatile addition to my wardrobe. Key takeaway: Look for a spring sequin skirt in a neutral hue; resist the urge to go too jazzy Why not try: a Varsity jacket Few things in life are more uplifting than ditching your winter overcoat, for a spring jacket. Bomber jackets are everywhere this season – as are Chanel-style bouclé jackets – 'so what could be more on point than a bouclé bomber?' as my stylish colleague Sophie Tobin points out. I try a couple of options, one from M&S (at a purse-friendly price point of £65), but unfortunately it drowns me. Boucle jacket, £350, Me+Em, Pleated skirt, £190, Essentiel Antwerp, Patent leather shoes, £195, Bobbies, Sterling silver earrings, £295, Alighieri Another version by Me + Em with an elegant cape back that looks Japanese is an absolute winner – the cut means it floats away from the waist, rather than bunching the top of my skirt. I pair it with a skirt from Essentiel Antwerp, with sharp accordion pleats and a cool gradient colour effect and two-tone loafers. There's a definite hint of Sandra Dee in the whole ensemble. To avoid looking like a walk-on in Grease, step away from anything that says 'Jets' or 'Pink Ladies'. A dark, muted colour option is probably best. Key-takeaway: Bomber jackets suit all ages, but if you go for a Varsity style keep it tonal and don't go too wild with collegiate lettering Why not try: a white shoe… (and a neon hue!) Here's where we get controversial (my mum should probably look away now). White shoes are everywhere for next season. But how to wear them, to make sure you look stylish and grown-up, not unspeakably naff? I call my friend Ann Caruso, an impeccably chic New Yorker, who just happens to style Elizabeth Hurley. Slingback shoes, £29.50, Marks & Spencer Of course, Americans are even more uptight about the etiquette of white shoe wearing than Britons. Surely she will know how to pull them off with aplomb. Caruso is on board with the trend, but advises a light touch: 'Wearing off-white kitten heels with jeans blends casual ease with a touch of polish, while a bit naughty at the same time,' she says. In the studio, I try on a pair of slingback kitten heels in a creamy white shade from M&S, styled with an outfit that feels a little bit cheeky, consisting of my own Levi's jeans, and a neon green jacket by Essentiel Antwerp (a slightly subversive twist on a Sixties Jackie O style). Textured jacket, £340, Essentiel Antwerp, Levi's jeans, Sarah's own, Sterling silver earrings, £295, Alighieri Now wearing zingy lime green is another potentially polarising sartorial situation, but as colour consultant Jules Standish, tells me, there's no need to be afraid: 'Neon lime green loves to be seen, but in a balanced, friendly way that instantly boosts the mood and lifts the spirit… it's a wonderful tonic to kick start the new season ahead with positivity and a clear mind. Balancing the brightness of this shade with neutrals is the best way to embrace this energising and youthful shade without overpowering your look.' Of all the looks I try, this one feels the most instantly uplifting – and wearable. Key-takeaway: Choose shoes in an off-white shade (think tasteful Farrow and Ball paint chart tones, not optic Apple iPod white) Why not try: A knit T-shirt layered over a shirt Upping your layering game is an easy way to inject a youthful savoir-faire into your day-to-day outfits. Nicola Rose taught me this when we worked together at Red magazine (I always loved the way she could pop a knitted pullover on top of a mannish pyjama shirt or a party dress and make it work for the office in an easy insouciant way). My other muse in matters of layering is Miuccia Prada, who recently wore a boxy tee over a shirt backstage and looked effortlessly cool as per. 'I am a big fan of layering knitwear for spring,' says Rose. 'In our unpredictable weather, layering knits means you can go without a jacket.' Linen blend jumper, £140, Cefinn, Poplin shirt, £95, With Nothing Underneath, Suedette skirt, £45, Marks & Spencer, Leather shoes, £295, Russell & Bromley, Sterling silver earrings, £295, Alighieri After a bit of try-on and error in the studio (if a knit T-shirt is too flimsy, stylish layering is hard to pull off) I choose a boat-neck knit from Cefinn in a gorgeous shade of dusty blue. This looks great worn over a classic striped shirt – as ever look no further than WNU for the best boyfriend shirting. An M&S suedette skirt completes the outfit (this one looks so much more expensive than its price tag). Verdict? A knitted T-shirt worn over a shirt looks so much cooler than a cardigan. Key takeaway: Look for sleeves wide enough to layer without crushing whatever you're wearing beneath Why not try: a suit and tie Tailoring is without doubt one of the strongest fashion stories of the season. On the runway, Antony Vacarello at Saint Laurent did it best and we've seen celebrities from Nicole Kidman and Dakota Fanning looking drop-dead fabulous on the red carpet recently in mannish suits and ties. 'I think this look speaks to a woman's confidence and her refusal to be confined by tradition,' says Caruso. 'It's power dressing at its best. Men have been doing it forever, and women look just as sharp, confident, bold, fashionable and alluring in it.' On the high street, Reiss's women's suit sales are up 30 per cent on the year, according to Una Joyce, the brand's womenswear director. Interestingly for those of us who are not overly tall (and often count ourselves out of suit wearing for that very reason) the brand's 'petite offering' is growing (up 70 per cent versus last year to be precise). 'Reiss tailoring is the backbone of the collections, it's in our bones, it's our DNA, it sums up who we are and what we do .... sharp, polished clothing, tailoring for modern living,' says Joyce. Blazer, £278 and trousers, £188, Reiss, Tencel shirt, £120, With Nothing Underneath, Silk knitted tie, £68, Reiss, Leather shoes, £245, Russell & Bromley, Gold plated recycled silver earrings, £195, Loveness Lee All I can tell you is that this sandy brown tweed Reiss suit makes me feel like Cate Blanchett in Tar (the sartorial swagger, not the toxic narcissist bit). I was actually reluctant to wear it with a tie for fear of looking like I was in costume, but it is the piece de resistance. Reiss's suits are sold as two-pieces or separately. 'Modular suiting is an enduring approach to dressing and the perfect garment to transition from day to evening,' says Joyce. Certainly, this ensemble feels as glamorous as a dress and somehow sassier than a tuxedo. Bring on my tailoring era. Key takeaway: You have to try in person before you buy. A well-cut suit will whittle your waist and make you stand up straighter. If it doesn't you haven't found the right one yet
