Table of contents for 8 - 2017 in Best

Last weekend, I went to a spa in Devon. To be fair, even when I treat myself at the local beauty salon I love every second, so it was a given I was going to enjoy the experience. But, this time, I discovered a fantastic British brand of products. So, like Peter Andre in the Npower ads (see left!), I’ve gone all zen… and I’m going to let you in on the secret: it’s called AromaWorks. Invented by Jane Hibbert, the aromatherapy oils are now in my bathroom cupboard, and I’m currently burning an ‘Inspire’ diffuser at my desk. Everything it sells is 100 per cent natural and, apparently, some of our top TV stars have known about it for a while now, so… take a look! • Please let…

‘Richard just started having a fit in the middle of the street, shouting at me’ The thought of a stalker is a terrifying one for any woman. So it’s little wonder that Richard Madeley has despaired over the man who’s been seemingly obsessed with himself and his wife for the past three years... Last summer, on a book tour of the Lake District promoting Richard’s latest novel, The Night Book, the exasperated star noticed the man following the couple for four days. It all came to a head in Cockermouth, Cumbria, when Judy Finnigan, 68, refused to leave the car, and her hubby confronted the man. According to a bystander, Richard then ‘had a screaming match with him in the middle of the street. Judy looked terrified and refused to…

It’s been a frantic time for Sarah Parish of late. best visited the 48-year-old on the set of Broadchurch, and she’s also filming a new series of the comedy W1A in London. This means dashing to and from the Hampshire home she shares with her husband, Suspects actor James Murray, 42, and their seven-yearold daughter Nell. Heartbreakingly, Sarah lost a child before Nell was born. Ella- Jayne died of a heart complication at eight months old in 2009, and her parents now run the Murray Parish Trust charity in her memory. Here, the actress talks about her family life, and explains why filming Broadchurch brought back painful memories of her dad… Sarah, not many people realise you’re a West Country girl. Now you can show off your native accent in Broadchurch… I…

She’s happily married (to second husband, charity director Mark Bignell, 53), but that doesn’t mean Dawn French is ready to tone down her impish nature! The comedian and author, 59, was spectacularly propositioned on Twitter recently, by funnyman Rufus Hound (also happily married). Enamoured Rufus, 37, had clearly been listening to an interview with Dawn (as part of a podcast series with comic Richard Herring) and was impressed, tweeting, ‘Listened to your [podcast] last night and, suffice to say, the amount I would like to snog your whole face off hasn’t diminished. Dawn, never one to shy away from making a statement herself, responded with, ‘Bring it on, likely lad…’ Rufus, set to play Mr Toad in this summer’s London West End production of The Wind In The Willows, is clearly…

Anti-ageing guru Lesley Reynolds reveals the latest treatments to help you stay youthful The skin around our eyes ages 36 per cent faster than the rest of our skin, and concealer can only do so much. Consider these clever options to put the sparkle back. BANISH BAGS Partly down to genes, puffy eyes can also be due to an allergy or sinus problem – and the older you get, the more visible the problem, particularly over the age of 45. The wrinkle-reduction treatment Pellevé instantly refreshes the area using radio-frequency energy. A small device placed against your skin stimulates collagen production to lift and smooth the area. Results can be seen straight away but, for best results, a six-week course, costing £998, will keep your peepers perkier for longer. LIFT…

best DESIGNER LUXE best VALUE TOP TIP If pastel shades leave your nails looking streaky, apply two coats for a bolder, glossier finish.…

Rose*, 40, loves being dominated in the bedroom, letting herself go completely, and having mind-blowing sex. Fifty Shades has nothing on her. There’s an intimacy and closeness between her and her partner – an understanding of each other’s needs that are totally fulfilled. But after the kinky sex, Rose showers, gets dressed and says goodbye to her partner – with both of them going their separate ways back to their respective husband and wife. Rose has been married for over 10 years and says the physical side of her marriage has always been ‘safe’. ‘I love my husband, and I still want to be married to him,’ she reveals. ‘I’ve had difficult relationships in the past and it feels good to be in a secure union.’ But while Rose is adventurous in…

BEFORE YOU GO You’ll need a tourist visa to visit China if you plan on staying there for longer than 72 hours – you won’t be able to leave the airport without one! Visit visaforchina.org to find out how to apply. TRAVEL SNAPSHOT China’s sprawling capital is home to over 22 million people, and is a big, buzzy city. It’s the closest place to several well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, but there are dozens of other fascinating sites to visit here – including the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Palace, Tiananmen Square, where you’ll find the mausoleum of Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong, plus temples, museums and parks. There’s also great shopping, with fascinating street markets, and delicious food. INSIDER’S GUIDE The Great Wall is more than 2,000…

Perfect pancakes Nutri Snack Crêpe Maker, £24.99 at Lakeland A lightweight gadget with a healthy twist. Comes with a booklet of low-fat option recipes. Breville Traditional Crêpe Maker, £29 at ao.com A sleek, modern gadget. Easy to use. No flipping required and has a T-stick for spreading. VonShef Black Electric Crêpe Maker, £27.99 at domu.co.uk On the larger side, so not ideal in compact kitchens, but simple to operate. Makes great crêpes and tortillas. Waffle on Cuisinart Waffle Maker, £60 The key to getting the most out of this dinky machine is nailing the mixture. Thanks to the recipe book inside, it’s fairly straightforward. Aldi Heart Waffle Maker, £19.99 A basic budget buy that produces perfect heart-shaped waffles, but takes longer to brown than it states. Sage By Heston Blumenthal…

CAROL McGIFFIN THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘I really hope I don’t bump into Jane Park any time soon, because I might have to give her a slap. She’s the girl who won £1 million on the National Lottery in 2013 at the age of 17, making her the youngest-ever winner at the time, with her first-ever ticket. Predictably, she spent large sums on all those things girls her age aspire to. Giant new boobs, fillers and Botox, a customised purple Range Rover, a couple of flats, designer togs, luxury holidays… Now 21, the ungrateful little moo is telling anyone who’ll listen that her win ruined her life. According to Jane, she (sometimes) wishes she’d never won and her life is…

They say opposites attract, and that was certainly the case with Jon and me. We met in February 2004, when I was 18, and living in a shared house in our home town of Rainham, Kent. Jon knew one of my flatmates, and had popped round. Immediately, his cheekychappy sense of humour had me giggling, and I was charmed by his wide smile. But his smile wasn’t the only thing that was wide. So was his waist. At just 21, he was already 18st, wore XXXL clothes and had a 42in waist. Standing at just 5ft 8in, that was quite something. I was a size 8 gym bunny, so we couldn’t have been more different, but I didn’t care. We stayed up the whole night, and by the next morning…

‘If ther e’s one thing I’ve learned’ ‘Tell the people close to you that you love them every single day. You never know when it will be your last opportunity.’ You never expect to outlive your kids, and it’s something no parent should ever have to endure. The pain is indescribable, a gaping hole that will never be filled, especially when your child is killed trying to be a Good Samaritan. But that’s what happened to me. Two years on, I still miss my son, Zac, every single day. When my husband, David, and I married in 1989, we’d always wanted two kids. After Annia, now 26, and Stefan, 25, arrived, we certainly hadn’t expected our wonderful miracle twins, Zac and Nathan, to follow. ‘That’s the best buy-oneget- one-free offer…

Did you know? She may be hosting a food show, but Susanna’s not averse to a cheeky takeaway. ‘I can happily sit in on a Friday night with a burrito, then have a Chinese the next night.’ Good Morning Britain co-hosts Susanna Reid, 46, and Piers Morgan, 51, have always been a formidable double act. But Susanna is set to spread her wings (leaving Piers behind) as she begins her first prime-time TV hosting spot – with another man! Susanna’s new on-screen ‘husband’ is laid-back chef Matt Tebbutt, who will be joining her to co-present a new eight-part series, Save Money: Good Food, coming soon to ITV. It will see Susanna and Matt, 43, offer top tips on how to save on your food shop without compromising on quality or…

Sarah Pennells It may sound boring, but being clued-up about your pension pays off, explains personal finance expert Sarah from savvywoman.co.uk The very word ‘pension’ can make us yawn, but planning ahead for the future is crucial. ‘I always say to the women I advise, “Do you want to live off £20 a day?”’ says Sarah. ‘That’s how much the full state pension would give you (currently, it’s £155.65 a week). Personally, I don’t, so I’d encourage anyone who’s hiding their head in the sand to give it serious thought.’ Here are her top pension-savvy tips… GET PENSIONWISE ‘If you’re over 50, you’re entitled to a free online or phone appointment with Pension Wise, the government’s pension help and information service (pensionwise. gov.uk/privacy). It was launched to help people who…

There are so many reasons for feeling more tired than you should, and often it’s actually a combination of a few things. Stress, too little sleep and trying to do too much in the day make us all long for a nap. Whatever the reason, boosting your energy levels through your diet could really help perk you up. GET YOUR OATS Oats have countless health benefits, and a bowl of porridge for breakfast is a good source of slow-release carbohydrates, providing a steady stream of energy through the morning. Throw in some almonds and it’s even better. Sugary cereals, on the other hand, are likely to leave you slumping at your desk very quickly. TIME AND PLACE Think about how, where and when you eat. Mealtimes are a time to…

Pencil it in A straight style can still flatter a tum if you opt for an empire waist. TOP TIP Team blossom prints and bright blues with pretty pastels for an on-trend look. Statement style Invest in a dress with the ‘wow’ factor if you really want to dazzle. Wrap star Don’t be scared of jumpsuits, a crossover one will flatter all figures. You’re a jean-ius Show off some ankle to make your legs look longer.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 When it’s winter, all we want to do is put the kettle on, right? That’s why you’ll love our cup of tea diet. Studies show that tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG), which has been linked to fat-loss, especially around tummies. And other studies show that, combined with caffeine – also linked to weight-loss – they’re the ultimate dream team. 2 All tea comes from the same plant – it’s just processed differently. Here’s a rough guide to how much EGCG is in a cup of each type: • Green tea 70mg • White tea 42 mg • Oolong tea 34mg • Black tea, such as PG Tips 9mg 3 The rules: Follow the plan on the opposite page, which includes breakfast, lunch,…

The Duchess of Cambridge is the Princess with the glorious hair – thick, shining, bouncy tresses – so what’s her secret? Thankfully, for all of us, Kate’s hair is surprisingly easy to copy. All you need to do is master these clever little tricks. Once you’ve become a pro, everyone will be admiring your ‘princess perfect’ hair. Well, they do say imitation is the greatest form of flattery! Fake it yourself Super scalp treatment Nothing is worse than a dry scalp, so why not treat yourself to a mosturising homemade scalp mask… 1. Mix together brown sugar, peppermint oil essence and a little leave-in conditioner. Once combined, massage into your scalp in circular motions for five minutes. Then rinse well. 2. Next, blend two-parts olive oil, two-parts coconut oil and…

Easy-peasy pancakes Don’t worry if you don’t have time to whip up a batter from scratch. Stock up on Two Chicks Shake & Make Pancake Mix, £3.99, now, and keep it in the fridge for Shrove Tuesday. You can make pancakes in a jiffy! The mix is also gluten- and lactose-free. A PIE OF PERFECTION Delicious combo What do you get if you cross two comfort food classics together? The M&S Mac ’n’ Cheese & Bacon Pie, £3. It combines deliciously gooey mac ’n’ cheese topped with smoked bacon and surrounded by a pie crust. It’s delicious, but rich. Ideal if you fancy something naughty but nice for dinner. Magic beans! Slash sugar without compromising on taste with new Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz, 75p. You could make this simple…

Tony Cowell THE CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO SIENNA GUILLORY Former model Sienna Guillory, 41, found fame in the 1993 TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Riders, and has since starred in Luther, Fortitude and Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, which is back for a second series on Sky 1. It stars James Nesbitt as Harry, Clayton, a detective with the power to control luck. Lucky Man is a brilliant idea for a TV show. What attracted you to the role of Eve? It’s very rare to find someone so good to work with, and James [Nesbitt] is just one of those actors who is also an incredibly nice man. And I respect Sky for coming up with such a clever, original idea. So it was a dream job; I’m so grateful I was asked…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £ 100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Both sets of clues lead to the same answers, revealing in the shaded squares a film starring Rachel Weisz (6) STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 7 Nervous anticipation (8) 9 Loathing, detestation (6) 10 Large wild cat (4) 11 Initially, in the first place (10) 12 Felony (5) 14 Concerned with, regarding (5) 15 Involved with work (4) 16 Device for carrying cups and saucers, etc. (4) 17 Slumbered (5) 18 Sorts, classifications (5) 23 An amassment of stamps, e.g. (10) 24 Podded vegetables (4) 25 Be an intrinsic part of something (6) 26 Scatters water particles (8) DOWN 1 Lower in age or rank (6) 2 Rotate rapidly (4) 3 Aggravate, irk (5) 4 Belonging…

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