
Sophia Gaines Mitchell and Candiece Wilson reflect on the lessons they have learned as leaders at Turner, driving impact in the construction field.
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Sophia Gaines Mitchell and Candiece Wilson reflect on the lessons they have learned as leaders at Turner, driving impact in the construction field.
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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.
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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*.
Keep me informed on this and all The Ordinary products
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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.
Keep me informed on this and all Advent Calendar products
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