The key to narrowing STEM’s gender gap lies not in recruitment campaigns alone, but in relationships. Across the globe, mentoring programs reveal that when women and girls connect with role models via mentorships — persistence rises, identity strengthens, and pathways into STEM careers open wider.
Source
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When it comes to hand care, I’ve always struggled to find a cuticle oil or serum that I can actually use regularly. Most of them are either too greasy or too messy – and I always end up feeling like I can’t touch my keyboard or get on with my day. Enter the Navy Hand & Cuticle Serum. It’s an absolute game-changer.
This product is designed to treat the skin and nails to intensive hydration in a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly to leave hands silky smooth. Works on both the skin and cuticles and supports overall nail and skin health.
I’ve been so impressed with Navy as a brand in general. They create products that feel truly considered, elegant, and a joy to use.
I actually met the founder, Rebecca Crawforth, at the Space NK lunch celebrating Navy’s launch into Space NK and their partnership with my lovely friend Lydia Millen. Rebecca is absolutely wonderful. The kind of founder I always love to meet. She’s genuine, passionate, and supportive in a way that makes you want the very best for her and her brand.
In fact, Rebecca even went online and bought some products from my brand REESON, which was just the sweetest and kindest gesture. That kind of thoughtfulness says everything about her.
The first thing I noticed was the chic bottle and branding. Navy have absolutely nailed the design. It looks gorgeous on my side table, and the bottle itself feels so luxe in the hand. It’s one of those products that makes you want to reach for it, which is half the battle when it comes to building good beauty habits.
This is where the magic happens. The Navy Hand & Cuticle Serum has the most elegant texture, sitting perfectly between an oil and a serum.
It’s honestly such a pleasure to use, and it’s the first time I’ve found myself using a hand and cuticle product daily without fail.
I’ve made it part of my evening ritual. I keep the serum on the side table next to where I watch TV, so I naturally remember to apply it. Just a few dropa massaged into the tops of my hands and around my cuticles is enough to hydrate and condition without leaving any residue.
It’s so easy, so chic, and so effective. I’m obsessed.
This product really ticks all the boxes for me: it’s beautiful to look at, easy to use, and delivers instant visible results. My hands feel soft, my cuticles are cared for, and I don’t have to pause my day because of greasy residue.
It’s one of those products that feels like a true ritual of self-care, and I can see myself repurchasing it again and again.
It has a texture that’s halfway between a serum and an oil – light, silky, and non-greasy.
No, it absorbs super quickly and leaves only a flattering glow, no stickiness or slime.
Absolutely. Because it’s so lightweight and non-messy, it’s easy to apply every day.
Yes, it sinks in so fast that you can get straight back to your keyboard without any oily residue.
The Navy Hand & Cuticle Serum is available at Space NK and via Navy’s own website.
Check out all my latest review on the homepage.
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When I visited the DECIEM labs in Toronto, I had the absolute treat of trying the brand-new The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum ahead of its global launch. If you’re already a fan of The Ordinary’s science-first skincare, you’re going to love how they’ve brought that same clever approach to lip care. Here is everything you need to know. It is available now.
The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum is the brand’s first-ever lip-focused exfoliating treatment. Instead of relying on abrasive scrubs, this gentle serum uses chemical exfoliation with Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs) to smooth, hydrate, and plump the lips.
This makes it a new-generation alternative to lip scrubs. It is more hydrating and far kinder to the delicate lip area. And of course, it comes at The Ordinary’s famously fair price point:
Our lips are much thinner than the rest of our skin, with only 3–5 cellular layers compared to around 16 on the face. They also don’t contain oil glands, which makes them especially prone to dehydration, flakiness, and discomfort.
That’s why The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum is such a clever innovation. It works to gently remove dead skin while boosting hydration, helping lips feel smooth, soft, and healthy.
Joe Basham, Senior Science Communications Manager at DECIEM, sums it up beautifully:
“Lip skin is thinner and more delicate than facial skin, making it more vulnerable to water loss. PHA’s offer both gentle exfoliation and hydration support, gently renewing the skin’s surface while helping to promote its natural renewal.”
The formula features a blend of smart, skin-loving actives:
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract – rich in antioxidants and gives the serum its pretty pink hue (which disappears on application).
Gluconolactone (PHA 5%) – the star ingredient, a gentle acid that exfoliates while supporting hydration.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Citric, Malic & Tartaric Acid) – smooth texture and refine the lips’ surface.
At the DECIEM labs, I tested The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum and was instantly taken by its oil-serum-gel texture. It melts into the lips effortlessly and leaves behind a softly tacky film that feels nourishing and protective rather than sticky.
There’s a mild tingling sensation, but it’s comfortable, and actually adds to that sense of the serum working. The end result? Lips that look plumper, smoother, and more hydrated.
With The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum, I’ve noticed a smoother lip texture and a naturally plumped and healthy-looking finish. I have been testing a different lip product that I am launching for my brand REESON for about a year, which has meant I don’t currently have any dryness or flakiness, but I think this lip serum would be very effective on that if you suffered with that.
The Ordinary recommend using this every other day at night.
You may feel a light tingling, but it’s very comfortable and the tingling doesn’t last long.
It’s more of a treatment than a balm. You can still layer a nourishing balm over it if you like.
No, while the serum looks pink in the tube, the colour disappears completely on application.
I’m really excited about The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum. It’s exactly what I’d expect from The Ordinary – smart, affordable, and rooted in real skincare science. If you’ve struggled with scrubs or constant dryness, this is such a brilliant upgrade for your routine.
I love to let it dry and then apply my favourite lip balm from La Mer. It’s a serious case of a high low combo! If you are looking for a lip balm, but want something more affordable than La Mer, have a read of Best Lip Balms for Dry Lips for 2025.
The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum is £7.60 GBP | $8.50 USD | €9.80 EUR | $12.10 CAD | $14.60 AUD for 15ml and it is available at The Ordinary*.
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(same as 2024 price)
This is super exciting! Back again for 2025, we have another gorgeous Sisley Paris Advent Calendar, and I think it’s the most stunning one yet with such and amazing mix of products. Here is everything you need to know.
The Sisley Paris Advent Calendar for 2025 just launched. It is available HERE* now.
This year’s edition is designed by British artist Luke Edward Hall, who has illustrated the box with his signature style. It is inspired by a festive theatre, and contains some of Sisley’s favourite skincare, makeup, perfume, and haircare products.
The Sisley Paris Advent Calendar 2025 includes:
This year, the Sisley Paris Advent Calendar is £640 which is the same price as 2024. I have calculated the value to be approximately £1088.
The Sisley Paris Advent Calendar has just launched and it is available now via the link below:
Stay tuned for the 2025 unboxing. In the meantime, check out last year’s Advent Calendar unboxing video.
The Sisley Paris Advent Calendar 2025 is a true celebration of the brand’s most loved icons, carefully balancing skincare, fragrance, hair care, and makeup.
Standout inclusions such as the Black Rose Cream Mask, Supremÿa At Night treatments, and the Sisleÿa L’Integral Anti-Age collection offer a luxurious introduction to Sisley’s advanced skincare expertise, while everyday staples like the Cleansing Milk with White Lily and Floral Toning Lotion ensure each drawer contains something genuinely useful.
Fragrance lovers will love the addition of Eau du Soir and L’Eau Rêvée d’Hubert, while makeup fans are treated to a full-size Phyto-Noir Mascara and the elegant Le Phyto-Gloss in Aurora.
The inclusion of the Hair Ritual range and indulgent body care makes this calendar feel complete from head to toe. It is beautifully presented and thoughtfully curated and it retails at £640. I have calculated the value to be approximately £1,088 which makes it a great way to experience Sisley with a really good value saving.
I absolutely love this edition.
This year’s edition is available HERE* now.
Here is a full list of what was in last year’s calendar:
Cleansing Milk with White Lily 30ml
Gentle Purifying Shampoo 50ml
Floral Toning Lotion 30ml
Velvet Nourishing Cream with Saffron Flowers 10ml
Restructuring Conditioner with Cotton Proteins 50ml
Regenerating Hair Care Mask 50ml
Supremÿa At Night The Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Care Lotion 10ml
Supremÿa At Night The Supreme Anti-Aging Cream 5ml
Supremÿa At Night The Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Care 5ml
All Day All Year 10ml
Izia La Nuit 10ml
Ombre Eclat Liquide N°2 Cooper 6.5ml
Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge 5ml
Black Rose Precious Face Oil 3ml
Perfumed Ceramic
Eye Contour Mask 30ml
Black Rose Cream Mask 10ml
Velvet Nourishing Body Cream with Saffron Flowers 15ml
Volumizing Spray Texture & Density 30ml
Phyto-Lip Twist N°11 Litchi 1g
Eau De Campagne Gentle Bath And Shower Gel With Botanical Extracts 50ml
The Cream 230 15ml
L’Eau Rêvée d’Hubert 10ml
Phyto Rouge Shine 11 Sheer Blossom 3g
Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge La Cure 10ml
This year’s calendar is £640 which is the same price as 2024.
Get 15% off every full priced Sisley Paris product plus a Sisleya free gift, when you spend £280, for a limited time only.
Check out the full round up on Best Beauty Advent Calendars 2025.
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Having a good lip care product that works on dry, chapped lips is key to caring for the thin, delicate skin on the mouth and keeping your pout looking perfect. I have tested quite a few different ones, and here’s my list of the best lip balms for 2025.
Dry lips are mainly caused by a range of environmental factors including dry or cold weather, sun damage, if you lick your lips too much, or some foods you eat.
Lip skin is particularly vulnerable to external influences because it is super thin and delicate.
I find that a good lip balm is an essential part of my kit, especially if I want to feel comfortable and for my lipstick or lip colour to look good. I have included all my favourites here.
If you want to ultimate skincare and lip colour hybrid, you will love the new REESON Glossing Balms that I just launched for my own brand. I have been using the final formula for 8 months, and I haven’t had dry lips since!
It’s uses a blend of Squalane, dual Vitamin E, Ceramide NP and Tribehenin (a Glycerin derivative) to deeply nourish and repair the delicate skin barrier, while protecting from environmental aggressor. It’s available in 2 high shine, cushioning shades, Dewy Rose and Dewy Nude.
This is one of my favourite tinted lip balms ever. It’s not cheap but it is absolutely gorgeous!
It uses skincare technology and the formula uses Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, derived from licorice root, to defend against dryness and smooth out the lips. There also a blend of botanical oils which help to moisturise and make lips look more volumised. My favourite shade is Neutral Pink.
Shop it via the following links:
Read the Cle de Peau Lip Glorifier Review & Swatches.
If you like something a little more glossy and juicy, this is the one for you. This Fenty lip oil-gloss is so lovely, and whenever I wear it, I always get questions about what’s on my lips.
The formula is enriched with Cherry Seed Oil, Barbados Cherry Extra and Wild Cherry Extract, plus Jojoba seed and rosehip fruit oils help lock in moisture to soothe dry lips.
Read FENTY Skin Cherry Treat Conditioning & Strengthening Lip Oil.
Shop it via the following links:
This is a brand new addition to the UK market, and it is known as the CeraVe Healing Ointment in the US.
We just got it here and it’s such a multi-tasking affordable hero and especially great as a quick and easy lip balm. It is a petroleum jelly formula that is amped with Ceramides and Hyaluronic acid to infuse and lock in moisture. It isn’t particularly glam, but it’s great!!
The CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment is available via the links below:
Read my full review: CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment Review UK.
This was one of my best lip balm discoveries last year!
The texture of this lip balm is exquisite. I am a big fan of Farmacy’s Cleansing Balms, in fact the original one features in my Best Cleansers for 2025 for all Skin Types & Budgets post. However, I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with one of their lip balms.
The tiniest touch of this balm goes a long way, and the finish is so shiny that it looks like you are wearing an amazing lip gloss. It feels super nourishing and for a more makeup-y look, it is perfect paired with a lip liner.
The Farmacy Beauty Lip Smoothie Vitamin C + Peptide Lip Balm Apple is £20 and available via the following links:
Laneige is finally pretty easily available in the UK which is great news because their Sleeping Lip Masks are brilliant.
I have a couple of them now. I bought the Berry one when it become available in Sephora UK, and then while I was in New York in January, I picked up the latest release which is the Cotton Candy flavour,. It’s super pretty and tastes great! It should be available in the UK fairly soon.
You can shop the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask via the following links:
This have been one of my favourite lip balms since I first tried it quite a few years back. Not only am I obsessed with the baby pink tube, but the formula is absolutely excellent and can rescue my lips quickly even when they are super dry.
It contains a gorgeous blend of lipids, shea butter and ceramides to really care for the skin barrier and provide deep nourishment and intense hydration. Love it.
Buy it via the following links:
This one isn’t quite as pretty but it is super effective at tackling dryness on the lips and also the skin around the mouth.
It ues soothing Licorice Extract to reduce redness and soothe and Evening primrose oil to maintain the lips’ natural protective barrier. Panthenol and Glycerol moisturise, heal and soften The formula is suitable for conditions such as lip-lick eczema, cheilitis or dry lips caused by medical treatment.
Buy it via the following links:
This lip balm from Summer Fridays, which was satisfyingly repackaged the year before last, is one of those lip balms that looks as good as it feels.
It has a gorgeous thick buttery texture that melts into the lips and give a pretty high shine finish. It has a blend of butters and seed oils that provide instant comfort.
You can buy it via the following links:
Also, make sure you check out Summer Fridays’ new Dream Lip Oils. They are fab.
I had to include the Lip Balm from La Mer because I absolutely love it. It might be expensive and boujee but it totally works and it makes lips soft, smooth and happy.
The formula uses La Mer’s Miracle Broth ingredient which is calming and conditioning, and it leaves a soft velvety sheen on the lips. It’s fab.
You can buy it via the following links:
Well this is a real classic and something I have had in my beauty arsenal for over twenty-five years.
Arden actually do a specific 8 Hour lip balm but I prefer the original skin protectant for literally everything! It helps to lock in moisture and soothe any skin that’s feeling dry, plus it leave a gorgeous gloss on the lips.
You can buy it via the following links:
You may also want to check out:
