It's often quite easy to become disillusioned with the world of luxury goods. High price tags and exuberant designs can often leave the average Joe feeling like it's a world not really built for them.

But how do we know when luxury goes too far? We've seen a slew of wacky and wonderful pieces over the years, like Louis Vuitton dumbbells and Tiffany and Co building blocks.

Recently, a company called Okapa reached out to see if I'd like to test their water bottle. The line that stuck with me described the product as a "$350 water bottle reframing hydration as a luxury design object." Of course, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

What's so special about the Okapa water bottle?

Any good product designer – even those making wacky objects for luxury designers – will tell you that form must be as prevalent as function. Simply put, the thing has to work before you can make it look fantastic.

I think that's where the Okapa bottle shines. While there's nothing especially groundbreaking in the design – it is, after all, a silo with a spout on the top, much like any other water bottle you'd buy – the way it is crafted is pretty impressive.

All of the plastic parts, for example, are crafted from a material called Swiss Grilamid TR-90, while you'll also fine German Borosilicate Glass inside. The glass bottle is then protected with a shock-absorbing suspension, to minimise the risk of shattering in daily use.

Elsewhere, you'll find a leakproof design courtesy of a quartet of silicone seals, which are designed to give peace of mind when travelling with the bottle in tow. There's also a locking mechanism on the top cap, which prevents unexpected opening of it while in transit.

All of that is encapsulated within an aluminium shell, which is stylish and definitely gives a premium feel. The design features an array of holes, which is a unique look.

Form vs function

To me, the whole design feels like a battle between form and function. Once you scratch beneath the surface, it's easy to see just how well made this bottle is.

Little things like the rubber grommet on the base to protect the glass from impacts, or the satisfying way the mouthpiece clicks into place are signs that someone designing this bottle has taken real care in the process.

It's not perfect – there's no thermal management to keep liquids cool, which I only realised in the midst of a heatwave. Really, at this price, that feels like an oversight.

I also think the locking mechanism on the cap only goes so far. Sure, it stops you from being able to pop the lid, but the entire cap can still twist off with relative ease. I'd like to have seen that also get locked, to save a tidal wave in your backpack.

But overall, I think you'd be willing to pay a premium for something so well engineered.

Form is a little different. The design has been a real love-it-or-hate-it exercise, as far as I've seen, with some adoring the design and other loathing it – one even claimed it triggered their trypophobia!

But I think that's more forgiving. Luxury goods have always played fast and loose with designs, and are rarely intended to be all things to all people. Personally, I think this design is decent – fairly conservative by luxury standards, and very sleek feeling.

Is the Okapa water bottle worth the price?

This is where I struggle to justify things. Because despite everything I like about this bottle, I just can't imagine a world where you'd spend US$350 (approx. £260 / €305 / AU$500) on a water bottle.

As I've said, I really do appreciate the mechanical design, and from a technical standpoint I'd certainly be willing to pay a premium. But it's still a league away from what this costs.

Having pondered this for a while, I actually think the reason is nothing to do with technical points, but rather the design. It's a little too safe for something so bold, and that lessens the perceived value for me.

If the brand can come back with a second version which addresses some of the missing specs and plays with a more daring design, we might just have the next trend on our hands.

The T3 Awards are back for another year! For 2026 – and our 30th anniversary – we’re highlighting the best of the best, of which we have almost too much to choose from.

This week, we’re announcing all the winners of the 2026 T3 Awards, and we’re starting off strong by celebrating the Home and Style award winners, highly commended and nominees.

This category is vast, and includes stair-climbing robot vacuum cleaners, ultra comfortable mattresses, skin-boosting LED face masks and luxury watches – let’s get into it.

Best Vacuum Cleaner

Shark PowerDetect Speed

Kicking off with vacuum cleaners, the latest models are more high tech than ever before, that they might actually make you want to vacuum your home. There were many exciting contenders this year, including the likes of Dyson and Ultenic, but Shark took the win with its PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum cleaner.

Dubbed the “cordless vacuum to beat in 2026”, the Shark PowerDetect Speed builds on everything the PowerDetect Pet has (which just so happened to be the winner for the same category in last year’s awards) and adds much more. It offers excellent suction power on all floor types, intelligent detection technology and practical accessories and Auto-Empty dock.

Read our Shark PowerDetect Speed review for more details.

Highly Commended: Dyson V16 Piston Animal

Best Vacuum Cleaner Shortlist: Ultenic U20, Morphy Richards MRXStickPro, Beldray Airfinity

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra

In the past year, robot vacuum cleaners have almost gotten out of control. The latest models on the market don’t just clean and mop your floors, but some can even climb stairs and have extendable arms which can pick up socks – creepy, right?! That said, this year’s winner proves it doesn’t need these gimmicks to be impressive.

Winning the robot vacuum cleaner category is the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra. One of the most advanced yet easy to use robot vacuums we’ve ever tried, the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra expertly maps each room of your home, and vacuums and mops them within an inch of their lives. Its Multi-Mop technology is what won us over, as it automatically switches between different mop pads designed for specific areas.

Read our Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review for more details.

Highly Commended: Roborock Saros 20

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner Shortlist: Dyson Spot + Scrub Ai, Eufy Omni S2, Kärcher RCV 5

Best Home Air Device

Dyson HushJet Purifier

The Best Home Air Device award is always hard to narrow down to one winner, as it covers fans, air purifiers, dehumidifiers and more. However, after extensive heating throughout the year, we settled on the Dyson HushJet Purifier as our winner, and you only have to look at it to see why.

Moving away from its traditional loop-like design, the Dyson HushJet Purifier is inspired by plane’s jet engines – and it acts like one too. With its cylindrical body, outlet nozzle and 360-degree filter, the Dyson HushJet Purifier rapidly purifies air into a smooth, controlled stream which circulates expertly (and quietly) around your home, making the air easier and healthier for you to breathe in.

Read our Dyson HushJet Purifier review for more details.

Highly Commended: Meaco DD8L Pro

Best Home Air Device Shortlist: Vitesy Eteria, Daiken Air Purifier MC55VB, Blueair Signature Air Purifier

Best Mattress

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

As someone who loves her sleep, one of my favourite things to test is mattresses. This past year has seen lots of exciting new mattress launches, and it’s been great to see more sustainable materials being introduced to spring, memory foam and hybrid models. This year, another hybrid mattress has taken the crown, and this time, it’s the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress.

Made of memory foam, a pocket-spring base and quilted cover, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress offers a luxurious and comfortable night’s sleep that won’t break the bank. Where it really excels is its motion transfer, so if you share a bed, your partner’s tossing and turning won’t disturb you – no more sleep divorces with this mattress, that’s for sure!

Read our DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review for more details.

Highly Commended: Origin LumbarCloud mattress

Best Mattress Shortlist: Simba Earth Apex, Silentnight UltraGel Cool-to-Touch 3000 Mirapocket mattress, Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0

Best Sleep Accessory

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper

The T3 Award for Best Sleep Accessory is another tricky one to narrow down. This category covers duvets, pillows, mattress toppers and protectors, so we’re often overloaded with an abundance of accessories designed to improve your sleep (no complaints here). This year’s winner is the Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper, one of the newer products on this list which has already made an amazing impression.

If you run hot at night, the Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper is the perfect companion, as it sits atop your mattress and offers a cool layer to keep you comfortable throughout the night. With its medium-firm feel, this topper is responsive, springy and works to relieve any pain points.

Read our Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review for more details.

Highly Commended: Scooms Body Temperature Regulating Luxury Duvet

Best Sleep Accessory Shortlist: Fine Bedding Company HoneyFoam pillow, Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow

Best Sleep Tech

Eight Sleep Pod 5

One of T3’s newer awards, the Best Sleep Tech category covers a plethora of smart innovations for your bedroom. From smart alarm clocks to haptic sleep mats, we’ve tested the latest smart gadgets that are focused on enhancing your sleeping environment and experience.

For the second year in a row, Eight Sleep has won Best Sleep Tech. For 2025, it was the Pod 4 that took the crown, but its newer model, the Pod 5 is our winner for 2026. More advanced than ever before, the Eight Sleep Pod 5 boosts your rest with real-time temperature control and AI-driven insights so you get the best sleep night after night.

Read our Eight Sleep Pod 5 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Dreamie Sleep Assistant Smart Alarm Clock

Best Sleep Tech Shortlist: Woojer MAT, Blueair Mini Restful Sunrise Alarm Clock and Air Purifier, Hatch Restore 3

Best Office Chair

FlexiSpot C7 Office Chair

Whether you’re an office, hybrid or remote worker, a good office chair is a must. Sitting in the same chair for eight or more hours a day isn’t exactly comfortable, but the FlexiSpot C7 Office Chair makes it so, which is why it’s won our Best Office Chair award.

Comfortable, ergonomic and supportive, the FlexiSpot C7 Office Chair comes with a huge amount of adjustments for the height, arms, lower back, head and neck. Its lower back support really excels and it massively reduced any aches and pains after sitting down all day.

Read our FlexiSpot C7 Office Chair review for more details.

Highly Commended: SecretLab Atlas Chair

Best Office Chair Shortlist: LiberNovo Omni, Boulies OP300, Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2

Best Travel Goods

Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel

Whether you’re off on holiday, a work trip or headed into the office, the Best Travel Goods can take you where you need to go – or come with you, at least. This year, the award goes to an innovative suitcase from Antler – the Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel.

Antler has always been a reliable brand, but it really excelled with the Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel. Blending the flexibility of a holdall with the strength of a suitcase, the Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel has a sturdy design with practical 80-litre storage and smooth wheels – what more could you ask for?

Read our Antler Discovery Wheeled Duffel review for more details.

Highly Commended: Bennett Winch Backpack

Best Travel Goods Shortlist: Montblanc Extreme 3.0, Matador GlobeRider35, Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Best Electric Toothbrush

Suri 2.0

Heading into the style section of the ‘Home and Style’ award winners, we’re starting off strong with the Best Electric Toothbrush. Today’s electric toothbrushes have become more and more advanced, so we’ve put them to the test and not only do we have stunning, pearly-white teeth now, but we’ve found our winner for 2026.

The Suri 2.0 takes the win this year. We didn’t think it could possibly get any better than its first version, but Suri proved us wrong with the 2.0 model. Taking everything from the original and enhancing it, the Suri 2.0 comes with a new case, stand and pressure sensor, which makes it one of the best electric toothbrushes we’ve ever tried at T3.

Read our SURI 2.0 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Quip Ultra Lite

Best Electric Toothbrush Shortlist: Bon Charge Red Light Toothbrush, Oral-B iO6, Feno Smartbrush

Best Hair Styling Tool

Shark SilkiPro Straight

The world of hair styling has significantly expanded in the past few years – it’s not just dryers and straighteners anymore, folks! Now, you can get wet-to-dry stylers, at-home blowdry devices and all-in-one gadgets that can perm, straight, curl and crimp your hair. However, the styler that surprised us the most this year is the Shark SilkiPro Straight.

In the past year, Shark has been pulling out all the stops with its hair styling range. The Shark SilkiPro Straight is a perfect example of that, and is one of the brand’s most impressive hair tools to date. Great for sleek hair lovers, the Shark SilkiPro Straight takes your hair from wet to dry to sleek, and its smart comb system is fast and easy to use. It’s even packed with heat sensors to protect your hair when styling.

Read our Shark SilkiPro Straight review for more details.

Highly Commended: Dyson Supersonic Travel

Best Hair Styling Tool Shortlist: Revamp Effortless Curls Extra-Long Tong, T3 AIRE 360, GHD Chronos Curve Curling tongs

Best Hair Removal Tool

Philips 9900 Beauty Set

If you were to ask us who makes the best hair removal tools on the market, Philips would be the brand that instantly comes to mind. Across beard trimmers, electric shavers and IPL machines, Philips sets the standard for hair removal for both men and women – and the Philips 9900 Beauty Set is our winner for 2026.

A luxury beauty tool – with a luxury price tag – the Philips 9900 Beauty Set is an all-in-one beauty and skincare system. It comes with a range of attachments, including an epilator, facial hair remover, exfoliator, cleansing brush and an LED skincare device, to suit everyone’s hair removing or grooming needs.

Read our Philips 9900 Beauty Set review for more details.

Highly Commended: Laifen P3 Pro

Best Hair Removal Tool Shortlist: Sensilight Mini, Panasonic Series 700s shaver, Manspot Body Trimmer

Best LED Face Mask

Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

The best LED face masks are no longer reserved for people who can afford to go to a luxury spa. Nowadays, you can buy these terrifying-looking masks to use in the comfort of your home. As LED face masks are all so advanced, it’s been hard to narrow down the winner, but the best of the best has to be the Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro.

Suitable for all skin types, the Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro offers three treatments using a combination of red and blue lights to address a variety of skincare concerns. The mask is also comfortable and lightweight to wear, and we found it to work best at improving fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.

Read our Dr Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro review for more details.

Highly Commended: Silk'n LED Face Mask Pro

Best LED Face Mask Shortlist: Lumalux Face Pro LED Light Therapy Mask, Therabody Theraface Mask Glo, Renpho Artemis LED Light Soft Mask

Best Fragrance

Acqua di Parma Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato

One of our newer awards, Best Fragrance was only recently added to the T3 Awards in 2025. Acqua di Parma won it last year, and it’s only gone and done it again this year – and for its 110th anniversary, might I add.

Easily snatching the crown for one of best men’s fragrances you can buy, Acqua di Parma Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato has classic notes of citrus and florals. It’s packed full of ylang ylang which was harvested by the brand in Madagascar in 2024. It’s a spring-summer scent that’s fresh, complex and bound to become a staple in many people’s collections.

Read our Acqua di Parma Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato review for more details.

Highly Commended: Creed Wild Vetiver

Best Fragrance Shortlist: Tom Ford Taormina Orange, Prada Paradigme

Best Watch

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mysterieux

2025-2026 might have been one of the best years for watch launches, featuring truly innovative designs and complications from the likes of TAG Heuer, Rolex, Tudor and more. But the watch that caught our eye the most and earned the title of Best Watch at the T3 Awards 2026 is the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mysterieux.

Debuted at Watches and Wonders 2026, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mysterieux features a chronograph without subdials. The clean yet precise dial is displayed in blue, but it’s the case that hides all the technical details. At 7:30, a monopusher sits and activates the chronograph which reveals a gold pair of hands at 12 o’clock. Push it again and the chronograph stops, and again for the hands to reset to current time. It’s remarkable yet simply displayed which makes it more exciting.

Read our Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mysterieux review for more details.

Highly Commended: Ulysse Nardin SuperFreak

Best Watch Shortlist: Split Watches MC-1, Christopher Ward The Twelve 660, Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie

The Prime Day sale has been taking place for the past couple of days. Amazon has been releasing new, exclusive deals every day, and today, it’s launched tons of amazing beauty discounts, including hair styling tools.

Shop the Amazon Prime Day sale

Hair stylers have surged in popularity over the years, ever since the Dyson Airwrap made its debut. Since then, more brands have released their own stylers and hybrid products which combine hair dryers, curlers, straighteners and brushes in one.

As mentioned, there are loads of hair stylers that have had their prices slashed at Amazon for Prime Day. From Dyson, Shark, ghd and more, you can get a luxury hair styler for 64% off – and our team of experts have tested most of these stylers and highly recommend them.

Harber London, known for its stylish range of best backpacks and wallets, has unveiled a new collection that combines premium nylon made from reclaimed marine plastic with rich full-grain leather accents.

The collection features four different products, including the Classic Roll Top Venture Edition (£369), Classic Holdall Bag Venture Edition (£329) and Classic Sling Bag Venture Edition (£189). There’s also a standard Classic Sling Bag, priced at £229.

The range is available to buy now via Harber London’s online store, with the brand offering a 15% discount ahead of Father’s Day using the code DAD26, making it a strong option for the best Father's Day gifts.

We’ve already reviewed a number of Harber London products before, including the Harber London Overnight Bag, Leather Roll Top Backpack and Legacy iPad Sleeve. As always, this new collection focuses on high-quality pieces built to last, with a strong emphasis on durable materials.

The Classic Roll Top Backpack features a quick-access, water-repellent 16-inch laptop compartment, magnetic front clasps for easy access to the main compartment, and a chest strap for added comfort on the move. The Classic Holdall Bag follows a similar design, with a water-repellent recycled nylon outer shell and a spacious 42-litre capacity, making it ideal for travel, commuting and everyday use.

The two sling bags share a three-litre capacity, sunglasses pocket and theft-deterrent closure system. However, the Venture Edition is designed with a more active lifestyle in mind, featuring a lighter strap with a magnetic clasp and water-repellent zippers, compared to the standard model’s traditional leather strap and metal zippers.

Watch out, Dyson – Ghd is back with two new hot brushes designed to style all different types of hair. Improving on its original Glide hot brush, Ghd has now introduced the Glide+ and Glide+ Max with redesigned brush heads and more advanced heat protecting technology than before.

Best known for its collection of hair straighteners, Ghd launched its first hot brush back in 2019. Called the Ghd Glide, it looks like a normal hair brush but has built-in technology that heats up the bristles for better and more controlled hair styling.

Now, Ghd has launched two new versions of its popular Glide hot brushes to cater to more hair types. The Glide+ and Glide+ Max both have similar features, but the former is smaller and best for short, straight and wavy hair, while the latter is square, wider and best for long, thick and curly hair.

Both hot brushes come with Ghd’s advanced technology which keeps them at the optimum styling temperature of 185°C. This level of heat ensures the hot brushes can professionally style your hair without causing any heat damage, and leaving hair less frizzy and more shiny.

I’ve tried a few hot brushes in my time as T3’s Home Editor, and one of the biggest problems I’ve had is how hot they get. Before you say anything, of course I expect the bristles of a hot brush to get hot but the handle and back of the brush can get hot too, but this is something Ghd has fixed with its new design.

The Ghd Glide+ and Glide+ Max have both been redesigned with a new outerframe on the brush head which has smoother lines and an aerogel barrier that prevents the back of the brush from getting too hot. Ghd has also updated the Glide+ and Glide+ Max hot brushes with a faster heat up time, so you can style your hair quickly even when you’re in a rush.

Ghd has also redesigned the dual bristles on both brushes so you can get closer to the hair root for better control without snags or tangles. The Ghd Glide+ Max which is designed for long and thick hair has also been given an extra-large paddle design which allows you to style thicker sections of hair in less time.

The new Ghd Glide+ hot brushes are available to buy now with both priced at £189.

Google I/O has been taking place this evening, and there's a lot to love from the brand. We've seen all manner of new technologies, including a lot of focus on the strength of the brand's AI offering.

But those of us who love smart glasses will be more excited about the showcase of Project Aura. For the unaware, those are a pair of wired XR glasses, which were showcased at the event.

Those in attendance at the event will have the chance to try out the glasses, which are crafted by XREAL in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. Users had the opportunity to try out a range of different features, including Immersive Google Maps, exploring video content and YouTube in both 180° and 360° modes, a three-dimensional painting app coded with Gemini, and working with the DisplayPort to work with a laptop.

All of that sounds very promising indeed. There's never been any doubt that smart glasses are good at entertainment, but the real inflection point for that industry is going to come in other uses. For me, that's the working potential, so I'm excited to see what can be done with a laptop, but Immersive Maps will also be a great help when travelling.

What's even more exciting than the device being on show at the event is that it's not far from being launched. The brand confirmed that the product will launch and ship globally in 2026, starting a countdown timer of a little over six months.

That's not too long at all, and means that the era of smart glasses is well and truly upon us. There's currently no word on pricing, but as long as it's not ludicrous – I'm afraid we're looking at you, Apple Vision Pro – I can see this being a big hit with tech lovers everywhere.

If you've ever bought a luxurious bag or suitcase, only to miss it for the 11 months of the year it's stuffed in a cupboard, Globe-Trotter has you covered. The brand has unveiled a new range of trunks with the iconic styling the brand is renowned for, but designed to sit in your home.

The Steamer Home Trunk draws on over 100 years of craft, and was directly inspired by the steamer trunks the brand produced in the early Twentieth century. Designed to be strong, with generous storage these cases were originally designed for transporting large amounts via rail or sea.

The Steamer Home Trunk isn't intended to gain quite as many miles, but keeps the same sturdy design ethos. Instead, these lean into the timelessness of the design language, making each piece a staple in a well-designed room.

Imagery from the brand shows them placed at the end of the bed like an ottoman, or as a makeshift centrepiece in place of a coffee table. It's a really versatile piece.

You'll find the usual high-quality appointments here. Leather handles and polished hardware accent expertly constructed panelling. Inside, you'll find a removable tray for better organisation.

Each of the colourways has a different design for the internals, which makes for a unique experience depending on which model you opt for. The Marmalade and Brown trunk features a finely woven fabric depicting an English countryside scene with a stag.

The Navy and Red trunk is lined with a finely woven cotton motif, while the Green and Brown trunk features a tailored-inspired woven design. Last but not least is the Oxblood and Black trunk, which reveals Globe-Trotter’s signature repeat motif, an exclusive design unique to the house.

Priced at £3,995 / €4,595 / US$5,595 / AU$9,100 these are certainly going to help make your space more luxurious.

We're big fans of Bennett Winch baggage here at T3, and the brand has just unveiled a new holdall which is set to be a gamechanger for racket sportspeople. The new Bennett Winch Sport Holdall is designed to fix a common issue with other bags on the market.

The design includes a pair of outer pockets which are big enough to house a racket each. Images show padel rackets fitting fully inside the pocket, while larger tennis and badminton rackets will need their handles sticking out.

The main compartment is designed to be large enough for a full change of clothes, complete with room to spare for other bits and bobs. There's also a laptop compartment which is large enough for a 16-inch model.

One of my favourite features of the Bennett Winch Backpack I recently tested was the pop-out compartment, designed to hold trainers to stop other things getting dirty. That's present and correct here too, and I'm glad to see it – it makes so much sense for a bag like this!

The bag is constructed with the usual exceptional levels of material and construction quality we know and love from the brand. Everything I've ever laid my hands on from Bennett Winch is well-made, and this should be no different.

Expect high quality, thick nylon panels paired with sumptuous Italian leather and premium brass appointments. It's a really luxurious affair.

The model is offered in three different colours – Olive, Black and Navy. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Olive, which matches perfectly with the same hue in other parts of the brand's catalogue and feels like a bit of a timeless signature.

Priced at £1,250 (approx. €1,450 / US$1,700 / AU$2,360), this certainly won't be an easy one to justify for many of us. But it's important to recognise what you're getting here – compare this with the legions of designer bags out there, and this suddenly looks very affordable.

Plus, quality like this will surely last a lifetime, so if you break it down over the years, it's actually just a solid investment.

When you travel regularly, you learn the importance of a good bag or suitcase. They need to be lightweight, sturdy, big enough to fit in everything you need, but small enough to fit either under a seat or in an overhead compartment.

Aside from choosing the best carry-on luggage, the clothes you wear while travelling and the ones you take with you are just as important. This is especially true if you travel for work, where you need to make an impression on arrival.

That’s why when I discovered a company called Émigré, I was immediately interested. Its high-end travel collection includes not only bags and luggage but also a range of apparel, from jackets and blazers to shirts, polos and even sports kits for busy executives.

This means, with a single significant purchase, you can not only pick out your travel bags but also everything you need to put in them for a business trip or a few nights away. What’s more, these pieces of clothing are designed to be water and wrinkle-resistant, meaning they are good to go as soon as you unpack them.

As a regular traveller myself, I was keen to try out the Émigré collection to see if it really stands up to the test on a few of my longer trips. First, using it as my only luggage for my journey to CES in Las Vegas, and then complete with clothing when heading to MWC in Barcelona.

Not only were these trips over four to six nights, but I was travelling with just cabin luggage and needed to dress for business on arrival. It's a tough ask for any luggage, and for the clothes inside it.

The pick of the range

For luggage, I chose the Hardcase Carry-On, a cabin-sized wheelie case with a hard shell and a front zipped pocket, priced at £525 / $690. This is priced similarly to some top cases, like the Carl Friedrik Carry-on X, which has been my go-to for a while, and a little more than the July Carry-On Pro, which swallows just about anything you want to take with you.

To pair with the carry-on, I opted for the Boston Bag priced £390 / $495, a lightweight, durable business travel bag that combines laptop and work material storage with a larger space for clothing or accessories. I tend to travel with a tripod, headphones and camera, so this would be perfect for all of those bits that I normally stuff in a rucksack.

While Émigré does offer some great-looking blazers, it’s a bit more formal than I like to travel, so I opted for the Cotton Oxford Shirt (£77 / $98) and Commuter Chinos (£180 / $230). Then, for some exercise on arrival, I picked out the Sports Kit (£334 / $360) that includes a Henley t-shirt and shorts as well as a windbreaker jacket. This 3-in-1 kit all packs together into the windbreaker’s pocket, for easy carrying too.

The entire set came to just over £1500, which is a fair amount to spend on two outfits and two cases, so is it worth it for the busy executive traveller?

Packing to go

The carry-on case has a polycarbonate shell, which, though hard, does have some room for give. It also uses zips to seal rather than clasps, which tend to give you a bit of extra leeway when overpacking. The case is a fairly standard size at 55 x 35.6 x 25.5 cm, but the capacity is listed as just 32 litres, which is slightly smaller than most.

The top section handily has zipped netting to seal it, while the bottom section has another netted cover with compression straps in the top corners. This did help squeeze my clothes down, but seemed less effective compared to the traditional horizontal straps.

The case did pretty well at holding even six days' worth of clothes, pretty much matching my other cases. However, at that point, the front section becomes unusable. If you’re travelling for just one or two nights, it’s more than enough.

The case feels well-made and looks smart, but doesn’t look as fancy as other carry-ons. Perhaps, though, understated is the aim of the game here.

The Boston bag is extremely accommodating when it comes to space. This has a 21-litre capacity and measures 45 x 30 x 16 cm, weighing just 1.63kg. It has two soft sleeves for your laptop and can easily fit larger 16-inch models.

There are tons of zipped sections and pockets available, including two large pockets in the main section and four in the secondary area. There’s even a smaller outer zipped section at the front and a large zipped outer pocket at the back, also big enough to slide a laptop or paperwork in.

The only downside to all this space is that the bag can get pretty heavy, and the handles and strap aren’t really sufficient for that. The carry handles join together with a popper, but are just hardened material without any soft grip. The body strap has a small amount of padding but feels cheap and has quite lightweight clips attaching it to the bag.

Carrying this bag fully laden over your shoulder soon gets painful, so it’s best placed on top of the carry-on case. Luckily, here it does have a band to slot the case handle through. You can also purchase backpack straps for it, to turn this into a rucksack if you need.

Dressed for first class

I was excited to see how the clothes would hold up to a long day of travelling, so I tested them on a trip to Europe. This ended up being around eight hours from door to door, and on arrival, I still felt fresh and looked relatively uncreased.

The Oxford shirt is made from nice, thick cotton and fits well. Made in Portugal, it’s 97% organic cotton and 3% elastane blend to give it a little stretch. The chinos are slim-fitting but flattering, with a lightweight Italian twill cotton and 2% elastane, to also give them a little stretch. They also feature elastic at the back cuff to pull them in at the ankle and zipped side pockets to keep everything safe and secure from falling out when you’re sitting.

The anti-wrinkle finish gives them a slight starched feel, but also the impression that you could easily wipe off any small spills from your plane food. Despite being a little snug, I was surprised how comfortable they were to wear, especially when travelling, and they look so much smarter than jeans. They would definitely be my choice for any future flights.

Of all the clothing, though, the sports kit was probably my favourite. I always try to pack my running shoes and shorts when I travel, but it’s probably where I look least coordinated outfit-wise – usually matched with any old t-shirt. The Émigré sports kit features a poly-cotton mix Henley top, mine in dark blue, with nylon and spandex mix on the matching shorts, with a compression liner under-shorts, complete with a pocket for your phone.

As I was running outdoors in March, I was pleased with the addition of the windbreaker jacket. This lightweight training jacket also has a nylon-spandex mix and is both stretchy and water-resistant, to keep the wind and rain off you. Finished in dark blue, it has reflective strips allowing you to be seen in the dark, and there’s even a hood if things get serious.

The whole sports kit pairs together perfectly, making you look stylish while working out – perfect for being spotted in the gym by colleagues or for a team run, if you’re into such things. Though I prefer to run alone, a colleague did spot me from the hotel window, so I definitely styled it out.

A return on investment?

There’s a certain uniformity to the Émigré range that makes it appealing. It’s smart, classy, but very understated. This is quality at designer prices, without the big-name labels. You could certainly pay less and still get high-quality products, but getting a set that not only matches but is designed for travel would be tricky.

If you travel regularly, getting the right luggage and clothing is priceless, and Émigré certainly delivers a great solution. You can buy everything you need here for your business trip or weekend away, though unless your travel is also first class, it may cost you more than your flight.

Ghd has just launched its newest hair dryer, and it certainly lives up to its speedy name. The new Ghd Speed is the brand’s fastest hair dryer to date, thanks to its new motor and halo dual air flow technology – but it’s the design you’ll love the most.

Best known for its line-up of hair tools, Ghd has been around since 2001 and its latest innovations prove that it’s a hair care company that knows how to keep up with the trends. Its latest hair dryer tackles an important area within hair styling as, let’s face it, no one wants to spend a long time drying their hair!

To solve the time-consuming ‘problem’ of drying hair, Ghd’s new Speed hair dryer has a next-generation brushless motor that spins at 118,000 RPM to dry your hair faster than before. Alongside the motor, the Ghd Speed uses the brand’s halo dual air flow technology that delivers high pressure speeds up to 176km/h to dry hair from top to bottom.

Despite the high speeds, the Ghd Speed maintains a cool temperature due to its halo technology. The heated airflow is balanced by a ‘halo’ of cool air which quickly but gently dries hair and leaves your roots and scalp cool to the touch to minimise heat damage.

My favourite thing about the new Ghd Speed is its design. Available in black, titanium black and silver white colours, the Ghd Speed has a curved handle that makes it easier to hold and move around the head. It has three simple buttons on the handle to turn the dryer on and off, and adjust the temperature and speed settings.

Speaking of, the Ghd Speed has four heat and four speed settings to choose from. It also has a cool shot button, and a memory lock function so you can save your last dry’s settings for easier and quicker controls – the Ghd Speed is all about speed, after all!

The Ghd Speed comes with a styling concentrator which stays cool even when used at the highest heat setting. Available to buy now, the Ghd Speed is priced at £299 and is available to buy at Ghd and select retailers, like LOOKFANTASTIC.

Is £300 expensive for a hair dryer? Yes, but if it’s quick, smart drying you’re after, the Ghd Speed looks hard to beat. I’ve also owned a pair of Ghd hair straighteners for over 10 years now, and they still perform incredibly well so the Ghd Speed will likely last a while, too.

For anyone who spends time in the outdoors – for work, play or travel – a top-performing fleece jacket is an absolutely essential piece of kit. I’m outdoors a lot, for all of the above reasons, and I have tested countless tops described as fleeces by myriad brands. Some perform excellently but look awful, while others are super stylish but prove less effective in the elements – occasionally you get one that ticks all the boxes. But before I get into three of my current favourites for spring conditions, it’s worth quickly considering the question, what exactly is a fleece?

Traditionally, fleeces were made from recycled synthetic materials and were regarded as groundbreaking eco-friendly outdoor-active clothing, but the word ‘fleece’ is bandied around very loosely these days, and is used to describe a wide range of tops, from casual-wear hoodies made from all sorts of fabric to garments that look more like wind cheaters and softshells. While a wider material mix might be more acceptable now, however, a true fleece is primarily a midlayer garment, designed to work well when worn above the best base layers and beneath a good waterproof jacket (when required).

Best for basic warmth

Columbia Crystal Leaf Omni-Heat Technical Half-zip Fleece

There is much more going on than meets the eye with the Crystal Leaf, which is available for an extremely accessible price. It’s a thin and lightweight fleece, but the Omni-Heat Helix technology traps warmth inside, while the fabric remains breathable, and internally generated moisture is quickly wicked away from the body when you’re working hard on the trails.

It’s a half-zip top, and there’s no hood on this version, but I believe less is more when it comes to true midlayers – very few people actually use hoods on lightweight tops, and usually they end up sticking out the top of the jacket and getting wet in the rain. And a full zip can reduce thermal protection, and this top is designed to be worn all day, not to be taken on and off. There are no pockets either, which is fine when you’re using it beneath a coat.

I love the thumb holes, which prevent the sleeves from bunching up when you pull on an outer layer and keep skin from being exposed when you’re wearing gloves. The high neck and long back panel both keep drafts out, and being 10% elastane, the material is super stretchy, allowing for a full range of movement when you’re climbing, scrambling or doing anything dynamic. The only downside is that, so far as I can see, no recycled fabric has been used.

Best features

Rab Ramshaw Hoody

If you’re intending to rock your fleece as an outer wear, instead of merely a midlayer, then it’s handy to have a few more features. The Ramshaw, by Rab, is designed to be seen, and (even in the not-for-everyone ‘pollen’ colour I’ve been testing) it’s good-looking fleece.

It’s also pretty thin and light (517g), but when combined with an outer shell, like a waterproof coat, the raised squares on the external face of the fleece are designed to capture air that your body will heat up, creating a good warm layer. With a high degree of stretch, it’s a very dynamic garment, perfect for rock climbing, hiking and scrambling. And it’s made from 75% recycled materials.

Features-wise, it has three fully functional pockets (a pair of hand pockets and a chest pouch), all of which zip shut, so you don’t lose important things mid-trail. It has a full-length zip, so you can dump heat quickly when you need to, plus a good chin guard and a decent hood, which fits under a helmet and can be tightened with toggles to protect your head and ears from the wind. It doesn’t have thumb hoops, but the sleeves are elasticated at the wrists, which prevents sleeves from bunching if you do don an outer layer.

Most stylish

66 North Tungudalur Hoodie

Designed to deliver warmth on the edge of the Arctic Circle (and to turn heads wherever you wear it), gear from 66 North is always seriously stylish and very high-performing (and usually priced accordingly). The Icelandic brand do make much thicker fleeces for mid-winter, but the Tungudalur (available with and without a hood) is a thinner. Low-bulk, lightweight garment, perfect for spring-summer-autumn as outerwear, or when worn beneath a windproof and/or waterproof shell when the elements are feistier.

It has a full zip for easy heat management and a pair of hand pockets with zips. There are no thumb loops, but the wrists are elasticated to stop bunching and prevent sleeves from riding up your arms. I have been testing the lidded version, and the hood can be tightened to keep out the worst of the weather. Although it’s the kind of clobber you want to show off, not hide, it works well as a midlayer beneath a jacket.

Made from high-end Polartec Powerstretch Pro fleece (external link), this trim-fit top is warm, breathable, and tough, with a smooth, abrasion-resistant exterior and a soft-feel inner that is luxuriously comfortable next to the skin. The material mix wicks moisture away excellently and offers four-way flex, for when you’re reaching for handholds or posing at the pub. Lastly, it’s made from 84% recycled material.

Good to know

Fleeces are useful – essential even – all year round: an outer layer for evenings and mornings in summer, a comfy, protective top on cooler spring and autumn days, and a high-performing thermal midlayer beneath a waterproof shell in winter. But it’s hard to find a one-size-fits-all fleece that covers all those occasions.

Thickness, weight and bulk are key considerations, as are features (including pockets, hoods and thumb loops) and style choices – such as a smooth-finish or long-pile fleece – that go beyond the garment's mere look (long-pile tops are considerably warmer).

Then there’s the tech, with design innovations such as Columbia’s Omni-Heat system, raised grids (as seen on Rab’s Ramshaw Hoody), and advanced materials like Polartec Powerstretch Pro (used in 66 North’s Tungudalur Hoodie), all adding to the thermal performance of the tops.

The three fleeces covered here are all low-bulk, mid-weight garments, which I regard as perfect for 9 to 10 months of the year. In mid-winter, and especially if you’re venturing into colder climes or up into the mountains, you’ll need a thicker, heavier, warmer garment like Patagonia’s Classic Retro-X fleece, which is a brilliant traditional number, made from 100% recycled synthetic material, that will keep you very cosy when worn under a waterproof jacket.

When choosing a fleece, if you’re mainly planning to wear it as a midlayer, simplicity, performance, and cost will be the top priorities, so something like the Columbia Crystal Leaf Omni-Heat Technical Half-zip Fleece is probably perfect.

If you think it’s likely you will be wearing it on the outside for much of the time, then the look of the top, and elements like pockets, are more important, so the Tungudalur or Ramshaw fleeces will be better options. Fleeces are always made from synthetic fabrics that will never fully biodegrade, so personally, I choose tops made mostly from recycled materials.

Love is in the air! Dyson has just upgraded its bestselling hair tools with its most romantic colourway yet – and it’s quickly become my new favourite shade that the brand offers. Available on three hair tools, Dyson’s new Red Velvet and Gold range is limited edition and would make the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

When Dyson first announced that it would be moving from vacuum cleaners to hair dryers in 2016, not many people expected the brand to become such a big name in the hair styling industry. But here we are 10 years later, and Dyson’s line-up of hair tools are some of the best you can buy.

Now in its tenth year of designing and manufacturing hair stylers, Dyson is launching a new limited edition colourway, and to say I’m obsessed with it is an understatement. Known for its bright and powerful shades, the new limited edition colour is called Red Velvet and Gold, and is inspired by Valentine’s Day’s romantic palette.

The Red Velvet and Gold colour is available in three hair stylers – the Dyson Airwrap, the Dyson Airwrap i.d., and the Dyson Supersonic. All three products feature ceramic-touch red on the main body of the devices, and in the Airwrap’s case, a selection of its attachments. Metallic gold accents are on the buttons and airflow grates.

As red is such a prominent colour on Valentine’s Day, the limited edition Red Velvet and Gold colour would make the perfect gift for the romantic holiday. The shade is also timeless, and can be enjoyed all year round.

The three hair stylers with the new Red Velvet and Gold colour are available now online and in select Dyson stores, and remain at their standard pricing that’s the same as any other colour variant. Each tool comes in a bespoke storage case in the new colourway.

If you're looking for a simple way to make your life easier and more luxurious, upgrading the quality of your luggage is a great idea. Snagging a new suitcase, backpack or duffel bag that is high quality can make your daily commute or those longer travels feel anew.

For me, one of the best luggage brands out there is Carl Friedrik. I personally own and use a couple of pieces from the brand, and regularly put them through their paces on my travels.

Now, the brand has unveiled a new collection in a delightful chocolate colour. That takes two of its suitcases – the Carry-On and the Large Check-In – and decorates them in a sumptuous chocolate brown hue.

The hard-shell case leans almost grey under certain lights, with brown leather appointments for an added touch of class. It's a really timeless shade, and one which should continue to look classy for years to come.

Beyond the colour, you'll enjoy all of the appointments which have made Carl Friedrik suitcases one of our top picks for a long time. The cases are crafted from a robust aluminium frame, with a polycarbonate shell for lightness.

The locks are TSA-approved in their design, and keep your belongings secure in transit. That's aided by a series of internal design choices, such as compression straps and a compression pad, to keep your goodies safe in transit.

There's even a suite of handy pockets inside the case, which are perfect for storing little bits and bobs so they don't spill into the other nooks and crannies inside your case. And you'll have a simple time manoeuvring it around, with high-quality Japanese 360° wheels on the base.

Priced at £445 / €545 / US$645 / AU$1,150 for the smaller Carry-On size and £695 / €795 / US$945 / AU$1,800 for the larger Check-In size, these certainly aren't a budget-conscious option. Still, they are incredibly high quality, and definitely worth the money – especially in this stylish new hue!

Looking for a backpack that serves as a stylish briefcase replacement, rather than a piece of tactical equipment designed to scale Everest? That’s where the Slim Laptop Backpack from Harber London fits in.

This isn’t a backpack for carrying clothes, toiletries, or anything else you’d describe as bulky. It won’t really hold your water bottle either. But that’s fine, because instead it provides a stylish, elegant and comfortable way to carry a laptop and your everyday-carry essentials, hands-free.

Harber Slim Laptop Backpack review: Price and availability

There’s just one size for this backpack, and three colour options – tan, black and deep brown. All versions are priced at £379 and available now at Harber London, although at the time of writing (January 2026) the latter two colours are on pre-order.

Harber Slim Laptop Backpack review: Design and features

As the name suggests, this is a slim backpack by anyone’s standards. It isn’t bulging with pockets for carrying absolutely everything you might need for a week away. There isn’t really any space for clothes, unless you’re only carrying a pair of socks.

But that’s not the point of this bag. Instead, this should be considered as either a briefcase replacement or the next step along from a sling bag or laptop sleeve. It’s designed to hold laptops with screen sizes ranging from 13 to 16 inches, and there’s a second slot for smaller items like a tablet or e-reader.

The main compartment sits ahead of this, and is great for headphones or a book and a couple of magazines, but not much else. Total capacity is just five litres, and the external dimensions are 41 cm tall, 27 cm wide and 5 cm thick. So, really, it’s all about the pockets and less about cramming much into the main compartment. Opposite the laptop and tablet pockets you’ll find a zipped, full-height pocket for cables, notebooks, fragrance and the like.

A piece of leather stitched to the outside of this pocket makes up three more stowage spaces. Two are wide enough for a couple of pens each, while the central one could be home to a wallet or passport. It’s a little baggy though, so your options here are a bit limited. As with other Harber bags, the inner lining is black cotton. It feels hard-wearing and matches some external details, but the darkness can make it tricky to see right into the depths of the inner pockets. Best making use of the higher pockets, or you’ll be rummaging around to find smaller items.

The main compartment is closed with a single zipper with a nice bit of black leather attached to pull it shut, or attach a bit of decoration (or an AirTag). A second zipper pocket on the front of the backpack measures 24 x 23 cm and is a handy place for a notebook, Kindle or passport. Harber includes a leather keyring clip that attaches magnetically to the interior of this pocket. Attaching and removing this is a little awkward, since the zipper gets in the way, but it’s still a nice way of keeping your keys in one place. No more hunting for them when you return home from the airport.

Finally, the rear of the backpack has a carry handle and a sleeve for hooking the bag over the handle of your suitcase. These, along with the entire exterior and the adjustable shoulder straps, are made from beautiful full-grain leather, as Harber London is famous for.

Harber Slim Laptop Backpack review: Performance

I was looking forward to trying this bag, and it didn’t disappoint. I used it on several trips over the festive period and, while it isn’t suitable for clothes and a washbag of any meaningful size, it’s a lovely way of carrying a laptop, tablet, magazine and other small travel items.

All are held securely and, although the shoulder straps are quite narrow, they’re soft and nicely padded so remain comfortable. Since this is a small bag, and is unlikely to ever feel particularly heavy, the narrow straps feel well-judged. I also like how both external zippers are covered, and therefore somewhat weather resistant.

The leather details fixed to each end of the main zip are purely decorative, but do a nice job of adding aesthetic interest to an otherwise simple bag. Likewise the small black hoops on either side of the smaller zipper, although you could potentially clip something to them with a small carabiner.

Another positive is how the excess part of each shoulder strap is tethered, so it doesn’t hang loose. It’s a small detail, but something you’ll notice as soon as you go back to a bag with straps swinging down by your legs. I also like the front pocket, which is more spacious than I was expecting, with enough room for a 400-page paperback.

At 1.3 kg, it’s not the lightest bag for its size. But as with other Harber products this one looks and feels like a high-end item. The leather is luxurious, the stitching is consistently neat and every element feels like it’s been designed and built to last. The “aviation-grade” aluminium buckles, complete with subtle Harber branding, feel especially tough, although I was a little disappointed to see a couple of small chips on one. I’m not sure if this was a manufacturing issue or happened during my first couple of weeks’ use. That said, it’s a tiny blemish that I’d likely forget about over time.

Another small negative is the lack of protection on the bottom of the bag. I expect the leather will slowly pick up stains and scratches with repeated use, especially if it spends a life on Underground carriage floors, train station platforms and in overhead storage bins. I know from years of testing its products that Harber leather stands up well to frequent use, so you can expect a gentle patina to develop, rather than any sort of failure.

As with other Harber bags, the Slim Laptop Backpack comes with a branded black tote bag to protect it when it’s not in use, adding to the premium feel and reminding you that you’ve bought a luxury product.

Harber Slim Laptop Backpack review: Verdict

If you need a backpack that replaces a briefcase but won’t make your next meeting look like a school trip, this is the one for you. The Harber Slim Laptop Backpack is as subtle as it is stylish, with a premium leather construction, weather resistant zips and a sensible amount of storage for your everyday essentials.

There’s generous laptop and tablet stowage, plus plenty of room for headphones, cables, chargers and a magazine or two. It’ll swallow a 400-page paperback and a Kindle in the front pocket, with room to spare for your keys, wallet and passport – all without stretching out of shape.

It’s not the cheapest backpack around – especially given its compact dimensions and lack of space for clothes – but that’s not the point. This is a premium backpack for days in the office, lightweight business travel (plus a suitcase, of course), or an afternoon at your favourite café. In those environments, it absolutely excels.

If you're not someone who carries a briefcase or a suitcase to work everyday, investing in one of the best backpacks makes a lot of sense. While the sector doesn't always feel as glamourous as other forms of luxurious luggage, it has every right to be.

Fortunately for those of us who value style and make use of a backpack regularly, there are brands out there flipping the script. Take the Bennett Winch Backpack, which I've been carefully testing over the last few months to determine whether or not it's worth the cost.

While simple-looking on the face of it, the bag has a number of well-designed pockets and nifty features which make it a solid pick overall.

Bennett Winch Backpack review: Price and Availability

The Bennett Winch Backpack is priced from £750 / €900 / US$1,275 / AU$1,550, though different options and materials can see that cost inflate. You can, for example, add a luggage slip for an additional fee, or select a leather backpack for more again.

The model I have tested for the purposes of this review is the cheapest available, though – a canvas version in Olive, without the luggage slip.

Currently, the only place you can buy Bennett Winch goods is via the brand's website.

Bennett Winch Backpack review: Features

The backpack itself looks a little sparse in the images, but that's no bad thing. There's definitely a less-is-more elegance to the way this is designed, which only adds to the luxurious feel.

Inside, you'll find a large pocket at the back, which is secured with a single popper on a leather band. That's big enough for a laptop – the brand materials suggest up to a 16-inch model will fit, and given the space surrounding my smaller unit, I'd say that's believable.

On the front of that section is a trio of smaller pockets, which are perfectly sized for things like earbuds or very small notebooks. It's the perfect size for organising those little bits and bobs which can be a pain if they fall into the abyss of your bag.

Speaking of the main compartment, it's a reasonable size. You'll find bigger backpacks out there, sure, but those can often be cumbersome for everyday use. This manages to remain big enough to carry all of the essentials, without being so large that it feels unwieldy.

It also houses a really clever additional feature. Inside the main compartment sits a black bag, which also mounts into the frame of the bag with a pair of poppers. That acts as a separate section, but can also be fully removed to offer more space in the compartment overall.

Last, but not least, is a small front pocket. That's handy for any bits and pieces you need quick access to, and while it certainly isn't the largest I've come across, it's big enough.

Bennett Winch Backpack review: Performance

Just because a product uses premium materials and devilishly handsome styling doesn't mean it's automatically going to be a winner. Particularly when you factor in the price this bag goes for, it really does need to come out swinging.

Fortunately, the Bennett Winch Backpack doesn't just suffice – it excels in every sense. From the first feel of luscious leather and carefully curated canvas, you can feel the quality on offer.

It wears absolutely beautifully, with the kind of balance which ensures you'll never be left with sore shoulders or a tight back, even with lots of use under your belt. Adjustments to the strap length are held in place solidly with brass hardware, and don't move – something a lot of bags struggle with.

There is a distinct lack of padding on the back, which I did think would be a problem, but it has never proven itself to be. The only thing it does lack is a little breathability on hotter days, which is worth bearing in mind.

The internal pocket situation is really well thought out, and should be more than enough for the day-to-day needs of most people. I'm a big fan of the removable section, which makes storing gym kit or a dirty lunch pot easy without having to worry about dirtying the rest of your things.

My only wish is that it had some kind of handle, to make it usable once removed. I'd love to be able to whip that out with my gym clothes in, for example, leaving the rest of my bag in the car, but that's not especially easy without a handle of straps for carrying.

Bennett Winch Backpack review: Verdict

There's no denying that spending a high three-to-four-figure sum on a backpack is something most people couldn't even dream of. But like having nice suits if you're always in the office, good shoes you walk in everyday, or a comfy car for longer commutes, it really does pay to invest in things you use all the time.

If you're seeking out the kind of luxurious backpack you could feasibly hold onto for the rest of your life, the Bennett Winch Backpack is well worth the investment. Yes, it's more costly than most, but you feel the quality in every stitch between high-quality panels, and it will stay chic forever.

Bennett Winch Backpack review: Also Consider

If you're looking for this vibe on a slightly lesser budget, there are a couple of options worth looking at. The Harber London Classic Backpack has always been a favourite here at T3, and offers similarly timeless styling.

Alternatively, Carl Friedrik's Day-to-Day Backpack is a solid pick, from a manufacturer I can personally vouch for. The brand makes stunning luggage, and this bag fits the bill nicely.

As someone who travels a lot, good luggage matters. Having a stylish backpack, duffel bag or suitcase that you know is high quality takes a load off your mind, and ensure you always arrive looking your best.

Shop all deals at Carl Friedrik

I never go anywhere without at least one Carl Friedrik bag. I own the 72-hour Backpack and the Palissy Weekender, which make a brilliant combo for cutting around the UK and Europe on two-to-three day stays.

This Black Friday, I may well be adding even more to my collection of bags and suitcases, as the brand is having a massive sale. Right now, you can save 30% across the site – and as T3's in-house luxury expert, I've hand-selected five of the best deals right now.

This year, one upgrade I want to make is to my suitcases. Frankly, I need a better set, and I love seeing a matching luggage set, so this one from Carl Friedrik is top of my list. A £364 price cut is irresistable!

If I'm just heading up to London for a day of meetings – particularly in the summer – a backpack can be so uncomfortable. I'd much rather take something like this briefcase, and with over £250 off it's remarkably appealing right now.

I've got no shortage of backpacks, but this Carl Friedrik option is really lovely. If I needed another, this is the one I'd be buying – especially in this gorgeous green hue!

One thing I do need is a new wallet, and this one looks really smart. Carl Friedrik always use nice leather, which is really my only want in this area. Snagging it for less than £100 feels like a bit of a bargain.

I've always been intrigued by this little key organiser from the brand, but I've never taken the plunge. With it now less than £50, I'm tempted to upgrade my key ring to something more luxurious.

Your teeth are incredibly important for all kinds of reasons – your health, your ability to eat food, your smile – and getting the best electric toothbrush can make all the difference outside of dentist and hygienist visits.

Amazon Prime Day is the perfect day to invest in some new teeth-cleaning tech and we've spotted an incredible deal: 70% off the Oral-B iO5 electric toothbrush.

Shop the Oral-B iO5 deal now

The Oral-B iO5 combines advanced brushing tech with a sleek, user-friendly design to deliver a noticeably thorough clean.

It uses a dentist-inspired round brush head with micro-vibrating bristles to remove plaque effectively while remaining gentle on gums.

A built-in Smart Pressure Sensor lights up red when you press too hard and green when you’re applying the ideal pressure, helping to prevent over-brushing and gum irritation.

The iO5 includes five brushing modes – Daily Clean, Sensitive, Whitening, Gum Care and Intense – along with a two-minute timer and 30-second pacer to ensure even coverage across your mouth.

It also connects via Bluetooth to the Oral-B app, which provides real-time feedback, progress tracking and personalised coaching to improve technique.

Battery life lasts around 10 to 12 days from a full charge, and the handle is compatible with all Oral-B iO brush heads. The package typically includes a travel case, charger and one replacement head.

We could all do more to protect and clean our teeth, and getting the Oral-B iO5 is a great way to be proactive and keep your teeth and gums healthy for years.

Dyson is one of the best brands for gadgets in 2025, making everything from excellent vacuums to hair care products that just work, and the company is offering some tantalising Amazon Prime Day discounts.

We've been scouring the web for the absolute best deals and came across this beauty: the brand new Dyson Airwrap i.d. is the cheapest it's ever been.

To take a step back, the Airwrap i.d. is the latest evolution of Dyson’s acclaimed multi-styler, designed to dry, curl, smooth and volumise hair – now with app connectivity and smarter automation.

Using the MyDyson app, you input your hair type and goals, and the i.d. curl system automatically calculates timing sequences for wrapping, setting and cooling, removing the need for manual timing.

Powered by Dyson’s V9 digital motor, the Airwrap i.d. generates a high-velocity jet of air to create the Coanda effect that wraps hair around the barrel without extreme heat.

An integrated temperature sensor measures airflow hundreds of times per second to keep heat below roughly 150 °C, helping to protect against heat damage.

The device includes multiple attachments – smoothing and volumising brushes, curling barrels, a fast-drying nozzle, and the flyaway smoother – with three heat and three speed settings.

And if that wasn't enough, Dyson has also discounted its Airstrait, which is used for – you guessed it – hair straightening.

The Dyson Airstrait is a unique straightener that dries and straightens hair simultaneously – without hot plates. Instead, it channels two high-velocity air blades at a precise 45° angle to smooth and align hair strands as they dry.

Amazon Prime Day is the ideal moment to take the plunge on getting some new tech or upgrading your old setup, so don't miss out on these big discounts.

The Prime Big Deal Days sale is running over the next two days, a whole month ahead of Black Friday.

If you’ve got any birthdays coming up or you want to get prepare for Christmas – is it too early to utter that festive word?! – then now is the time to get some great savings on bestselling products.

Right now, the best men’s fragrances have huge discounts at Amazon, including colognes and aftershaves from Tom Ford, BOSS, Diesel and more. I’ve rounded up seven of the best fragrance deals below to help you save extra money this Prime Day.

Aside from its luxury handbags and accessories, Marc Jacobs has become a huge name within women’s perfumes. While its Daisy fragrance is arguably its most recognisable, its Perfect perfume line-up launched in 2020, and it might be my favourite scent collection from the brand.

Part of the Marc Jacobs Perfect range, the new Perfect Absolute debuted in 2025, just in time for the autumnal season. I’ve been testing Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute for the past few weeks now, and it’s been a welcome scent to mark the weather change – although it might be best suited for spring.

Despite only launching back in 2020, the Marc Jacobs Perfect collection features the original Perfect Eau de Parfum, Perfect Eau de Toilette, Perfect Elixir, Perfect Intense and now, Perfect Absolute.

Best characterised as fruity and floral, all options from the Perfect line-up have recurring notes of rhubarb, daffodil and almond, with different variations of woods, cashmere, amber and vanilla. While still floral, Perfect Absolute is a slight move away from the collection’s three popular notes and goes down a different floral avenue.

Described as a more intense and concentrated version of Perfect, Perfect Absolute has top notes of fig and caramel, a heart note of jasmine absolu, and a base note of amber. It’s part of the oriental floral fragrance family and comes in a beautiful, red bottle with a cap decorated in Marc Jacobs charms.

The bottle of the Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute immediately stood out to me. Marc Jacobs is known for fun, colourful, cartoon-like bottles and Perfect Absolute is no different, with a bow, dice, heeled shoe, banana, star and cherries displayed on the cap.

But what about what’s inside the bottle? The Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute smells sweet, sultry and floral. The jasmine absolu is the most prominent note from the initial spray and after hours of wear. The caramelised fig is another layer that comes out throughout the day, giving a rich and warm scent.

Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute came out in the later months of the year, so I expected it to be quite an autumnal fragrance. I do think it would be good for the chillier months – I’ve been wearing it throughout September and have been loving it – but I think Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute is better suited to spring and summer with its floral, fruity notes. I found it quite similar to Burberry Her Intense but a lot stronger.

A big positive of the Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute is its strong spray. It shoots out the bottle with some force and smells extremely intense from the get go. Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute is definitely a long-lasting fragrance but it drastically fades throughout the day – I often found myself topping it up after a few hours.

I’d say that Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute clings better to clothes than it does to skin. A strange thing I noticed was it got more prominent and intense when it came into contact with sweat. I often sprayed Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute before going for a run or to a workout class and it was all I could smell even during intense sweat sessions – a definite plus if you’re worrying about body odour.

While I think Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute is better suited to the warmer months of the year, it’s a vibrant, sweet and floral scent that’s perfect for everyday wear. It’s pretty affordable too, and is available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes with prices starting at £76.

If you’re looking to upgrade your hair styling game, then you might want to check out the Shark FlexStyle.

For those who don’t want to fork out the money for a Dyson AirWrap, the Shark FlexStyle is an amazing alternative. The limited edition version is currently on sale at John Lewis, taking this premium styler and hair dryer down to under £200.

Shop the limited edition Shark FlexStyle deal

Originally priced at £269.99, the Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer is now just £199 at John Lewis, saving you £50. This saving might not be huge but the Shark FlexStyle is rarely on sale, so it’s worth the treat – especially as it’s pay day!

This popular Dyson AirWrap dupe is high quality, affordable and versatile as it comes with plenty of accessories and attachments to suit all hair types. It comes with three heat and airflow settings that catch hair and curls, blow dries and straightens hair to achieve the look you want.

A new name in sneaker culture might have just served an ace.

Lisbon-based JAK Shoes has dropped fresh colourways of its clean-cut Vantage silhouette, and they’re worthy of attention far beyond the tennis court.

Founded on the principles of minimalist design and slow fashion, JAK handcrafts all of its sneakers in Portugal using premium materials and a direct-to-consumer model.

Their latest release, the Vantage sneaker, comes in a trio of court-inspired tones: Blue, Green, and Grey.

These new colourways riff on the old-school tennis palette, with crisp whites, sunlit greens, shaded clay and cool bleachers, blending into a look that works just as well with tailored joggers as it does with wide-leg denim.

Built on the quiet confidence of classic tennis style, the Vantage reworks vintage athletic cues into a more modern, street-friendly profile.

It’s got the sort of understated geometry that makes you think “design object” before “shoe,” with stitched leather uppers, sculpted outsoles and subtle branding keeping the aesthetic crisp.

“Tennis has always had this understated style language—disciplined, elegant, yet quietly bold,” says the brand’s Creative Director.

“The Vantage is our way of translating that spirit into a shoe that lives far beyond the baseline.”

Designed for everyday movement but made to be noticed, JAK’s latest drop fits neatly into the current sport-meets-streetwear wave.

And with everything crafted in small batches from sustainable materials, the Vantage isn’t just good-looking; it’s considered, too.

The Vantage in Blue, Green, and Grey is available now at JAK.

As students in the UK, the US, and around the world prepare to head back to school, college, or university, getting one of the best backpacks is essential – and Amazon Prime Day is delivering the goods in 2025.

Berghaus is a brand that will be familiar to anyone who has ever bought outdoor clothing, as they make durable and weather-ready products. Right now, the Berghaus unisex backpack 25L is on sale with a 33% saving.

Probably the most noticeable feature is the weight: 367g. A light backpack can make all the difference, especially if you're carting around a laptop, a few notepads, a water bottle, and so on.

The backpack is built from tough, water‑repellent polyester that’s ready for daily commutes or weekend hikes and measures 48 × 28 × 18 cm, with easily enough room for all of the essentials of campus life.

The backpack features padded shoulder straps, a top grab handle, and a streamlined silhouette.

There's no frame, just simplicity, comfort, and ease of storage. It also includes an internal organisational pocket, external zip pocket for quick-access items, and splash-proof material for unpredictable weather.

Without breaking the bank, Berghaus is offering a really solid option and saving £13 isn't something to be sniffed at – in 2025, that's the equivalent of two pints.

You can find almost anything in the best Prime Day deals, but my personal favourite is cheap discounts on fragrances, aftershaves, colognes and sprays – if it smells good, I’m in!

In this year’s sale, it’s all about Hugo Boss fragrances, as Amazon is offering BOSS and Hugo Boss men’s colognes and aftershaves for better than half price. To help you save money on your next go-to scent, I’ve rounded up the best seven Hugo Boss fragrances from this year’s sale below – enjoy!

The T3 Awards 2025 are back for another year! The past 12 months have been jam packed with product launches and upgrades across tech, active and home, and it’s almost been too hard to keep up with.

But keep up we have, and this week, the T3 team will be announcing the winners of this year’s T3 Awards. Kicking off with the Home awards, this post covers all the winners, highly commended and nominees within the Home and Style category – think vacuum cleaners, mattresses, air purifiers, watches, skincare tech and more.

For this year’s awards, we’ve added a few new categories – Best Sleep Accessory, Best Sleep Tech, Best LED Face Mask and Best Fragrance. Not only do these additions champion more products, but they also show what T3 experts value and what they plan on focusing on more in the future.

For all the nominees, take a look at the T3 Awards 2025 Home shortlist.

Best Vacuum Cleaner

Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet

Out of all the cordless, stick and upright vacuum cleaners that we’ve tried in the past year – and we’ve tried A LOT – the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet was hard to beat. Rated by Lizzie Wilmot, T3’s Home Writer as the ‘best cordless vacuum cleaner of 2024’, the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet has continued to perform admirably over the past year, which is why we’ve given it the T3 Award.

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet combines Shark’s most popular features from its other cleaning devices into one. It has Anti Hair Wrap technology which keeps the brush roll from tangling with pet and human hair, and it has clever detection features that allow it to adjust to different floor types to achieve the best clean. It doesn’t look bad either – if a vacuum cleaner can look stylish, that is! See our Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet review for more details.

Highly Commended: Samsung Bespoke AI Ultra

Best Vacuum Cleaner Shortlist: Dyson Car+Boat, Gtech Airfox Platinum, Hoover HF4 Hydro.

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max

The best robot vacuum cleaners have taken over the cleaning industry and the advancements have been non-stop in the past year. With the introduction of AI technology, robot vacuums have upgraded their mapping, detection, charging, vacuuming and mopping, and the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max is a perfect example of that.

In spite of its high price tag, the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max is an exceedingly good cleaner on both carpets and hardwood floors. It has dirt detection sensors and multi-floor mapping, as well as good edge cleaning and pet hair pick-up. The docking station was also appreciated with its quick charging, refilling and emptying. See our iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max review for more details.

Highly Commended: Eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner Shortlist: Dreame X50 Ultra Complete, Shark Matrix Plus, Ultenic T10.

Best Home Air Device

MeacoDry Arete Two

The Best Home Air Device covers a surprising amount, including fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air purifiers – the latter of which has won this year’s T3 Award. A combination of an air purifier and dehumidifier, the MeacoDry Arete Two is a brilliant gadget that ensures the air you breathe in your home is clean, hygienic and allergen-free.

With an impressive 12-litre capacity, the MeacoDry Arete Two is almost a 3-in-1 home air device that purifies and dehumidifies while also giving a fan-like cooling effect. Our reviewer found it to be great for speeding up laundry drying and noticed that the air felt cleaner and easier to breathe while it was in action. See our MeacoDry Arete Two review for more details.

Highly Commended: Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 Air Purifier

Best Home Air Device Shortlist: Blueair Blue Mini Max, Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan, Hisense Smart Tower Portable AC with Heat Pump, Shark FlexBreeze Fan, SwitchBot Air Purifier Table.

Best Mattress

Simba Earth Apex

When it comes to the best mattress manufacturer on the market, Simba is definitely in the top percent, mainly due to its sustainable credentials – the brand won T3’s Sustainability Award in 2024 – and its high quality materials. In the past year, Simba launched its Earth mattress collection, its most eco-friendly range yet, and the most comfortable and supportive, which is why the Simba Earth Apex has won Best Mattress for 2025.

The Simba Earth Apex features all-natural materials, including wool, silk, foam and springs. The hybrid make-up gives the mattress impressive layers of comfort, a good firmness and temperature control so you don’t overheat during the warmer months. It’s premium, comfy and great for all sleep positions. See our Simba Earth Apex review for more details.

Highly Commended: Panda London Hybrid Bamboo mattress

Best Mattress Shortlist: Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid, REM-Fit 600 Lux Elite, SleepSoul Wish 3000 Series Pocket Cool Gel Mattress.

Best Sleep Accessory

Eve Wunderflex Multi-Way Duvet

For the 2025 T3 Awards, we’ve combined the Best Duvet and Best Pillow awards into one new award category – the Best Sleep Accessory. The winner of this year’s Awards is the Eve Wunderflex Multi-Way Duvet, one of the most impressive duvets we’ve seen – and slept under – in a while.

As the name may suggest, the Eve Wunderflex Multi-Way Duvet is customisable. Rather than having two separate duvets for summer and winter, the Eve Wunderflex Multi-Way Duvet can do it all, as users can add to or take away from the duvet to get the perfect temperature. It might not be a completely new innovation as other brands have done this before, but Eve has truly excelled with this duvet and beaten the competition. See our Eve Wunderflex Multi-Way Duvet review for more details.

Highly Commended: Soak&Sleep Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Best Sleep Accessory Shortlist: DreamCloud Duvet, DreamCloud Pillow, Luff Bamboo Forest Pillow.

Best Sleep Tech

Eight Sleep Pod 4

The first fully new award within the Home category is Best Sleep Tech. As the sleep and wellness industry continues to evolve, the world of sleep has been given some surprising technological advancements, in the form of sleep trackers, masks and headphones.

The first ever winner of the Best Sleep Tech Award is the Eight Sleep Pod 4. T3’s Editor-in-Chief Mat Gallagher continuously recommends the Eight Sleep Pod 4 and has stated that it’s the best tech product he’s ever used. It’s a sleep system that combines a hub, bed base and app, and is designed to improve your sleep. The entire system tracks your sleep and makes adjustments throughout the night to help with snoring and temperature regulation. See our Eight Sleep Pod 4 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Loop Quiet 2 Plus

Best Sleep Tech Shortlist: MANTA Sound Sleep Mask, Ozlo SleepBuds, TheraBody SleepMask.

Best Office Chair

Herman Miller Aeron

The best office chair is a non-negotiable nowadays, regardless of whether you’re an office, hybrid or remote worker. As you’re sitting in it for hours at a time, five days a week, comfort and support is paramount, and the Herman Miller Aeron is our pick for this year’s Best Office Chair Award.

Our Home Writer gave the Herman Miller Aeron high praise by calling it the most ergonomic and impressively adjustable office chair you can buy. It might look simple at first glance, but it’s anything but, with its breathable mesh fabric, spine-supporting construction and comfortable feel. See our Herman Miller Aeron review for more details.

Highly Commended: FlexiSpot BS12 Pro

Best Office Chair Shortlist: Boulies Master Rex, DUSK Elsie, HBADA E3.

Best Electric Toothbrush

Oclean X Ultra S

Kicking off the style section in the Home and Style Awards category is the best electric toothbrush. As AI has infiltrated almost every area of the home, grooming and styling products have also gotten the smart treatment, and while you might think it’s a gimmick, this year’s award winner proves it’s not.

The Oclean X Ultra S is an increasingly powerful and customisable toothbrush with a helpful accompanying app which actually gives you tracking and advice on cleaning your teeth better. It has multiple intensity levels and settings to play with, and it tells you off when you brush too fast or hard with a funny robotic voice. See our Oclean X Ultra S review for more details.

Highly Commended: Philips Sonicare 7100

Best Electric Toothbrush Shortlist: Oral-B iO2, Quip, Soocas NEOS II.

Best Hair Styling Tool

Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Just when you thought it was impossible to make a hair styling tool that was better than the Dyson Airwrap – the very same brand that made the iconic styler made an even better version. The Dyson Airwrap i.d. has all the same (and best) features from the original Airwrap and has added i.d. technology to make styling even more effortless.

The i.d. technology allows the Dyson Airwrap i.d. to sync to the MyDyson app, where it’ll customise your styling sequence according to your hair type, needs and styling preferences. It comes with many attachments – we found the i.d. tech to work best with the curlers – it’s lightweight and beautifully designed, and if you can’t get past the initial price, it can replace all your other hair tools. See our Dyson Airwrap i.d. review for more details.

Highly Commended: mdlondon Wave

Best Hair Styling Tool Shortlist: Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler, Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer, Shark FlexFusion.

Best Hair Removal Tool

Philips Lumea IPL 9900

Shifting away from hair styling to hair removing, our team of experts tried many hair removal devices this year, including epilators, manscapers, beard trimmers and the best IPL machine. The latter has taken the crown this year with the Philips Lumea IPL 9900.

Philips really knows what it’s doing when it comes to IPL hair removal. Its Lumea devices have always been well-received but the Philips Lumea IPL 9900 hit it out the park when it was launched last year. Our reviewer said it was the most impressive, fastest and smartest IPL machine they’ve ever tried and offered up to 12 months of smooth hair-free skin. See our Philips Lumea IPL 9900 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Manscaped The Beard Hedger

Best Hair Removal Tool Shortlist: BaByliss Pro Titanium Foil Shaver, Ulike Air 3, Wahl Manscaper Body Grooming Trimmer.

Best LED Face Mask

Shark CryoGlow

Another new Awards category this year is the best LED face mask. These Hannibal Lecter-looking devices have gradually taken over the skincare market, and despite looking terrifying, they’ve actually proven to be effective and a game-changer for skincare concerns.

The first ever winner of the Best LED Face Mask is the Shark CryoGlow. When we heard that Shark, the vacuum cleaner brand, was making a LED face mask, we were shocked, but we needn’t be. The Shark CryoGlow offers multiple LED lights to address acne, fine lines and pigmentation, and it has eye cooling technology which makes it comfortable and soothing to wear throughout each treatment. See our Shark CryoGlow review for more details.

Highly Commended: Silk'n EMS

Best LED Face Mask Shortlist: Currentbody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask, HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask, Omnilux Clear.

Best Fragrance

Acqua Di Parma Buongiorno

Our final new Award category within the Home and Style space is the Best Fragrance. Acqua Di Parma never fails to impress the T3 team, and it’s one of the best men’s fragrances brands on the market today. Its most recent launch, the Acqua Di Parma Buongiorno quickly became a hit with our Senior News Writer and fragrance enthusiast, Sam Cross who said we had to give it T3’s first ever Best Fragrance Award.

Well known for summer fragrances, the Acqua Di Parma Buongiorno is citrusy and aromatic, with notes of lemon, basil, spearmint and rosemary. The herbal layers are offset with musk and amber to give it warmth and depth – it’s a worthy winner in our eyes.

Highly Commended: Born to Stand Out Indecent Cherry

Best Fragrance Shortlist: DS & Durga Brown Flowers, Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Intense, Tom Ford Bois Pacifique.

Best Watch

Grand Seiko SLGB003

Every year, it gets increasingly harder to pick the best watch Award Winner. This is mainly due to the incredible innovations and features that watch manufacturers are bringing to their timepieces, but every person’s fashion and jewellery tastes are unique and different.

But we had to give this year’s T3 Award to the Grand Seiko SLGB003. Honouring Grand Seiko’s legacy and movements, the Seiko SLGB003 features the Spring Drive Caliber 9RB2 which makes it the most accurate watch movement powered by a mainspring today. The feit is seriously impressive, and it’s not a bad looking watch either!

Highly Commended: Christopher Ward C12 Loco

Best Watch Shortlist: Bell & Ross BR-03 36mm, Tissot PRC100, Vacheron Constantin 222 Steel, Zenith Chronomaster Sport Rainbow.

Best Travel Goods

Mous Day Backpack

Whether you’re off on holiday, going on a camping trip or heading to the office, it’s important to have a good quality backpack, suitcase or carry-on luggage with you. The former is what’s won this year’s Best Travel Goods Award, and we’ve given it to the Mous Day Backpack.

Stylish, comfortable and functional, the Mous Day Backpack ticks all the boxes for what you’d want from a backpack. It has a good amount of storage and a cool central zip design which opens up the bag in a completely unique and helpful way. See our Mous Day Backpack review for more details.

Highly Commended: Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X

Best Travel Goods Shortlist: Antler Icon Stripe Suitcase, Monos Carry-On, Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0.

Ghd is bringing back the barrel curler, in the form of its new Wave hair tool. The Ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver has advanced heating and styling technology that achieves loose beachy waves that last all day – and the curler itself is giving me major 90s vibes and nostalgia.

Most of today’s best hair curlers typically feature the one tong which you wrap your hair around to achieve tight ringlets or casual curls – or some people just use hair straighteners to get a wavy look. But Ghd’s new curler has gone back to the barrel style, and it’s reminding me of the school days when I used to crimp my hair.

The Ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver has three 32mm barrels that clamp down on hair and offer loose curls with soft edges. Unlike older barrel curlers – or the crimpers I used to use when I was younger – the Ghd Wave is gentle to hair, so it doesn’t leave creases or indentations.

The barrels of the Ghd Wave have dual temperature sensors that maintain a consistent heat of 185-degrees to better protect and style hair. The heat isn’t too extreme and the curler leaves hair looking shiny while eliminating frizz.

While the barrel style might look a bit big and clunky, the Ghd Wave has got an ergonomic design which has been redesigned to be comfortable to hold and maneouver around the head. It also comes in black or white to suit the rest of your hair styling collection.

Like other Ghd products, the Ghd Wave has a sleep mode, so it’ll turn itself off after 60 minutes of non-use – so you don’t have to worry about leaving them on and leaving the house. It also has a built-in safety stand.

If you’re a fan of ringlets, this curler won’t be for you, due to the design of the Ghd Wave. But it’s the perfect styler for beachy waves and loose curls, and at £159, it’s a reasonably priced hair gadget that can help you achieve your summer hair styles.

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, and the best men’s fragrances and colognes are the perfect gift to give your dad or father figure to show how much you care.

Last year, it was reported that The Perfume Shop had sold a record 225,397 bottles in the lead-up to Father's Day, proving that fragrances are one of the most popular gifts to give.

But if you’re at a loss of what kind of scent to choose, The Perfume Shop’s team of experts have found the top 10 most popular and bestselling fragrances for Father’s Day, including picks from Tom Ford, Dior, Valentino and more.

Top 10 expert-approved Father’s Day fragrances

If you need glasses, chances are you'll have followed the same routine since you were young. Every couple of years, you'll hobble to the local high street, have your eyes tested and then pick from a humdrum array of frames to get your lenses into.

Fortunately, in 2025, that doesn't have to be the case anymore. The internet age has revolutionised just about everything else – and now it might have sorted your sight out as well.

Check out Fashion Eyewear here

To test this theory, I got a new pair of glasses from Fashion Eyewear. The brand is founded by ex-Harrods and Selfridges optician, Tej Johal, and is designed to offer a more user-friendly solution. But is it any good? Let's take a closer look.

Ordering glasses from Fashion Eyewear

The process of ordering your glasses is actually really simple. You will need your prescription to hand – it's really the only thing you can't do on the site – but that's it. From there, you'll need to have a browse and pick out your frames of choice.

There's a really wide variety of options available. Everything from £2,000 Cartier frames down to a £9 own-brand pair were offered at the time of writing, meaning there's something for everyone.

I opted for something in the middle, with a less costly pair of frames from Cartier. That marks the first big takeaway I have – you really can get access to a much wider array of killer brands here than you'd find elsewhere. All manner of noteworthy names are offered on the site, and a lot of them are much more reasonable than you might assume.

Finding the right lens

Then, it's time to add your lenses. The base offering is included, with various different levels sitting above that to add slimness and coatings.

I opted for a slightly slimmer profile to the lenses – something I always tend to do as my prescription results in some slab-like lenses without it – at a cost of £40. I also added something called a Mar coating, which offers anti-scratch and anti-reflective properties. That cost an extra £15.

It was totally worth it though, because the lenses themselves are a work of art. I genuinely can't remember the last time I purchased a pair of glasses where the lenses didn't protrude over the edges of the frames, so seeing them sat neatly within them was truly awe-inspiring.

I've included a snap of these new frames next to my recently purchased prescription sunglasses. Those didn't get any thinning treatment, and the result is a lens which is about 8mm thick at its widest part. I had simply assumed that was going to be the case for the rest of my life, so finding an alternative was really liberating.

Perhaps more impressive is just how affordable that slimming process was. To have paid just £55 for lenses which are sleek and coated with a protective layer is leaps and bounds ahead of the high street – Specsavers starts at £60 for thinning alone!

As the brand tells me, that's all down to the process. The equivalent to what I received would cost around £200 on the high street, because all of the cutting, glazing, and fitting is outsourced. That's not the case here, with everything handled in-house resulting in a smaller dent to your wallet. Neat.

Wait a minute, Mr Postman

Another hurdle for these kinds of online offerings is speed. Sure, the high street isn't renowned for its record-breaking delivery speeds, but a few select spots can get glasses turned around in the same day – I learnt this the hard way after losing a pair to an Architects gig in Brixton many years ago!

Fortunately, that's something you can get from Fashion Eyewear as well. The brand is London-based, and if you happen to also be, same day delivery is possible for a £15 fee.

For those of us not based in the big smoke, fear not. Delivery is impeccably fast – I placed my order late on a Thursday afternoon and had the box in my hand before 10am on the Saturday. There's even worldwide shipping available, if you need to get them overseas.

Would I use Fashion Eyewear again?

It's no secret that most of us want to look good. It's the reason why we buy fancy watches, nice fragrances, Italian suits and crisp new brogues.

The idea of getting radical with your specs, though, is probably not foremost in the minds of many. But this experience has proven to me that it can be, without busting the bank.

Snagging yourself a pair of glasses from a luxury, designer brand is one thing, but doing so while not paying through the nose for upgrades and extras is the real selling point. Thinning your lenses or adding a coating is a genuine difference maker, and doing so on such a budget really takes the sting out of sorting your sight.

When I need a new pair – whether that's of regular glasses or sunglasses – I won't hesitate to go back and use this service again.

The Argos Big Red Event is back! Just in time for the May bank holiday weekend, Argos is dropping its prices on a range of products, including laptops, fitness trackers, air fryers, and much more.

Shop all deals from the Argos Big Red Event

To help you get the most out of the sale – and your money, I’ve rounded up nine of the best home, smart home and garden deals at Argos. From coffee machines to video doorbells, here’s what you should buy from the Argos Big Red Event.

P.S. Before I dive into the deals, it's worth noting that you’ll need to use a code at the checkout – I’ve listed them below for you.

Shopping for a black backpack can be a little like trying to pick up a white cotton tee – if you're not careful, you'll fall down a rabbit hole comparing the best possible options, and end up with a handmade item that you can only wear in pristine, lab conditions.

Still, follow that path and you'll probably love your t-shirt, just like you're likely to be extremely satisfied if your research on backpacks brings you to Stubble & Co's canvas collection, and the Classic Backpack 15L in particular. I've been using it as my daily carry for a few months now, to really put it through its paces.

Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L review: price & availability

You can order the Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L right now if it takes your fancy, from Stubble & Co directly or from other stockists if you can find them. It comes in at £110 (around $160) in the UK, which isn't cheap but equally doesn't position it as a truly premium option, either.

Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L: thoughts on three months' use

The Classic Backpack is pretty well-named – and it does exactly what it says on the tin. You get a large main compartment with the titular 15 litres of capacity, smartly divided up.

In particular, at the back of the compartment is a padded sleeve that can house a laptop of up to 16 inches in size, according to its marketing. I used it to hold a 13-inch MacBook Pro and found it a great fit, but you might want to try to try one out before committing if you have a hulking great gaming laptop or similar to fit into it.

One of the smart little tweaks that this bag makes compared to the average is that on one side its zipper extends further downward towards its base. This means you can open the bag up much more widely than you might think, and makes it easier to root around for anything down in its depths.

The other side, meanwhile, has a stretching bottle holder that isn't too obvious when you're not using it, but vitally useful when you are. Finally, the front has a really large and wide pocket for your essentials.

The outer shell of this backpack is, of course, made of a premium canvas Millerain Tekwax canvas, to be precise. That means it's really impressive on the durability side, taking scratches and dings without much of an issue. The canvas looks great in all light, too, and has some water-resistance to help you out if you're caught in showers.

I found that it was no issue to be out in rain for half an hour, but if it was a true downpour or a sustained amount of time it would start to soak in. The bigger issue I ran into, which is entirely typical for all types of waxed canvas, was how prone it was to picking up dust.

Everywhere I went, I took a bunch of my cats' hair with me, and picked up dust and dirt more than I'd like. That won't be nearly the same issue if you're a pet-free person, but it's worth knowing if you do have furry friends. I don't hold that against Stubble & Co at all, though – it comes with the fabric.

Comfort is much easier to stay positive about. This is a backpack that feels great to wear, even when it's weighed down for a weekend trip with laptop in tow. The padding on the back is nice and plus, and there's also a slip for you to get it on your luggage handle, which is always a bonus.

Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L review: verdict

This is a great backpack from Stubble & Co, one that doesn't draw the eye that much, but in a deliberate and considered way. It's well-made and sturdy, and while it's pricier than many alternatives, I don't think it's exorbitant at all. If you've been searching for a great, simple backpack, make sure to check it out.

Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L review: alternatives to consider

If you want a simple black backpack and have a much tighter budget in mind, there's nothing more classic than a black Eastpak Padded Pak'r, which might have a silly name but is about as simple and reliable as a backpack can get.

A slightly more premium option is the Harber London Office Backpack. It offers a similar high-end design aesthetic while providing ample pockets and zipped compartments. However, it comes at a significantly higher price point, retailing at £319.

Have you ever worn a perfume that smells so good, you just want to eat it? Well, with this perfume from Amorecco, you can – yes, really. Intimate wellness brand, Amorecco has launched the world’s first ‘lickable’ perfume that’s said to heighten intimacy and connection in the form of a multi-sensory experience.

As the perfume industry continues to grow, edible or ‘lickable’ perfumes have started to emerge – and I’m not sure how I feel about it! What I’ve unfortunately been seeing, more often than not, is fragrances claiming to be edible but the brand not fully explaining the ingredients in them, which doesn’t particularly make me want to give them a taste.

But Amorecco is a new brand that claims to offer the world’s first lickable perfume, and it’s actually listed its ingredients. Currently, Amorecco only offers one perfume ‘flavour’ – which sounds very strange to say – which is Late Night Gelato.

Amorecco’s Late Night Gelato has been made in collaboration with wellness experts and leading perfumers. It’s designed to help you indulge in a multi-sensory experience by combining taste and smell to redefine intimacy and awaken the senses.

As you’d expect from a gelato-inspired fragrance, Late Night Gelato smells – and tastes – like vanilla and coconut. So, what actually makes it edible? Amorecco’s perfume is made up of ‘generally food-safe’ ingredients as classified by the FDA, and includes water, vanillin, sugar, sweeteners and alcohol. The brand claims that it can be sprayed, tasted and devoured, and it comes in two sizes – 15ml and 50ml.

Is Amorecco an interesting concept? Yes, but I’m not entirely convinced. It sounds fun and of course, I’ll have to wear and taste it myself before I can give my full opinion, but it does seem a little pointless.

Personally, I want my fragrance to last all day so I do wonder about the longevity of it, and the stickiness if brands like Amorecco are encouraging you to eat it. I can’t see many people spraying and then licking their wrists anytime soon – at least I hope not.

But Amorecco is still pretty intriguing so it’ll be fun to see what they come up with next, plus it’s not expensive to try either. Amorecco’s Late Night Gelato is available for £26 for 15ml and £58 for 50ml.

Harber London is back with a new accessory line that’s all about protecting your laptop or tablet in serious style. The collection, called the Legacy Sleeves, pairs pebbled and smooth full-grain leather for a high-contrast, high-luxury look – exactly the kind of craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from the brand.

There are two new additions in this sleek lineup – the Legacy Laptop Sleeve and the Legacy iPad Sleeve. Both slot in perfectly alongside Harber London’s existing best backpacks and best wallets.

Available in Black, Brown and Caoba, the sleeves start at £209, with shipping expected to begin this week. There’s also a 15% early bird launch offer which is automatically applied at checkout.

Both sleeves are designed not just to protect your device, but also to carry your charger, cables and those loose accessories that usually rattle around at the bottom of your bag. Everything stays organised, secure and effortlessly stylish.

Harber London has made some of the best laptop bags in the past, but this collection is hands down its most luxurious yet. It would also make an amazing gift – if you can bear to part with it.

When Dyson announced plans to expand into haircare back in 2012, I – like the rest of the world – was confused by how a vacuum cleaner brand could possibly start developing hair tools. But then the AirWrap came out and it all started to make sense.

Shark, another vacuum cleaner brand, brought out its own hair styling line-up in 2021, and more recently in 2024, Gtech joined the party with its own haircare line, by launching its own hair dryer and hair straighteners. But how does Gtech measure up to the competition?

I spent a few weeks using the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer, and while I’m still fully converted to hair stylers rather than dryers to dry my hair, this hair dryer from Gtech may have changed my mind – here’s why.

Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer review: price and availability

The Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer is priced at £179.99 and is available to buy at Gtech and select retailers and stores, including Homebase and Tesco. It’s available in teal or oyster colours, and comes with nozzle and diffuser attachments.

Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer review: design and features

The Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer is powered by a 110,000 RPM brushless motor that offers four heat levels and four speed settings. To customise the dryer, users can choose between 40, 60, 80 and 100 degrees, which is displayed on the circular LED screen at the back of the dryer that’s surrounded by an attractive gold ring.

The Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer uses Ionic fast drying technology that dries hair quickly and quietly, while neutralising frizz. It’s compact, lightweight and has a magnetic end where you can quickly snap the diffuser or concentrator on or off.

Crafted from aluminium, the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer has two gold push buttons on the outside of the handle. The top button is for controlling the temperature and the bottom is for switching the dryer on and off and customising its speed. To turn the dryer on or off, you simply hold down the button, but to change speed, you can click it quickly and it’ll speed up or down accordingly.

A third cold shot button sits on the inside of the handle and a quick press of it will cause the dryer to gradually drop in temperature. This is shown on the LED screen by the degree number lowering and a small snowflake icon sits on the top left of the circle to indicate that it’s in cold mode.

Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer review: performance

I tried the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer in the teal colourway and absolutely loved the look of it and the colourful contrast with the gold buttons and accents. I found the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer to be relatively lightweight and nice to hold, plus its compact design made it easier to angle the dryer to reach different parts of my head.

I have quite thin hair so it tends to dry quite fast, and the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer definitely sped up this process as it dried my hair insanely quickly. I loved that Gtech kept the buttons and controls simple, although with the LED display – which was my favourite part of the hair dryer – it looks anything but simple.

Speaking of the LED display, it’s quick to respond and clearly shows the different temperature and speed that the dryer is working at. I appreciated that the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer didn’t reset itself after you turned it off, so your last saved settings are there and waiting for you when you pick it up again – it was almost like the dryer learnt my styling patterns and preferences.

I loved the magnetic attachments of the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer as they quickly clicked on and were easy to take off. I didn’t find them to get too hot to the touch either. But the real star of the show for me was the cold shot button.

With other hair dryers, you have to consistently hold down the cold shot to get it to stay at the lower temperature. But you don’t have to do that with the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer, as all it requires is a quick click of the button, and the dryer starts to gradually drop in temperature. It stays at that temperature before it drops even further to offer that cold consistency and feel.

I found the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer to be extremely powerful regardless of the speed setting, although I did find at some of the quicker speeds and higher temperatures that the dryer made a fair bit of noise. That’s somewhat to be expected when it’s at full blast, but what I didn’t expect was for it to make a high pitched squeaking sound after I’d used it for a few minutes.

While I would say that the different heat settings makes the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer great at protecting hair, I did find that my hair was quite tangled and rough after drying. It’s true that the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer reduces frizz but I didn’t find it to give the best volume.

Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer review: verdict

As the first product of its kind from Gtech, the DryOnic Hair Dryer is a pretty admirable dryer that certainly looks the part. By keeping the controls simple yet expansive, the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer is incredibly versatile, easy to use, and can better protect your hair, thanks to its many heat and speed settings.

The LED display, magnetic accessories and cold shot definitely make the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer stand out. I do think it could work on the noise and tangling issue, but the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer is almost perfect, which is saying a lot for a first-time product.

Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer review: alternatives to consider

The Shark Style IQ has a similar design to the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer, although it comes with an extra attachment and is slightly pricier. Rather than switching between settings, the Shark Style IQ automatically reduces heat and airflow settings for you, so as to protect your hair from heat damage.

The Mdlondon Blow also has a similar compact and lightweight design to the Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer and it’s around the same price, too. The buttons could be better positioned, but it’s powerful, pretty quiet and is good at building volume.

TAG Heuer has just announced three new luxury eyewear families as part of its Spring/Summer 2025 Eyewear collection. The luxury sunglasses line-up caters to motorsport fans and adventure seekers, but they’re not inexpensive by any means.

While TAG Heuer is better known for its watches, the brand created its eyewear collection back in 2002. The original line-up featured models like Reflex and 27°, but the brand halted production of glasses in 2016. But TAG Heuer made a comeback in 2024 with its first-ever 3D frames, and new eyewear families: Pro Performance, Sport Performance and Daily Performance.

For 2025, TAG Heuer is back with three new eyewear lines, inspired by its heritage and sports background. The new launches include Jack Heuer, Mini Vingt-Sept and Shield Pro, and they might be the fanciest sports sunglasses I’ve seen in a while.

The Jack Heuer collection has to be my favourite of the new launches, and come in three different colours. They look like aviator sunglasses, and feature lightweight Japanese titanium pilot frames that have been enhanced by Chromafade lenses.

As the name suggests, the Jack Heuer sunglasses are in celebration of the great-grandson of TAG Heuer’s founder. The line-up pays homage to Jack Heuers’ Formula 1 partnerships and motorsport innovations, and they have a real 1960s vintage feel. At £670, the Jack Heuer sunglasses certainly aren’t cheap but they’re definitely the more stylish option from the new collections.

The Mini Vingt-Sept sunglasses are another racing-inspired collection and they have a new and improved hinge design. The glasses have a steel 27-degree elliptical hinge that gives the glasses more structure and durability.

With bio-nylon temples, the Mini Vingt-Sept glasses use this material for added comfort, and they have a subtle movement that’s designed to mimic the signature sound of sports car doors. At £430, they’re complete with bold rectangular lenses that are left without a frame, which gives them more of a sports car-inspired look.

Finally, the Shield Pro collection (£390) is designed for athletes and adventure seekers. They look a lot like running and cycling sunglasses, and include an elastic rubber frame, and bio-nylon and recycled graphite materials for flexibility and lightness.

The Shield Pro are quite unusual and might not be for everyone, but TAG Heuer has actually designed them to be so. The glasses come with interchangeable lenses so you only need one pair of glasses for multiple functions and environments. So, you can wear them in extreme conditions while cycling or running, and then swap the lenses to suit everyday wear.

mdlondon has just launched its latest hair tool, the mdlondon Curl. Compared to other curlers, the mdlondon Curl is one of stranger and more unique designs I’ve ever seen, but it seems to solve one key styling problem.

I feel like curlers have really gone out of style over the past few years. To achieve bouncy waves, many people are opting for hair stylers, like the Dyson AirWrap, while others prefer to use hair straighteners to curl their hair.

But if mdlondon’s latest creation is anything to go by, the best curlers could be making a comeback. The aptly named mdlondon Curl can be used to create multiple curling styles, including loose waves, tight ringlets and bouncy blowouts, and it does this with its four interchangeable styling barrels.

mdlondon is well known for its lightweight and compact stylers, like its mdlondon Blow hair dryer. The mdlondon Curl is no exception, as it has a very slim handle and main body of the device. But when you attach the curling barrels, it takes on a whole new look entirely, and looks more similar to a high-powered drill than it does a hair curler!

Odd looks aside, the mdlondon Curl has an ergonomic design that makes it more comfortable to style your hair at angle angle or height. The curler has a right-angle arm or handle which allows you to curl your hair the way it falls, giving you more control over your styling.

If you’ve ever curled, straightened or even dried your hair, you’ll have probably experienced the dreaded arm ache that comes along with holding up a device and contorting yourself into strange positions to reach different parts of your head. But the mdlondon Curl cancels this out thanks to its right angle design and 170g weight.

The mdlondon Curl comes with four ceramic barrels, including 10mm, 25mm and 32mm sizes and a reverse conical attachment. While most hair stylers on the market today use hot air to style rather than direct heat, the mdlondon Curl has 14 heat settings to choose from that can reach up to 210°C, and has an LED display to show you the temperature.

While it might be the strangest-looking curler I’ve seen in a while, the mdlondon Curl is definitely a versatile tool that you’ll want in your hair styling collection. It’s nice to say that traditional hair tools are making a comeback. The mdlondon Curl is available in three colours for £129 at mdlondon.

The first day of the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale is in full swing, and there are plenty of huge savings to be found. During the big sales seasons, I’m always on the lookout for the best men’s fragrances and colognes to give as gifts – and I’ve just found amazing offers on my favourite fragrance brand.

Tom Ford fragrances are some of the most popular on the market, and for good reason. Not only do they come in stylish and luxurious-looking bottles, but they pack the punch when it comes to scent and notes – exactly what you want in a good fragrance.

The only slight downside is that they can be quite expensive, but right now, you can get up to 45% off Tom Ford fragrances at Amazon’s Spring Deal Days. I've rounded up my top five favourites below.

Known for its stylish array of the best backpacks, Troubador has just launched a new model designed with busy professionals in mind. The Matrix Backpack features a slim, lightweight design whilst serving as an integrated tech organiser for chargers, cables and mobile office essentials.

Exclusively available in black, the Matrix aligns perfectly with Troubador’s minimalist and sleek colour palette. With a 20-litre capacity, it’s also the ideal size for daily commuting and travel.

Whilst the official launch date is set for April 2nd, the Matrix is already available for purchase on the Troubador online store, with an RRP of $275 (around £250). International shipping is also available, so you'll be able to purchase it wherever you are.

As mentioned, the Matrix is built around an integrated tech organiser. The laptop sleeve is lined with soft microfibre to protect your devices, whilst a hidden micro-detail pocket is perfectly sized for an AirTag, passport or power pack. Even the ergonomic, jersey-lined shoulder straps include a discreet Quiver origami pocket, keeping your phone or transit card easily accessible.

Designed for ergonomic weight distribution and comfort, the Matrix features breathable 3D mesh padding that adapts to your movements throughout the day. It’s crafted entirely from recycled materials and comes with water-resistant zippers to keep your essentials safe and dry.

The Matrix joins a growing collection of innovative smart backpacks launched recently, including the Mous Optimal and the Matador GlobeRider35.

Confession time: when it comes to drying my hair, I’ll either use a towel or when I’m feeling brave, I’ll pinch my girlfriend’s hair dryer after she’s left for work. Plainly, this isn’t the best setup. So when the offer to review the new Wahl Vanquish landed in my inbox, I jumped at the opportunity.

Firstly, yes, it has a very cool name. Shared with an Aston Martin no less. But what really caught my eye was how compact the Wahl is, and how it’s aimed at professional hairdressers and us regular folk alike. Being a sucker for buying products with capabilities far beyond anything I’ll ever need, my interest was piqued.

I was also drawn to the sleek black colour scheme (it’s also available in rose gold), the compact design, the promise of high performance, and how the three included attachments snap into place magnetically.

Wahl Vanquish review: Price and availability

Both colour options of the Vanquish are available now at Wahl and carry a retail price of £149.99, although at the time of writing, the black model has been reduced on Wahl’s own website by a third, to just £99.99. I imagine there are some buyers who would pay the extra to get the rose gold colour, but falling below the £100 barrier makes the black version feel like great value.

The corded hair dryer comes with three attachments to help create straight, bouncy or curly hair styles. For a hairdryer newbie like me, spending £150 on a hair dryer feels like a big step up from the circa-£30 models available elsewhere, including from Wahl itself.

But considering how dryers from Shark and Dyson can reach £300 or even £400, the Vanquish falls neatly between the two. It majors on high quality and performance in a simple and complex package, instead of aiming to pack in every conceivable feature and becoming a bigger, pricier model.

Wahl Vanquish review: Unboxing

The premium feel of the Vanquish begins the moment you open the box. Lift the magnetically-sealed lid and you’re greeted by the dryer itself and all three of its magnetic attachments. Each component is separated by a sheet of card that not only labels them all, but also points out all of the dryer’s controls, functions and specification.

Since I’m not an expert, I liked how the packaging told me everything I needed to know, and was thus able to dodge the included operating manual. That said, a quick flick through there later revealed the dryer’s self-cleaning function, and how to use it. More on that in a moment.

Wahl Vanquish review: Design and features

The Vanquish is a hair dryer that prides itself on compact simplicity, while still offering a premium feel and powerful performance. As such, this really is a small and light hair dryer. It weighs 340 grams and measures approximately 18 x 18 cm, not including the hanging loop and flexible end of the 3m power cable.

The chrome buttons are all nicely located, with the power switch on the back below your thumb, buttons for temperature and fan speed control on the side, and a button for cool air on the front of the handle, beneath your index finger.

However, this button layout is clearly intended for right-handed people, as the fan speed and temperature buttons are not as easily accessible when held in your left hand. Other manufacturers get around this by placing the buttons symmetrically on the front of the handle.

There’s a simple digital display on the side to show fan speed and temperature (each has three levels), and a blue snowflake appears when you press and hold the cool air button. It’s all very intuitive, apart from the self-cleaning mode, which is activated by pressing and holding the cool air button when the Vanquish is switched off but plugged in. This throws the motor into reverse and fires it up to maximum thrust for several seconds, before shutting down.

The motor of this 1,600-watt hair dryer spins at up to 101,000 rpm and I used an app on my phone to record its loudness of between 80 and 88 decibels, depending on the fan speed setting. This is broadly on par with similar models, including my girlfriend’s Shark FlexStyle, but the Vanquish often seems less loud because of how the sound of its Smoothtone motor is of a higher frequency.

Wahl Vanquish review: Performance

The Vanquish packs a surprising amount of power for both its price and size. It’s nice and light, so those with longer hair and more complex styles are less likely to suffer wrist fatigue, while the compact handle makes it easy to grip.

It gets hot very quickly, reaching maximum temperature in about five seconds, and the cool air function drops the temperature in about the same amount of time. A handy memory function means it’ll switch back with the same temperature and fan speed settings that you used last time. I liked how easy the magnetic attachments are to fit and remove, and how they can be rotated to any angle if that makes positioning the Vanquish easier.

I’ve used the Wahl Vanquish for a few weeks now, and while I don’t have the most complex of hair demands – I’m a man with short hair, afterall – I found it really satisfying to use. Although it can get quite thick, my short hair dries very quickly, so the more powerful heat and fan settings of the Vanquish felt like overkill. My hair would dry in an instant, but unless I was quick with the comb or careful to precisely control the Vanquish’s airflow, my hair would dry a complete mess.

If you also have short hair, it’s best to keep the fan speed low, avoid the hottest setting, and either dry from a distance with plenty of movement, or carefully use either the 72mm or 100 mm nozzle attachment to direct your hair in the direction you want to style it. Once you’ve discovered what works best for you and your do, even drying shower-fresh hair takes no time at all. The Vanquish has an ionic generator which aims to remove static from your hair and lock in natural moisture. Users with longer hair than mine are more likely to benefit from this.

Lastly, I discovered the self-cleaning function after a flick through the instruction manual. Activated with a long press of the cool button when the Vanquish is plugged in but switched off, self-cleaning mode sucks hair and anything else collected in the dryer towards the rear. It lasts about 10 seconds, then you can remove the rear cap and clean out any debris that has formed on the fine metal filter.

Wahl Vanquish review: Verdict

The Wahl Vanquish is a powerful and premium yet compact hair dryer with excellent performance. It’s very easy to use, heats up (and cools down) quickly, weighs very little and feels like good value. The magnetic attachments work well, the digital display gives you all the information you need, and the self-cleaning function is welcome.

Spending three figures on a hair dryer won’t be for everyone, especially when there are other options for a third or even a quarter of the price. But the premium hardware of the Vanquish, along with its quiet but powerful motor, shine through – especially when Wahl itself cuts the price of the black version to £99.99, as it has at the time of writing.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a more premium hair dryer, but want it to be light, compact and very easy to use, the Wahl Vanquish is a fantastic option. It's even got a cool name.

Wahl Vanquish review: Alternatives to consider

We've reviewed quite a few top-notch hair dryers recently. Options we recommend include the Revamp Radiance X Shine – which we also awarded five stars, owing to its performance and design – and the Revamp ProGloss Hydro Shield X Shine, which we gave four stars.

In an effort to experiment more with fragrances, a friend of mine recommended Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium to me, and it immediately became my favourite women’s perfume.

While I still love the Black Opium scent, I found it a little sickly sweet after a while. But lucky for me, I received a tester bottle of YSL Libre within a Christmas gift set and immediately fell in love – and hey, if it’s good enough for Dua Lipa, it’s good enough for me.

YSL Libre launched back in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2022 when Dua Lipa became the face of the fragrance in the iconic ‘freedom’ advert. YSL Libre has since gone on to have multiple different versions, including the Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Parfum Intense, Le Parfum and L’Absolu Parfum.

The Eau de Parfum version of YSL Libre is the scent I’ve been testing for a while now, and it’s now officially my new favourite date night perfume. Part of the floral family, YSL Libre is an ultra-feminine scent yet it uses notes like lavender which are most commonly used in male fragrances, which gives it a more ‘androgynous attitude’, as the brand states.

Whenever I think of floral fragrances, I often worry that they’re going to be too strong and smell almost fake or overly sweet. This is definitely not the case with YSL Libre. It has top notes of tangerine, lavender and neroli, heart notes of jasmine sambac and orange blossom, and is finished with white musks and vanilla extract as the base notes.

When you initially spray YSL Libre, you’re immediately hit with the ‘darker’ notes like neroli and white musk which definitely gives off a dramatic scent. YSL Libre has a medium intensity and overtime, it wears off slightly, so instead of the strong musk scent which is the most prominent at first spray, you can smell the orange blossom and vanilla after a few hours.

I found YSL Libre to stick nicely to both clothes and skin. I’ve worn it for several hours throughout the day and have found it to still smell strong hours after spraying it. Having said that, it’s definitely more of an evening fragrance, as it has powerful hits of spice and isn’t too overly sweet or floral.

The bottle of the YSL Libre is elegant and has a rounded rectangular shape. The glass bottle is clear and features a gold YSL logo towards the bottom of the bottle which is oversized and designed to look like it’s bending around it. For even more gold, there’s gold beading around the top of the bottle, and the fragrance is capped off with a black angular cap.

I’ve gone through quite a few bottles of YSL Libre now, and can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of it. It’s by far my favourite evening fragrance and it’s also the perfume that I got the most compliments from. Prices on YSL Libre start at £69 / $100 and is available to buy at YSL Beauty, The Perfume Shop and Boots. It comes in 30ml, 50ml, 90ml and 150ml sizes.

Dyson has just announced the launch of its Supersonic r, its lightest and most powerful hair dryer yet. While the Dyson Supersonic r was launched over a year ago, the hair dryer is now available to the public and has become part of Dyson’s core hair care range.

While Dyson is best known for its collection of vacuum cleaners, the brand has since become a big name in the hair care industry. Dyson launched its first hair dryer in 2016 which was met with critical acclaim, before branching out into straighteners and stylers. But now, Dyson is launching its latest hair dryer, and it’s one we’ve been waiting for for over a year.

Dyson originally announced the Supersonic r in February 2024. The launch coincided with AW24 Fashion Week and at the time, Fashion Week hair stylists were the first and only people to get to try the new hair dryer. Now, customers will be able to buy the Dyson Supersonic r for themselves and achieve salon-quality results at home.

As the name suggests, the Dyson Supersonic r is based on the Dyson Supersonic, but it has a few key differences. The main (and most obvious) difference is the design. Some Supersonic users found the original dryer a bit too heavy and hard to maneuver, so Dyson has solved this problem with the Supersonic r’s shape which has a smaller and more ergonomic design.

Essentially, the Dyson Supersonic r is in the shape of an ‘r’. While it might not look like a traditional hair dryer (and looks a bit like a garden hose if you ask me), it’s been designed like this so it’s comfortable to hold and can dry hard-to-reach areas around the head in a more controlled fashion.

In addition to the redesign, Dyson has stated that the Dyson Supersonic r is its lightest, precise and most powerful dryer to date. Powered by Dyson’s Hyperdymium motor and intelligent Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors, the Dyson Supersonic r expels heat and airflow evenly for faster dryer and a more professional finish.

The sensors within the Dyson Supersonic r also work to adjust the motor and heater in accordance with the attachment that’s been added to the end of the hair dryer. Similar to the iconic Dyson Airwrap, the Dyson Supersonic r comes with drying and styling accessories for more versatility, including combs and diffusers.

Now available to the UK public from 2nd April, the Dyson Supersonic r is priced at £449.99 and comes in a Ceramic Pink colour.

I’ve just found my new go-to fragrance and it’s making me feel seriously nostalgic. Launched in 2025, Rabanne FAME Couture is the new limited edition fragrance from Rabbane, and while it might be hard to spray, it’s my new favourite women’s fragrance from this year so far – here’s how I got on with it.

Rabanne fragrances are very easy to identify as they have one of the most unique and quirky bottles on the market. While Rabanne is probably best known for its 1 Million and Lady Million fragrances, the FAME collection has similar notoriety, mainly because of its robot-inspired bottles.

The FAME line of fragrances consists of the original FAME, FAME Parfum and FAME Intense, and now Rabanne FAME Couture. The FAME bottles look like gold robots wearing dresses, with the first three scents appearing in different metallic dress colours. The Rabanne FAME Couture is a slight step away from this as it features a black fluffy dress over the gold bottle instead.

Other key differences between the FAME collection is the scent (of course). The original is more fruity and floral with hints of mango and jasmine, while the Parfum is creamier, thanks to lots of coconut water and ylang ylang. The Intense is quite sweet but is a darker version of the original with its notes of musk, incense and sandalwood.

The Rabanne FAME Couture has similar notes and seems like a blend of all three. It has top notes of incense, bergamot and coconut, heart notes of jasmine sambac, iris and concrete wolfwood, and a base of vanilla balm, muscenone dextro, sandalwood and Australia essence.

These combinations give Rabanne FAME Couture a sweet, exotic scent. It’s more floral than it is fruity, and you can really smell the coconut water which gives it a tropical feel. Despite its launching in February 2025, Rabanne FAME Couture is definitely a fragrance I’d recommend for spring and summer, with its understated sweetness and holiday-evoking memories.

When I first sprayed the Rabanne FAME Couture, I was amazed by how nostalgic it made me feel. I had a very similar smelling fragrance that I used to wear when I was in secondary school, so it really brought me back, except the Rabanne FAME Couture is a much more grown-up version of the spray I used to wear.

I found that the Rabanne FAME Couture sat really nicely on the skin, and stuck better to skin than clothes. While it does smell strong, the Rabanne FAME Couture does mix a bit with the smell of your clothes – this is fun as it almost means you can make your own version of the scent depending on what laundry detergent you use or previous scents you’ve sprayed on yourself.

However, you might just want to smell like what you’ve sprayed, in which case, the Rabanne FAME Couture is something I’d spray directly on skin and hair rather than clothes. Speaking of spraying, the Rabanne FAME Couture isn’t the easiest bottle to use. The button is located at the top of the bottle but the fluffy dress on the bottle does slide around so it can be tricky to spray at times.

But I can completely forgive that as the bottle of the Rabanne FAME Couture is so cute. Like the other FAME bottles, the Rabanne FAME Couture has a gold robot-like design with black accents and a gold accessory belt that wraps around the dress. It even has gold little boots so it can stand – it’s definitely the most beautiful perfume bottle I’ve ever owned.

Described as “made for the Parisian it-girl who races from party to party, stealing the spotlight”, it suggests that Rabanne FAME Couture should be worn in the evening. I typically tested it during the day and didn’t find it too overpowering. I’d estimate that Rabanne FAME Couture lasts for up to eight hours so while it can work for day and night, I’d describe it more as a daytime fragrance.

As a limited edition perfume, it could mean that Rabanne FAME Couture won’t get restocked after it sells out. I really hope that isn’t the case but if it is, I’ll definitely need to do some serious shopping as Rabanne FAME Couture has become my go-to everyday fragrance – pray for my bank account!

Rabanne FAME Couture is priced at £144 / $165 and available to buy at The Perfume Shop.

Ghd has launched the newest addition to its best hair straighteners line-up, the Chronos Max. These new hair straighteners combine two of its bestselling models into one supersized design, making the ghd Chronos Max larger, faster and more stylish than its predecessors.

When you think of hair straighteners, your mind probably goes to ghd – at least mine does as the ghd Original were the first straighteners that I ever owned. Ghd’s collection of straighteners have seriously advanced over the years, and in 2024, the brand launched the Chronos, its most advanced straightener to date – until now that is.

Recently, ghd launched the new ghd Chronos Max built off the success of its Chronos straighteners. The ghd Chronos Max are essentially a combination of the Chronos and the ghd Max, the latter of which is designed for longer and thicker hair and compensates for this with its big plate size.

Such as the case with the ghd Chronos Max which has the Chronos’ technology and the Max’s plates. Compared to the Chronos, the ghd Chronos Max has 85% larger plates with a size of 43mm – 1mm larger than the Max straighteners. The size of the plates allows for more hair to go through, thanks to the wider plates design.

Alongside the wider plates, the ghd Chronos Max has thinner edges and curves so the straighteners can get closer to the roots for better coverage and angles. The straighteners also have HD motion responsive technology which adapts to your movements and adjusts power for better heat protection and accuracy.

Due to the new size and technology, the ghd Chronos Max are great for longer, thicker and curlier hair. They can be used to create multiple styles, including waves and curls as well as straight locks, and by maintaining the optimum temperature of 185°C, the ghd Chronos Max have been found to maintain styles for up to 24 hours.

The ghd Chronos Max straighteners are available in black or white colourways, and priced at £299 at ghd.

If you like the scent of roses, then you’re going to love the new eau de parfum spray from Carolina Herrera. The new Very Good Girl Elixir joins the iconic Good Girl perfume family, and it offers a powerful floral scent that’s long lasting and perfect for everyday – although it might not be for everyone as I found during testing.

Carolina Herrera arguably has the most recognisable women’s fragrance bottle on the market. In the shape of a high heeled shoe, the Carolina Herrera Good Girl line includes perfume sprays, shower gel, body lotion and even leg oil, and regardless of the bottle you pick, you have a fun fragrance to put on display.

The Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Elixir was launched earlier this year and I’ve had the pleasure of testing it for the past few weeks. Alongside the original Good Girl, the line-up includes the Very Good Girl and the Very Good Girl Glam, as well as the Good Girl Blush and the Good Girl Blush Elixir – try saying that three times fast.

Where the Very Good Girl Elixir differs is its floralness. While the original Good Girl is ambery and the Blush versions are floral, the Very Good Girl perfumes are more fruity, with the Very Good Girl Elixir described as mysterious and fruity with a strong intensity – but I think it’s more similar to the Blush range.

The Very Good Girl Elixir has top notes of black cherry and bitter almond, heart notes of tuberose and vanilla and a base of vanilla and cocoa. Carolina Herrera states that it’s a modern feminine fragrance that has an ambery, fruity and floral blend – so let’s put it to the test.

After many wears, I’d have to say that the Very Good Girl Elixir is much more floral than it is fruity and ambery with the tuberose really coming out in full force. Personally, I don’t love the smell of rose as I feel it can be too soapy and I found that with the Very Good Girl Elixir at times.

As the most intense fragrance from Carolina Herrera, Very Good Girl Elixir is vibrant and overpowering, but the rose doesn’t come across as artificial which was my main worry when I first smelt it. When you spray Very Good Girl Elixir, the first thing you’re hit with is the rose but once it settles, you can smell vanilla very strongly – as you’d expect considering it has vanilla heart and base notes.

I found the Very Good Girl Elixir to last all day, and I got lots of compliments about it. It sits better on clothes than skin but I could still smell remnants of it on my wrist after a few hours of wear.

What makes Very Good Girl Elixir stand out is undoubtedly the bottle. If they gave out awards for best fragrance bottle, Carolina Herrera would win every time. As is consistent with the Good Girl collection, the Very Good Girl Elixir is in the shape of a high heel and it has a beautiful red-to-black gradient colouring with a gold CH logo at the centre and gold heel.

Fun and dramatic to display, I felt that the heel of the Very Good Girl Elixir felt a little flimsy at times but it does help the bottle to act as a stand. The spray button is located at the back of the shoe which I thought was playful and didn’t disrupt the overall design. While it makes hardly any noise when you spray it, each spray releases a lot of perfume so you definitely get full coverage.

If you love the smell of rose, then the Very Good Girl Elixir could compete to be your new daily fragrance. Personally, rose-scented perfumes aren’t for me but I still enjoyed trying it and it’s given me some Mother’s Day gift inspiration as my mum fell in love with it!

The Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Elixir is £78 for 30ml, £113 for 50ml and £145 for 80ml. It’s available to buy at The Perfume Shop.

Soft, sweet and feminine – that’s what most people think of and look for when it comes to buying the best women’s perfumes. While that might sound a little boring, you really can’t go wrong with a sweet smelling fragrance, and the new Burberry Her Eau de Parfum Intense is the perfect example of that.

Part of the Burberry Her collection, the new Burberry Her Intense is the latest launch from the brand and it’s a worthy addition to the collection. Alongside the classic Her, Her Petals and Her Elixir, the Burberry Her Intense delivers a sweet, fruity fragrance that still has an edge to it – and it’s quickly become my go-to scent.

Looking at the notes from the entire Burberry Her collection, the fragrances all have a similar structure, with a top note of fruit, a heart note of flowers and a base note of wood. The Burberry Her Intense has stuck to this pattern with its notes of wild strawberry, orange blossom and ambery wood.

Compared to its predecessors, the Burberry Her Intense has a much sweeter fruit in its make-up, and the wild strawberry certainly makes itself known. When you initially spray the perfume, you get an instant sweet smell before it dissipates slightly, leaving a strong summer fruity scent. It almost has a bubblegum-like smell but you can still identify the hint of amber which gives Burberry Her Intense more depth and sophistication.

Burberry Her Intense was rated four out of five from the brand on launch which is higher than the original Her, but the same as the Elixir. In my experience, I found the Burberry Her Intense to be very long lasting and it smelt just as powerful towards the end of the day as when I sprayed it in the morning.

The scent lingers well on the skin but it really sticks to your clothes. I sprayed Burberry Her Intense generously on a jumper and I could still smell it on the material three days later. While I found Burberry Her Intense to be long lasting, I wouldn’t say it's overpowering or distracting. It’s definitely a perfume to wear all day long and in the office as it isn’t cloying nor does it take over the room.

I think Burberry Her Intense is best suited for spring and summer wear, but it’s definitely a versatile perfume, as I’ve been testing it during the winter months and have enjoyed being surrounded by the scent. I don’t always go for overly sweet scents, but the Burberry Her Intense has definitely changed my mind on fruitier perfumes.

If it’s a sweet and feminine perfume you’re after, the Burberry Her Intense certainly fits the bill, although I wish the amber had been a bit more prominent so I could wear it into the evening. For date night scents, you’ll probably want something with darker notes, but as an everyday perfume, Burberry Her Intense gets top marks from me.

Burberry Her Intense comes in a matte lacquered light pink bottle, with a rounded cube-like design. It’s a nice bottle to display, and has the iconic Burberry logo embossed on the front. Available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes, prices on Burberry Her Eau de Parfum Intense start at £75 / $112. It’s available to buy at The Perfume Shop.

As January fades away, one special day quickly approaches. Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express your love and appreciation – not just to your partner, but also to family and friends. Yet, finding the perfect gift can sometimes feel like a challenge.

Valentine’s Day gifts demand thoughtfulness and effort, which can be difficult if your loved one has a taste for luxury. However, investing a little extra can go a long way, especially if you're after those brownie points.

To help you out, I’ve curated the ultimate gift guide featuring the most stylish and luxurious options of the moment. From iconic fragrances to premium grooming products, this list has something for everyone.

The Best Fragrance Gifts

The Best Haircare Gifts

The Best Skincare Gifts

The Best Style Gifts

The Best Grooming Gifts

Stubble & Co has unveiled a new collection that seamlessly combines comfort, durability and effortless style. The lineup features three versatile bags: the Weekender Duffel, Classic Backpack 15L and Backpack 20L – all crafted from the same robust canvas.

Each bag is made with premium British Millerain Tekwax canvas, a water-resistant material that's designed to stand the test of time. Both the Backpack 20L and the Classic Backpack 15L include ergonomically padded straps, luggage sleeves, and padded laptop compartments, ensuring easy and comfortable travel. The Weekender Duffel is sized for airline carry on and perfect for weekend getaways and short stays.

Prices for the collection start at £110 (approximately $130), with each bag available in sleek Black or distinctive Pirate colourways. The collection is available to purchase from today on the Stubble & Co online store.

Stubble & Co is renowned for its array of the best backpacks and best carry-ons, and has built a reputation for using Pro-grade materials tailored to outdoor adventures. It’s therefore refreshing to see the brand expanding further into the everyday category, catering to a broader range of lifestyles.

We'll be reviewing these bags in due course, so keep an eye on T3's style vertical for further insights.

Boxing Day was technically a few days ago, but the Boxing Day sales are still in full swing. So, if you’re on the lookout for cheap deals on men’s fragrances, you’ve come to the right place.

The best men’s fragrances and colognes are always on offer around the festive season, but if you’re looking to treat yourself with your Christmas money, you can find some great low offers on aftershaves, colognes and more. Keep an eye out for deals on Hugo Boss, Dior, Emporio Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace and more, which often get discounts of up to 70% off.

To help you save extra money post Christmas, I’ve rounded up the best men’s fragrances deals you should buy in the Boxing Day sales.

Best Boxing Day men’s fragrance deals

In recent years, facials have morphed from being a luxurious indulgence for special occasions to a fundamental component of modern skincare routines. The problem? Facials in swanky spas and high-end skincare salons have never been more high-tech – or expensive. 

Thank goodness then for the wave of at-home beauty tech devices now available at our fingers – such as the best LED face masks and the best microcurrent facial devices – that help us to get our glow on any day of the week without having to trek to costly clinics.

But if you’re looking for a device that delivers the experience and results of a high-tech facial in the comfort of your home, look no further than the new ThermoGlow Pro from Swiss cosmeceutical brand, Dr. LEVY Switzerland. 

Designed to ‘stimulate the skin’s own youth-enhancing healing processes’, I’ve been lucky enough to put it to the test for a few months, and this is one device I’m in no hurry to give back. Read on to find out why it has become an essential part of my weekly skincare routine.

THERMOGLOW PRO REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Dr. LEVY Switzerland The ThermoGlow Pro is now available to buy for a recommended retail price of £249 from Dr. LEVY Switzerland and selected third party retailers including Cult Beauty and John Bell & Croyden. 

THERMOGLOW PRO REVIEW: UNBOXING AND DESIGN

Founded by world-renowned aesthetic dermatologist Dr Phillip Levy, Dr. LEVY Switzerland creates multi-award-winning cosmeceuticals formulated to enhance the skin’s ability to visibly repair itself using 25 years of stem cell experience and Nobel Prize-winning research. 

Now, the brand has entered the beauty tech market with two new offerings: The ThermoGlow Pro on test here, and The Contour Pro, with the latter already counting Maya Jama amongst its celebrity fans due to its ability to provide a non-invasive, full facial workout to tighten skin. 

When my ThermoGlow Pro arrived nicely packaged in a sturdy carboard box with a drawstring travel pouch, European charging adapter, USB-C charging cable, and detailed instruction manual, I admit I was still feeling a bit in the dark as to what it did and how it worked. 

Billed as a ‘groundbreaking MedTech device’, many of the terms used on the website to describe its powers are suitably scientific, such as ‘negative ion “anti-magnet” effect’, ‘Contrast Therapy protocol’, and ‘anaphoresis and iontophoresis’, so it took me a lot of goggling to get a clearer understanding. 

In short, the ThermoGlow Pro is a hot and cold massager offering three temperature functions [that’s the ‘Contrast Therapy’ bit’ explained] which combines low-level heating waves and electronic charges [that’s the ‘ion’ bit] to work through three treatment phases of ‘Cool’, Purify’, and ‘Infuse’. 

Suitable for use on all skin types, the ThermoGlow Pro device is a compact and ergonomically designed hand-held tool with ridged sides for better grip, a charging port at the base, and a main electrode made of stainless steel at the top that is shaped to glide over the contours of the face. 

On the side, you’ll find one Universal button that turns the device on and off with a long press and changes the treatment functions/phases with a short press. This button automatically lights up blue to indicate the start of the first Cool phase, then changes to red for the second Purify phase, and finally turns pink/purple with a short press for the third Infuse phase. 

It’s worth mentioning that my ThermoGlow Pro was dispatched at a time when a free gift was available with a purchase – containing a zipped pouch with five miniature Dr. LEVY Switzerland skincare products – and that I used the device with these products initially and with my own skincare products afterwards. It’s also not waterproof, so don’t take it into the shower.

THERMOGLOW PRO REVIEW: FEATURES

The ThermoGlow Pro device claims to bring ‘clinically inspired Biohacking’ to everyday skincare routines with a simple three-step system combining Contrast Therapy and Ionic Microcurrents to help invigorate the skin for a luminous glow, visibly improve texture, give a feeling of renewed firmness, and help fade the signs of fatigue. 

It should be noted that while you can use the ThermoGlow Pro as part of your daily morning or evening skin routine, the instruction manual states you should only use this device a maximum of three times a week, meaning it should not be confused with a daily cleansing brush, for example. It is, quite simply, a powerful tool for at-home facials and it should be treated as such, giving your skin time to recover between sessions as you would a normal facial.

Breaking down the facial treatment itself, you begin with the Cool phase, which lasts for a 90-seconds (the device automatically switches off after a phase has been performed), and should be performed on already cleansed skin. When turned on, the electrode at the top of the device cools to 18°C, and all you need to do is smooth the electrode over the face, always working from the inside towards the outside.

Key benefits of this Cool phase, according to the brand, include the promotion of vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels) and stimulation of blood circulation, the rapid reduction of inflammation, the activation of lymph glands for deep detoxification, lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness, and a strengthening of the skin’s firmness.

To begin the Purify phase, you need to cleanse your face with ultra-cold water using a creamy cleanser that remains on your face to act as a conductor during the treatment. This phase lasts for three minutes (or as long as it remains comfortable to use) and you need to repeat the same inside-to-outside motion across the face as before. 

The device jumps up to 43°C during this phase to promote a skincare technique called anaphoresis which, according to Google, uses ‘steam and a negative galvanic current to create a chemical reaction that liquefies sebum and dead skin cells in the pores’.

This process is particularly beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin, as the Purify phase is said to help dislodge and extract toxins to purify pores and impurities while again improving blood circulation and oxygenation of the skin and boosting collagen production. 

After rinsing your face with ultra-cold water again and removing any residue from the ThermoGlow Pro, you then need to apply a serum to your face (moisturiser is optional) before starting the Infuse phase which lasts for three minutes, using the same smoothing action across the face with the device. 

During this Infuse phase, the temperature of the device lowers to 37 °C, and the ThermoGlow Pro claims to promote another skincare technique called iontophoresis, which uses a gentle electrical current – or ‘additional microthermal shocks’, as Dr. LEVY calls them - to help skincare products deeply penetrate the skin to increase their absorption and effectiveness  while revitalising and firming the skin, and finally soothing it by gradually returning the skin to its normal temperature. 

THERMOGLOW PRO REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

Are you still with me after all that science? I hope so, because while the ThermoGlow Pro might sound complicated, it couldn’t be simpler to use, and the results are rather wonderous. 

Getting amazing facial results at home takes less than 10 minutes - seven and a half minutes of treatment time, with time in between to apply or rinse off skincare products - and I can report that I got noticeable results from the very first treatment, and that those results only got better with time.

The first time I used the ThermoGlow Pro was before bedtime, and it’s fair to say that my skin was definitely smoother and clearer the next morning, thanks to the device’s highly impressive ability to draw impurities out of the skin (even if I still don’t quite understand how it works!)

As you’d expect from any detoxifying facial, a few new blemishes erupted over the following days as my skin worked out those hard lumps and bumps that had been lurking underneath my skin, but with continued use of the device, my skin really cleared up, with redness, scarring and inflammation from recent blemishes also noticeably reduced.

Before I get into the other results I enjoyed, a little on how the actual treatment felt. Firstly, I never experienced any discomfort or pain from the heat, cold, or ‘microthermal shocks’. In fact, I found the whole process of alternating between cold and hot absolutely invigorating and stimulating for my skin and my mindset, just like coming out of a plunge pool and stepping into a sauna.

All three phases feel deeply relaxing to perform, and at no point do they feel like a hassle to do because the device works seamlessly into your typical skincare routine of cleansing and moisturising – you just take a little longer to do them. And boy, do you feel the effects of a deeper cleanse and deeper penetration of your skincare products.

It the name of full transparency, I feel duty bound to add that my results were more impressive when I used the ThermoGlow Pro in conjunction with the samples of Dr. LEVY skincare products I received, including the 3DEEP Cleanser, the Booster Serum, and the Booster Cream, and that if I had the budget to afford them, I’d be an instant convert because my skin glowed in a way I’d never seen before in my life. 

However, when I continued to use the ThermoGlow Pro with my usual skincare products, I still experienced fantastic results, with firmer, clearer skin that looks younger and revitalised. This is one gadget I’ll definitely keep using. 

THERMOGLO PRO REVIEW: VERDICT

The Dr. LEVY ThermoGlow Pro is a cutting-edge MedTech device that brings the power of a salon-quality facials into your home. Using a combination of Contrast Therapy, microthermal shocks, anaphoresis, iontophoresis and more, it open pores and eliminates impurities from the skin while helping skincare products to work more effectively. 

Easily incorporated into any existing skincare routine, use it up to three times a week to cleanse, purify and revitalise skin in less than 10 minutes and enjoy clearer, firmer, more youthful-looking skin. 

Since the Dyson AirWrap launched back in 2018, almost everyone has tried to get their hands on the coveted styler – or have looked for alternatives to get similar styling power at a cheaper price.

One such hair tool is the Revamp Professional Dynamic Pro Blow Dry 7-in-1 Ionic Air Styler – wow, what a mouthful. Aside from the insanely long name, the Revamp Ionic Air Styler (which is what I’ll call it from now on to save my sanity) promises similar results to the Dyson AirWrap at a smaller price tag.

After testing the Revamp Ionic Air Styler for a few weeks, it’s definitely one of the best AirWrap alternatives out there and it even has a few features that the Dyson model doesn’t have. So, can it take on the Dyson AirWrap or the Shark FlexStyle? Let’s see…

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: price and availability

The Revamp Ionic Air Styler costs £179.99 and is available to buy at Revamp and select retailers like Boots, Currys, Argos and Very. While this isn’t a price that I would necessarily call ‘cheap’, it’s more inexpensive compared to the Dyson AirWrap’s £479.99 and the Shark FlexStyle’s £299.99.

At time of writing, the Revamp Ionic Air Styler has been discounted to £120, so it gets regular price cuts if you want to buy it for cheaper.

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: unboxing

The Revamp Ionic Air Styler comes in attractive packaging, and features the main air styler body, a travel beauty bag and six interchangeable attachments. The accessories include an oval blow dry brush, a straight and shape paddle brush, a retractable bristle brush, a ProAir precision concentrator, and two auto air curl barrels – one for left and one for right.

When I unboxed the Revamp Ionic Air Styler, I was surprised by the size of the attachments, and the sheer amount of brushes that there are. There’s a nice selection of accessories to play with – although I’d maybe say there were one too many brushes – and they all felt well made and high quality.

I also thought some of the brushes were a bit chunky, and found it a little odd that it came with two curl barrels for the different airflow directions. The Airwrap only has one barrel and you can change the air direction by twisting the top of the attachment when it’s attached to the styler.

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: design and features

The Revamp Ionic Air Styler has a similar design to the AirWrap, where the main body of the styler houses the controls, and you attach the accessories on the top. The Revamp Ionic Air Styler comes in a pink-gold colourway that looks pretty and is comfortable to hold – it’s not as light as the AirWrap but it’s certainly not heavy, either.

Powered by a digital intelligent brushless motor, the Revamp Ionic Air Styler expels extreme air volume up to 110,000 rpm. It has three heat settings and three speed settings to choose from, a cold shot and pause function which are all easy to control and customise by the buttons on the main body of the styler. An on/off button is also towards the bottom of the styler, while the top has two sliders that lock and unlock the attachments and twist the handle to turn the Revamp Ionic Air Styler into a hair dryer.

Suitable for all hair types, the barrel and attachments of the Revamp Ionic Air Styler are infused with Progloss super smooth keratin, argan and coconut oils – something that Revamp adds to many of its hair tools to help improve the health of the hair.

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: performance

As someone who regularly uses my Dyson AirWrap, I was excited to try the Revamp Ionic Air Styler to see how it performed in comparison. I initially found that the Revamp Ionic Air Styler was slightly heavier than the AirWrap, but enjoyed the weight and feel of it, as it was comfortable to hold and easy to use.

One thing I think the Revamp Ionic Air Styler excels in is its adjustable controls. It has many heat and speed settings to choose from – all of which aren’t too noisy, even at the highest levels – and the buttons are large enough that they’re easy to press but not too big that they take over the entire styler. The cold shot could get colder, but the best part of the Revamp Ionic Air Styler is its twist handle.

The Revamp Ionic Air Styler comes with a concentrator attachment, which I was initially confused by as it seemed strange to dry your hair with the styler standing upright. But the Revamp Ionic Air Styler cleverly twists to become a hair dryer, which makes it much easier, comfortable and effective to use for drying. It also came in handy with some of the brush attachments, too.

The barrels are what I was most interested in, as the AirWrap’s barrel is my favourite accessory to use. I found that the Revamp Ionic Air Styler’s curl barrels were really effective and gave tight, bouncy ringlets and waves. The only criticism I have of them is that they could come in different sizes – I have quite thin hair so it wasn’t an issue for the barrel to catch it, but for people with longer and thicker hair, I think they might struggle to get their locks around the barrel.

I found the Revamp Ionic Air Styler to be very powerful and to dry hair quickly. The brushes give a new blow dry – although I still think there doesn’t need to be as many as there are. The main issue with the attachments is that they’re very chunky and get very hot, regardless of the heat that you use.

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: verdict

If you’re looking for a good quality AirWrap or FlexStyle alternative which won’t break the bank, then the Revamp Ionic Air Styler is one that I’d recommend. It has an attractive design, handy accessories and it’s more adjustable than the AirWrap, thanks to its twist handle. It has a few teething problems it could work on like the overheating and size of attachments, but it’s hard to beat it considering the price.

Revamp Ionic Air Styler review: alternatives to consider

I’ve mentioned the Dyson AirWrap and the Shark FlexStyle constantly throughout this review, so I’d recommend these two as alternatives – although you will be paying double and almost triple if you buy them. I’d also suggest looking at our list of Dyson AirWrap alternatives, as we’ve found some great picks from BondiBoost, Bellissima, Revlon and more.

My favourite Montblanc fragrance has hit a super low price in the best Cyber Monday deals, but be quick – the sales are finishing tonight!

Right now, Montblanc Explorer is just £60.99, thanks to a 26% discount in Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale. Montblanc Explorer is one of the most popular men’s fragrances and colognes on the market today, and it’s also the scent that my fiancé wears most often so I can’t get enough of it!

Aside from this amazing Montblanc Explorer deal, the Cyber Monday sales are full of low prices on Montblanc fragrances and other luxury perfume brands. I’ve done some deals searching and rounded up the best Montblanc offers you should buy now but if you fancy a different retailer, check out these 17 men’s fragrances deals.