Health & Lifestyle: 3 Supplements To Try This Autumn/Winter

 

Give your health a boost this Autumn and Winter with a range of new supplements that you may not have come across before. This edit includes a natural sleeping beauty blend, a herbal tincture for clear skin, and a CBD Oil to help with creativity.

Try For Better Sleep: Complete Me Sleeping Beauty Relaxing Blend* (60 capsules, £14.99, link)

A good night's sleep is not only essential for your physical health so you are well rested to get the most out of your new day, but it's also vital for your mental health as well. Complete Me's Sleeping Beauty Relaxing Blend combines carefully selected vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamins B3 and B6, with 5HTP, Lemon Balm and Chamomile, to promote a healthy, good night's sleep. It achieves this by helping the body to naturally relax and unwind, and balances your hormones so you're in the right frame of mind to catch up on those all-important ZZZs. 

How To Use: take two capsules with a glass of water before going to bed. Suitable for vegans, gluten-free, non-GMO and contains no artificial colours or preservatives. 

Try For Clearer Skin: Herbfarmacy Botanicals Dandelion & Burdock Extract* (100ml, £13.50, link)

As many of my regular readers will know, I've been a big fan of Herbfarmacy's skincare for many years now, yet it's only been recently that I discovered that they also sell a range of herbal botanical tinctures so I thought I would check out their organic Dandelion & Burdock Extract. Used for centuries as an internal skin purifier to support the healthy function of the liver and kidneys, extracts of Dandelion and Burdock root have been widely researched as a tonic to help with digestion, and there's been growing evidence that they're beneficial as a way to internally treat common skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. 

How to use: add half a teaspoon to a glass of water or fruit juice and drink two-three times a day. This tincture has a strong earthy and herbal flavour and is suitable for vegans.

Try For Increased Creativity: Amphora Inspire CBD Oil Drops* (30ml, £99.99, link)

New from Amphora is a premium range of high-strength CBD Oil Drops which have been specially formulated to support different aspects of daily life. Each product boasts an impressive high strength of 6000mg CBD Oil; the equivalent of a full dropper's worth of 200mg pure CBD extract, plant-based terpenes, and MCT oil for quick absorption. Unlike cheaper brands, Amphora's CBD is sourced from 100% organically grown hemp and contains no harmful additives. I've been testing out the Inspire CBD Oil Drops that help to promote increased concentration and creativity. It's early days yet, but I'm hopeful it can aid my mind out of its procrastinating ways - we shall see!

How to use: squeeze a dropper full under the tongue, hold for 30 seconds and swallow. Inspire has a slightly citrusy, earthy flavour.

Have you tried any supplements this season?

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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

Better late than never as always! Here are my recent beauty Empties; all the products that I've managed to use up last month - do you spot any of your own faves in this round-up?

Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant in Persian Lime* (reviewed here)

Featured in my Plastic Free July post earlier this year, I've thoroughly enjoyed using this zesty and uplifting natural deodorant in Persian Lime from Ben & Anna. It kept me smelling lovely and fresh all day long and comes packaged in a recyclable card tube. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr. Konopka's Multi Purpose Cream* (reviewed here)

I've used up a couple of these over the years and still love it - a gentle but effective cream that you can use everywhere and anywhere to instantly soothe, soften, and moisturise dry skin. Particularly useful for hands and feet, and has a fruity pleasant fragrance. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some similar products first.

Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite new skincare releases of 2021, this night cream is perfect for virtually all skin types and has a beautiful light gel-cream texture that sinks in straight away. Packed full of probiotics and Hyaluronic Acid to nourish without any greasy/sticky feeling afterwards. Repurchase? Definitely.

Hurraw! Pitta Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

I discovered this in a LoveLula Beauty Box, and despite having used many Hurraw! Lip Balms in the past, I wasn't previously aware of their Ayurvedic inspired range. Pitta is a mix of Coconut, Mint and Lemongrass so it's a good one to try for Summer as it's cooling and refreshing. Repurchase? I have a million lip balms to use up but I'm sure I will come back to this range at some point!

Dafna's Purify Cleanser* (reviewed here)

Another skincare favourite that I've used on/off over the years is Dafna's amazing Purify Cleanser. If my skin is feeling oily and congested, this is the cleanser that I'll often reach for to help balance it out. It's quite pricey but luckily a little goes a long way. Repurchase? Will do next Summer.

Mádara Hyaluronic Collagen Booster Ampoules* (reviewed here)

Every now and then, my skin goes through a really rough dry patch which is usually linked to the change of season so I like to add a course of these booster ampoules into my evening routine. They specifically target dryness and irritation and they get to work instantly so you'll see results immediately - ideal if you have a big event coming up. Repurchase? I'm torn about whether I should repurchase these because they're single-use plastic, but they work SO well and I only use a pack once or twice a year. I'll have to think about it!

Isla Apothecary Renewing Foot Treatment*

My last empty is a luxury treat for your feet from Isla Apothecary. This is a proper pampering product that's made from a blend of Epsom Salts, Coconut Oil and the most gorgeous selection of uplifting essential oils. Amazing for restoring tired feet and perfect for a little 'me time' at the end of a busy week. Repurchase? On my Christmas list ;)

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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Cruelty-Free Makeup: Top 5 Best Natural Concealers

 

Concealers are an essential in many people's makeup bags, yet it can be notoriously difficult to find 'the one'. I've tested out a lot of concealers over the years and wanted to share a quick post on my current Top 5 Best Natural Concealers which are all from cruelty-free brands.

Finding Your Perfect Concealer

Finding your perfect concealer can be tricky and my main advice would be to opt for a format that you like as a starting point. Many concealers come in liquid tubes with an applicator wand or have a convenient twist-up mechanism which makes them quick and easy to apply (ideal if you're always in a rush in the morning!). Other concealers come in more solid set formats in a pot or jar, and quite a few from the green beauty world are loose mineral powders. Bear in mind your skin type as well, for example, drier skins will need more hydrating formulas that won't crease into fine lines, whilst oilier types usually require something lighter with a good setting powder to keep it in place.

Next, you want to choose your shade and I'd recommend finding out what your undertone is first to get the right match - this video is brilliant for explaining the differences between warm, neutral, and cool undertones and you'll find this info helpful when you're choosing foundation shades as well.

Why You Might Need More Than One Concealer

Whilst some concealers promise to conceal every single imperfection on your face, in my experience, it's rare to find one that truly does it all (though I have included one below!). When I'm applying makeup, I tend to want a lighter, more reflective concealer for banishing dark circles and a slightly thicker concealer for making blemishes disappear. You might also want to try using a salmony-pink coloured concealer as an undereye corrector and then apply a light reflective concealer over the top if you have particularly dark circles that you want to get rid of (again, more on this below).

My Top 5 Best Natural Concealers

1 - Mádara The Concealer* (4ml, £20, link)

Organic, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly, Mádara's bestselling The Concealer is a multi-tasking superstar and by far the best natural concealer that I've ever tried for handling both dark circles and blemishes. The success of this concealer lies in its innovative perfecting and illuminating formula which is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and simply glides on beautifully, blending seamlessly for a 'my skin but better' finish. I'd say it's suitable for all skin types.

2 - The Organic Pharmacy Luminous Perfecting Concealer* (5ml, £19, link)

Best for dry and more mature skin types, The Organic Pharmacy Luminous Perfecting Concealer is an ultra-moisturising concealer so if you find your under eyes are very dry, this is the one for you. That said, it's not the most pigmented, but the Medium shade is the perfect salmony-pink colour to really help correct dark circles so I like to use this underneath my undereye concealer for the most flawless results. 

3 - Dr. Hauschka Light Reflecting Concealer* (2.5g, £18.25, link)

Many people have asked me on social if I know of a natural dupe to the infamous YSL Touche Eclat concealer and perhaps the most similar one that I've tried to match it is Dr. Hauschka's Light Reflecting Concealer. I particularly love their Transulent shade as it brightens and illuminates dark under eyes without looking cakey or creasing into fine lines. A lovely light, hydrating, silky feeling liquid concealer that's suitable for sensitive skin.

4 - Emani HD Corrective Concealer* (4g, £20, link)

For those who prefer a solid compact concealer, Emani HD Corrective Concealer offers a highly pigmented coverage and in my opinion, is best suited for covering up blemishes and marks. It has added Vitamin C and works incredibly well for uneven skin tones. Super easy to work with and blend, I'd say it's great for acne-prone and troublesome skin types the most.

5 - RMS Beauty Un Cover Up* (5.6g, £34, link)

I couldn't do a Top 5 Best Natural Concealers post and not feature this absolute gem from RMS Beauty. Their Un Cover Up is by far one of the most well loved products, and it's adored by A-list actresses, celebrity makeup artists and conscious beauty consumers alike. I've been using it for years and always have it in my stash. Best for blemishes and imperfections, this clever concealer is thick and creamy so you can really layer it on if desired for more coverage. Also doubles up as a foundation so you get more bang for your buck and it comes in the widest shade range.

Swatches - from top to bottom: Mádara The Concealer in 25, The Organic Pharmacy Luminious Perfecting Concealer in Medium, Dr. Hauschka Light Reflecting Concealer in 00 Translucent, Emani HD Corrective Concealer in Neutral and RMS Beauty Un Cover Up in 22.

What's your favourite natural concealer?

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The Weekend Post: Wedding Bartender Cost Guide - Everything You Need to Know #AD

 

As a wedding planner or the bride, one of the things you will be confronted with is the number of bartenders you will need. As the premier bartender hire London folks trust, Bar Brothers Events have the expertise in organizing the perfect wedding bar t make your special day even more memorable. As to whether one wedding bartender can suffice, or you will need more, this depends on a few different factors. The number of guests you invite is just one of these. You will also need to factor in the venue design layout, the skill level of mixologist hire, and the types of drinks you want to be served.

Basic Wedding Bartender Calculations

The standard rule is that you will need one bartender for every 15 guests. This will allow you to serve them as many drinks as possible. Wedding bartenders are skilled at their work and serve drinks much faster than your best friend or a waiter would.

The other thing to be taken into account is the event venue layout, particularly with regard to how it affects guest movements. Even when it may appear that you only need one bartender hire London the worst thing that can happen is your guests standing around waiting to be served drinks. Mobile bartender servers and bartender stations with trays of drinks provide a readymade solution to this problem. More importantly, mixologist hire also keeps the party moving and avoids subjecting your guests to those frustrating delays.

Wedding Reception Bar Costs To Keep in Mind

Corkage Fee

In case you want to be the one stocking your own bar, chances are that you will be required to meet the corkage fee of the venue you have hired to enable you to bring alcohol onto the site. The fee may be charged per bottle or per person, which can make it add up pretty quickly. If you intend to serve your own alcohol, make sure the contract stipulates the corkage fee before you sign between the dotted lines.

Liability Insurance

It does not matter whether you decide to use a professional service, a third party, or even want to stock the bar yourself. The most important thing is that you ensure there is liability insurance in place to protect you from any eventuality. If the caterer or the venue is insured, you may be covered. Otherwise, it is advisable to get liability insurance that protects you from an alcohol-related incident during the wedding or after the event.

Tips

Where your contract does not have gratuity or a service fee, it is advisable to tip your bartender London 20% of a final bar tab. But if the fee is included already, you need not tip, unless you choose to.

Physical Bar and Glassware Rentals

For venues that don’t have a bar, you will either need to rent one or look for an alternative. Also, if you choose to stock your bar, you will also have to rent glassware. You can hire your glassware through your caterer or a rental company.

Questions to Ask When Hiring Bar Staff

There are many questions that you need to ask when it comes to mixologist hire. The first one is the type of drinks that they can serve. Also, let them gauge the number of bartenders they think is necessary.

Bar Brothers Events has special packages based on what your preference is for a party or a reception. We even let you order special glassware for making your champagne toast more memorable and elegant. Or, you can ask our specialist bartender London to serve you a signature cocktail.

The best thing about using a professional service like Bar Brothers Events is that they know just how to staff any event. We will bring all the appropriate glassware and accessories. Also, we enable you to save money when you purchase your own alcohol through us. We will ensure you get just enough drinks and don’t have to pay for extra that you don’t need. The savings you make on bar accessories, glassware, and liquor will enable you to remain within your budget.

When it comes to mixologist hire, quality is just as important as quantity

While getting a sufficient number of bartenders is crucial for the success f your wedding, it is also important that you get highly skilled bartenders. Your wedding is a rare occasion, and so you want to ensure that everything proceeds like clockwork. Getting inexperienced bartenders is dangerous because they cannot be trusted to keep up with a packed party. Even worse, guests will have a bad memory of your event if they are made to wait around for long only to be served incorrectly mixed cocktails.

The only way to avoid these problems is to opt for first-rate bartending professionals. Also, you will need to ensure that you are using a licensed bartender London for your wedding. This is to avoid a situation where your most important occasion becomes a legal nightmare. Bartenders like Bar Brothers Events have trained bartenders that operate within the law and follow all the laid-down regulations, for instance, not serving drinks to minors.

Conclusion

Whether your guests are big drinkers or not nearly all wedding receptions will have one kind of a bar or another. But the sheer number of options at your disposal can overwhelm you when planning a wedding. Do you go with a cash bar or open bar? Should you choose a drink package or not? Fortunately for you, we have broken down all these details to save you from stress.

Better still, you can opt for professional mixologist hire from a reputable bartender service. These experts are trained at making the best cocktails for your guests. Whether you want a signature cocktail or special glassware accessories to compliment your drinks, they can do it all. Moreover, they are licensed and fully insured. When you hire a specialist bartender hire London like Bar Brothers Events, you can rest easy that your guests will be attended to properly. This allows you to fully enjoy your day without worrying about your guests. Call us today to speak to our representatives.

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