I woke up to a bone-deep, unnatural ache pulling through my body. Sweat clung to me, yet I was shivering uncontrollably.
This didn’t feel like the rhythmic ache of contractions. My body was failing me as I lay on my hospital bed, frozen, silently begging for help.
Then I was told I needed an emergency C-section – I couldn’t believe it. I’d asked for one weeks earlier, but was told I was ‘too young’.
Because of that, I was left fighting for my life.
In 2024, when I first found out I was pregnant, I was hopeful. I was 24 and although my partner and I didn’t live together, we felt ready. We ensured everything would be in place, and he was my rock throughout.
For the most part, my pregnancy was smooth sailing. No complications, and I spent my days happily planning for the new chapter ahead. Halfway through I started to struggle with some pelvic girdle pain, so began to seek more support at my midwife appointments.
But as the pregnancy progressed, my confidence eroded. Midwife shortages made appointments rushed and transactional.
I thought maybe I was just unlucky, but now I realise it’s common. In the UK, an NHS patient survey showed that only 24% of women saw the same midwife consistently throughout their pregnancy in 2024, despite strong evidence that continuity improves outcomes.
It was during a routine scan, 17 weeks before I delivered, when I was told my baby was too large for a natural birth. Calmly, I requested a C-section.
‘You’re too young,’ the obstetrician replied. They told me an induction – where labour is started artificially with medication or other interventions – would be much safer and risk-free for someone my age.
I felt panicked, explaining I would feel more comfortable with a caesarean. However, they were adamant it would be the wrong choice, and instead booked me in for a growth scan at 32 weeks to see if I would still need an induction.
At that scan, I was officially booked in. Denied an elective C-section once more, I focused on the induction. So, at 37 weeks, five weeks after the scan, we arrived at the hospital with optimism.
I was given Propess, a vaginal hormone insert, then labour began. The epidural went in, followed by Pitocin, a drip to strengthen contractions. Things were progressing, until they weren’t.
My epidural was not working, and the feeling was unbearable.
But the midwife who said she’d get my failed epidural fixed suddenly finished her shift and her replacement told me I didn’t need more pain relief, brushing aside my growing fever.
On the second day in the hospital, I knew something was wrong. I was still achy and in a haze but no one seemed concerned.
Turns out, I had an infection, and the midwives didn’t tell me. I later found out it was documented, so they were aware, but by time anyone acted, it had become maternal sepsis – a life-threatening condition that is caused by an infection during pregnancy.
Hours passed and I was told I needed an emergency C-section. It came too late to avoid trauma, but just in time to save us both.
My son was born 30 minutes later.
The midwives held him above the curtain, but not high enough for me to see him. A moment I’d waited nine months for was stolen in a second.
On the postnatal ward, care was almost non-existent. I was still in a significant amount of discomfort but I didn’t receive proper pain relief for days.
Both my partner and I complained, because they wouldn’t explain why I couldn’t have it. When they eventually did help, I had three cannulas – two in my hands, one in my wrist, which were feeding me antibiotics, anti-sickness and pain relief.
While tending to me, a midwife laughed that I was a human pin cushion. Others gossiped about ‘difficult’ families in the hallways. I knew they were talking about me.
For 48 hours, I sat in blood-soaked sheets, despite asking for fresh ones.
Luckily, my partner never left my side.
For a week, he slept on the floor next to my bed, caring for our newborn when I couldn’t. When my milk didn’t come in, the midwives turned their nose up at helping him learn to make formula. He had to teach himself, ordering the supplies on Uber Eats to the hospital.
I felt deflated when discharged 10 days after giving birth.
For days, I curled up crying in pain, unable to be fully present with my son. The guilt was overwhelming, but I couldn’t do anything – everything hurt.
Five weeks later, I began suffering from visual and auditory hallucinations, body chills and weakness. I learned that the infection hadn’t properly cleared. Despite 40% of survivors reporting lasting effects after sepsis, I wasn’t even given an information sheet when discharged.
I was exhausted – too tired to take legal action. I was repeatedly told it’s ‘just how it goes’, but it never should be.
I complained using a maternity survey they’d told me about in the hospital, but it took two months for an apology. They simply stated that they were sorry some parts of my care were not positive, and offered me a phone call – which was just a rehash of my experience, with another apology.
Emergency C-sections are linked to high rates of postnatal PTSD, yet prevention is poor, with cases rising each year. The CQC maternity survey shows women aged 16 to 26 are amongst those who report the worst care, often dismissed and excluded from decisions.
As a young mum, you’re told your age is an advantage because younger bodies tend to recover quickly and pregnancies are perceived as lower-risk. But my age didn’t protect me.
I believe that if they allowed me to elect for a C-Section from the start, my trauma would have been preventable, not inevitable.
However, three months on, I feel blessed to have an unshakeable bond with my son – thanks to my partner, who held us together when I couldn’t.
Birth trauma doesn’t end in the delivery room. Maternity care must centre a woman’s voice from the start, as it shapes how we enter motherhood. Some of us never get to come back from that.
In the UK, you have the right to make informed decisions about your birth. I urge you to learn your choices, ask questions, and keep records.
You’re not just a patient, you’re a parent, a human. You deserve care that reflects that.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
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13 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Summer’s almost over but these supermarket wines are like a holiday in a bottle
I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to let summer go just yet.
Nope, I’m clinging to sunny season like I’m Jack in Titanic, grappling onto the floating door before meeting an untimely end in the freezing ocean. Sorry for the spoiler, if you haven’t seen the film yet.
While gloomy evenings might be starting to creep in at 5pm and people are pulling knitwear to the front of their wardrobes, autumn doesn’t officially start until September 22 – so there’s still time to enjoy the last dregs of summer.
My trick to holding onto it is to stubbornly fill my glass with all the good wine I was slurping over summer, to recreate my time on holiday.
It requires full commitment in the form of sitting in your garden and sipping wine, even in a howling gale.
Rest assured though, whether you went to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, France or the USA, I’ve got the wines to keep summer alive and kicking in your glass.
When it comes to Spain and Greece, coastal whites will send you straight back to that beach, to breathe in the salty sea spray, shake sand out of your swimmers and idly reach for Factor 30 again. Or why don’t you opt for bone dry bubbles in the form of Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne, which will transport you back to Las Ramblas in Barcelona where you belong?
Alternatively, hop on over to Portugal or Italy via their super approachable, juicy reds. These work famously well alongside barbecued foodstuffs, if you can gather the courage to light up the coals one last time before packing it all away until next year.
And don’t forget rosé…never forget rosé.
We were all glugging bottles of it by the bucketload over summer, and I’m convinced that sipping pink into autumn, and beyond, will keep the sun shining for longer. Who’s with me?
Whether you are or not, here are my recommendations for drinks that feel like a holiday in a bottle, to keep our memories of sun-kissed terraces, sandy beaches and late-night skinny-dips alive, one sip at a time…
A taste of Spain
Baron Amarillo Cava Brut, £5.75, Aldi
My spidey senses were triggered, big time, when I recently tasted this sparkling. How can something this good sell for a fiver? That’s a rhetorical question, by the way, as I almost don’t want to hear the answer. What I do know is that it’s made in the same way as Champagne, but with indigenous Spanish grapes. The effect is a bracingly dry fizz with white peach and star anise flavours, that pair beautifully with the delicate flavours of sushi or sashimi.
A taste of Italy
Romandiola Rimini DOC Bianco, £8.50, Majestic
With a glass of this in hand, you’ve effectively jetted over to a sun-soaked terrace by the Adriatic Sea somewhere. Beats the Tube strikes any day. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Bombino Blanco (which sounds made up) and Trebbiano, with the vineyards benefiting from the cooling coastal influence. It’s rich and opulent with unctuous layers of sun-ripened yellow plum flavours.
Pierre Jaurant Le Petite Poulet Rosé, £6.29, Aldi
This Aldi’s fairly obvious take on the popular chicken wine, complete with drawings of hens on the label, in case you didn’t get it from the name. Delicious wine inside the bottle, too, with bone dry flavours of wild strawberries and pillowy-textured, sour raspberries. One to chill down and glug like no one’s watching.
A taste of Portugal
Alicante Bouschet, £8.95, Co-op
This is the perfect ‘bridge’ wine between seasons, and it also makes a knockout pairing with barbecued burgers. There’s certainly blueberry and dark chocolate power there, but also some hedgerow fruit delicacy too. In fact, Alicante Bouschet is one of only a handful of ‘teinturier grapes’, which have red flesh and red skin for added texture and pigment. Someone fire up the BBQ, pronto!
A taste of the USA
Exceptional Lodi Zinfandel, £6.98, Asda
To put this wine into perspective, wines from the Lodi region of California usually retail for around the £10 to £20 price range. That’s because the area boasts some of California’s most ancient vines, meaning they are packed to bursting with flavour. Case in point here, where you are getting punnet-loads of baked blueberries, prunes, cola bottles and sweet tobacco flavours, and all for under £7. Remarkable.
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13 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Boots launch first-ever Welcome Baby Box – with newborn essentials worth £107 for £35
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Becoming a new mum is an exciting but overwhelming journey, full of sleepless nights and endless nappy changes.
That’s why, amid all the chaos, taking a little time to pamper yourself can make all the difference.
Luckily, Boots has come to the rescue with its first-ever Welcome Baby Box, designed to support new parents with a curated selection of essential baby products and a few treats for mum too.
Welcome Baby Box
The perfect gift for expectant or new mums, the Boots Welcome Box is worth over £107 but on sale for just £35. It contains 19 products, 15 of which are full size and includes brands like Child’s Farm, Aveeno, Nala’s Baby and My Little Coco. This exclusive box makes a brilliant gift and is available online only at boots.com.
The box has just launched and contains £107 worth of baby essentials but is priced at just £35 – an unmissable bargain for new parents or those looking for a thoughtful new baby gift for their nearest and dearest.
Inside the gender-neutral box, you’ll find 19 carefully curated products, including 15 full-size items from trusted brands like Aveeno, Child’s Farm, Matchstick, and Johnson’s.
What’s inside the Boots Welcome Baby Box?
- Weleda Skin Food Light 75ml – FULL SIZE
- Nala’s Baby Vanilla Cloud Bubble Bath 200ml – FULL SIZE
- My Little Coco Moisturising Body Cream 350ml – FULL SIZE
- My Little Coco Baby Mama Hydrating Bump Sheet Mask 50ml – FULL SIZE
- Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment 30g – FULL SIZE
- Childs Farm Oat Derma Face Cream 50ml – FULL SIZE
- Boots Berry Lip Sleep Mask 20g – FULL SIZE
- Boots Bump & Beyond Folate 400 µg 60 Capsules – FULL SIZE
- Matchstick Monkey Teething Grey Toy – FULL SIZE
- Feather & Down Pillow Spray 50ml – FULL SIZE
- Aveeno Baby Daily Care Hair & Body Wash 250ml – FULL SIZE
- Johnson’s Baby Oil 200ml – FULL SIZE
- Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream 10ml – FULL SIZE
- WaterWipes Original Plastic Free Baby Wipes 28s – FULL SIZE
- Boots Bump & Beyond Tummy Butter 100g – FULL SIZE
- Bloom & Blossom Hands Up Age-Defying Hand Cream 25ml
- MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle 130ml & Soother
- My Expert Midwife – FREE ‘How to: Perineal Massage Webinar by My Expert Midwife’
- Pampers: your voucher for a FREE Pampers Premium Protection New Baby Size 1 or Size 2 Carry Pack
Want to treat someone you love who’s just welcomed a new addition or need to stock up on your own baby essentials? You can shop the new Welcome Baby Box exclusively online at boots.com.
Plus, Boots are offering Parenting Club members an extra bonus. They can earn 8 points per £1 spent on their baby shop, alongside exclusive discounts, free gifts, and in-store events to help make parenting just that little bit easier.
Bravo, Boots!
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13 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Fashion influencers are raving about these 90s jeans – and they’re now on sale
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Abercrombie & Fitch has come a long way since the 2010s and its low rise skinny jeans (thank goodness), though we have heard the skinny jean trend may be making a comeback.
Our latest obsession is A&F’s High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans, which are the jeans all the ‘It’ girls on Instagram are wearing.
Why are they such a hit? The High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans do exactly what they say on the tin – they are a high rise denim that are a hybrid of Mom and straight jeans, but longer in length.
High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean
Created from a blend of cotton and elastane fabrics, which offer a structured straight finish like the vintage jeans of time gone by, but with slight stretch for a comfortable fit. It boasts a high rise waist, and a straight full fit. It comes in 37 colours and patterns, though sizes are selling out fast. Fits true to size.
The classic 90s relaxed fit jeans feature a high rise waist, which are not only supportive around the stomach area, but aim to elongate your legs even more. It offers a fitted waist that accentuates your derriere and cinches in your waist, before the jeans fall into a straight full leg.
That is exactly what we love about these jeans – the length. It’s not too short, nor do they drape on the floor like some wide leg jeans, but a happy medium between the two as it sits on the ankles. Plus, it is available in extra short, short, regular, long and extra long lengths, to suit the petite and tall girlies.
These jeans have been crafted from Abercrombie’s Vintage Comfort Stretch fabric, which provides a structured finish, yet offers slight stretch, which is the ideal combination to have a pair of jeans that hold its shape but are comfortable for hours of wear.
These jeans come in 37 colours, prints and patterns, but sizes are selling out fast, and only select designs have been reduced.
Some of the sale styles include the Medium and Dark washes, which have been reduced from £75 down to £56.99. Plus, if you’re a new A&F shopper you can sign up for 10% off your first order.
The 90s jeans have garnered 4.8 out of 5 stars from shoppers. Here’s what the shoppers are saying.
Tania gushed: ‘The most beautiful jeans I own!’
While Ella hailed the design as the ‘best jeans’, the review went on: ‘Fits perfectly, I always struggle with jeans being short but these fit so well! Will be purchasing in different colours.’
Katie weighed in: ‘These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch to be comfortable however they look like stiff denim so they look really expensive. I have multiple pairs in different colours and will keep buying more. The perfect jeans.’
Whether you pair it with loafers, a tank top and bomber jacket, or a shirt, blazer and heeled boots, we guarantee you will live in these jeans forever more.
Considering these jeans are selling out fast, we urge you to shop quickly so not to miss out on the sale price tags.
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12 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
From Lush candles to dresses from Rails – this is what a shopping expert is buying
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Another week down, another week closer to autumn – and of course, your next edition of Trend Trove. Yes, once again, our shopping expert has been let loose on the world wide web, and high street – finding you the very best goodies.
Looking for new bedding? Maybe a few candles to make your home feel cosy? Perhaps items for your kitchen? Or a new fragrance? Well, you’ll probably find it in this lengthy shopping guide – full of treats you’ll want to pop into your shopping basket.
And of course, she’s also bringing you the hottest news – from quirky launches to events, weird and wonderful things, and pretty much everything in-between too.
So, what’s been happening this week? Well the major news that’s got our shopaholic excited is Stella Maxwell has joined forces with Marella for an exclusive AW25 capsule, reimagining the blazer with bold tailoring and modern femininity. The collection blends sharp silhouettes with soft textures, featuring standout pieces like a backless body-blazer and the ruched Stella The Star bag. Launching online September 15 and in stores September 18, with prices ranging from £195 to £760.
For those looking for something slightly terrifying to do this autumn, Thorpe Park’s Fright Night. Back from October 3 to November 2 2025, we’ve heard it’s the most terrifying year yet. With scare mazes like Lucifer’s Lair, Creature Campus, and Survival Games, plus live entertainment and overnight stays, it’s the ultimate Halloween destination. Tickets start from £36 online – if you dare to enter the Home of Fear.
Greggs has teamed up with an interiors brand icon to launch its first-ever homeware collection, featuring bean bags and cushions inspired by its iconic menu. Online at Bean Bag Bazaar now, the six-piece range blends comfort with quirky design – perfect for cosy season lounging. From XL Sausage Roll bean bags to snack-stashing gaming chairs, it’s a must-have for Greggs fans looking to relax in style.
Kenwood is celebrating 75 years of innovation with the launch of the Cooking Chef, a premium stand mixer that combines smart tech with precision cooking. Featuring induction heating, built-in scales, a touchscreen with 60 guided recipes, and 31 presets, it’s designed to simplify everything from everyday meals to advanced techniques. We’re ready to have our very own, show stopping moment.
In music news, Canadian singer-songwriter Chloe Stroll gave an intimate performance in Mayfair, previewing tracks from her debut album Bloom in the Break, out September 12. Collaborating with Grammy-winning producers, the album explores themes of love, loss, and resilience through powerful ballads like You’re OK, I Stood My Ground, and Home. Known for her emotional storytelling, Chloe draws inspiration from personal experiences and hopes her music resonates deeply with listeners.
Primark recently launched its first fully integrated UK brand campaign, including its debut TV ad, to spotlight its revamped Autumn/Winter denim collection. The ‘In Denim We Can’ campaign champions great-fitting, quality jeans at unbeatable prices, with 10 hero styles starting from £9 and a standout £12 Palazzo jean. Available in-store and via Click & Collect, the range reflects over a year of improvements in fit, sizing and sustainability, aiming to prove that premium denim doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag – result!
And finally, Apple Martin has announced her first-ever brand collaboration, becoming the face of London-based fashion house self-portrait. Revealed through a series of self-shot portraits on Instagram, the partnership celebrates youthful self-expression and will unfold through fashion films, portraits and activations. Founded by Han Chong, self-portrait is known for empowering women through versatile, modern design.
Still with us? Good. Because debit card at the ready, here’s your weekly dose of endorphins.
NEOM Clementine Wellbeing Pod Essential Oil Diffuser
NEOM has launched a limited-edition Wellbeing Pod, Clemmie, featuring a hand-blown clementine glass cover and upcycled wood base. Exclusive to NEOM and Selfridges, it offers powerful scent diffusion, dimmable lighting, and a calming breathing mode to support better sleep, less stress, and more energy. With over 7 hours of run time and touch-sensitive controls, it’s a stylish and functional addition to any space.
Phlur Cherry Stem 50ml
Get sultry with PHLUR's new cherry scent for the season. With each spritz you’ll find top notes of Black Cherry and Orange Brandy, heart notes of Red Freesia, Sugared Jasmine and Plum Nectar, and base notes of Ebony Woods, Caramel and Soft Leather Accord – the perfect blend for those seductive evenings.
Abbott Lyon Vienna Mini Leather Bag in Burgundy
Add a touch of city chic to your wardrobe with this versatile day-to-night mini bag. Expertly crafted from genuine cowhide leather with a subtle embossed weave, it features a designer-inspired knot handle and a secure zip-top closure for effortless style and practicality. Complete the look with your choice of two dainty detachable charms, making this luxe grab-and-go accessory as personal as it is polished.
Gem Skin-Loving Santal Antiperspirant Deodorant
Stay fresh and confident with this skin-loving 48-hour antiperspirant, enriched with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter and Vitamin E. Its gentle, alcohol-free formula is tough on sweat and odour, while keeping skin smooth, nourished and moisturised. Available in a woody sandalwood and spice fragrance, it’s the perfect everyday essential for long-lasting protection and comfort.
Mason Cash Pumpkin Mixing Bowl
The Mason Cash Pumpkin Mixing Bowl is a seasonal favourite designed for autumn baking and festive kitchens. Made from durable, chip-resistant stoneware, it features a warm orange glaze and embossed pumpkin detailing for a cosy, harvest-inspired look. With a generous 4-litre capacity and microwave, dishwasher, and oven-safe design, it’s both practical and decorative – ideal for mixing, serving, or displaying throughout the season.
Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Wide Leg Trouser Jean
Crafted from a cotton and lyocell blend, these full-length jeans are comfortable, lightweight yet structured. It features a high rise waistband and a wide leg fit from the hips to the ankles. Available in nine colourways. Sizes range from waist 23 to 38, as well as extra short, short, regular, long, and extra long lengths.
instax mini Evo Instant Camera
The instax mini-Evo is a hybrid instant camera that combines retro charm with modern creativity. It offers 10 lens effects and 10 film effects, allowing users to customise their shots with vivid colour, soft focus, or vintage tones. Each printed photo is also saved digitally via the mini-Evo app, making it easy to share your favourite moments on social media.
Charles & Keith Faux Suede Pointed-Toe Stiletto-Heel Knee-High Boots in Dark Brown Textured
Step into the new season with these chic knee-high boots in rich dark brown faux suede. Designed with pointed toes, sleek shafts and elegant stiletto heels, they’re the perfect statement piece to elevate your transitional wardrobe. Pair them with layered neutrals and cosy knits for a polished day-to-night look that adds instant definition and style.
Hey Dude Wendy Slipper
Home is where comfort takes centre stage, and the Wendy Slipper is designed to deliver just that. With a plush sherpa upper that’s soft as a cloud, these slippers are perfect for everything from meal prepping to binge-watching your favourite shows. Featuring the same durable outsole as the classic Wendy shoes, they’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear – making them your go-to for cosy, effortless style wherever you unwind.
Rails Annmarie Dress in Carmine Daisies
The AnnMarie maxi dress features a flattering rayon crepe silhouette with two playful prints. It’s detailed with smocked sleeves, a plunging V-neckline, and a ruffled empire waist, blending elegance with a touch of whimsy.
Roberts Reva
Bring rich, room-filling sound into your home with this stylish DAB+/FM/Bluetooth table-top radio. Housed in an acoustically-tuned wooden cabinet, it features multiple speaker drivers and ported bass to deliver audio with clarity, warmth and depth. Whether you're tuning into your favourite station or streaming via Bluetooth, this compact yet powerful radio is designed to enhance every listening moment.
Olivia Atwood x River Island Red Handmade Wool Blend Scarf Coat
The scarf coat trend is back this season, and this Red Handmade Wool Blend Scarf Coat emulates it perfectly. This long coat boasts a scarf neckline, double-breasted front and waist belt for a cinched finish we simply love.
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
The Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser is a luxurious, natural formula that gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. Enriched with antioxidant-rich Sacha Inchi oil, soothing alfalfa, and hydrating squalane, it leaves skin soft, supple, and radiant. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin, it supports a healthy complexion while delivering a truly nourishing cleanse.
Loftie Clock
Upgrade your mornings with a wellness-focused alarm clock designed to help you unplug, wind down, and wake up feeling refreshed. More than just a timekeeper, this device supports deeper sleep and a gentler start to your day – making those early hours feel surprisingly good. It’s the perfect blend of function and wellbeing, helping you ease into your routine with clarity and calm.
This Works Perfect Cleavage & Neck Serum
This youth-enhancing formula combines Marine Algae, Hyaluronic Acid, and nourishing botanical oils to care for the delicate skin on the neck and chest, helping you feel confident while supporting a smoother, firmer appearance.
Topshop Flood Length Cupro Maxi Bias Skirt
Crafted from a viscose and polyester blend, this floor length maxi skirt is lightweight and floaty. The maxi style skirt features a mid-rise waist and has been cut on a regular fit, which skims the body for a comfortable fit. It features a contrast stripe print on a diagonal, and is available in various colourways. It comes in UK dress sizes 4 to 18.
Nooance Paris Elite X600 LED Face Mask
The Nooance Paris Elite X600 LED Face Mask is a premium skincare device designed to deliver professional-level results at home. It features 600 medical-grade LEDs – 300 red and 300 infrared – to boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin tone and texture. With a flexible, second-skin silicone design and high light intensity, it ensures full facial coverage and optimal absorption. Each session lasts just 10 minutes, and results include firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin.
Dunelm Fleece Electric Throw
Featuring 6 adjustable heat settings and a generous 130 x 160cm size, Dunelm’s Fleece Electric Throw is a practical and energy-efficient way to stay cosy during the cooler months.
Made from soft fleece and available in three colours: charcoal, navy and taupe, it heats up quickly and evenly. Plus, it’s machine washable, with a detachable controller for easy cleaning.
Gola Classics Women's Torpedo Trainers
Step into retro-inspired style with Torpedo, a standout women’s trainer from the Gola Classics collection. Based on a 1985 archive design, this modern update brings a fresh twist to terrace fashion with a versatile colour palette of red, off-white and air blue. Crafted for those who love blending timeless design with contemporary flair, it’s the perfect choice for everyday wear with a sporty edge.
Marks & Spencer Faux Fur Buckle Trim Coat
Crafted from polyester, which offers a faux fur textured exterior that is ultra soft and insulating. The coat features piping along the hem for a polished finish, as well as gold-tone buckle front fastening. The short jacket falls to the hips and boasts a relaxed boxy fit. Available in sizes extra small to extra large
Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion
Mustela Hydra Bebe Lotion is a gentle, daily moisturiser for babies and children that provides long-lasting hydration and helps protect the skin barrier. Enriched with organic avocado, vitamin-rich ingredients, and a light, fluid texture, it’s suitable for use from birth. The eco-friendly packaging also reduces plastic use, making it a more sustainable choice for caring for delicate skin.
H&M Patterned Wool-Blend Blanket
The H&M Patterned Wool-Blend Blanket is a soft and cosy home accessory made from a mix of wool, acrylic, and polyester. It features a stylish striped pattern and fringed edges, making it perfect for layering over furniture or wrapping up on chilly evenings. Measuring 130 x 170 cm, it offers warmth and texture while remaining lightweight and easy to care for.
Tekla Sateen Women's Long-Sleeved Shirt
The Tekla Sateen women's long-sleeved shirt is a premium, sustainably made piece crafted from soft organic cotton sateen. It features a relaxed fit with refined details like mother-of-pearl buttons, contrast piping, and a chest pocket. Designed in Portugal, it’s certified by GOTS and Oeko-Tex®, ensuring eco-conscious production.
Lush Crème Brûlée Single Wick Candle
For a cosy and inviting atmosphere, this gourmand candle blends soft powdery tonka with warm sandalwood, creating a comforting scent perfect for date nights or dinner parties. Its irresistible fragrance might even outshine your cooking.
Hairification H24 Complex Leave-in Repair Mask
The H24 Complex Leave-In Repair Hair Mask is a powerful treatment designed to restore damaged, stressed hair in just four minutes. Clinically proven to strengthen strands by up to 312%, it features four advanced ingredients: Fibrehance to rebuild internal bonds, Procutigen Bond to prevent breakage and moisture loss, Col-Frag to hydrate and smooth, and Elaya Renova to protect against heat and UV damage. It's the ultimate rescue remedy for healthier, stronger hair.
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12 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘I’m a former barista and this discounted coffee machine stopped me buying drinks out’
Tired of spending a fortune on pricey coffees out, beauty editor – and former barista – Laura Mulley put this bean-to-cup at-home espresso machine to the test – and was super impressed
12 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
We tested the under-£15 TikTok viral beauty brand – here’s what’s worth buying
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
If you’re on TikTok or Instagram, it’s very likely MCoBeauty has appeared on your feed.
Whether it’s an influencer comparing the brand’s £12 Miracle Setting Spray to a £32 designer version, or a makeup artist raving about its budget-friendly bronzing drops, the Aussie brand has become a bit of a viral sensation – and now, UK shoppers can finally get their hands on it as it’s just launched into Superdrug!
There’s no denying that we all love a bargain and MCoBeauty has become known for its affordable ‘budget buys’ of some of the biggest names in beauty (*Ahem* Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier and Rhode).
And, with prices between £6 – £15, it’s no wonder beauty lovers are excited about the launch.
Some might be sceptical of cheaper alternatives, but MCoBeauty products are winning fans over and have countless five-star reviews.
Our Senior Commerce Writer, Lydia Wheatley, put a few of the products to the test.
Our review:
There’s no denying these products hold some similarities in looks to some big name brands, but the similarities don’t stop at the packaging.
These products blew me away – and truly, I wasn’t expecting them to perform as well as they did. I tested a handful of products and used my standard, everyday makeup products to fill in the gaps.
I started with the Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter, which blended out easily to give me an all-over glowy base which wasn’t too tin man-esque.
I don’t usually wear these type of glow-enhancing products, but this MCobeauty one left my skin looking so glowy, which I think was enhanced by the Miracle Flawless Setting Spray.
This setting spray has earned itself an instant top spot in my makeup routine, leaving the most stunning luminous base while melting my products into my skin. Truly, my base was absolutely flawless.
Another standout for me was the Cheek & Lip Tint in Rose Glow – a liquid blush that left my cheeks glossy and pink, pairing perfectly with the Glow Up Ph Powder Blush in Blush Red. My photo says it all – the blush is stunning.
The Brow Laminate Sculpt & Set was easy to use and left my brows defined all day long, while the Xtendlash Mascara delivered all the length I could need – though volume was somewhat left to be desired.
Finally, the Perfect Pout Lip Liner and Creme Matte Luxe Lipstick, both in shade Cheeky Chat, aren’t my usual lip shades but applied so creamily and easily that I can’t even be mad. Both simply beautiful.
For the price, these products are total winners for me, and, specifically, I can’t recommend the Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter, Miracle Flawless Setting Spray and Cheek & Lip Tint in Rose Glow enough.
Which MCoBeauty products did I try?
- Xtendlash Mascara – £10
- Cheek & Lip Tint in Rose Glow – £6.50
Want to explore more products from the collection? We’ve listed some of the best buys below.
MCoBeauty must-haves:
MCoBeauty Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter
The MCoBeauty Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter gives a radiant, soft-focus finish for a fraction of the price of its high-end counterpart. Wear it alone, under makeup, or mixed with foundation for instantly brighter, lit-from-within skin. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and a bargain.
MCoBeauty Peptide Lip Treatment
If you’re addicted to peptide lip treatments but can’t quite justify the high-end price tags, try the MCoBeauty Peptide Lip Treatment instead. Delivering a similar glossy, pillowy finish and packed with hydrating peptides, it leaves lips looking fuller, softer, and perfectly glazed.
MCoBeauty Xtendlash Mascara
The MCoBeauty XtendLash Mascara is designed to give lashes length and definition, all without the clumps. Its tubing formula lifts and separates every lash for a natural, fluttery finish that won’t smudge, transfer or flake.
MCoBeauty Highlight & Glow Beauty Wand
MCoBeauty’s Highlight & Glow Beauty Wand gives a gorgeous dewy, radiant finish for way less than high-end equivalents. Super easy to apply with its cushion tip, it blends like a dream and leaves your skin looking fresh and glowy.
MCoBeauty Brow Laminate Sculpt & Set
The MCoBeauty Brow Laminate Sculpt & Set is a must-have brow gel if you're looking for brows that stay put all day. It sets brows in place all day with zero crunch, so you get natural, feathery definition that holds hairs in place all day.
MCoBeauty Glow Up Ph Powder Blush
The MCoBeauty Glow Up Ph Powder Blush gives your skin that fresh, flushed look without breaking the bank. This cult-favourite high-end alternative delivers a natural, buildable pop of colour that lasts all day. Super blendable and lightweight, it adds a healthy glow to any look.
MCoBeauty Cheek & Lip Tint Rose Glow in Rose Glow
Blurring the lines between a dewy gloss and stain formula, this gorgeous Cheek & Lip Tint Rose Glow adds a hint of colour to your cheeks and lips, with buildable intensity to achieve a bolder pop.
MCoBeauty Perfect Pout Lip Liner – Cheeky Chat
In an ultra-flattering nude pink shade to enhance your lip looks, this Perfect Pout Lip Liner in Cheeky Chat glides across your lips effortlessly to create crisp lines, and features a luxurious velvety-soft finish.
MCoBeauty Creme Matte Luxe Lipstick – Cheeky Chat
Making lipstick application a decadent delight, this Creme Matte Luxe Lipstick in the shade Cheeky Chat has a matte finish that envelopes lips in comforting moisture, boasting gorgeous pigment to die for.
MCoBeauty Baby Face Multiuse Cream Stick – Peony Rose
This silky smooth, creamy Baby Face Multiuse Cream Stick is designed to deliver everything from a sheer pop of colour to an intense flush with ease – and can be used on both the lips and cheeks.
MCoBeauty Miracle Flawless Setting Spray
Lock in your look and quench your skin with radiance and hydration with this Miracle Flawless Setting Spray. This beauty essential features a superfine mist and custom atomiser to deliver the perfect amount of product every time.
Whether you’re after a glowy primer, a sculpting brow gel, or a lash-lengthening mascara that makes your eyes pop, MCoBeauty might just become your new favourite obsession.
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12 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
The 5 things people typically say when they learn they’re going to die
This week, former royal butler Paul Burrell revealed Queen Elizabeth II’s response to being told she was going to die – and it’s as dignified as you’d expect from the late monarch.
Upon hearing the news she had cancer and may not survive beyond Christmas of 2021, she replied with a characteristically stoic: ‘Well, that’s a shame’.
The 95-year old Queen was hoping to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee the following year, so asked doctors if they could help her stay alive until then.
In his upcoming book, The Royal Insider, Burrell claims she ‘scrupulously’ followed their orders after that, undergoing blood transfusions and even giving up her favourite gin and Dubonnet tipples to surpass the prognosis by months.
While hers was a uniquely regal situation, the way the Queen handled being told her life was ending isn’t out of the ordinary.
Marie Curie chief medical officer, Dr Sarah Holmes, remembers an older patient who, when given a terminal diagnosis, had a similarly stiff upper lip response, saying: ‘Oh well, let’s have a sherry then.’
‘She just kind of took it in her stride,’ the palliative care specialist tells Metro. ‘And I wonder if it sometimes reflects the life you’ve already had and what you’ve done, as that particular lady had done everything she’d wanted to do and tied off the loose ends.’
The fact is, everybody’s circumstances are different, which means each person will react differently.
There are some common themes though – and since we’ll all die (and many of us will lose loved ones) exploring the ways this experience typically plays out can hopefully make it seem like a less daunting process.
‘How long do I have left?’
One of the first things people tend to ask about is time; how long they might live for and whether they’ll make it to certain important milestones in life.
Dr Holmes explains: ‘Like the Queen, people have particular things that they are looking forward to in the future, sometimes quite short horizons, sometimes things much further in the future.
‘I find round about this time of year that people are often thinking about Christmas, so it’s not uncommon for us to bring “Christmas” forward so they can spend one last one with their family.
‘The other thing, it’s like the circle of life, they’re waiting for babies to be born or to see new family members – those kind of key moments are really important for people.’
Dr Paul Perkins, chief medical director at Sue Ryder, recalls helping make similar memories for patients who don’t have long left, with hospice staff planning everything from weddings to Halloween parties.
When it comes to giving exact prognoses though, both specialists agree that it can be difficult to pinpoint – and isn’t always helpful.
‘If people then don’t get the years or months they’ve been told they’ll get, they can feel cheated, or if they get more, they feel like something’s gone wrong and they’ve been misled,’ says Dr Holmes.
‘In reality, we can’t actually give a definite timescale, so I always try and avoid giving any sort of number. I try to look back over time, because the changes usually carry on at that same rate, and talk about making the most of the present and the time we have here and now.’
Support for anyone dealing with death or terminal illness
If you or someone close to you needs support with any aspect of death, dying or bereavement, both Marie Curie and Sue Ryder have resources that can help.
- Contact Marie Curie for free on 0800 090 2309 or visit the Marie Curie website to chat online.
- Visit the Sue Ryder website to access online support communities, sign up for emails, or find self-help tools.
‘I don’t want to know’
‘I’ve known people that just kind of turn their face to the wall, and as soon as they know there’s no treatment, they just almost kind of give up,’ Dr Perkins tells Metro.
‘Others just don’t, don’t believe it at all. Sometimes, you can tell them repeatedly, and they don’t seem to take this on board, and that’s their way of coping.’
Denial is a natural stage of the grieving process, so it’s understandable it’d happen when people begin to mourn their own lives.
‘There are definitely times where people don’t want to talk about it and aren’t ready to talk about it,’ says Dr Holmes. ‘We have to try and tread very softly with these conversations, so we’re not forcing that information on people when they’re not ready for it, but trying to gently bring them to the position of understanding what’s going on.’
In her view, it’s not necessarily a bad thing though; one patient she cared for had been a lifelong worrier, and was so afraid of dying that addressing the issue didn’t help at all.
Dr Holmes adds: ‘Forcing her to talk about it and face things at the end of life didn’t work for her. She just needed sort of everybody to carry on as they normally would have done with her, and that was her way of coping.
‘Usually it’s not that people don’t want the care. It’s that they may not want the conversation about what’s actually happening.’
‘What about my family?’
‘It’s amazing how altruistic we are as humans,’ says Dr Holmes. ‘So often, people immediately go to worries about the people that are left behind, worrying about others rather than worrying about themselves.’
However, the way this manifests can vary, with Dr Perkins explaining: ‘Some people are very organised and immediately produce spreadsheets and folders for their families about how things are going to be.
‘Sometimes we get asked how they should tell their loved ones, and that can be really hard and stressful, telling your kids that you’re going to die. But the advice we give is to be honest, if you can.’
Others will write cards for their loved ones to keep their memory alive, or chat to relatives about funeral plans and help them manage when they’re no longer around.
‘Why is this happening to me?’
Like denial, anger is another grief stage that can crop up when people receive a terminal diagnosis.
‘That might be that they’re angry with god, that they’ve got this condition, or they’re angry with the world, or they’re angry that they feel their diagnosis is being delayed,’ he says.
It’s also not uncommon for patients to ask why this is all happening to them, especially if they’re religious or have an illness related to things like smoking or drinking – in which case they may ‘blame themselves for what they’ve done in the past, despite the fact these things are so addictive and so hard to give up’.
Dr Perkins adds: ‘I look after the loveliest people, people that have had completely blameless lives, and these bad things happen. So much of it is just bad luck.’
‘I’m scared of what death will be like’
‘Pain is a common worry for people, but it often depends on the condition and the symptoms they’ve been having,’ Dr Holmes says. ‘So if they’ve been having a particular symptom, they worry about that symptom being more difficult to cope with. Others are very afraid of being aware as well, of knowing what’s going on when it happens.’
Dr Perkins highlights that death is an ‘unpredictable business,’ which makes it difficult to guarantee what it’ll be like for each patient.
However, he explains: ‘We can reassure them that, particularly if palliative care is involved, it can be a dignified and peaceful thing. Our job is to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible.’
Sometimes, people are so fearful that they delay going to a hospice, thinking palliative care is ‘all about death’.
‘Then they come in and go, “oh, I wish I’d come here sooner, it’s so much nicer I thought it was going to be”,’ says Dr Perkins. ‘Just under half of people end up going home or to a care home, so not everyone who comes in dies.’
As Dr Holmes noted, end of life care is about making the most of the time you have – even if it’s not as long as you’d hope for or expected.
Dr Perkins adds: ‘When people know time is short, they realise that it’s not money or possessions that matter, but relationships and love. I’ve had people where they say the last two weeks of their lives have been the best two weeks, because they spent time with the people that they love.’
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12 Sep, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
'I caught girlfriend canoodling and now my future lies in tatters'
Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for an upset reader who caught his girlfriend in a compromising situation at a party, and now he doesn’t know what to do
Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a lovelorn reader who’s desperate to get back with her boyfriend after she cheated on him while he was at uni