Icy temperatures, shorter daylight hours, indoor heating… In winter, your body is constantly adjusting to extremes. Small changes to your body care routine can make a big difference to your wellness when the wiles of winter strike and reduce your chances of developing nutrient deficiencies. Follow these three basic tips to help you feel your best all year long.

1. Protect your skin barrier

Cold outdoor air and indoor central heating both reduce humidity, increasing water loss from the outer skin layer. This can weaken the skin barrier, the protective layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Daily moisturising can support this barrier, particularly on sensitive skin areas like your face. Consider switching from a light lotion to a thicker cream before spending time outdoors, as richer formulas generally reduce water loss more effectively. If you develop painful cracks, inflammation, or persistent itching that doesn’t improve, always speak to your GP.

2. Help your body regulate its temperature

When you’re cold, your body narrows the blood vessels near the skin to reduce heat loss and withdraws warmth from the extremities to regulate your core temperature. That’s usually when your fingers and toes become the chilliest. To help your body regulate temperature more easily, you can:

Dress in layers for better insulation

A breathable base layer, middle layer, and wind-resistant coat work well for a winter walk.Make sure your clothes are dry

Have spare socks and a jumper on hand if you’re likely to get caught in winter showers, as wet fabric draws heat away from the body faster.

Consider regular sauna sessions

Regular sauna sessions lasting 15-20 minutes can significantly improve circulation, helping your body maintain consistent warmth.

3. Support skin and hair through nutrition

Skin and hair need a steady supply of protein, vitamins and minerals to stay healthy through winter. Eat nutrient-rich foods such as eggs, yoghurt, fish, tofu, beans and lentils is the best way to improve your intake through diet. However, if you notice any alarming changes, like unusual amounts of hair shedding when you’re in the shower, you may need to top up your diet with multivitamins. Specialist hair loss vitamins for women contain biotin and zinc, essential nutrients that support scalp health and hair growth.

The bottom line: implement the basics well, and you’ll reap the benefits

Winter wellness doesn’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul. A richer moisturiser, sensible layers, and quality multivitamins can help your body handle the colder months with less discomfort, quickly. Start with small changes that fit your routine and seek professional advice if any symptoms persist.

Booking an overseas holiday on a limited budget usually involves one uncomfortable choice: do you pay more to stay close to the places you want to see, or choose a better hotel further away? Both can improve a trip, but not in the same way. A marble bathroom is lovely, yet less impressive when reaching the old town requires two buses. Equally, a central room is poor value if your ideal week involves long breakfasts, afternoons by the pool and quiet evenings on a balcony, isn’t it?

For a short city break or a sightseeing-heavy holiday, location usually earns its keep. Staying within walking distance of museums, restaurants, beaches or an old town cuts down on fares, waiting and the debate about whether one more journey is worth the effort. It also makes spontaneous plans easier, as you can quickly return to your room for a rest or change of clothes. That’s especially important on a three- or four-night trip, when an hour spent travelling each way can swallow a meaningful part of the holiday. It’s worth reading these tips on finding a Mediterranean island that fits your travel style, if you want to know more about the right base for the experience you want.

YouGov research published in July 2025 found that price and location were tied as the most important accommodation factor for UK adults, each chosen by 26%. And yes, that feels about right: a bargain is only a bargain if the address does not make the trip awkward.

Is the hotel part of your holiday?

A higher-standard hotel can be the better use of your money when the property isn’t merely somewhere to sleep. You may want to spend hours using the pool, spa, restaurant, gardens and entertainment – and in that case, a comfortable bed, good soundproofing, attractive outdoor space and reliable service affect every day of the trip.

That also includes practical luxury: Air conditioning that works properly, a lift, an accessible bathroom, a children’s club or half-board dining may matter far more than designer toiletries. Think about the weakest point of a cheaper hotel and ask whether it would bother you.

If you plan to hire a car, enjoy quiet resort days or take only one or two organised excursions, being outside the centre may be no real disadvantage. Conversely, paying for facilities you will barely use is simply funding somebody else’s perfect holiday.

What is the final cost?

The nightly price is only the beginning. Before booking, estimate all other costs that might not be in the equation yet. A cheaper property can lose its advantage surprisingly quickly if every outing starts with a taxi; a central hotel may justify a modest premium by letting you walk and making a shorter break feel longer. The reverse can also be true: a resort outside town with breakfast, dinner, airport transfers and free activities included may cost less overall than a smart central room with nothing added.

ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2025–26 report says value for money remains at the forefront of holiday decisions, which is more useful than simply chasing the lowest headline price. A simple “door-to-door and day-to-day” budget gives you a much fairer comparison, so take your time when comparing options.

And what matters most?

Thankfully, this is not always a choice between a tired room beside the cathedral and a palace in the middle of nowhere. Search one or two neighbourhoods beyond the tourist centre, but stay near a direct metro, tram or bus route. Consider a good three-star hotel with excellent reviews instead of stretching to a five-star property, or choose the standard room in a better-located hotel rather than paying for a suite.

Travelling in the shoulder season can also bring a stronger location or better facilities within reach, while my guide to planning a budget-friendly European weekend trip has useful ideas for keeping other costs down. If your dates and destination are flexible, browsing last-minute holiday deals can reveal combinations you may not have considered. But before paying, check recent reviews for noise, cleanliness, transport and whether advertised facilities are in fact open; stars alone do not tell you how a stay will feel.

So, for an active city break, pay for a safe, convenient base and accept fewer frills. For a restful resort holiday, spend more on the room and facilities you will use every day. Most importantly, decide what would improve your own trip rather than what looks luxurious in photographs. If the hotel removes journeys, stress or extra spending, location is the luxury. If it is where you plan to relax, eat and recharge, the hotel itself deserves the budget.

Finding the perfect outfit for a wedding is only half the job. The jewellery you choose can lift a simple look into something truly special or, if you get it wrong, distract from an otherwise beautiful outfit. Whether you're attending a summer garden party or a candlelit winter ceremony, a little planning makes all the difference.

Start With the Neckline

Necklines are the single biggest factor when it comes to wedding jewellery. Most wedding guest dresses fall into a handful of shapes, and each one pairs naturally with different pieces.

A V neck is the easiest to dress. A delicate pendant that sits just above the point of the V draws the eye beautifully and balances the shape.

Sweetheart and strapless necklines leave the collarbone on show, so a fine choker or a short chain works well. Alternatively, skip the necklace altogether and let a pair of statement earrings take centre stage.

High necks and halternecks are best left bare. Focus instead on drop earrings and a bracelet or two, which won't compete with the fabric around your throat.

One shoulder styles are made for a single bold earring or a pair of sculptural studs. A necklace tends to look awkward against the asymmetric line.

Styling Jewellery With a Jumpsuit

A jumpsuit is a wonderful canvas for jewellery. Because it creates one long, unbroken line, it suits pieces that add a focal point. A cuff or a stack of slim bangles looks fantastic with a sleeveless style, while a long pendant can elongate the silhouette on a V neck design.

If your jumpsuit has ruffles, a cape or an embellished neckline, keep jewellery minimal. A pair of studs and a simple ring is often all you need.

Choose Your Metal

Gold, silver and rose gold all have their place at a wedding. Warm metals such as yellow and rose gold flatter jewel tones, earthy shades and warmer skin tones, while silver, white gold and platinum look crisp against pastels, navy and cooler colours.

Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable these days, but it works best when it looks intentional, such as a stack of rings in two tones rather than a random assortment.

Coordinating With Colour

Your outfit's colour can help you choose gemstones too. Complementary colours create the most striking combinations, so emerald green looks wonderful with ruby or garnet accents, while navy is lifted by citrine or yellow sapphire. For a softer effect, choose stones in the same family as your outfit, such as aquamarine with powder blue or amethyst with lilac.

Prints and patterns are usually best paired with simple metal pieces, which let the fabric do the talking. Pearls are a reliable option with almost any colour and are rarely the wrong choice.

Think About the Season

Spring weddings suit pearls and soft rose gold, which pair beautifully with pastel shades. Summer is the time for colourful gemstones and gold that catches the sunlight.

Autumn calls for warmer stones such as garnet, citrine and smoky quartz, which sit perfectly against rust, burgundy and forest green. Winter is the perfect excuse for a little extra sparkle, with crystals or diamonds looking stunning against velvet and deep jewel tones.

Don't Outshine the Bride

Wedding guest jewellery should feel elegant rather than attention grabbing. Avoid anything that could be mistaken for bridal jewellery, such as a tiara or an elaborate headpiece, and steer clear of wearing more than one statement piece at once. If your earrings are bold, keep your necklace simple, and vice versa.

Don't Forget Your Hands

Rings and bracelets will be on show more than you might think, especially when you're holding a glass of fizz or clapping the speeches. A cocktail ring adds a touch of glamour, while a stack of fine bands looks effortless. A manicure in a shade that complements your outfit and jewellery finishes the look nicely.

Practical Considerations

A wedding is a long day. Heavy earrings can become uncomfortable after a few hours, so choose a weight you can happily wear from the ceremony to the last dance. Check clasps and settings before the day, particularly on vintage or treasured pieces, and consider leaving very valuable items at home if the celebration is outdoors or abroad.

If you're travelling to the wedding, pack your jewellery in a padded travel case to stop chains tangling and stones getting scratched.

If you're wearing a hat or fascinator, keep your earrings simple so they don't compete with the headpiece.

Final Thoughts

The right jewellery doesn't need to be expensive or elaborate. Choose pieces that complement your neckline, suit the season and feel comfortable all day, and you'll have a wedding guest look that's polished, personal and perfectly finished.