Table of contents for 30-Apr-2018 in Look

…Sneak up on 72 per cent of us while we’re showering, so says new science. Cognitive sort Scott Barry Kaufman found that three quarters of people get their most creative BIG light bulb moments while they lather, rinse and repeat – meaning these precious soapy seconds could actually change your life. Puts a whole new pressure on your Radox, right? (p29) Perhaps it was a ‘Brain Shower’ that first sparked Charlotte Crawley’s million dollar blog idea ‘Mad About Meghan’, so cementing her place in the fashion hall of fame (p8). Charlotte is one among a flurry of fans who’ve proved there is serious money to be made from Markle Mania™. Indeed, Look’s cover star Meghan is likely in the midst of some serious planning of her own this week, with…

The royals (to-be) have also had an effect on holiday trends. Booking.com  exclusively told us that they saw a huge spike in bookings for Windsor the day after the wedding announcement. With Namibia rumoured to be the honeymoon destination, Samuel Hancock, senior account director of the Namibia Tourism Board UK, told us: ‘It is absolutely no surprise that Namibia is a top contender for the royal honeymoon. With some of the most remote and exclusive lodges, and the world famous dunes in the Namib desert, couples will find the perfect honeymoon in Namibia.’…

‘It’s something I’ve been working on passionately and secretly for a long time.’ As Holly Willoughby posted a new, monochromatic Instagram post on a Sunday evening, all was still. All was quiet. Until a nanosecond later when her 3.5million-strong following erupted in a social media frenzy. The 37-year-old television presenter, who has won over a new legion of fans with her daily outfit photos, has announced she’s launching her very own lifestyle brand and accompanying blog, Truly, which is scheduled to go live in the autumn. Speaking of the launch, Holly revealed Truly will also oversee a charity foundation, as well as feature an online forum where people can talk with one another and share their own stories and experiences. ‘For me, being a woman, it’s nice to have a…

Finding cheap, chic fashion is our USP. Cheap chic fashion that 1) looks as close to designer as possible and 2) costs next to nothing – and our latest discovery does both of those things. Cast your eyes over the latest string bag style, which at only £22 has already adorned the arms of influencers rarely seen sans a Céline/Chloé/Gucci carryall. Our point? ASOS’s £22 leather number is just as cool as couture, minus the painful price tag. Back of the net.…

Look’s Gilly @gillyferg Age: 35 ‘I’m a newish mum and, truth be told, have aged approximately 105 years ever since our bundle of gurgles (3am starts) landed. Coochycoo laughter lines, a furrowed feeding brow, eye bags as deep as the Atlantic – I’m embracing them all. But to say I was excited about No7’s latest cult serum is an understatement. Seven days in and am I absolutely ageless? No, of course not, but I have seen a definite improvement in my skin texture, particularly around the eyes. Plus, it costs about £165 less than Botox, so I’m certainly giving this silky superhero a damn good go.’ Verdict: Look’s Victoria @stylemavenworld Age: 33 ‘I don’t have any wrinkles yet, but I am all for preventative treatments, because I want to keep…

Who would Michelle Keegan like to be for 24 hours? Meghan Markle. What did she love about attending the Oscars after-party earlier this year? The free bar. Why does she wear hats on planes? She can’t be bothered to do her hair. We love chatting to Michelle. Not because this writer is also from Manchester (OK, that’s a big part of it) – but because she’s honest, hilarious, and if her story about a week in Ibiza with her mates is anything to go by, she really is all of us (more on that later). LA life suits Michelle. She looks happier than we’ve ever seen her – a combination of having the flexibility to work out more, the freedom to travel back and forth between the UK and the…

If boyfriend jeans and scuffed-up Vans are more your thing than a fancy frock, chances are thoughts of organza and tulle fill you with dread. Fret not, for this season there’s way more occasion options on offer. Behold our handpicked edit of cool dress alternatives that’ll change the way you wedding for good... SUITS YOU The suit has slipped into our wardrobes this season and we couldn’t be more pleased. No fake tan or leg shaving required, this hero two-piece is bound to get you noticed. THE BLAZER Meet the blazer/playsuit hybrid that’ll brighten up any ceremony. Mix with clashing accessories for an instant win. SKIRT SWAP If full-on suiting is not your thing, switch it up with a skirt style reminiscent of Chanel for the ultimate chic ensemble. Go…

Totally Traditional ‘It’s my cousin’s wedding in July at our local church, and I’ll be a new mum. What can I wear that’s a smart alternative to a dress that’ll flatter my tummy area?’ Lisette Andrews, Norwich Harriet says: ‘High-waisted, wide-leg trousers are tailored yet glam. Team with a ruffle-layered top and comfy all-day midi heels to take it from everyday wear to occasion. Mango’s floral clutch will be the only accessory you need.’ Globetrotter ‘I’m off to Australia for my best friend’s wedding. What can I wear that’s still appropriate for the formal day, but will also keep me cool?’ Tania Nash, London Harriet says: ‘A linen dress will be lightweight to wear and pack. A straw bag, colour-block mules and cat-eye sunnies will complete the beachside-glam look.’ Cool…

It’s wedding season, and whether you already love a long run or want to set a new PB ahead of the big day, a good pair of running shoes can make the world of difference. OK, so not headline news here, but what you might not know about are the finer details: super-cushioned soles increase comfort, stretch fabrics provide lightweight fit and foam bubbles deliver springy speed. Add all that to style and you have the Look edit... BEST FOR COMFORT Gel-Nimbus 20, £130, Asics BEST FOR SPEED Alphabounce Beyond, £79.95, Adidas BEST FOR AGILITY Kinvara 9, £115, Saucony BEST FOR SUPPORT Air VaporMax Flyknit 2, £169.95, Nike BEST FOR OFF-ROAD Fresh Foam Hierro v3, £110, New Balance APP OF THE WEEK Fiit Using your age, weight and fitness level,…

Ocado.com  has seen a 27 per cent weekly increase in sales of the African fruit with a citrus flavour since the start of 2018, thanks to its high levels of potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, calcium and fibre – yep, that’s all in there. Here are three ways to add it into your diet… Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder Blend the citrus-flavoured powder into yogurt for a vitamin C hit when tired. £3.99, Hollandandbarrett.com Naturya Baobab Raspberry Super Conserve Spread this on your sourdough as an alternative to your usual avocado. £4.99, Ocado.com BareOrganics Baobab Fruit Powder Mix a teaspoon into your fave fruit juice for a hit of hydration. £10.99, Bareorganics.com…

Found! 22 treats we need in our lives! 1. STAR BUY OF THE WEEK This pretty pink perfume contains one of the most luxe ingredients in the fragrance world – iris, which must be left for six years before the scent can be extracted. Atelier Cologne chose Moroccan iris and blended it with their signature citrus scent and Gaiac wood from Central America. The result is Iris Rebelle – soft and delicate, but lingers on your skin hours after each spritz. It’s our new date night aroma. Atelier Cologne Iris Rebelle, £115 for 100ml 2. MULES RULE Shoes, £59.99, Mango 3. EASILY SUEDE Jacket, £85, ASOS 4. SPOT ON Dress, £49, Topshop 5. GET SHIRTY Shirtdress, £169, Hobbs 6. BRIGHT SPARK Notepad, £5, Next 7. TOOTY FRUITY Herbal Essences Bio:renew…

Just imagine, you’re a small fashion brand, you’re doing OK, then BOOM, Meghan Markle wears an item from your website. Suddenly your website crashes… It’s a feeling that sunglasses brand Finlay & Co know only too well. When Meghan was spotted wearing their ‘Percy’ specs during her first public appearance with Harry last September, the brand saw a 1,000 per cent increase in sales, with the specific style accounting for 80 per cent of all web purchases during the period Meghan was pictured wearing them. Missoma jewellery saw a peak when Meghan wore their Interstellar ring [£45, Missoma.com] in February. ‘We’ve certainly seen a great uplift in sales and conversation aroundthe piece since Meghan wore it onhertrip to Scotland,’ a spokesperson forthe brand exclusively tells Look. ‘Just as we did…

JACKET ‘Draping her Camilla and Marc jacket, £380, over her shoulders is a trend-led way of doing conservative.’ Maxine, Look’s Fashion News Editor BAG Meghan’s a big fan of the cross-body bag (we love the Oroton Avalon, £171, she’s sporting). DRESS Will Meghan stick with royal protocol and keep hemlines long, as she has with her Altuzzara dress, £1,450? SHOES ‘Meghan’s wearing Paramour heels, £334, by Tamara Mellon. The double straps mean the heels are more secure and easier to walk in.’ Maxine, Look’s Fashion News Editor…

A few weeks back we told you about five Scandinavian brands that were making their mark on British soil, via Debenhams. Fast forward to the present, and it seems as though every cool girl out there read Look, natch, and is taking note of one label in particular: Minimum. When we spot clothing so good that it takes over the Insta-sphere, it’d be rude not to share it with you. The brand's premium-looking separates with reasonable price tags have us all obsessed. With prints that’ll rival those at Réalisation Par, and the slogan ‘Orange’ T-shirt that’s destined to be the new Ganni ‘Yellow’ banana tee (for a fraction of the cost), it’s no wonder it’s destined for cult status. Home in on your hero piece now, though, as we predict…

French Connection Topshop Warehouse Miss Selfridge Marks & Spencer Mango Zara H&M…

EDITOR: GILLY FERGUSON Spa weekend FEATURES EDITOR: GISELLE WAINWRIGHT Music festival DEPUTY FASHION EDITOR: SARAH BARLOW Party in Ibiza FASHION WRITER: BRIDIE WILKINS Yoga retreat SENIOR FASHION ASSISTANT: SARAH-ROSE HARRISON Dinner party LOOK INFLUENCER: GEMMA STYLES Country getaway LOOK INFLUENCER: DAISIE SMITH Shopping and cocktails WANT TO BE A LOOK INFLUENCER? Tag @Lookmagazine on Instagram #LookAtMe to join our global network of style ambassadors…

Since Meghan and Harry went public, several blogs and websites documenting Meghan’s every move, have flourished. Meghan’s Mirror launched in November 2016 as a sister project to an already existing blog dedicated to the Duchess of Cambridge, What Would Kate Do? ‘We’ll identify [each item] and tell people where to buy it at places where it’s still available,’ says Amanda Dishaw, editorial director at Meghansmirror.com. ‘The day of the engagement announcement marked huge amounts of traffic to our site and grows every month. Both Christine [Meghan’s Mirror co-editor] and I have other jobs and do this on the side. But ‘on the side’ is looking like 30+ hours a week to be quite blunt and honest.’ Meanwhile, 26-year-old Charlotte Crawley runs Mad About Meghan, a similar Meghan-dedicated blog devoted not…

Nivea Q10 Plus Firming Body Lotion, £6.79 ‘It’s honestly my favourite lotion, it’s so affordable, and makes my skin look and feel amazing.’ Chanel Sublimage Le Teint Ultimate Radiance-Generating Cream, £100 ‘On set I use Chanel foundation that sets into a powder.’ Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance, £30 ‘It’s amazing because you can still see freckles, but your skin has a glow.’ YvesSaint Laurent Touche Éclat, £25 ‘My routine is simple, I call it the five-minute face. It’s just Touche Éclat, curled lashes, mascara, ChapStick and a little bit of blush’ . MAC Eye Kohl, Teddy, £15 ‘If I’m going to amp it up for a night, then I use MAC Teddy eyeliner, which is a really beautiful brown that has some gold in it.’ Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser, £32,…

Remember when everyone went mad for gingham? Don’t get us wrong, we’re still big fans of the whole checked vibe, but with summer on the horizon, our wardrobe is crying out for a bit of colour. Cue lemon print. It’s been a staple on near enough every single Dolce & Gabbana catwalk, and hailing from Sicily, it’s basically made for warm weather. Handily, then, it’s all over the high street, and our fave influencers are already big fans. Squeeze the day, ladies.…

Consider Emma Stone’s cult yellow La La Land dress. It went down in costume history and made canary coloured frocks a symbol of style the second it hit the big screen. This is exactly the level of esteem now associated with green floral frocks. The story starts with ASOS’s pleated maxi, which sold out almost instantly and has been restocked numerous times since. Meanwhile, a whole host of other high street stores launched their own designs, and literally everyone bought one. Wear a midi over jeans when it’s chilly, ramp up the retro vibes with white ankle boots, or go casual with kicks, a biker jacket and Gucci belt bag if you’re feeling flash.…

Sure, there was glitter, pastel hair and plaits aplenty, but over at Coachella this weekend, our number one beauty look went to Romee Strijd’s tangerine dream eyeshadow. Here, Look’s Deputy Beauty Editor shows you how to get the look at home… The focus is on your bold eyeshadow, so ditch the heavy contour and keep the rest of your make-up fresh and dewy. Use an eye primer to lock in the look before patting on your shadow colour. By pressing in the pigment you’ll get a bolder colour payoff. Blend the outer edges with a soft bristle brush to give the shadow a soft-focus defused edge, be using a gold highlighter on your brow bone, inner corner o eye and under your l Finish off the look with a sweep…

BRAND TO BOOKMARK: NEEDLE & THREAD Whenever we have a spare two minutes, we always find ourselves pining after Needle & Thread’s couture-worthy collection. It’s become a bit of an obsession, so what better way to live out our fashion fantasies than investing in one of the brand’s newest offerings? Chic Alternative Nuptials before payday? Chi Chi London is your one-stop shop for dreamy dresses, minus the hefty price tag...…

Gabrielle Dyer, Beauty Writer ‘Flats all the way for me. This pastel pair will look hot with a contrasting suit.’ Sarah Harrison, Acting Senior Fashion Assistant ‘I’m all for a low heel. These Mango winners are so statement it won’t matter about the height.’ Harriet Davey, Acting Deputy Fashion News Editor ‘As a mule obsessive, this lilac pair will see me through wedding season and beyond.’ Victoria Adegboyega, Picture Editor ‘I’m a midi-heel kinda gal. These block heels with mesh detail are the dream shoe.’ Maxine Eggenberger, Fashion News Editor ‘Now that Topshop includes comfy cushioning in most heels, I’m able to dance the night away, pain-free!’ Lucy Devine, Features Writer ‘Nothing can come between a Manchester girl…

1 Wear A New Scent To Remind You Of The Day Beauty Editor Lydia explains: ‘Fragrance is emotive, so wear a new perfume that will always take you back. I love mandarin and orange scents, like Jo Loves Pomelo, £70 for 50ml, but I wear it daily, so I’ve picked out Floral Street London Poppy, £55 for 50ml, for when I get married this June. It’s similar but it has a gorgeous lemon twist.’ 2 How To Kill A Spot If It Crops Up Uninvited Leading facialist @michaellabolder reveals: ‘If you break out the morning of your wedding, pop a teaspoon in the freezer for 10 minutes. Double cleanse your skin, avoiding the area, then soak a cotton bud in Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector, or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid…

1 Going to try on bridal dresses on your own is actually great. I always thought you needed to have that second opinion, but I ended up going to one of my appointments by myself. And it was actually so nice, because it meant I wasn’t thinking about anyone else’s opinion but my own. It also enabled me to really take the time to think about how I felt in each dress and I was a lot more relaxed. Looking back, I wish I’d done more like that. 2 Your wedding dress is one thing you can actually save money on. Sample sales are a fantastic way of picking up a bargain, as most brands still offer you the same alterations service they offer on full-price gowns, and smaller boutiques…

Bey-eautiful… Distracting us with a Destiny’s Child reunion? Nice try Beyoncé, we’d already spotted those earrings from a mile off (OK, three rows in) at Coachella. It’s time to discover your inner diva! #FeelPretty We’re counting the days until Amy Schumer’s new flick, I Feel Pretty, hits cinema screens on 4 May. So excited are we that we’ve dedicated next week’s issue to all things confidence. Pick up a copy and you’ll see why #FeelPretty is what we all need right now... Braidy Bunch Is it a rose or is it hair? Ditch the flower crown for this floral updo, which went viral last week. We’re currently perfecting our plaiting skills and should be able to achieve this by, ooh, Coachella 2019. Round The Blend Sephora launched a new beauty…