Category Entertainment News

We’ve come across a clever shopping hack on TikTok that not only saves you money on beauty products – including popular high-value items – but also helps you to clear out too

One beauty product that the Mirror beauty team probably gets asked about more than anything else is LED face masks, and in particular, the popular Shark CryoGlow LED Mask. Our head of shopping Zoe thinks it’s worth the money – but we’ve noticed a way that shoppers have been getting their hands on one for ‘free’.

Over on TikTok, a number of videos are going viral with shoppers explaining how they’re able to get high-value items such as designer perfumes or the Shark LED mask for free using Boots’ recycling scheme, something that we admit that we knew very little about before hitting upon this hack. Here’s how it works…

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First, you’ll need to download the Recycle at Boots app, and find your nearest store taking part in the scheme. Next, scan your beauty empties and log them on the app – most materials except for those easily recycled via kerbside services (e.g. glass jars, plastic shampoo bottles) are accepted. This is perfect for getting rid of items such as toothpaste tubes and pumps, which are normally tricky to recycle at home.

Then, simply bring your beauty empties along with you into store (cleaned out as well as possible), scan the QR code on the bin, and drop them in. For every five items you recycle, you’ll receive a bonus of 500 Boots Advantage Card points when you spend £10 or more in store within three days. As every Advantage Card point is worth 1p, this gets you £5 worth of points to spend however you like – and these all add up.

Of course, you do have to spend money to accrue these points (£10 to get the 500 point recycling bonus), but if you plan it well, you can time your recycling drop-off with stocking up on everyday essentials such as deodorants, shampoo and even prescriptions.

You will also have to diligently save up your points for a good while before you’ll be able to afford to spend them on a pricey item like an LED mask; you’ll need 30,000 points to be able to exchange them for a Shark CryoGlow, and on a couple of the most popular TikTok videos on this topic, the creators explain that they saved up their points for 12-18 months before having enough to use to buy this. However, if you’re good at saving (and waiting!), it could be worth it in the end – and, of course, you’re ensuring all your beauty empties get properly recycled.

Of course, if you can’t wait that long to get your hands on an LED mask, you can always just buy the Shark mask immediately for £299.99, and there are lots of other options available to buy nowadays. One of the best value ones is the UKLASH LED Dual Light Pro-Therapy Face Mask, £199 (you can read my full review of it here), while I also really like the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2, £399.99.

Singer Taylor Swift has shared an update on her dad Scott Swift and his recovery after the singer moved in with him after the Shake It Off star’s father had major heart surgery

Taylor Swift moved in with her dad, Scott Swift, after he underwent quintuple bypass surgery.

The All Too Well singer has detailed her father’s recovery from the major operation, which he underwent in June, and how she experienced “parent-child reversal” nursing him amid his recovery.

Providing an update on her parent on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, she said: “So, he’s been telling all his friends, ‘you need to get the stress test because that’s what’s actually preventative.’ If you can find that earlier, you don’t have to have a bypass surgery.” It comes after Taylor Swift sparks engagement rumours as fans spot Travis Kelce’s lock screen.

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Taylor added: “You can sort out those blockages with stents and things that are a lot less invasive.” Scott kept his sense of humour and was cracking jokes in his hospital bed after waking up from his operation.

Taylor recounted: “He wakes up from surgery, and it’s my mom, my brother [Austin], and me and his best friend. He did like a comedy act, a comedy set for 15 minutes. He was the funniest he’s ever been, and he’s usually really funny.”

She continued: “And it was kind of wild because it was like, very parent-child reversal in a lot of ways. My brother and my mom and I were each taking shifts in the ICU and staying with him 24/7.”

The But Daddy I Love him singer’s papa famously handed out guitar picks to fans on her Eras Tour, and in his sleepy state, he was trying to give them to the hospital staff.

Taylor shared: “He came out of surgery, tried to give guitar picks to all the nurses and doctors, but he wasn’t wearing pants, didn’t have pockets, hospital gown, you know?”

Taylor got to work ensuring her dad could shower and get around in a walker.

She said: “I’m like, this dude built play sets and swing sets and cribs for me. I’m building his shower chair and his walker, and his bed that goes like this.

“It’s just surreal, man. You can’t really walk on your own. We had a little harness for my dad, just like walking dad on his harness.”

She added: “And he was like the loveliest patient ever. He just kept saying thank you over and over again.”

N-Dubz star Tulisa stepped back into the public eye in 2024 on I’m A Celebrity – and in her new book Judgement: Love, Trials, and Tribulations, she has revealed she learnt an important lesson from her brief time on the show

After years away from the spotlight, Tulisa Contostavlos returned in a major way in 2024 when she appeared in the 24th series of I’m A Celebrity.

The N-Dubz star joined the likes of Danny Jones, Rev Richard Coles and Coleen Rooney in the jungle reality show. But her time was short-lived, and she was the third contestant to be booted out.

Following her elimination, Tulisa surprised many by quickly leaving Australia and not participating in the final reunion show. She also deleted all mentions of the show from her social media, later explaining that she felt “overwhelmed” by the attention.

READ MORE: Tulisa Contostavlos ‘forced to flee I’m A Celebrity’ as she lays bare secret health battle

“A lot of bombarding, in all the most positive way but because it’s been a bit of a while for me, I can get overwhelmed quite easily,” the Sight of You singer said in an Instagram video. “I just need to take a bit of time for me and just chill and this is all just feeling a little bit much at the moment.”

While her time on the show was brief, it helped provide clarity for Tulisa, who has touched upon the experience in her new book, Judgement: Love, Trials, and Tribulations.

Writing in the epilogue, the star shares: “I can see clearer now, I have a strong sense of inner peace and an internal happiness that comes from within. It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of myself. I’ve managed to successfully return with N-Dubz and had a fun little stint on I’m a Celebrity… though it has confirmed my feelings of wanting to remain a little less in the spotlight.

READ MORE: Heartbroken Tulisa Contostavlos pulls out of Pride event as famous dad dies

“I can’t say I enjoyed eating lamb bollocks and being pi**ed on with rain during the rainiest season ever, but I am grateful for the experience because it’s only by getting uncomfortable that we can grow.

“Mostly I was very grateful for the opportunity to show people my true self after so many years of such giant misconception of who I truly was, and I’ve certainly felt a change for the better in people’s energy towards me since. All is finally well, but there were certainly moments along the way to get to this point where my hope was short.”

Tulisa made her name in the 2000s as part of N-Dubz before launching her solo career and later appearing as a judge on X-Factor in 2011. She largely stepped back from the public eye when, in 2014, charges were brought against her after an undercover reporter from The Sun – ‘Fake Sheikh’ Mazher Mahmood – claimed she’d brokered a deal to supply Class A drugs.

The drugs trial collapsed after the reporter was found to have lied in his evidence, and Mahmood received a 15-month prison sentence.

READ MORE: Where Fake Sheik Mazher Mahmood is now after ITV I’m A Celebrity’s Tulisa drug scandal

Previously, Mahmood had been employed by the Sunday Times and the now-defunct News of the World. He gained notoriety for exposing wrongdoings but faced criticism for orchestrating stings while masquerading as an Arab businessman to secure stories.

One of his high-profile targets was model Jodie Kidd, who discussed her ordeal in the 2023 Prime Video documentary series “The Fake Sheikh,” where she lamented that befriending him was “the biggest mistake of my life,” after being labelled a “coke fixer” in the press following their encounter.

Fern Britton rose to fame after appearing on This Morning, but it was in a look back to her 20s that she revealed an incident at a Royal event attended by King Charles

Former This Morning star Fern Britton has said that she received a punch to the kidney from one of the King’s protection officers when she met the monarch during her teenage years.

In the early 2000s, she shot to fame after co-hosting This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield, but she has recently looked back to her younger days when she was trying to find her feet as an actor.

In a chat with Tim Lihoreau on the Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? podcast, the 68-year-old revealed how she used to write letters to the then Prince of Wales asking if he could attend any of her shows.

While she admitted that she would always receive a response, it wasn’t until her 20s that she finally got the opportunity to meet the monarch while he was attending a money-raising event at Salisbury Cathedral.

But her once-in-a-lifetime moment didn’t go exactly according to plan after she claimed that she received a blow to the kidney as she approached His Highness: “There was one time when I did get a sort of kidney punch from one of his (King Charles’) protection officers, because I was getting a bit too close with a microphone when he went to Salisbury, because he was raising money for the Salisbury Cathedral spire to be refixed.”

And sharing more details on how the alleged incident unfolded, she explained: “I had a beautiful suit on and I was looking good.”

She continued: “I was in my early to mid-20s, and getting closer and closer and closer just to hear what he was saying to the crowd.”

The monarch then apparently glanced at one of his protection officers, and shortly after, she was struck. However, she admitted that she doesn’t think it was meant to be “that hard.”

Leaving her career in acting behind after leaving The Cambridge Theatre Company, she took her first steps into broadcasting in the 1980s when she took a local TV role in Plymouth.

While successfully landing a number of roles since then, it was in the 1990s that her career began to reach new heights.

In 1994, she was announced as presenter of Ready Steady Cook, but left the show shortly after becoming a full-time presenter on ITV’s This Morning, where she co-hosted until 2009.

Coleen Rooney has put her detective skills to use for a brand new job after her the clever way in which disclosed that Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account was behind her leaked private information

Wagatha Christie star Coleen Rooney has landed a new job thanks to her cunning detective skills. The businesswoman is no stranger when it comes to figuring out the truth and her latest move has also seen her take a swipe at Arsenal.

Now, the 39-year-old is using her investigative skills once again – after she uncovered while trying to work out who was leaking private information from her social media to the public. Liverpudlian Coleen is starring in a new TV advert for Paddy Power in which she takes on a role working in Justice Refund, which sees her heading up a mock Investigation Department, taking on a wide variety of made-up cases.

One part of her new role sees her look in the viral catchphrase “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” and the “latest referring conspiracy theories” by dozens of Arsenal fans, with one claiming that the “footballs are out to get” the players. It comes after David Beckham speaks ‘as a father’ in ‘family’ announcement after latest Brooklyn snub.

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But Coleen believes the dozens of fans are actually one person, putting on fake voices for the phone call complaints. The Justice Refund will see Irish bookmaker Paddy Power give cash back to those who backed Manchester City in the Premier League since 2011, despite a verdict on their alleged 114 FFP breaches still to be decided.

Paddy Power’s Justice Refund covers eight seasons and will see Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool fans come out on top. Over 100,000 punters had backed Manchester United to win the league in 2011/12, 2017/18 and 2020/21. Meanwhile, Liverpool were backed in 2013/14 and 2021/22, while Arsenal were backed in 2022/23 and 2023/24 – they will all have their stakes returned, despite the verdict surrounding City’s 115 financial charges to be decided.

City had been hit with the 115 charges over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play in February, but this later rose to 130. Reflecting on the City investigation, Coleen said: “As the investigation is still ongoing, we can’t be sure that Man City have broken FFP rules.

“The uncertainty isn’t fair on fans and leaves only one reasonable cause of action. Paddy Power should just be sound and do the biggest Justice Refund of all time.”

“I’ve spoken to the airline and they said Nancy sang ‘Hey Soul Sister’, three times in a row,” after a Jet2 passenger claimed she was “booed off the stage” during karaoke, adding she “didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

Reflecting on the Arsenal allegations, Coleen added: “I’ve listened to the audio on those Arsenal complaints. It’s the lads from Arsenal Fan TV, putting on a different voice each time. You know, like in Mrs. Doubtfire.”

She added: “I’m looking at the data and you are correct, your team has been last on Match of the Day more than anyone else. No, I don’t think it’s a conspiracy, you’re just not very good.” She later added: “I’m looking at the phone votes here and it seems suspicious.

“A lad from McFly winning I’m A Celeb? Doesn’t seem realistic does it? You just called in to say how well VAR is being run and referees deserve more credit? That’s lovely, can I get your name? Howard Wobb? Great, let me just make a note of that, Mr. Wobb,” as she became suspicious.

Speaking of the new role, Coleen said: “Fans invest so much into football, emotionally and financially, and sometimes it feels like they don’t get much back. This was a fun way to shine a light on that, whilst actually giving something back to the people who make the game what it is.”

With many students left worried by their exam scores, Clarkson Farm’s Jeremy Clarkson has shared his annual A-Level results day post in the hope of easing their minds, but it’s left people divided

Jeremy Clarkson has stirred up a mix of reactions with his latest A-Level results day post, boasting about the helicopter landing pad he’s installing in his garden. The Top Gear legend shared his thoughts on social media just as students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were receiving their A-Level results this morning.

While the pivotal day brings excitement for students ready to leave college and sixth-form behind, it also comes with high anxiety. Some students have been left gutted, not achieving the grades they hoped for, which can impact university placements and job prospects, overshadowing their dedication and study efforts.

Clarkson, known for his annual reassurance tweets on A Level and GCSE results days, isn’t bashful about his own lacklustre academic performance. Despite his poor exam results, the 65-year-old Amazon Prime star of Clarkson’s Farm often highlights how well things have worked out for him regardless.

In a tweet posted at 8.11am this morning [August 14], Jeremy quipped: “If your A level results are disappointing, don’t worry. I got a C and two Us and here I am today, installing lights for a helicopter landing pad in my garden.”

The tradition of Clarkson’s A-Level results day tweets goes back to 2014, providing a source of solace for many students facing the stress of the day.

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Commenting on the post, one individual said: “Every year without fail this makes me laugh. “Been waiting for this,” another chimed in.

“Always love this time of year,” someone else remarked. One person commented: “Like clockwork! But good message! There are different types of talents and formal education doesn’t capture all.”

Yet some seem weary of hearing the same cringy annual post, while others pointed out that Jeremy didn’t exactly start from scratch.

His parents, Shirley and Eddie Clarkson, amassed a family fortune with their business, Gabrielle Designs, creators of the beloved Paddington Bear toys. This afforded Jeremy the privilege of private education.

“Same joke for about a decade now,” one commenter noted. Another quipped: “Hardly born into poverty in the first place, squire. you were never really going to struggle.”

Someone else highlighted: “Oh Jeremy I know you don’t know any different but that’s not how it works for most people. Luck is an element often underestimated.”

Another added: “Congratulations, Jeremy! But don’t forget that a helicopter represents academic excellence, just like your supercars do. Let’s encourage academic excellence, which gives society all the skills it needs to survive.”

One more observed: “It was a different time back then, but the moral of the story stands. The fact is, the majority of high achievers in school end up doing pretty average jobs making a tiny bit more than the average person but still having more debt.”

Clarkson’s post coincides with a record-breaking year for UK degree course acceptances, which have seen an increase of 3.1 per cent.