List of All Articles with Tag 'listicle'

Most of us have been guilty of doing a huge number of crunches in the hope of making our tummies trimmer. Then, two weeks later, we’re disappointed nothing seems to have changed. “Think abs and we tend to think ‘six-pack’ (visible or not) – the long muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen,” says PT and fitness expert, Laura Williams. “This often makes crunches our go-to move when it comes to the tum. But the abdominal muscles also include your waist muscles – your obliques – and one of your main core muscles, the transversus abdominis.” Targeting these areas, she says, with a variety of exercises, will help to strengthen all the important muscles of the abdominal area, as well as those in the upper back and hips, helping with everything from a stronger core to preventing injury. 1. Heel Tap Why: Works core muscles. How: From a lying position with legs bent above hips, lower one heel towards the floor, then lift back up. Change sides. Do a total of 12 lowers. Tip: Try to keep your back flat on the mat. 2. Seated Sprinter Why: Works the waist, hip and thigh muscles. How: From a seated position, with both legs off the floor, extend one leg out in front of you and bring the opposite arm towards your inside knee. Repeat on the other side. Do a total of 12 twists. Tip: Keep your torso lifted throughout. Place feet on the floor to make this easier if needed. 3. Pulsing Side Plank Why: Works the shoulder, hip, thigh and waist muscles. How: Lying on your side, raise your body into the air with your weight on the side of your foot and your bottom arm. Rest your top arm on your bottom shoulder and lower your body a short way to the ground before pushing back up. Do 15 pulses. Change sides. Tip: Reduce your range of movement if you fatigue. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Twiggy: I did not plan to get into modelling ‘Women short-changed as 65% of weekly working hours ignored in official data’ How to wear the casual tailoring look in summer

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Sun, sea and swimming pools may be the key ingredients for a fantastic summer holiday, but when it comes to hair colour maintenance, it’s a different story. UV rays, salt water and chlorine all have the power to turn rich brunette to mousy brown, ravishing red to sad salmon pink, and platinum blonde to yucky yellow. That’s why protecting your hair is so important during the sunnier months, whether you’re at home or on holiday abroad. Here, hair experts offer their advice on how to stop your hair colour from fading in the sun… 1. Use sun protection “The main reason why your colour fades in the summer is due to UV rays stripping away colour, especially if your hair is colour treated,” says Keiko Mizuno, education lead at Living Proof UK. “Naturally dark and light hair can get stripped from the sun too as UV rays lift all pigment, but it is more visible on lighter hair as blonde hair has less pigment compared to brunette hair.” Keeping your hair hydrated before you go out in the sun is the first step to lock in your colour. “Apply leave-in conditioner to repair and deeply nourish dry, brittle and dull hair, or create your own shade with a hat or parasol,” says Michael Kent, hair stylist at Blue Tit salon in London’s Streatham. “Try using a heat protector on your hair. This reinforces the structure of the hair and boosts natural defences against ultraviolet radiation.” 2. Apply a mask Not only are masks great for helping repair damage after a day in the sun, you can use them as a colour protector while sunbathing. “Using a hair mask while in the sun will enhance its conditioning benefits,” says hair stylist Adem Oygur, who recently opened his salon Adem in London. “You can dampen and mix a small amount to use as a setting product to keep stray hairs in place, whilst treating your hair to deep conditioning. When you wash your hair at the end of the day, it is hydrated and nourished.” Mizuno recommends adding a bonding treatment into your weekly summer hair routine: “Stronger bonds in your hair maintain colour vibrancy and longevity – plus it has UV protection as well as heat protection.” 3. Don’t wash your hair too often “Washing your hair every day with shampoo strips your scalp and hair of all its natural oil,” says Kent – meaning the colour can fade faster. “Instead of using shampoo, just use lukewarm water to remove the dirt from your hair without rubbing your scalp.” Alternatively, Mizuno suggests: “Elongate your clean hair by using dry shampoo.” 4. Use the right shampoo To keep dyed hair looking salon-fresh, make sure you tailor your shampoo choice. “Only use shampoos that are safe for colour-treated hair,” says Oygur. “You will cut down on how frequently you need to re-dye because these specially formulated shampoos won’t strip the colour, and will keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant throughout the summer.” To stop blonde tresses turning brassy, use purple shampoo followed by a hydrating conditioner. 5. Keep chlorine at bay While chlorine is necessary in pools for hygiene reasons, it can play havoc with your hair. “That’s because chlorine breaks down the proteins of the outer layer of the hair which leaves it feeling dry and rough,” Kent explains. “If the outer layers of the hair shaft have increased porosity, colour molecules can escape easily.” If you really want to protect your crowning glory, there’s only one solution, he says: “Put all your hair in a swimming cap – if you have long hair, braid or twist your hair up first and do not forget to tuck in all your edges.” If a latex cap is going to cramp your summer style, a moisturising barrier is the next best thing. “Rinse your hair with fresh water before you swim then gently coat it with conditioner, a hair mask, or some hair-friendly oils – this will create a barrier against the chlorine,” Kent says. “After your swim, rinse your hair with fresh water and shampoo and condition as normal.” Holiday hair heroes Fight the fade with these potent protectors… Hair Proud All Inclusive 5-in-1 Protection Milk, £8.95 Only Curls Heat Protect Spray, £16 Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray, £26 Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, £29.50 Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner, £35.50 Adem Pure Hazelnut Hair Repairing Mask, £39, Sephora Living Proof Triple Bond Complex, £42 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live This is why you keep waking up at 4am – and what you can do about it Hepatitis B and C could cause ‘significantly higher cancer risk’ than smoking daily pack of cigarettes Lauren James was told not to have role models – now she is one

Summer holiday season may be in full swing, but you can always bring a dash of your dream destination style home – without even stepping foot on a plane. From a touch of tropical to far-flung flair and seaside sunset scenes, the world of interiors is full of travel-inspired treasures. Here’s what’s on our bucket list… 1. Beach Sunset Photography (left) and Pray For Surf Photography, from £49 each framed, Beach House Art When you want to make a spectacular sunset or paddling adventure part of your everyday world, nothing beats the wow factor of travel photography to place you right at the scene. 2. Palm Leaf Stems – Pack of 3, £39, Where Saints Go Green and leafy accents such as tropical palm stems are a brilliant styling tool – and faux designs do the job wonderfully when you’re short on natural sunlight or want something that’ll last. 3. Leopard Jungle Cushion, £29.95, Mint & May When you want to take a walk on the wild side at home, this loveable leopard will lend an exotic edge to pared-back schemes. 4. Paloma Home Divine Fabric 2 Seater Sofa in Plush Velvet Turmeric, £945.99 (was £1,999), SCS In a sunny shade, this velvet sofa – with brass-tipped walnut legs and deep seats – looks plush enough to channel some five-star luxe. Adorn with floral scatter cushions for extra Mediterranean vibes. 5. Shell Burnished Copper Pendants, £89 each, Atkin and Thyme Pendant lighting is having a moment, and these chic shell drops take ambient lighting to a new level. Made from burnished copper, they’re a work of art before you’ve even hit the switch. 6. George Gold Bird Ornament, £5, Direct.asda You can almost hear the forest birdsong from this chirpy little fellow. A welcome dash of gold for any sideboard or bookcase. 7. Send Me a Postcard Wallpaper in Summer Brights, £50 per roll, Lust Home Why not make a picture postcard setting a reality, with a funky feature wall dedicated to idyllic coastal hideaways and mesmerising views? With a variety of destinations, from Morocco to the Amalfi Coast, we’re big fans. 8. Siobhan Murphy Coral & Beetroot Snake Bookends, £20 (were £50), Freemans There’s something mystical about serpent decos, especially this eye-catching pink pair. Perfect for your glossy travel magazines and guide books. 9. Austin Leopard Print Velvet Dining Chair, £175, Rockett St George Bold and beautiful, this leopard accent chair is surprisingly easy to work into existing schemes. Think fast track to safari lodge décor or a splash of glam. 10. Zira Monkey Table Lamp Silver With Shade, £95.40, Dar Lighting With a glossy metallic finish, this monkey lamp loves the spotlight and will brighten up your space with its faux silk shade and smiley face. 11. George Pink Tiger Print Throw, £20 (was £22), Direct.asda This pink cotton throw will make a statement piece styled with a glass coffee table, lush greenery and bamboo palm. A bargain to boot. 12. STAR by Julien Macdonald Tropical Print Floor Cushion, £27 each (were £39), Freemans For a touch of island life, we can’t think of anything cooler than chilling out on a comfy floor cushion. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, a pop of pink is never a bad idea. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The most unhygienic things in your kitchen revealed – and how to get them clean Laura Whitmore: I feel unsafe as a woman Meet the professional cuddler charging £70-an-hour to hug ‘the big spoons in life’

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While the bridal gown will usually be the sartorial focal point of any wedding (and rightly so), bridesmaid’s outfits are an important part of the overall aesthetic. As a bride, not only do you want your bridesmaids’ dresses to complement yours, you also want your BFFs to feel fabulous on your big day – and depending on the size of your bridal party, you’ll have several opinions to take into account. As with bridal gowns, bridesmaid trends come and go too, so what’s hot this wedding season? We asked fashion experts to run down the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends of the moment. Here’s what they had to say… 1. Sage green Six Stories Sage Halter Neck Satin Bridesmaid Dress, £120“Sage green is definitely the most popular colour for bridesmaid dresses this season,” says Lucy Menghini, founder of Six Stories. Following last year’s surge in deep green shades like emerald, now softer hues have come to the fore. “The good thing about sage green is that it can work all year round,” Menghini adds. “While it’s a beautiful shade for summer, the grey undertones make it a perfect pick for autumn/winter weddings too.” 2. Same shade, different styles Gone are the days when every bridesmaid had to wear an identical dress or the exact same colour. “With this trend, bridesmaids can wear a variety of different shape and style dresses, which are tied together by being similar hues of the same colour, or a range of complimentary colours,” says Kirsty Keoghan, global general manager of fashion at eBay UK. “I love this trend because it promotes individuality and helps bridesmaids feel their most confident selves on the big day.” It makes shopping a whole lot easier too, adds Menghini: “It also allows the bridesmaids to have a say in what type of dress they find most comfortable and flattering.” 3. Classic black dresses Monsoon Beatrice Crepe Bardot Maxi Dress Black, £87.50 (was £125)While a black wedding gown might not be for everyone, contrasting the white or ivory bridal look with black bridesmaid dresses creates a modern, minimalist colour palette. “Many people are often intimidated by a set of black bridesmaid dresses, however this look adds elegance and finesse to any wedding,” says Menghini. “Black dresses are also perfect for those with large bridal parties, who are looking for different styles of dresses in the same colour, as you won’t have to worry about matching the shades.” 4. Pre-loved pieces “One trend we’ve seen boom is bridesmaids wearing pre-loved wedding attire, with 58% of newlyweds looking at ways to shop sustainably and 75% of couples getting married looking to keep the costs down,” says Keoghan. Occasionwear is perfect for shopping second-hand, because many garments have only been worn once so they’re in excellent condition (plus there might be big savings to be made). Bringing together dresses from brands like, Monsoon, Karen Millen and Ted Baker, eBay has launched a pre-loved wedding hub. Keoghan adds: “Bridesmaids can look to the hub to find unique options from the high-street, to high-end, that increase the lifespan of the dress, for a fraction of the retail price.” 5. Satin no more Traditionally, bridesmaid dresses often had a silk or satin finish, but recently there’s been a trend for different materials and textures. “In particular, velvet dresses have emerged as a front runner in autumn and winter weddings, as a fabric which adds a new layer of elegance and luxe to the bridal party, while also providing a bit of warmth for the person wearing it,” says Keoghan. “Taking it a step further, we expect to see more bridal party styling to feature dresses which are made from an array of fabrics, whether it’s velvet, lace or chiffon.” 6. Style over symmetry New Look Pale Grey Satin One Shoulder Ruched Maxi Dress, £45.99“One shoulder silhouettes are set to take over weddings this summer – it is definitely the bridesmaid shape of 2023,” Menghini says. “Perfect for summer weddings, the asymmetric shape is stylish and sleek and is such a flattering shape.” Also, multi-way maxi dresses are a stylish solution for bridesmaids – the ribbon ties can be fashioned into an asymmetric neckline. How should you style a one-shoulder dress? “Accessories can be pretty minimal, as the neckline is the star of the show,” says Menghini. “Steer clear of necklaces and stick with simple earrings, rings and a bracelet.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls George Alagiah: What are the signs of bowel cancer?

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Eight habits that could help people live more than 20 years longer have been identified by researchers. While it’s long been known that certain lifestyle factors can influence lifespan, the American study isolated the eight factors that have the biggest impact – being physically active, being free from opioid addiction, not smoking, managing stress, having a good diet, not regularly binge drinking, having good sleep hygiene, and having positive social relationships. The research was presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and used data from 719,147 people enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program. It found low physical activity, opioid use and smoking were associated with around a 30-45% higher risk of death, while stress, binge drinking, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with around a 20% increase, and lack of positive social relationships was linked with a 5% increased risk of dying. Men who had all eight habits at age 40 were predicted to live an average 24 years longer than men with none of the habits, according to the findings, and women with all eight habits in middle age were predicted to live an extra 21 years, compared with women with none of the habits. Xuan-Mai Nguyen, health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said: “We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three, or all eight lifestyle factors. Our research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, it still is beneficial.” The researchers say the findings highlight how lifestyle factors contribute to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are associated with premature disability and death. How to embrace the eight healthy habits Inspired to give your own lifestyle a boost? “If making these small but mighty adjustments could help you to live for an extra 20 years, maybe it’s time to make those changes,” says life and wellbeing coach, Natalie Trice. She shares the following insights and tips… 1. Do more exerciseRegular exercise can help prevent a wide range of major diseases – plus it’s great for keeping stress levels in check. “Going for a walk, having a swim, running with friends, even just a good old dance-off in the kitchen can get your heartbeat up and those feel-good endorphins pumping – so get your trainers on and start moving,” says Trice. 2. Manage stressTrice suggests adopting simple stress-busting practices such as mindfulness meditation, and enjoying hobbies and sports. “These can profoundly impact overall wellbeing, as you bring your stress levels down,” she says. “This isn’t about pretending everything’s great, but rather looking at easy habits you can adopt that will take down the stress, which can lead to anxiety and burnout.” 3. Don’t smoke Quitting smoking is an essential step in improving health and potentially adding years to your life. Trice points out that while some people may think reaching for a cigarette takes the edge off their stress, there are healthier ways to cope. “Maybe going running or taking up yoga could be the release and focus you need, and one that will help you live longer, smell fresher and feel better,” she suggests. “Also, with the cost of cigarettes going up all the time, giving up will free up cash for the things in life that really need to be paid for.”If you are struggling to quit smoking, talk to your GP about options available to help. 4. Don’t binge drink“By cutting down on booze, you’re doing your body and brain a massive favour,” says Trice. “Drinking every night will impact your body and could affect your sleep and work performance. Enjoy life, but if you want to enjoy it for longer, then keep tabs on your drinking.” Official guidelines suggest drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week (equivalent to six medium glasses of wine of six pints of beer), spread across at least three days. 5. Eat healthily Generally speaking, a balanced diet that’s rich in fibre, whole grains, fruit and veg and lean protein, with heavily processed and sugary foods kept to a minimum, is linked with better health. “We all know about eating five-a-day but doing this can be tough if you’re busy with family and work. If you can start to do this, you’ll feel better,” says Trice. “Focus on eating regularly and thinking about what you put in your body, so that it works for you, not against you.” 6. Don’t take drugsRecreational drugs can harm health in a number of ways. Trice suggests those affected start by speaking to a trusted friend or their GP, and “look at the support which could not only extend your life, but save it”. 7. Try to get good sleep Trice says: “It’s vital that we look at getting a decent night’s sleep, as this can help you feel so much better. Making sure you have a sleep routine in place can be helpful and can be as easy as having no screens in the bedroom, having a bath or shower before you hit the sack, as well as making sure the temperature is right and you have curtains to keep the light out in the mornings.” 8. Nurture positive social relationshipsTrice observes: “If you’re able to nurture a supportive network of friends, colleagues and family, this can lead to improved mental and emotional wellbeing and a longer life.” Lacking social connections? Look at local volunteering opportunities and community walks and groups. Making friends can take time, but even finding ways to regularly spend time and interact with others can help. 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