BEAUTY

Make a promise to yourself

New Year resolutions come thick and fast, but we seldom stick to them, do we? Let’s keep things simple; how about making a promise to be kind to ourselves in 2022? Looking after number one with a beauty regime will make us feel good on the inside and look good on the outside. Here are a few nice things for the new year...

Little Butterfly Secrets at Starlight Illuminating Night Cream is a pretty little tub bursting with good stuff that works its magic while you are in dreamland. It works to counteract uneven, fatigued or dull looking skin, and its youth-boosting plant extracts and vitamins help to strengthen and repair dry, stressed or damaged skin. Look out fine lines and wrinkles! Wake up to a morning complexion that is plump and smooth, dewy and radiant.

Get it: solbeauty.co.uk RRP: £42

We all know about the art of a good brow these days, and Rubis Six-Star Tweezers – available in gold, silver and rose gold – will add a little sparkle to your beauty routine. Rubis is a ‘go to’ brand for celebrities and make-up artists, and is known as the king of tweezers with good reason. Originally used in the watch industry for brands including Rolex and Cartier, these will help you achieve immaculate precision for the perfect pluck!

Get it: allcures.com RRP: £29

Natural oils and ingredients wellknown for their health benefits have been selected for Eresos CBD Isolex Drops. While not intended to treat or prevent diseases, the synthesis of premium quality CBD and MCT oil is designed to calm, soothe and ease your mind, body and soul.

Get it: eresos.co.uk RRP: £55 Use Monroe London’s Exfoliator & Pore Minimiser twice weekly after cleansing, and leave for 10-15 minutes while its combo of granular and chemical exfoliators work to smooth, refine and deep-clean pores, and vitamins A, B and E will protect and reduce environmental damage. Chamomile will take care of sensitivity leaving skin soft and clarified. Can be used for blemish prone skin too.

Get it: solbeauty.co.uk RRP: £39

Turn dreary January into a colour sensation with OPV Beauty’s Bloom

Eyeshadow Palette which has been inspired by the beauty of flowers. This palette includes duo chrome, matte and shimmer and is for those who aren’t scared to strike a pose and go bold. Striking eye make-up sizzled on the SS2022 runway – here’s your chance to get your own statement look.

Lush is back with a bang for 2022, or rather back with a bomb...six of them, to be precise! The brand is offering transformative experiences that invite you to recharge your batteries. ‘The only thing you’ll want to pop a plug in is your tub,’ is the promise. Choose from Lakes, Diamond Dust, Luxe, Unicorn Poop, 4:20pm and Black Rose.

Get it: All are available at Lush stores in Milton Keynes (thecentre:mk) and Northampton (Grosvenor Centre) RRP: £5.50-£8.50

Get it: opvbeauty.com RRP: £29

No fault divorce is coming

No fault divorce is due to come into effect in England and Wales on 6 April 2022. From this date couples will be able to get divorced without one person needing to blame the other. This change will also apply to civil partnership dissolution.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will be the biggest reform of divorce law in 50 years and means you’ll no longer have to make allegations about your partner’s conduct to obtain a divorce. Currently one spouse must allege adultery or unreasonable behaviour to prove the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or wait at least two years.

Under the new law, irretrievable breakdown will remain the sole basis for divorce but the need to give a reason will be removed. Couples can make a joint application where they both agree the relationship has broken down or, alternatively, one person can apply. There will be a minimum of 20 weeks between issuing a divorce petition and reaching the first stage of the divorce to give the couple a period of reflection and the possibility of reconciliation.

This long-awaited reform to the law will enable couples and their lawyers to focus on positive uncoupling rather than allocating blame, especially when a parting of ways is a mutual decision and there are children involved. Children undoubtedly cope better with a separation when their parents are not in conflict and can see a joined-up approach to their parenting. This continues into adulthood and their life events such as graduations, family events – perhaps even their own weddings.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the average duration of a marriage at the time of divorce is 12.3 years for opposite-sex couples. This is a long time to share your life with someone and often having a good relationship with your ex and with wider family and friends is high priority, but this can be ruined by the legal process or the wrong approach by a lawyer. A good divorce lawyer will listen to what is important to you and work with your spouse and their lawyer, as well as other professionals you may need to support you along the way.

Under the new law, irretrievable breakdown will remain the sole basis for divorce but the need to give a reason will be removed.

Caroline Watson, national head of family law at Shoosmiths

A good divorce will also require personal reflection and allow you to prioritise your wellbeing. Understanding how you are feeling will encourage you to consider the impact on your ex or children and the emotion involved in decision making.

Should you wait for no-fault divorce to start?

There is a lot to think about before you even issue a divorce petition, so we recommend you get advice early.

There are different tax rules depending on whether you are married, separated, or divorced. Tax advantages may only apply in the current tax year and therefore it is important to take tax advice before 5 April.

Caroline White-Robinson, head of Shoosmiths’ organisational and personal development team

Our coaching service

Our coaching service is delivered by Caroline White-Robinson, head of Shoosmiths’ organisational and personal development team for the last fifteen years. Aside from impeccable professional qualifications and membership of the British Psychological Society, Caroline also has direct personal experience of the aftermath of relationship breakdown and so truly understands what couples may be going through.

Caroline has since re-married and so also understands the stress of blended families and how the range of emotions, whichever side of the fence you sit on, can encompass hurt, guilt, anger, sadness, disappointment, and frustration.

What next?

• For an initial, free consultation and to find out about our fixed fee divorce, or to find out more about Shoosmiths’ relationship coaching service, please contact us: 03700 868686 or by email yourfamilymatters@shoosmiths.co.uk

• Read our free information about tax on divorce and separation here: www.shoosmiths.co.uk/tax-on-separation

• A useful source of support to help parents journey through separation, divorce and beyond is Resolution’s Parenting Through Separation Guide. You can download a copy from their website: www.resolution.org.uk/parenting-through-separation