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Biovene Barcelona 's beauty products are fabulous in every way. Besides the important fact they are ethically sourced and never tested on animals, the high quality products come with a very reasonable price tag.  Biovene produce a range of organic, natural skincare, haircare, lipcare and suncare. All products are manufactured using minimal packaging material while bottles are made from 100% recycled material. The company is all too aware of the harm cause by plastic pollution which includes the fact that over 700 different marine species are killed either by plastic ingestion or entanglement, resulting in more than 100 million animal deaths a year. A shocking figure. Two-thirds of all seabird species are also affected. For example 98% of albatrosses have ingested plastic while 40% of their chicks die when fed this by their parents. Unlike humans, wildlife cannot discern plastic from digestible materials so if something resembles food then they assume it is food. Jellyfish-eating species including ocean sunfish and sea turtles, mistake plastic bags and balloon ribbons for jelly medusae, while animals including cows and dogs often eat plastic contaminated with human food.  If you haven't already done so, then do give Biovene products a try. Available from their website the products are suitable for various skin types including sensitive, oily, dry or combination.  These five ‘perfume power moves’ are all you need to keep your fragrance lasting longer in the warmer weather.
TikTok Hack According to TikTok, there’s a clever fragrance hack that’s a sure-fire way to make a fragrance last longer. It's simple! Just apply a little makeup primer to your pulse points, eg wrists and neck, before spritzing on your perfume. Since primers are designed to grip makeup, they also help 'anchor' your fragrance to the skin. It’s a neater, non-greasy alternative to Vaseline, and popular options like the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer or NYX’s Face Glue Primer are proving especially effective at a low cost. Money Saver’s Hack 'If you don’t want your expensive fragrance to go to waste when you’re wearing it in warm weather, but don’t want to fork out for extra products, then there are cheap and free hacks you can adopt,”'says Jonny Webber from PerfumeDirect.com 'A great money-saver’s hack for making your fragrance last longer is turn your clothes inside out and mist the lining, especially blazers, cardigans or the lining of the current trending wide leg trouser. Fabric holds scent even longer than skin but spraying directly can stain delicate materials. With your scent in your clothes’ lining, you create a lasting scent ‘halo’ around yourself without dousing your skin or risking fabric marks. And it leaves a subtle trail of luxury as you walk by.' The Fragrance Expert’s Hack Here’s one the French swear by. Using discovery sets are great for lots of reasons, says French-born perfumer Aude Asklöv, but she says think about how different notes work in a perfume or when fragrance layering. 'Think of perfumes as a wardrobe with different options for different occasions. Discovery sets or collections of complementary scents are ideal for this purpose, offering variety while maintaining harmony within a brand or fragrance family.' She adds: 'Today’s fragrance enthusiasts curate collections tailored to their daily lives and this also ties into the rising trend of fragrance layering, allowing individuals to build personalised scent profiles. For example, a zesty citrus for energising mornings, transitioning to a romantic floral for daytime elegance or an afternoon outing and finishing with a seductive woody note for evening.' The Science Hack Chill your fragrance before wearing. Sounds weird but there’s science behind this hack! 'Pop your perfume bottle in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before you apply it on hot days,' says Jonny. 'The cold helps stabilise the fragrance molecules, especially citrus and floral notes that tend to disappear fast in heat. Perfume is not a fan of sunlight or heat anyway so always store them in a cool, dark place to preserve the formula.' Gen X’s Hack This time-served hack has been passed from generation to generation. Create a fragrance balm by gently melting a mini pot of Vaseline, or scrape out old, unused lip balms decanted into a small travel pot, add your favourite perfume, chill in the fridge and voila! A bespoke longer lasting solid perfume balm that you can easily carry around with you day and night. Fragrance clings better to oily or well-hydrated skin, so this creates a sort of base that slows down evaporation, meaning scent lingers hours longer without needing to reapply. Bonus tip: spritz perfume on your hairbrush too - fabric and hair hold scent better than dry skin alone. There is an ‘art’ in wearing perfume well, says PerfumeDirect.com’s Jonny. 'Pulse points are classics for a reason. But in hot weather, try spritzing behind the knees or around the ankles. These spots warm up more slowly, releasing the fragrance gradually throughout the day. A subtle waft every time you cross your legs or kick off your sandals. And don't rub – spritz and let it settle. We’re all guilty of that automatic wrist-rubbing move post-spray, but rubbing breaks down the perfume’s top notes, shortening the scent’s lifespan and altering the intended fragrance.' More fragrance advice, latest perfumes and aftershaves at www.perfumedirect.com Echoing the aromas of designer fragrances at budget-friendly prices, UK based Rebel Aromas focus on ethical beauty, offering vegan-friendly and cruelty-free perfumes. Not only that, THEY SMELL FABULOUS! I am astonished. Totally.   This isn't my first foray into the world of 'dupe' fragrances. I have tried a couple of others because they were touted as being 'just like the real thing'. To me though, they smelled of very little and an hour after spraying them on, there was no fragrance left. Perhaps that's why when I heard about Rebel Aromas, I thought, here we go again. I know, that's what you get for being cynical. Oh, I am running ahead of myself here. Perhaps some of you reading this don't know what a 'dupe' is - it's easy, they are labelled as such because of how similar they smell to iconic brands. Rebel Aromas offer an affordable alternative without compromising quality. So, what are some of the fragrances they offer? I'll start with Millionairess because it is super-gorgeous, magnetic ,alluring yet bold with floral and sensual base notes of patchouli and honey that define its luxurious character. Inspired by Paco Rabanne's 'Lady Million', you're going to feel pretty high-end if you choose this one with no worries about a designer price tag. If you are the kind of girl who wants to make a statement, this one is for you. Dark Opium is, as you may guess, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium, a perfume which I have long loved. Top notes of coffee, pink pepper and orange blossom meld well with middle and base notes - vanilla, cedarwood and musk -to provide an intriguing yet seductive aroma.  Rebel Riviera captures the essence of Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, fresh, citrusy, floral with more than a hint of rebellion. This is an exotic fragrance, possibly thanks to the addition of cruelty-free white musk. This one is great for daytime wear, it's sure to power you through from start to finish. Forbidden Fruits, an eco-friendly blend of pure botanicals inspired by Jo Malone's English Pear and Freesia, is sweet, fresh and totally captivating. Spritz in the vicinity of others and you will definitely get compliments. This one is elegant and sweet, capturing the essence of spring time whatever time of year you choose to wear it.  Rebellious Beauty is inspired by Lancome's La Vie Est Belle. This crisp, invigorating scent with top notes of pear, blackcurrant and iris is completely captivating, almost defiant. This perfume shouts fun and should be worn by those who know what they want and won't stop until they get it! The last Rebel Aromas perfume that I can tell you about is the feminine fragrance Rogue Whispers which captures the spirit of Carolina Herrera's Good Girl, a perfume I adore. Rogue Whispers is confident, bold with rich base notes which include tonka bean to add sweetness, depth and warmth. To sum up, I think Rebel Aromas has a fab range of perfume dupes, at prices which mean you can splash out and buy several to see which suits you best. Details of pricing and how to order on website www.rebelaromas.co.uk disclaimer: I received samples from Rebel Aromas but views are my own.   I love Puressentiel products. This family company with a background in herbalism and naturopathy have collaborated with doctors, pharmacists, scientific researchers and aromatherapy specialists to develop the Puressentiel range. They sent me their Muscles and Joints Pure Heat Roller and Pure Heat Gel to try and I have to say that they do tick all the boxes. Recommended for athletes and those suffering from muscle and joint pain, these products are the natural way to help relieve pain or strain. They each contain 14 essential botanical oils with anti inflammatory, anti swelling, analgesic properties. These include chamomile, cloves, eucalyptus, cajuput, wintergreen, juniper, marjoram, peppermint, lavender, limonene, nutmeg, niaouli, Scots pine and rosemary. What a glorious combination! They are quite strongly scented due to the eucalyptus and menthol, a pleasant smell which helps make you feel relaxed. You only need to use a little of the product which feels cool and tingly on first contact with the skin and becomes warmer so you know it is going to be beneficial! The heat gel and roller don't leave stains and are non-greasy and non-sticky so making them ideal to use anytime, anywhere. Puressentiel products: - made with 100% natural active ingredients - contain pure and natural essential oils and have no parabens, colourants, GMO, phenoxyethanol or synthetic fragrances - are not tested on animals Sold at Boots, Holland & Barrett, Amazon or direct from the company.  Made from the finest responsibly-sourced Madagascan cocoa and crafted by expert Belgian chocolatiers, these dark chocolate chips from Nibble Simply are sweetened with coconut sugar, which the experts say, is better for you! Grown in mineral-rich soil, Madagascan cocoa is one of the very best and one of the most exclusive, cocoas in the world, accounting for less than 1% of chocolate globally. Another thing, cocoa is full of flavonoids with antioxidant qualities which help protect skin against damage from UV rays and pollution that speeds up skin ageing.  Goodies from the Nibble Group are fabulously different! Their lower-in- sugar, vegan snacks and bites are made with the best all-natural ingredients, nothing at all nasty lurks within! And they contain a fraction of the sugar of other snack bars. The two delicious ranges are: NIBBLE SIMPLY: Made with a handful of the finest ingredients, the little keto-friendly bites are super healthy with 55%+ fewer carbs, 60%+ less sugar and 160%+ more protein than their cookie counterparts. NIBBLE PROTEIN: Protein-packed bites are made with antioxidant dried plum purée. No sugar-laden dates or high GI sweeteners here. I was sent a pack of Nibble's yummy Madagascan chocolate chips to try and yes, they are fabulously rich and tasty! Definitely moreish!
All NIBBLE natural bites are vegan, soy and gluten free. The clever people there have avoided the most commonly used proteins: whey (dairy-based) and soy. Instead they opted for pea protein which contains no dairy or soy (common allergens) and it is sustainable - so, goodie! no cows required! It is also alkaline forming to help keep your body in balance and since it is a slow digesting protein, studies show it keeps you fuller for longer than whey protein. What's not to like? Nibble also contains other healthy ingredients including gluten-free oats, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds and tasty dried plum purée. Now, dried plums, prunes by another name, are in fact, the original superfood. Well-known for being high in fibre, they're also tops for antioxidant power and contain over 40% less sugar than dates. As well as that, nutrient-rich dried plums are a good source of iron, potassium, boron - necessary for strong bones & muscles, magnesium and vitamins K and A. Wow! They are deliciously low GI too. No wonder dried plum purée is the base of the Nibble Protein range.  Pukka Herbs has launched a fabulous bedtime tea which is absolutely chocca with immunity supporting ingredients.
Blended by Pukka’s Master Herbsmith, Sebastian Pole, Night Time Berry is a taste of fruity heaven with 100% organic blackcurrant, echinacea and elderberry combined with nature’s A-list night-time herbs; lavender, chamomile and valerian, making this the absolutely perfect bedtime brew. Nature’s finest ingredients for sleep and immunity : Elderberries: Bursting with brightly coloured pigments that act as natural antioxidants, elderberries are a natural source of vitamin C. Echinacea: A renowned immune tonic, echinacea can be particularly helpful to maintain seasonal wellness. Valerian: Traditional tonic to support restful sleep. Valerian can help us to drop off into an undisturbed sleep Chamomile: contains an antioxidant called apigenin which works on brain receptors to help initiate sleep. Night Time Berry (RRP £2.99) is a new addition to Pukka’s popular sleep range which includes Pukka’s Organic Night Time tea and supplements. I've been trying Pukka night time berry tea to see if it would help improve my sleeping pattern. I have to say that I am surprised (because I've tried many others which have no effect on me at all) and very pleased to say that it has indeed improved my sleep .... and what's more, it's lovely fruity taste is extremely relaxing .... zzzzzzzzzz  Lizi’s granola is a fab option for breakfast. I love granola and when I eat breakfast - which isn't every day - naughty, I know! - that's what I opt for. However, up until last week I hadn't sampled Lizi's granola. I have tried most of the other granolas on the supermarket shelves; of course, some are better than others. I discard those which have lots of teeny tiny bits almost like hard granules of dust lounging around in the packet. Some just don't have any flavour. Some are too sweet. Others are hard - yes, I know granola is supposed to be crunchily hard - but, there's crunchy and there's tooth shatteringly crunchy. When I was asked if I would like a packet of Lizi's high protein granola to try out and review here, I said, yes please! I'll give it a go. So, here's my take on Lizi's Granola. Tasty. Good texture. It doesn't turn soggy as soon as I add my soya milk. Not too sweet. What surprised me, I suppose, was that I didn't feel peckish within an hour or two of eating it. This slow-release of energy is due to the low GL (glycaemic load) per serving, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. So, to the nitty gritty. This granola delivers more than 27% of your daily protein needs per serving. Oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut and chopped nuts up your fibre intake and of course as you all know, that contributes to our general health, mental wellbeing and helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Apple juice adds just the right amount natural sweetness so you have a super, tasty breakfast that is really good for you.  The low sugar mix - under 4% - is ideal for those who dislike sweet breakfast cereals. I've been eating this fabby granola with the addition of chopped apple or a satsuma or two, sometimes with fresh raspberries (Scottish, of course!) or a dollop of Greek style plain yogurt. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. RRP £3. 70 for 350g. Lizi’s is available in lots of supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, Ocado. from many independent health stores and of course, from Lizi's online shop at lizis.co.uk Why not try a packet or two? You'll like it, I promise! This product was sent to me free of charge by Lizi’s to be reviewed. Disclaimer : this review is my honest opinion of the product. LoveRaw, an indulgent, plant-based chocolate brand, is on a mission to produce vegan confectionary which tastes better than traditional chocolate. The company has introduced Cre&m Wafer Bars with no palm oil, dairy or artificial ingredients. No wonder they taste so moreish!   LoveRaw use only organic ingredients and - isn't this clever? - they slow dry their superfood bars at 38 degrees to make sure that no vitamins or minerals are lost in the process. There are two editions in the range: M:lk Choc and White Choc. Every pack contains two wafers, which are simply crammed full of LoveRaw’s signature almond and hazelnut cre&m and generously smothered in vegan chocolate. Your taste buds won't know what's hit them with these Wafer Bars which are so scrummy that each product can be enjoyed on its own or be the star ingredient in numerous culinary creations, from cupcakes and brownies to doughnuts and birthday cakes. (see recipes here.) Give Wafer Bars a try whether you are extremely vegan, occasionally vegan or not vegan at all. They are perfect for sharing or for a self-indulgent moment with a mid-morning or afternoon cuppa. You'll find them in TheVeganKind, Whole Foods Market, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Ocado, Co-op, Waitrose. Images all (c) Gilly Pickup Eat Love Raw Superfood Bars are: 100% Organic - 100% Raw - 100% Vegan - Gluten Free - Dairy Free -Wheat Free -Soy Free
www.eatloveraw.com Twitter: @loverawofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialloveraw/ Instagram: @loveraw Pinterest: @loverawofficial Thanks to the company for sending me samples to try for review purposes. |
