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Next was the retailer we would typically head to as a child for a school uniform, or staples when we were a child. 

I fondly remember flicking through the Next catalogue circling items I loved – you can tell I was born to be in the fashion biz – though obviously I didn’t buy it, I just looked.

Let’s remember it was the 90s and tech wasn’t the distraction it was now, so we had to occupy ourselves the best we could, for me it was shopping catalogues!

Over the decades I relegated Next to the retailer for young children or the older generation. However, I am now eating my words as Next has truly upped its fashion game, and I am obsessed with the retailer. 

At a recent wedding I stopped a woman to ask where her dress was from because it looked super premium, and it was none other than Next. Though she pulled the cape backwards so it looked like a neck scarf – genius! I’ve even spotted fashion influencers wearing accessories from the label and bookmarked them for myself.

I have perused Next’s virtual rails and found a long list of fashion staples I need for summer and upcoming autumn months.  

So, these are the stylish pieces I am adding to my basket. 

Shop Our Top Picks at Next

Black 100% Linen Shift Dress

For those enjoying the last few weeks of the British summer, or have a holiday coming up, linen is the fabric to stock up on to look chic in the heat. We particularly love this Linen Shift Dress, which is like a longline waistcoat. It’s chic, fuss-free and ultra versatile to see you from the office to your holiday and picnics in the park.

BUY NOW FOR £54

Sage Green Cape Maxi Dress

This dress is ultra chic, and perfect for any special occasions coming up. While you can wear the cape upper draped loosely over the body, it can also be worn as a neck scarf. It is also available with a mesh layer over the top.

BUY NOW FOR £72

Woven Jersey Mix Sleeveless Racer Ribbed Midi Dress

For an easy, breezy, one-and-done dress this Ribbed Midi Dress is the solution. It combines a classic ribbed tank top with a midi skirt that puffs out at the hips. We particularly love that the upper resembles a corset as the lower section features a V-shaped detail as it blends into the skirt. It also comes in a bandeau style and long sleeve version – Next really is spoiling us.

BUY NOW FOR £32

Black Faux Leather Zip Through Jacket

Short jackets are all the craze, and this Zip Through Jacket nails the brief as it skims the hips. It features a zip-front fastening, collar detail and side pockets for an elevated alternative to the classic biker jacket.

BUY NOW FOR £72

Ecru Broderie Embroidered Playsuit

Whether you are lounging at home in the heatwave, pottering in the garden, or going on holiday, this slip-on playsuit is calling your name. The embroidered detail on the V-plunge short-length playsuit is easy to style, comfortable to wear, and more versatile than you think. Pair with sandals or trainers for a casual daytime, or slip into wedges to complete your Euro Summer evening attire. Alternatively you can layer the playsuit over a T-shirt, or under a denim jacket or cardigan for extra warmth.

BUY NOW FOR £45

Red Pointed Toe High Cut Slingback Heels

These heels are giving Jil Sander – but for a fraction of the price. Style with a satin slip dress, jeans and a blazer, or barrel leg jeans and a T-shirt.

BUY NOW FOR £36

Friends Like These Ivory Sculpting Stretch Capri Trousers

We have had these capri trousers on our radar for weeks, and we are desperately waiting for our size in the black to come back in stock. Capri trousers are all the craze as they are a hybrid between smart trousers and lounge-appropriate leggings.

BUY NOW FOR £25

Mid Blue Denim Seam Front Barrel Leg Jeans

Barrel leg jeans take a variety of monikers, including balloon-leg and horseshoe jeans, though some liken them to a hybrid between a mom jean and ankle grazer. These barrel leg jeans curve from the thighs to the calves, and creates a curved silhouette, which is forgiving for all body shapes.

BUY NOW FOR £45

Pink Scoop Neck Tummy Control Swimsuit

This one piece resembles Hunza G’s iconic swimsuit, which everyone seems to own, though this design is a fraction of the price. The scoop neck, thick straps and low scoop back provide a comfortable fit for hours of wear, but it’s the built-in shaping mesh that offers the desired stomach control, which gets our vote of confidence. It comes in five colours.

BUY NOW FOR £36

Chocolate Brown Scarf Layer Crew Neck Cardigan

This two-in-one design is simply genius. The button front cardigan features a built in scarf layer that ties around the neck, which almost looks like you have tied a cardigan over your shoulders like all the French fashion influencers do.

BUY NOW FOR £35

Berry Gloss Mini Structured Shoulder Bag

Shoulder bags are the nostalgic 90s accessory that has made a revival.This patent over the shoulder bag reminds us of YSL’s Mini Le 5 À 7 in patent leather, which fetches £1,350. With an adjustable shoulder strap, zip front fastening and buckle detail that flaps over the bag's opening, you can trust your belongings will be stored safely.

BUY NOW FOR £28

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Been looking for the best beauty advent calendar 2025? John Lewis’ offering may be one of the best we’ve seen yet.

Beauty advent calendars are dropping thick and fast, and we’ve never been so excited to open the doors and make our countdown to Christmas all the more glamorous. 

Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty and Space NK are just some of the beauty retailers that have teased they are dropping beauty advent calendars in the coming weeks, and now John Lewis has been added to the list, too.

John Lewis’ Beauty Advent Calendar is set to retail for £235, though it contains a total value of over £1,000, which is the brand’s highest value calendar yet. 

John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2025

This year’s advent is filled with 36 beauty products, 23 of which are full sized. The contents ranges from make-up products, skincare and bodycare, as well as vouchers for beauty treatments. Big brands, including Le Labo, Chantecaille, Laneige and Trinny London are waiting inside. The general sale will launch on 3rd October.

shop £235 (Worth over £1000)

The John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar not only has a higher total value, but it also contains more products than previous years. 

This year the festive bundle will house 36 beauty products, 23 of which are full-size, while the remaining 13 are deluxe miniatures. 

Leading brands we have tried, tested and love, are included in the countdown, including Le Labo, Medik8, Chantecaille, Laneige, Trinny London and much more. 

But the the fun doesn’t stop there as select bundles will also include a voucher to redeem against a beauty treatment. How’s that for a pre-Christmas pamper?

In one advent calendar you will find a £1,000 John Lewis voucher, which is perfect timing considering the mad dash for Christmas shopping, while inside nine advent calendars will be a £500 John Lewis gift card.

Other treats include five Neal’s Yard facials, a 12-session Celluma face gift card with The Cavendish Clinic, Cavendish Clinic Skin Consultations with LED sessions, Elemis facials, and a personalised Kate Somervile skincare routine.

One lucky winner will even receive a signature Dr Hauschka 120-minute facial and an overnight stay for two at London’s Como Metropolitan hotel, as well as a year’s supply of skincare.

We don’t know about you, but just one of those pampers would be bliss let alone the array of products inside to bring the salon to your home. John Lewis, you really are spoiling us. 

Speaking on John Lewis’ Beauty Advent Calendar, Heena Mohammend, Head of Beauty at John Lewis, said: ‘I’ve been so excited for our 2025 Beauty Advent Calendar to launch! Not only does it exceed the value of previous years, but it features some of our newest beauty brands such as Fenty, Laneige, Trinny and Chantecaille.

‘We’ve also included more surprise treatment experiences to make the calendar feel extra special for our customers. With searches already up 50% versus last year we know it’s a launch our customers are really looking forward to.’

The John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 will go on general sale on 3rd October, however, there is a way you can get your hands on the goods before this. 

Those who are My John Lewis members will gain exclusive first access to the calendar on 30th September. Considering last year’s advent sold out in six weeks, we think it’s wise to join the My John Lewis membership to avoid missing out. 

This is one you won’t want to miss.

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Charlotte Tilbury is expanding its iconic AirBrush collection, and yes, that includes a new and approved AirBrush Flawless Filter Foundation. 

The British beauty mogul is not just adding one product to the line, but two, with the AirBrush Flawless Matte Setting Spray becoming another new addition to the ever-growing range. 

Let’s deep dive into the two new launches, which we know will be filling everyone’s make-up bags. 

The AirBrush Flawless Filter Foundation may not be a new release, but it is a modified formulation, and considering its viral status we think this will fly off the shelves pronto. 

The foundation claims to be the first ever 3D matte foundation that doesn’t leave your make-up looking flat, yet blurs your complexion, pores and pigmentation for a flawless finish. 

AirBrush Flawless Filter Foundation 

This comeback has undergone modifications to the formula to create a full-coverage and budge-proof foundation that offers a matte finish to last all-day long. The inclusion of Powder Blur Airtech, Phytoyouth Essence, and Biomimetic Skin Tech combine to achieve a flawless matte finish that blurs pores, fine lines, pigmentation and any imperfections. Available in 44 shades. 

shop £39

The liquid formula offers 24-hours of full coverage – emphasis on the full coverage – though you can blend with a moisturiser to lift this slightly for a lighter coverage. It promises to be waterproof, transfer-proof and ‘lifeproof’, according to the founder. 

Speaking on the new innovations, Charlotte Tilbury said: ‘Blemishes, redness, pores, fine lines, pigmentation, uneven skin, dark circles…my new formula instantly vanishes the look of all imperfections, without it feeling or looking mask-like. Instead, it feels like a flawless, poreless second skin!

Charlotte Tilbury has used Powder Blur Airtech, which is the secret to blurring any imperfections, smoothing the skin texture, but without leaving a cakey or dry finish. 

Like most of Charlotte Tilbury’s products, this is a skincare and make-up hybrid as it has also been formulated with its signature Phytoyouth Essence, which hydrates the skin and boasts anti-ageing properties, as well as Biomimetic Skin Tech that helps to achieve the second-skin velvet soft finish. 

The foundation is available in 44 shades, so you’re bound to find the perfect colour match. However, there is a shade match tool you can utilise on the website should you need. 

While the foundation marks the first step in your make-up routine, the AirBrush Flawless Setting Spray is the final step that is key to holding your finished look in place. 

AirBrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte

Looking for a longwearing matte setting spray? The new AirBrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte combines Dual-Action Oil + Shine Control Complex and PoreAway technology to leave skin smooth, airbrushed and flawless. It promises 16-hours of hold, and sprays out an ultra-fine mist. 

shop £32

This new release offers a matte finish, controlling any oil and shine so your skin is not left looking greasy or oily, which is hugely beneficial in the summer months, on holiday, and nights spent on a sweaty dancefloor. 

The setting spray promises a longlasting 16-hour hold with a waterproof, lightweight and non-sticky finish.

The Dual-Action Oil + Shine Control Complex works to absorb excess oil and control sebum, while the PoreAway technology works to keep the pores clear to prevent breakouts.  

Unlike some setting sprays we have trialled, this innovation is dispersed as an ultra-fine mist, so you don’t have to worry about your make-up bleeding, mascara smudging, or being squirted in the eye. 

Top tip from Charlotte Tilbury is to shake the setting spray to activate. 

Explore the new releases now – these are definitely not ones to be missed.

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