This summer certainly won’t be remembered for heady days of unbroken sunshine and peerless blue skies. Even though we’ve all experienced more gloom than we’d like to, I have been using SPF on my face every day. According to the World Health Organization, even on overcast days up to 80 percent of UV rays can still penetrate light cloud cover and reach your skin. Having recently researched sunscreen products, I thought I'd share my findings. There are basically two types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. The former is a mineral sunscreen that sits on the surface of the skin and acts like a shield, whereas a chemical sunscreen sinks into the skin and acts like a sponge. Personally, as I like to run and walk a lot, I opt for a chemical sunscreen that won’t rub off. There are so many formulations for different skin types; for example, those with sensitive skin may prefer a fragrance-free product, whereas a lightweight one that won't clog pores would suit people with oily, acne-prone skin. New formulations even include pro-ageing natural ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, that can help to combat the damaging effects of pollutants and other factors. Finally, some companies have gone the extra mile to make their sunscreens reef safe. This is important to me – when formulating products for Cotswold Remedies, I ensure that they are non-harmful to the planet. As experts recommend having 15 minutes of SPF-free exposure to the sun each day (early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the risk of burning), I usually apply my sunscreen when I get back from my early morning workout. The UV rays trigger the sun's health benefits whilst I exercise, and I then ensure that my skin is protected for the rest of day. |
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I was absolutely delighted to be included in Latest in Beauty's ‘Beauty Bible Winners’ campaign, which went live on the 12th August. The Latest in Beauty team selected 34 winning products from the 2023 Beauty Bible Awards, from which customers can pick 6 to include in their own beauty box. As our Collagen Boost Face Oil won a Beauty Bible award for the second year running, we were invited to be part of the line-up. On the day the campaign went live, I logged into the Latest in Beauty website first thing in the morning and was very excited to see that our Collagen Boost Face Oil was the first product to have sold out! I quickly picked 6 fantastic products to include in my own box and now can’t wait for them to arrive in the post. |
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I’ve been reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. As I know nothing about computer games, I questioned whether this book was a good choice for me, but I had nothing to worry about! It's a heartwarming tale that centres around friendships, love and betrayal, and, most importantly, the inevitable failures that we must all endure from time to time. I fell in love with these characters and found that their journey resonated deeply with me. Creating beauty products may seem a million miles away from creating virtual worlds, but I could really relate to the creativity, passion and effort that the characters put into their work. I'd really recommend you giving this book a go! |
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I’ve been cooking: a delicious warm squash and goat's cheese salad. |
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We’ve been trying to make the most of any sunshine we’ve had this month by having BBQ's – my favourite way of eating. I usually barbecue some fish to enjoy with a selection of salads, and recently made a warm squash and goat's cheese salad which was a big hit. If you fancy giving it a go, here's the recipe: Ingredients 1 small butternut squash (approx. 600g), peeled and cut into wedges, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1½ tsp cumin seeds, a pinch of chilli flakes, 1 garlic clove, 1 pack of wild rocket, juice of ½ lemon, 125g goat's cheese crumbled. For the pumpkin seed crunch: 50g pumpkin seeds, ½ tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp tamari soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup. Method • Toss the butternut squash with half the oil, the cumin seeds, the chilli flakes and the garlic, and roast for 35-45 minutes at 180°C, turning halfway. • To make the pumpkin crunch, combine all ingredients in a bowl and spread out on a tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the seeds are lightly toasted. Cool and then break into chunks. • To serve, toss the rocket leaves with the remaining oil and lemon juice. Arrange on a platter and pile on the butternut squash, before scattering over the goat's cheese and pumpkin seed crunch. |
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I’ve been enjoying: Holiday time with family and friends. Here are my top 5 summer experiences: |
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Camping with family and friends at Woodside Country Park near Ledbury. Its massive wild swimming lake kept us all entertained, as you can see here. |
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My first escape room experience in Shrewsbury prison. We were locked in a cell for two hours trying to figure out how to escape and it proved a lot trickier than I imagined it would be! |
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A beautiful 20 kilometre circular coastal walk from St. Ives to Zennor with my best friend. We must have chatted non-stop for about 8 hrs whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery shown here. |
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Taking a road trip to Abersoch in North Wales to drop my daughter off with some of her friends. This involved a speed boat trip, cliff jumping, beach BBQ and paddle boarding all in one day before returning home again. The beautiful Abersoch coastline can be seen in the banner image at the top of this newsletter. |
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A family dinner with my mum at The Hand at Llanarmon, which is nestled in the Ceiriog Valley. A picture-perfect setting, and first-class food and company. It’s no wonder The Sunday Telegraph included it in its list of the thirty most cosy pubs in Britain! |
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Closer to home, our family visits to the Cheltenham Lido have also been so much fun. We even managed to time them to coincide with rare bursts of sunshine – no mean feat, I think you'll agree! |
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Looking forward to writing to you again next month. Until then, enjoy the remaining days of summer. |
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Cotswold Remedies, 58 Albert Road, Cheltenham GL52 2QX |
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