Experts weigh in on what the girlies should NOT spend their hard-earned pocket money on this Christmas. 

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In the UK, women are predicted to spend more than men every Christmas (£1,138 on average), with 39% reaching for beauty products to soothe their ‘seasonal insecurities’. 

With gift-inspired ads taking over every screen and store display, it’s only natural to get swept up in promises of glass skin, dream bodies and overnight transformations. But ... before you splash your hard-earned cash on those this winter, here are the trends you should think twice about endorsing, and what we recommend instead.

Trend 1: Anti-ageing Skincare

Aesthetic practitioner and longtime GP, Victoria Manning, says the real anti-ageing remedy is good sleep, sun protection, and a healthy lifestyle, not a £200 serum promising miracles of ‘glass skin’ or forever youth. The global anti-ageing market is expected to hit $422 billion by 2030, yet Dermatologists maintain that most luxury skincare performs no better than affordable alternatives with the same (or fewer) active ingredients. The experts say save your money and invest in SPF 50, retinol from The Ordinary, and 8+ hour sleeps instead. 

Trend 2: Combi Femmplements

The 'wellness' industry right now is obsessing over one-stop-shop products, especially ones marketed to busy women who simply don’t have the time to take 5 different vits every morning. A $9.2 billion opportunity, modern-day femmplements are promising women the world: glowing skin, balanced hormones, and even a stress-free life. 

But here's the thing: unless you have a diagnosed deficiency, multivitamins are often
a mere dietary accessory. Instead, GPs vouch for frequent blood testing and a varied diet. But don't get us wrong: if you read up on ingredients, female-focused brands like Free Soul can be exceptions, offering formulas that can really deliver.

Trend 3: That Post-Christmas Diet Plan for 'The New You'

January wouldn't be January without the onslaught of detoxes, cleanses, and fasting programs, PROMISING to shed your fictitious ‘festive fat’. The weight loss industry is worth $254 billion globally, a space which thrives this time of year, particularly on making women feel guilty about eating their Christmas dinner.

But restrictive diets have a 95% failure rate long-term and often lead to disordered eating. You don't need a 'new you' just to find a new BALANCE. Movement that feels good, and permission to exist in her body without shame. Swipe past the juice cleanse content and invest in nutritious foods and enjoyable movement this new year.

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