Beauty SOS: Our Editors Answer Your Biggest Dilemmas

My mascara always smudges under my eyes – which formulas are worth trying?

"Tubing mascaras are a game changer. The formulation relies on fibre-like polymers that wrap around the lashes, rather than a pigmented wax, so there’s zero chance of smudging. Some can flake a little, or feel quite heavy but generally, they're brilliant. My favourites are the ones from Hourglass, Victoria Beckham, Merit and Urban Decay."

I’ve overdone it with the heat styling – how can I make my hair feel healthier again?

"I too am trying to hold back from using too much heat on my hair. My advice is to look into the right products – the ones that can smooth, lift or even add a curl without the need for a tool. There are some great air-dry formulas out there, for example, that will create a nice wave depending on your hair type (like the JVN one or try Living Proof). In terms of bringing your hair back to life, I recommend trying bond repair products – like the Olaplex shampoo or Ouai's in-shower treatment.”

My skin looks so puffy when I wake up – what can I do to calm things down?

"The old trick of fridge-cold spoons genuinely works – as does some manual lymphatic massage. I'd enlist the help of a gua sha to really work away the puffiness, giving myself a thorough five-minute go-over to encourage the contours to come back. I'd also keep some cooling eye masks to hand – Dr Barbara Sturm's are great."

I’m taking a break from gels and want my natural nails to look their best – any tips? 

“First and foremost, stop using your nails as tools – gloves are your best friend if you’re cleaning at home with chemicals. I like to keep mine short, filed and neat – learning to safely use a cuticle nipper is a total game-changer. Beyond that, BioSculpture’s vitamin-rich drops are excellent – apply them like it’s going out of fashion then seal it in with an oil or serum – and I’m obsessed with Navy’s clicky pen. As ever, consistency is key. Don’t be afraid to oil your nails multiple times a day. Then for a hint of colour, Manicurist’s Active Blur bathes your nails in a velvety-pink veil and just makes you feel that bit more put-together.” 

The skin on my body is feeling dry and rough – how can I make it feel smoother?

“Adding some gentle exfoliation into your routine will make the biggest difference here – whether that’s physical, chemical or a mix of the two. I use a sisal soap bag on my skin every time I shower (buy them in multipacks from Amazon, just make sure you change it regularly) which helps to slough away dead skin. Prequel’s Gleanser has really impressed me recently; it has that slippy consistency which means you can tell it’s 50% glycerin and leaves your skin touchably soft but never overstripped. Then there’s criminally underrated Ameliorate, which is full of skin-smoothing AHAs. Another tip is to shave with an oil to give your skin that silky, supple feel.” 

My face needs a bit of warmth but I’m scared of fake tan – where should I start?

“I totally get the fear of orange streaks – but actually the options are so good these days you needn’t worry. My favourite trick when my skin is looking tired is to add a couple of drops of self-tan into my night cream, meaning I’ll wake up looking healthy and rested. The effect is glowy and subtle, rather than overdone. Plus, you can be really slapdash with the application – simply massage it into your skin with your fingertips as you would your normal moisturiser and rinse your hands properly after to avoid any tell-take lines. I swear by St. Tropez but you’re also in safe hands with Bare By Vogue and Self Glow By James Read.”