Midlife guide to…

the champagne rinse

When I say the word “champagne”, what springs to mind?

Party time! Weddings, birthdays, special occasions… and a certain dry‑mouthed regret in the form of a headache the next day.

Ah, but is that all champagne is good for?

Now that sounds like a leading question… but why would I spend money on fizz all the way from northeastern France and not drink it? Unless I’m celebrating a Grand Prix win – extremely unlikely – there’s only one place it’s going.

Well, put those flutes away, because the latest beauty hack to hit Instagram is the champagne rinse.

Rinse, as in mouthwash?

Hair, silly – as part of your beauty regime. When Madina Shrienzada, an influencer with 290,000 followers, poured a bottle of champagne over her locks, hoping to re-energise and add shine, a beauty craze was born.

Other than the shocking waste, surely drenching your hair in alcohol only leads to acid damage? Not to mention that you’ll smell like you’ve been boozing, albeit looking glossier than usual… Try it, naysayer: after washing, rinse through with champagne, towel up and marinade for 15 minutes. If legendary supermodel Christie Brinkley says

she applies leftover champagne for extra shine, that’s good enough for me.

So for hair that only A‑listers possess, I must do a sweep of the near‑empties at the next wedding I’m invited to?

Or you could just clear a spot in the bathroom cabinet for the styling balm or wet texture spray in Cuvee Beauty’s “hair line” range, which blends champagne with white truffle.

Truth is, I’m happy with my Head and Shoulders, thanks very much.

In which case, you might like to try something for your skin, from the Lacura Cuvee Royal collection, a champagne-infused antiageing range by Aldi…

You really can’t buy class, can you? Holly Godfrey