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The lovely people at INIKA don't compromise on quality or performance. Better still, as far as I'm concerned, their products are 100% naturally derived and cruelty free. None are tested on animals or contain ingredients which are a result of animal cruelty. They sent me samples of their Bold Lash Vegan Mascara, Curvy Lash Vegan Masacara and The Mascara, which I was happy to test.
Bold Lash Vegan Mascara
Wow, dramatic! This deeply pigmented formula glides on smoothly, instantly amplifying lashes by coating every one with glossy black pigment. Even for those with sparser lashes this helps give a voluminous appearance AND it protects lashes too while the large brush separates and coats individual lashes. It contains certified organic Magnolia Bark, Vitamin E and Sunflower Oil. (£27) Curvy Lash Vegan Mascara With a plant-based, smudge-proof formula and a purpose-built curling wand, this mascara coats every lash evenly. Enriched with certified organic Carnauba Wax and Vitamin E, this curling mascara does as it says and flares out lashes holding them in place with a deep dose of pigment. (£25) Did you know, INIKA'S organic make-up range has won a plethora of awards - over 35 in total - for product excellence and innovation, beating big name brands in open categories. If you are eco-conscious, it makes sense to choose INIKA for 100% natural, ethical cosmetics. All INIKA products are 100% naturally derived, Certified Vegan & Cruelty Free Want a taste of Italy without the hassle of getting there? The answer is Canvino, a fabulous new sparkling vegan wine which comes in recyclable cans. Easier to transport than bottles, the cans are lightweight and the wine stays sparkly and cooler for longer!  image (c) Mike Pickup
The wine comes from grapes sourced from a family-owned vineyard which has produced wine for a century using the traditional Charmat or tank method. In case you're wondering, that is the main process used for Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. Canvino comes in two flavours, Rosé and Bianco, ideal for indoor or outdoor celebrations. Sparkling Bianco is a crisp and dry white wine, medium bodied, easy to drink. Although dry is style it is fresh and fruity with light floral notes. Rose is medium-dry, lightly sparkling and refreshing with well balanced fruit notes. Launched in 2021, all natural Canvino is the perfect companion for any event and is 100% vegan too. Marc Laventure, Co-Founder of Canvino, said; “The canned wine market has soared in popularity over the past few years in the UK, so we are delighted to launch Canvino as the perfect new addition to your favourite portable tipples. We’re proud to deliver crisp and refreshing Italian sparkling wines that are as easy on the eye as they are to drink. Whatever the occasion, add some fizz to the party this year with a Canvino.” Can I recommend it wholeheartedly? Yes, definitely. Gets a big 10 out of 10 from me! Canvino is available at £3 per can with free shipping on packs of 12 or more from houseofcanvino.com, Amazon and other selected retailers. The team launched in July with two award-winning sparkling wines (Bianco and Rosé), which are both refreshing, medium-dry and very easy to drink. Following this they will launch two Italian and wine-based cocktails, their take on an Aperitivo Spritz and a Raspberry Bellini in 2022. (I was sent some cans of Canvino to try in return for an unbiased review, which all of my reviews are!)  After what feels like forever, most pubs have reopened and now that barbecues and picnics are in full flow, there's no better time for Salcombe Brewery to launch their vegan and gluten free pale ale, ‘Sun Drop’. Using a blend of American hops, ‘Sun Drop’ has a fruity, citrusy aroma of melon, orange and pink grapefruit, mmmm lovely! It's absolutely guaranteed to pack a punch and quench the thirst. Although proudly gluten free and vegan friendly, this dry-hopped ale is simply bursting with all the flavour you would expect from a regular ale. Of course it is tops when drunk on its own, but it is also delicious when served with food, including for example, a sweet potato curry or barbequed marinated vegetables. Ale lovers, you will be delighted, I promise. "BEER IS PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO BE HAPPY" - Benjamin Franklin Owner of Salcombe Brewery, John Tiner says, “We’ve spent a considerable time creating the perfect gluten free and vegan friendly beer using the finest ingredients. We want as many people as possible to enjoy our beer and ‘Sun Drop’ has made this possible. It’s been a difficult few months for the brewery industry and its trade customers; we’re delighted that pubs and restaurants are getting back to normal. We are very grateful to our household customers who have been extremely supportive by purchasing our beer and Ocean Cider from our online shop for nationwide delivery or making use of our free local delivery.” Keep reading for more info on other delights available from Salcombe Brewery - look below the images.... A FINE BEER MAY BE JUDGED WITH ONLY ONE SIP, BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE THOROUGHLY SURE - Czech Proverb
 Elephant Gin is a premium handcrafted London Dry Gin of 45% alcoholic volume made with carefully selected ingredients that capture the spirit of Africa. Inspired by the traditional sundowner experience at the end of the day in the African bush, Elephant Gin is produced for wildlife adventurers and urban explorers alike. Handcrafted in Germany, the gin is distilled using fourteen botanicals, including rare African ingredients to create a distinctive flavour profile.
Elephant Gin contributes 15% of all proceeds to two African elephant foundations to support the preservation of African wildlife. Made in small batches, Elephant Gin is produced using the traditional method of copper still distillation. Botanicals include baobab, the extraordinary buchu plant with a flavour similar to blackcurrant and the African Wormwood introducing a sharp floral note. Locally sourced spring water, fresh apples and other select ingredients enhance the purity and smoothness of the gin’s finish. The gin’s distinct nose first yields a subtle juniper aroma with an undertone of mountain pine and other herbaceous notes. The taste is complex but strikingly smooth, encompassing floral, fruity and spicy flavours, which can be enjoyed both straight and in a cocktail. Elephant Gin’s bottles are custom-made with hand-written labels, embossed with a crest and sealed with natural cork. Each batch is named after past great tuskers or elephants that Elephant Gin’s partners currently help protect. The team behind Elephant Gin are Robin and Tessa Gerlach, who were inspired to create Elephant Gin following their own travels as well as their work supporting foundations in South Africa. With a vision to conserve the wildlife they feel so passionate about, the couple decided to launch a product that would help conservation trusts. They strongly believe that this generation has a responsibility to support African wildlife today, so others can continue to enjoy it in the future. image (c) Elephant Gin Luxurious range of Christmas gifts include beautifully boxed natural face and skin care sets for men and women . Prices from £40.00 Shop the exclusive Dr Jackson’s Gift Sets now at: www.drjacksonskincare.com  ECO BRAND OF THE YEAR 2021 @BEAUTYSHORTLIST Give the gift of great skin this Christmas with the best selection of luxury skincare gift sets from award-winning brand Dr Jackson’s. Producing natural, scientific and sustainable skincare formulas for your face and body, Dr Jackson’s have launched three Christmas gift sets, offering duos of their best-selling products which include moisturisers and oils, all battling dry, oily and aging skin. Combining meticulous research with the finest ingredients nature has to offer, Dr Jackson’s products are developed for all skin types. Gift sets include: Dr Jackson’s Day Cover £40.00 The ultimate combination for nourished, radiant and glowing skin on-the-go: 01 Day Cream nourishes and delivers a smooth, clear complexion, as well as protecting skin from environmental pollutants; 03 Everyday Oil, for moisturising and calming the skin every day, everywhere. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. Dr Jackson’s Day into Evening Set £60.00 The perfect duo to keep skin hydrated day and night: 01 Day Cream delivers a smooth, clear complexion and protects skin from environmental pollutants and the 02 Night Cream deeply hydrates and helps reverse the signs of ageing, reducing fine lines in your sleep. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. Dr Jackson’s Night Cap - £40.00
A powerful combination of botanicals to moisturise and regenerate skin while you sleep or on-the-go: 02 Night Cream deeply hydrates and helps reverse the signs of ageing reducing fine lines in your sleep; 03 Everyday Oil, for moisturising and calming the skin every day, everywhere. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. More on Dr Jackson's Skincare here image (c) Dr Jackson's skincare Fascinated by native plants and their use in traditional medicine, Dr. Simon Jackson travelled the world seeking out innovative and ethical natural ingredients. This science-led brand not only produces fabulous skincare, they also sell herbal teas. Dr Jackson's Skincare Vegan, sustainable, non-toxic, all-natural and - here's the most important bit for me - not tested on animals. Besides that, this company avoids plastics as much as possible and use only recyclable boxes. Products are packaged in lovely minimalist, lab-inspired bottles and jars. The company decided from the start that beauty products should be clean, safe and of course effective, so to this end, their meticulously researched products use the finest natural ingredients and are suitable all skin types. Night Cream It is a pleasure to use this cream, it feels so lovely, rich and luxurious. It hydrates, smooths and softens skin while you snooze and is full of botanicals that work in synergy to regenerate dry skin and help diminish fine lines. Kigelia fruit extract helps to firm and even skin tone, baobab seed oil contains vitamins and antioxidants that protect against environmental pollutants and then there's fabulous frankincense, known to calm and soothe the complexion. That leaves the mango seed butter which goes deep into the skin to nourish and helps protect against environmental contaminants. Suitable for all skin types including very sensitive, dry and combination, it provides long-lasting hydration. Face Oil Enriched with 100% natural ingredients including Baobab and Marula oils - oh and did you know that the Baobab fruit contains six times as much vitamin C as an orange? - with extracts of Calendula and Arnica flowers, this delightful oil is rich in antioxidants and acids which improve firmness and elasticity, helps to even skin tone and soothe inflammation. To use, all you do is massage a couple of pumps into your skin. Remember, it's always best when trying new ingredients to do a patch test first. Day cream/ Moisturiser I love this lightweight moisturiser that keeps skin hydrated throughout the day. This nourishing formula is packed with nutrient-rich botanicals that work in synergy to deeply moisturise, regenerate and smooth the appearance of fine lines. It is suitable for all skin types, whether yours is sensitive like mine, or dry and combination, it provides all-day hydration for those who prefer an everyday moisturiser without SPF. Dr Jackson was a melanoma specialist during his time at King's College Department of Dermatology where he researched ingredients that had special healing properties for the skin. This is why his skincare products are based on the principles of pharmacognosy: the study of natural medicines derived from plants and their traditional uses. Makes sense then, that the products bearing his name care for skin in a natural, effective way and are beneficial for sensitive and problem skins. Click here to read about Dr Jackson's Christmas Gift Sets Formulations are free from parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances or synthetic ingredients that are not kind to your skin. Natural ingredients are sustainably harvested in collaboration with rural communities worldwide, nothing used is rare or endangered. See DrJacksonskincare.com for more During Dr Jackson’s academic career, he held research positions at King’s College, University of London and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Even more influential though was his time spent learning from tribal communities around the world, where he learned under knowledgeable shamans and healers in the Amazon, Indonesia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
 Flu season is here and those eligible are being urged to get the flu jab to prevent extra strain on the NHS. However, GPs have warned of a potential shortage in flu inoculations due to increase in demand as talks around immunity continue to dominate headlines.
It’s therefore safe to say health is at the front of our minds which raises the question, what can we do to support our immune system in a pandemic in winter? How do I know my immune system is low? You are more likely to have frequent or prolonged colds. Have you ever worked tirelessly to meet a deadline, to be met with flu or a cold after submission? This is due to stress. According to the NHS website, stress can take its toll on your body and your immune system. Similarly you might find that cuts take longer to heal or you are suddenly plagued by digestive problems. What can I do to strengthen my immune system? Getting the right nutrition is key to fighting off illness. The World Health Organisation’s research has shown that sufficient vitamin D in your diet can reduce your risk of experiencing at least one respiratory infection, including the common cold, influenza or pneumonia by a third. The Mayo Clinic also reported that lack of sleep can affect your immune system. “During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation or when you're under stress." Sleep deprivation may decrease the production of these protective cytokines. How much sleep should I get? Research suggests most adults need 7 to 8 hours of good sleep each night. Teenagers need 9 to 10 and primary school aged children may need 10 or more hours. It’s worth mentioning that more sleep isn’t always better. Adults sleeping more than 9 to10 hours each night may result in poor quality, broken sleep. What natural supplements can I take? Opting for a natural plant based supplement when feeling run down could reduce your reliance on pharmacuetials and stop a cold in its tracks before it really takes hold. Echinacea is recognised as one of the most powerful medicinal plants in this area and should be a staple item in your kit of winter health essentials. Research shows it can reduce the chance of developing a cold by 58% and speed up recovery by 1.4 days. Eleven per cent of the 252 drugs the World Health Organisation considers essential is derived exclusively from flowering plants and up to 50 per cent of drugs approved over the past 30 years have come directly or indirectly from natural products. Potter’s Herbals Echinacea Tincture is a herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. The specific combination of traditional herbal ingredients including certified organically produced Echinacea makes this product one of the most potent formulas on the market. Research from Potter’s Herbals , the UK’s leading proven, natural healthcare found that:
What else can I do? After every use, wash your reusable mask. Hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and not touching your face are all vital to stopping the spread of any virus. POTTER’S: Natural family care since 1812. Potters Herbals Echinacea Tincture with Elderberry Juice can be bought online and instore at Holland and Barrett for £11.99 RRP. (promoted post)  Looking for some tasty nibbles? You can't go wrong with Cambrook Foods baked and seasoned nut mixes - if you're a nut lover, then you will love them! The company has launched two gift sets which are absolutely full of flavour. Available in two sizes, the two jar set includes Hickory Smoke Seasoned Almonds & Cashews together with a jar of Baked Truffle Nuts, a mix of macadamia nuts and almonds, baked and seasoned with aromatic yummy black truffle and sea salt.
These nuts are baked in small batches to enhance the flavours. Why not give yourself a treat and buy some? See www.cambrookfoods.co.uk for more information and retailers. [ad / gifted] image (c) G Pickup |
