Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

The 5-in-1 children’s sleep solution

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Glow dreaming, glow, sleep, sleeping, children, how to, sleep aid, baby, babies. Sleep is an elusive thing when you become a parent. Anything that can result in a good nights sleep is worth a try. Glow Dreaming is a smart idea. A humidifier and sleep light, it also has pink noise, and releases aromatherapy. It is so clever and innovative. It is also stylish and looks great in your child’s room.

I love Glow Dreaming. It is easy-to-use. I think it is a wonderful idea for babies and children. I think it will result in many good nights for both parents and little ones. Very impressive and I recommend it.

Most parents will know the stress of having a baby or child that won’t sleep – it can be an extremely emotionally and physically draining time for the whole family.  However a new 5-in-1 sleep aid that helps babies and children to nod off in a matter of minutes is now being hailed as a ‘godsend’ by weary parents. Within months of launching the product had sold out and  has now been snapped up by more than 200,000 families in Australia and across the world.

 Glow Dreaming, sleeping, baby, children,
Glow Dreaming is the 5-in-1 sleep aid that is scientifically engineered for sleep. It is the creation of one desperate parent who struggled with their daughter’s inability to fall asleep. The device combines light therapy, aromatherapy, pink noise and a humidifier, which work together to relax and calm babies and children and help them fall asleep. alt=”Glow Dreaming uses the following techniques to help babies and children sleep:” width=”600″ />
NASA LED Sleep Light – NASA uses this specific red LED light therapy to help its astronauts sleep. Red spectrum light helps stimulate the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for telling us it’s time for sleep. This function also assists in the development of children’s circadian rhythm (internal sleep body clock), helping them to develop a healthy, non-habit forming relationship with sleep. Conversely, blue light, the lightemitted by devices such as phones and tablets, has  been found to hinder and disrupt sleep.
Pink Noise – Studies prove that Pink Noise, a combination of sounds naturally found in nature, is the best sound for sleep. Glow Dreaming have worked with Dr. Stephane Pigeon, one of the world’s leading sound engineers to develop the sleep aids pink noise component. The sounds are a combination of frequencies commonly heard in waterfalls, rain and thunder. Pink Noise enhances brain activity associated with the deep phases of sleep, improving memory retention and focus, as well as cognitive functions. It is similar to White Noise in sound, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike white noise generators, the unique sound has been specially calibrated to compensate for speaker imperfections and encourage sleep. The Glow Dreaming has only 3 volume settings, these settings produce sound never exceeding 70 decibels and are all within the range that are safe for developing ears.
Aromatherapy – The Glow Dreaming includes organic, medicinal grade essential oil, designed to relax the muscles and calm the mind ensuring that babies and children fall asleep. The oils have been specifically designed by Dr. Bo Hendgen who specialises in paediatrics.
Humidifier – Cool mist technology helps ease breathing, prevent snoring, and creates the ideal sleep environment by stopping the spread of airborne viruses and maintaining a more even room temperature.
Sleep Support – Changing behaviours especially around sleep is never easy. GlowDreaming provides a customer care team to help parents through the process. They use the latest scientific findings and personalise programmes to make the sleep process as easy as possible. The company also offers a sleep specialist service for no extra charge, allowing customers to speak with an expert for added support
The Glow Dreaming was created by Aloni Benau after his daughter began to struggle with her sleep: “At the early age of 8, my daughter unexpectedly lost someone she loved. It affected her greatly. She began to associate sleep with death and feared never waking up. We took her to see psychologists, we redecorated her room, we even took her to sleep school, all with minimal success. I was desperate to help her, so I started reading different studies. By combining light therapy, aromatherapy, sound therapy and a humidifier, I managed to find the answer we were searching for. My daughter loved the deep Red LED Light – it helped her feel relaxed and at peace. I sourced the best quality essential oil I could find, blended by one of the world’s leading naturopath’s – the beautiful aroma soothed her mind and body, taking away her fears and helping her drift off to sleep. The cool mist from the humidifier made it easier for her to breathe as well. The gentle hum of the Pink Noise (Slow Wave Sleep Sound Therapy), created by the world’s best sound specialist, helped her not just get to sleep, but get into a deeper, more restful sleep. The effects of these different sleep aids combined, relaxed and calmed my daughter, whisking her off to sleep. Before long, she was sleeping the night through and was once again the carefree, happy little girl she used to be.”

Summer Beauty Essentials

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It’s summer and it’s time to pamper. These are the beauty brands to get you looking fab. We love them.

Beauty , summer
St. Moriz: St. Moriz began its development and production of self tan in 2008 with the help of its in-house salon professional experts and has grown into one of the UK’s leading tanning brands. The secret lies in the skincare-focused ingredients.  St. Moriz products create a bronzed look for you while simultaneously preventing breakouts and protecting your skin.

  1. Available at https://www.stmoritz.com/en/
    St. Moritz is thoroughly cosmopolitan. The Alpine resort’s blend of glamour, lifestyle, sport and pristine nature outshines even the world’s greatest cities.

Jolen: Jolen is a bespoke company that specializes in bleach and wax strips. They have been around for over 50 years, and people keep coming back because of their incredible hair removal technology. Skip the salon and get silky smooth skin from the comfort of your own home!

Available at Boots

Glo32: Glo32 has toothpaste and whitening kits that are not only good for you, but also good for our planet. Glo uses natural ingredients such as coconut oil that is cruelty free and fully vegan that can help remove stains from your teeth in a flash.

Available at Boots

The Humble Co: The Humble Co. is at the forefront of environmentally friendly oral healthcare. All of The Humble Co. products are packaged in biodegradable wrappers made out of 100% recycled materials. The Humble Brush is available in both adult and kids’ sizes, in a variety of colours making it perfect for the whole family to use. And it doesn’t just stop at toothbrushes, The Humble Co. also produces biodegradable Floss Picks, Dental Floss, Cotton Swabs, Bamboo Straws, Bamboo Toothbrush Stands, Interdental Brushes and Natural Chewing Gum and Toothpaste.

Available at Boots

Small Things That Could Be Affecting Your Smile

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There are so many things that can affect our smiles, and we might not even realize we are doing so. There is more that goes into caring for your dental health and smile appearance than visiting the dentist and brushing twice a day. Your lifestyle can have a huge impact on the way that your mouth and teeth look. 

There are a few things that you can do – or not do – to help keep your smile looking radiant. Some habits may be simple to break, while others might take some time to get used to. You can also adjust the way you enjoy certain things like coffee to prevent it from having too significant an impact on the look of your smile. 

Genetics 

Genetics plays a part in many aspects of our health, and dental health is no exception. Our family history can dictate how straight our teeth will be and how susceptible we are to common dental issues like decay and gum disease. While there’s not much you can do about your genetics, being aware of what to look for and knowing your family history can be valuable. Find out more about how genetics can impact your smile from the dental professionals at ALIGNERCO.  

Nail Biting 

Using your teeth as nail clippers is never a good idea for both your teeth and your nails themselves. Our hands and nails harbor a lot of bacteria, which is why it is best to avoid putting your hands in or near your mouth unless they are freshly washed. Biting your nails can also break down the enamel, potentially causing chips in the teeth or decay.  

If biting your nails is a nervous habit, consider finding something else to do instead, such as a fidget spinner or stress toy. You could also use specialist nail polish that tastes unpleasant when chewed on. Learning healthy coping mechanisms can also be beneficial to help you stop biting your nails.  

Coffee 

Coffee is a common cause of teeth staining, which can be costly to fix if you end up requiring professional cleaning by your dentist. One way to prevent staining from coffee is by drinking your energy-boosting beverage through a metal straw. This can keep the liquid from washing over your teeth and preserve your pearly whites.  

Ice 

Many people crunch on ice when the weather is warm as a way to cool down. Some even enjoy doing it because the crunching itself is so satisfying. This can be bad news for your teeth, however, as crunching on hard things like ice can cause small cracks, which can lead to decay or even tooth loss. If you crunch ice to cool down, consider letting the ice melt in your mouth instead of drinking a cold drink. If the temptation is too much for you, consider avoiding ice in your drinks altogether.  

Teeth Grinding 

Teeth grinding is common and often occurs while we sleep when there’s not much we can do about it. If this is something you deal with, you could consider investing in a mouth guard to wear at night. This will prevent you from grinding your teeth, providing a cushioned surface to protect your teeth as you sleep.

Collaborative post with out brand partner.

SKINTELLIGENT: What you really need to know to get great skin

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SKINTELLIGENT

What you really need to know to get great skin

By Dr Natalia Spierings

 

Published by Vermilion.

Trade Paperback priced £16.99

The first entirely evidence-based skincare guide written by a real expert that explains how skin actually works, how to navigate the confusing world of Big Skincare and what you really need to do to achieve healthy, glowing skin – throughout your life.

 

This is the first book about skincare based on fact, not fiction

 There is no such thing as ‘essential’ skincare; almost all skincare should be viewed as a ‘luxury good’ and therefore, in fact, absolutely not essential!

  • Scared of using Vaseline? Don’t be – it’s the best moisturiser on the market, also the cheapest, it doesn’t ‘clog pores’ or cause pimples and it is totally safe to use. Plus, it is in every single moisturiser on the market anyway.
  • You don’t need to buy a separate product to use around your eyes, just use your regular moisturiser around your eyes; ‘eye creams’ are a scam
  • Facials are a waste of time and money
  • When it comes to skincare, less is always more
  • Expensive skincare is never better than cheaper skincare

 

Consultant Dermatologist Dr Natalia Spierings of Channel 5’s Skin A&E has announced the launch of her new book, Skintelligent: what you really need to know to get great skin, published by Vermilion. Dr Natalia Spierings is here to shake things up in the skincare world and isn’t afraid to tell the truth and call out the BS about all things related to skincare. Drawing on a decade of work as a practicing consultant dermatologist, helping thousands of people achieve great skin, she will empower you with the knowledge to navigate the confusing world of skincare so you never get fooled into buying hundreds of pounds of disappointing cosmetic skincare products again. If you have a problem with your skin – whether it is pimples, pigmentation, overly dry skin, large pores or whatever – the problem you have needs to be viewed as a skin abnormality or even a disease and therefore cannot be corrected with a three-step skincare regime you buy at a department store.

 

Dr Natalia Spierings said: “I wrote this book with the aim of answering all the hundreds of questions I get every day from my patients and through social media about skincare; there is too much misinformation being thrown at us about skincare from people who just don’t know what they are talking about, merely to sell products. It’s time to empower the skincare consumer with facts and the correct information so we all stopping wasting our money (and our hope) on products that don’t deliver on their (often outlandish) claims.”

Using an unbiased, evidence-based approach and cutting through the pseudo-science, she explains:

–        how skin actually works

–        which skincare products are proven to be effective for all of major facial skin complaints

–        what trendy skincare ingredients do or don’t do what they promise and why

–        what you can do to manage everything from acne to rosacea to melasma as well as wrinkles and sun-damage

 

Bringing together years of experience treating a huge range of skin problems, Skintelligent is the only book you will ever need to read to get great skin.

 

“Buying this book will be a great investment; following Natalia’s advice will save you money on your skincare whilst helping you to look your best.”

Dr Andrew Birnie, Consultant Dermatologist & Founder of Altruist Sunscreen

 

“Dr Natalia Spierings is a terrific consultant dermatologist with a very clear – and utterly science-based — approach to skincare which many people will find refreshing.”

Alice Hart-Davis, founder of thetweakmentsguide.com

 

About the Author

 

Dr Natalia Spierings is a Consultant Dermatologist with a Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Medicine. A unique combination of technical skill, depth of knowledge, aesthetic sensibility and communication skills has positioned her globally as a leading dermatologist. She currently splits her clinical time between both the NHS and private sector in London, and at Kings College Hospital in Dubai. @drnataliaspierings

 

 

My Writing Process Lexie Elliott

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What you have written, past and present
I’ve written three stand-alone psychological thrillers, and my fourth will be coming out in February of 2023. My first novel, The French Girl, was published in 2018, followed by The Missing Years in 2019. How To Kill Your Best Friend was published in North America last year, and will be out in paperback in the UK in July.

What you are promoting now
How To Kill Your Best Friend. It’s a psychological thriller, told through the eyes of Georgie and Bronwyn, who have been best friends with Lissa since they all met on their college swimming team—but somehow, despite her swimming prowess, Lissa has drowned off the coast of the remote island resort she was managing with her husband. Brought together on the island for Lissa’s memorial, Georgie, Bron, Lissa’s grieving husband and their mutual friends find themselves questioning the circumstances around Lissa’s death—and each other…

A bit about your process of writing
I used to write solely outside of my home (because otherwise I would find myself distracted by cleaning or laundry or really just about anything) but the pandemic lockdowns taught me to write at home; now I find I write there more than half the time. I don’t necessarily write every day, but I write most days (including weekends); I usually exercise first thing and then sit down to work after that. I stop either when my youngest son comes home from school or when I’ve simply run out of steam.

I find I write very slowly at the beginning of a new project – sometimes only 500 words in a day— because I’m having to make structural decisions at the same time; at that stage, it’s very useful to have a daily target to aim for to try to maintain momentum. By comparison, the words seem to leap out at the end of a project: I can write 10,000 or more in a week, and daily targets become unnecessary. I always seem to suffer an enormous crisis of confidence at around the 20,000 word mark, which by now is probably very boring for my lovely agent Marcy, who has to talk me down from it every time! I start each writing session by reviewing and editing what I wrote last time, before cracking on with the next section; consequently, my first draft is very clean, without many typos or grammatical errors. My first reader is always Marcy, who gives incredibly insightful editorial notes, and after that, the manuscript will go to my publishing editor.

Do you plan or just write?
I plan; I produce a four-to-five page outline before I start writing. Partly this is because my publisher requires it of me, but I would do it anyway: I’ve learnt that it is far, far easier to make progress when you have some well-thought out guidelines to keep you heading in the right direction. Which is not to say that everything is set in stone before I start writing—far from it. Many elements of the finished novel can and do deviate from that outline, but I tend to find that the beginning and end of the finished product match quite closely with what I had originally intended—it’s just that the middle might take a different route!

What about word count?
The aim is around 100,000 to 110,000 words in the genre of psychological thrillers. It’s not something I worry about particularly—I’ve always come out roughly in that ballpark in the first draft, and anyway, that can be finessed in the second draft if need be.

How do you do your structure?
I know some authors follow a rigid plan with a three-act structure or a save-the-cat beat sheet or something similar, but I’m not one of them. The outline I mentioned before will of course have a particular structure in mind, and those early chapters are crucial for putting in place the scaffolding that will provide the framework for the entire novel, but once I’m past that point, I’m generally more concerned with getting the pacing right.

What do you find hard about writing?
It’s very solitary. You have to persevere on a daily basis without any colleagues to encourage you or reassure you that you’re on the right track. I really notice the difference now that I’m writing fulltime; until last year, I was also juggling a part-time job in fund management, which gave me plenty of professional social interaction for at least three days a week. But now, given that I’m in London but my agent and primary publisher are in the US, if I were to throw an office party it would basically involve me dressing up to drink a glass of wine in a room by myself…

I also find the social media requirements that are part of being a writer in this modern age quite difficult. I’m not a natural self-promoter—I’d really rather just get on with writing!

What do you love about writing?
A lot, actually. On a practical note, it’s an incredibly flexible profession—you can genuinely do it anywhere, and, looking to the future, nobody is going to force you out of the workplace when you reach 65! I also love the interaction with readers. It’s a real privilege that anyone would choose to spend their money and time on my novels, and I’m always incredibly touched when readers reach out to tell me they’ve enjoyed them. I received some particularly poignant correspondence during the pandemic from readers who were struggling and found some escape in my books: a lovely reminder of the power of books to connect people and allow them to experience a temporary sanctuary.

But the main thing I love is the writing itself. To me, language is a delightful sort of magic, and the fact that a story can be taken from one’s head and transported to the page with words is nothing short of alchemy. Every once in a while I get a sentence just right, and it feels like I haven’t so much written it as stumbled across words that were just waiting to be uncovered—that’s a very special feeling.

Only One in Ten Brits are Happy With Their Skin | We Love Hada Labo Tokyo

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ONLY ONE IN TEN OF BRITS ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR SKIN
New Report reveals that women feel under pressure to look perfect all the time and explains how we can be kinder to ourselves

Hada Labo Tokyo

British women constantly feel that they need to keep improving their appearance according to a new real world research with 1,000 women aged 35 and older, commissioned by Japan’s leading skincare brand, Hada Labo Tokyo, and the brains behind the next generation skincare innovation new to the UK.

On a more positive note, most women (60 per cent) say they want to look good for themselves rather than for anyone else, and almost two thirds want to look good for their age rather than trying to look younger. In fact, role models who have embraced their age were chosen as examples of women ageing well, with 57 per cent of respondents naming Helen Mirren as their skincare goddess, with Joanna Lumley second (42 per cent), and Davina McCall (40 per cent) third.

The pandemic and post pandemic living has caused more than a quarter of women (27 per cent) to drop their daily skincare routine, but over half (55 per cent) have managed to stick with it, with a surprising number of Brits (18 per cent) finding that their commitment to a routine has improved. Getting back out into the world without the Covid-19 restrictions is now prompting more of us (64 per cent) to bring our skincare back into sharper focus.

According to the survey 68 per cent of British women take time out for skincare with over half following the cleanse-tone-moisturise routine, while 38 per cent use a scrub or wash followed by a moisturiser. Around 17 per cent of women opt for plain soap and water, and 25 per cent use a facial wipe instead of a cleanser.

Common skin complaints

Fewer than one in ten of us (a paltry seven per cent) always feel happy with our skin’s appearance.[1] So what’s causing us to feel uncomfortable in our own skin?

Hada Labo’s survey poll[2] shows that women in the UK can experience a wide range of different skin health issues. For around a quarter of us, sunburn (27 per cent), acne (24 per cent), or eczema (24 per cent) are a problem, while almost a fifth of us (18 per cent) get cold sores and nearly one in ten suffer with psoriasis (9 per cent) or rosacea (8 per cent).

Even more concerning is that even women who don’t necessarily suffer from a skin disorder are conscious of certain issues with their skin including:

  • Dryness: 60 per cent
  • Dullness: 42 per cent
  • Dark eye circles: 35 per cent
  • Fine lines: 27 per cent
  • Uneven skin tone: 27 per cent
  • Redness: 27 per cent
  • Itchy skin: 26 per cent

 

The benefits of next generation hyaluronic acid innovation

As well as the natural ageing process both the perimenopause and menopause can have a considerable impact, with over a third (34 per cent) of women saying that their skin felt drier then. Skin expert, Gina Akers explains: “Dehydration of the skin is a very real issue, especially as we get older. To keep skin looking healthy and supple, we need to add hydration. We need water-lock formulas to ensure deep hydration that actually lasts.”

Leading women’s health expert Dr Catherine Hood points out that we do need to change up our skincare regimes as we get older: “With increasing age the body starts to produce less hyaluronic acid and what it does produce is lower quality. This results in drier, more dehydrated skin. To keep skin looking healthy, smooth, and supple, we need to add hydration and it is important to realise that a moisturiser alone will not do that particular job.”

Hyaluronic acid is a clear gel that’s made naturally within the body. Its job is to lock in water to keep our skin, tissues and eyes hydrated. An impressive number of us (43 per cent) do opt for skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, with more than half (52 per cent) knowing something about the science behind this skincare ingredient. Seven out of ten women were aware that hyaluronic acid can help with skin appearance, with a third (33 per cent) of women deciding to incorporate it into their skincare routine after seeing it on social media.

The hero product: Beauty gurus Caroline Hirons and Nadine Baggott are both long-time fans of Hado Labo Tokyo’s next-generation approach to hyaluronic acid, and demand for the range’s products is such that one is now sold every two seconds around the world. Frost editor-in-chief Catherine Balavage is also a huge fan. The best-selling range in Japan Hado Labo Tokyo has been hailed as a skincare game changer due to its multi-layered hyaluronic acid formulas, which incorporate anti-ageing ingredients like retinol and collagen.

The Japanese beauty philosophy is rooted in the idea that products work best in harmony with the skin. Inspired by this philosophy, the Hado Labo Tokyo skincare range uses quality ingredients with no unnecessary extras which could overwhelm the skin.

Hada Labo Tokyo have created an exclusive multi molecular combination of different types of hyaluronic acid, called Super Hyaluronic Acid, which provides twice the moisture-retention capacity of normal HA by anchoring to the different layers of the epidermis. It’s no wonder that recent research data found that 80 per cent of women noted that after just four weeks of using the range their skin’s texture was improved while 74 per cent saw an improvement in skin elasticity.

FAST PRODUCT SUMMARY:

The Red Line

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Eye & Mouth Cream

Hada Labo’s Deep Wrinkle Corrector Eye & Mouth Area Cream has four types of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and retinol in a golden coloured cream that’s suitable for sensitive skin. Use it after cleansing in the morning and at night, patting around the eyes and mouth to help reduce deeper wrinkles.

Here’s a fast spot light on the clever, next generation hyaluronic acid ingredients used in the Hada Labo Red Line Range that the skin scientists as Hada Labo swear by:

Sodium Hyaluronate: A water-binding ingredient used for moisturizing and hydrating. The molecule can hold up to 1000 their own weight in water. Sodium Hyaluronate can replace some of the water lost in the epidermis.

Sodium acetylated hyaluronate: This is called super hyaluronic acid. It was developed with the aim of raising affinity with the skin based on hyaluronic acid. Compared with the same concentration of hyaluronic acid, it is characterized by a much greater capacity to retain moisture in the epidermis and good skin affinity. Because of this, it can keep skin moist for long times.

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is hyaluronic acid broken into smaller bits. The small molecules can easily penetrate and help replace some of the water lost in the epidermis, and potentially fight wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: A modified form of skin-replenishing hyaluronic acid attached to a polymer structure that keeps it within skin’s uppermost layers longer, allowing for enhanced hydration. This creates a “sponge” effect to restore the skin to its fuller, more youthful appearance and smooths out fine lines.

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Super Hydrator Lotion

Hada Labo’s Anti-Aging Super Hydrator Lotion is much more than a silky, fragrance-free drink of water for your skin. The power-packed lotion contains four types of hyaluronic acid Sodium Hyaluronate; Sodium acetylated hyaluronate; Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid; Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer; offering multi-layer hydration, plus anti-aging ingredients collagen and retinol. After cleansing, pat the lotion over your face, neck and decolletage before you apply your moisturiser.

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Wrinkle Reducer Day Cream

Hada Labo’s Anti-Aging Wrinkle Reducer Day Cream with Super Hyaluronic AcidTM, Collagen and Retinol offers multi-layer hydration with four types of hyaluronic acid Sodium Hyaluronate; Sodium acetylated hyaluronate; Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid; Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer; plus collagen and retinol. The supersmooth, fragrance-free cream is designed to be used in the morning, after the Super Hydrator Lotion to help lock in moisture for a glowing complexion.

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Repair Night Cream

Hada Labo’s Anti-Aging Repair Night Cream is packed with more than 20 carefully blended active ingredients, including three types of hyaluronic acid – Sodium Hyaluronate; Sodium acetylated hyaluronate; Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid; retinol and an intensely regenerating complex of tetrapeptide-5 and collagen to reduce wrinkles and restore radiance and hydration. With its ‘Lock-in Moist’ formula, skin retains more moisture.

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Facial Sheet Mask

Hada Labo’s Anti-Aging Facial Masks double the levels of skin hydration, leading to a tighter, brighter, and smoother complexion and a more youthful appearance. The best part is that it feels like a real facial, which gives you that radiant skin treatment look and feel, without having to leave the house.

The White Line

HADA LABO WHITE LINE HYALURONIC ACID SCIENCE: Here’s a fast summary on the smart, must have, hyaluronic acid ingredients used in the Hada Labo White Line Range bottled up by the Japanese skin specialists that users swear by:

Sodium Hyaluronate: A water-binding ingredient used for moisturizing and hydrating. The molecule can hold up to 1000 their own weight in water. Sodium Hyaluronate can replace some of the water lost in the epidermis.

Sodium acetylated hyaluronate: This is called super hyaluronic acid. It was developed with the aim of raising affinity with the skin based on hyaluronic acid. Compared with the same concentration of hyaluronic acid, it is characterized by a much greater capacity to retain moisture in the epidermis and good skin affinity. Because of this, it can keep skin moist for long times.

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is hyaluronic acid broken into smaller bits. The small molecules can easily penetrate and help replace some of the water lost in the epidermis, and potentially fight wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate: A conditioning agent for skin and, helps deposit active ingredients on skin.

Hada Labo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

Hada Labo’s Gentle Hydrating Cleanser gives the rest of your skincare toolkit a chance to work their magic on a squeaky clean skin. This creamy cleanser contains three types of hyaluronic acid, formulated to cleanse, protect and lock in moisture, leaving skin silky smooth.

Hada Labo Super Hydrator Lotion

Hada Labo’s Super Hydrator Lotion is a light lotion that penetrates the skin within seconds. With deeply moisturising active ingredients, including Super Hyaluronic AcidTM, its LOCK-in-MOIST formula seals hydration inside the skin, stopping water from evaporating, to hold back the appearance of wrinkles.

Hada Labo Absolute Smoothing & Moisturising Cream (Day & Night)

Hada Labo’s Absolute Smoothing & Moisturising Cream may feel light and fluffy but it harnesses outstanding power. Its high concentration of Super Hyaluronic AcidTM allows it to intensely moisturise and smooth the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed, radiant, and super soft. Suitable for sensitive skin, it also helps put the brakes on the aging process.

Hada Labo Intense Hydrating Skin Plumping Gel

Hada Labo’s Intense Hydrating Skin Plumping Gel is a luxuriously delicate gel, combining the complexion enhancing properties of a cream and a serum. Its high concentration of Super Hyaluronic AcidTM makes it intensely moisturising, filling in the skin to create a smooth, ultra-soft complexion.

Hada Labo Smoothing Anti Fatigue Eye Cream

Hada Labo’s Smoothing Anti Fatigue Eye Cream intensely moisturises and smoothes the skin around the eyes. It contains Super Hyaluronic AcidTM, to reduce wrinkles and signs of fatigue, as well as collagen and pink silk tree extract to rejuvenate and firm the skin, and caffeine to eliminate under-eye circles and puffiness.

Hada Labo Moisturising Sheet Mask

Hada Labo’s Moisturising Sheet Mask is saturated with serum containing three types of hyaluronic acid to intensely moisturise, revive and smooth the skin. Simply unfold the mask and carefully position the eye, nose, and mouth openings as you gently press the mask to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes before removing gently, with no need to rinse.

THE WILD YEAR – the family who lived in a tent for a year

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The Wild Year immediately caught my attention for it’s originality. This memoir by Jen Benson, who lived with her family for a year in a tent, is a brave book about triumph over hardship. This book is awash with nature and atmosphere. It is inspirational and will fill you with both joy and hope. It will also make you angry about the financial hardships so many are under. Jen writes about struggle with flair and complete honesty. Her talent as a writer is vast, and her love for her family and the world around her is so beautiful. I cannot recommend this book enough. I think everyone should read it for it’s insights into poverty, financial hardship, and the beautiful outdoors. Awash with love, nature and bravery.
The Wild Year by Jen Benson, book, book review,

This is an utterly delightful, eye-opening read, bathed in the natural world. Reminiscent of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and Homesick by Catriona Davies. Jen and her husband Sim have written a whole host of walking and running guides, and this is her first memoir. You can find out more about their previous books on their website — https://jenandsimbenson.co.uk/books/

The Wild Year is all about Jen and her young family’s decision to live in a tent for a year after suffering severe financial hardship and needing a way to live that retains their freedom but doesn’t cost a lot. Think cooking over fire in the dead of winter in stormy weather with a 3 year old and a 6 month old! Out now with Aurum (Quarto Group).

The Wild Year tells the uplifting true story of a family who left their old life behind to spend a year living wild in a tent around Britain.

With a baby and a toddler, mounting debt, work demands and stress trampling over their desire to spend time together as a family in nature, Jen and Sim Benson move out of their rented accommodation, sell up their possessions and decide to live in a tent for a year as nomads around rural Britain. This is the story of that year – the highs and the lows – the doubts, epiphanies and the weather.

Detailing one family’s search for a life in the wild, away from the screens and stresses of modern life, this captivating memoir is a must read for nature lovers or anyone who has dreamed of a life outdoors. It’s nature writ large with the joys and challenges of each season experienced under canvas, a story of ultimate freedom in the beautiful landscapes of Britain. This is a book that gently steals up on you and captures your heart.

Jen Benson has a passion for wild places and sustainable adventures. A lifelong runner, she is a writer, photographer and part-time PhD researcher exploring the philosophy of running. Jen and her husband Sim live in Wiltshire with their two young children. They have co-written several books including Wild Running, Short Walks in Beautiful Places, Amazing Family Adventures and 100 Great Walks with Kids. Jen writes regularly for the national press. Twitter/Instagram @jenandsim

Did You Miss Me? by Sophia Money-Coutts Book Review

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I have read all of  Sophia Money-Coutts’s books and I am a huge fan of her witty, entertaining novels. She writes wonderful, sparkling characters and I always enjoy the story. As usual, Did You Miss Me?, is clever and funny. Sophia has taken a great premise and executed it with flair. Another wonderful novel. Heartily recommended.

Did You Miss Me? is Sophia’s 4th novel and explores whether you really can rekindle your first love, and is of course written with Sophia’s trademark humour, wit and gloriously steamy romance scenes. Nell, the main character, is effortlessly likeable and features alongside her barmy mother (who falls for an eccentric Italian barista), the divine Arthur Drummond and Wilma the wolfhound.

You never forget the one that got away, do you?

Nell Mason is extremely happy with her life – or at least, that’s what she tells herself. She’s lucky to have a high-powered job as a lawyer, even if it does come with an eccentric set of billionaire divorce clients. And she’s absolutely fine living with her sweet, if slightly dull, boyfriend Gus in their London flat where they have very sensible sex once (OK, sometimes twice) a week. She’s definitely not stuck in a rut.

But when Nell bumps into childhood friend and first love Arthur Drummond who broke her heart fifteen years ago, she’s more than a little shaken. The seemingly perfect life she’s worked so hard for starts to feel, well, less perfect. Maybe Nell’s been kidding herself all these years. Can she ever get over her first love?

Sophia Money-Coutts is a journalist and author who spent five years studying the British aristocracy while working as Features Director at Tatler. Prior to that she worked as a writer and an editor for the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail in London, and The National in Abu Dhabi. She writes a column for The Sunday Telegraph called Modern Manners and often appears on radio and television channels talking about important topics such as Prince Harry’s wedding and the etiquette of the threesome.