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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I'm a YOLO dieter & lost 1st in 3 months… but 5 tips could have stopped me putting half of it back on in a WEEK on hols
ADMIRING the Italian scenery in the sunshine, I take a piece of warm focaccia bread, dip it in olive oil and pop it in my mouth. It is my third, but not final, piece as I enjoy some foodie foreplay to warm up for lunch. Advertisement 5 Mel Fallowfield lost a stone before a trip to Italy – only to put half of it back on boozing and bingeing Credit: David Cummings 5 Mel, 52, reveals she must have eaten and drunk her way through a 5,725 calories a day on the trip Credit: David Cummings 5 The writer enjoying a beer by the pool in Lake Garda, northern Italy Credit: Supplied Next is a plate of spaghetti carbonara, liberally sprinkled with Parmesan, followed by the creamiest tiramisu imaginable. It is all washed down with half a bottle of white wine that I share with my husband Brian, 53, who works in marketing. Advertisement We were in Lake Garda in northern Italy on a rare holiday without our teenage boys, and as we strolled back to our apartment, we stopped for an ice cream, too. Then came a siesta . . . and soon it was supper time. That started with an Aperol spritz with crisps and a tomato and mozzarella salad with more focaccia, before a salami pizza and yet more wine. At a conservative estimate, I must have eaten and drunk my way through a 5,725 calories a day, which is almost three times the NHS daily recommended amount of 2,000 for a woman. Over a week, that's more than 40,000 calories. Advertisement And that's without the incidental ones — the odd beer by the pool , the extra glass of wine as you linger over food so delicious you can't rush it. By day five, I had to ditch any clothes with a waistband that bit into my tummy as I didn't want a constant and uncomfortable reminder I was over-indulging. Instead, I wore long, flowing dresses that skimmed over my expanding tummy. I lost half a stone eating cold chips Frankly, you only live once — or 'YOLO' as my two sons frequently say. My weight had edged up over Christmas And sipping on mineral water while picking at some grilled fish and salad is not my idea of a fun holiday. Advertisement So I put the scales out of my mind and ate and drank whatever I wanted. When I got home I faced the reality — though it took me a couple of days to brace myself — and sure enough I'd put on 7lbs. My holiday routine is about as far from my real life as it's possible to get. Since March, when I tipped the scales at just over 10st, which is verging on overweight for my 5ft 3in height, I'd been on a rigid diet in preparation for donning my bikini. My weight had edged up over Christmas, and the cold months of January and February saw me reach for stodgy pies and warming roasts. Advertisement But a glimpse of spring sunshine was a timely reminder that in three months I'd be by the pool exposing my wobbly flesh. I pretty much gave up alcohol, as it's my absolute downfall. It's not only the calories in wine and cocktails, but the vast amount I eat with a hangover. It's a menu a sumo wrestler would be proud of, taking in everything from Pot Noodles to bacon sandwiches and adding up to some 3,500 calories per day. I swim for half an hour every day, but I added in a 45-minute gym workout. By day five, I had to ditch any clothes with a waistband that bit into my tummy as I didn't want a constant and uncomfortable reminder I was over-indulging And I started the Advertisement The weight dropped off and before I went away I'd shed over a stone and hit my target weight of 9st. In many ways it was easy with a few changes to my routine. For example, rather than meeting friends in the pub, I'd suggest we went for a walk. Many of them were trying to lose weight too and were more than happy with the idea. And my sister and I dieted together, ringing each other daily to compare what we'd eaten and how much we'd lost. She went on holiday a few days before me and was clearly letting her hair down, WhatsApping me pictures of the ice cream she was devouring. Advertisement It made me even more excited about my own holiday. It was as if she was giving me permission to indulge. WHAT I ATE IN A SINGLE DAY... 2 croissants: 600 Orange juice: 45 Focaccia and olive oil (both meals): 600 Spaghetti carbonara: 906 Bottle white wine: 750 2 Aperol spritzes: 354 Salami pizza: 954 2 scoops of ice cream: 400 Tiramisu: 500 Crisps: 300 Tomato & mozzarella salad: 316 Daily cals: 5,725 Weekly cals: 40,075 5 Mel says she faced the reality of her 'YOLO dieting' once home, after realising she had put on 7lbs Credit: Supplied 'Over-indulge' Mindset coach Vivienne Joy ( 'At home you're an adult, with responsibilities. You're anchored in a routine and you control what you're doing. 'When you go away, you switch identities and let go as you're in a different environment. Advertisement 'You often adopt your teenage identity, one that is carefree with no responsibilities. That's why so many of us over-indulge.' According to Vivienne, the more controlled you are at home, the more likely you are to pig out when abroad. 'I advise people to not be so rigid at home so they don't feel the need to let go so much,' she says. Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them 'Because you will have to come home and face the music — or the scales.' Vivienne's words resonate. When it comes to food, my holiday and home personas are poles apart. While I feel guilty if I eat even a Malteser at home, abroad I didn't think twice as I dithered between two flavours of ice cream . . . then plumped for both. Advertisement It feels as if nothing counts while on holiday, and I'm certainly not going to It helps that cocktails are cheaper too When you're warm and happy, it's hard to care about anything more taxing than whether you fancy beer or an Aperol spritz. It's a completely different mindset to when you're constantly juggling the needs of work and parenting two teenage boys. At home I'm in a routine. I have to be organised, and in a way it's easier to be on a diet as I don't waste headspace and time deciding what to eat. It's going to be chicken or fish and vegetables. Abroad, you drift blissfully from your breakfast — in my case, freshly baked croissants from a favoured cafe that you can smell as you walk down the street — to exploring local eateries to see which does the best pizza or pasta. Advertisement FIVE WAYS TO STAY IN SHAPE ON VACATION TO stay trim on holiday, sustainable weight-loss expert Harriet Morris ( You will be surrounded by cues to overeat, so aim for weight maintenance, not loss. Nobody goes on holiday every month, so cut yourself some slack. Before you go for dinner, look at the restaurant menu online or as you stroll past, and plan your meal ahead. Allow yourself the food you want, but eat it slowly. This will help you digest your meal better, which keeps you fuller for longer. Instead of denying yourself dessert, ask for a separate side plate when it arrives. Put a third of it on the plate and give it back to the waiter before you eat. That really is having your cake and eating it. Everyone's metabolism is faster at lunchtime, so eat bigger, more indulgent meals then instead of in the evening. Relax as much as possible. Stress raises blood sugar levels which – unless you do vigorous exercise – sends a message to your body to store fat. So make your holiday a time to unwind, not rush. Everyone seems so happy, and warm-from-the-oven bread arrives just as you sit down at your table to peruse the menu. That menu is devoid of the nutritional information that holds me back from ordering calorific treats when I'm out in London. And it helps that the cocktails are cheaper, too, so just one more isn't going to break the bank. Everything that encourages restraint at home has gone. And of course, I'm not in a rush, so the brisk walk to the Tube that helps shed the pounds isn't happening. I still swim, but with no time restraints, I float happily on my back. But getting home was a rude awakening. Advertisement Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them. I loved my holiday and you only live once. After all, there's no point spending money going away if you just do the same as you do at home. 5 She has now lost those 7lbs but reveals she doesn't regret gaining them and enjoying her holiday Credit: David Cummings The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I'm a YOLO dieter & lost 1st in 3 months… but 5 tips could have stopped me putting half of it back on in a WEEK on hols
As Mel reveals whether she regrets her 'YOLO' dieting and putting on weight on her trip to Lake Garda, weight-loss expert Harriet Morris give you five tips for staying slim while on vacation LIVING IT UP I'm a YOLO dieter & lost 1st in 3 months… but 5 tips could have stopped me putting half of it back on in a WEEK on hols Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ADMIRING the Italian scenery in the sunshine, I take a piece of warm focaccia bread, dip it in olive oil and pop it in my mouth. It is my third, but not final, piece as I enjoy some foodie foreplay to warm up for lunch. 5 Mel Fallowfield lost a stone before a trip to Italy – only to put half of it back on boozing and bingeing Credit: David Cummings 5 Mel, 52, reveals she must have eaten and drunk her way through a 5,725 calories a day on the trip Credit: David Cummings 5 The writer enjoying a beer by the pool in Lake Garda, northern Italy Credit: Supplied Next is a plate of spaghetti carbonara, liberally sprinkled with Parmesan, followed by the creamiest tiramisu imaginable. It is all washed down with half a bottle of white wine that I share with my husband Brian, 53, who works in marketing. We were in Lake Garda in northern Italy on a rare holiday without our teenage boys, and as we strolled back to our apartment, we stopped for an ice cream, too. Then came a siesta . . . and soon it was supper time. That started with an Aperol spritz with crisps and a tomato and mozzarella salad with more focaccia, before a salami pizza and yet more wine. At a conservative estimate, I must have eaten and drunk my way through a 5,725 calories a day, which is almost three times the NHS daily recommended amount of 2,000 for a woman. Over a week, that's more than 40,000 calories. And that's without the incidental ones — the odd beer by the pool, the extra glass of wine as you linger over food so delicious you can't rush it. By day five, I had to ditch any clothes with a waistband that bit into my tummy as I didn't want a constant and uncomfortable reminder I was over-indulging. Instead, I wore long, flowing dresses that skimmed over my expanding tummy. I lost half a stone eating cold chips Frankly, you only live once — or 'YOLO' as my two sons frequently say. My weight had edged up over Christmas And sipping on mineral water while picking at some grilled fish and salad is not my idea of a fun holiday. So I put the scales out of my mind and ate and drank whatever I wanted. When I got home I faced the reality — though it took me a couple of days to brace myself — and sure enough I'd put on 7lbs. My holiday routine is about as far from my real life as it's possible to get. Since March, when I tipped the scales at just over 10st, which is verging on overweight for my 5ft 3in height, I'd been on a rigid diet in preparation for donning my bikini. My weight had edged up over Christmas, and the cold months of January and February saw me reach for stodgy pies and warming roasts. But a glimpse of spring sunshine was a timely reminder that in three months I'd be by the pool exposing my wobbly flesh. I pretty much gave up alcohol, as it's my absolute downfall. It's not only the calories in wine and cocktails, but the vast amount I eat with a hangover. It's a menu a sumo wrestler would be proud of, taking in everything from Pot Noodles to bacon sandwiches and adding up to some 3,500 calories per day. I swim for half an hour every day, but I added in a 45-minute gym workout. By day five, I had to ditch any clothes with a waistband that bit into my tummy as I didn't want a constant and uncomfortable reminder I was over-indulging And I started the Atkins diet, cutting all carbs and sugar and eating only meat, vegetables, eggs and a tiny bit of cheese. The weight dropped off and before I went away I'd shed over a stone and hit my target weight of 9st. In many ways it was easy with a few changes to my routine. For example, rather than meeting friends in the pub, I'd suggest we went for a walk. Many of them were trying to lose weight too and were more than happy with the idea. And my sister and I dieted together, ringing each other daily to compare what we'd eaten and how much we'd lost. She went on holiday a few days before me and was clearly letting her hair down, WhatsApping me pictures of the ice cream she was devouring. It made me even more excited about my own holiday. It was as if she was giving me permission to indulge. WHAT I ATE IN A SINGLE DAY... 2 croissants: 600 Orange juice: 45 Focaccia and olive oil (both meals): 600 Spaghetti carbonara: 906 Bottle white wine: 750 2 Aperol spritzes: 354 Salami pizza: 954 2 scoops of ice cream: 400 Tiramisu: 500 Crisps: 300 Tomato & mozzarella salad: 316 Daily cals: 5,725 Weekly cals: 40,075 5 Mel says she faced the reality of her 'YOLO dieting' once home, after realising she had put on 7lbs Credit: Supplied 'Over-indulge' Mindset coach Vivienne Joy ( who specialises in weight loss, says: 'It's a very common phenomenon to let go on holiday as you switch identity. 'At home you're an adult, with responsibilities. You're anchored in a routine and you control what you're doing. 'When you go away, you switch identities and let go as you're in a different environment. 'You often adopt your teenage identity, one that is carefree with no responsibilities. That's why so many of us over-indulge.' According to Vivienne, the more controlled you are at home, the more likely you are to pig out when abroad. 'I advise people to not be so rigid at home so they don't feel the need to let go so much,' she says. Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them 'Because you will have to come home and face the music — or the scales.' Vivienne's words resonate. When it comes to food, my holiday and home personas are poles apart. While I feel guilty if I eat even a Malteser at home, abroad I didn't think twice as I dithered between two flavours of ice cream . . . then plumped for both. It feels as if nothing counts while on holiday, and I'm certainly not going to count calories as I tuck into a delicious bowl of pasta in the sunshine. It helps that cocktails are cheaper too When you're warm and happy, it's hard to care about anything more taxing than whether you fancy beer or an Aperol spritz. It's a completely different mindset to when you're constantly juggling the needs of work and parenting two teenage boys. At home I'm in a routine. I have to be organised, and in a way it's easier to be on a diet as I don't waste headspace and time deciding what to eat. It's going to be chicken or fish and vegetables. Abroad, you drift blissfully from your breakfast — in my case, freshly baked croissants from a favoured cafe that you can smell as you walk down the street — to exploring local eateries to see which does the best pizza or pasta. FIVE WAYS TO STAY IN SHAPE ON VACATION TO stay trim on holiday, sustainable weight-loss expert Harriet Morris ( has these tips for you: You will be surrounded by cues to overeat, so aim for weight maintenance, not loss. Nobody goes on holiday every month, so cut yourself some slack. Before you go for dinner, look at the restaurant menu online or as you stroll past, and plan your meal ahead. Allow yourself the food you want, but eat it slowly. This will help you digest your meal better, which keeps you fuller for longer. Instead of denying yourself dessert, ask for a separate side plate when it arrives. Put a third of it on the plate and give it back to the waiter before you eat. That really is having your cake and eating it. Everyone's metabolism is faster at lunchtime, so eat bigger, more indulgent meals then instead of in the evening. Relax as much as possible. Stress raises blood sugar levels which – unless you do vigorous exercise – sends a message to your body to store fat. So make your holiday a time to unwind, not rush. Everyone seems so happy, and warm-from-the-oven bread arrives just as you sit down at your table to peruse the menu. That menu is devoid of the nutritional information that holds me back from ordering calorific treats when I'm out in London. And it helps that the cocktails are cheaper, too, so just one more isn't going to break the bank. Everything that encourages restraint at home has gone. And of course, I'm not in a rush, so the brisk walk to the Tube that helps shed the pounds isn't happening. I still swim, but with no time restraints, I float happily on my back. But getting home was a rude awakening. Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them. I loved my holiday and you only live once. After all, there's no point spending money going away if you just do the same as you do at home. 5 She has now lost those 7lbs but reveals she doesn't regret gaining them and enjoying her holiday Credit: David Cummings
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I tested £38 gadget to beat the salon and save my split ends – it blew my mind
With no time or cash to visit a salon, new mum Siobhan O'Connor tried out a trimmer that everyone's been talking about. Will it cut the mustard? HAIR THIS I tested £38 gadget to beat the salon and save my split ends – it blew my mind Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MY hair used to be pampered like royalty – regular trims, glossy blow-dries and a shelf full of fancy products to keep split ends at bay. But since becoming a mum in March, all that TLC has gone out the window. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Siobhan O'Connor's hair has been left to fend for itself between 3am feeds and the endless blur of nappies Credit: David Cummings 4 According to Luxmend, their £38 gadget only targets split ends, trimming away the frazzled bits Credit: David Cummings These days, I'm lucky if I get five minutes to run a brush through it, let alone book a salon snip. Between 3am feeds and the endless blur of nappies, my hair's been left to fend for itself, usually shoved into a dry-shampooed topknot that's more bird's nest than 'blowout'. The result? A record-breaking ten months without a trim and therefore more split ends than a Love Island recoupling. And while I dream of a head massage and glossy finish, the reality of juggling a newborn — and hearing my baby scream mid-hair wash — isn't exactly soothing. Add in the fact that my maternity pay is disappearing into nappies, wipes and babygrows, and a pricey haircut isn't an option any more. Days at home mean it's easy enough to ignore, but with a holiday coming up, my unruly mop needs taming before it hits airport security. So, on one of my early-hours TikTok scrolls, I came across a £38 gadget that promised to rescue my dead ends from the brink — a split-end hair trimmer by Luxmend, a British beauty website. The device — which looks like a typical hair straightener, but with scary teeth — has accumulated thousands of tried-and-tested videos, attracting more than two million views. Clip after clip showed users running the device over their frazzled ends, trimming just the damaged bits and revealing smooth, shiny strands underneath — within minutes. Finally, a hair fix I could squeeze in during nap time? I was sold. I tried incredible new air styler - it gave perfect curls with no heat and its a fraction of the price of Dyson Air Wrap According to Luxmend, the gadget only targets split ends, trimming away the frazzled bits without affecting your overall length. It works by feeding strands through a hair plate, which lifts any rogue, spiky ends and snips them off with built-in blades. The device comes with sectioning clips, a USB charger and a quick-start guide that recommends working in layers for the best results. Once charged, it powers up instantly, and to turn it off, you simply lock it shut. Easy enough. But I won't lie, I was nervous. The inner prongs look a little too aggressive for something gliding near my face. And the noise? Loud enough to make the baby stir. It doesn't exactly scream 'trust me'. So, before committing my split ends to Luxmend's blades, I did what any trend-follower would do — another TikTok deep dive. 'Unravelling rope' Cue panic. Among the glossy before-and-afters were horror stories — users showing clumps of hair inside the gadget's clear chamber, gasping as more than just their ends disappeared. Was this sleek little trimmer a miracle — or a mistake waiting to happen? Wes Sharpton, a hairstylist at haircare brand says: 'As professional stylists, we think of split ends like an unravelling rope — they travel up the strand and only a proper haircut can truly stop the damage from progressing. 'Split-end machines claim to remove frizz and damage, but in reality, they only trim the small hairs that stick out, and those hairs eventually reappear, leaving the hair still looking frizzy and uneven.' That being said, considering the current state of my locks, I was desperate — and convinced myself that if I just did the ends, I wouldn't have much to lose if it did go terribly wrong. 4 The device comes with sectioning clips, a USB charger and a quick-start guide that recommends working in layers for the best results Credit: David Cummings During my daughter's nap, I finally gave it a go. I started cautiously, pulling down a hidden layer of hair from underneath. That way, if it massacred my mane, I could at least cover the damage. Taking a section about an inch wide, I fed the last two to three inches through the trimmer, clamped it shut and slowly pulled it down. You can definitely feel the tension as it works — it doesn't glide like straighteners. There's a subtle resistance, like the machine is chewing through your ends — gently, I hoped. Once I reached the bottom, I flipped the gadget open and peeked through the clear chamber. Sure enough, it was filled with tiny chopped hairs — the kind that normally coat the bathroom sink when my partner trims his beard. I decided to tackle just one half of my head first, partly for damage control and partly to see if there was a real difference. It's surprisingly easy to do solo, but you can't rush it. I tried feeding in a thicker chunk of hair at one point and the device struggled to chomp through it. Working in smaller sections, I watched the clear chamber steadily fill up with little wisps of split ends. Weirdly, it became really satisfying and addictive. I didn't want to stop. The results do far? The freshly trimmed sections looked noticeably smoother, glossier and far less frizzy. Most of those pesky split ends had vanished, and with each section I got braver — thankfully without losing more than I intended. 4 Siobhan was wowed by results from trimmer Once half my head was done, the difference was obvious. One side looked sleek and fresh, the other still rocking the tumbleweed look. I was genuinely blown away that this £38 gadget managed to freshen up my frazzled ends in under 15 minutes. Sure, it's not quite the same as a salon experience, but let's be honest, neither is trying to wrangle a baby through a haircut. And in the meantime, it has bought me a few extra months of avoiding the hairdresser — and the hefty bill that comes with it. Pre-baby, I was paying as much as £150 per cut and £220 for a cut and colour, visiting the salon every four months. That's at least £400 a year, just to get it trimmed. The best bit about my new split-end saviour? You can whip it out whenever you've got a moment to yourself — even at 3am when the baby's asleep and you're wide awake. That said, my one piece of advice? Don't mention it to your hairdresser.
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I tested £38 gadget to beat the salon and save my split ends – it blew my mind
MY hair used to be pampered like royalty – regular trims, glossy blow-dries and a shelf full of fancy products to keep split ends at bay. But since becoming a mum in March, all that TLC has gone out the window. Advertisement 4 Siobhan O'Connor's hair has been left to fend for itself between 3am feeds and the endless blur of nappies Credit: David Cummings 4 According to Luxmend, their £38 gadget only targets split ends, trimming away the frazzled bits Credit: David Cummings These days, I'm lucky if I get five minutes to run a brush through it, let alone book a salon snip. Between 3am feeds and the endless blur of nappies, my hair's been left to fend for itself, usually shoved into a dry-shampooed topknot that's more bird's nest than 'blowout'. The result? A record-breaking ten months without a trim and therefore more And while I dream of a head massage and glossy finish, the reality of juggling a newborn — and hearing my baby scream mid-hair wash — isn't exactly soothing. Advertisement READ MORE ON HAIR & BEAUTY Add in the fact that my maternity pay is disappearing into nappies, wipes and babygrows, and a pricey haircut isn't an option any more. Days at home mean it's easy enough to ignore, but with a holiday coming up, my unruly mop needs taming before it hits airport security. So, on one of my early-hours TikTok scrolls, I came across a £38 gadget that promised to rescue my The device — which looks like a typical hair straightener, but with scary teeth — has accumulated thousands of tried-and-tested videos, attracting more than two million views. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Clip after clip showed users running the device over their frazzled ends, trimming just the damaged bits and revealing smooth, shiny strands underneath — within minutes. Finally, a hair fix I could squeeze in during nap time? I was sold. I tried incredible new air styler - it gave perfect curls with no heat and its a fraction of the price of Dyson Air Wrap According to Luxmend, the gadget only targets split ends, trimming away the frazzled bits without affecting your overall length. It works by feeding strands through a hair plate, which lifts any rogue, spiky ends and snips them off with built-in blades. The device comes with sectioning clips, a USB charger and a quick-start guide that recommends working in layers for the best results. Advertisement Once charged, it powers up instantly, and to turn it off, you simply lock it shut. Easy enough. But I won't lie, I was nervous. The inner prongs look a little too aggressive for something gliding near my face. And the noise? Loud enough to make the baby stir. It doesn't exactly scream 'trust me'. Advertisement So, before committing my split ends to Luxmend's blades, I did what any trend-follower would do — another TikTok deep dive. 'Unravelling rope' Cue panic. Among the glossy before-and-afters were horror stories — users showing clumps of hair inside the gadget's clear chamber, gasping as more than just their ends disappeared. Was this sleek little trimmer a miracle — or a mistake waiting to happen? Wes Sharpton, a hairstylist at haircare brand says: 'As professional stylists, we think of split ends like an unravelling rope — they travel up the strand and only a proper haircut can truly stop the damage from progressing. Advertisement 'Split-end machines claim to remove frizz and damage, but in reality, they only trim the small hairs that stick out, and those hairs eventually reappear, leaving the hair still looking frizzy and uneven.' That being said, considering the current state of my locks, I was desperate — and convinced myself that if I just did the ends, I wouldn't have much to lose if it did go terribly wrong. 4 The device comes with sectioning clips, a USB charger and a quick-start guide that recommends working in layers for the best results Credit: David Cummings During my daughter's nap, I finally gave it a go. Advertisement I started cautiously, pulling down a hidden layer of hair from underneath. That way, if it massacred my mane, I could at least cover the damage. Taking a section about an inch wide, I fed the last two to three inches through the trimmer, clamped it shut and slowly pulled it down. You can definitely feel the tension as it works — it doesn't glide like straighteners. Advertisement There's a subtle resistance, like the machine is chewing through your ends — gently, I hoped. Once I reached the bottom, I flipped the gadget open and peeked through the clear chamber. Sure enough, it was filled with tiny chopped hairs — the kind that normally coat the bathroom sink when my partner trims his beard. I decided to tackle just one half of my head first, partly for damage control and partly to see if there was a real difference. It's surprisingly easy to do solo, but you can't rush it. I tried feeding in a thicker chunk of hair at one point and the device struggled to chomp through it. Advertisement Working in smaller sections, I watched the clear chamber steadily fill up with little wisps of split ends. Weirdly, it became really satisfying and addictive. I didn't want to stop. The results do far? The freshly trimmed sections looked noticeably smoother, glossier and far less frizzy. Most of those pesky split ends had vanished, and with each section I got braver — thankfully without losing more than I intended. Advertisement 4 Siobhan was wowed by results from trimmer Once half my head was done, the difference was obvious. One side looked sleek and fresh, the other still rocking the tumbleweed look. I was genuinely blown away that this £38 gadget managed to freshen up my frazzled ends in under 15 minutes. Advertisement Sure, it's not quite the same as a salon experience, but let's be honest, neither is trying to wrangle a baby through a haircut. And in the meantime, it has bought me a few extra months of avoiding the hairdresser — and the hefty bill that comes with it. Pre-baby, I was paying as much as £150 per cut and £220 for a cut and colour, visiting the salon every four months. That's at least £400 a year, just to get it trimmed. Advertisement The best bit about my new split-end saviour? You can whip it out whenever you've got a moment to yourself — even at 3am when the baby's asleep and you're wide awake. That said, my one piece of advice? Don't mention it to your hairdresser. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I tested out ‘the best ChatGPT hack' after fashion fans reveal how they can always get discount on their clothes
QUICK CHAT I tested out 'the best ChatGPT hack' after fashion fans reveal how they can always get discount on their clothes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE cost of living crisis has everyone keeping a close eye on their spending, especially when it comes to life's little luxuries. But every now and then, you might need to treat yourself or buy something new, and with prices as they are, it can be a bit daunting. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Shoppers claim that a ChatGPT hack can provide an instant discount Credit: Alamy Savvy shoppers, however, have discovered a clever way to snag discounts every time they shop - and it couldn't be easier. While many people rely on Googling discount codes, this often means wading through endless websites, squinting at the fine print, and sharing your personal details, only to find the code doesn't even work. But some deal hunters have uncovered a much simpler trick. One shopper, known as 'linzooutloud' on TikTok, shared a clever money-saving tip that's taking the internet by storm. The secret? Using ChatGPT. She claimed it was 'the best ChatGPT hack.' ChatGPT is an AI tool designed to help with all sorts of tasks, from answering questions to offering suggestions. It's like having your own virtual assistant that understands your queries and provides helpful responses - perfect for making shopping easier and potentially cheaper. According to shoppers, all you need to do is type in the company or retailer's name, the month and year, and ask for an active discount code. They claim it scans the internet for you, finding codes in seconds. Many users are calling the hack 'life-changing' and a 'game changer' for their shopping experience. So, naturally, I decided to put it to the test. I asked ChatGPT to help me glow up for summer - I did all the tweaks at home myself Trying out a range of shops and sites, I found it's definitely worth a go - even if it doesn't always work. Since it's so quick to search, it only takes a few seconds. First, I searched for general discount codes, simply entering 'activated discount codes for June 2025,' and the results were impressive. ChatGPT provided a wide variety of codes across fashion brands like Next, BloomChic, and True Classic; technology and electronics, including Temu and HP; and home and lifestyle options for sites like eBay and AliExpress. When I narrowed down my search to clothing, it got even more specific, offering codes for ASOS, JD Sports, Boohoo, River Island, M&S, and Fashion Nova. 2 Yasmin was pleasantly surprised with the extra discounts she managed to get her hands on Credit: David Cummings But it didn't stop there. I tested discount codes for medical items, including weight loss jabs like Ozempic and Monjaro, and found plenty of options from reputable online pharmacies. After trying out a few, they worked seamlessly. As for fashion codes, the success rate was more mixed. While many worked well, codes for Marks & Spencer, Next, and River Island weren't recognised. It's easy to see why this trend is going viral on TikTok – it's a quick and simple way to potentially save a few extra quid on your purchases. Even if it doesn't work every time, it's worth a shot for the chance to avoid paying full price.
