Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Platinum

Never underestimate the importance of a well-shaped brow. Clients are often amazed at how much this helps enhance their features while adding life and definition to the face. Each decade has had its own eyebrow shape: from the 50s’ defined high arch, 70s’ overly plucked and very thin (some of us are still paying the price for following this trend), the 80s’ full and fluffy, up to today’s where just about anything goes, but with a nod to the more natural. Avoid over-plucking or allowing brows to be too close or too far apart, and if applying a colour, stay away from a shade that is too similar to your skin tone. If you are lucky enough to still have a full brow that just needs shading to cover the…

We’re constantly being bombarded with images of celebrities and influencers on social media, confidently displaying their perfect “piano key” smiles. For many, veneers have been the go-to for an instant smile makeover, but they often require invasive and irreversible dental work and while they can cover a multitude of flaws, they’re expensive as they need to be replaced around the 10-year mark. According to leading cosmetic dental expert, Dr Thomas Crawford-Clarke, whose expertise lies in creating natural-looking smiles, the flawless Hollywood smile is becoming less popular with his patients, who are looking for a more authentic look. He explains that in his London practice, Luceo Dental, he has seen a boom in patients moving away from veneers and they’re now looking for ways to work with their own teeth to…

The sight of bright green swathes of wild garlic are a gloriously bold announcement of the season – even more special when one considers that wild garlic is basically free food that is delicious to eat. I love to make it into pesto, wilt it with other greens to make a crostini topping, or use it in risotto. Be careful when picking it that you are not trespassing on somebody’s patch and that you are only ever taking what you need, without causing any damage. Also, be aware of the fact that it is similar in appearance to Lily of the Valley, which is definitely not edible! My advice is don’t pick if you’re unsure. It’s not just wild garlic that you can be out gathering at this time of…

This is such an exciting month with so much of the garden bursting into growth and flower, how can you not be inspired? The incentive to get out into the garden is also increased by the gradual rise in temperature and the much longer, and therefore more productive, days. Mind you, saying that, it can sometimes be the case that there is so much going on and potentially so much to do that we forget to enjoy what is all around us this month, so make sure you give yourself time to stop, take a deep breath and take in your surroundings. APPLY MULCHES Now that perennials have pushed through the ground it is easy to see where we should be applying our mulch. Don’t skimp, as it needs to…

Situated within the North Pennines National Landscape and European Geopark is the idyllic High Force Hotel – a rural retreat with 10 individually styled en-suite rooms and a warm welcome. It is an incredibly popular destination for a country walk, hearty Sunday lunch and a superb stay in the most stunning surroundings of Upper Teesdale – with four-legged friends always welcome too. Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel is High Force Waterfall itself, one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the UK. Part of the River Tees, the waterfall has an awe-inspiring 21 metre cascade into the ancient rocks dating back over 300 million years. SEE THE STARS High Force Waterfall is one of the UK’s best dark sky locations and offers its popular Stargazing Supper experience on…

Apricot and almond baked oats I tried mashed banana baked oats, but they didn’t seem to last very long in the fridge. This recipe keeps better, if you don’t serve it all at once, and I love the soft, sweet apricots paired with delicate almonds. A warming recipe that can be served on its own or with some coconut yoghurt and Manuka honey for some extra prebiotic goodness. Serves 6 ● Coconut oil, for greasing● 6 apricots (I use variety Faralia Spain)● 2 eggs (or vegan eggs)● 600ml plant milk● 1 tsp vanilla extract● 160g whole rolled oats● 1 tbsp chia seeds● 50g flaked almonds● 1 tsp ground cinnamon● Pinch of nutmeg● 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup, if vegan) For the topping (per portion) ● 3-4 tbsp coconut yoghurt●…

See the Laburnum Arch in full bloom WHAT Bodnant GardensWHERE ConwyWHEN Open 10am-4pm every dayPRICE Adult entry £18 (free for National Trust members)WEBSITE nationaltrust.org.uk With intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, there are many gardens in one at Bodnant. Created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family and Puddle family head gardeners, this haven of rarity and beauty with a stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) is a delight for the senses. While the gardens are impressive year-round, a visit in spring promises the best floral displays, with the famous 55-metre Laburnum Arch fully blooming from late May to early June. Make a day of it with a…

As a career and confidence coach, I’ve worked with hundreds of women, and in the last few years, I’ve noticed an exciting shift. More and more women in their 50s, 60s and 70s are reaching out, often with a bit of hesitation, wondering whether I can work with them. My answer? Absolutely, yes! These women aren’t looking to slow down – they’re gearing up. They are wanting to launch businesses, switch careers, embrace new challenges, rekindle passions, learn new skills, rediscover their purpose and find fulfilment in midlife and beyond. Back in 2021, Davina McCall’s documentary Sex, Myths and the Menopause finally got people talking about menopause in a way that felt open, honest, and long overdue. Suddenly, women felt empowered to ask for the right support and take control…

THURSDAY 15TH MARCH Abigail, a chameleon, easily settled into the Harrisons’ home. She’d been with them for three weeks now, turning a deaf ear to Ben’s increasingly frequent hints that he could help her look for flats in London if she needed a second opinion, instead choosing only to hear Mel’s enthusiastic extensions on her hospitality. Abi had started to recognise, then expect, and finally understand their routines, their habits and humour. She knew that Imogen woke first and that she couldn’t resist giving Lily a nudge to get her out of bed, too. She heard their whispers and giggles, then their feet clatter down the stairs, cupboards opening and closing as cereals pitter-pattered into bowls. Their mother would dash downstairs the moment she heard them stir; pulling her drab,…

‘Bring on my 50s!’ ‘I have just read the article written by your Ambassadors (April issue) about why they feel better now than they did in their 20s and 30s. I loved their words of wisdom and positivity. I will be 50 in one month and I have been feeling negative about it. However, after reading this article, I thought about how I have loved my two careers spanning 20 years and eight years respectively; and I am loving my current career nearly one year in. ‘I still have my own home, have spent time travelling America and India, partying in Ibiza and have had many more wonderful holidays further afield. Combined with very special friends and family including three gorgeous nieces, I feel overall life has been good. So,…

I am incredibly excited to announce that the Platinum Magazine Beauty Awards are back for their second year. Almost every day sees the launch of a new wonder product or tool, existing ones having a revamp, or an old forgotten favourite popping up again. At Platinum we never underestimate the importance that skincare, haircare and makeup play in our everyday life and how getting it right or wrong can affect our confidence and mood over the day. That is why I’ve put together an incredible panel of expert judges to bring their expertise to testing out haircare, skincare, make-up, fragrances and gadgets. And 2025 sees an even larger panel of experts but with some familiar faces. This year’s panel is made up of a group of Platinum readers as well…

I’m declaring a ban on guilty pleasures. Those little – or big – things that light you up brighter than the aurora borealis, but your inner critic nags that you “shouldn’t” be doing. And there’s the rub. The guilt this triggers can cause you to put your “thing” on the back burner and stay stuck on your people-pleasing hamster wheel, feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. But you have nothing to feel guilty about. Your time is your most precious commodity, and how you spend it is your choice – no-one else’s. You have no need to explain yourself to anyone. So own that decision, guilt-free and make this the month you start living your second spring your way. Grant yourself permission to enjoy your “not-at-all-guilty pleasures” by following my five steps.…

Walking along a towering clifftop looking out across the beautiful Cornish coastline, I watched the deep blue waves wash in and out, while just below me flocks of chattering birds fluttered on their rocky perches. I was walking on the South West Coast Path, one of the many scenic spots along my 900-mile walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The trail curves neatly around Cornwall but is very demanding on the knee joints with big elevation ups and downs. At points I was faced with massive staircases with hundreds of steps on inclines that looked almost vertical. To make matters worse, my backpack was too heavy for my slight 5ft 3in frame. On some days my legs would ache in the morning, while still inside my tiny one-person tent,…

Travelling alone as a woman comes with a mix of excitement and hesitation, especially when venturing into a destination as dynamic and dazzling as Dubai. Known for its futuristic skyline, luxury experiences, and deep cultural roots, this Middle Eastern metropolis offers a solo travel experience that’s both thrilling and empowering. From sipping Arabic coffee while overlooking the waterfront at Dubai Marina, to taking in the glittering views from a rooftop lounge, my solo journey through Dubai wasn’t just an escape, it was a complete revelation. As a woman traveling solo, safety is everything. I arrived in Dubai with a suitcase packed for adventure but with a mind full of caution, bracing for cultural misunderstandings, awkward stares, and a hyper-vigilance over my phone and bag. Instead, what I found was a…

It’s the decade when many of us start really thinking about retirement, and I have developed a probably unhealthy habit of checking up on my pension pots on a sometimes weekly basis. I say unhealthy, because it means I am hyper aware of the fluctuations in my investments, but at least I know exactly how much I have in my pots. As is common with lots of people in their 50s, I still have multiple pension pots. For some, this will be because they’ve moved jobs a lot and haven’t combined their pensions. For me, it’s because I’m lucky that several of my pensions have some valuable guarantees attached, so switching them to a different provider isn’t an option (even if consolidating would make it easier to keep track of…

Upcoming events RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW, LONDON, ENGLAND MAY 20-24, LONDON (rhs.org.uk) Perhaps one of the best-known Royal Horticultural Society shows there is, the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show returns this May with amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping. Whether you’re working with a large garden, small space or balcony, gather some inspiration as you explore the stunning show gardens and dazzling floristry displays. There will also be plenty of experts and vendors on hand to answer your questions. PLIED AND PREJUDICE RUNNING UNTIL END OF JULY, LONDON (pliedandprejudice.com) This new and immersive theatre experience is a laugh-out-loud parody of the Jane Austen classic, which sees you attending Mr Darcy’s ball at Pemberley. Equal parts performance and party, this interactive show delivers lots of audience participation complete with…