Stylist
Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Layla, an experienced writer and editor with a passion for all things content, trending, beauty and lifestyle. On a day to day basis, you'll currently find me working as Content Editor at APL Media, where I write, oversee and commission for lifestyle supplements in the likes of the Evening Standard, Telegraph and the Guardian. I'm also a writer and social editor for digital lifestyle platform Living360, where I focus on trending topics and beauty and wellness. For anything work related, to do with Living360, the newspapers or our social handles, please email me on [email protected].
Elsewhere, I'm a freelance journalist and content creator, with a focus on wellness and beauty. Projects I've worked on include audience/growth projects (Evening Standard), marketing assistance (BestAtTravel), and freelance writing for a range of publications, as well as working on a number of content creation projects for brands including Dior, GoPuff, Dermalogica and others. For any freelance journalism, marketing assistance or social media/digital requests, please contact me on [email protected].
You'll find examples of my work below. Hope to hear from you soon!
Stylist
Adult acne can be hard to treat but hormonal tests may offer an answer as to why it happens. We tried a Thriva test + found that low oestrogen may be a factor
Living360
Colon cancer is more prevalent in those under 50 than ever. But why, and what symptoms do you need to be aware of? Two doctors tell all.
The trendiest alternative milk on the block has fallen victim to criticism from health experts and nutritionists. But should you stop drinking it?
With Sex and The City soon to make its Netflix debut, we take a look back at all the time Carrie Bradshaw was a terrible, problematic friend.
Paris was recently named the number one European city for wellbeing in a study by Cult Beauty - here's our top wellness picks in the capital.
Like most, we're obsessed with a matcha latte. Here are our favourite spots to get your fix of the green beverage across the capital.
If you're active on the internet and social media, it's likely you've seen The Guardian's now viral interview with Jodie Foster , in which she described Gen Z
With the nights getting colder, it's becoming even harder to drag ourselves off the sofa and go to the gym. Let us introduce you to cosy cardio.
"Dopamine dressing uses the simple methodology that wearing brightly coloured clothes can brighten your mood," says Megan Watkins, head stylist at SilkFred.
Sofia Richie Grange just brought back foundation lips. Here, we look back at the millennial makeup trends that ruled the noughties.
From Hailey Bieber's 'glazed donut nails' to chrome french manicures, these are the nail trends you need to try on your next visit to the salon.
Living360 speaks to women's health professionals on the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis, including how to manage symptoms.
Liquid chlorophyll, parasite cleansing and sea moss - it's been a weird time for wellness trends in 2023. The latest among these is ashwagandha, an ancient
Celebrities are rewriting the rules of maternity fashion, opting to ditch the frumpy dresses and elasticated waistbands in favour of looks that are a little
Feeling the winter blues? Here's all the new openings and events this year worth knowing about, including the return of Mean Girls to the big screen.
Suffering with breakouts or problem skin? Our editor puts an exclusive, £98 per month skincare membership to the test.
Worried that your vaping habit is starting to become an issue? Living360 looks at the dangers associated with elf bars and other vape pens.
The 'clean girl' aesthetic is dominating our screens. From dewy skin to slick backed buns, here's how to get the look.
Pantone has announced its colour of the year, and it's one we can get on board with. Here's all the best 'peach fuzz' beauty buys to try now.
Whether you're dipping your toe into exercise or looking to take your workouts to the next level, Living360 lists the best at home fitness gear.
We asked Dr Nina Naidu, founder of natural skincare brand Anokha, to tell us more about the differences between male and female skin.
Struck down with a cold and got FOMO? Look after yourself this festive season with these expert winter wellness tips.
Living360 spoke with the experts at Pixi Beauty to find out about how our skincare needs change throughout the seasons.
Here's everything you need to know about the winter blues, otherwise known as SAD, including ways to make living with the condition easier.
Living360 takes a look at the famed street style of Margot Robbie, and how you can achieve her look for less.
Christmas is just around the corner, which means a never-ending diary of social plans. Take some time our for you with a last-minute spa day.
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Luxury London
For most women, we're told from an early age that our wedding days will be one of the most important in our lives. And, influenced by celebrity weddings on social media and a wedding industry only too happy to endorse excess and extravagance, the pressure on brides to throw the most memorable celebration possible is extreme.
Much like our bathroom cabinets, the celebrity skincare space has become so over cluttered, that it can be hard to navigate. Spurred on by social media, the skincare market at large is also growing at an alarming rate - much faster than any other segment of the beauty industry - so it makes sense that our famous counterparts would want to jump on the bandwagon.
The Sun/The Sun US
Lovers of the style will know that an essential product for achieving straight hair is a high-quality straightening iron. GHD is a globally recognized brand and is perhaps the most effective on the market today. From cordless designs to devices that are specially created for thicker hair types, GHD makes getting model-worthy hair a breeze with fast heating time and modern technology.
VACUUMING is arguably the most satisfying part of cleaning your home, made only more convenient by the nifty, cordless options available. It can be tough to navigate the market of cordless vacuum cleaners, as there are so many available, from tailor-made 'for pet' solutions to handy and compact designs that help you clean those hard-to-reach places.
ENJOY mega savings on your favorite Best Buy products this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Best Buy is renowned for offering customers generous discounts across a range of household favorites, and this year is set to be no exception. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Black Friday, so you can make the most of the deals on offer.
PLANNING a holiday and want to make sure your summer ready? Find flattering swimwear that offers a bit of support. Preparing for a holiday can take a lot of work, what with manicures, waxes and facials all on your pre holiday to do list.
IF your home is in need of some TLC, make sure you take advantage of Home Depot's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals this year. The annual sale is likely to include savings on Home Depot's range of tools, furnishings, and more - so you can save on everything you need to keep your home looking stylish, as well as keeping your bank account happy.
SUMMER has arrived in full force, and those who sleep in the hottest room of the house are suffering. Luckily, we've rounded up the best fans for sleeping, so you can get some much-needed shut-eye. It can be difficult to choose the best fan for sleeping.
Cohorted Cult
Winter: a season for cosy nights in, Winter walks and hot chocolate. Whilst the festive season brings with it much joy, the cold weather can wreak havoc on our skin, and our usually perfect skin care regimes can lose their magic.
In the fast-paced nature of the beauty world, it can be hard to navigate through product newness and which launches are actually worth your hard-earned money. From the very best in tanning, skincare and makeup picks to get you glowing, we round up our favourite launches from 2022 so far.
We all know it's a divine experience to be a woman, however, there's a certain week per month where we are left feeling less than ideal. Throughout this period (no pun intended), our only advice is to treat yourself, relax, and take it easy.
London is a bit like Marmite - you either love it, or you hate it, and those of us that love it, really love it...
2021 may be over, but we are still LOVING the interior trends that emerged from last year. From pastel coloured storage baskets, to playful candlesticks and vases shaped like Kim K's behind, one trend reigned supreme amongst our Instagram feed and Pinterest board: coffee table books. Less of a page
Staying in is the new going out. If you're looking to have the ultimate self-care evening at home, invest in these products to elevate your pampering experience. You'll thank us later.
Being a Londoner, there are certain situations you find yourself in that you just have to go with. Ending up in a fetish themed salon on a Thursday evening was definitely one of those situations.
Absolutely London
Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden is a modern Indian restaurant that makes you feel as if you have wandered into a side street bazaar in Old Delhi. Guests are immediately greeted by an abundance of colour: a lime green door, baby pink walls and an abundance of ferns and fairy lights cover the walls - it's an Instagrammers paradise.
As the weather warms up, Londoners will be looking for a way to cool down. Absolutely London lists the sweetest ice cream parlours in London, serving up a range of flavours from a classic Vanilla to the weird but wonderful Suntan Lotion (yes, you read that right, and yes - we may judge you if you go for vanilla).
Authentic and Elephant & Castle are not words that usually end up in the same sentence together. It was only a short while ago that the only dining options available in the South London destination were Nando's, Pret or Wetherspoons (I say this as a former university student of the London College Of Communication, situated directly opposite said Wetherspoons).
Mantra to live by: there's never a bad time for pasta. London is home to an abundance of restaurants serving up dishes from truffle tagliatelle to a traditional carbonara - Absolutely lists our favourites for when only pasta will do. The instagrammable restaurant with a no frills menu has locations in both King's Cross and Soho.
After almost a year and a half of lockdowns and social distancing, this weekend saw the last of many restrictions being eased across the UK. The scenes around the capital city last night resembled that of New Years' Eve, with parties being held in celebration at many of London's top night clubs, as people celebrated with countdowns, bubbles and dancing.
Nobody ever needs an excuse to head to Soho. The abundance of bars, shops and restaurants make it a choice favourite for Londoners - and high on the to visit list is Robata, the friendly neighbourhood sushi bar nestled in the heart of Soho on Old Compton Street.
This week is afternoon tea week, which basically means you have an excuse to treat yourself to London's best finger sandwiches and scones. Here at Absolutely London - we are big fans of an afternoon tea, we may even be experts in the matter, if we do say so ourselves.
In case you didn't know, today is National White Wine Day - not that we needed a special day to enjoy a glass of sauvignon, but it's nice to have an excuse. To celebrate, Absolutely have listed our favourite wine bars across London for readers to enjoy.
1665 at The Mitre (which is aptly named after the date The Mitre itself was built), sits proudly overlooking the river Thames, alongside the hotel's Coppernose restaurant. You probably will have heard of the luxury hotel and its lavish amenities, including the Catherine Parr suite which, of course, comes equipped with its own dedicated butler service and whisky decanter.
The UK's best-loved chef, Rick Stein, will be cooking up a storm at The Goring... By Layla Turner Clear your calendars, as from the 14th to the 20th of June, the UK's favourite chef, Rick Stein, is back at The Goring for one week only.
Because if you didn't take a picture, did it even happen? As London opens up after lockdown, Absolutely lists London's most Instagrammable restaurants, where you can can have the perfect meal and get that oh-so-important picture. Think pink interiors, flowers and so much more.
This Monday it was National White Wine Day - and we had the pleasure of listing our favourite wine bars across London. It's as if the heavens looked down on the non-wine drinking males across the globe and said 'we need to give them something to celebrate'.
Some hair TLC with celebrity stylist Callum Standen-May... By Layla Turner With the abundance of hair salons in London, it can be hard to choose the right fit. Each offers a different service, from highlights to creative colouring and beyond.
I ventured to the award-winning Gusto Hairdressing on Wigmore Street to try the trend for myself. There's something about Autumn that makes you want to grab the auburn hair dye out and embrace the dark side, if you are a blonde that is - try to refrain.
There have been few benefits of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, if one thing is clear it's that it has forced us to slow down and focus more on our health, be it mental or physical. Whether in the form of self-care evenings or gym memberships, many people have been making lifestyle changes in the name of better health.
Nights are getting shorter and the weather colder - Autumn is finally here. It's a controversial opinion, but Autumn is by far our favourite season, and 'spooky' season in the city never fails to impress us. From pumpkin picking to Halloween themed cocktails, Absolutely lists our top picks from across the Capital.
2021 has been a busy year for beauty lovers. From new, Influencer-founded beauty lines to new product launches and rebrands, our poor skin has bared the brunt of many-a-products - some good, some bad, and some just plain ugly. With so many new brands and products to try, it can be hard to know what's actually worth investing in.
Seven Dials London has had a floral makeover to celebrate the end of lockdown... By Layla Turner Head down to Seven Dials this weekend to marvel at the seven floral installations that have been unveiled to celebrate the end of lockdown and further easing of restrictions.
The further easing of restrictions has meant there is more happening in London than ever before. Sure, the weather may not be on our side, but sometimes you have to embrace it. We have curated a list of ten of the coolest things to do in London this weekend, whether you are in the mood for art, theatre, good food or all of the above.
The CBD industry has been growing rapidly in the UK over the past couple of years due to its many uses and benefits - from anxiety relief, better sleep and glowing skin. If you haven't jumped on the hype yet, it's about time you do, and we've listed our top picks that are actually worth investing in.
Over the past two years, fashion has become more trend led than ever before. In the age of social media, keeping up appearances is more important than ever. Apps such as TikTok and Instagram, as well as the plethora of fast fashion brands such as Shein and Pretty Little Thing, are to thank for the recent surge in fashion 'fad' trends (y2k and low-rise denim, we're looking at you).
"Actually LOL that I have a shop on Carnaby! I'm still in shock that chavvy old me got here, hilarious". This is a quote from Sophie Terry, the powerhouse behind Sophie Tea Art.
A floral garden hangs above diners heads on Gerrard Street... By Layla Turner London is having a floral moment. It's not long ago that we informed Absolutely readers of the new floral installation at Seven Dials. Of course, we aren't complaining - after a year of lockdowns, we are happy to see London 'in bloom' again.
Guests will embark upon a multi-sensory experience profiling the journey of Alice In Wonderland since we first met the character in 1865... By Layla Turner We first met Alice in 1865 in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures In Wonderland.
As a Londoner, I think I can speak for 99% of the population when I say we are all guilty of taking life too seriously. Whilst the hustle and bustle of the city can be invigorating, it is essential that we take time out to reconnect and de-stress.
Talking all things Pinterest, Influencers and Jewellery with Tatty Devine co-founder Rosie Wolfenden By Layla Turner As a self-proclaimed social media obsessed individual, I find no shame in admitting that scouring social media apps for the latest trends brings me unprecedented amounts of joy.
London is undoubtedly one of the greatest cities in the world (northerners, argue with yourselves). The breadth of world famous attractions right on our doorstep, alongside the vast green spaces and abundance of restaurants and cafes mean that those fortunate enough to live in the City will never be short of things to do.
The Belgravia based hotel offers both tourists and Londoners alike an evening of luxury, conveniently located just a short walk away from both Harrods and Hyde Park. Absolutely London visits The Hari for a stylish city staycation. The lobby of The Hari is what I aspire my future living room to look like.
Miscellaneous
Those battling acne know that what works for someone else, may not work for them. Acne can have a variety of different causes - from hormonal factors, diet and lifestyle factors, all of which can be made worse by the overindulgence that often comes hand in hand with the festive season.
Traditional and authentic are not two words that usually spring to mind when talking about a 'chain' style restaurant. Cicchetti, the newest Knightsbridge opening from the San Carlo Group, is somehow an exception to the rule...
East London has evolved into one of London's best culinary pockets, with a wealth of creative eateries and restaurants calling the area home. In particular, the area spanning Hackney Road to Columbia Road has a handful of gems, including Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant Morito by The River Cafe team, and other spots like Sager and Wild and Laxerio.
Brunch is more than a breakfast meal, it's a lifestyle choice for those who know how to live the good life. From elevated Indian fusion options for those who like their eggs with a bit of a kick, to laid back Aussie inspired cafes, here's our pick of the best places for brunch across central [...]
From pumpkin picking and baking to spooky arts and crafts, here is The Resident's pick of the best things to do with family and children this Halloween and half term... Lead Image: Richard Haughton/Chiswick House The pagan-esque festival parade celebrating weather food and the seasons, starts at Shakespeare's Globe before making its way along Bankside to Borough Market.
Photo: Pantechnicon The opening of Pantechnicon in late 2020 brought with it a flurry of intrigue from passers by. What exactly was this grand building that had cropped up seemingly overnight on Belgravia's Motcomb Street?
Planning your long-weekend looks & visiting London? We asked Layla Turner, a passionate Rotator & London gal', to give us her top recommendations for places to visit in London and the rentals to reserve for them! Read on to discover the Rotator London Guide. Ah, London. There's never a
It feels as though life is finally returning to normal and with it, the return of nights out, excellent food and live music. In Quaglino's, you never have to choose between the three. Simply head there for a night of glamour and toe tapping entertainment in the heart of Mayfair.
Although it seems Christmas was only yesterday, it is February once again, which means Valentine's Day is once again here to rear its head (to the glee of avid marketeers). Whether you are looking to impress on a first date, try a new cuisine or restaurant with a loved one or toast to single-dom with your best girlfriends, here are the best restaurants to book this February 14th.
La Nonna brings artisan crafted plates and uncomplicated Italian cooking to Brixton's Market Row... Photo: La Nonna London's love affair with Italian cuisine is long-held, however many of the newest additions to the capital's food scene seem more focused on interiors rather than food. While Insta-famous restaurants gain mass traction on social media, I often [...]
Summer is finally here, which means balmy days spent in London's parks and green spaces - if the weather is on our side. From savoury pleasures to local wines and everything in between, here are the luxury hampers that you need to level up your summer picnic...
With a colourful history and stunning period properties, Earl's Court in West London is a great place to live. It's also a delightful neighbourhood to explore thanks to its restaurants, bars and things to keep you entertained. Spend a day discovering Chelsea's lesser known little sister and make sure you visit these places...
After a rocky two years, many of London's best loved festivals are back for 2022. With stellar line ups spanning foodie, family-friendly and cultural festivals, there's something for everyone for this year. The Resident rounds up the must-visit festivals for 2022, in London and surrounding areas...
London's thriving gay scene is world famous, from plush cocktail bars, to rambunctious drag brunches and everything in between. Here, The Resident picks out the best LGBTQ+ venues, from Soho to Vauxhall and beyond... Photo: She Soho Widely popular with West End performers, Freedom is home to one of Soho's most famous cabaret shows, Kinky Kabaret, taking place on a Monday night.
Find yourself in central London on a hot summer day? Cool down and beat the heat with a delicious treat from one of these fab ice-cream parlours in the West End... Lead Image: Gelupo You will undoubtedly have spotted the decadence of Milk Train on your Instagram feed at some point, and if you haven't, you're missing out.
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is widely recognised as the cultural hub of the city and at the heart of this lies the always stylish Kimpton Vividora hotel Barcelona - an urban oasis brought to life by IHG hotels and resorts.
As a beauty lover and journalist, I've tried nearly every trend that has taken the beauty world by storm. Lip filler? Addicted. High tech facials? A skin care essential. I most recently tried B Force Body Sculpting - a technical piece of equipment that is designed to stimulate muscles and reshape the body, as well as eliminating excess fat cells.
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There's an abundance of reasons to visit Ubud. Viceroy Bali is the perfect luxury basecamp from which to discover it all.
When it comes to planning a holiday in Spain, location is everything, and that's where the Luxury Villa Collection comes in.
Embarking on an seven-day adventure with Rebecca Adventure Travel, budding explorers will experience the very best of the Galápagos.
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