< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Above: Fat Face Whether attending a garden party or part of a bridal party, this metallic maxi dress from Fat Face will ensure you shine. Top right: Threadbare This eye-catching floral mesh midi dress from Threadbare can be slipped on for an evening out with strappy heels, or with ankle boots and a leather jacket for a trendy daytime look. Right: Oliver Bonas In a gorgeous green, this casual blazer from Oliver Bonas paired with matching wide leg trousers provides a relaxed and vibrant take on a classic look. Above: Joe Browns With 70s retro vibes, this Joe Browns dress will help you stand out with its bold print and contrast black binding. Top right: Samoon Embrace a colourful and cheerful ensemble to match the brightening days with this floral dress from Samoon. Right: Taifun This dress from Taifun with puff sleeves and an abstract print provides a classy modern outfit to adorn across myriad occasions. accessories Time for Cotton Traders With a few pieces of jewellery and a chic pair of sunglasses, Cotton Traders shows how a simple outfit can be enhanced. Before heading out the door, perfect your outfit with a few accessories. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 FASHION Betty & Biddy Great for everyday wear, this delicate star necklace from Betty & Biddy looks lovely on its own or layered. Francis Klein A pair of fashion forward frames, these glasses from Francis Klein will bring creativity to your ensemble. Find this pair, or one similar, at O’Brien’s Opticians in Brigg or http://obriensopticians.co.uk/ Dune London Dune London makes every step sparkle with these embellished strappy sandals. FACE A FACE These dynamic and sophisticated spectacles from FACE A FACE will elevate your eyes with artistic frames. Head down to O’Brien’s Opticians in Brigg or visit http://obriensopticians.co.uk/ for your own pair. Marc Cain To add a quick splash of colour to your look try a bright bag, such as this from Marc Cain. Fable England Add a sweet touch to your outfit with this piece from Fable England; a dainty gold ring enhanced with hand-painted Forget Me Not flowers. Oliver Bonas Having a pair of statement earrings in your jewellery box is a must, such as these drop earrings from Oliver Bonas featuring a textured gold flower. Fat Face This pretty Aztec print headband from Fat Face is ideal for keeping hair out of the way in effortless style. menswear NewBarbour This stylish shirt from Barbour, striped with a mix of pastel colours, offers a refreshing option for the warmer season to come. Whether getting ready for a formal occasion or lounging, there’s lots of new menswear to don. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 FASHION Top left: Fat Face A staple for your closet, this striped crew neck jumper from Fat Face can be paired with jeans or shorts for a casual look or dressed up with smart trousers and a shirt underneath. Left: Fielding & Nicholson As we sit in wedding season, a sharp suit is essential, such as this pale blue three piece suit from Fielding & Nicholson. Above: Cotton Traders Effortlessly fashionable, Cotton Traders presents a slick monochrome look with a simple t-shirt and chinos, draping over a slightly brighter jumper for an extra touch of intrigue. 46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HAIR & BEAUTY I n the beauty industry, Monday 8th April marked a significant event: National Nail Tech Price Increase Day. More than 5,000 nail technicians across the UK joined forces with the Nail Tech Org (NTO) to collectively raise their prices. With nail techs reportedly earning below the minimum living wage at just £7 per hour, the NTO’s founder, Amy Guy, initiated the day after conducting surveys revealing the stark reality of technicians’ incomes. A high-profile example, The Beauty Bar in Birmingham has announced a price hike of £2-3 per service, citing doubled day-to-day operational costs over the last four years. According to Lauren Pritchard, the salon’s owner, this increase is primarily due to rising energy and product expenses. However, Ms. Guy emphasizes that price adjustments will vary between technicians as they assess their individual business costs. Amidst these changes, understanding what your money gets you in beauty treatments becomes essential. Sticking with the theme of nails, the new girl in town, polygel, is a must-try. This innovative product offers the flexibility of gel nails and strength of acrylics. Whether you opt for an overlay on your natural nails or prefer extensions, polygel delivers. Although its thicker consistency may take some adjustment, it’s considered one of the simpler manicures to master at home. Unlike acrylics, polygel nails boast unique properties. Gelish PolyGel, the original formula, is remarkably lighter than traditional acrylics and hard gels, yet equally durable. Furthermore, it’s monomer-free, 7-free, and odour-free, ensuring a pleasant experience without airborne dust during application. For those considering professional application, expect to pay between £55 and £150 for a full set of polygel nails at most salons. Fill-ins typically range from £35 to £80. With its growing popularity and versatility, polygel offers a modern alternative for those seeking long-lasting and flawless manicures. Moving on to the ever-present quest for flawless, radiant skin, the answer could be cheaper than you think. Look no further than retinol—the holy grail of skincare, hailed by dermatologists as a game-changer in anti-aging. Tretinoin, a potent derivative of vitamin A, is considered by dermatologists to be one of the most powerful anti-aging creams available. Its multifaceted benefits extend beyond acne treatment, targeting sun- damaged skin, wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots with remarkable efficacy. The magic of retinol lies in its transformative journey upon application. Initially, it converts to retinaldehyde, then to retinoic acid—the active form of vitamin A that fuels cellular renewal and collagen production. The result? A rejuvenated complexion, sans prescription. However, this beauty elixir comes with a price tag, often soaring above £140 for a single jar. Cheaper alternatives do exist, although of course with reduced potency. Beginners can opt for 0.1% or 0.2% strength products, ranging typically from £20 -£70, with the Beauty treatments getting bang for your buck In the UK, the average woman spends over £100,000 on her appearance during her lifetime. Despite beauty being one of our biggest expenses, with many happy to splash the cash, the average beauty therapist only sees a small return for their labour. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 HAIR & BEAUTY © stock.adobe.com/Natalie more expensive versions offering additional skincare benefits such as hydration or plumping effects. Retinol is an acid, so those with sensitive skin should approach with caution. Opt for formulas equipped with time-release technology, ensuring a gradual delivery of vitamin A overnight to mitigate potential irritation. With regular and sustained use, the powers of retinol are undeniable. Patience is key, as it can take a minimum of 12 weeks to witness the transformative effects. Yet, rest assured, the radiant, youthful complexion awaiting you at the journey’s end will undoubtedly make every passing week worthwhile. For those with greater skin concerns such as deep scarring, you may consider IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments or chemical peels to achieve a healthy glow. IPL treatments, lauded for their efficacy in addressing a multitude of skin concerns, offer a non-invasive solution to combat unwanted sunspots and imperfections. Praised for their affordability compared to traditional lasers, IPL treatments utilize light energy to target acne, birthmarks, sunspots, stretch marks, scars, and more. With prices ranging from £250 to nearly £700, IPL treatments present a compelling option for those seeking to improve skin texture and colour without surgery. On the other hand, chemical peels, ranging from superficial to deep, offer a diverse array of options tailored to individual skincare needs. Superficial peels gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin with minimal downtime, making them ideal for achieving gradual results over time. Medium peels, with stronger acid potency, target the epidermis, leading to mild sloughing within 5 to 7 days. While deep peels penetrate the dermis, inducing significant peeling over 1 to 2 weeks, they yield dramatic results for wrinkles, scars, and blemishes. Despite the varying intensities, chemical peels remain a popular choice due to their ability to rejuvenate the skin and treat wrinkles at a fraction of the cost of certain fractional lasers, with TCA peels ranging from £300 to £1,000. When comparing IPL treatments to chemical peels, both options offer distinct advantages. IPL treatments are undoubtedly more comfortable and convenient, as well as their ability to erase a multitude of sins. Conversely, chemical peels offer targeted solutions with customizable depths, allowing individuals to tailor their treatments to specific skincare goals. While IPL treatments penetrate deeper into the layers of the dermis, chemical peels deliver impressive results comparable to certain fractional lasers at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re looking to up your nail game, keep the ageing at bay, or address deep skin complaints, investing wisely in your beauty treatments is key. If you’re on a budget, decide what is most important to you (such as radiance or longevity) and identify which ingredients will achieve that for you. Searching for active ingredients rather than brand names removes the extra cost associated with branding and packaging. 48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS In today’s health-conscious world, the term “plant-based” has taken on a whole new significance, extending far beyond its traditional associations and shouldn’t be confused for veganism. B ut what do we mean by “plant-based”? Adopting a plant-based diet is not the same as veganism, as being vegan is generally a whole-lifestyle choice (for example, no longer wearing leather shoes) borne out of moral concern. Plant-based living is more so about improving one’s health and fitness through eating as many plant products as possible. Merely abstaining from animal- based foods doesn’t necessarily align with the health, disease reversal, energy, or athletic performance goals often associated with a plant-centric approach. In this context, consuming items like fizzy drinks or chips may fall within the scope of “not eating animals,” but they don’t contribute to the solutions sought in pursuing improved well-being and performance. Most of us probably think first of meat alternatives when considering plant-based products. Burger, sausage, and nugget replacements now line the supermarket shelves. However, not all plant-based proteins are made equally. It’s essential to discern not just the quantity but the quality of protein offered by meat alternatives. While some products boast added proteins such as pea or soy protein to rival the protein content of meat, these additions often come with the caveat of increased processing and potential additives. Opting for alternatives crafted from whole food, plant-based ingredients— think vegetables, nuts, legumes, and grains—can provide a more wholesome protein source without the accompanying fillers. Take jackfruit, for example. Though lower in protein compared to meat and some other substitutes, its collagen- boosting vitamin C and heart-healthy potassium make it a nutritious addition to your plate. Plus, its healthy fibre content helps keep hunger at bay. However, it’s not just about protein content; scrutinizing sodium levels is equally important. Many plant-based meat alternatives come pre-seasoned, potentially packing a punch of added sodium. This aspect warrants attention, especially for those monitoring their sodium intake. As awareness of the environmental impact of commercial fishing grows, so does the interest in plant-based seafood alternatives. The eye-opening documentary “Seaspiracy” and negative media coverage of sea fishing have prompted 60% of UK meat-substitute consumers to find plant-based seafood products increasingly appealing. Among the diverse array of ingredients used in crafting these innovative offerings are soy, seaweed, yeast, legumes, and various vegetable oils and starches. Soy, in particular, has gained popularity due to its What to look for in plant-based alternatives What to look for in plant-based alternatives What can I do to reduce eyestrain? Generally, treatment for eyestrain consists of making changes in your daily habits or environment. Some people may need treatment for an underlying eye condition. So having a regular eye examination with your optometrist to discuss your symptoms is important. Consider these simple tips to reduce or prevent eyestrain. • Adjust the lighting. When watching television, it may be easier on your eyes if you keep the room softly lit. When doing near tasks, position the light behind you and direct the light onto your page or task. • Take breaks. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds. • Limit screen time. This is especially important for children, who may not make the connection between extended viewing, eyestrain and the need to rest their eyes regularly. • Use artificial tears. This help prevent and relieve dry eyes. Use them even when your eyes feel fine to keep them well lubricated and prevent a recurrence of symptoms. • Adjust your monitor. Position your monitor directly in front of you about an arm’s length away so that the top of the screen is at or just below eye level. • Adjust your screen settings. Enlarge the type for easier reading. And adjust the contrast and brightness to a level that’s comfortable for you. For some people, wearing glasses that are prescribed for specific activities, such as for screen use or near tasks can help. Consider investing in glasses designed specifically for screen or near work. At Holland & James we have a range of lenses and coatings that reduce eyestrain, support eye focus and improve the readability of small text whilst protecting your eyes. Call in or make an appointment to find out how we can help you. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 HEALTH & FITNESS Charlie Holland and Neil James For more information visit hollandjames.co.uk, call 01652 408200 or pop into the store in Brigg to speak with Charlie or Neil directly. omega-3 fatty acid content, low cholesterol, and saturated fat levels. But the creativity doesn’t stop there. From faux shrimp concocted from peas, seaweed, and konjac root to “cod” burgers crafted from jackfruit and “tuna” fashioned from pea and wheat protein, the options are as diverse as they are delicious. Leading vegan seafood brand Good Catch utilizes a blend of peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans, and navy beans in its products, ensuring a robust protein profile without the cholesterol or saturated fat found in traditional seafood. These plant-based seafood alternatives typically boast a protein content ranging from 12 to 21 grams, along with a notable percentage of iron, ranging from 9 to 15% of the recommended intake. However, as with any processed product, sodium remains a concern. Some seafood substitutes can contain up to 20% of the daily recommended amount. To mimic the fishy flavour and provide a source of omega-3 fatty acids, many brands incorporate algal oil and seaweed into their formulations. Alternatively, vegans seeking to boost their omega-3 intake can turn to a variety of plant-based sources, including chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and kidney beans. As the demand for sustainable and ethical food options continues to soar, the plant-based seafood market offers a tantalizing array of flavourful and planet-friendly alternatives for seafood enthusiasts worldwide. © stock.adobe.com/Sea WaveNext >