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‘I’ve found the best strong-hold brow gel and a way to get it for under £2’

Despite constantly trying new products as part of my job as a beauty editor, I’m fussy about what I use on my eyebrows; years of diligent brow serum use has left them fairly thick but I still want them to look neat and tidy, so I need a brow gel that lifts and holds them in place without looking unnatural.

I’ve had my same favourites for a while now (REFY Brow Sculpt, MAC Pro Locked Brow Gel), but I’ve found a surprising new favourite inside the latest OK! Beauty Box.

This month’s box, called the All Eyes On Your Edit, as its name suggests, contains five products focused on making your eyes look their best, including an eye cream, under-eye masks, eyeliner and eyeshadow palette, as well as my new favourite brow gel. Usually £15 per month, it’s £8.99 to new subscribers to the OK! Beauty Box, with this month’s contents worth an impressive £110.

READ MORE: Dove ‘holiday glow’ gradual tan under £5 in multi-buy bundle that’s cheaper than Boots

READ MORE: Does mouth taping really work? Experts weigh in on this trending wellness practice






The latest OK! Beauty Box is all about the eyes
(
Laura Mulley)

Here’s a full list of everything inside:

First up, what I think is the best product in the box: Saint Luxe Clear Brow Gel. It has a small, firm spoolie brush that’s ideal for brushing hairs up and precisely shaping them, and the formula is seriously strong – my long brow hairs easily drop down, but this clear gel keeps them in place all day long. It also doesn’t leave hardly any white, flaky residue as it dries – a common complain I find with brow gels (my top tip is to do your brows before your foundation).






laura holding saint luxe brow gell


Strong hold without any flaking
(
Laura Mulley)

It usually costs £19 so if you’re a new OK! Beauty Box subscriber and getting this box of five items for £8.99, this brow gel technically costs you about £1.80 – an incredible bargain, and a great way to try a new product for a super-low price.

The other products inside are all hits too: the Canopy eye cream is a decent size (20ml instead of the industry standard 15ml) and worth a huge £43 just on its own, and I always keep a pair of under-eye masks in my bathroom cupboard; these Hello Skin ones don’t slip, and are great for men, too.

The last two products are just brilliant make-up staples: a suits-all, warm-toned eyeshadow palette that even a novice like me can get to grips with, and a waterproof black eyeliner pencil (I find this great for tight-lining the lash line).






Laura holding two beauty box products


Inside you’ll also find this £43 eye cream and a pack of under-eye masks
(
Laura Mulley)






Laura holding beauty box products


Plus two gorgeous make-up items
(
Laura Mulley)

The only person who I think wouldn’t love this box is someone that doesn’t wear make-up, as three out of the five products are make-up ones. However, if you’re tempted by brilliant money-saving beauty subscription services like this one, you probably enjoy receiving a variety of different products inside every month.

If, instead, you’re more into skincare and body products, you might want to check out the one-off Beauty Bay Face & Body Box, which costs £45 but is worth over £250. Alternatively M&S is still selling its Wellness Box 2025 for £30, and containing brands such as Emma Hardie and This Works.

Nate Smith shares secret to perfect Country song and biggest advice from Avril Lavigne

Rising Country music talent Nate Smith is ready for a huge 2025 after scooping the Academy of Country Music Awards’ coveted New Male Artist of the Year gong last year.

The powerful chanter, 39, rose to fame after his song Wildfire went viral on TikTok in 2020. However, it’s now that the wheels are fully in motion for his career to take off – and he is grateful for advice he has received from some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Nate, who originates from Paradise, California, has already had huge hits with the likes of Avril Lavigne and Alesso – and has just announced a massive collaboration with Hardy. While he shows an impressive range of styles to fit his Country tones with a mesh of other genres, he admits that working alongside such names has been huge for his progression.






Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne perform at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards
(
Penske Media via Getty Images)

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror ahead of his European tour and UK Country 2 Country sets he gushed about Sk8er Boi singer Avril, with whom he has twice collaborated with. He said: “She’s one of the most genuine, present people I’ve ever met.”

He added “the way she lives” is the best advice he has taken on board from their working connection. “The way she lives, is the advice,” he confessed. “She’s present, she’s in the moment. She’s enjoying life, like she’s not letting anything overwhelm her. She’s got it dialled.”

Nate went on to reveal his thoughts on what the secret to a successful tune is and how his Country vibe comes from within the lyrics. Explaining his writing process, he said: “I mean, everybody writes differently, you know. I’m really one of those people that I believe that the melody is so important, like, the melody is how you sing along to the song.

“I want every song to be sing-a-long-able. That’s my goal. If they’re not all hits, they’re all going to be catchy and they’re all going to be something that you can grab right away. That’s the most important thing to me.”

Revealing further why he feels Country works so well for an audience, he added: “I think for me, what makes a good Country song is a good story. It’s really about being brutally honest. It’s about being transparent. It’s about telling. Sometimes it’s the grey, it’s like, everything’s not always perfect, you know? And being honest with those challenges.”






Nate will be entertaining UK crowds at Country 2 Country


Nate will be entertaining UK crowds at Country 2 Country
(
Getty Images)

Nate spoke about how he grew up with worship music and working in churches and said that will always be a huge part of who he is. However, he confessed Country music allows an artist to open up on topics and concepts that might be harder to do so in other occasions. “Concepts like drinking and these kinds of things,” he said.

“But what I love so much about country music is that it allows you to talk about things that wouldn’t be okay in certain other other genres. So to me, it’s about embracing that first and foremost. And I think your only way to really make it in Country music anymore is to lean into your own personal styles.

“I think you just have to lean into what you like, but making sure that you’re true and you’re honest with your storytelling. I think that’s where it’s at. But I love the diversity that’s happening and everything [in Country music]. It’s great…Country is a very human genre.”

While a big future awaits, Nate will always remember his past success too – and not only due to his accolades. Following his banger with Alesso, he left a permanent reminder in the way of a tattoo on his arm. Their song titled I Like It – which was played at the Super Bowl last weekend – marked Nate’s first number one on dance radio. “I actually got the tattoo here,” he said as he showed off his artwork. “I like it and did the Skull Head with, like a little disco ball for dancing right here, and everything.”

He quickly joked Alesso hasn’t lived up to his side of the deal yet, though. “Alesso said he’s supposed to get one, so he hasn’t yet. So I’m kind of judging him a little bit.” he teased. “We’ve gotten to perform it and stuff out and everything. It’s really been a really big song for me and him.”

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Hamas releases three Israeli captives as fragile ceasefire holds

The Palestinian group Hamas released three more Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip as the sixth such exchange pushed ahead following days of tense negotiations that threatened to undo the precarious ceasefire.

The three captives – identified as American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexander Sasha Trufanov, and Argentinian-Israeli Yair Horn – were released to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross during a brief ceremony on Saturday in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis.

All three were among those taken by Hamas following its October 7 attack on southern Israel.

Dekel-Chen, Trufanov and Horn were seen carrying certificates for their release and maps of Palestine. They were transported back to Israel for medical examinations before reuniting with their families.

With Saturday’s handover, the number of captives released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has reached 25 since the ceasefire began on January 19.

Dozens of armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters guarded the square where the handover took place.

Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including women, children and the elderly, gathered behind the security cordon trying to witness the release.

Al Jazeera’s Tarek Abu Azzoum, reporting from the site in Khan Younis, described preparations for the release as “highly coordinated” and “marked by a strict security protocol and symbolic display of power”.

‘What is going to happen next?’

Hamas issued a statement after the release saying it was “a renewed message” to Israel.

“The release of the sixth batch of enemy prisoners, confirms there is no way to free them except through negotiations and by adhering to the requirements of the ceasefire agreement,” the group said.

In return for the three captives, Israel is set to return 369 Palestinian prisoners who have been held in Israeli jails, most without any charges or convictions. It is the largest number of Palestinians to be freed since the beginning of the ceasefire.

Most of the prisoners were arrested in Gaza and will be sent back to the besieged enclave. About 10 will be released in the occupied West Bank, one in occupied East Jerusalem, and 25 will either be sent to Gaza or Egypt.

Muhanad Seloom of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies told Al Jazeera so far both parties to the ceasefire are trying to stick to the agreement.

“The tough negotiations would be what comes after the first phase. While the focus is on the release of the hostages, the main question should be what is going to happen the next day?” he said.

“What we see now is Hamas sticking to its end of the deal. Israel is more elusive about it, which signals it might not be committed to the second phase.”

‘No migration except to Jerusalem’

Uri Dromi, a retired Israeli colonel, said, “every Israeli is glued to their TV screen” watching the handover.

“At the same time, people are looking beyond the present event and asking themselves here what will happen in Gaza the next day,” he told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv.

Referring to US President Donald Trump’s proposal to remove all Palestinians from Gaza, he said: “I would hope to see some change in the region – some better future for the people of Gaza. As long as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are pulling the strings there, it is not going to happen,” Dromi said.

Trump’s proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians has been roundly rejected by Palestinian groups and countries in the region.

Inside Caroline Flack’s ‘desperate’ final hours as heartbreaking new details emerge

Five years on from the tragic death of Caroline Flack, friends have shared heartbreaking new details of her final hours.

The TV presenter took her own life at the age of 40 on 15 February 2020. Her heartbroken mum Christine has been channelling her energies into preventing others from suffering the same devastating loss. In a new documentary, she is set to question the events of her daughter’s last 24 hours and the fateful night and if her death could have been prevented.

Caroline had died after learning that her criminal trial for allegedly assaulting then-boyfriend, Lewis Burton, 32, was going ahead. She had initially being told she would only be given a caution. Following a late-night explosive row between the couple in December 2019, the star was arrested and charged with assaulting the model before a downward mental spiral.

On the day before Caroline’s tragic death five years ago, she is said to have desperately tried to find out where Lewis was. She had been barred from having contact with him following the incident. They had been dating for less than a year, with Caroline reportedly “besotted” with the model and former tennis player.

Caroline spent Valentine’s Day 2020 reeling from the news that her trial date had been set. It was to be within weeks, on March 4. It has been reported Caroline spent the day “hysterically calling friends” and trying to locate Lewis. Tragically, just hours later, Caroline was dead.






Caroline was charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, with a trial date set
(
COPYRIGHT UNKNOWN)






Caroline Flack


She had tried to locate Lewis on the day before she died, according to pals
(
PA)

“The end was desperate for Caroline,” a friend told Daily Mail. “She was terrified of what was to come and she just couldn’t cope with it all. It is tragic that she didn’t think there was any way out other than to look how she could kill herself, and then do it. She also desperately missed Lewis, she needed to see him but wasn’t allowed. Looking back at that, it wasn’t fair. Caroline wasn’t a danger and she couldn’t get her head around it.”

On the fifth anniversary of her death, benches have been made in Caroline’s memory. Her mum Christine unveiled the special bench at Tottenham Community Sports Centre in North London, just five miles from where Caroline was born in Enfield. It features the words “someone is always listening” and provides a spot for people to reflect when feeling low.

There is also a QR code linking to Caroline’s story and messages of support. Her loved ones are also expected to remember Caroline at one of the two benches in Norfolk, where she was born, and Islington in north London, where she lived. Christine has detailed how she has been left with a huge hole in her heart after her daughter took her own life.

Caroline’s mum said: “At the end, Carrie didn’t think there was anything to live for, she felt the world had turned against her. I hope people who read her story will see her life was wasted and may think twice about ending theirs. That’s how I want Carrie to be remembered, for inspiring people to live.”

Christine told how the last five years without her daughter, who “loved fun times”, left an irreplaceable void in her life. She added: “We miss her terribly. When Carrie entered a room everything changed, she brought her smile and her laughter. I want her to be remembered with joy because she was funny and loved fun times, she was a really kind person and her nieces and nephews adored her.

“I find it hard to see things about her on the TV and old videos, but we talk about her the whole time and she’s still a big part of us. We always say, ‘Oh, Carrie would like that,’ or laugh about something she would find funny.”

If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

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Maura Higgins posts defiant message as she goes partying after Pete Wicks split

Maura Higgins posted an Instagram story on Friday night that showed she was having a great time on Valentine’s Day without Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks.

Maura and Pete have reportedly called time on their on-off romance, but the former Love Island star proved she was getting along just fine without reality star Pete in a social media post in which she was “painting the town red” with celebrity hair stylist Carl Bembridge.

The Instagram story featured Maura and Carl at central London restaurant Sheesh, with both of them dressed in matching burgundy outfits. While Carl sported a muscle-defining long sleeve T-shirt and leather trousers, Maura celebrated Valentine’s Day by wearing a corset-style mini dress with ruffled skirt. Maura posed for a video clip entitled “My date is hotter than yours,” and also shared photos in which she and Carl posed with a glass of red wine. The song she featured on her Instagram story was Whitney Houston’s classic It’s Not Right But It’s Okay, which features lyrics in which a woman confronts her lover about his infidelity.






Maura Higgins and Carl


Maura shared photos of her Valentine’s night out
(
Instagram/ @maurahiggins)






Maura Higgins


Maura wished her fans a Happy Valentine’s Day
(
Instagram/ @maurahiggins)

It is believed that Maura and Pete have decided they are better off as friends after being in an on-off relationship for several months. Rumours the long-time pals had struck up a romance began last year when they were caught sharing a kiss during a Soho dinner in August. But it now looks like the relationship is over before it even really began.

A source told MailOnline: “Maura and Pete have decided to call off their romance. There have been a few clashes, and it was eventually agreed they were better off as friends. Those closest to them know it’s been a very on and off relationship, which is why they were so resistant to go public in the first place. They remain close and share a deep connection.”

Both Maura and Pete have previously been questioned about their relationship, most recently when Maura appeared on Loose Women following her time in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!






A red-faced Maura Higgins issued a six-word response as she was grilled about Pete Wicks romance rumours


A red-faced Maura Higgins was grilled about Pete Wicks romance rumours on Loose Women
(
ITV)

She was left blushing when she was questioned about her supposed boyfriend Pete. When asked if she would consider appearing on the All Stars version of the ITV2 dating series that made her a household name, Maura quickly responded “no”, adding: “My dating show days are done!”

The panellists were quick to probe further into her comment, leading Maura to clarify: “I don’t want to go on a dating show, I’ve turned down All Stars before and I turned down the Celebs Go Dating. I’ve done it once and I spent the whole time in Love Island single!”

She was then asked by panellist Katie Piper if that meant she was not currently single, to which Maura replied: “No, did I say that? I know what you’re doing! No, I never said anything, next question! ” Frankie Bridge then directly asked: “Is there anything going on with Pete?” and commented that they made a lovely couple.

Maura responded: “Do we? I never really thought about it. He’s got better hair than me to be fair! There’s not really much to tell, I know that’s very boring, we’ve known each other for what, six years? We spend time together, we get on very well, our personalities are very very similar and he’s a great person but there’s actually nothing to tell. There’s really not though, no one believes me, there’s not!”

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Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd issues stern wedding warning after row with fiancée

Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd has admitted to hitting a snag in his wedding plans with fiancée Hanni Treweek, confessing “I can’t do it” after a disagreement over the cost of children’s outfits for their big day.

The actor, known for his role as David Platt, announced his engagement to his scriptwriter partner last year, following seven years together. However, planning their nuptials hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing, as Jack revealed during an appearance on the On The Sofa podcast with fellow Corrie stars Colson Smith and Ben Price.

“We have actually had the first argument of the wedding,” he shared. “So everything before this, it’s been, ‘We’re agreeing on everything’.” Jack explained that he initially wanted matching outfits for his nieces and nephews to be part of the wedding procession, but was taken aback by the costs involved. “I didn’t know that, as the bride and groom, you have to pay for all their suits and costumes,” reports the Daily Star.






Jack P Shepherd and Hanni Treweek both smile for the camera. Both are wearing matching grey cotton bathrobes and are in a log cabin.


Jack told fiancee Hanni that he would not pay for some of their wedding expenses
(
@jackpshepherd88/Instagram)






Actor Jack P Shepherd smiles for the camera while standing on a red carpet at an awards ceremony. He is wearing a shirt, trouser and blazer - all black - and a necklace.


The star has played David on Coronation Street for 25 years
(
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Colson Smith, who portrays Craig Tinker in the soap, chimed in: “You have to pay for everything, pal! You pay for mine and Ben’s suits!” Jack explained that while he can rent suits for the groomsmen, he’s concerned the children might “ruin” their outfits on the big day. “You can’t really hire the kid’s suits,” he said. “What do kids do at weddings? They f*** up their suits. They do the Peter Kay knee slide, so you have to pay for them. My brother’s got four kids, my sister’s got four kids, plus there’s my two, so there’s 10 children.”

Colson speculated that meant a bill of “a grand, minimum” to kit out the kids for a wedding, but Jack believed the cost would be “way more” when adding up the outfits and shoes. Sharing how the conversation went with his fiancee Hanni, Jack said: “I was like ‘I’m not doing it, I can’t do it, I don’t like them that much.'” Nevertheless, Hanni stood her ground, convinced “they’re going to have to” splash out on the attire, prompting Jack to take a decisive stance.

He boldly informed the family WhatsApp group: “I ain’t doing it,” sticking to his guns that the children’s parents should cover the cost of their own little ones’ wedding wear. Much to Jack’s relief, his family agreed to pay for their garments themselves. He went on to say: “We had a bit of a do but we’ve sorted it out. It’s the first disagreement. She was saying we have to, but I said there’s too many of them.”

Jack confided in Colson and Ben that though he drew the line at the kids’ clothing, he did consent to fork out for the bridesmaids’ frocks, along with some cosy pyjamas and slippers — suggesting even a billionaire would balk at such an expense. “If Elon Musk got this bill, he’d go ‘I can’t pay it’,” he joked. “He’d sort of look at it and go ‘really?'”

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