YOUR NOVEMBER LIST: Wellness, the ZIIP, a great book and TV to hibernate with.

1. Good sleep starts in morning. Get out in sunlight within first hour of waking to kick start your circadian rhythm, then at night create a sleep routine (yes just like you would for a child) that works for you.

2. Not all supplements are equal - most are full of s*hit. I stick to Wild Nutrition, Equi London or Bare Biology and I'd probably start with the three most of us are deficient in - Magnesium, Vitamin D and Omegas. 

3. If you don’t work on lowering your cortisol before you’re stressed to the max then it will bite you in the ass. Learn to create calm in daily pockets. Walking, reading, whatever works for you. 

4. The best nutritional tip is to vary what you eat. 30 plants a week is easier if you know your herbs (even dried ones in a curry etc count). But garlic, lemons and onions are definite power houses, keep them coming.

5. Write 3 good things that have happen to you every night before bed. Sleep better and happier. Gratitude is everything 🙏

If there is one person that I can always rely on for an excellent book recommendation it's my friend Natasha Poliszczuk, who is Content Director at Book Brunch and writes an excellent substack that you must read called 'Book-ish'. Her pick this month is Ordinary Time by Cathy Rentzenbrink.

" I feel Cathy Rentzenbrink’s Ordinary Time has been curiously overlooked - despite comparisons to Anne Tyler and Barbara Pym and being both beautifully written and compelling.

Ann is a reluctant vicar’s wife, but her husband is closer to God than he is to her, so when she is led into temptation, it is hard not to stray. It’s a sharp-eyed, tender, compassionate look at marriage, loyalty, love, duty and motherhood. More than that, it probes the tension between surface appearances and women’s tumultuous inner lives as as we are pulled in all directions. (Particularly in middle age.) Like Tyler, Rentzenbrink sees the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the wonder of the heart. Glorious stuff."

I had been eyeing the ZIIP Halo device up for some time having heard amazing things, so was thrilled (and somewhat shocked) when I was approached to review it. Combining microcurrent and nanocurrent techology, the ZIIP facial device uses a low-level electrical current to lift and tighten the skin. Created by Hollywood aesthetician Melanie Simon, the device uses 26 different waveforms of varying intensity to target skin concerns from fine lines and acne to puffiness and dull skin. The microcurrent is stronger and encourages muscles to contract and relax, whilst the softer nanocurrent stimulates collagen production and the regeneration of skin at cellular level. To use it you have to slather a layer of conductive gel over your face before gliding the device over different areas. The free app, which syncs to your device, offers lots of different videos talking you through the 'facials' which include options from a collagen boosting treatment to others targeting pimples and jowls, each featuring a different waveform programme.

Initially, it feels quite strange as you glide the handheld device over your skin, especially on programmes, which use the more intense microcurrent technology (on the pimple targeting programme, it felt quite uncomfortable on the irritating spot that had popped up on my nose). However, I have grown to enjoy the process, particularly when following Melanie Simon's videos, which feel very Californian and weirdly almost space age (I love how she talks about 'gnarly breakouts' whilst trippy music plays in the background). Moreover, it all feels ritualistic and taking 5-10 minutes out of the day to just massage your face is incredibly calming. But, the results? I am halfway through the 14-day 'Glass Skin' programme, so shall report back (on Instagram) when I have finished, but I do think my skin is already looking more glowing and less 'November grey'. More interestingly, I have used the ZIIP twice on my son, who was very keen to try the acne targeting programme. As a year 11 with typical teen breakouts and a Gen Z who loves the idea of self-care, he was keen to try the ZIIP and the impact on his forehead has been amazing, improving his skin with just two sessions. Officially you aren't meant to use the device if you are under 18, so this is very much user beware. Also - at his age any skin stimulation will result in far better results than on my old face, but still, it's been pretty impressive.

So, do I think it's worth it? At £379.99 it's a lot of money. But, I think that yes, from the results so far, it is worth it. Considering I paid £100 for a pretty average facial a few months ago that did little but deeply cleanse my skin, then this is good value - IF you use it. And consistent use is the key. You can't do one session, forget about it and then try it again a month later. It's all about consistency and regular use, which when you build it into your routine becomes rather enjoyable. And on a cold November night, a really rather nice thing to do. 

If you would like 10% off your ZIIP HALO device, use the code WARDROBE44 at checkout. 

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was gifted the ZIIP HALO device, but there was no obligation to post.