Fab Daily

Style queen Nicky Hambleton-Jones, former presenter of the Channel 4 show, 10 Years Younger, and author of a new book, Bolder Not Older, tells Natalie Clarke that the celebrity fad for hanging Labubus off designer bags is not only childish, but a style crime…

The latest must-have fashion item among A-listers isn’t a Hermes Birkin handbag, Gucci belt or Cartier watch. No, it’s a tacky little monster that you can buy for 20 quid.

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I’m talking about Labubus. If you haven’t heard of them, prepare to find them on your child’s Christmas wish list.

And when I say child, I mean grown-up child, as it’s adults who are jumping on this weird, ­juvenile trend.

I’ll say it, I hate Labubus. Of all the bag charms out there, they’ve got to be the worst. I think they are ugly, really, really ugly. And because they’re so ugly they’re noticeable, right?

It’s a fad, of course, feeding the demand for plastic tat.

Like with most trends, celebrities are fuelling it.

The celebrity who seems to have started it all is Lisa, one of the band members from South Korean girl group Blackpink.

She has a Labubu hanging off her Louis Vuitton bag.

She recently wore a Labubu-themed outfit on stage and is so mad on Labubus it’s been said she has become Labubu — whatever that means.

Then we’ve got Rihanna, who has also been seen with Labubus on her Louis ­Vuitton bag.

Dua Lipa has put grey and pink Labubus on a designer red bag.

Ghastly charms

Lady Gaga had one custom made, a Labubu with a red outfit that matched her outfit from her Abracadabra music video.

She put the Labubu on her black Hermes bag.

Even Cher has been seen out and about with the childish charm hanging off her bag.

Reality TV stars love them too — from Kim Kardashian to Gemma Collins and Olivia Attwood.

Olivia had a Labubu-themed birthday party in May where she bought the dolls for each of her 100 guests.

They’re everywhere — hanging off designer bags which are meant to be discreet and understated, quiet luxury.

Labubus are juvenile and gauche.

Putting these ghastly charms on covetable luxury goes against everything designer labels represent.

My kids find their faces quite scary, it’s not something they want in their bedroom

Natalie

The Labubu is the complete opposite of the aesthetic a designer bag represents.

It kills the luxury element, and some of these celebrities have so many Labubus you can’t even see the handbag due to the visual clutter.

I beg, please take them off!

Labubus are for kids — and if your child is under the age of 18 and asking for one for Christmas, then fair play, I guess.

But children don’t seem to be jumping on this bandwagon as much as adults.

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My kids find their faces quite scary, it’s not something they want in their bedroom.

These things are menacing-looking plushy toys with strange, pointy teeth and rabbit ears.

The character was created by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born illustrator, in 2015.

It was one of a number of characters called The Monsters who featured in his graphic novels.

Labubu is a kind but mischievous elf who lives in a mythical forest.

She is well-meaning but has an unfortunate habit of getting into trouble.

In 2019 the Chinese company Pop Mart began selling Labubu and the other Monsters online, but it was Labubu who, for some reason, grabbed everyone’s attention.

There are lots of versions, sold as a series, such as the Big Into Energy, Coca-Cola and Lazy Yoga series.

Often, you don’t know which Labubu is inside the box when you buy it, so there is an element of surprise.

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And, of course, they have become collectables.

You can pick one up from Pop Mart from around £16, with prices ranging up to about £80 or so, but they sell out quickly and people will resell them for hundreds of pounds.

It’s trendy, it’s the new hot thing. It’s very clever. People go crazy for them.

In May, a fight broke out among customers at Pop Mart’s store at Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, East London, and the retailer removed the toys from all 16 of its shops until June “to prevent any potential safety issues”.

There’s nothing charming about these little gremlins

Natalie

My issue with celebrities wearing them as part of their outfits is that they are doing it to jump on the hype — possibly for social media likes — and they are fuelling this frenzy around cheap plastic tat.

The socialite Paris Hilton was photographed giving Labubus to her children.

Even Paris’s mum Kathy has one! And David Beckham posted a picture of a brown Labubu which his daughter Harper bought him.

Now ordinary people who can’t afford a Birkin are buying a Labubu to get a piece of the ­celebrity lifestyle — it’s a statement accessory that most people can afford.

But it kills the idea of quality, of good fabric and conscious shopping.

If you can’t get hold of a Labubu, you can easily buy a counterfeit, a Lafufu, for as little as £2.50.

These dupes are almost as popular as the real thing, but can be dangerous for kids, as they might not have been through the same safety checks.

There’s no escaping them. They should be locked up in kids’ bedrooms, not displayed on the bags of grown adults.

The clue is in the name — bag charm.

But there’s nothing charming about these little gremlins.

I give it a year before all these Labubus are filling up landfill sites.

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HER incredible figure has been the envy of women across the world for decades.

But now supermodel-turned-filmmaker Caprice Bourret has revealed she was so scared of being trolled after gaining 20lbs that she turned to weight loss drug Mounjaro.

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The 53-year-old – who was concerned about possible health issues – put on weight after easing up on her strict health regime and started indulging in sweet treats like cake and chocolate, as well her favourite tipple – red wine.

Her relaxed regime in Spring 2024 saw her jump from a size 8 to 12, bringing with it a string of worrying ailments including “heart palpitations”, difficulty walking upstairs, joint pain, severe inflammation and being unable to fit into her designer clothes.

As much as she tried, she just couldn’t shift the weight, which she blames on menopause and a refusal to go on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

“My health was deteriorating and I was feeling really bad about myself,” Caprice, who is also an actress and filmmaker, explains while chatting to us in her gleaming white kitchen as she tucks into a pot of cottage cheese.

“Even small things like walking up the stairs left me huffing and puffing.

“I would get out of bed and my back and joints were inflamed and stiff because of the additional weight.

“I started to get sick more often, so I knew my immunity was being compromised.

“I tried to lose the weight, but I couldn’t because I wasn’t taking HRT and I’m going through the menopause.

“My normal weight is about 138lbs, but I shot up to 160. That was the same weight as when I was pregnant.

“Then I started having these weird heart palpitations. Who has that at 53? I was too young for what was going on.”

Having made her fortune through her good looks and appearing on more than 350 magazine covers, from Vogue to Playboy, Caprice was suddenly terrified of “being judged for not looking how I did in my twenties.”

She continues: “Maybe it was me being hard on myself. Maybe I thought everyone was going to judge me because I was judging myself.

“I guess people might have been more supportive and said ‘you look great’. But I manifested this craziness in my head.

“I used to put on clothes and everything looked amazing, but then nothing fit. Honestly, I thought I’d be judged.”

Dozens of celebrities have confessed to using the jabs including Oprah Winfrey, James Corden, Sharon Osbourne, and tennis player Serena Williams.

But it’s not just showbiz royalty who rely on the drugs to shed the pounds – 1.5million Brits are also hooked.

Most people will find it hard to be sympathetic to super slim Caprice – but she explains that even her doctor was worried and suggested she try the fat busting drug.

I used to put on clothes and everything looked amazing, but then nothing fit. Honestly, I thought I’d be ridiculed

Caprice

At first she was hesitant – always preferring to tackle health issues with natural methods.

But she admits that the reported health benefits of taking Mounjaro – which include reducing inflammation, improving liver health, protecting kidneys, and potentially enhancing cognitive and mental well-being – were attractive.

‘It was awful’

“My BMI was super high,” she says, “and the doctor said: ‘You need help here, you need to lose this weight. You’re borderline clinically obese.’

“But I wasn’t sure. Even when I had bronchitis I had a whole bag of vitamin C and zinc intravenously to get rid of it.

“I like to go down the natural way first but I obviously couldn’t do it this time. It was strange because you’d look at me, and even though I was a size 12 – which is totally normal – I was struggling.”

Regular check-ups ensued, with the doctor prescribing half of .25, “a microdose of a microdose.”

But after a few days Caprice was struck with severe nausea.

“It was awful,” she says, “I got sick to my stomach. I got dizzy and lightheaded but I kept persisting because I needed to lose the weight.

“I continued for two months, mainly because there was all this research about the benefits for cardiovascular health.”

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After two months she lost five pounds but the side effects continued. Battling nausea and not being able to properly enjoy food anymore, she decided to stop taking Mounjaro.

“I’d had enough,” she insists. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I also love craving food and that’s another thing with these drugs, you don’t get the cravings. I really missed that.”

Taking matters into her own hands, she decided to cut out carbs and processed sugar.

“The first month eliminating carbs and sugar was hell,” she explains, “an absolute horror. You are begging for that pasta but I stuck to it.

“Then I started exercising again. I know we go to the office and we get stuck behind the computer and think, tomorrow I’ll do it. But try to make it a part of your life.”

Now she still enjoys three meals a day but has made her portions smaller.

“Sometimes I’ll cheat,” she says, “and have some white rice or a baked potato but that’s okay.

“I only have dark chocolate and lots of honey. I also eat lots of fruit. I love pomegranate, it’s great for your gut health, as is watermelon which is super alkaline.

“At the end of the day we keep our body alkaline and we keep disease away.”

As we talk she pulls out dozens of supplements, swallowing them one by one. Then she shows me Shilajit – a black tar like paste formed from the decomposition of plant and animal matter over centuries in high-altitude regions like the Himalayas.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I also love craving food and that’s another thing with these drugs, you don’t get the cravings. I really missed that

Caprice

She puts some of the paste onto a knife and tells me to lick it off. Intrigued, I follow orders then quickly gag, as it is probably one of the most revolting things I’ve ever tasted.

But she beams. “Well done,” she says, “it’s vile. But it’s full of goodness.”

She also has filtered Kanyon water and she suggests I drink a glass of celery juice every morning if I want to get clear skin.

Talking about her weight loss, she continues: “Since losing the weight I’ve no ache in my joints. The energy levels I have are the same as when I was in my twenties.

“I sleep through the night. Everything has changed.”

Thankfully Mounjaro didn’t damage her sex life. Caprice has been married to businessman Ty Comfort since 2019. They have 12-year-old sons Jett and Jax together.

“That’s been pretty healthy,” she says, smiling, “I have to be honest. My husband is so amazing. Even when I was 20 pounds over, he was like ‘you look great Cap’.

‘Change your lifestyle’

“I actually didn’t tell him I was going on the jabs. But I told him when I finally stopped because I couldn’t stand the sickness.

“When I started to lose weight quite fast by cutting out the carbs and exercising, I’d been away for two weeks shooting a movie.

“I came back and he said: ‘What happened to my wife?’ That’s when I told him. He said: ‘No, Cap, I didn’t mind the curves, I liked the curves.’”

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She won’t be telling her kids about Mounjaro or weight loss because “they already have so much pressure from social media. I don’t want to get it in their heads at all.”

She says everyone in showbusiness is on a weight loss drug. And she recently reached out to one celebrity pal who’d lost too much weight.

She explains: “When you take Mounjaro for a long time your skin changes and loosens. I’ve seen it with my friends. You think you are going to avoid it but you don’t.

“I called up some of my friends, worried, but they are so happy to be that skinny that they don’t see it.

“I think ‘wow, look what it’s done to you.’ It’s complete body dysmorphia.”

She says many of her friends go on the jabs but when they come off they put the weight back on.

“Ultimately, is that going to be healthy?” she wonders. “People are on Ozempic because it’s easy and they are getting a result – but is it at a cost?

“You are losing weight because you are starving your body. Let’s be clear on this. Also a lot of people have been losing their hair. I’ve heard of some women having to wear wigs because of Ozempic.”

At that point she makes me touch her hair, which is extremely thick and silky.

“This is what you get from doing it naturally,” she says. “Yes, it’s more difficult and then you change your lifestyle. I want people to be educated on healthy options and think twice about doing this jab. Ultimately the healthy route is longevity.”

Caprice admits her whole life has centred on her image – and she is not ashamed of being vain.

“I am vain but I don’t care,” she says. “I come from a world of vanity, it’s instilled in me, and it makes me feel good when I look good but it makes me feel good when I feel good more than anything. Health is my number one priority.

“That I swear to you is coming from my heart.”

AS I watched the scene playing out on the TV, my heart started pounding.

Estate agent Cherry was meeting her boyfriend’s mum, Laura, for the first time – bringing back memories of the real-life monster-in-law who tried to destroy me in ways you wouldn’t believe.

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Hoping to make a good impression, she arrived with a beautiful bunch of flowers, but her future mother–in-law callously tossed them on a table, dismissing them as rubbish.

It’s a tale as old as time: son introduces the woman he loves to his mum, who instantly feels jealous that a new female will take her place.

So she makes her life HELL.

The reason The Girlfriend had such a strong impact on me was because, in many ways, I’d been there myself.

My ex’s mum hadn’t just disliked me, she’d hated my guts from day one.

She too had thrown down the flowers I’d given her the first time we met – not onto a table, but on the floor.

And the memories of the awful things she did while I was with her son still make me shudder.

Courteous to my face, but nasty behind my back, my monster-in-law, Jackie, constantly bad-mouthed me to friends and family – even my own neighbours.

She regularly told her son, Simon, that I wasn’t good enough for him and urged him to leave me, despite us having a child together.

Eventually, she succeeded and we split up. I simply couldn’t cope with her twisted games anymore.

Thankfully I’ve had no contact with her since the split, but I still have nightmares about it – and watching TV show The Girlfriend brought them all back.

I won’t spoil the story for those who haven’t seen it, but although Cherry isn’t all that she seems, Laura’s actions beggar belief.

For me, though, there’s one big difference.

Courteous to my face, but nasty behind my back, my monster-in-law, Jackie, constantly bad-mouthed me to friends and family – even my own neighbours

Cherry

While Laura’s awful behaviour pushes her son into his lover’s arm, the same could not be said for me and my ex.

His mother’s constant interference created a crack so wide that we still don’t talk to one another, despite sharing a six-year-old.

‘Overbearing’

I’d hoped the unappreciated flowers might be a misunderstanding, but soon I was being subjected to constant put-downs.

Sometimes we’d pop to her house for breakfast and if I asked for a bit of fruit instead of bacon and egg, she’d tut and mutter that I was ‘strange’.

She’d also get in a huff if Simon chose to spend a Saturday night out with me, instead of going round to see her.

He’d tell me his mum was ‘in a mood’ because he wasn’t paying her as much attention now.

I thought he was joking – at that point I had no idea how bizarre their relationship was.

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Just like obsessed Laura in The Girlfriend, Jackie had to know where Simon was at all times.

She’d call and text him multiple times a day, despite only living around the corner.

On one occasion, we were having sex at 11am when she messaged him six times in a row.

“Can you turn it off?” I pleaded as Jackie’s impatient alerts threatened to kill the moment.

I’m not alone in having a difficult relationship with my partner’s mum.

A two-decade study by Dr Terri Apter, a University of Cambridge psychologist, found that more than 60 per cent of women admitted their relationship with their mother-in-law caused them long-term unhappiness and stress.

Two-thirds of daughters-in-law also believed that their husband’s mother frequently exhibited jealous, maternal love towards their sons.

This was definitely true of Jackie.

She relished standing in front of me with her arms wrapped around Simon’s waist or shoulders.

And she had a key to his flat, so would often turn up unannounced.

One morning I plodded, half-awake, into the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of knickers, only to find Jackie casually washing his dishes.

I complained that I found her actions overbearing and gently tried to explain to Simon that it wasn’t normal for a mum to be so involved in her adult son’s life.

But he responded saying she only did so because she “cared about him so much” and wanted to help.

Two-thirds of daughters-in-law also believed that their husband’s mother frequently exhibited jealous, maternal love towards their sons

During the three years we were together, Jackie would constantly gaslight me, telling Simon she’d sent texts inviting me to the cinema, or out shopping, and that I’d ignored them.

And if he dared take my side, she’d burst into tears on the phone so that he’d have to go round and console her.

Her words were vicious, but her actions were even worse.

If I invited her and her doormat of a husband round for dinner (yes, she controlled him too) she’d politely accept, then not turn up, secretly texting Simon afterwards to say she felt my invite was “fake”.

About a year into our relationship, I found out I was pregnant with our son, Josh.

For a while, Jackie softened – but within minutes of his birth, she reverted to type.

I had a terrible labour which culminated in an emergency c-section. Josh then had to be rushed to intensive care.

I felt exhausted, broken and bloody, so we requested that loved ones give us time to rest.

Everyone respected our wishes – except Jackie.

An hour after I’d got off the operating table, she burst into the room armed with balloons and a giant teddy bear.

“We’ve all been through it, you know,” she crowed as I burst into tears and begged Simon to get her out of there.

She even insisted on sneaking into the intensive care unit to see our newborn, even though I hadn’t been able to see him yet.

Jackie’s treatment only worsened when we finally brought Josh home.

She would message me constantly, telling me which wet wipes to use and what kind of vests I should be putting on him.

I even saw messages on Simon’s phone telling him to hide clothes I’d bought for the baby and replace them with ones she’d supplied instead.

The bullying was so bad, I even went to see a counsellor.

Jackie’s interference caused countless arguments and at one point, I even left Simon after she texted him claiming that I was “lazy” and “a useless mum”.

What hurt even more was that he never defended me.

That’s when I realised the level of control she really had over him.

It was relentless and in the end, I left for good.

I realised I would never be able to have a healthy relationship with such a mummy’s boy and that Jackie would never change.

Thankfully, I have little to do with her now, although she did try to continue her antics after we split.

She bombarded my friends and family with messages claiming that I was mentally ill, an unfit mother and needed help.

Luckily, they knew what she was like and blocked her.

But I’ve had to write my story anonymously, for fear of any backlash.

As a mother of a son myself, I understand it can be difficult seeing your child growing up, moving on and having another woman take centre stage.

But I’ve vowed never to be like my ex’s mum and to try to love whoever my son brings home.

I know all too well what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a hate campaign from a woman it is impossible to compete with.

THE last time I wore a pencil skirt, my brother affectionately told me I looked like Nessa Jenkins from Gavin & Stacey. 

Brotherly love ­— always there to keep your feet firmly on the ground. 

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But, sadly, he was right. 

My black, knee-length leather skirt and then short brown hair did make me look like the Welsh slot machine worker, minus the tattoos. 

Despite my affection for the show and actress Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, the comment was enough to put me off that look for life. 

Nessa is not exactly known for her chic style. 

Now, as trends for autumn/winter start to appear, I’ve spotted that curve-clinging pencil skirts are back — from Gucci and Givenchy to high-street favourites Zara and Mango. 

And now I’m wondering, has the time come to give the style another whirl? 

There was a 12,000 per cent increase in searches on shopping site LTK for “pencil skirts” following the autumn/winter 2025 fashion weeks earlier this year. 

This thirst for a more slimline look tells us one thing, if nothing else — many of us, myself included, want to jump off the conveyor belt of loose midi and maxi styles. 

Five years on from lockdowns, we’re ready for a bit of wiggle. We want to get dressed up!. 

Now, I’m not for one minute suggesting we revert back to peak Noughties pencil skirt trends, when going “out out” was all about looking like a sexy businesswoman. 

Think peroxide blonde Victoria Beckham in her peak Wag era, complete with skintight skirt and peplum boob tube. Or reality stars like Towie original Amy Childs. 

But there was a time before this when the pencil skirt was stylish and classy. 

THE last time I wore a pencil skirt, my brother affectionately told me I looked like Nessa Jenkins from Gavin & Stacey. 

Clemmie Fieldsend, Fashion Editor

Starlets like Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe were big fans of the style, which became hugely popular in the late Fifties, with tucked in blouses and knits to show off their waist and bust. 

As Marilyn tottered along the train platform in Some Like It Hot, the tight-fitting style may well have played a part in her trademark wiggle walk. 

In the Eighties, pencil skirts were paired with shoulder-padded blazers. Women were making moves in boardrooms and this was power-dressing at its best. Think Melanie Griffith in Working Girl and Joan Collins in Dynasty. 

Over the next few decades, the pencil skirt became a workwear uniform. 

But recently, aside from wives of world leaders such as Melania Trump or contestants on The Apprentice, it has disappeared from our office attire. 

Especially since Covid, you are more likely to wear flats and comfy trousers than a restrictive, uncomfortable and somewhat dated knee-length skirt. 

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It seems, though, that we have now come full circle. As well as the designers’ offerings, we’ve seen a pregnant Rihanna wear a pencil skirt to a pre-Met Gala bash. 

Fashion darling Daisy Edgar-Jones wore one at Wimbledon and another to a recent event. 

Pamela Anderson has been channelling Marilyn Monroe with her retro looks, including her trademark wiggle skirt. 

Even Victoria Beckham has given into the revival and created her own design, with a matching blazer, to revamp power-dressing. 

I am convinced that there’s a way to wear this season’s wiggle skirts without looking like a string of sausages

Clemmie Fieldsend, Fashion Editor

We’ll also see the pencil return to screens this season as Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash-Betts star as outrageously fierce and successful lawyers in Disney’s legal drama All’s Fair later on this year. 

But after enjoying years of elastic waistbands and roomy skirts, are the rest of us now ready to squeeze into a tummy-sucking number? 

Personally, I’ll never get back into a black pleather version again. 

I can’t shake my Nessa past and rarely get dolled up enough to dust off my peplum and six-inch heels. 

But looking at the styles around on the high street, I am convinced that there’s a way to wear this season’s wiggle skirts without looking like a string of sausages. 

The faux-leather options out there are looser and more flattering, and they come in a range of colours. 

There are also cosy knitted versions or softer viscose numbers with bold patterns. 

I like the idea of wearing one with an oversized blazer and knee-high boots to the office in the autumn, to sharpen up my workwear. 

For drinks, I might even plump for a faux-leather number in sage or burgundy, with heels. 

But for the majority of the week, I will be sticking with my favourite flats. 

And I’m sorry, but you just can’t do a pencil skirt with ballet pumps or brogues without looking like a wally. 

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AFTER a lifetime spent trying to keep her curly locks in check, Hilary Freeman, 53, from London, sees if the new Airwrap makes styling them fuss-free.

When I was 12 and puberty kicked in, my previously smooth curls turned, almost overnight, into an uncontrollable mop of frizz.

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Ever since, I’ve spent thousands on styling products and tools, for a daily battle to tame my locks.

My hair is like candy floss: fine in texture, soft and big. Humidity and rain are its mortal enemies.

Yes, I am that woman you see with an umbrella in the slightest drizzle.

That’s because the merest hint of moisture turns me into Art Garfunkel. Or worse, Phil Spector.

Like them, I have what some affectionately call a “Jewfro”.

As a teen, I begged my mother to allow me to have my hair chemically straightened.

The foul-smelling treatment, in effect a reverse perm — this was well before the days of Brazilian blow dries — didn’t work, and just damaged my locks, making them even more frizzy.

In the Nineties, when poker-straight locks became almost compulsory, I bought hair straighteners.

But I didn’t have the patience or expertise to use them properly.

I ended up with a half-straight, half-curly do — and a second- degree burn on my neck.

Since then, I’ve avoided trying new gadgets, partly out of fear of damaging my hair and partly because, as a mum with a busy job as a writer, I simply don’t have the time.

Instead, I’ve resigned myself to wearing my hair long and curly.

I tend to half diffuse it and half air-dry it, depending on the time I have.

Over the years, hair dye to stem the ever-increasing tide of grey has conspired with my changing hormones to alter my curl pattern from tight curls to looser ones.

But the frizz has remained.

Bushy mess

Mousses and gels keep my hair defined for a day or so, but the curls quickly drop out and become lank and fluffy.

On a good day, it falls into ringlets; on a bad one, it’s a bushy mess.

Curly hair has a mind of its own, you see.

So, I was keen to test the brand new Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x.

The latest version of this heated styler, the Curly and Coily model (there’s also a Straight/Wavy one), promises effortless, long-lasting, sleek waves.

Like all Dyson products, it looks and feels a quality, luxury item.

But, at £579, I’ll admit, I am expecting some sort of miracle.

Could it work for me, or is it just a lot of hot air?

According to Dyson, the Co-anda 2x has twice as many attachments as its predecessor and can be used to dry, curl, wave, straighten, smooth and volumise your hair.

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These attachments, they say, are “intelligent” — I wonder if they can help with Wordle.

The Airwrap claims to provide “supercharged styling with a stronger Coanda airflow”.

It is 30 per cent more powerful than the previous model, has two times the air pressure and — most intriguingly — senses movement, automatically wrapping your hair and adapting heat, airflow and timings to your hair type, via the MyDyson app.

Faced with a box of attachments, I have no idea where to start.

Setting up the app is simple, after answering some questions on it my device is tailored to my hair type.

However, as a novice, I find navigating the app confusing.

Its video guides — I counted 37 ways to style your curly hair — are helpful but I can’t figure out how to watch tutorials while holding my switched-on Airwrap.

It doesn’t help that the Bluetooth keeps disconnecting.

The power cord is also surprisingly short, meaning I have to sit right next to the plug socket.

On the plus side, the motor is extremely powerful.

I’m impressed with how the barrel curl attachment intuitively collects the right amount of hair — as if slurping noodles.

‘Friends say I look glam’

And I’m reassured that once the Airwrap reaches a certain heat, it starts to cool, so it dries my hair but doesn’t burn it.

I also like the fact there’s a diffuser attachment among the options, so I can choose whether I want to dry my hair curly, wavy or straight with just one device.

But I do find the Airwrap heavier than my usual hairdryer.

Holding it in one position for any length of time made my arm ache.

But it’s much easier than holding both a brush and a dryer.

The results speak for themselves. My hair feels so smooth and light that I can’t help swishing it around. The colour also looks more refined and glossy.

While people usually compliment my hair, now they’re commenting on my overall look.

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Everyone says I look “glamorous” and “airbrushed” — not words they’ve used before. I can see I appear more tidy and professional, and less boho. However, I do think my usual curly style makes me look more youthful.

The night after my trial, I barely sleep for worrying I’ll ruin my new do.

But I wake to find it almost as smooth as before.

By the end of the day, my hair is starting to frizz at the edges and some rogue curls are appearing.

I decide to wash it again, and try the diffuser option, so I can compare it with my own high street dryer.

When I link the Airwrap up to the app, it automatically sets it to the right heat and speed settings for the diffuser attachment.

It dries quickly and efficiently, creating nice curls and achieving better root volume than my own model. It’s a good diffuser.

But I can’t say the result is £600 better.

The Airwrap Co-anda 2x is not for novices. If I’m honest, I would probably only use the diffuser option unless I have a special event, and a day off.

It is a big investment and not a must-have.

But as an alternative to professional blowouts, it’s a great option.

CUTTING THE HAIR COSTS

LILY ENGLAND DELUXE HOT BRUSH, £32.99

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WHILE it can’t dry and style simultaneously like the Airwrap, it is perfect for giving your hair a quick zhuzh, and its simple design is easy to get the hang of.

The large barrel is ideal for adding volume and lifting hair.

BELLISSIMA ITALIA AIR WONDER 8-IN-1 HAIR STYLER, £129.99

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WITH eight attachment heads, this budget styler curls, volumises and waves.

Hit its coolshot button after styling to lock in your look for longer.

Also doubles up as a traditional hairdryer.

REVLON ONE-STEP BLOW-DRY MULTI STYLER 3-IN-1 TOOL, £80

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HAILED as the ultimate Dyson dupe, this takes hair from wet to perfectly styled.

Has a curling wand, an oval brush for volumised locks and a concentrator head for drying your roots.

LAST week saw the hottest day of the year so far, when temperatures hit an incredible 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey.

Chances are you were drooping in the heat, with low energy levels, unattractive sweating and a high possibility of sunburn.

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Well guess what?

When your garden hits over 32C, much the same is happening to your plants.

They lose water through their leaves faster than they can absorb it, causing wilting, while the leaves themselves can get scorched.

They can also stop growing, as their energy levels are reduced.

But in the same way we splash water on ourselves, stay indoors and apply liberal coatings of suntan lotion, there are many ways of heat-proofing and protecting your garden.

And all of them are cheap or free – and very straightforward.

BE CLEVER WITH POTS

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If you’ve got plants in pots, move them into the shade and group them together, so that they give each other protection.

Light coloured pots are best for container planting as they reflect the heat and sunlight, which in turn keeps the soil cooler and less prone to drying out.

Darker pots will absorb the heat, drying the contents much quicker and stressing the plants more.

B&M currently have some lovely light pink and pale green planters for just £2, while B&Q are selling deep white pots for £3.

It’s worth remembering that pots – and hanging baskets – dry out really quickly in the heat and need much more watering.

When the weather’s this hot, water them daily if you can, giving them a really good soak.

Larger pots retain moisture better, so won’t dry out as quickly.

And while terracotta pots look lovely, they dry out much faster than other pots.

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DON’T BE A WATERING WALLY

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There’s a knack to watering in a heatwave – one of the most important tips to remember is not to water in the daytime.

The best time is early in the morning, before it starts getting really hot, so the water doesn’t evaporate. If that’s not an option, water when the sun’s gone down.

Morning is best, though, as slugs move around at night and love the damp soil.

And don’t water all over the plant, however tempting it is to remove the dust and return the leaves to their glossy former selves.

Aim directly for the roots, as wet leaves can cause fungus to form and, in really extreme cases, magnify the sunlight onto the leaves and cause scorching.

But mainly, it’s just a waste of water.

And give them a really good soaking once or twice a week, rather than a light water daily.

Experts reckon you should count to between 15 and 20 seconds as you water each plant to make sure the water soaks down through the soil to the roots.

LET LAWNS GO BROWN

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It may not give the lush, healthy look that you’re looking for, but there is no problem with letting your lawn go brown.

If it’s healthy, it will cope and the green will return when there’s a bit of rain.

Also, if you’re currently thinking of laying a lawn, aim for a much hardier native lawn seed, like fescue.

This will withstand extreme heat a lot better than some of the more trendy varieties.

It’s also worth considering a lawn seed that’s mixed with wildflower seeds. Johnson’s Nature’s Lawn with Mowable Wildflowers (£12.99) creates a lovely blanket of blooms if you’re letting it grow longer in the heat.

It’s also best to raise your mower’s cutting level and instead of collecting cuttings, let them fall as mulch onto the lawn to keep in moisture.

TRAP WASTE WATER

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Save and store any rainwater to reuse in your garden.

A water butt connected to roof drainage is probably the best option, as it will capture all your rainwater run-off from the pipes.

But a stand alone butt is a great addition to any garden.

There are all sorts on the market at the moment, including ones that attach to walls, which are great for smaller gardens as they don’t take up valuable space.

Argos currently sells a standalone 100 litre butt, with a tap and connecting kit, for just £28.

If you don’t have room for a water butt, just leave a few brightly coloured buckets around to catch any rain.

Or, if you’ve got just a few pots around your garden, you could invest in some cheap self-watering plant spikes, which you fill up with water and stick in your planters.

They release water slowly, reducing the need for a daily soak.

Temu has a set of five for £2.97 – so just 60p a pop.

If you’re feeling spendy, you could splash out on a dipping tank.

They’re beautifully designed and act as an elegant water feature for your garden, as well as creating valuable water storage.

The Dipping Tank Company has a 60cm tank for £395 – not cheap, but it will last a very long time.

You could also set up an irrigation system, although these are also costly. A leaky hose can work just as well.

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CREATE A SHADY OASIS

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With a bit of careful planning you can create a beautiful, calming escape in your garden with just a few choice products.

A sail shade is a quick, cheap and easy way to zone off a corner of your garden.

Dunelm’s Elements Grey Sail Parasol is just £15 at the moment.

Put garden furniture underneath it to create a lovely, cooling retreat. Dobbies Esme bistro set in green is currently on sale for £79.20, instead of £99.

You can surround the area with pots of fast-growing bamboo, which will not only add shade, but a lovely calming sound as the wind rustles through the leaves.

It’s best to keep bamboo in pots, otherwise it spreads underground and can cause real problems. You can even be fined if it spreads to your neighbours’ gardens.

Or you could plant banana trees in planters to create a natural shady barrier around your seating area. They grow really fast and add a proper exotic, tropical vibe, while also protecting you from the sunshine.

YouGarden are selling Musa Basjoo, aka Japanese banana plants, for just £9.99 at the moment.

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WATER GOOD IDEA

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Why not add a calming, cooling water feature to your garden?

Studies have shown that the soothing sounds of moving water can reduce stress, lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and promote relaxation.

Hydria Life offers lovely pipe-less moveable fountain systems that fit in any pot of 30cm or more for £99.

You can also buy solar powered fountains that you just pop in a dish of water, birdbath or pond from Amazon for just £6.98.

As well as helping you feel more chilled out, water features attract wildlife, including birds, insects and butterflies, helping to boost your garden’s biodiversity.

They’re also known to help block out unwanted background noise, such as traffic sounds.

PLANTS TO BEAT THE HEAT

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On a recent gardening trip to Venice, where it was topping 27C daily and only going to get hotter, there was a definite planting plan.

In many of the gardens I visited there were agapanthus, pittosporum, lavender, wisteria, jasmine, fig trees and great big Fatsia Japonicas.

They were bursting with colour, but most importantly had been planted because they could withstand the heat.

Other plants that will work well in UK gardens include geums, sedums, achillea, hardy geraniums, rosemary and salvias.

Remember to mulch your plants, which means covering the soil around them with a thin layer of protective material.

This could be wood chippings, well rotted manure, gravel, shredded leaves or special garden mulch.

It keeps the roots cool and moisture locked in, while also preventing weeds that can compete for water.

Lidl has 40 litre bags of decorative bark chips for just £3.49.