Lucy Smith
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@_bsme winning Commerce and Beauty Writer for @theindybest @independent (previously words @glamourmaguk @heatworld @closeronline)
Articles by Lucy Smith
Aldi is launching a dehumidifier for less than £50 – here’s what we know
Wed, October 14, 2026 at 1:04 PM UTC With a 2.2l tank, the affordable appliance could rival the likes of Lakeland and DaewooRead more: Best dehumidifiers, reviewed The Independent and Yahoo will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. With the cold and raining weather settling in for the reason, Aldi has announced the return of its £45 dehumidifier.
Aldi is launching a dehumidifier for less than £50 – here’s what we know
With the cold and raining weather settling in for the reason, Aldi has announced the return of its £45 dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers of this size (it has a 2.2l capacity) can cost as much as £70, so a saving of more than £25 certainly isn’t to be snuffed at. Aldi is renowned for its budget alternatives, be it a Dyson-inspired vacuum cleaner or a Ninja-rivalling air fryer.
Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar 2026, my honest first impression
It's been two months since the Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar 2026 first made an appearance, well ahead of the rush for this year's best beauty advent calendars. But somewhere between then and now, all mention of the calendar disappeared from the retailer's website, leaving beauty fans wondering what had happened. Well, it's finally here. The £250 countdown is available to pre-order (Harveynichols.com), with all 29 products revealed just as the rival Harrods calendar sells out.
Why Black Friday 2026 could bring better beauty advent calendar deals
Beauty advent calendars are among the biggest Christmas purchases of the season but, with Black Friday 2026 looming, you may want to consider when you should snap up a calendar. While some of the most sought-after beauty advent calendars sell out long before November, others – including launches from Charlotte Tilbury, Mac and Boots – have historically been discounted once the Black Friday sales begin.
We tried Dyson's cheapest hair tool to see if it beats the Airwrap
It's been two and a half weeks since the Dyson airsmooth launched as both the brand's first standalone hot brush and, at £199, its cheapest hair styler to date. The hair tool arrived alongside the updated corrale coolshine hair straightener, but it's the airsmooth that could prove particularly tempting for anyone who's struggled to justify the cost of Dyson's pricier styling tools. At £380 less than the renowned airwrap, the airsmooth strips things back considerably.
We tried Dyson’s cheapest hair tool to see if it’s better than the airwrap
It’s been two and a half weeks since the Dyson airsmooth launched as both the brand’s first standalone hot brush and, at £199, its cheapest hair styler to date. The hair tool arrived alongside the updated corrale coolshine hair straightener, but it’s the airsmooth that could prove particularly tempting for anyone who’s struggled to justify the cost of Dyson’s pricier styling tools. At £380 less than the renowned airwrap, the airsmooth strips things back considerably.
Dyson has stopped selling the CameraJet electric toothbrush
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Best beauty advent calendars 2026, tested on face & body
The best beauty advent calendars 2026 has to offer are now almost all available to shop, with Space NK being the latest big-name retailer to open sales on 10 September. Sephora launched not long before on 8 September, with both retailers joining a packed field that includes Selfridges (which has already sold out twice before coming back into stock), Harrods, Liberty, Cult Beauty, John Lewis and Lookfantastic.
I emptied the Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar – and it’s her best one yet
BeautySales & Promo 18 Sep 2026 • 4:28 PM MYT The Independent The world’s most free-thinking newspaper The Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar has had a bit of a makeover for 2026, with more products and a lower price tag than last year. For anyone choosing between the best beauty advent calendars on offer this year, that’s worth knowing – although calendars from the likes of Harrods and Cult Beauty typically boast better value for money (more on this below).
My review of the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar 2026
The Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar has had a bit of a makeover for 2026, with more products and a lower price tag than last year. For anyone choosing between the best beauty advent calendars on offer this year, that's worth knowing – although calendars from the likes of Harrods and Cult Beauty typically boast better value for money (more on this below). That's not to say you should rule out Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood beauty wonderland advent calendar, though.
I emptied the Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar – and it’s her best one yet
1 day ago We found top brands like Hoka, Levi’s and more, up to 50% off. There’s no better way to welcome fall than with a big Nordstrom sale! And the retailer kicked off its Nordstrom Savings Event, with savings of up to 25% across fall fashion and beauty. We’ve found deals on so many of our favorite brands, …
Best hair oils for 2026, reviewed on three hair types
A good hair oil can make a noticeable difference when your hair is looking dry, frizzy or lacking shine. Much like a good leave-in conditioner, the right formula can help smooth the hair, tame flyaways and give lacklustre lengths a glossy finish, while making split ends and damage from heat styling or bleaching look less obvious.
45 best beauty advent calendars 2026, expert-tested and ranked
The best beauty advent calendars 2026 has to offer are now almost all available to shop, with Space NK being the latest big-name retailer to go live with its countdown. Sephora, meanwhile, launched sales earlier in the week, joining an already crowded field that includes Selfridges, Harrods, Liberty, Cult Beauty, John Lewis and Lookfantastic. Some – would you believe it – launched as early as July and others have already sold out.
45 best beauty advent calendars 2026, expert-tested and ranked
Lucy Smith The best beauty advent calendars 2026 has to offer are now almost all available to shop, with Space NK being the latest big-name retailer to go live with its countdown. Sephora, meanwhile, launched sales earlier in the week, joining an already crowded field that includes Selfridges, Harrods, Liberty, Cult Beauty, John Lewis and Lookfantastic. Some – would you believe it – launched as early as July and others have already sold out.
I unboxed all 33 products in Cult Beauty’s 2026 advent calendar – here’s my verdict
The Cult Beauty advent calendar 2026 is now live, and I’ve got my hands on the retailer’s ‘special edition’ Christmas countdown to unbox every product inside. As I continue testing the best beauty advent calendars for 2026, Cult Beauty’s offering has wound up being one of my favourites, joining the likes of Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and Space NK in the competition for this year’s most popular haul.
41 best beauty advent calendars 2026, reviewed by a beauty expert
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Here's what to know from Dyson's electric toothbrush launch in Paris
Dyson has ventured into a new tech category with the launch of the Dyson CameraJet electric toothbrush. In the world of electronics, it's been four years since Dyson last explored a new department, with the release of the Dyson Zone headphones back in 2022.
Here’s what to know from Dyson’s electric toothbrush launch in Paris
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Best beauty advent calendars 2026, reviewed by a beauty journalist
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Best Korean skincare products in 2026, reviewed by a beauty writer
There's a reason Korean skincare has become such a big deal in the beauty world. From the rise of sheet masks to the now-standard double cleanse, our skincare routines are all the better for the influence of Korean brands. Many now sit alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, with K-beauty trends regularly making their way onto social media. Korean skincare is also known for its multi-step approach, with hydration at the heart of many routines.
8 best electric toothbrushes for a deeper clean, tried and tested
Health & Fitness 19 Aug 2026 • 5:07 PM MYT The Independent The world’s most free-thinking newspaper Switching to the best electric toothbrush could help improve your oral hygiene in several ways, from removing more plaque to supporting healthier gums.
Exclusive: Sephora reveals first seven beauty advent calendar products
The Sephora advent calendar 2026 is back for another year, with the retailer giving The Independent an exclusive first look at its 25-day festive beauty haul. While Sephora is keeping most of the contents under wraps for now, I managed to muddle out nine products from its obscured first-look image, and the retailer has since confirmed seven of the items within.
Sephora reveals first seven beauty advent calendar products
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People are tired of finding these products in beauty advent calendars
The concept of beauty advent calendars first began around 2010, when Selfridges released one in collaboration with L'Oréal. In 2014, Liberty London then dropped its first calendar and now, more than 10 years on, its offering – which is traditionally modelled on the Regent street department store – is widely considered the gold standard of beauty advents.
My honest review of Harrods' beauty advent calendar as pre-orders open
The Harrods beauty advent calendar 2026 was one of the first major festive countdowns to launch this year and is now available for all to pre-order, following an initial app-exclusive window. It remains one of the best beauty advent calendars 2026 has to offer and returns alongside the Knightsbridge stalwart's best-selling fragrance and hair and body advent calendars.
7 best Oral-B electric toothbrushes, tested for whitening and plaque removal
Oral-B’s electric toothbrush range can be surprisingly confusing to get your head around. Many of the models look similar, the names can be hard to tell apart and the differences between features aren’t always obvious. Yet the prices can vary significantly. So, which one is actually worth spending your money on? Oral-B has been moving away from many of its older models in favour of its iO range, which first launched in 2020.
Sephora beauty advent calendar 2026: release date, contents and price
The Sephora beauty advent calendar 2026 has joined this season's Christmas countdowns as the retailer reveals exclusively to The Independent the first details of its treasure trove of products. For now, these titbits are limited – to keep the festive spirit alive! – but I can disclose that this year's 25-day haul will exceed more than £1,000 in value.
Best beauty advent calendars 2026: Waitlists, pre-orders and more
Stockings, tree baubles and the best beauty advent calendars might seem worlds away, but with summer now approaching its second half, the season for securing the year's 'must have' Christmas countdown is officially here. Waitlists and pre-orders are dropping across the board while, for a select few brands, their beauty advent calendars are available to buy now. Yankee Candle has kicked off proceedings, with the Lush advent calendar a close second and offering delivery over the next few weeks.
Best dry shampoos 2026, tried and tested
Anyone who's pressed snooze one too many times will know the lifeline that the best dry shampoo can provide. Of course, there's always the option of excess hairspray and a slick-back bun, but this can leave you contending with all-day neck pain and the risk of traction alopecia as a result of the tension and follicle stress?
An honest review of the £270 Harrods beauty advent calendar
The Harrods beauty advent calendar 2026 is one of the first festive countdowns to be revealed this year. After getting an early in-person look at the box ahead of its August pre-order date, I can reveal that it's shaping up to be one of the best beauty advent calendars this year. Bigger than its previous edition, the line-up features 34 products, including 21 full-size beauty buys, with a mix of iconic luxury names and sought-after newcomers.
This silk pillowcase rivals my £81 favourite - but it’s under £8
The Independent and Yahoo will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. As a beauty expert, I've got an ever-evolving roster of products on the go at any one time, from hair oils to skincare. But a good silk pillowcase is a mainstay of my nightly routine that I'll never go without. Having laid my head on quite a selection of silk pillowcases, (around 10 within the last year), I'm something of an expert.
Chanel has launched a new perfume – here's my honest review
In the (beautifully scented) world of perfumes, you'd be hard pushed to find a more prominent powerhouse than Chanel. So when I caught wind of the fact the coveted label is about to release a new fragrance, it piqued my interest. Of course, the brand already boasts a number of best-selling women's perfumes, with the likes of the original Chanel no.5 having reached heady heights in the olfactory hall of fame. For me, Coco mademoiselle (£80, Boots.com) has always held a special place in my heart.
Gillian Anderson’s make-up artist reveals the £11 secret to the star’s youthful complexion
Whether you know Gillian Anderson from The Crown, The Fall or her role in the crime series The X-Files, we’re all on the same page in thinking the actress has seemingly defied ageing. The 56-year-old had practically the entirety of Sex Education’s 2.75m viewers in a chokehold thanks to the allure of her character, Jean Milburn and, if you ask us, doesn’t look a day over 40. Naturally, we wanted to explore how the two-time Golden Globe winner achieves her effortless beauty – so we did some digging.
Hello Klean's shower head+ tackles hair damage beyond hard water
Since 2019, Hello Klean's shower filters have set out to solve the common woes of hard water, from brittle strands to the dulling of bright, beautiful hair hues. Seven years on, its latest device – the shower head+ – aims to take things one step further than simply filtering your water, combining the brand's three-stage filtration system with smart tracking technology that monitors everything from shower temperature to filter lifespan.
We tried Davines’s essential haircare on multiple hair types – here’s our review
The Independent and Yahoo will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Davines has long occupied a unique space in the haircare world, marrying salon-grade formulas with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Chanel spent years creating a new Coco mademoiselle perfume – here’s my honest review
In the (beautifully scented) world of perfumes, you’d be hard pushed to find a more prominent powerhouse than Chanel. So when I caught wind of the fact the coveted label is about to release a new fragrance, it piqued my interest. Of course, the brand already boasts a number of best-selling women’s perfumes, with the likes of the original Chanel no.5 having reached heady heights in the olfactory hall of fame. For me, Coco mademoiselle (£80, Boots.com) has always held a special place in my heart.
12 best skin tints 2026, tested on four skin tones
The best skin tints are the beauty industry's answer to the ‘no make-up make-up' look, offering enough coverage to blur redness and uneven tones without fully masking the skin beneath. Unlike traditional foundations, they're designed to create a more natural-looking finish, and many formulas incorporate ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and SPF to maximise on skin benefits.
These designer inspired perfumes rival Chanel, Marc Jacobs and more
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These designer perfume alternatives mimic Chanel, Lancome and more
17 Jul 2026 • 7:23 PM MYT The Independent The world’s most free-thinking newspaper Affordable perfume alternatives have come a long way from the overly sweet, one-dimensional imitations of years gone by. In fact, in 2026 some of the best budget bottles capture the essence of cult luxury scents for a fraction of the price. This makes it easier than ever to experiment with fragrance without committing to a £200 splurge.
Harrods' beauty advent calendar contents revealed
There are oodles of beauty advent calendars available these days, but don't get much more luxurious than Harrods'. Back for 2026, the department store's festive countdown is its biggest and best yet, with 34 products inside and 21 full-size beauty buys – up from 32 products and 14 full-sizes last year.
Chanel has launched a new perfume – here's my honest review
It's not often a brand can be recognised from scent alone, but such is the gravitas of Chanel's famed perfume library. Among its best-selling women's perfumes, a number of the fragrances – from the original no.5 to Chanel chance – have reached beauty hall of fame status. But Coco mademoiselle has always held a special place in my heart. My mum has worn the scent for as long as I can remember, so the heady, pink-tinged perfume is, to me, unforgettable.
Chanel spent years creating a new Coco mademoiselle perfume – here’s my honest review
I got my hands on the new Chanel Coco mademoiselle perfume before its market launch - (The Independent) It’s not often a brand can be recognised from scent alone, but such is the gravitas of Chanel’s famed perfume library. Among its best-selling women’s perfumes, a number of the fragrances – from the original no.5 to Chanel chance – have reached beauty hall of fame status. But Coco mademoiselle has always held a special place in my heart.
This £7 silk pillowcase works just as well as my £81 favourite
As a beauty expert, a silk pillowcase has become one of the bedtime upgrades I don't like to be without. Over the past few years I've tested more than 10 of them, so I've been able to track the benefits for my hair and skin in real time. Still, after all my researching, I've yet to find a cheap silk pillowcase that's both reliable and costs less than £30.
Save £212 on Elemis, Ole Henriksen and more with Boots' new beauty box
As we settle into summer and all manner of plans – from outdoor gatherings to holidays abroad – fill out calendars, a whole new swathe of beauty essentials are needed. We've retired the heavy duty lip balms in favour of skin-protecting sunscreens and all things glowy. Of course, gathering these seasonal favourites can cost a pretty penny, so when a dedicated summer beauty bundle rolls around, you have to strike while the iron is hot.
I found a desert oasis by Egypt’s Red Sea with comfort and adventure
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I found a desert oasis by Egypt’s Red Sea that combines comfort with adventure
Outside my room's window lies all the usual trappings of an all-inclusive: a large, inviting swimming pool; clear-blue shores; guests milling about with cocktails in hand. But I won't be spending the day at my hotel – the best activities lie outside of its golf course's perimeter. The Cascades Golf Resort, Spa and Thalasso is approximately 300 miles south of Cairo at the centre of Somabay, Hurghada's manmade gated beach destination.
Charlotte Tilbury’s reformulated airbrush flawless foundation is perfect for oily skin
If you’re a regular foundation wearer, chances are you’ve come across Charlotte Tilbury’s airbrush flawless foundation. It’s become a make-up staple for many thanks to its weightless, full coverage, yet natural finish. Six years after its launch, the airbrush flawless foundation was reformulated last year with the brand promising an upgraded ‘skin-like’ finish.
M&S summer beauty bag review, 2026's best beauty saving
Few retailers have transformed their beauty offering as dramatically as M&S over the past decade. Once best known for its food halls and cashmere jumpers, M&S is now home to an impressive line-up of skincare, make-up and haircare brands, with new drops that regularly generate long waiting lists. Its annual beauty advent calendar has become one of the most anticipated launches of the festive season, routinely selling out thanks to its generous savings and sought-after brands.
The truth about whether LED face masks actually work
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Best SPF moisturisers 2026, tested by a beauty writer
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