New York State

MANCHESTER UNITED coaches are reportedly growing frustrated with £72million flop striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The forward – signed from Atalanta in 2023 – has managed just TWO Premier League goals in 21 games this season with zero assists.

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Man Utd coaches are reportedly growing frustrated with Rasmus Hojlund[/caption]

Meanwhile right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka – who United sold for just £15m to West Ham – has two goals and two assists to his name.

Hojlund is without a goal in 16 games and according to the Manchester Evening News, coaches are beginning to show frustration.

One in particular was said to be fuming with the Dane’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham earlier in February.

With United 2-0 down at Everton last weekend – Hojlund was taken off for 17-year-old Chido Obi who made only his second senior appearance.

There was a loud cheer from the away end when Hojlund was taken with 20 minutes to go.

And United scored twice within ten minutes of Hojlund’s substitution to salvage a point at Goodison Park.

United manager Ruben Amorim hooked Hojlund after he lost an aerial battle in the 3-1 comeback win against Southampton.

But in January, Amorim refused to point the blame on Hojlund, instead suggesting it was a collective problem.

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He said: “I think it’s a team problem. You can see it. It’s not just from now, it’s from the past. So we have clearly a lack of goals and a lack of threat.

“When you threaten the opponents, the opponents maybe don’t press you so high. So everything is connected.

“All the players have moments in this season. I think when we started this journey together, Rasmus was the player that was always scoring.

“So he can come back in the next game, we will see.”

Hojlund – signed by ex-boss Erik ten Hag – scored 16 goals in his first season at Old Trafford.

But he has only seven in all competitions this term – five in the Europa League.

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Ruben Amorim with Hojlund[/caption]

CRYSTAL Rudd became a secret binge eater aged eight with her parents having to put alarms on kitchen cupboards.

The now 30-year-old used unhealthy food as a comfort after her parents’ divorce – and it became an “addiction”.

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Crystal Rudd before and after losing 11 stone[/caption]

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The Lincolnshire lass struggled with her weight from an early age[/caption]

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The mum-of-three admits was ‘addicted’ to food[/caption]

“I’d hide the crisp packets and chocolate wrappers down the side of the sofa,” the now mum-of-three from Fleet, Lincolnshire. recalled.

Aged nine, Crystal needed adult-sized chairs in class when all her peers sat on child-sized.

She was also forced to wear secondary school-sized uniforms in primary school, as age-appropriate clothes wouldn’t fit.

“It was an addiction”, the mum said, “and I became a massive kid”

As a teen Crystal was bullied for her weight and once again reached for junk food as a comfort.

When her mum discovered her stash of hundreds of packets, she even put an alarm on the pantry.

But determined Crystal still found a way to sneak past it by climbing on a chair.

“The addiction was bad and because I was limited on what I could eat, I craved it more,” she said.

Cruel classmates picked on her for her larger frame as a teen, and eventually she took her food to eat in the toilets or behind the stairs.

Even when Crystal lost some weight aged 16 for her school prom, she regained it all shortly after.

“As I got older, I went through stages where I lost weight by dieting and exercise, but I gained it back again,” she said.

She fell pregnant at 19 with her son, Ethan, 10, and then had two more little ones in the following years – Blaze, eight, and Poppy, seven.

With each child she gained more weight, but her weight rose most after a brief split from her then-boyfriend Stephen, in late 2018.

“I was heartbroken,” she said. ” I’d feed the children healthy foods, then order takeaways for me.

“I’d have huge portions – like chicken wraps and chips with onion rings – from the takeaway every day for nearly two months before we got back together again.”

At her largest, Crystal was almost 23 stone – which she stayed at for a “long time.”

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Crystal had a gastric sleeve operation, to help her shed the pounds[/caption]

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Crystal Rudd before and after her weight loss operation[/caption]

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Crystal has since adopted a healthier diet, smaller portions and strict exercise regime[/caption]

Over the following years her weight fluctuated.

She lost some before eventually tying the knot with Stephen in August 2021, but then regaining it due to on-and-off health issues in the months that followed.

She began researching bariatric surgery options and eventually booked a £2,700 gastric sleeve surgery in Istanbul for January 2023.

The common weight-loss procedure that works by reducing the size of your stomach so you can’t eat as much food and gain weight.

It involves removing up 80 per cent of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube-shaped “sleeve”.

I’d now tell younger Crystal ‘not everything is storms and clouds and you will get your happy ending’

Crystal Rudd30

The mum adopted a healthier diet, smaller portions and strict exercise regime after.

“I was on a liquid diet,” she said. “Then pureed, then eventually I could eat soft foods.

“I still had a romantic Valentine’s Day steak dinner – I just pureed my steak and chips!

“I was doing combat classes, body balance and aqua fit too – and the weight came off.”

Crystal managed to maintain weight loss despite sustaining a knee injury, getting a severe infection from a spider bite, and losing her beloved nan throughout 2023.

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Crystal and her husband Stephen Rudd[/caption]

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Crystal with her family[/caption]

She hit a milestone of losing 10 stone in January this year – which was when she jetted back to the Turkish clinic to have 11lbs of excess skin removed, as well as liposuction.

The £5,800 procedure took eight hours and left her “looking like Frankenstein’s monster” due to the stitches in the healing stages.

But she loves her new frame, even if it’s taking some time for her to get used to as a result of body dysmorphia, after being much larger for her entire life.

To show off her achievements she entered a pageant for bariatric patients – and will appear in the Miss Bariatric Lincolnshire final in September.

She said: “Now I can show my kids they can achieve wonderful things, and they see their mum thriving.

“I’d now tell younger Crystal ‘not everything is storms and clouds and you will get your happy ending'”.

With warmer temperatures set for the UK, keen gardeners will be returning to their outdoor spaces.

However, as our plants wake up so does one common garden pest. 

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You may want to protect your garden from a common pest this spring[/caption]

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Aphids or Plant lice (Aphidoidea) can damage plants and stunt their growth[/caption]

Blossoming flowers and fruitful vegetable patches can see the return of some unwelcome visitors – aphids.

The small sap-sucking insects, also known as greenflies and blackflies, can wreak havoc on your garden if not managed well.

Samantha Richardson, garden and gazebo expert at Gazeboshop, shared: “Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects that come in shades of green, yellow, pink, or black and tend to cluster on stems and leaves, feeding on plant sap. 

“This weakens the plant, often leading to leaf drop and stunted growth.

“Large infestations can produce honeydew which attracts ants and fuels the growth of fungus, which can cause even further damage to both your indoor and outdoor plants.” 

Here, Samantha shares six steps to reducing the risk of an aphid infestation…

1. Clean up debris 

Aphids, along with their eggs and larvae, can hibernate in plant debris, waiting for warmer temperatures to re-emerge and infest new growth in the spring. 

To prevent this, thoroughly clean up your garden at the end of the growing season by removing dead leaves, stems, and any plant material left on the soil. 

Pay special attention to areas around perennials and shrubs where aphids may take shelter.

2. Encourage natural aphid predators

Ladybugs, lacewings and birds are natural predators of aphids. 

If you can attract them to your garden, they will feast on the aphid colonies and solve the problem for you. 

To attract hoverflies, which eat aphids, you should plant french marigolds near to the plants you’re worried about. 

The hoverflies will also lay eggs and the hatching larvae will feast on the pesky aphids.

Planting marigolds are another great way to attract lacewings, another useful predator, while ladybug habitats are easy to make from leftover wood.

3. Cover your plants 

Covering your plants with fine horticultural netting or mesh can prevent aphids from taking up residence on the leaves.

Just make sure the mesh size is under 0.8mm and check there aren’t any gaps – if there’s a way in, they’ll find it.

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Covering plants with a mesh can protect plants from aphids[/caption]

4. Plant aphid-resistant varieties 

Some plant varieties are less attractive to aphids because of their strong scents, tough leaves, or chemical compounds that deter pests.

Plants such as garlic, onions and chives deter aphids due to their strong smell, while strong-scented herbs like basil, oregano and rosemary deter aphids due to their essential oils. 

It is recommended to companion plant these varieties amongst your more vulnerable plants to protect them and encourage healthy growth.

5. Mulch and compost properly 

Healthy soil promotes strong plants that are more resistant to pests, including aphids. Using well-aged compost adds essential nutrients to the soil, improving plant health and resilience. 

Organic mulch, such as straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves, helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth, which can reduce aphid-friendly environments. 

However, avoid using fresh manure or unfinished compost, as they can introduce pests or diseases. 

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Check your plants regularly for aphids or signs such as curling leaves[/caption]

6. Check plants early and often 

Regularly inspecting your plants is crucial for early aphid detection and prevention. 

Focus on checking the undersides of leaves, new growth, and tender stems where aphids tend to cluster.

Use a magnifying glass if necessary to spot small colonies before they multiply. 

Look for signs such as curling leaves, sticky honeydew residue, or the presence of ants, which may indicate an aphid problem. 

If you spot any aphids, take immediate action by removing them manually, spraying them off with water, or applying natural treatments.

Frequent monitoring allows you to control infestations before they spread, keeping your plants healthy and pest-free.

ASTON VILLA fans have jokingly called for the club to sign Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach in light of Marcus Rashford’s displays.

Rashford, 27, has impressed the Villa Park faithful since joining Unai Emery‘s side on loan from Manchester United.

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Marcus Rashford has shown glimpses of his old self during his brief stint with Aston Villa[/caption]

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Rashford’s impressive displays have come a month after Ruben Amorim claimed he’d rather play his goalkeeping coach instead of the striker[/caption]

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Villa fans have jokingly called for club transfer guru Monchi to sign United’s keeper coach Jorge Vital[/caption]

The England international has yet to find the back of the net but has shown glimpses of his old self in his four appearances, in which he’s racked up two assists.

Rashford’s form comes a month after Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim publicly blasted him by stating he’d rather start his goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital.

The Portuguese put Rashford on blast by saying: “I’d put Vital on the bench before a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day. I’ll not change in that department.

“It’s always the same reason. The reason is the training.

“The way that I see what a footballer should do in training, in life, every day. If things don’t change, I will not change.

“Same situation for every player — if you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player.

“You can see it today on the bench. We needed pace to change the game, to move some pieces — but I prefer it like that.”

Villa fans haven’t forgotten Amorn’s comments and have called for transfer guru Monchi to sign Vital following Rashford’s recent good showings.

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One wrote on X: “If Rashford is this good I fully expect Monchi to be putting in a bid for the UTD goalkeeping coach as well!

Another said: “Given our finances with salary as a ratio of revenue we couldn’t match his man united wages.

“Would Rashford accept a cut is question… would that 63 yr old goalie coach also come?”

And another said: “He might be unplayable I guess.”

Villa have the option to permanently acquire Rashford’s services in the summer for a mere £40million.

Emery was full of praise for the striker after Villa’s 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend, saying: “Of course, he played a fantastic 45 minutes.

“And really this is the only thing. We want to try to be consistent through him, in our squad and in our way we are going to do [that].

“But he’s going to be hopefully very, very important like today. But hopefully more and more and more.

“And the most important for him is try to feel comfortable here. Try to get confidence. Be here in [a] good atmosphere with us and this is my objective.”

Villa will be back in action on Tuesday night, travelling to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace.

A MUM has been slammed by trolls after revealing her present haul for her daughter’s first birthday.

Jemma took to TikTok to share a look at the gifts she’d bought her little girl, explaining that she had to look for budget items as she was low on money.

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And the main present was a car seat, which would have set them back a few hundred[/caption]

“What I got my baby for her first birthday because I’m poor,” she wrote over the top of the slideshow.

The first present was three packs of three vests, as they were “running low” on the baby essential.

They set her back £10.50 for all nine.

Next, Jemma bought a “pack of wipes to rip out the packet”, which are likely to have cost around £1.

The third gift was the most expensive of them all, and one the little girl desperately needed – the “next stage car seat”, which would have likely set her parents back a few hundred pounds.

Jemma also got some balloons, including a large number 1, for her daughter to “play with, roll on, bite and pop”.

And the final present was a gorgeous birthday cake that Jemma had made, which she used for a homemade cake smash.

“She likes the wipes the best and loves her new car seat,” Jemma added.

She also explained in the caption that she “spent so much” on her first child’s first birthday, 10 years ago.

But being the fourth child, her youngest already has “so many toys”.

“She has no idea what is even going on, but a cake for mummy to take pictures with was a treat,” Jemma added.

Despite sticking to a budget in this cost of living crisis, the mum-of-four found herself slammed by trolls in the comments section.

“Not like you’ve not had all year to save,” one sighed..

“You get your baby a car seat baby wipes and body suit for there birthday – not a single toy or anything for them to use,” another said.

“Basically everything for you that you should be getting your child anyway!”

“Ok but no toy at all? Not even one?” a third questioned.

“Could have not paid out for a balloon display and got her a toy,” someone else said.

To which Jemma replied: “It’s a £2.99 balloon kit, I did it myself.”

“Why have 4 kids if you can’t afford to get her an actual present and not just things she needs?” another raged.

“Four kids made me learn to prioritise, in a few years she’ll want £90 trainers… because I haven’t got in debt now and started staving, she’ll have them.”

“This is so sad – no child should go without a toy on their birthday,” another wrote.

“I was this child. It doesn’t matter if she’s only 1, there’s plenty of places that give away second hand toys or charities.”

“For a birthday this baby is getting wipes and vests,” someone else said.

“What a sad life!”

But others defended Jemma, insisting she shouldn’t have to put herself into debt to get stacks of presents.

“This is 100% better than the posts I see of hundreds of toys to impress others that will only overstimulated you both anyway,” one wrote.

“Thank you so much,” Jemma replied.

Ok but no toy at all? Not even one?

TikTok commenter

“I’m over stimulated by toys my others have, let alone buying more.

“She loves pulling wipes out so got her a pack to do so, and stuff she needed.”

“Most real thing I’ve seen today, we do the big 1st birthdays for us, not them,” another commented.

“Thank you, we absolutely do it for us, they have no clue!” Jemma responded.

“Cost of living teaching me to actually give her what she wants, some wipes to rip out and a safe car seat.”

“Why are people mad the car seat alone cost around £350 and keeps her safe?” a third questioned.

“I don’t get it either,” Jemma admitted.

“Do people think I should have bought a cheap car seat and spent the rest on toys???”

“My son’s first birthday is in a week and I’m SO broke,” someone else wrote.

“This made me realise I really can just give him his favourite things – wipes, grease proof paper and measuring spoons.”

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She spent £2.99 on a balloon display kit from Amazon[/caption]

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And made a cake to give her daughter a cute cake smash[/caption]

HERE’S the thing: I’m pretty rubbish at styling my hair.

While this is possibly the last thing you were expecting a Beauty Writer to say, it’s the truth, so I’m glad we’ve got that out of the way.

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I put six bestselling hot brushes to the test[/caption]

Despite dedicating hours to trialling all of the latest hair tool innovations, researching all of their features, and being shown exactly how to use them by hair stylists, I’m no hairdresser.

But here’s the good news – rather than writing a complicated review that describes how to twist, wrap, and stack your hair into difficult hairstyles with a hot brush, I’ll keep this one straightforward.

A hot brush can be a game-changing tool for simultaneously volumising, shaping and (sometimes) drying hair, and I take a very simple approach to reviewing them:

Will it simplify my hair routine or overcomplicate it?

If a hot brush falls into the latter category then it’s failed the test, as I believe that beauty tools should solve problems and not create them.

Here’s a list of the very best…

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These are the industry’s *hottest* hot brushes[/caption]

Best Hot Brushes: How I tested

Usually, I don’t do much with my hair (washing, brushing and occasionally tying it up is as far as I usually go), but I’ve recently been looking very glam.

Across a couple of weeks, I’ve twisted, brushed, and swept my hair with six of the industry’s most-wanted hot brushes to hunt down the best.

I tested each hot brush on clean hair (slightly damp for wet-to-dry stylers), and prepared it with the same heat spray each time – I love Arkive The Prologue Hair Primer.

Hot brush results and styling time can differ depending on your hair type – FYI, I have very thick, straight, waist-length hair.

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These hot brushes are straightforward to use and won’t break the bank[/caption]

Best Hot Brushes 2025 at a glance

Best for short hair – GHD Rise

While it won’t style wet hair, GHD Rise reigns superior at volumising locks.

I’m impressed with its nylon bristles which lift hair from the roots, and its sleek barrel that’s perfect for creating detailed waves.

Best for damaged or coloured hair – Dyson Airwrap

The Dyson Airwrap does it all.

Featuring six attachments for drying, smoothing, curling and waving, its innovative design dried and styled my hair in seconds.

Best overall – BaByliss Air Wand

With seven heat and speed settings, this hair tool has got gusto.

Its ionic straightening head smoothed my hair effectively, while its detangling hot brush attachment created a quick and bouncy blowout.

Best budget – Lily England Deluxe Hot Brush

You’ll struggle to curl your hair with this hot brush but its chunky barrel excels at lifting and texturing hair.

Its soft bristles glided through my locks, leaving it bouncy and refreshed.

Best for sleek styles – Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush

Supercharged (literally) with ionic technology, this space-saving tool promotes smooth, glossy hair.

While its bristles struggled to grip onto my locks, it left my hair looking sleek.

Best for thick hair – Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler 3-in-1

Boasting three clever attachments for drying, volumising and curling, this tool’s got bang for buck.

I created quick and easy waves with its curling wand, which had a defined, bouncy appearance.

The best hot brushes: find out which hot air brush gave the bounciest blow-dry

BaByliss Air Wand

BABYLISS

Dry and style your hair in minutes[/caption]

BaByliss Air Wand, £120

Pros: Ultra-powerful tool that dries hair in moments, two innovative, detachable styling heads, total of seven clever heat and speed settings

Cons: Hottest setting can produce a burning smell, fast wind speeds can make styling tricky, difficult to create curls

Rating: 5/5

My hot-take on Babyliss hair tools is that they’re very underrated.

I’m a huge fan of the Air Power Pro Hairdryer – once I’ve prised it out of the hands of my sisters, that is – and I’ve used the BaByliss Travel Hair Dryer for years, too.

So, I had high hopes for The Air Wand, which is Babyliss’ latest piece of kit.

A hairdryer, straightener, and hot brush, rolled into one, this clever, space-saving tool looks and feels like the Dyson Airwrap.

With its long wand with detachable styling heads, the Air Wand boasts seven heat and speed settings for optimising styling.

The styler can be used on damp hair, so I started with the Air Wand’s built-in hairdryer on its fastest and warmest setting.

While the tool never felt too hot or overheated my hair, it did produce a burning smell, so I knocked it down to its medium settings, which felt much more comfortable.

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This tool is excellent value-for-money[/caption]

Normally, it takes (what feels like) hours to dry my hair, but the Air Wand did it in minutes – probably thanks to its 123km/hr drying speed.

The styler also features smoothing technology, à la a dual-ionic system, which emits ions into the hair, sealing cuticles and reducing frizz.

Next, I clicked the Straightening head onto the wand, which features detangling prongs and a ceramic core for swift, fluff-free styling.

This attachment works in a similar way to the Dyson Dryer+Flyaway Smoother head and blows concentrated air onto hair to smooth and seal flyaways.

While its shallow bristles struggled to glide through my thick hair, I noticed that it instantly slicked down baby hairs and never felt too hot against my scalp.

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Babyliss hair tools are underrated[/caption]

BaByliss Air Wand, £120

A word of warning, though– thanks to the Air Wand’s high wind speeds, this attachment can get a bit blowy and throw your hair around your head like a leaf blower, so divide and conquer by splitting your hair into small sections.

The Air Wand’s straightening attachment won’t leave your hair poker-straight like a traditional straightener would, but it does help smooth and elongate your strands, leaving your hair neat and frizz-free.

The Volume Brush is another fantastic attachment, featuring a curved face and a combination of polishing and detangling bristles.  

This clever design glided through my hair without any friction, meaning I could sweep my locks into my desired shape and style.

Unlike other hot brush heads, this attachment isn’t round, meaning it’s tricky to create waves or curls, but it is effective at shaping fringes and adding flicks to the ends of your hair.

I used the Air Wand’s cool setting to finish off and lock in my style, and was impressed that it remained in place for most of the day.

This is a powerful, innovative tool which isn’t too heavy on the wallet – I’m calling it a real standout.

Dyson Airwrap Complete Long

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The clever tool does it all[/caption]

Dyson Airwrap Complete Long, £480

Pros: Six attachments address all of your styling needs, styles and dries hair almost instantly, cool shot button helps lock in your style

Cons: Requires homework – attachments can seem confusing at first, one of the pricer options on the market, hot brush attachment creates friction and doesn’t glide through hair

Rating: 5/5

While it’s not strictly just a hot brush, this review would be incomplete without mention of the Dyson Airwrap.

Arguably the most-wanted beauty tool of the decade, this hair styling tool has the industry wrapped around its finger – literally.

Famed for its innovative design, the Airwrap has clocked up supporters for its (so-called) quick and damage-free styling.

But is it worth its hefty £480 pricetag?

MIA LYNDON

I styled my hair into bouncy waves[/caption]

While I’ve been very impressed with my Airwrap overall, we have a bit of a love-hate relationship.

Admittedly, things usually stay very civil between me and my Airwrap – which I adore for its speedy, stunning results – but it’s not always straightforward to use.

I (over)confidentially assumed that I knew exactly how to use the Airwrap as soon as I opened it, which led to knotty hair and plenty of swearing the first time I used it.

So, while the Airwrap can curl, wave, and smooth hair in minutes, doing your homework and learning how to use it is key (YouTube will be your best friend for this).

The Dyson Airwrap is a wet-to-dry styler, meaning it styles and dries damp hair simultaneously.

Encased in a sleek, space-saving case, the Airwrap features six styling heads: 2x curling barrels, Dryer+Flyaway Smoother, Firm smoothing brush, Round volumising brush, and Soft smoothing brush.

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The Airwrap does it all[/caption]

You’ll likely recognise the curling barrels, AKA the Insta-famous curling wands which suck hair into effortless curls, but the other attachments are impressive, too.

While its design initially looks confusing, the Dryer+Flyaway Smoother attachment does a speedy job of drying hair and also features a handy cuticle smoother for tackling flyaways and frizz.

If blow-drying your hair typically results in frizzy, windswept locks, then the smoothing brush attachments will be the perfect addition to your routine, enabling you to brush and smooth your hair as you dry it.

All of the above are impressive, but this is a hot brush review after all, so let’s jump into the Round Volumising brush attachment.

Identical to a round brush you’d see in a salon, this attachment features fine, spikey bristles that glide through hair.

I used the attachment on damp hair, rolling my hair around the barrel, which quickly dried and neatly styled my locks.

The attachment’s bristles have a dense, spikey texture, meaning they’re prone to friction, so ensure you exercise caution when removing your hair from the styler to avoid pulling and breakage.

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It’s worth reading up on how to use the Airwrap first[/caption]

Dyson Airwrap Complete Long, £480

The most common complaint that I hear about the Airwrap is that its styling quickly falls flat, but there are a few ways to avoid this.

First up, utilise the cool-shot button after styling to seal your hair’s cuticles and lock in your style, and always follow up with a hairspray or gel.

Preparing your hair for heat styling with a primer or heat spray is also crucial for minimising damage – I love the Pre-Style Cream which Dyson launched last year.

Overall, the Dyson Airwrap is a pricey bit of tech, but it does everything – just do your homework and learn how to use it.

GHD Rise

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GHD Rise lifts hair from the roots[/caption]

GHD Rise, £179

Pros: Simple, sleek design, quickly heats up to optimum styling temperature, can be used close to roots for lifted, volumised styles

Cons: Styling drops quickly, pricier than some competitors, short bristles struggle to grip onto hair

Rating: 4.5/5

GHD is a brand I’ve always looked up to.

I still remember when my mum splashed out on her first pair of GHD straighteners; my sisters and I gasping and cooing as she prised them from the box.

Ever since, I’ve been hooked – which is largely down to how effective and uncomplicated GHD products are.

When the brand launched GHD Rise in 2020, social media stood up and listened.

A hot brush that volumises hair by 50% without damage? Surely not.

But low and behold, Rise had become one of GHD most coveted hair tools – and with good reason.

Unlike other hot brushes I’ve tried, GHD Rise has a simple, sleek design and features a slim, heated barrel.

I was pleased to discover that it only has one button (‘On’), and heats up in a matter of seconds, playing a tune when it’s ready (which my boyfriend initially thought was the smoke detector going off).

All GHD tools are programmed to operate at 185ºC – considered the optimum temperature for detailed, stay-all-day styling that doesn’t overheat your hair.

MIA LYNDON

I wrapped my hair into detailed waves[/caption]

I tend to get very fed up with hair tools – I’ve never actually thrown one across the room but have been tempted on occasion – but Rise’s smooth, innovative design meant less frizz, less frustration, and quicker styling.

Its nylon bristles glided through my hair without pulling or tangling, meaning I quickly became a dab hand – or at least I’d like to think so.

I swept the tool through my hair, twiddling it into waves as I went, which resulted in slim, detailed curls that had plenty of bounce and texture.

While the barrel heats up hot, the bristles stay lukewarm, meaning you can use the tool close to your roots, resulting in fuller, bouncier hair.

MIA LYNDON

The tool leaves hair bouncy and loosely curled[/caption]

I already have thick, full hair, but the tool helped lift my hair from its roots, giving me an extra dose of volume and texture.

While this dropped within a few seconds, it didn’t fall flat and continued to stay in place for most of the day.

As for my waves, they began to unravel after a couple of hours but still held their texture, resulting in an elevated, put-together look.

While it doesn’t quite fit into the fool-proof category (it took me a few attempts to get a hang of twisting its barrel), the GHD Rise is one of the simplest – yet effective – hot brush tools I’ve used.

Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush

AMIKA

Amika Thermal Brush features ionic technology[/caption]

Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush, £95

Pros: Ionic technology leaves hair smooth and glossy, compact, lightweight design, flexible, detangling bristles

Cons: No heat indicator button, can’t be used to volumise roots, short bristles struggle to grip to hair

Rating: 4/5

Similar in size and shape to a standard hairbrush, Amika Blowout Babe is a bit of a pocket rocket.

Initially, I was expecting this blow-dry brush to be a wet-to-dry styler, and work similarly to a hairdryer, like the Lily England or Revlon stylers.

Instead, its thin, thermal ceramic barrel heats up like a curling tong and can only be used on dry hair (sadly, I learnt this after wetting my hair – which will teach me to read instructions properly). 

Its barrel is covered with fine, spiky bristles and has a built-in stand, which is handy for propping up the styler while you wait for it to heat up.

Speaking of which, the hot brush heats up very quickly, yet doesn’t have an optimum temperature indicator, meaning you have to do a bit of guesswork. 

MIA LYNDON

The styler glides through hair[/caption]

While its bristles feel sharp and scratchy to the touch, they sweep through hair effortlessly, detangling as they go.

Thanks to the styler’s petite barrel, I wrapped and twiddled my hair into loose waves without creating frizz or experiencing much friction.

Its flexible bristles are fairly shot, meaning they struggled to grip onto my thick hair, making styling slightly tricky, but this shouldn’t be a problem for those with finer hair. 

The barrel gets very hot, so you can’t use the styler close to your scalp, meaning it’s tough to volumise and lift your hair from the roots.

MIA LYNDON

The styler has a petite, simple design[/caption]

Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush, £95

However, I’m impressed with the styler’s iconic technology, which promotes a smooth, glossy finish.

Rather than just heating up your hair, this styler works by releasing ions that help seal your hair’s cuticles and tackle frizz during styling.

Usually, my hair has a fluffy, slightly frizzy look post-styling, but the Amika hot brush helped keep flyaways and baby hairs at bay.

After a busy day out (in windy weather), my hair still looked smoother and sleeker than usual, even if my waves had unravelled.

So, whether you’re a curling-pro, or just looking to brush and smooth your hair, you don’t need to be a hair whizz to master the Amika Blowout Babe Hot Brush, as it provides plenty of styling options.

 

Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler 3-in-1 Tool

REVLON

The Revlon styler features three attachments[/caption]

Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler 3 in 1 Tool, £74.99

Pros: Great budget alternative to the Dyson Airwrap, lightweight and easy to manoever, detachable styling heads help you achieve various styles

Cons: Hot brush attachment creates some friction when passing it through your hair, feels very hot against your scalp, style fell flat within a few hours

Rating: 4/5

Hailed as the ultimate alternative to the Dyson Airwrap, the Revlon One-Step caused a bit of a stir.

Following its success, the brand has since launched the Revlon One-Step Multi Styler – boasting them same technology plus three detachable styling heads.

Scanning at £405 less than Dyson, it’s one of the best value hair tools on the market – but can it cut the mustard?

This is one of the largest hot brush tools I’ve used, but also the most lightweight, and features a clever swivel cord, making manoeuvring it around your head very easy. 

Its styling heads attach with a satisfying click and operate on four heat settings: low, medium, high and cool shot.

You can use the Revlon styler on damp locks, so I began by using the root-drying concentrator, a clever attachment that quickly dries the hair near your scalp.

MIA LYNDON

The hair tool dries, styles, and waves hair[/caption]

While its thick, plastic bristles struggled to pass through my hair, causing some tension, the attachment is a game-changer, as many other stylers fail to dry the hair at the top of your head.

The Oval Shaped Brush attachment also does a brilliant job of drying your roots – meaning you could actually skip using the root-drying concentrator – and has a wide barrel covered in soft bristles.

This attachment passed through my hair with ease and both detangled and lifted my hair from its roots – resulting in a gorgeous, elevated look. 

With my hair dry and volumised, I went in with the curling tong which, unlike other curlers, uses hot air to style and shape your hair. 

MIA LYNDON

This is the upgraded version of the cult classic styler[/caption]

Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler 3 in 1 Tool, £74.99

Its long, sleek wand made wrapping my hair into curls easy, but it felt very hot when used near my roots, meaning I had to knock the temperature setting down to ‘Low’.

At first, I was very impressed that the curling wand features a clip (which helps hold everything in place as you wrap your hair around the barrel), but its strong grip left a noticeable kink in my hair.

It took me a long time to style my hair, thanks to styling it in small sections on a low heat setting, but the result was gorgeous.

I don’t usually wear my hair wavy, but I fell in love with the floaty, dainty waves that the Revlon styler created – even if they fell flat a few hours later.

Lily England Deluxe Hairdryer Brush

LILY ENGLAND

The Lily England brand is growing fast[/caption]

Lily England Deluxe Hairdryer Brush, £29.99 (was £49.99)

Pros: Smooth, snag-free bristles, lightweight design reduces aching hands, one of the most affordable options available

Cons: Large barrel makes creating waves and curls difficult, ineffective at simultaneously drying and styling hair, not much variation between speed settings

Rating: 4/5

Despite being one of the smallest brands on this list, Lily England is doing big things.

Now one of the industry’s fastest-growing cosmetic tool brands, the brand offers an impressive line-up of make-up bags, brushes, and hair tools.

But let’s not get sidetracked – the Lily England Hot Brush is one of the brand’s most-discussed products, and with good reason.

MIA LYNDON

The tool gave my hair plenty of lift[/caption]

First of all, this hot Brush is huge.

Unlike the sleek GHD Rise or the bite-sized Amika Brush, the Lily England Hot Brush features a wide, flat barrel design that’s set with soft, tangle-proof bristles.

Designed for use on wet hair, it sounds identical to a hairdryer once switched on, and has three settings, Cool, Low and High.

Initially, I assumed that these were heat settings, but soon learnt that they refer to airspeed – much like a hairdryer.

A ‘Cool’ setting is always a great addition to any hair styler – as cool air helps seal cuticles and lock in your style for longer – but this setting on the Lily England Hot Brush seemed unusually warm, so I’m doubtful of whether it’ll have its usual benefits.

I used the High setting on semi-damp, towel-dried hair, but it wasn’t powerful enough to both dry and style my long, thick locks.

Therefore, I had to do multiple passes to dry my hair first, before going back in again to style it, which proved very time-consuming.

However, I couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly the hot brush’s bristles slid through my hair without snagging or creating tension, which reduced frizz and – most importantly – meant my hand never became achy.

MIA LYNDON

The styler glides through hair[/caption]

Lily England Deluxe Hairdryer Brush, £34.99

Some of the other hot brushes on this list are perfect for creating waves and loose curls, but Lily England isn’t one of them.

Thanks to its chunky barrel, it’s nearly impossible to wind your hair into waves, but one thing this hot brush does excel at is creating texture and bounce.

Achieving this is very straightforward, and can be done by bringing the styler close to your scalp, which helps lift the hair from the root.

So if, like me, you’re not fussed about creating waves or intricate styles, then the Lily England Hot Brush is a failsafe option for quickly elevating your hair.

Best Hot Brushes 2025: the verdict

So here we are, six hairstyles later.

Hair tools are not made equal, meaning their results, ease-of-use, and price points can vary – but all of the above are pretty darn good.

Despite pulling together a list bestselling hot brushes, I was still unsure of how good they’d actually be, but the results say it all.

Now, I don’t want to get too cocky, but thanks to each of the tool’s user-friendly designs, I’m feeling much better about my hair styling skills, which speaks volumes.

But if you’re waiting for me to tell you which one is the best, then I’m afraid you’re about to be disappointed.

While I think that some are more superior to others (Babyliss and Dyson were real standouts), the right tool for you depends on what you’re looking for.

For big, bouncy styles that instantly elevate go for Amika, Lily England, or Babyliss, and for detailed styling, waves and curls go for Dyson, GHD or Revlon.

Whichever one you pop into your basket, you’re in for a treat as they’re all excellent, problem-solving, morning-routine-simplifying tools.

Now I just have to decide which one I’m going to use today…

Hotbrush and heat styling FAQs…

What’s the difference between a hot brush and a hair dryer?

While both devices can be used to dry and style hair, there are some key differences between a hot brush and a hair dryer.

A hairdryer is typically used on damp hair and works by blowing hot air onto a concentrated area.

On the other hand, not all hot brushes can be used on damp hair, and these devices typically have cylindrical barrels and are used for shaping, plumping, or curling hair.

Many models have multiple settings, meaning they save money on buying additional tools, and are easier to use and more time-effective than using a barrel brush and a hairdryer to style your hair. 

What’s the best way to use a hot brush?

Using a hot brush is a great way to lift and volumise your hair – but only if you use the tool effectively.

Portion your hair and gently sweep each section around the barrel, holding for a few seconds, twiddling it into a gentle curl as you go – this will create a bouncy lightweight blow-dry look.

Avoid pulling or applying too much pressure, as this can lead to breakage.

For the ultimate ‘lift’, section your hair and sweep the tool under your roots, close to your scalp, in an upwards motion. 

How to protect hair from heat damage

You should always use a heat protection spray, cream, or gel before styling with hot tools.

Arkive The Prologue Spray (£13) is a brilliant budget-friendly option, which protects hair without leaving it feeling heavy or greasy – plus,  it helps eliminate frizz.

Avoid using heat tools every day, and instead, reduce your usage by perfecting your technique for longer-lasting results. 

How to make a blow-dry last

While most blow-dry styles are performed on freshly washed hair, dirtier hair will hold its shape and curls longer.

Always prep your hair with a heat protection spray, opting for a shape-retaining option like Arkive The Prologue Spray (£13), and finish with a hairspray.

Opt for a flexible, lightweight option like L’Oreal Hairspray by Elnett for Normal Hold & Shine (£3.86).

THE Brit mum found dead alongside her husband in their French villa was murdered by her spouse before he faked a robbery and hung himself, cops now believe.

The bodies of Dawn Searle, 56, and Andrew, 65, were discovered by a neighbour earlier this month, sparking various theories including a robbery-gone-wrong and a professional hit job.

Pixel8000

But police now believe that Dawn – mum to Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr – was murdered by her husband who staged a burglary before killing himself, detectives said.

This explanation has previously been rejected by pals, who said the relationship had been harmonious.

The couple, who married just two years ago, had moved to start a new life at a villa in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

They were both seen by locals in the days preceding their deaths behaving as their usual, smiley selves.

But then a neighbour made the sickening discovery of Dawn’s body lying outside the house, just after midday on Thursday, February 6.

She was found partially undressed next to a box containing jewellery, and had been killed by a significant head wound, according to police.

An autopsy later revealed Dawn had suffered “multiple blows to the skull” – but no weapon was recovered.

It was believed she had tried to escape her attacker before being bludgeoned to death.

Andrew’s body was then found hanging from a rope attached to a radiator inside, and he “showed no visible defence wounds”, according to the post mortem.

One early theory suggested Andrew’s past career as a financial investigator hunting down UK crimelords made him the target of a professional hit ordered by gangsters.

Reports that Andrew may have been tortured before his death seemed to support this story.

Another theory said the expat pair were victims of a bungled burglary – but investigators now believe this was a ruse orchestrated by Andrew to throw them off the scent.

There were signs of a frantic search inside the property, with drawers and cupboards left open and furniture upended – a scene which detective think Andrew curated.

Enterprise News and Pictures

Doug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers Ltd

Instagram

Callum walked his mother down the aisle in 2023 when she married Andrew[/caption]

One investigator told The Sunday Post: “The Searle house is extremely close to other houses, and the noise of screams would have carried. In fact, nobody heard anything.

“What is very likely is that the victim was killed inside the house, with doors and windows shut on a winter’s night, and then her body dumped in the garden.”

And Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the Rodez prosecutor heading up the investigation, confirmed that “a marital crime followed by suicide” is the most likely scenario.

Forensic investigations did not turn up any evidence of a third party having entered the home or had contact with the couple.

No arrests have been made in connection to the deaths.

Les Pesquiès and the wider area are well covered by CCTV in the form of police, traffic and private cameras – but detectives have found no cause to launch an appeal in search of anyone.

Despite the latest updates, Rigot-Muller has not completely ruled out “the intervention of a third party” in the deaths, and the investigation “remains open”.

The home is still cordoned-off as a crime scene, with the swimming pool covered.

In the wake of the deaths, friends of the couple spoke out to reject the idea Andrew could have murdered Dawn.

AFP

A French Gendarmerie’s van parked at the entrance of the couple’s home[/caption]

One couple who live in a nearby village, said: “Us Brits, who knew Dawn and Andy very well, are certain this is not a murder-suicide.

“They weren’t flashy by any means, but they were definitely comfortable and had it good out here.

“They were always travelling. They recently went to a family wedding in Goa, they went to South America for their honeymoon.

“They were also still working – Dawn was a project manager and Andy still did some freelance work.

“Life was good, why would they want to kill themselves?”

Similarly, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the mayor of Les Pesquiès, said the couple “were extremely happy together”.

He had officiated at their wedding in 2023, when Dawne was walked down the aisle by her actor and country singer son from another marriage, Callum Kerr.

Callum is best known for playing PC George Kiss in Channel 4‘s Hollyoaks between 2020 and 2021.

He also starred in the hit Netflix series Virgin River – playing young Everett, Mel’s father, in the most recent series.

Andrew was originally from West Sussex, while Dawn grew up in Eyemouth, Berwickshire.

Andrew is understood to have worked for least 20 years with the police and Serious Fraud Office targeting organised groups of crooks pedalling financial crimes such as money laundering.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Dawn’s son Callum has starred in Netflix’s Virgin River as well as Channel 4’s Hollyoaks[/caption]

Instagram

Callum Kerr with his mother Dawn who was killed in her home in France[/caption]

SUN readers can win a stunning Mercedes Sprinter Campervan + £10,000 cash or a £70,000 cash alternative from just 17p this week.

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A MAN has revealed that his neighbour often leaves lunatic notes on people’s cars and has even interrogated his girlfriend over her parking.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the angry man, who is said to be in his early 50s, has also gone for his child’s teenage pal too.

Getty

A man has shared a close-up look at the bizarre note his neighbour left on his daughter’s friend’s car[/caption]

Reddit

Not only does this man’s neighbour leave aggressive notes, but he’s even interrogated those living in his street too[/caption]

A frustrated homeowner took to social media to give people a close-up look at an angry letter from his strange neighbour, leaving many open-mouthed.

Posting on Reddit, on the r/mildlyinfuriating thread, the anonymous man, who is from Seattle, US, and writes under the username @Striking_Nudibranch, titled his post ‘Neighbour doesn’t want anyone parking parallel to him on the opposite(!) side of the street.’

He then explained: “I live in a quiet residential neighborhood. Our streets are narrow, but plenty of space for people to park on both sides of the street.”

Alongside a snap of the rude note, he continued: “This showed up on my daughter’s friend’s car this morning.”

The short but stern note read: ‘I don’t wanna see this car park parallel side to side to the white car’.

Not only this, but the Reddit user then added: “The neighbour has taken it to be his personal mission to put notes on anyone’s car that parks across the street from him.

“He approached my girlfriend after sitting in his car and waiting 15 minutes for her to finish a phone call… interrogating her about where she lives, and saying he never wants to see her parked there again.

“The dude is in his early 50s. He’s never said anything to me directly.”

Eager for guidance on what to do next, the man, who described his neighbour’s actions as “lunacy”, asked: “Any advice on the best way to tell this guy to f**k off?”

Not only this, but he then confessed: “I’m inclined to just go knock and tell him I’m going to continue allowing my guests to park in front of my house, and take it from there.”

Reddit users were left open-mouthed by the man’s post and many eagerly flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the strange situation. 

One person said: “Call the police and show them the note and tell them this dude is harassing you and your guests. If he continues, see about getting a restraining order or something.”

To this, the Reddit author replied: “I was considering cops but also didn’t want to inflame the situation.

“I’d rather not have a petty battle with someone across the street. That said, he’s a renter, and I own… maybe I can get in touch with his landlord?”

Another added: “Let’s be honest, this person is looking for confrontation with this absurd note. No rational person would do this. Better to make sure this goes on record.” 

I’m mostly concerned that he’s making my loved ones feel unsafe in their home

Reddit poster

Meanwhile, a third commented: “Remind him that street parking is public and people can park there. 

“If he keeps harassing your visitors, tell them to ignore him but then you can let him know you’ll be calling the non-emergency police line to address his issues.” 

At the same time, one stunned person gasped: “That person is dangerous.”

To this, the Reddit user responded: “That’s what my girlfriend is saying. She’s asking me not to do anything.

“If it wasn’t for her and my kids, I’d have no problem getting really serious about being as petty as humanly possible – like renting a 20 foot residential dumpster for a month and dropping it right across from him.” 

As well as this, the worried father later admitted: “I’m mostly concerned that he’s making my loved ones feel unsafe in their home.

“My son heard me talking to my daughter about it and got really anxious when I said I was going to talk to him. 

“It’s a fine line. I don’t want my kids to think they should live in the shadow of a bully… but I don’t want to have the situation escalate.”

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