The Lifestyle Barometer: Your guide to what’s hot and what’s not, from rosé to ghosting

Last week was one for the lads, while steps were made for body positivity as a public health group called for an end to ‘anti-ageing’ products

Going up:

The boy zone

There’s no denying it, this week has been a great one for the guys. From London Fashion Week Men’s – which showcased a host of weird and wonderful trends – to Father’s Day – the one day of the year we spoil our daddies with fabulous gifts – we’re well and truly in the boy zone.

Looking for something to buy your pa, grandpa, step-dad or father-in-law? Read our suggestions on what to buy for fashionable fellas here.

Grenen Slim Black Steel-Mesh Watch, £155, Skagen

Rosé

We’re well into spring and the sun is finally shining which can only mean one thing: rosé all day.

Whether it’s a BBQ, family gathering or drinks with friends, nothing beats a glass of chilled blush on a hot day. Confused about what region you should be buying from, how to know if you’re getting a decent bottle, and how much you should be spending? Our wine and spirits expert, Adrian Smith, has all the answers.

Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé, £10.49, Waitrose

H&M

From its super-scandi homeware to its affordable prices, H&M has become one of the biggest shopping destinations on the high street but it’s also been clouded by years of complaints from shoppers concerning its out-of-whack sizing.

Luckily, the Swedish retailer has paid attention and recently announced that it will be making its UK sizes bigger. If you needed an excuse to stock up your summer-worthy wardrobe, this is it.

Skinny Regular Jeans, £17.99, H&M

Yoga

Exploring the cool scale of 2,000 adults, researchers have put together a definitive list of what’s trendy in 2018. It’s good news for fitness fanatics because, according to frozen yoghurt brand YooMoo, yoga has beaten a whole host of other trends like cycling or HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to the top spot.

In fact, it’s so trendy that fashion brand Cottweiler sent one model walking down it’s spring/summer 2019 runway carrying a yoga mat. Namaste.

The Reversible (Un)Mat, £38, Lululemon

Aldi

No-frills German supermarket chain Aldi might be the secret to cheap groceries but, its appeal doesn’t stop there, because it’s also home to two award-winning whiskies.

Beating some stiff competition, the budget supermarket has won gold medals for its Highland Black Scotch Whisky (£12.99) and Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (£17.49).

Aldi’s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (£17.49) also picked up a silver medal.

Not a big drinker? Then pick up one of its so-called Jo Malone dupe candles – which sold out in mere minutes across the country – for just £3.99 instead.

The Scotch whisky range at Aldi

Going down:

Ghosting

Modern dating is hard, especially when you factor in the world of brutal dating trends like ghosting.

A term that embodies the moment someone simply stops replying to the messages from their love interest, the horrible practice has unfortunately become commonplace, but we’ve had enough.

Just ask assistant lifestyle editor Rachel Hosie who recently tracked down all the men who’ve ghosted her and confronted them for their shady ways.

Ghosting is one of the many pitfalls of modern dating (Getty) (Getty Images)

Anti-ageing beauty products

Thanks to a rise in body positive social media campaigns, we’re starting to change the way we perceive beauty. Now the movement is extending to the realm of anti-ageing, with the Royal Society for Public Health calling for the term to be banned across the cosmetics industry.

Alternatively, look for products that are specifically designed to care for more mature skin like Liz Earle’s Skin Repair Moisturiser.

Skin Repair Moisturiser, £21, Liz Earle

‘Virtue signalling’ fashion

A term coined by The Spectator journalist James Bartholomew in 2015 in reference to “the way in which many people say or write things to indicate that they are virtuous”, virtue signalling has extended beyond political slogan tees.

Now, Australian fashion brand Kholo has launched a “#MeToo Collection” inspired by the global movement that has seen survivors of sexual assault and harassment speak out about their experiences. Not okay.

Instead, try keeping your wordy tees less radical and more tongue-in-cheek like this one from Topshop.

Good Vibes Slogan T-Shirt by Love, £16.99, Topshop

Beards

Facial hair has become the defining look of a generation of men, with the hipster fad reaching fever pitch in areas like Shoreditch. However, it seems that bushy beards might finally be on their way out.

According to new research, 43 per cent of women said they would refuse to date a man who wasn’t clean shaven, while 61 per cent claimed a lack of facial hair simply didn’t bother them.

Still not convinced? In further evidence that the death of facial fuzz is imminent, a male model recently conducted a social experiment on Tinder to find out what type of hairstyle won him the most matches. To his surprise he got the most matches – 120 to be precise – when he was clean shaven. Looks like it might be time to invest in a razor.

Nickel Triple Blade Razor, £43, Penhaligon’s

Harmful Haircare

Labelled with words and phrases like natural, conditioning, smooths and softens, you’d be forgiven for thinking that your go-to shampoo is giving your locks a real treat.

But, as it turns out, many are actually packed with dangerous ingredients that could do more damage than good.

Next time you go shopping, ditch products that contain parabens, formaldehyde, sulphates and even fragrance to make sure your tresses stay in tip-top condition without any harmful side effects.

Neutral Scent Free Shampoo, £12.50, Green People