Another Saturday, another Weekend Read and with quite a lot to talk about today, I am going to begin with some feedback from last weekend and follow through with the rest, which includes a new product launch from Non Gender Specific.  I’ve only been waiting for about a year to launch this product, so notwithstanding that, let’s do what we have to do first and we’ll get to it soon.

And the first thing I need to do is to thank you for your amazing response to the Fulvic Acid Elixir treat from last weekend.  I think it is quite obvious that I am on a Fulvic mission, but I do need to balance this by saying that Ionicell is the capsule version of Fulvic Acid Elixir, and that it has its own separate following.  As ever, it is a matter of choice and in this instance that choice is between Fulvic in a liquid format, or Fulvic in a capsule format.

In actual fact, we launched Ionicell slightly before Fulvic Acid Elixir and I remember writing at the time that it was the next-generation skin, hair and body formulation and that still stands true today.  I honestly don’t believe anything can touch its efficacy, and if there was such a thing in its genre, I would tell you about it because research and development is key to our ongoing health and wellbeing.  Wherever I can, I will always try to back these statements up with factual information, and in this instance I will refer you to the White Paper on Ioniplex, which is the patented Fulvic Ionic Mineral that powers both Ionicell and Fulvic Acid Elixir.

You can find that information on the Ionicell product page, but I have two more things to say here.  The first thing to say is that we have moved Ionicell over to VH branding.  I honestly don’t know why we didn’t do this earlier, but it makes total sense bearing in mind it sits on my all-time list of iconic products.  And as it joins our family of bestselling supplements, a reason to celebrate.  And we’ll do this by dropping the price of Ionicell from £20 to £17 across the weekend, with a caveat.  And that caveat is that we still have stock of the existing Ionicell, so I’m not sure at what point we change over, but it honestly doesn’t matter because the formulations are identical.
Ionicell £17 for 60 VegiCaps (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 May)

So, the following, also from last weekend.  I give thanks that Essential Youth L-Ergothioneine arrived safely, without being held up in customs.  I seriously think I would have run away if it had been further delayed.  And on from that I laughed so much because so many of you went to look at the packaging of Miracle Lotion after I wrote about it.  It really is dreadful, but we’ll live with it because the product is actually brilliant, and it has a weird kind of iconic status.
VH Editorial: Is Ergothioneine The Next Longevity Nutrient; Essential Youth L-Ergothioneine by Life Extension £20 for 30 Capsules; Miracle Lotion £16 for 237 ml 

And finally, in this section, you never really know how well a product will do when you launch it, but Armpit Restore Serum did so well, mostly because ingrown hairs are such an issue for so many.  And solutions for common concerns are always so welcome.  I give thanks that such products are created.  For us to use.
Armpit Restore Serum by Elsa’s Organic Skin Food £28 for 30 grams

The Non Gender Specific launch.  When I first received this product, I instantly fell in love with it.  It is a perfume, but it is a perfume like no other perfume I have ever worn before.  Whenever I wear it, I am so often asked what it is, which always makes me smile, so however difficult it is to write about fragrances, I knew I would have to try because this fragrance stands alone in so many ways.  So please allow me to introduce you to Flooid, from NGS.  My signature fragrance.

Flooid is a pure fragrance.  It is not an Eau de Toilette and it is not an Eau de Parfum, which are two of the most common forms of consumer-facing fragrances.  Instead it is an ‘Extrait de Perfum’, which, as a pure fragrance, uses only the highest quality ingredients.  The real beauty of pure fragrances is that as soon as you apply the first spray, you are getting the immediate aroma of each of the notes which, in the case of Flooid, is achieved using natural botanicals.

With top-notes of Yellow Citrus, Orange and Grapefruit, it is joined by mid-notes of Warm Amber and Patchouli and base-notes of Sweet Cedarwood, Pine Bark and mossy undertones, which NGS describe as a deliciously seductive, sweet and warm gender-neutral fragrance with a fresh twist.  Its deep connection with nature twists and bends like vines wrapping around a tree, creating a unique profile based on personal body chemistry.  Those last words were also from NGS, and I have used them unashamedly because they are a perfect description of the intoxicating nature of this fragrance, which will of course be different for each of us. 

To be absolutely honest with you, I really don’t know what to expect because although I have written about various products, such as room sprays, which many of you do use as a fragrance, this is the first straight fragrance launch I have ever done.  It will probably be the last one too, but whatever the outcome, I knew I had to share this with you because I feel it is so extraordinarily special.  As you would expect, Flooid comes in a glass bottle, but its outer packaging is made from tree-less paper with non-invasive flower seeds.  So instead of throwing the box in the bin, simply tear, plant and water.  Inside or outside.  As we live on the wild side.  All day long.
Flooid by Non Gender Specific £92 for 100 ml

For some unknown reason, I am not allergic to Flooid, for which I am so grateful given how sensitive my skin is, and surprisingly I’m not allergic to this next product either, which I thought I might be.  I have been watching rather a lot of you buying this product and I knew I hadn’t written about it and I knew I hadn’t ever used it, so feeling rather intrigued, I decided to try it.  The product is Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30 and put in simplistic terms, it provides the hydration of a lip oil with the shine of a gloss.  Camellia and Jojoba oils help to protect and nourish lips and the infusion of Vitamin E helps relieve dry lips. 

But that’s not all, it has a universally flattering natural colour, which means you can either wear it as a stand-alone, or glide it over or under colour; I’ve tried it all three ways and although we are all different, I really love using it as a stand-alone, but then I rather like a natural lip, especially in the summer months, except when I feel the need to have one of my bold moments and use my favourite red lipstick.  And as I write this, I am visualising this wonderful golden formula on top of said red lipstick.  It’s 9 am in the morning as I’m writing this, but I feel a trip to my bathroom coming on strong.  How wonderfully decadent to have full-on lips at this time of day.
Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30 by Coola £16 for 3.2 ml (drops from £18 across the weekend; offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 May)

On from that, two more things to say.  If I am writing about the Coola products, then I need to tell you that their Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 is truly amazing.  Containing Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea and soothing Aloe it will set your makeup and keep it in place, whilst helping to defend your skin against UV damage.  It gives a matte finish and quite honestly this is not only for the Summer months, I use it to fix my makeup whatever the season.  I’m actually frightened to put it on my iconic list, because at this rate I will have far more than the twenty iconic products I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  Maybe I’ll stop counting.
Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 by Coola £36 for 44 ml (drops from £39 across the weekend; offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 May)

The second thing I need to say is that prompted by the fact that Liplux is infused with Vitamin E, I honestly can’t remember the last time I wrote about straight Vitamin E.  So for the record, Vitamin E is one of the most researched vitamins and it contributes to the protection of the body’s cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which are reactive compounds.  Packed with essential fatty acids, it is able to pass into the deeper layers of skin and it has wonderful skin-healing benefits for scarring, which includes scarring from eczema and psoriasis, as it fights inflammation.

On the understanding that it takes some time for any supplement to kick-in properly, once again there is a world of difference between synthetic Vitamin E and natural Vitamin E.  Of course we recommend using the natural form of Vitamin E and this is called d-alpha tocopherol.  The cheaper synthetic Vitamin E is called dl-alpha tocopherol, so it’s important to check which form of Vitamin E you are using.  Research has shown that natural Vitamin E has a higher biological activity, so if you do want to use Vitamin E supplementation, we would recommend Natural Vitamin E 400iu.  For efficacy.
Natural Vitamin E 400iu by Lamberts £14.00 for 60 Capsules (drops from £16.50 across the weekend; offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 May)

A new product from Viridian Nutrition.  It is called Organic Magnesium and it contains the UK’s first organic magnesium extract taken from ethically sourced Sea Lettuce, which is derived from a type of wild seaweed.  Magnesium, as most of you are aware, contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, whilst supporting the nervous system and normal muscle function.  The leaf-like structures of Sea Lettuce are naturally abundant in vitamins and minerals and this supplement contains 150 mg of magnesium per capsule.  It is of course a vegan formulation and I am forever in awe of the research and development carried out by Viridian.  So impressive.
Organic Magnesium by Viridian Nutrition £23.80 for 30 Capsules (Launch price which drops from £26.80 for the interim)

I really can’t write about seaweed without making reference to one of my favourite therapeutic bath treats, Atlantic Seaweed Bath.  The seaweed is harvested from the Atlantic waters of the North-West coast of Ireland and is rich in Sulphur, Iodine and natural oils, along with Vitamins A and E.  Oh look, there’s Vitamin E again, so it has become a theme and all I really need to do is to invite you to bathe in seaweed to help relieve aches and pains and of course to help alleviate dry skin.  Please follow the very precise instructions on the packaging and for the very best result, soak for about twenty minutes.  Preferably in the evening.
Atlantic Seaweed Bath by Carraig Fhada £12

One more supplement to write about.  And it’s Glutathione.  As a key antioxidant, Glutathione works to regenerate other key antioxidants to help support and protect the body from free radicals.  There are 37 trillion cells in the human body and Glutathione is in all of them.  Composed of three separate amino acids, Glutamine, Glycine and Cysteine, they come together to form a ‘master antioxidant’, supporting energy levels, skin, vision and of course the cells of your body.  Being the most abundant antioxidant found in the body,  the levels of Glutathione, like Hyaluronic Acid, reduce with age, increasing the risk of a deficiency in Glutathione.

As with so many supplements, Glutathione has been heavily researched and putting age to one side, levels can also decrease if you are, or have been, exposed to chronic stress, pollution and a poor diet.  As you would expect there are many Glutathione supplements available, but fighting through the Glutathione jungle, Shabir has always recommended Glutathione by YourZooki.  And because of this, and because we strongly believe in Glutathione supplementation, as we do in HA supplementation, I am dropping the price of Glutathione from £47.99 to £39, whilst stock lasts.  And for further information, it is Orange Spice in flavour.  Dosed by an oral syringe.
Glutathione by YourZooki £39 for 30 Servings (price holds whilst stock lasts); Hyaluronic Acid High Strength Capsules £35 for 30 Capsules

Right, before I write about this week’s beauty treats, I have some news for you.  Some time ago, Fusswohl Moisturising Foot Mask appeared as a Saturday only treat.  We will often buy products for gifting which we don't stock. We do this because it allows us to try and test some interesting products.  And this foot mask fell into that category.

The feedback we received was exceptional, but of course there are no reviews to date because we were not selling this product.  But we are now because of the demand we received.  So, these moisturising foot socks are formulated with Coconut Oil Milk Extracts and Hyaluronic Acid.  They will moisturise and help heal and repair dry and cracked skin from heel to toe.  Each pack contains two pairs.  They are somewhat addictive, it needs to be said.  Out loud.
Fusswohl Moisturising Foot Mask £9.50 For One Pack (Two Pairs)

And now, a Temple Spa treat.  Bringing two of their bestselling products together, Most Revealing (50 ml) and Glowcolic Resurfacing Toner (150 ml) as the ‘Go Glow Duo’, these two products have a combined value of £60, but whilst stock lasts, we are reducing the price of the Go Glow Duo to £45, a saving of £15.  Most Revealing is an effective chemical peel for the face, powered by a cocktail of Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Glowcolic Resurfacing Toner exfoliates with a combination of Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to help balance your skin’s complexion.  So many of you love acids, I don’t, but I know I’m in the minority.  Acid heaven, if you do.
Go Glow Duo by Temple Spa £45 (whilst stock lasts)

I absolutely know that this treat will not last the day, and I’m not even sure if it will last for more than two or three hours.  So before anything else, this is an extraordinarily limited edition treat, so please be considerate of others and please don’t order in volume in order that we may share as widely as we can.  What I also absolutely know is that I will be singing ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’ at some point this morning as I channel my inner Dusty Springfield, with my hair piled on top of my head courtesy of the Rainbow Volume S Brush.  And the treat.  It’s Skin Food by Weleda.  Down from £13.50 to £9.50.  Without using the word ‘i****c’.  Which it is.
Skin Food by Weleda £9.50 for 75 ml (whilst stock lasts); Rainbow Volume S Brush (the original) £12

Courtesy of Lara, who is completely besotted with this product, this week’s Saturday only treat is Dream Coat by Color Wow.  When we launched Dream Coat for Color Wow, the response was beyond all of our expectations, with a wait list that greatly disturbed my equilibrium.  But that was then and this is now and with every order placed for £30 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include the travel size of Dream Coat (50 ml).  It is a texture spray that helps take the frizz out of your hair, but it does so much more as you will read on the product page, listed below.
Dream Coat by Color Wow

Finally, it has been six years since my beautiful friend, Sally Brampton, walked into the sea and didn’t come back.  I think of her all the time, but I get really emotional on the anniversary of her passing.  In my tribute email at that awful time, I wrote: ‘Sally’s battle with depression is well documented; she shared her darkness in order to give light and she fought fiercely to try and obliterate the stigma of mental health and together we must uphold her mission’.  And that’s the thing, we have to share our darkness in order to both seek, and give, light.  Where there is life, there is hope. 

Our close friendship was a total joy, we would do the maddest things together and scream hysterically at the sheer nonsense of it all.  But over and above all of that, Sally was a trusted mentor, not only to me, but to the hundreds and thousands of readers who religiously followed her column in the Sunday Times.  Her inspiration will always remain a part of who I am and what I do, most especially as we both totally believed in telling it as it is, or as it was.  We spoke about this often; it was at the very core of our shared belief system. 

As so many of you know, I made a promise to Sally that I would always keep her articles on our site, no matter what.  I often go back and read her words, and I know that many of you do the same.  There will never be a replacement for Sally, there never could be.  Her gift to each of us was her own innate wisdom and truth.  So as I do each year, I am linking Sally’s profound articles below.  And with that said, I have a vision of Sal, sitting on top of a mountain in a black leather jacket, looking down over us, as she wills us to dance the dance of all dances.  Even if we are Dancing In The Dark.  As so many of us are.  Respect.
Sally Brampton; Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen; The VH Playlist

No more words; just sending 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.