Latest news with #TaraLedden
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm a nail tech – here's the two words I hate from clients, I won't reply or book them in
A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. 1 There's a two-word enquiry that nail techs hate receiving Credit: Getty But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. "Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' Most read in Fabulous "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." She continued: "Am I just getting too old because I just don't know the lingo of this generation? How much? Even just like HW? What? Beauty fans can get their nails done professionally for just £5 in Superdrug - here's how "So unless somebody can speak an English sentence to me that is clear then I can't reply because…bye." And it turns out Nickie's grievance isn't an unpopular opinion at all, as her quickly racked up more than 10,000 views with plenty of comments from other beauty professionals. One said: "I have just completly stopped replying to people with those kind of messages. I find it so rude and I don't want clients like that. "Customers don't realise we do pick and choose our clientele." A second wrote: "I always just send my booking link lol" A third chimed in: "Or 'how much for gels' you tell them & they ghost you obviously think you're too expensive." "Completely agree, it's so rude", fumed a fourth. Read more on the Irish Sun A fifth echoed: "It's so rude bugs me so much." Meanwhile, a sixth added: "If they arent kind enough to say 'hi', it isnt good money." Biggest beauty mistakes Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty. "No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you're not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted. "There aren't many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime." Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. Using expired products: Best case, they're ineffective and don't deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ - for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the 'POA' symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it's safe once opened. If you can't remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. Not knowing your undertones: If you're using make-up with the wrong undertones, it'll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist - if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they're green, you have warm and if they're a mix you have neutral. Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you're trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. Not washing your face before bed: it's as simple as this, if you're not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that's been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn't going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you're probably going to end up with dirty pillows too - yuck!
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I'm a Beauty Editor – I get sent thousands of products a year, but these are the six items I spend my money on
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. Tara Ledden's job comes with some serious perks, including testing hundreds of products every month. But despite the freebies, there are some star items that she'll always return to BEST BUYS I'm a Beauty Editor – I get sent thousands of products a year, but these are the six items I spend my money on EVERY time I tell someone that I'm a beauty editor, I know exactly what they're going to say next. 'Do you get loads of free beauty products?" 12 As a beauty editor, Tara gets sent hundreds of products, and says Monday Muse The Cleanser is great for sensitive skin Credit: Tara Ledden In short, the answer is yes. It's actually quite obscene - a quick look at the Fabulous beauty launches spreadsheet (where we keep track of everything new we've been sent to try) tells me that there's a whopping 402 products launching this month, and that's just the ones we've been told about! My job is to test them all, which means there's not much room for me to be loyal to any one brand or product, as I'm constantly chopping and changing. However, there are a few that I can't part with, and will happily repurchase myself every time they run out. These are the products I always go back to... THE ONE-STEP CLEANSER Last year, Monday Muse The Cleanser went out of stock for a period of time and I spent weeks trying to find a replacement that would stand up to it's acne-safe, gentle, make-up and grime melting powers. It turns out, there isn't a replacement - it's one of a kind. So, when it was back on shelves I stocked up, and now I've got it on subscription. It cuts through make-up without being oily or greasy, lightly foams without drying skin, and doesn't irritate my eyes at all. 12 Monday Muse The Cleanser is suitable for all skin types Credit: Monday Muse Monday Muse The Cleanser, £28 The only thing it's not a match for is waterproof mascara, but I don't tend to wear that often. Forget double cleansing, I use it every night without fail with a flannel and get rid of everything in one step. 12 Dior's Foundation Stick has been Tara's go to for over 6 months Credit: Tara Ledden THE COVERS ALL BASE I generally light to use a product a few times, and really put it through it's paces, before I sing it's praises. But when I tried Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick for the first time, it instantly won me over. I've got lots of redness in my skin, and a fair few acne scars, so I tend to wear full coverage foundations and a heavy duty concealer on top - which can feel heavy on my skin. This miracle stick completely changed that. It blends out super easily and doesn't feel drying, but it completely camouflages imperfections. 12 Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick renders concealer redundant Credit: Dior Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick, £48 Even after using it for over six months, I'm still in awe of how quickly and easily it makes my skin look near flawless without feeling (or looking) cakey. I've been getting regular compliments on how good my skin looks since using it, and they're still coming in thick and fast. I've used it throughout the depths of winter, and this week of soaring temperatures in London, and it looks just as seamless at the end of the day as it did when I first apply it. I've yet to find a single fault - other than the price tag, but given I don't need to use a separate concealer or setting powder in tandem with it, I'm saving money there 12 Clinisoothe has an unlimited number of uses Credit: Clinisoothe THE ACNE CLEARING MSIT For the marble tray of pretty perfumes sitting on my dresser, there's also an equally stacked bathroom cupboard of, frankly, ugly beauty products that I wouldn't dream of parting with. By a country mile Clinisoothe Skin Purifier is my most-used unpretty product. I spray it on my face straight after cleansing morning and night, and if I've got any cuts or sore patches elsewhere, they get spritzed too. It contains hypochlorous acid, which is a natural disinfectant, so it kills bacteria (especially the acne-causing kind) on contact. 12 Clinisoothe is used by before cosmetic treatments for it's bacteria killing powers Credit: Clinisoothe Clinisoothe Skin Purifier, £14.95 It also reduces inflammation and helping wounds heal quicker without causing any dryness or irritation. If I'm travelling, I'll take Vital Baby Hygiene Aquaint® Cleansing Water, £2.49, with me instead, as it's under the 100ml limit, and contains hypochlorous acid too. 12 Arkive has been a mainstay in Tara's routine for three years Credit: Tara Ledden THE SHINE ENHANCING SHAMPO0 Since the brand launched in March 2022, I've been consistently loyal to Arkive All Day Everyday Shampoo & Conditioner. Before using it, I wasn't fussy when it came to shampoo and conditioner thinking that none of them were quite right for my hair that's oily at the roots and dry at the ends. This has completely changed the game, and my expectations for shampoo and conditioner going forward. The shampoo lathers easily and leaves my scalp free of build up without that dry squeaky clean feeling. 12 Arkive's refill pouches make restocking easier Credit: Arkive Arkive All Day Everyday Shampoo & Conditioner, £12 each While the conditioner melts through tangles and deposits more shine than any salon shampoo I've used without weighing my hair down. Plus, they both smell delicious - with notes of mandarin, vanilla, rhubarb and musk. I've even managed to influence my mum into being a huge fan after a life-time of Alberto Balsam. 12 It's not glamorous, but Kosas Chemistry Deodorant is the best out there Credit: Tara Ledden THE BO-BUSTING DEODORANT Picking one single product as my ultimate favourite is, I imagine, akin to choosing a favourite child - in that it changes daily, rather than it's impossible, but without a doubt Kosas Chemistry Deodorant has revolutionised my life. The whole brand is great - Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer, £26 and Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder, £32, have also made it into my make-up bag since the brand launched in Space NK in March 2023, but the AHA deodorant easily takes top spot. I've used natural deodorant for nearly three years now, and it's by far the best at keeping odour at bay without irritating my armpits. 12 Tara prefers the fragrance free version, but there's also two scented ones on offer Credit: Kosas Kosas Chemistry Deodorant, £14 The exfoliating acid based formula changes the pH of under-arm skin to kill bacteria on contact. Technically, I could live without it, but it would be a smelly existence! 12 Batiste Dry Shampoo is an oldie but a goodie Credit: Tara Ledden THE OG DRY SHAMPOO There's a running joke amongst the Fabulous team that if there's one item I'll never give away, it's Batiste Dry Shampoo, and they're not far wrong. I've tried dry shampoo's with price tags more than 10 that of the can I used as a teen, and none of them match up to it's oil absorbing powers. 12 Sometimes, they're classics for a reason Credit: Batiste Batiste Dry Shampoo, £3.25 My favourites are the original and the blush scent, but I'll grab whatever's on the shelf. I love that it makes my hair feel clean as well as looking clean, which isn't the case with most of the expensive dry shampoos which leave my roots feeling gritty.
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I tried Aldi's new Japanese-inspired skincare brand said to be a dupe of Tatcha – it's 90% cheaper but was it as good?
MATCHA is having a serious moment - so it's no surprise the super-food is coming for our skincare routines. Hitting the middle aisle on the 1st May, Aldi's latest bargain skincare range hero's the over-achieving green ingredient, alongside the likes of hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and camellia. The retailer is comparing the range to luxe viral Japanese brand Tatcha, and reckon their dupes can save you 90% - but do they live up to the claim? Let's get one thing straight, across the board, the packaging don't hold a candle to Tatcha's - I broke a nail and the plastic insert inside the first tub I tried to get into. Plus, once you've opened them, it's hard to screw the lid back on. That aside, here's what I thought of the formulas inside. Read more Hair & Beauty 4 Tara found Lacura's Plumping Face Cream too greasy Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Plumping Face Cream, £6.99 This was the first product of the new range I tried - and the one that broke my nail, as previously mentioned. If you do purchase, I found the best way to get the plastic inner seal off is to gently squeeze the top of the tub to release some pressure. Once I finally got in, I was surprised that the cream had a violet- blue colour. After looking at the ingredients list, that seems to be created by colourants rather than the natural hue of any of the botanicals inside. Most read in Fabulous On my face, it felt much heavier than I'd anticipated - although it immediately delivered a glow that definitely helped plump my skin. There's a whole host of moisturising ingredients including glycerin, squalane and hyaluronic acid, alongside brightening antioxidants camellia and ginseng root. Unfortunately, the glow came at a major price - a greasy layer that sat on the surface of my skin. Even an hour after applying, I could still feel it, which made me anxious about whether it might block my pores in the long run. 4 Lacura's Aqua Cream is thicker than most Beauty Editor Tara has tried Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Hydrating Aqua Cream, £6.99 I'm a huge fan of water creams so I was excited to try this affordable option. Specially designed for oily and combination skin, the lightweight consistency delivers hydration without feeling too occlusive. It didn't melt on contact with my face like I'd expected, but I did get the refreshing cooling sensation I know and love. After a couple of minutes, it started to feel sticky as it dried down but thankfully that only lasted a few minutes. It also didn't pill under makeup which happened with the last Aldi water cream I tried. When it comes to things I didn't love, the heavy scent tops the list. It also contains silicone - which helps create a mattifying effect, but I also find they break me out, so I'd be reluctant to replace my current moisturiser with Lacura's cream. 4 The Matcha Gel Wash was a surprising hit Credit: Tara Ledden Laucra Matcha Gel Wash, £4.99 As soon as I squeezed the Matcha Gel Wash out of it's tube, I was impressed by the on trend jelly texture. Powered by willow bark (which is great for fighting acne), matcha tea, and mugwort extracts, this cleanser promises to revive tired-looking skin for a brighter, healthier complexion. It foams very quickly, breaking down make-up and oil with ease in one-step. On contact with water, the foam transforms into a lightweight, milky consistency that leaves skin feeling clean but not dry. Much to my delight, it's fragrance free so doesn't irritate my skin. Given my experience with the moisturisers, I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's aimed at oily to combination skin, and although it didn't leave my face feeling dry, I am on the oily side, so that's something to note if you have a dry complexion. 4 Aldi's Lacura Rice Cleanser is thick and gritty Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Rice Cleanser, £4.99 Formulated with rice powder, rice starch, and lightly exfoliating gluconolactone, this cleanser is designed to slough away dead skin cells while removing make-up. It was an incredibly thick consistency that was hard to spread around my face - almost like a paste rather than the cream I had expected - and although it was slightly gritty, it wasn't enough to feel like I was getting the exfoliating benefits I'd hoped. The rich texture also makes it hard to wash off. In fact, I had to use water and a flannel three times to wash my face before I felt like I'd removed all the residue. Despite being billed as suitable for dry skin and claiming to leave skin feeling soft and supple, my oily skin felt uncomfortably tight after using - so I wouldn't recommend for regular use on dry skin. What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20)
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I tried Aldi's new Japanese-inspired skincare brand said to be a dupe of Tatcha – it's 90% cheaper but was it as good?
I had low expectations, but the £4.99 cleanser won me over SKIN DEEP I tried Aldi's new Japanese-inspired skincare brand said to be a dupe of Tatcha – it's 90% cheaper but was it as good? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MATCHA is having a serious moment - so it's no surprise the super-food is coming for our skincare routines. Hitting the middle aisle on the 1st May, Aldi's latest bargain skincare range hero's the over-achieving green ingredient, alongside the likes of hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and camellia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The retailer is comparing the range to luxe viral Japanese brand Tatcha, and reckon their dupes can save you 90% - but do they live up to the claim? Let's get one thing straight, across the board, the packaging don't hold a candle to Tatcha's - I broke a nail and the plastic insert inside the first tub I tried to get into. Plus, once you've opened them, it's hard to screw the lid back on. That aside, here's what I thought of the formulas inside. 4 Tara found Lacura's Plumping Face Cream too greasy Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Plumping Face Cream, £6.99 This was the first product of the new range I tried - and the one that broke my nail, as previously mentioned. If you do purchase, I found the best way to get the plastic inner seal off is to gently squeeze the top of the tub to release some pressure. Once I finally got in, I was surprised that the cream had a violet- blue colour. After looking at the ingredients list, that seems to be created by colourants rather than the natural hue of any of the botanicals inside. On my face, it felt much heavier than I'd anticipated - although it immediately delivered a glow that definitely helped plump my skin. There's a whole host of moisturising ingredients including glycerin, squalane and hyaluronic acid, alongside brightening antioxidants camellia and ginseng root. Unfortunately, the glow came at a major price - a greasy layer that sat on the surface of my skin. Even an hour after applying, I could still feel it, which made me anxious about whether it might block my pores in the long run. 4 Lacura's Aqua Cream is thicker than most Beauty Editor Tara has tried Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Hydrating Aqua Cream, £6.99 I'm a huge fan of water creams so I was excited to try this affordable option. Specially designed for oily and combination skin, the lightweight consistency delivers hydration without feeling too occlusive. It didn't melt on contact with my face like I'd expected, but I did get the refreshing cooling sensation I know and love. After a couple of minutes, it started to feel sticky as it dried down but thankfully that only lasted a few minutes. It also didn't pill under makeup which happened with the last Aldi water cream I tried. When it comes to things I didn't love, the heavy scent tops the list. It also contains silicone - which helps create a mattifying effect, but I also find they break me out, so I'd be reluctant to replace my current moisturiser with Lacura's cream. 4 The Matcha Gel Wash was a surprising hit Credit: Tara Ledden Laucra Matcha Gel Wash, £4.99 As soon as I squeezed the Matcha Gel Wash out of it's tube, I was impressed by the on trend jelly texture. Powered by willow bark (which is great for fighting acne), matcha tea, and mugwort extracts, this cleanser promises to revive tired-looking skin for a brighter, healthier complexion. It foams very quickly, breaking down make-up and oil with ease in one-step. On contact with water, the foam transforms into a lightweight, milky consistency that leaves skin feeling clean but not dry. Much to my delight, it's fragrance free so doesn't irritate my skin. Given my experience with the moisturisers, I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's aimed at oily to combination skin, and although it didn't leave my face feeling dry, I am on the oily side, so that's something to note if you have a dry complexion. 4 Aldi's Lacura Rice Cleanser is thick and gritty Credit: Tara Ledden Lacura Rice Cleanser, £4.99 Formulated with rice powder, rice starch, and lightly exfoliating gluconolactone, this cleanser is designed to slough away dead skin cells while removing make-up. It was an incredibly thick consistency that was hard to spread around my face - almost like a paste rather than the cream I had expected - and although it was slightly gritty, it wasn't enough to feel like I was getting the exfoliating benefits I'd hoped. The rich texture also makes it hard to wash off. In fact, I had to use water and a flannel three times to wash my face before I felt like I'd removed all the residue. Despite being billed as suitable for dry skin and claiming to leave skin feeling soft and supple, my oily skin felt uncomfortably tight after using - so I wouldn't recommend for regular use on dry skin.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Love these' shoppers cry as Primark drops new skincare dupes with £3.50 masks & £4 SPF to save hundreds on viral brand
THANKS to increased awareness of skin health, skincare has become less about just "beauty". But that doesn't mean applying your lotions and potions can't be a beautiful ritual - which is exactly what Primark's design and formulation teams have captured in its new range. Advertisement 3 PRIMARK has dropped a brand new line of skincare products, complete with masks, moisturisers and even SPF buys Credit: Instagram/Primark 3 Prices for the new offering start at £3.50 Credit: Instagram/Primark 3 Among the new products is this £3.50 PS…Hydrating Whip Facial Moisturiser Credit: Instagram/Primark The fast fashion giant has dropped a brand And not only that, the new buys are said to be dupes for Bubble, a beauty brand that went viral for its effective formulas and colourful packaging. Among the new products is the £3.50 Whip Facial Moisturiser, which is allegedly a dupe for Bubble's £16 Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser. Primark formulators described it as 'a hydrating facial moisturiser featuring a whipped texture and tube design'. Advertisement read more on beauty There's also the brand new £3.50 Glow Face Mask, which has a formula inspired by Bubble's £19 Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask. 'This face mask aims to revitalise the skin, revealing a brighter, fresher and glowier complexion,' Primark bosses said. If you're in the market for a new cleanser, you can pick up the new Facial Cleanser for just £3.50. Beauty buffs have compared this to Bubble's Fresh Start Gel Facial Cleanser, which costs £16. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Among Primark's new SPF products are the £3.50 Shield Moisturiser with SPF 50, £4 PS... Sun SPF 50 Sun Stick and £5 PS... Sun SPF 30 Tinted Face Sunscreen. Their blurbs read: 'Enriched with Vitamin E and shea butter, this invisible formula glides on smoothly while helping to keep skin moisturised. 'The practical stick format makes it perfect for quick touch-ups throughout the day, whether you're at the beach or out running errands. 'The sunscreen's lightweight formula offers broad-spectrum protection, and is enriched with Vitamin E to help nourish your skin. Advertisement 'The sheer tint with shimmering particles will add a subtle radiance to your complexion, perfect for those no-make-up make-up days or as a glowing base under foundation. 'Apply generously each morning, and remember to top up throughout the day to maintain its protection level!' Best beauty dupes Fabulous' Beauty Editor, Tara Ledden revealed the cheaper version of your favourite beauty products that you should have in your cupboard. *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue "A huge 55% of us would like to spend less on our beauty routines according to new research from E.l.f. Cosmetics, so it's no wonder there's millions of #dupe videos on Tiktok. "While some dupes are easy to spot given their look-a-like packing, they're often lacking when it comes to the contents. "In fact, some of the best dupes look nothing like the luxury product they're a dead-ringer for - and, trust me, they're the ones you want." REAL: DUPE: REAL: DUPE: REAL: DUPE: REAL: DUPE: REAL: DUPE: The brand's social media team took to Instagram to promote the range. They penned in the caption: 'Whoever said skincare has to be all boring and beige clearly hasn't seen our skincare.' Advertisement Beauty buffs were quick to point out that the new products resembled Bubble's fun offering. 'Oh, a cheeky Bubble dupe,' one penned. 'Such cute, colourful packaging,' another praised.
