New York State

HAVING infuriated almost the entirety of this country with rotten policy decisions and taking freebies, this ­Labour government has now turned its eyes to the US.

“There’s 336million people there,” they thought to themselves. “Can we p*** all of them off? Let’s have a go.”

Getty

After infuriating much of the UK population with rotten policies and freebies, Labour is now focusing on the US[/caption]

Getty

Trump is demanding that America’s Federal Election Commission should probe claims of interference[/caption]

It has been revealed that some 100 Labour Party workers have been SENT to the States to help Kamala Harris’s campaign to become President.

Labour says it’s just a bunch of people volunteering in their spare time.

Trouble is, the co-ordinator for the trip — Labour’s Head of Operations — was Sofia Patel.

And the volunteers were sent to swing states, where the votes were tight.

And Labour seemed to be offering to sort out the ­accommodation for those who were going. So it all seems pretty official to me.

This is now big, big trouble for Keir Starmer.

Back when I worked as a speechwriter for the party in the 1980s, people sometimes volunteered to go and work for Michael Dukakis, the Democratic Party candidate taking in Ronald Reagan.

But the difference then was a) Labour were not in government b) very few people went and c) it had nothing whatsoever to do with the party itself.

The leaders had more political nous than to allow that to happen.

Now Donald Trump is demanding that America’s Federal Election Commission should investigate.

It is, after all, direct ­intervention by a foreign government in a domestic US election.

Can you just imagine if the Russians or Chinese were to have done something similar?

Do you think they will say: ‘Well, golly gosh — that brilliant man Keir Starmer has sent a whole bunch of Brits over to work for the Democrats. How wonderful. I will change my vote to Kamala Harris as a consequence’.

It is also politically beyond stupid.

 Dimwitted, idiotic and hapless.

As Nigel Farage said yesterday: “Our relationship with America when it comes to intelligence, when it comes to defence, when it comes to commerce, is our most important relationship in the world.

“And for a governing Labour Party to be seen officially acting on behalf of a rival candidate to the man that is going to win is a very major political mistake.”

Exactly right. Relations between Labour and this country’s most important ally were already pretty strained.

What with that plank of a Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, dissing Trump every chance he got.

And Trump remembers the ­nastiness from Labour when he last visited the UK.

Tea-sipping limeys

But that’s not the only reason why Labour is being stupid.

What effect does it believe that this news will have on the average American voter?

Do you think they will say: “Well, golly gosh — that brilliant man Keir Starmer has sent a whole bunch of Brits over to work for the Democrats.

“How wonderful. I will change my vote to Kamala Harris as a consequence.”

Nope, me neither.

Rightly, they don’t care for foreign interference in their elections.

Kamala Harris — not the brightest lass in the world — has already decided she wants nothing to do with it.

They think they can get by without that help. Perhaps especially if it comes from left-wing, tea-sipping limeys.

Indeed, Kamala Harris — not the brightest lass in the world — has already decided that she wants nothing to do with it.

 “They’re not helping me,” she said.

Even she can grasp how this could harm her campaign.

I remember when the Guardian ­organised lots of leftie readers to send letters to people in the swing state of Ohio, begging them to vote for Al Gore, the Democrat, against George W Bush.

That little campaign aroused the fury of Ohio voters — and the state voted for George W.

Let’s hope Labour’s initiative has a similar result in all of those swing states — as I can’t wait to see how Starmer and Lammy get on with President Trump.

If only I could Connect with Vic

FANS of Only Connect are tiring of Victoria Coren Mitchell. And I don’t blame them.

BBC

 Every week she opens the show with a slew of words which make even less sense than the questions which follow.

I think she’s trying to be funny. But she doesn’t seem to have a funny bone in her entire body.

Maybe that’s how come she married David Mitchell, I guess.

Just play it straight, Victoria.

Sadiq’s a right stirrer

OF all the idiotic statements made in the wake of the shooting of Chris Kaba, the one from London Mayor Sadiq Khan must be the worst.

Alamy

Comments made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan seem to be an attempt to stir up racial hatred[/caption]

 It seemed to me a deliberate attempt to stir up racial hatred.

 Khan said that the “black community” had a lack of trust in the police.

But Kaba was not shot because he was black.

He was shot because he tried to ram a bunch of policemen in his Audi.

And the overwhelming majority of black British people understand that.

And they are not grieving for Mr Kaba.

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THE Scottish National Party has just decided that there are a total of 24 different genders.

 These include agender, which means you don’t have a gender. And pangender, which means you’ll shag anything with a pulse.

 Or quite possibly without a pulse.

 Still, it does make ­Scotland quite unique. The only country in the world with 24 genders but only two kinds of veg (neeps and tatties).

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Rachel thieves

THE ghastly Rachel Reeves, our Chancellor, is to raid private pensions.

Reuters

Pension rumours ahead of the Budget seems like Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves rewarding those dim enough to vote for them[/caption]

But apparently she WON’T be taking any money from people who get pensions from the public sector.

It’s another case of Labour rewarding those dim enough to vote for them.

 There is a growing divide between the public and private sectors.

 Public sector workers often get paid more, work fewer hours, have longer holidays and take more days off sick.

Now they will see their pensions protected, too.

It’s a disgraceful policy.

Funks a million Johnnie

IT will be a very poignant Sounds Of The 70s this coming Sunday.

BBC

 It will be the last time Johnnie Walker will be presenting the BBC Radio 2 show.

He has been gravely ill for a long time. He’s not so much at death’s door as inside, hanging his coat on the rack and taking his boots off.

 But all this time he’s continued to broadcast his brilliant programme.

Which gives enormous pleasure to sad old buggers like me who wish we still lived in the Seventies.

And to a whole new bunch of fans who have suddenly found an affection for Jackson Browne and the Sweet.

So thank you, Johnnie, for those wonderful shows. And I hope you have a happy retirement for a decade and more to come.

 Take it easy, as they used to say back then.

---

CONGRATS to South Kesteven Council in Lincs.

 They are making all cab drivers pass a test in spoken English.

Locals are sick of getting into a taxi and not being able to understand a thing the driver is saying.

 I hope this idea gets taken up by other councils. And also by the big corporations who have outsourced their communications departments to India, or Kazakhstan.

 I’m sick of getting through to someone who says: “Meesta Rod, gravadlax gubbya smaug?”

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Kemi top of the class

WELL said, Kemi Badenoch. She has insisted that schoolkids should be taught a new history curriculum.

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Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch looks at contentious historical issues, like colonialism, from different sides[/caption]

 One that doesn’t make the kids ashamed of being British.

 But looks at the contentious historical issues, like colonialism, from different sides.

 Quite right, Kemi – but first you’ll have to deal with the teachers.

 Good luck with that.

Incidentally, I hope she wins the Tory leadership race by a landslide.

Especially when she provokes articles like this in the Pink News: “Six Times Kemi Badenoch Has Proved She’s No Ally of the LGBTQ+ Community.”.

LYING on a surgery bed, Tracy Kiss grimaces with pain as the surgeon injects 4ml of filler “down below”.

The mum-of-two hopes the procedure will FINALLY make her happy, but deep down she knows it won’t — which is why she is already booked in to have another procedure in the New Year.

The Sun

Tracy Kiss has spent £115,000 on getting the ‘perfect’ body over the past two decades[/caption]

Caters

But despite her surgeries Tracy says she still can’t find love[/caption]

Tracy, from Bucks, says: “I’ll be getting internal tightening of my vagina as a birthday present to myself.

“It needs it after having two children.”

Despite spending £115,000 on getting the “perfect” body over the past two decades, Tracy has failed to find lasting love.

“Men just want me for my looks,” says the holistic and wellbeing gift shop owner.

“Even though lots of men approach me, I’ve failed to find someone who wants me for me.

“I’m an old soul who is looking for a man who doesn’t care what I look like and would love me, wrinkles and all.

“I want someone to grow old with and I’m disappointed I haven’t found that yet.”

Tracy, who is mum to Millie, 17, and Gabe, 12, is one of an increasing number of women turning to surgery to boost their looks.

A 2024 report from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons showed nearly 26,000 had surgical treatments in the UK in 2023.

However, that figure might only be the tip of the iceberg, as increasing numbers of women travel abroad for surgery, as Tracy has done.

She was just 18 when she first went under the knife, having breast implants to take her from an A to DD cup.

She explains: “My friends were stunned and said I didn’t need it, but I felt that my natural boobs were deformed.

“One was a small A cup and the other was completely flat.”

“I took out a loan of £4,000 and worked three jobs — in a bar, a shop and at an estate agent — to pay it back.”

As a teen, Tracy longed to look like her then-idols, Katie Price and Jodie Marsh.

She says: “People said I was pretty, but I looked in the mirror and saw a tiny, mushroom-headed schoolgirl who needed work.

“I wanted to have blonde hair, fake tan, big boobs and fake nails. I wanted to look like a Wag.”

Tracey Kiss

Supplied

Tracy has had as many surgeries as Katie Price[/caption]

“I didn’t get to go out or go on holiday as I had my daughter, Millie, at 19 so I just saved and when I could, I spent the money on surgery.”

Surprisingly, Tracy is against other young women having cosmetic treatment.

She explains: “I hate the idea of them having it and hope the tide is starting to turn towards more natural beauty.

“When I heard Love Island star Anna Vakili had spent thousands in her 20s on botched procedures in the hope of getting her ‘perfect’ body, I felt so sad for her.”

Last week, the 34-year-old revealed how she got a boob job and a Brazilian bum lift “all in the space of six months”.

Anna said: “I think they were £14k each or something like that. It was crazy.”

But the surgery went wrong and Anna described it as “the worst experience ever”.

Despite being addicted ­herself, Tracy would discourage her daughter from having work done.

She says: “I see people like the Love Island girls having it in their early twenties and they don’t need it — they are already ­beautiful.

“I’m now either reversing things, or doing things internally.”

She also feels her one-time role model has gone too far.

“I look at Katie Price and I feel sad for her.

“She looks like a ­caricature of what she once was.

“We’ve had similar amounts of ­surgery, but mine is more subtle.”

‘RECOVERY WAS TOUGH’

After having breast implants at 18, Tracy increased them at 25 and again when she was 28 to an H cup.

She also had ab-etching, a ­procedure to create a six-pack, and fillers around her eyes, jaw and cheeks.

“At 29 I got a Brazilian butt lift, where implants are put into your bum,” she says.

“It was very painful and recovery was tough.”

She says she has been trolled for what she describes as her “porn star” look.

“I would pose for mags and ­people told me I was a bad influence,” says Tracy, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram.

“I would get comments on social media that I looked like a bimbo.

“Other mums would glare at me at the school gates. I was treated like scum.

“It shattered my self- esteem and I felt I wasn’t good enough.”

Then in her thirties, Tracy started undoing her previous work, including having a breast reduction at 36.

She has also had her first labiaplasty — surgery to reduce the size of the labia.

“That’s why I think I am probably addicted, or it is at least an obsession,” she says.

Tracy believes her autism could be the reason she keeps having surgery.

“I hyperfocus on things,” she says. “And one of the things I hyperfocus on is surgery.”

Supplied

Tracy has had fillers around her eyes, jaw and cheeks[/caption]

Caters

Tracy is against other young women having cosmetic treatment[/caption]

Despite undergoing so many procedures, Tracy insists she has always taken a cautious approach.

“I carefully research the company and I don’t go overboard,” she says.

“I know the amount I’ve spent, £115,000, is staggering and I could have put it in savings, but it’s over nearly two decades and I’ve always worked.

“I’m vegan, don’t drink or smoke, and only spend money at the gym.

“Surgery is my only vice.”

She says she has no plans to quit her surgery habit, but adds she would never get anything done to please anyone but herself.

“I have quite a male ­mindset,” says Tracy, who is single.

“So while I wouldn’t ever get breast implants because a man wanted me to, I knew when I got them, they would be popular.”

Despite having spent so much money on altering her looks, Tracy still isn’t 100 per cent happy with what she sees in the mirror.

“I don’t think I’m beautiful,” she says.

‘SCARED OF NEEDLES’

“And spending so much on surgery hasn’t given me the perfect life.

“My life is far from amazing and my appearance will never make me happy.

“People always try to tear down my self-esteem for trying to look nice.

“My true happiness comes from my children, who I would hate to get surgery.”

Her daughter Millie, who is studying for A-levels, says: “I’m not really fussed by Mum’s surgery.

“I don’t think she needs it and I’ve told her that.

“I don’t think I would get surgery myself — I’m scared of needles.

“One girl I know says she’s getting a boob job as soon as she is 18, but it’s not on my radar.”

Kennedy News

Tracy has had surgery to reduce the size of the labia[/caption]

Jam Press/@tracykissdotcom

Tracy still isn’t 100 per cent happy with what she sees in the mirror[/caption]

GREENERY in your home can help improve the air quality, not to mention your mood.

But if you have splashed out on indoor plants, the last thing you want is for them to then wither and die.

Getty

Five ways to keep your indoor shrubs flourishing this winter[/caption]

Here’s how to keep your shrubs flourishing . . . 

PERK UP: Tea and coffee gives us a boost — but it can also revive greenery.

Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are among the nutrients in old coffee grounds that can help plants to grow while tannic acid in tea leaves also has benefits.

Adding these occasionally to soil can act as a fertiliser but it’s best to do this in moderation — just a couple of spoonfuls of grounds or leaves every couple of months or so is enough.

WASTE NOT: You can also use other kitchen scraps to nourish soil. Elise Harlock, brand manager at florist Prestige Flowers, said: “Banana skins are a fantastic, simple way to enrich your soil.

They decompose quickly and provide essential nutrients.

“Or try crushing leftover eggshells and sprinkle them around your plants. They are rich in calcium, which is vital for plant cell walls.”

POT LUCK: It may be easier to keep your plant in the pot it came in, but if it is too small it could cause issues.

You ideally need a pot that gives its roots room to grow.

Ikea has a really lovely range of plant pots with prices starting from just £1.50.

HOT TIPS: Try to keep your plants in a place where there are no big fluctuations in temperature.

So avoid putting them near to any radiators where it can get hot, or windows where it can get very chilly at night.

WATER TIGHT: Try to strike a balance between under or over-watering your plant.

A pot with drainage can help to avoid drowning your greenery with too much water.

You can also help nutrient absorption and boost plant health by dissolving a teaspoon of Epsom salts in one litre of water and using it on plants once a month, Elise says.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

Homebase

Save £15 on inflatable pumpkins at Homebase[/caption]

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Cheap treat

Morrisons

Inventure S’mores cereal is £2.50 at Morrisons[/caption]

SWEETEN up breakfast time with a bowl of Inventure S’mores cereal, featuring chocolate, marshmallow and crunchy crackers, £2.50, from Morrisons.

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John Lewis

The North Face 100 glacier zip fleece is £75 from John Lewis[/caption]

Lidl

But Lidl’s Rocktrail fleece jacket is just £7.99 – in stores now[/caption]

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Flying Tiger

Save £1.50 on this flamingo mug at Flying Tiger[/caption]

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TNT SPORTS apologised after commentary stopped just five minutes into Liverpool’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.

In the opening stages the match, commentary from Darren Fletcher and Lucy Ward unexpectedly cut out.

TNT Sports

TNT Sports apologised after commentary cut out in the early stages of RB Leipzig vs Liverpool[/caption]

The technical error – caused by an issue with microphones – lasted almost three minutes.

When everything resumed as normal, Fletcher explained: “Apologies for the early technical problems here.

“We can’t quite get the microphones to work inside the stadium. German technology and all that. Expected it to be better.

“Apologies sent though from Leipzig.”

Some fans actually seemed to enjoy the unintentional break from commentary.

One person took to social media to write: “That 2 minutes where TNT lost the commentary feed in the Liverpool game was absolutely bliss.”

Another said: “There’s no commentary on TNT at all?”

A third wrote: “TNT apologising for the loss of commentary. Don’t apologise, it’s great!”

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

While a fourth commented: “Wish TNT would just cut the commentary for the Liverpool game. It’s not working and it’s much more enjoyable without anyway.”

Reds striker Darwin Nunez broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark with a tap-in.

SUPERSTAR DJ Fatboy Slim has been ordered to sort out his beachfront cafe after it was infested by rodents.

The Right Here Right Now legend was forced to close it for a deep clean after officials said there was “a risk to safety”.

Alamy

Fat Boy Slim’s cafe has been shut for a clean after rat poo was found in all areas by health bosses[/caption]

The Big Beach Cafe, in the DJ’s native Hove, East Sussex, was awarded a hygiene rating of just one out of five last month when mouse droppings were found in all food areas of the business.

The report said: “This presents an imminent risk to food safety. You are required to have adequate procedures to prevent pests.”

It said food was kept at 15C — when it should be below 8C, lettuce was not washed before use, chopping boards were worn and a chef was not wearing an apron.

The council said they would return to check that issues were fixed.

When The Sun visited this week the café was open.

The DJ, real name Norman Cook, 61, below, bought the cafe’s lease from Sir Paul McCartney’s ex Heather Mills in 2013 and often helps out in the kitchen.

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “In instances where we consider there a risk to customers’ health, we work with the business.”

Norman’s spokesman did not comment yesterday

DURING the General Election, Labour promised they would reduce utility bills by £300. It was a bold promise.

Now Ed Miliband doesn’t dare repeat the claim. In fact, energy bills are set to shoot up this winter. The energy price cap will rise by ten per cent for the ­average household this month.

Alamy

And after all her talk of not raising taxes on working people, Rachel Reeves now cannot rule out piling extra duty on petrol, either[/caption]

This price hike comes just as Labour takes the winter fuel payment away from 10million pensioners. OAPs on as little as £13,000 could be up to £600 worse off.

Tragically, thousands of vulnerable older people will die from the cold. Labour must be held accountable.

And after all her talk of not raising taxes on working people, Rachel Reeves now cannot rule out piling extra duty on petrol, either.

British motorists already pay some of the highest fuel taxes in Europe. A hike at the Budget would hammer millions of working people, as well as the most vulnerable who rely on cars to get around.

Make no mistake — this is a tax paid by millions of ­working people every time they fill up at the pump.

Labour is a party of the metropolitan elite and just don’t get how important cars are to people across the country.

It’s why, as a Treasury Minister, I backed The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign — and froze the duty.

But Labour is a party of the metropolitan elite and just don’t get how important cars are to people across the country.

 Their Net Zero zealotry means that they want to price millions out of driving.

 But it doesn’t stop there.

Astonishingly, they are still committing to banning the sale of new petrol and ­diesel cars from 2030, even though the tech and charging points won’t be ready.

After 100 days, Labour’s pledges to lower energy bills are already unravelling.

 It’s the latest in a long list of broken promises.

But my real fear is that it’s only going to get worse from here. Much worse.

Why? Because of Ed Miliband’s crazy plans to try to “decarbonise” the entire grid by 2030 — in just six years’ time.

Such a rapid change can only lead to bills spiralling. Or worse, blackouts across the country.

 No respected expert thinks it’s possible.

But Ed Miliband is pressing on regardless, sacrificing our economy on the high altar of Net Zero.

It’s reported that he will impose heat pump targets next year, in what the industry has warned will lead to a “boiler tax” for households.

Labour doesn’t seem to understand that there are no prizes for reaching Net Zero first.

We only emit one per cent of global emissions, so we shouldn’t rush to ­decarbonise at the expense of working people nor the industries that drive our economy.

Of course, most people want the UK to do its bit to reduce emissions.

 But we’re not fools. We know there are clearly trade-offs we have to balance against.

Such as ensuring our energy security and keeping prices low.

Or, indeed, preserving our agricultural land, food security and countryside.

 Labour have already started approving enormous and ugly solar farms that will sprawl across our precious farmland.

That’s only going to leave us more ­dependent on foreign imports of food.

I say: solar panels are for roofs, not farms.

And where are these solar panels made?

 Often they are imported from China, where the materials in them are linked to the forced labour of imprisoned Uyghurs.

We are risking a made-in-China energy transition, with all the dangerous ­consequences for our security.

Meanwhile, Labour are rushing to phase out gas.

 That’s all well and good. But when our competitors realise it’s here to stay for the medium term, we risk our energy prices putting British industry out of business.

Not to mention the loss of countless jobs in the North Sea.

They’re not even looking at the serious alternatives — such as speeding up nuclear power. It’s barmy.

I’ve set out a plan to build five new nuclear power stations by 2032 by getting rid of endless environmental impact assessments, simplifying planning and copying designs from countries such as South Korea.

 That would generate 28GW of electricity annually — or, put another way, almost a quarter of the electricity we need.

While battery storage technology lags behind, we desperately need nuclear and gas power for when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.

 But Labour seem to be in denial about the basic ­physics of this.

The truth is, we need to be more ­realistic about our energy policy.

In the past 20 years, prices have ­spiralled fourfold. You can’t keep industries such as steel or heavy manufacturing going when our energy is four times the price of that in other countries.

‘These are mad policies’

There are real decisions to be made here that matter to millions. Not that you’d know it.

MPs rushed through the 2050 Net Zero target in a 90-minute debate.

 The Government spent more time ­analysing the impact of moving to paper straws than changing the entire foundations of our economy.

Like so much of our political debate, democratically elected politicians have washed their hands of responsibilities.

Driving is not a vice. The public did not vote to be colder, poorer, and priced out of their own cars.

 The Climate Change Act, passed by ­Labour in 2008, committed our country to Soviet-style, sector-by-sector, five-year ­targets for reducing emissions.

If they’re not hit, activist groups can sue the Government.

 And they do — even blocking a mine for coking coal used to make steel last month.

It’s made it incredibly difficult to build the critical infrastructure we need and handcuffed the ability of elected politicians to balance decarbonising with energy ­security and economic growth.

That’s why we need to scrap them.

These are mad policies that are bad for working people.

 Driving is not a vice. The public did not vote to be colder, poorer and priced out of their own cars.

We must get serious and scrap these plans.

Getty

Driving is not a vice. The public did not vote to be colder, poorer and priced out of their own cars.[/caption]

PARENTS are rushing to pick up Aldi’s brand-new chocolate pancakes – that taste just like Nutella.

The pancakes, which contain Nutoka chocolate chips, Aldi‘s Nutella dupe, come in servings of four, and sell for £1.49 in the bakery section.

Getty

The new breakfast treat has appeared in budget supermarket chain Aldi[/caption]

Facebopk

A picture of the Nutoka pancakes was posted on Facebook[/caption]

A picture of the breakfast item was posted on the Newfoodsuk Facebook group, and quickly wracked up more than 500 reacts and comments.

One commenter wrote: “I need these.”

Another said: “These look good”.

A third tagged another user, saying: “Think we need some of these x”.

Several others were excited to get the pancakes for their children, with one saying: “The kids would love these.”

On the Instagram account John’s Snack Reviews, the item received a respectable six out of ten rating, with the poster praising the “chocolate quality”.

It comes as another new chocolatey treat, Cadbury’s Fuse Mini Treats, hit supermarket shelves.

Chocoholics were sent into a frenzy over the launch, having feared the classic Fuse bar was “extinct”.

Meanwhile, B&M shoppers went wild for a new twist on the Dream bar.

And customers raved about a new type of M&M – the Candy Popcorn M&M Minis.

Nestle has also added a new chocolate to its Quality Street “Favourites Golden Selection” pouch: the Toffee Penny.

But in sad news for chocoholic vegans, Aldi has axed its popular Moser Roth Vegan Blond chocolate.

IT’S first thing Monday morning, the kids are wailing about misplaced homework and there’s a harassed parent in front of the bathroom mirror, razor in hand, battling to get ready for work.

Typical family scene, right?

David Cummings

Lynne Hyland is powdered up and ready for dermaplaning to clear facial fuzz[/caption]

David Cummings

For years, Lynne has been one of a growing breed of women who swear by the benefits of face-shaving[/caption]

Except the person shaving their face isn’t my husband — it’s me.

Before you assume I’m some secret werewolf, trying to shed evidence of last night’s full moon, I’d better explain.

For the past three years, I’ve been one of a growing breed of women who swear by the benefits of face-shaving — or dermaplaning as it is also known.

It promises glowing, softer and more youthful skin, perfectly primed to absorb your favourite lotions and potions.

Best of all, it is now very affordable.

What took off as a defuzzing-meets-exfoliating salon treatment in the Noughties is now booming at home, too, so allowing women to shave off cost as well as facial fur.

Just take a quick scroll through social media to see face-shaving is not a niche activity for people with a bearded-lady fetish.

There are nearly three million Instagram posts about #Dermaplaning, and more than 150,000 TikTok videos pulling in over four billion views.

Then there are the celebrity fans, such as Eva Mendes and Gwyneth Paltrow, who use it to amp up their A-list glow.

So it’s amid all this back-ground noise that I’ve found myself regularly brandishing a dermaplaner.

I wouldn’t describe myself as especially hairy, but like many women I’ve got a fair bit of facial peach-fuzz.

I need to stress, this is perfectly normal. And if you perhaps prefer to just leave your facial hair alone, however much nature has blessed you with, fair play.

Personally, though, I’ve never liked mine. As an avid fake-tanner, I’d noticed my lady sideburns taking on a slightly orangey hue and, come to think of it, my foundation also had a slightly furry feel.

The first time I dermaplaned, I definitely felt a little trepidation — as I applied a standard skin oil, held the scalpel-like razor beneath my cheekbone and began to defuzz.

Within seconds, fur was flying. Two, three little strokes and the blade was already coated with a surprisingly large amount of fluffy vellus. I can’t deny, it was deeply satisfying.

Immediately afterwards, my 40-something skin felt gorgeously smooth, and even more so after it slurped up my moisturiser.

The next day, my complexion seemed to have a fresh glow and my make-up floated on effortlessly.

I felt fairly confident that my peach fuzz was far too fine to cause any prickly regrowth and my husband agreed my skin felt lovely — once he’d stopped chuckling at my latest beauty experiment.

David Cummings

Lynne before the viral shaving hack[/caption]

David Cummings

Lynne’s friends said she looked younger after shaving[/caption]

The clincher came when a friend asked me what I was using on my skin that day and, bless her, added: “You’re like Benjamin Button”.

Monthly regime

Just coincidence? Ego-stroking? Maybe, maybe not.

Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, an ambas­sador for the Venus Dermaplaner, says: “Done properly, derma-planing really does reveal a brighter, smoother complexion, by removing dead skin cells and peach fuzz.

“Imagine your skin without that layer of dullness and tiny hairs. It’s also going to help your skincare products work better, meaning more bang for your buck.”

But before we get carried away, let’s circle back to those two key words, “done properly”.

While dermaplaning is now part of my monthly beauty regime, I’m aware it’s not without potential pitfalls.

In particular, remember these blades are sharp. I’m guilty of being careless once or twice and ending up with a little nick to show for it.

But I’ve also seen a new viral trend on TikTok where influencers are adding a whole new layer, literally, to DIY dermaplaning.

As a pre-shave prep step, they are using “hair identifier” sprays, which coat the face with a white, botanical-based powder highlighting every fuzzy follicle for the ultimate shave.

Ever the willing — and furry — human guinea-pig, I thought I’d order a bottle for myself, which cost a fiver including razors.

Copying the ghostly effect I’d seen online, I sprayed it liberally, creating a look that was somewhere between Christmas window-frosting and dandruff.

As the spray dried, my facial hairs stood out in a rather unflattering way and I began gently shaving away at the residue, dislodging the chalky, hairy dust.

Since I was filming this for Fabulous, I did go over some areas again in a way I wouldn’t usually — and I paid the price, with a couple of irritated patches.

My bad, but I did think my skin felt quite dry after rinsing the spray off.

Yes, the facial hair was gone but, frankly, I’ve never had a problem identifying my peach fuzz and just found the process rather messy and cumbersome.

Consultant dermatologist Dr Aamna Adel (@dermatologist_adel) agrees.

She says: “These products are gimmicky.”

So, a hair-revealer spray may be eye-catching on TikTok but it’s not something I’ll be adding to my shaving regime.

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Boots

Boots Smooth Care Dermaplaner Razors, £3[/caption]

RIO FERDINAND was left stunned after Liverpool were robbed of a clear penalty against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

The Reds were taking on the German outfit in the League Phase of the tournament at the Red Bull Arena.

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Liverpool were denied a penalty against RB Leipzig[/caption]

Getty

Darwin Nunez was tripped by defender Willi Orban[/caption]

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Rio Ferdinand was convinced it should have been a penalty to Liverpool[/caption]

Darwin Nunez fired the travelling side into the lead in the 27th minute as he tapped home from close range.

The striker was then in the thick of it again in the 38th minute after he went down in the box.

The Uruguayan was running to the ball and was tripped by defender Willi Orban in the box.

Replays showed that Nunez got to the ball first and was brought down by the Hungarian.

At halftime, Rio Ferdinand was stunned that VAR turned down the decision to give a penalty.

Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: “I do not know how VAR have looked at this and said no.

“VAR would have seen that angle and said no, I cannot believe it.”

Co-pundit Steve McManaman agreed as he argued that there should have been a spot-kick.

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He added: “Of course it is a penalty.

“There’s the contact, Nunez works hard, and made it himself, for what should have been a penalty.”

PA

Nunez had scored the opener in the Champions League clash[/caption]

The decision was checked by VAR, but despite a second look, Nunez’s claim was turned down.

Fans were left fuming on social media that the referee had not pointed to the spot.

One posted: “How is that not a penalty?”

A second wrote: “People who say no need a new pair of glasses.”

A third commented: “Stone waller.”

A fourth said: “So refs and VAR are incompetent all across Europe huh?”

Another added: “How this isn’t a pen is beyond me.”

He's got a lot going on.