Behold.  Another long weekend has arrived in the UK and it is in these moments that we can take the time to reflect, but of course that means something different to each us.  So if I may, I would just like to acknowledge that the struggle to achieve equilibrium is very real and it is all we can do, in the face of adversity, to continue our journey together in full recognition of the fragility of who and what we are.  We must try, to the best of our ability, to uphold the trust, belief and positivity that we have shared for so long.  For it is in strength that we overcome.  And we will.

So let us hold that thought as I welcome you to the Weekend Read, where I am going to begin with an apology as our site fell down twice last weekend.  It truly wasn’t my best moment, so I covered myself with Calm Patches and took several deep breaths.  It transpired that there was an outage across several payment platforms, so it wasn’t our site collapsing in isolation, it was a widespread issue, which happened just as the Weekend Read was released, and again last Sunday morning.  Resurrection came.  In the end.  But it wasn’t cute and I am so sorry.

Notwithstanding that, our site may well have collapsed anyway after the launch of the Heated Eye Wand.  But it wasn’t just the Heated Eye Wand, it was each of the Peep Club products, such is the need and such is the efficacy.  And to think, I held one product back because I wasn’t sure that we would have enough stock.  Except so many of you found it anyway without me writing one word, so let me tell you about that product now and I’ll follow through with the rest.

Regardless of whether or not you have any of the other Peep Club products, this is a stand-alone product of excellence.  So please allow me to introduce you to the Reusable Velvet Bamboo Pads, which are made from organic 100% natural bamboo cotton.  In other words, it could well be the end for single-use pads if you wish to join in.  These pads are extremely gentle and soft, thus the word ‘velvet’ and they are perfectly sized (6 cm) to remove eye make-up.  There are eight pads in the pack, so one for each day of the week and one extra. They come with their own laundry bag, so just pop them into this mesh bag before washing.  And pray that we have enough. 
Reusable Velvet Bamboo Pads (Eight Pads + One Laundry Bag) by Peep Club £15

Right, let’s talk about the rest of the Peep Club products because I seriously under-estimated the demand.  And I can’t even berate Shabir, because I did the ordering, so I will put my hand up and you can blame me if you went onto the wait lists.  And let me also say this, I know how that feels because within moments of discovering these products, I knew I had to have them in my life immediately.  And I did.  Within 24 hours all of the products were delivered to me at home and that wand went on charge within seconds of receipt.  So an acknowledgement here to Nicola and Natasha, the founders of Peep Club for all the support and all of the love.  And for their brilliance.

So let’s cover all of this off and I will tell you that the wait list for the Heated Eye Wand has been conquered.  We are back in stock, and in a rather unusual occurrence, I set out my words of last week below, because quite honestly I don’t really know what else to say, other than what I have already written.  And such is the demand and significance of each of the Peep Club products, which are recommended by Optometrists, Opthalmologists and Oculoplastic Surgeons, I am strangely lost for more words.  Anyway, here we go on the wand:

With a strap line of ‘A Treat, Not Just A Treatment For Dry Eyes’, please allow me to introduce you to Modern Eyecare from Peep Club.  And of course their hero product, the Heated Eye Wand.  And what an innovation it is.  It has three settings, heat, massage and red LED and it can be used in several different ways, dependent on need, but primarily it serves to help treat dry eyes and, using different settings, twice a day, it will help treat fine lines and puffiness as it soothes, hydrates and smooths.  Let’s delve.

And we will begin by talking about dry eyes, which affects so many of us. To treat dry eyes, you should only use two of the three modes, heat and massage. The wand head can be set between 37c and 45c and will heat up in under sixty seconds.  The warm compress helps to gently unblock the tiny glands that line your upper and lower lid, which is a leading cause of dry eye symptoms, such as redness, itchiness and a tired, heavy feeling.  This helps to produce better quality tears so that your eyes have an opportunity to be naturally hydrated throughout the day.  And it’s brilliance extends to those of us who sit and stare at our screens incessantly.

In a separate mode, the wand performs another star act as it helps treat fine lines and puffiness.  In fact, many of you might only use this mode.  What a moment as the wand transforms itself with red LED technology, accompanying the heat and massage settings.  The massage feature helps increase circulation to promote lymphatic drainage, which goes rather a long way in helping to get rid of the dreaded puff.  And then there is the red LED, which works to help promote collagen and elastin to smooth and rejuvenate.  I am such a believer in LED therapy.  It really is transformational.  As, of course, is the Heated Eye Wand.

I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, heap untold praise upon a product if I had any doubt about its efficacy.  And there is no doubt.  That would be because I sent several wands out for testing, because we are each different and I didn’t want to test alone.  The feedback was unequivocal.  Absolute love was declared.  And it’s rather a good thing that I haven’t asked for the wands to be returned after the testing process, because I don’t think anybody would part with it.  Most especially my contact lens wearer tester, who told me that her eyes had never felt so comfortable.  Bliss.  Was found.  In a hand-held device. 

So in a wrap on the wand, I will just say that although it is a dedicated product for our eyes, never let it be said that we should restrict ourselves.  Why would we when the wand can also be used on upper lip lines and, in fact, to help relax all lines and creases.  In full transparency, I will tell you that Shabir wasn’t one of the testers, but he is besotted with eye products, all eye products, so I am absolutely convinced that he has secreted a wand into his bathroom.  He wouldn’t want to miss out.  On anything.  Trust me.  Wish upon a wand.  Is what I say.
Heated Eye Wand by Peep Club £60

And then another famine.  Of epic proportions.  And it was of course the Instant Eye Relief Spray.  This is the spray that has been clinically proved to relieve dry eye symptoms and in another role it is the perfect antidote for tired eyes, specifically dedicated for those of us who spend most of our lives sitting in front of a screen.  In other words if you want calm eyes, do try this because this is one of those products which is truly innovative in its brilliance.  As I’m writing this the wait list is, understandably, almost out of control.  But if all goes according to plan, a rather large consignment will have cleared customs by the time you read this.  If not, it will be very soon.
Instant Eye Relief Spray by Peep Club £15 for 17 ml

Two more updates.  Thankfully the Soothing Coconut Eye Balm is in stock.  I say thankfully because this is the balm that can be used as an eyelid and lash cleanser, or as a treatment in and of itself for around the eye area.  This is also the product that I recommend using with the Heated Eye Wand, which will give more slip to the treatment.  I will also say that, dependent on use, the Soothing Coconut Eye Balm should last for approximately six months.  And finally the Cleansing Lash Foam.  Formulated to help relieve Blepharitis, dry eye symptoms and inflammation of the eyelids, we are in stock, but if it goes onto a wait list, more will arrive within about two weeks.  I think.
Soothing Coconut Eye Balm by Peep Club £20 for 120 ml; Cleansing Lash Foam by Peep Club £20 for 50 ml

Having just taken up at least a third of the Weekend Read with that feedback, there is now a need to keep the rest as short and concise as I can, otherwise you could spend most of the morning reading this.  This will of course amuse several of my journalist friends who have long predicted that these weekly missives would end up as long as the monthly newsletters I used to write because I don’t know when to stop.  They are right, I don’t.  But then I’m not a journalist.  And I can’t help myself.  From being vocal.  On many different issues.  Not just products.

But it’s products where I will now throw my focus.  And let’s begin this section with a treat.  It’s Fulvic Acid Shampoo.  This is of course the shampoo that has been specifically formulated for the optimum health of our scalps and hair.  This is also the shampoo that addresses hair loss and thinning hair.  Powered by Ioniplex, an ionic mineral complex that protects and enhances cellular health, it is truly transformational, and I should know, I have been using Fulvic hair treatments for more than ten years.  But most of you know that.  Addicted to Fulvic.  Of course.

So the treat.  Across the Bank Holiday weekend, I am lowering the price of Fulvic Acid Shampoo from £25 to £20, whilst stock lasts.  And with Shabir in control of the ordering of all the Fulvic products, if something goes wrong, I will take to my shower, pour an entire bottle over my head (and body) and start singing.  You can sing with me if you wish.  The song is ‘I’m Going To Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair’ from South Pacific.  And with that I’m linking the song below.  I can’t help myself.  And I can’t stop laughing.  And all I will say to you is that if the song fits, sing it.  Out loud.  And with meaning.  Because I do.
Fulvic Acid Shampoo £20 for 240 ml (Offer Ends At Midnight BST Monday 31 May); I’m Going To Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair from South Pacific

The next thing I want to talk about is sunscreens.  When I launched iS Clinical’s Extreme Protect 40 two weeks ago (15 May), I wrote at the time that the sunscreen market was a minefield of hype, disinformation and conflicting viewpoints.  I am, and always have been, very clear about the trust I have in the iS Clinical products, not just the sunscreens, but in this moment we are talking about sunscreens, which is the subject of this week’s Health Notes. 

When Sarah received a reader’s query about Titanium Dioxide possibly being linked to cancer, she begun an immediate investigation.  Titanium Dioxide is one of the ingredients generally recognised by experts and regulatory bodies as one of the safest UV filters. The reader wasn’t certain where she had read this, but it needed a response and it triggered an urgent need for an article setting out the facts, which you can read below.  This is of vital importance, so I do urge you to read this, together with the comments from iS Clinical.  And you may also wish to take note of Sarah’s closing comments, which need no further comment from me.  Case adjourned.  And closed.
Is Titanium Dioxide Safe In Sunscreens by Sarah Stacey; Extreme Protect SPF 40 Translucent by iS Clinical £66 for 100 grams; Extreme Protect SPF 40 PerfecTint Beige by iS Clinical £66 for 100 grams; Extreme Protect SPF40 PerfectTint Bronze by iS Clinical £66 for 100 grams

Let’s stay with iS Clinical as I tell you that there is a huge global demand for each of the Extreme Protect products, so please bear with me if you find yourself on a wait list.  I hope it will be resolved within a matter of days, but what I don’t think will be resolved in a couple of days is the ever-growing wait list for LiProtect.  I am waiting for confirmation, but it could well be that this could be a long-term issue.  And even though my LA boyfriends, Bryan Johns and Alec Call (founders of iS Clinical) made me a custodian of the brand over twenty years ago (unpaid let it be said), I am not allowed to jump to the front of the queue.  But I’m going to try.  Very hard.
LiProtect SPF 35 by iS Clinical £20 for 5 grams (Wait List)

And with that, a rare iS Clinical treat.  And I am all over this.  I suppose you could call this a decadent experience, a decadent facial experience to be precise because this is where all three iS Clinical cleansers come together in one limited edition offer.  Of course I have all three cleansers in my bathroom and I have done for several years, not the same ones I need to add, because although I have a complete cleansing wardrobe of products, these have, and always will be, the foundation of my skincare.  They can be used individually, but the decadence arrives when you use them together.  So with a bit of a claim to fame interspersed, here they come.

So in order, Cleansing Complex comes first and this is the cleanser which is essentially a go-to daily cleanser, but it is also excellent for problematic skin.  Because of its immaculate efficacy, this is, I believe, the most well-known of the three cleansers and an entire reputation of excellence was built upon this product.  Warming Honey Cleanser comes next and this was the treatment cleanser that was dedicated for professional use only, until I decided otherwise.  The rest is history.  Just massage onto damp skin and the warming sensation will increase as the raw Honey and Papaya Enzymes do their thing.  I love this product almost more than life itself.  Honestly.

And finally, the Cream Cleanser which concludes this awesome regimen.  The Cream Cleanser should be massaged over your skin without water.  It is loaded with bio-nutrients, antioxidants and restorative botanicals to help improve skin health by protecting the skin barrier.  This product can be used by the most compromised of skins and there is no need to rinse.  The instructions state that you should simply wipe away any excess with a soft cloth.  Except I don’t do that, I just let it sink into my skin.  You may wish to do the same.

So on this the 23rd paragraph, I will now tell you that the Triple Cleanse Collection is £86, which means you save £22 if you were to buy all three cleansers separately.  I think the iS Clinical brand message of making a difference, one face at a time, is, and always has been, pretty profound.  But then so are each of their products.  My recommendation would be to do the full cleansing ritual two or three times a week and in between you can choose between the cleansers you wish to use.  And the closest thing to a spa experience, in my opinion, is when you use the Warming Honey Cleanser in a hot shower.  iS Clinical invests in skin.  With integrity.  And passion.
Triple Cleanse Collection by iS Clinical £86

Right, moving on and a health concern. So many of us suffer from diseases associated with poor circulation.  Varicose Veins, Spider Veins and Haemorrhoids are just some of the common circulatory disorders associated with poor circulation.  These concerns do not happen overnight, but are often a result of poor dietary and lifestyle choices.  Shabir does the lowdown on each of these concerns and as he does so, I take the price of his recommended product, Diosmin Plus, down from £26 to £22 across the Bank Holiday weekend.  I’m not sure that I’m the flavour of the week with him.  Don’t care.  More to come.
VH Editorial: A Natural Remedy For Varicose Veins, Spider Veins, Haemorrhoids and Poor Circulation; Diosmin Plus £22 for 60 Capsules (Offer Ends At Midnight BST Monday 31 May)

And that more to come comes in the shape of Sarah Chapman’s Bodylift.  The Bodylift is a rather clever massage tool which encourages lymphatic drainage.  It has 12 rolling heads and 72 massaging nodules, which will also serve to help boost circulation.  So there is a theme going on here.  A circulation theme.  This is also the tool that will work deep into the muscles to help ease tension.  Gently does it, there is no need to apply any great pressure when rolling.  So let’s roll our way into another treat as I take the price of the Bodylift down from £32 to £20.  Whilst stock lasts.
Bodylift by Sarah Chapman £20

Having spent last weekend covered in Calm Patches, let me say that I am overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received about these ingenious patches.  To think that we are helping to calm the world, the VH world, in some small way is all I could ever hope for.  So many are discovering that they help with sleep issues and I’ve discovered all over again that they are somewhat vital in moments of stress.  But that’s not all, as the testimonials flow in about the Calm Patches, they are often accompanied with extraordinarily high praise for the Healing Patches too.  We calm.  We heal.  We heal. We calm.  Together.
Calm Patches by Ross J. Barr £15 for Ten Patches; Healing Patches by Ross J. Barr £15 for Five Patches

I’m nearly finished, I promise, but there are a couple more things I need to talk about.  The first is Beach Powder.  After we launched Beach Powder last weekend, in the rain, the weather forecast is looking good as I’m writing this, although heaven knows anything can happen.  And I think that one of the things that could happen is that Beach Powder will become an essential if you are going to the beach.  I think it’s one of those ‘can’t live without’ summer products.  Essentially because this is the product that makes sand disappear.  As if by magic.  Stash.  Perhaps.
Beach Powder £9.99 for 100 grams; Beach Powder Shimmer £9.99 for 100 grams

And finally Roadscents.  Glorious Roadscents.  All back in stock now, including DownDog.  These are the fragrances that you hang in your car, except I also hang them around my house.  There is something so very special about them, but then there is something so very special about Tina Gaudoin who created them.  In full transparency, yes, she is a friend I care very much about, but what better than working with people you love and respect.  In a world where respect now seems to be a rare commodity.  And manners are virtually non-existent.  And on from that, it really does matter that a brand has integrity.  Now, more than ever.  Go Roadscents.  You beauties.
Roadscents £10

Into the Saturday only treat we go.  This week is lucky dip week.  This means that with every order placed for £30 and above (excluding p&p) we will include a gift, which I hope will make you happy.  There are several different gifts available and as these are electronically generated, I seriously don’t know what you will receive.  But whatever it is, it comes with love and hugs from me, Shabir, Lara and Ziggy Stardust Sinclair.

As we come to the end of another Weekend Read, we are, of course going to sing another song.  Once again, it is all in the words.  For all the angst, for all the bullying, for all the abuse that is hurled at so many of us, let me say that I will continue to fight the fight against the perpetrators of abuse for and on behalf of all of us.  If you believe in ‘universal law’, and I do, it is in those attempted acts of destruction that the perpetrators will destroy themselves.  In the end.  So we sing.  In strength.  Don’t Be Ashamed To Cry.  I’ve Seen The Dark Side Too.
I’ll Stand By You by Chrissie Hynde

With love

Gill x

 

 

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*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.