“I am proud to lead a government in Scotland that is reducing child poverty, improving the lives of people in our country, but we are held back by the decisions of Westminster, where, in an energy rich country, our people live in fuel poverty, paid sky high fuel bills, that’s the fault of the United Kingdom, and we must take Scotland’s energy wealth into Scotland’s hands with independence.”

Color Wow’s rare 25% off sale includes the Dream Coat spray used by celebrity hairstylist Amy Short to tame frizz and create Claudia Winkleman’s glossy hair

Adored by beauty aficionados and professionals alike, when it comes to hair care, few brands command as much respect as Color Wow. Now, the brand – favoured by Claudia Winkleman and Kim Kardashian’s stylists – has introduced a discount code offering customers 25% off some of its bestselling products.

Currently, Color Wow is providing 25% off nearly everything throughout its collection in a rare promotion – and perfectly timed for payday, too. This presents an excellent opportunity to replenish editor-endorsed essentials or finally purchase the formulas you’ve had your eye on.

To access the offer, shoppers can apply the code WOW25 at checkout. However, they’ll need to move quickly, as the promotion only lasts until Thursday, April 2 at 23.59.

Established by Gail Federici, celebrated for developing the iconic Frizz Ease for John Frieda, Color Wow is recognised for targeted remedies to common hair concerns – from frizz and lacklustre volume to dull colour, helping achieve smoother, glossier, more manageable locks. Among their hero products featured in the sale is the Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, typically priced at £27 but reduced to £20.25.

Arguably the brand’s most celebrated product, Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is essential for anyone combating frizz. The feather-light spray forms a humidity-resistant barrier around the hair, delivering that coveted glass-like sheen without adding weight to strands.

Get 25% off Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

£27

£20.25 with code,WOW25

Color Wow

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Buy Now on Color Wow

When entering the code WOW25 at checkout, shoppers can get 25% off almost everything on the Color Wow website, including the viral Dream Coat Supernatural Spray.

The product essentially ‘waterproofs’ the hair, maintaining sleek and frizz-free styles for up to four washes. It also provides built-in heat protection, making it a staple in many professional kits. Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton has lauded its “mirror-like finish”, while Amy Short utilises it to achieve Claudia Winkleman’s signature glossy lengths, reports the Mirror.

With over 18,000 five-star reviews, it’s widely regarded as a must-have. One reviewer said: “This spray is magic, leaves my hair feeling beautifully soft, as if I’ve just come out of the hairdresser’s each time. I use it before using the hairdryer, then a couple of squirts of pop and lock to smooth my hair.”

Another added: “This is the best and most effective product I’ve ever tried to smooth my hair. Works like magic. Helpful to brush straight/taunt when blow drying.

“I first learned about Wow through the Dream Coat, the very first Wow purchase I ever made,” a third wrote. “I felt like I’d found a miracle, I had never seen anything like it, and I still haven’t. Things have only gone up since then, I enjoy most all of the Wow products.”

However, some have mentioned that you do need to apply a substantial amount to achieve the desired results. They said: “The Dream Coat spray definitely helps tame my frizzy hair. You do need to use quite a lot of the product to achieve best results but the results are far better than other frizz ease products I’ve used.”

A fifth customer commented: “I have VERY curly hair that tends to get frizzy very easily. I tried this product and I am blown away. My hair doesn’t frizz and I can wear my silk sleep cap and just do a touch up with dream coat in the morning and it still looks great. I am recommending it to everyone.”

Meanwhile, the Maria Nila Gloss Coat 200ml is available for £24.50 at Sephora. The heat-activated smoothing treatment is said to deliver shine, banish frizz, and safeguard against heat damage.

Additionally, the Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Iron Smoother Heat Protection and Frizz Control Hair Spray 250ml costs £18.50 at LookFantastic. The leave-in spray shields against heat damage with thermal protection up to 230°C while combating frizz for all-day smoothness.

However, Dream Coat isn’t the only remarkable Color Wow formula available – though it’s arguably the most celebrated. The Style on Steroids (usually £28) is a colour-safe texturising spray which, unlike conventional hairsprays, provides hold without rigidity, leaving hair flexible, touchable and easy to restyle. This comes to £21 with the code WOW25.

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For those seeking soft, bouncy volume, the Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer is well worth incorporating into your routine. The lightweight foam enhances lift at the roots while keeping lengths natural and moveable – perfect for fine or flat hair requiring a little extra oomph. This is £18 at the checkout instead of £24.

Two products I’ll be placing in my basket as a beauty writer are the Color Security Shampoo (usually £21.50) and Money Mist (usually £29.50). As someone with colour-treated copper hair, the Color Security Shampoo is my essential choice for keeping locks glossy without compromising the vibrancy.

Entirely residue-free, it cleanses deeply without depositing anything that might diminish your colour or create heaviness. The sulfate-free formulation is crafted so everything washes away completely, helping hair feel fresher for longer – something I’ve certainly experienced between washes. It’s appropriate for all hair types and even safe for extensions, making it a flexible addition to any bathroom.

After every wash day, I consistently turn to Money Mist, which is an exceptionally light leave-in treatment that hydrates, detangles and smooths without any weight. Ideal for finer hair types, it creates that silky, swishy result you’d typically expect from a professional blow-dry – all from home.

If you appreciate this type of lightweight, milky leave-in, alternatives such as Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer from Lush and the Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-In Conditioner from Sol de Janeiro are also worth exploring.

Regarding Color Wow, price reductions on the retailer’s website are relatively uncommon, and 25% off across virtually the complete range represents one of the strongest offers I’ve witnessed from the brand. Not every product will be suitable for all hair types, so it’s advisable to select based on your requirements, but it’s certainly an excellent opportunity to sample that product from your wishlist or replenish your go-to items before the Bank Holiday.

Theatregoers in Darlington are being promised everything from comic crime capers to family favourites and a technicolour musical classic as the Hippodrome unveils its April programme.

Running from Wednesday, April 1 to Saturday, April 4, Murder at Midnight opens the month with an old-school whodunnit set to keep audiences guessing right up to the final twist.

The thriller, which leans into classic drawing-room suspense, is expected to appeal to fans of Agatha Christie-style storytelling.

Mythos: Ragnarok (Image: Supplied)

There is a change of pace on Tuesday, April 7, when Mythos: Ragnarok brings Norse legends crashing onto the Darlington stage.

Blending physical theatre with larger-than-life characters, the one-night-only show reimagines the gods and monsters of old for a modern crowd.

Comedy fans will be able to see stand-up star Omid Djalili when his latest tour, Namaste, calls in at the Hippodrome on Wednesday, April 8.

Known for his energetic delivery and sharp observations, the comic’s new show is already attracting strong interest from audiences across the region.

West End Magic (Image: Supplied)

Music and magic take over the following nights.

On Thursday, April 9, The Shoop Shoop Show – The Cher Collection celebrates one of pop’s most recognisable voices with a run-through of hits and trademark costumes, while West End Magic arrives on Friday, April 10, promising an evening of illusions and family-friendly tricks.

Improvised comedy Murder, She Didn’t Write lands on Saturday, April 11, inviting the audience to help shape the clues as a cast of sleuths and suspects makes up a new mystery on the spot.

Murder She Didn’t Write (Image: Supplied)

The format has built a following on the touring circuit for its mix of quick-fire humour and unpredictable storytelling.

Families with younger children are being catered for on Sunday, April 12, when Fun For Little Ones – Live Tribute to “Ms Rachel” brings songs and interactive fun inspired by the online pre-school favourite.

The show is aimed at introducing some of the smallest theatregoers to the Hippodrome stage.

Later in the month, from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18, The Enormous Crocodile snaps its way into Darlington.

Based on the Roald Dahl tale, the production uses colourful staging and plenty of audience participation to retell the story of the hungry reptile with its “secret plans and clever tricks”.

The month closes with one of musical theatre’s best-known titles.

From Wednesday, April 22, the Hippodrome hosts Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which begins its Darlington run in April and continues into early May.

The show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, follows Joseph and his coat of many colours in a production packed with familiar songs and large ensemble numbers.

Tickets for all April performances are available from the Darlington Hippodrome box office and via the theatre’s website, with some shows offering concessions and family tickets.

Audiences are being advised to book early for one-night dates and the Joseph run, where demand is expected to be high.

Waka has become a fan favourite so I decided to put its new location to the test

Waka has become famous for its drive-thru Chinese on Boucher Road, which still has persistent queues of cars to this day.

It was originally a bit of a novelty, but people really seem to have stuck by it, and it has now just opened the doors to a new location in Victoria Square, so I headed in to finally give it a go and report back.

What we ordered:

• Honey chilli chicken
• Chicken curry spring rolls
• Chicken gyozas
• Egg fried rice
• Chips
• Curry sauce
• Gravy

What I liked:

My first impression was that Waka has a very approachable menu and has something for all taste levels. There are a few traditional Chinese dishes mixed in with westernised Chinese food. The staff were very friendly when I first went in, and they were more than happy to help with everything.

There is the option to sit in, and the restaurant is very spacious, which is perfect for the City Centre. I opted for takeaway on this occasion because, in my opinion, every great Chinese should be enjoyed that way.

The portion sizes here were good too, which is always something I look for and Waka definitely didn’t let me down. The food was genuinely tasty, and the standout for me was the chicken curry spring rolls, which came with a dipping sauce. I couldn’t get enough of them!

What I would change:

The only thing I would change here was the veg to meat ratio in the honey chilli chicken, which was a little off and could have had a bit more chicken in it.

The chips in Waka are skinny ‘fries’ and this wouldn’t be my favourite style of chip. I do know some people love them, but I prefer a chunkier chip.

How much it cost:

Everything we got came to £32.70, and it did feed two people with some leftovers. I will say it’s slightly more expensive than I thought it might be, but not by much. It is also definitely not the most expensive Chinese I’ve ever had by some distance.

Waka brought something fun and exciting to the Asian food scene in Belfast, and their brand new store in Victoria Square is no different. I will still likely go to my usual spot for my weekly Chinese but I will definitely head back to Waka if I’m after something a little different.

In the interest of fairness and transparency, we pay for all the meals and drinks we review. This ensures that we are giving accurate and honest representations of the food and service that we receive. So, unless we state otherwise that we were invited down, we have paid for the meal ourselves and visited without the knowledge of the eatery, so you can trust our opinions aren’t skewed by a freebie.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Less than a year ago, Carrie Wallace described herself as deeply unhappy and lacking confidence.

When Carrie Wallace from Livingston looks back at the past year, it’s not just her weight loss that stands out – it’s how completely her life has changed.

Less than a year ago, she described herself as deeply unhappy and lacking confidence. She avoided mirrors, felt uncomfortable in her own skin, and dreaded shopping for clothes, often hiding behind oversized, baggy outfits. Even simple daily tasks were a struggle.

The moment that changed everything came when she looked at a photograph of herself.

Although she was smiling in the picture, it didn’t reflect how she truly felt.

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“I was really unfit,” she said. “Even walking upstairs at home would leave me out of breath.”

“I wasn’t happy when I looked at it. That’s when I knew something had to change.”

Encouraged by a friend and inspired by her mum’s success, Carrie made the decision to join Slimming World – a step she admits she initially found daunting.

That sense of belonging quickly became a cornerstone of her journey. What first felt overwhelming soon became reassuring, as everything was clearly explained and she realised she wasn’t alone.

“I was really nervous walking into group because I didn’t know anyone,” she said. “But within five minutes, I felt so welcome.

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“I love the group I go to. Everyone is so supportive even outside of group.”

Before joining, her eating habits were inconsistent. She often skipped breakfast and sometimes lunch, only to eat a large evening meal followed by snacking late at night.

Crisps, she admits, were her “downfall.” With guidance from her consultant and encouragement from fellow members, Carrie began to build new habits.

In her first week she was delighted with a weight loss but naturally she hoped for more – but she now sees her weight loss as healthy and sustainable for life.

Now, her relationship with food has completely transformed. She plans her meals, shops with intention, and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen.

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She said: “I love Slimming World’s healthy eating plan and continue to enjoy family favourites like pasta, rice dishes and spaghetti Bolognese.

“It feels balanced now. I don’t feel like I’m missing out.”

Over nine months, Carrie continues to lose weight, and the biggest transformation has been in how she feels about herself.

Along the way, she has received support to build activity into her daily life and is reaping the rewards. Her fitness has improved dramatically too. She now has far more energy and has taken on challenges she once never imagined possible.

She’s recently completed the Couch to 5K programme and has found a love of running, alongside walking on the days in between.

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She has even climbed a couple of Munros, something that would have felt completely out of reach before.

There have still been difficult weeks, she admits. But having the support of her group and her Slimming World consultant has helped her stay on track.

She added: “On the weeks it has been tough my Slimming World group has supported me with identifying the psychological barriers that have been deep routed, they have encouraged me to get to know myself as a slimmer and boosted my confidence in myself and my abilities.”

Now, Carrie is ready to give that same support back to others. She is embarking on an exciting new role as a Slimming World consultant and will be relaunching the Broxburn Wednesday evening group which is held in Buchan Park Bowling Club on Greendykes Road on Wednesday, April 15, with sessions at 5.30pm and 7pm.

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Drawing on her own experience, she hopes to create a warm, welcoming space where others – no matter how nervous they feel at first – can begin their own journey.

For Carrie, this next chapter is about more than weight loss. It’s about helping others build confidence, find support, and realise that lasting change is possible.

Because, as she now knows for certain – they really can do it.

If you want to find out more about joining Carrie and beginning your own weight loss journey give her a call or text on 07359 725428.

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