10 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Shopping expert reveals must-have items for your home and beauty routine from Victoria Beckham, Dusk and more
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
Once again, it’s almost the weekend – and the sun is still here, along with another wicked list of shopping items (hand-picked might we add) from our in-house shopping expert. Yes, your weekly edition of Trend Trove is here – and you might want to take five for this one.
From gorgeous, embroidered napkins from Dusk you’ll want to get out next time you’re hosting, to gorgeous mugs from Anna + Nina, making your morning coffee will taste even sweeter out.
Not only that, but makeup brushes by Victoria Beckham have just launched – and we’re lowkey obsessed, tanning drops that will give you that ‘year long glow’ without any sun damage thanks to James Read, and so much more – of course.
Better yet, if you’ve been looking for a new dining room table, Swyft have just launched one that’s just perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner dates.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, Five Guys has just introduced a new Kids menu featuring a Little Hamburger, Mini Fries, and Mini Soda for £7. Available from April 8 in stores across England, Scotland, and Wales. The menu also includes options like Hot Dogs and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Talking of food, Maya Jama, the queen of UK TV screens, is teaming up with Uber Eats to launch a limited-time ‘Revive & Thrive’ menu. Known for her iconic one-liners and legendary post-party feasts, Maya’s new menu features comfort food with a glamorous twist. Highlights include Gochujang Mac ‘n’ Cheese, a Smash Burger with watermelon jam, and a coffee-infused sticky toffee pudding. Available on April 12 and 13, the dishes are priced at £5 each, with exclusive access for Uber One members on the first day.
We can always trust Maya to treat us right when it comes to good food choices too.
This is just a taste (excuse the pun) of what you can find in this week’s edition of Trend Trove, your ultimate guide to what’s hot and happening on the high street.
Hottest high street items this week
Salted Caramel Rum Cream Liqueur 70cl
Coming in at 15% abv, the Salted Caramel Rum Cream Liqueur is the perfect addition to any of your spring cocktails, bringing a deliciously satisfying pop of sweetness, and a blast of Caribbean sun, to any drink.
Pink Shirred Check Pattern Midi Dress
This vibrant gingham-print midi dress will add a lively touch to your summer wardrobe. Featuring a square neckline and a shirred bodice, it pairs perfectly with sandals and a straw bag for a light and airy ensemble.
Signature Lip Liner
This lip liner provides sheer, buildable colour with a natural satin finish. Its smooth, lightweight gel formula glides on easily and can be used for soft definition or all-over colour. Enriched with antioxidant-rich pomegranate and jojoba complex, it supports healthy-looking lips. It also features a retractable tip and built-in sharpener for precise application.
Anna + Nina Croissant Cappuccino Mug
The Anna + Nina Croissant Cappuccino Mug is a charming ceramic mug featuring a hand-painted croissant design and a blue handle. Measuring 10 x 14 x 6.5 cm, it's also dishwasher and microwave-safe, and is made in Portugal. Perfect for adding a whimsical touch to your kitchen collection.
Dolly Joleans Flare Jeans
Flared jeans are back, and if you’re looking for a timeless pair of denim jeans from the collection, these jeans were made for you. Crafted from SoftTech Denim these jeans promise to be comfortable, lightweight and not as restrictive as other denim staples we have worn. It boasts a mid-rise waist and the jeans hug the thighs before flaring out from the knee to the ankle.It boasts stomach-smoothing technology to hug your body in the right places, while the gap-proof waistband does what it says on the tin.Available in a dark denim wash, as well as light wash, in both regular and petite lengths. Obsessed!
Lemons Embroidered Napkins – Set of 4
Add a citrus twist to timeless style with these crisp white napkins, made from 100% cotton. Embroidered with bright, cheerful lemons, they bring a fresh Mediterranean feel to your dining experience. Ideal for al fresco dining, summer brunches, or simply adding a pop of colour to your table, these napkins combine elegance with a playful touch.
Self Glow by James Read Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops
Self Glow by James Read introduces the Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops, revolutionising sunless tanning. Developed with over twenty years of research, these drops blend with moisturisers, serums, or SPF for a customisable, buildable glow. They feature 3D and 4D hyaluronic acid for hydration, aloe vera and fermented mushrooms for soothing, and cocoa extract with plant-derived DHA for a sun-kissed tone. The unique packaging, designed by James Read, adds a touch of creativity and individuality.
The Striped Shortie Set
Experience elegance with the M&S x Olivia von Halle striped shortie set. This regular-fit ensemble features smooth fabric, a short-sleeved top with branded buttons and a revere collar, and matching shorts with an elasticated drawcord waist. Piped trims add a refined touch.
Gold Etched Sun Side Table
This round side table features an intricate sun motif and a textured border, supported by three orange legs with golden feet. It's ideal for bringing warmth and colour to your living room or bedroom, and pairs beautifully with other sun-themed decor for a cheerful home atmosphere.
Gingham Bra Top
This COS gingham bra top is a chic piece to elevate the classic “jeans and a nice top” combo. The square neckline, cropped fit, slightly balloon silhouette and spaghetti straps with a tie fastening, are a welcome alternative to more fitted cropped tops we have seen. Pair with high waisted white trousers, shorts, even a billowy A-line midi skirt, for your next city break or summer escape. We love the wider gingham print in this design to shake up the pattern.
Summer Fridays' Lip Butter Balm Birthday Cake
This Lip Butter Balmi in Birthday Cake is a limited-edition, vegan lip balm that conditions and softens dry lips. It features a light pink shimmer and a birthday cake flavour, made with hydrating shea and murumuru seed butters. This cruelty-free and gluten-free balm provides instant moisture and shine, perfect for daily use or as an overnight lip mask.
White Ruched Shell Print Christine Midi Dress
Created in collaboration with Elizabeth Scarlett, this limited-edition collection celebrates a passion for colour, print, and embroidery, showcasing motifs from her original watercolours on our iconic designs. This dress embodies the essence of summer. In white with a seashell print, this midi dress is ideal for sunny days. The frill detail on the shoulder straps and the flowy silhouette add to its charm, while the shirred bodice ensures a perfect fit.
12. Buffer Brush
The Buffer brush from Victoria Beckham ensures a flawless application of complexion products onto the skin. Its densely packed bristles and uniquely rounded head shape make it easy to blend all cream and liquid formulas, including concealer, contour, blush, highlighter, and foundation, to achieve your desired level of diffused coverage.
Denim & Faux Leather Tipping Collarless Tailored Jacket
This modern denim jacket features a tailored silhouette and faux leather accents, offering a sophisticated yet casual look. The collarless design and structured fit make it versatile for various occasions. Pair it with matching pieces for a refined outfit or mix with tailored trousers and ballet flats for a casual look. Its thoughtful details and clean lines ensure it remains a staple in your wardrobe for seasons to come.
Scalp & Hair Balance Gift Set
Perfect for those after healthier scalp and and more hydrated hair, the Scalp & Hair Balance Gift Set features a shampoo, conditioner and hair serum, each working to make dry scalps and damaged locks a thing of the past. Save a huge 30% using code METRO2025 at checkout.
Dining Table 02
The round dining table features a pillow-edge tabletop with smooth, curved edges, crafted from solid red oak with unique knots and grain variations. It pairs perfectly with the Dining Chair 02 for a cohesive look. Ideal for intimate gatherings and everyday use, it includes adjustable rubber feet glides to protect floors and accommodate uneven surfaces.
MORPHE Cheek Thrills Trio in After Party
The MORPHE Cheek Thrills Trio in After Party is a face palette featuring three textures: satin cream, luminous balm, and velvet powder, all in a nude rose shade. It allows for custom colours and finishes, and includes phytomucin for its antibacterial, antioxidant, and brightening benefits. Perfect for creating various looks, from subtle to bold.
Have you spotted something you want to buy? Or perhaps saving or payday? Let us know your thoughts.
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10 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Here’s what we’re shopping from Damson Madder’s new swimwear drop
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
It’s finally swimwear season, and if you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect bikini, swimsuit or tankini then we’ve found just the place to shop.
Creating gorgeous clothes that look and feel that bit different, Damson Madder is here to shake up your swimwear collection with stunning designs that’ll catch eyes as you catch rays.
The brand’s new swimwear collection has everything you could need to refine your cannonball-ready looks this season – from sleek and flattering tankinis and boy shorts to shirred swimsuits and bikinis, all in a delicious array of patterns and hues.
We’re totally besotted with the Picot Trim Tankini Top and matching bottoms in the bright and colourful Tropical Stripe design.
Ideal for those after a bit more coverage from their bikini, the stunning top falls to around bellybutton level, boasting a scoop neck, adjustable straps, picot trim and an embroidered DM logo on the back, matched on the bottoms.
And the green striped design? Truly to die. This duo will be my uniform when I’m on holiday in Si Lanka next week.
Run by a small, female-led team from their studio in Camden, Damson Madder takes the slow and responsible route when it comes to creating stunning styles, only making about 100-350 pieces per style.
That means that when you shop from the brand, you’ll have a piece that few other people will have, making it truly special.
What more could you want from your poolside fits?
Ready to shop? Explore our top picks from fresh swimwear drop below.
Picot Trim High Bikini Bottoms – Tropical Stripe
Finish off your striped look with these Picot Trim High Bikini Bottoms in Tropical Stripe. Bold and bright, they boast a picot trim and signature embroidered DM logo on the back, perfect paired with the matching tankini top or triangle top.
Picot Trim Triangle Bikini Top – Tropical Stripe
Upgrade your holiday looks with this timeless and totally chic Picot Trim Triangle Bikini Top in Tropical Stripe. Designed with removable padded cups, as well as neck and back ties, this bikini top fuses comfort and style in one eye-catching piece.
Shirred Bow Bikini Top – Butter Spot
Butter yellow is still the colour of the season, and this stunning Shirred Bow Bikini Top in Butter Spot emulates the adorable look perfectly. Featuring all-over polka dots, removable straps, side cut-outs, bow detailing and a flattering shirred fit, it's sure to become your instant go-to when the sun comes out.
Shirred Bow Bikini Bottoms – Butter Spot
These Shirred Bow Bikini Bottoms in Butter Spot are designed with a shirred front for maximum comfort. Elevated by side cut-outs and bow detailing, they'll look perfect paired with the matching bikini top for an eye catching co-ord.
Shirred Bow Bikini Top – Orange Gingham
Whether you're beach or poolside, the Shirred Bow Bikini Top in Orange Gingham is your ideal companion for sunny days. With a shirred fit and removable straps, this piece stretches, sculpts and supports for the perfect, flattering fit.
Shirred Bow High Bikini Bottoms – Orange Gingham
These Shirred Bow High Bikini Bottoms in Orange Gingham are the ultimate sunny day style. Crafted with a shirred front and cut in a flattering high waisted fit, these bottoms sit just right on the waist, elevated by side cut-outs and bow detailing.
Uma Underwire Bikini Top – Red Broderie
Perfect for poolside lounging, the Uma Underwire Bikini Top in Red Broderie features underwire cups, adjustable straps and a metal back clasp for a comfortable fit.
High Leg Bikini Bottoms – Red Broderie
In a sleek silhouette with an all over red broderie design, these High Leg Bikini Bottoms in Red Broderie are a flattering and comfortable accompaniment to the Uma top. They've been designed with a high leg fit and a small bow detail on the front.
Betty Swimsuit – Blue Margot Gingham
Pretty, unique and absolutely adorable, the Betty Swimsuit in Blue Margot Gingham pulls out all of the stops when it comes to swimwear. It features removable straps, side cut outs with sweet bow detailing on the sides and a ruched finish that's sure to catch eyes every time you wear it.
Tashi Swimsuit – Embroideries
Adorned with vibrant motif embroidery, including a crab, lemon, adorable starfish and more, the Tashi Swimsuit is sure to become your favourite piece during summer. Boating a flattering scoop neck, cross racer back, high cut leg and picot trim for a luxe finishing touch, this swimsuit will elevate any poolside look.
The tankini set? Chef’s kiss.
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10 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
This simple mistake can give you itchy ‘crotch rot’ — here’s how to avoid it
When you’re getting dressed in the morning, bleary-eyed and half asleep, you could be making one crucial mistake.
As you pull your underwear over your feet and legs, keep your toes well away, or you could end up with ‘crotch rot’.
Experts tell Metro that foot fungal infections are incredibly common — and extremely contagious. So if you then catch your foot on your pants, there’s a ‘strong chance’ it could transfer to your genitals.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is crotch rot and how can you get it?
Simply put, crotch rot, jock itch, or tinea cruris (its medical name) is a fungal infection in your genitals.
And according to Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP with over 10 years’ experience, accidentally rubbing your foot in your underwear is among the ways it can be transmitted.
Dr Wylie says foot fungus is both ‘extremely’ common – affecting around 15 to 25% of Brits in their lifetime – and ‘highly contagious’.
‘It can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact such as touching or rubbing the infected foot, and then touching somewhere else on your body before washing your hands,’ she tells Metro.
‘It can also spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces such as floors, towels, shoes, underwear or socks. Once on the skin, the fungus can thrive and multiply, particularly in warm and damp environments.’
While Dr Wylie notes that your feet touching your underwear is a well-known route of transmission for the infection, it won’t always be easy to work out exactly where you caught crotch rot from.
‘This is because the fungus can live on surfaces or clothing for a while,’ sexual health nurse for Lovehoney, Sarah Mulindwa, explains.
Plus, it can be caused by other issues such as a compromised immune system or increased skin moisture due to tight clothes or excessive sweating.
What are the symptoms of crotch rot?
‘In men, tinea cruris often presents as a red or reddish-brown rash with a scaly or raised border, usually affecting the inner thighs and groin,’ says Dr Wylie.
‘Itching is a prominent symptom and may be accompanied by discomfort or a burning sensation. There may also be some peeling, cracking, or flaking of the skin.
‘The scrotum is usually spared, which helps differentiate it from some other rashes or conditions.’
Nurse Sarah Mulindwa adds that both men and women can catch the infection, but men are more susceptible.
‘This is largely because men have increased sweating in the groin area, the shape of male anatomy, and the types of clothing often worn, such as tight underwear or sportswear,’ she tells Metro.
For women, symptoms appear in the groin, inner thighs and lower abdomen, but the scaly patches may be less ring-shaped.
‘It can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions like irritant dermatitis (skin irritation) or candidiasis (a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast), so proper diagnosis is key,’ Dr Wylie, for IQdoctor, adds.
The London borough with England’s highest rates of syphilis, genital warts and gonorrhoea
Residents of the London borough of the City of Westminster have the highest rates in England for not one, but three, major STIs, with more cases of syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts per 100,000 people than anywhere else in the country.
Most prevalent is gonorrhoea, otherwise known as ‘the clap’ or ‘drip’, with a whopping 749 cases, suggesting some Westminster locals may have skipped their lessons on safe sex.
The city-centre location was also found to have 135 cases of genital warts per 100,000 people, caused by HPV, while syphilis came in at 125 cases.
With a population of 247,614, that means 1,855 have had gonorrhoea infections, 334 have had genital warts, and 310 have had syphillis.
Is crotch rot treatable?
If you ever find yourself with these symptoms, your first port of call should be your doctor.
Once they’ve confirmed you’ve got crotch rot, you’ll be offered treatment such as topical antifungal creams, powders, or sprays.
Dr Wylie explains: ‘You apply this to the affected area for at least two weeks but in more severe cases where it’s spread to other parts of the body, you may be prescribed an oral antifungal medication.’
Keeping the affected area clean and dry is crucial for recovering from your infection – as it is for preventing the infection in the first place.
If you’re prone to sweating, Dr Wylie recommends using antifungal powders to prevent crotch rot. And when it comes to avoiding fungal foot infections, you should also avoid walking barefoot in communal areas like swimming pools and showers.
‘Wearing breathable footwear, and changing socks and underwear daily also helps,’ she adds. ‘Avoid sharing towels or clothing too.’
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10 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Festival season is looming – the ultimate packing checklist to brave Glastonbury and beyond
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Spring has sprung, which means one thing – festival season is approaching. If you are one of the lucky ones to secure your Glastonbury ticket this year, or you’re heading to one of the many other music festivals this summer, maybe you’re embracing the outdoors with a camping trip, there are a few key items you need to pack.
liGo is one of the leading outdoor and camping retailers to shop all of your essentials, from a trusted tent to sleep in on your own, a couple, or a group, to sleeping bags, camping pillows, walkie talkies and much more.
While we know dry shampoo, baby wipes, and deodorant are just some of the failsafe festival necessities to keep you feeling as fresh as possible singing, and sleeping, in the fields, having a comfortable, practical and weather-resistant tent you can call home for a week is a non-negotiable.
We have all heard horror stories when a tent has collapsed mid-slumber, or it’s not as weather-proof as it promises to be, which (quite literally) rains on your parade when you’re tired from dancing to your favourite artists and all you want to do is catch up on some sleep. But, Ligo prides itself on well-designed, durable and practical props that are easy to put up, withstand the elements, and pack away effortlessly for a dress-free camping experience.
If you are heading to a summer festival for the first time and not sure what to take with you, or you need to replace your weathered tent for this year’s Glastonbury, liGo has you covered. Plus, Ligo has a Spring sale on, which could save you even more on your shopping basket.
To help with packing, we have created the ultimate festival and camping checklist.
Our Top Camping Picks At Ligo
Vango Alpha 250 CLR 2-Person Tent
Whether you are sharing your tent with a friend, partner, or relative, or simply want a little more space for yourself, the Vango tent is a great investment. It is a spacious, easy-to-pitch tent designed for comfort and durability. Crafted from Sentinel Eco flysheet, which is waterproof, and the sturdy PowerFlex poles, ensure this tent stays erect throughout a week-long festival, and beyond.It promises to be a well-ventilated tent, thanks to the mesh inner door and the breathable polyester fabric interior.
Easy Camp Kestrel Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat
If you’re not one to sleep on the ground, and need more cushioning than just a sleeping bag, the Easy Camp Kestrel Self-Inflating Ma is a must. At 2.5cm thick, it provides extra cushioning and insulation from the ground, which makes sleeping on rough terrain more comfortable. The self-inflating design saves you the effort, and space, of packing a pump; simply open the valve, and it inflates on its own. The open-cell construction, combined with the contour design ensures a comfortable sleep.
Vango Self Inflating Pillow
Say goodbye to lumpy travel pillows, or scrunching up a jumper to elevate your head on something softer than the ground when camping. This Vango Self-Inflating Pillow offers the perfect balance of comfort and portability. Designed for camping, road trips, and festivals, it inflates in seconds – simply by twisting the valve – and it packs away easily when not in use. Its soft-touch fabric and ergonomic design provide a restful sleep – you don’t want to see us tired and hangry.
Vango Single Flocked Airbed
Upgrade your camping set-up with the Vango Single Flocked Airbed, which has been designed for optimum support and comfort when camping.The soft flocked top prevents sleeping bags from slipping when you’re tossing and turning, while the coil beam construction ensures you stay inflated. It’s super quick to inflate and deflate, so you don’t waste time on your makeshift festival home when you could be front row of the Pyramid Stage. While some may argue it’s not an essential, if you are more of a glamper, or struggle to sleep, laying your sleeping bag on this, will prevent any draughts or discomfort from laying on the floor.
Cobra AM255 Walkie Talkies Twin Pack
Stay connected to your fellow festival-goers with these old school walkie talkies. With a 5km range, eight channels, and crystal-clear audio, these compact, lightweight radios are ideal for camping, hiking, or festivals. The built-in belt clips make them easy to use on the go, plus they boast a long battery life, which is perfect when your phone battery dies or signal cuts out on your phone.
Highlander Serenity 450 Sleeping Bag
Brave the elements with the Highlander Serenity 450 Sleeping Bag, which makes for a cosy cocoon to lay your head to rest. It has been given a four-season rating, which means it is perfect for the winter months, as well as spring and summer seasons. The SFX spiral hollow fibre offers the necessary insulation, and prevents that pesky damp feeling when condensation can build up on a muggy summer day, so you feel comfortable all night long. The soft microfibre lining adds extra comfort as it is soft to the touch. With a thermal hood and anti-snag zip, this sleeping bag is perfect for chillier conditions, and we’ve known Glasto to be in the midst of a downpour or two.
Vango Skye 500 5-Person Tent
Need extra space for that group camping trip or festival, this five-person tent is a must.It is spacious, weatherproof and practical enough to house numerous people inside. With Nightfall blackout bedrooms you can block out sunlight after a late night, while the single clear side window allows some light to flow through the porch area. While it’s roomy inside the tent, the extended porch area is also big enough to provide shelter from the elements without sitting inside the tent. Crafted from Protex 70 Denier Flysheet, which is waterproof and durable, combined with the reinforced seams, this offers the ultimate balance of comfort and durability. Plus, it’s £165 price tag is more affordable than most, and even more so if you are splitting the cost with a group.
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9 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Tesco becomes first UK supermarket to make major aisle change in 93 stores
There’s a big change coming to Tesco stores — and its a first for UK supermarkets.
The grocery giant is set to roll out perimenopause and menopause-friendly aisles in 93 of its big stores (including superstores and Extras).
These will exclusively feature products to help treat and manage women’s symptoms when they’re these periods of hormonal change.
Aiming to ’empower women with more choices’, these sections will support women in locating and identifying the products that can help them, all marked in the colour purple.
Products will include items across categories like nutrition, haircare, skincare, sexual wellness and digestive health.
The change to stores comes after a successful trial was carried out by Tesco from February to March 2024, where it added the menopause sections to 189 of its stores.
Products used in the trial included Vitabiotics vitamins, Nivea, Olay, Simple skincare products, Tena and Always products.
This new aisles will be implemented from April this year, making Tesco the first retailer to permanently introduce a dedicated menopause-only area in-store.
Both Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have previously completed similar trials, but are yet to introduce the measure on a permanent basis.
As part of this new initiative, the supermarket has teamed up with GenM, a British collective of brands, retailers and manufacturers aiming to empower menopause brands.
The collaboration will work together to enforce what has been dubbed the ‘M-tick’ – the first universal shopping symbol to clearly label menopause-friendly products.
GenM’s 2024 UK Visibility Report found that 94% of women want to shop for menopause-friendly labelled products, yet 66% find it difficult to find the products they need.
The change couldn’t come at a better time, after research by Kantar found that shoppers bought more menopause products than ever before last year.
When does menopause start and what are the signs?
The menopause is technically the name given when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but symptoms can happen far earlier as oestrogen begins to decline, in what’s known as ‘the perimenopause’.
And, while the NHS lists common symptoms including hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and even low sex drive, many women have been taken by surprise by the way perimenopause has affected them.
Research indicates there could be as many as 62 symptoms.
Menopause specialist Dr Naomi Potter previously told Metro other ailments such as tinnitus, urinary infections, change in body odour, weak bones and restless legs can all be associated with this life-changing stage.
Other signs can be increased allergies, heart palpitations and changes in oral health.
Here are the 62 menopause symptoms you should look out for.
Tesco’s Category Director for Health and Wellness, Tom Lye, said the supermarket is ‘delighted’ to support customers and colleagues going through menopause.
‘We hope that having these permanent menopause-friendly bays in 93 of our large stores will provide reassurance and education,’ he said.
Heather Jackson, GenM’s co-founder and CEO, added: ‘This showcases our joint commitment to supporting women across the breadth of the 48 menopause signs, and means we are empowering women with choice for her to manage her menopause, her way’.
She also said that the 15.5 million women in the UK currently experiencing menopause are yet to be ‘understood or served as they deserve’, but this is a step in the right direction.
Products included in the Tesco menopause section
- Charles Worthington Menoplex Replenishing Mask 150ml
- MURINE DRY AND TIRED EYE DROPS
- Face Facts Menopause Skincare – Overnight Gel Mask 50ml
- A.Vogel Stress Relief Daytime Valerian-Hops oral drops 50ml
- TENA Lights Sensitive Ultra Pads Normal 16 Pack
- Charles Worthington Menoplex Repairing Conditioner 250ml
- BetterYou Magnesium Menopause Body Spray 100ml
- Nutriburst 60 FemBalance Strawberry Flavour Gummies
- Issviva Menopause V-Moist Lubrication Gel 75ml
- Issviva Cooling Bra Inserts 1 Pair
- Charles Worthington Menoplex Healthy Scalp Serum 75ml
- Newfoundland Menopause Test 2 Pack
- So Divine Menopause Water Based Lube 100ml
- Fussy Natural Deodorant Refill Lavender Fields 40g
- Tena Lady Maxi Day 6 Pack
- A.Vogel Perimenopause Balance Multi-Nutrient Drink 14×5.5g Sachets
- TENA Discreet Ultra Normal Thin Incontinence Pads 16 Pack
- Compeed Anti Spot Patch 7 pack
- TENA Light Sensitive Ultra Pads Mini 20 Pack
- A.Vogel Perimenopause Focus 30 Tablets
- Always Expert Daily Extra Protect Long Liners x 40
- A.Vogel Menopause Support 30 tabs
- Face Facts Menopause Skincare – Revitalising Facial Serum 30ml
- WUKA Dry Tech Midi Brief Underwear for Light Leaks Black – Size 2
- WUKA Dry Tech Midi Brief Underwear for Light Leaks Black – Size 1
- BetterYou Magnesium Menopause Bath Flakes 750g
- HEALTHSPAN 60 BLADDER SUPPORT CAPSULES
- Face Facts Menopause Skincare – Soothing Eye Contour Gel 25ml
- Charles Worthington Menoplex Volumising Shampoo 250ml
- Sanex Expert Skin Health Pro Hydrate Shower Cream 570Ml
- Promensil Menopause Double Strength 80mg 30 Tablets
- So Divine Menopause Classic Vibrator
- Fussy Natural Refillable Deodorant Lavender Fields 40g
- Sanex Expert Skin Health Hypoallergenic Shower Gel 570ml
- Face Facts Menopause Skincare – Firming Face Neck & Decolletage Cream 50ml
- Face Facts Menopause Skincare – Hydro-Mist Face & Body 100ml
- Tiger Balm Muscle & Tension Lotion 80ml
- Optibac For Women Intimate Flora For Women 14 Capsules
- Super Facialist Vegan Collagen Rejuvenating Gel Cleanser 150ml
- Super Facialist Vegan Collagen Overnight Resync Night Cream 50ml
- A.Vogel Moisturising Eye Drops 10ml
- The Solution Menopause 3-in-1 Boost Serum 30ml
- The Solution Menopause Night Recovery Treatment 50ml
- Mitchum Pure Fresh Roll On 100Ml
- LINWOODS MENOLIGNA 210g
- Issviva Menopause Hair Skin and Nails Food Supplement 60 Gummies 120g
- A.Vogel Atrogel Muscle Aches & Pains Arnica Gel 100ml
- Issviva Menopause Focus Think Clearly 90 Gummies 300g
- Peachie – Hazelnut, Cacao & Cherry Toppings for Menopause 200g
- A.Vogel Sleep Well Dissolvable Granules 14x2g
- Replens Vaginal Moisturiser Prefilled Applicators 6 x 5.9g
- A.Vogel Passiflora Complex Nervous System Support 30 Tablets
- Super Facialist Vegan Collagen Plumping Serum 30ml
- Super Facialist Vegan Collagen Super Smooth Day Cream 50ml
- The Solution Menopause Cooling Creme-Gel Body Moisturiser 200ml
- The Solution Menopause Hydrating Cooling Mist 100ml
- The Solution Menopause Balancing Intimate Wash 150ml
- Peachie – Almond & Cranberry Toppings for Menopause 200g
- A.Vogel Passiflora Relax Complex Spray 20ml
- A.Vogel Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops oral drops 50ml
- The Solution Menopause Hair Thickening Scalp Serum 30ml
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9 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Stop what you’re doing – Dolly Parton has collaborated with Good American on the ultimate collaboration
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We know Dolly Parton is a force to be reckoned with – she’s a singer, actor, style icon, and all-round country icon. Just when we thought she couldn’t get any better, we learn she has collaborated with Good American on a new fashion collection.
At first we feared the Good American x Dolly Parton collaboration was only able to shop stateside, but we did some digging, and have found you can shop the range in the UK too – or at least, ship to the UK, which is free on orders over £175.
First thing’s first – the name. The collaboration is not just Good American x Dolly Parton, it is aptly named Joleans, get it? Genius!
The Joleans collection spans across denim jeans, corsets, dresses, denim shirts, gingham shirts, as well as mini skirts and everything in between. The range not only includes timeless denim staples, tailored silhouettes, but some pieces have been given a Dolly sparkle in the form of rhinestone embellishment and gingham print to channel your inner country Queen.
The website has described the range as ‘A little bit of country, a whole lot of glam’, and we expect nothing less from the country legend.
For Good American CEO and Co-Founder Emma Grede, working with Dolly Parton was a dream come true, she said: ‘Dolly Parton is a true icon whose influence transcends generations, and partnering with her on this collection is an incredible honour.’
While, the partnership was also the perfect fit for the 9 to 5 hitmaker, who added: ‘I’ve always believed what you wear should make you feel as fabulous as you truly are, and this brand new line, Dolly’s Joleans, is all about celebrating individuality with a touch of sparkle. I’m inspired by Good American’s ability to create clothes that make women feel confident and ready to shine.’ And she’s not wrong, as this collection is as bold and unapologetic as Dolly herself: think classic denim reimagined with a Nashville twist, and dazzling superstar energy.
What we love about Good American is it champions inclusivity, with sizes ranging from 00 to 32 plus, in regular and petite versions too, though some sizes have a waitlist.
From curve-hugging jeans, flares to cropped denim shirts, corset tops, and slogan T-shirts, you can shop a new outfit, or mix and match pieces to integrate into your existing wardrobe.
If, like us, you’re eager to get your hands on the Joleans collection, you will have to shop quickly as it is a limited edition collection and bound to sell out fast. Prices range from £80 for a T-shirt to £235 for a pair of Crystal Pull On Denim Pants, which UK shoppers can shop online at Good American, or Nordstrom, while stock lasts.
Shop Our Top Picks In The Joleans Collection
Dolly Joleans Flare Jeans
Flared jeans are back, and if you’re looking for a timeless pair of denim jeans from the collection, these jeans were made for you. Crafted from SoftTech Denim these jeans promise to be comfortable, lightweight and not as restrictive as other denim staples we have worn. It boasts a mid-rise waist and the jeans hug the thighs before flaring out from the knee to the ankle.It boasts stomach-smoothing technology to hug your body in the right places, while the gap-proof waistband does what it says on the tin.Available in a dark denim wash, as well as light wash, in both regular and petite lengths. Obsessed!
Dolly Crystal Denim Vest
A hybrid between a waistcoat, halterneck top and corset, this Crystal Denim Vest is a right bobby dazzler. The tailored fit cinches in your waist for a super flattering silhouette, while the plunge neckline adds a sultry feminine touch. Yeehaw!
Dolly Country Corset Shirt
Channel your inner line-dancing cowgirl with this uber flattering Country Corset Shirt, which is unlike any garment we have seen before. This design boasts a short collar, long sleeve, and is cropped in length, but it also has corset features in the form of clever seams in the body to cinch the shirt in for a flattering fit. The long-sleeve design can be worn as a full length sleeve, or rolled up like you’re really mucking out on the ranch. Available in red and white gingham print (our personal favourite), or a light wash denim.
Dolly Denim Corset Dress
Looking for an alternative to your jeans? This Denim Corset Dress is for you. Essentially it is a longer version of the Corset Western Shirt. This mini dress falls midway down the thigh, is figure hugging, but the added stretch ensures a comfortable fit without any gaping. The button front can be altered to suit your style preferences – and adds a playful edge to the design.
Dolly Butterfly Super Stretch Long Sleeve
Elevate your classic basics with this bedazzled slogan long sleeve top, which is giving us major 90s vibes. Made from a cotton and spandex blend to achieve a comfortable yet figure-hugging fit. The Dolly motif in pink rhinestone is the pièce de resistance! Pair with your flared jeans for a full Dolly-approved ensemble.
Dolly Oversized Concert Tee
If you’re looking to dip your toe into the Joleans collection, but looking for a versatile, and more affordable option, the Concert Tee is your solution.Yes, it’s steep at £80 for a t-shirt, but its oversize fit is super flattering for all body shapes, and styles. It is made 100% breathable cotton, and features a portrait of Dolly in her former years in black and white on the front. Pair with jeans, shorts, an A-line skirt, or satin slip skirt, we know you’ll get your cost per wear.
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9 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Score over £220 of beauty best-sellers for just £49 with this Boots beauty box
Boots are back at it again with another beauty box – and this one could potentially be their best one yet.
Giving shoppers the opportunity to save hundreds on viral, top-selling products, Boots’ beauty boxes aren’t to be missed when they’re in stock (and they don’t tend to stay in stock for long).
Their newest is the Make More Room For Beauty New & Trending Beauty Box, and when we say it’s totally packed with treats, we mean it.
Worth £227.51 but yours for just £49 (saving you over £178 on best-selling products), this box is full of skincare and makeup treats to upgrade your collection this spring, from glow-giving serums and SPF heroes to primers and lip treatments.
Boots Make More Room For Beauty New & Trending Beauty Box
The 14-piece selection contains 12 full-sized and two deluxe-size products, featuring the likes of best-selling brands such as Too Faced, NUXE, Byoma and Sol De Janeiro – the perfect mix for finding new skincare favourites.
The 14-piece selection contains 12 full-sized and two deluxe-size products, featuring the likes of best-selling brands such as Too Faced, NUXE, Byoma and Sol De Janeiro – the perfect mix for finding new skincare favourites.
A standout product for us is the Supergoop! Mattescreen Spf 30 in a full-size, which costs £36.50 (almost the price of the entire box!) on its own.
Designed to leave the skin looking smooth and poreless with SPF30 protection, this gorgeous sunscreen is an oil-free formula, boasting a matte finish designed to control shine and leave you looking flawless all day.
The box also contains the new but highly rated (and writer approved!) BYOMA Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum in a full size, a barrier-strengthening formula set to leave skin bouncy and hydrated.
Even the deluxe-sized products are fab, too. You’ll receive the Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil in a 90ml bottle, a moisturising oil-to-milk body wash that’s set to leave you smelling gorgeous all day.
Another favourite you’ll receive is the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® Floral Gold Shimmer Multi-Purpose Oil, which you’ll receive in a generous 10ml size (mine is coming away on holiday with me).
Great if you’re looking to try it before you splurge, this mini body oil is a multi-purpose body, hair and facial oil that leaves a stunning rose gold glow, leaving your skin smooth, radiant and youthful.
What's in the Boots Make More Room For Beauty box?
- NYX The Face Glue Primer 35ml – FULL SIZE
- 17 Vitamin Enriched Primer 25ml – FULL SIZE
- No7 Pro Artist Under the Spotlight Liquid Highlighter in ‘Pink Pop’ 10ml – FULL SIZE
- SUPERGOOP! MATTESCREEN SPF 30 45ml – FULL SIZE
- BYOMA Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum 40ml – FULL SIZE
- The Beauty Crop Peptide Lip Treatment in ‘Vanilla’ 10g – FULL SIZE
- Too Faced Kissing Jelly Lip Oil Gloss in ‘Sour Watermelon’ 5ml – FULL SIZE
- NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® Floral Gold Shimmer Multi Purpose Oil 10ml
- Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil 90ml
- Skin + Me Night Serum Hydration + Glow Dry to Normal Skin 12ml – FULL SIZE
- Garnier Pure Active invisible blemish patches 22s – FULL SIZE
- LUMENE Nordic-C [VALO] Glow Boost Essence 30ml – FULL SIZE
- PIXI On-The-Glow SUPERGLOW Highlighter in IcePearl 19g – FULL SIZE
- Maybelline Teddy Tint Lipstick in either Wild At Heart, Skinnydip or Mascara Tear – FULL SIZE
Buyers are already obsessed with the box, too, calling it a ‘hidden gem’ and ‘amazing value’.
‘I bought this box a few days ago and I am so glad I did!’ Raved one five-star reviewer. ‘I really wanted to try the Byoma and Nuxe products for a while so it is a great way to try them out. Fell in love with the mini oil and will definitely buy the full size for this summer!’
Another added: ‘Amazing box! This box is such a hidden gem, so many great products for such a good price.’
Be sure to shop this Boots Make More Room For Beauty box while you can – there’s no telling how long stocks will last, and it’s definitely one that’s not to be missed.
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9 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Evelyn & Bobbie launches in John Lewis: Is this the comfiest underwear we’ve tried?
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Finding a bra that fits is, generally, an absolute nightmare – especially if you’re like the majority of women (and myself) whose size fluctuates by the week.
Well, it’s time to chuck your ill-fitting, gaping, cutting, rubbish bras in the bin and invest in something proper with Evelyn & Bobbie.
Cementing itself as an iconic and innovative US brand renowned for its commitment to redefining comfort and inclusivity, Evelyn & Bobbie has been breaking the mold when it comes to underwear – and they’ve now officially launched in John Lewis.
Designed for women by women (because who can you trust more to make a bra that really feels good?), Evelyn & Bobbie bras redefine the idea of traditional lingerie by offering unparalleled support without wires.
Evelyn & Bobbie Beyond Wire-Free Bra, Himalayan Salt
The brand's best-selling bra, the Beyond Wire-Free Bra offers perfect shape, adjustability, support and comfort in one easy-to-wear wireless bra. Seamless and lifting, it's the flexible bra you're sure to opt for every single day.
Yep, this is officially a wire-free zone, and we’ve never been comfier.
The brand combines cutting- edge technology, ergonomically inspired design and premium materials to create products that truly support the body through every single day – whether you’re heading to the gym, lounging round the house or spending the day in the office.
This is all thanks to their patented EB Core technology, which is designed to redistribute weight from the shoulders to core muscles, reducing strain and improving posture.
This seamless lamination design works to offer three dimensions of lift, while the ergonomic designs move and stretch with you for a feels-like-nothing fit.
Thanks to this, weight fluctuations are no worry, as the stretchy, moldable design works harder to fit your body, while comfort straps sit wide on your shoulders, not your delicate neck muscles for extra support.
Thus, what’s even more interesting about Evelyn & Bobbie bras is that they’ve ditched standard bra sizing, offering sizes S to XXL instead of the cup and band sizes we’re used to. These sizes support B-K cups.
Better still, all their underwear is non-toxic and triple tested for BPA’s and PFA’s, aligning with the growing awareness of the link between physical comfort and mental wellbeing.
And truly, these bras are comfortable.
I’ve been testing the Beyond and Defy bras for the last few weeks and when I say these have redefined undies for me, I really mean it. For my size 34F chest and 12-14 body, I was fitted with a size M. Needless to say the fit is perfect.
The bras seem to mold to my body with zero gaping or bunching. While the bras come with removable cups, I opt to slip mine out.
While I was hesitant to begin with about the sizing, as soon as I tried the bras on I could tell that should I drop or gain half a dress size (as I seem to do every other month) they would still fit me.
These bras are made to stretch and hold you – almost like a big, comforting hug. Supportive, soft and smoothing, they look amazing under my clothes, meaning I tend to turn to them every day.
No sore shoulders, no restrictive movement, no rough fabrics, no painful wires – just endless comfort that makes you forget you’re even wearing a bra.
What more could you want your underwear?
All in all, the brand just wants to make women feel supported in their bodies, made to feel comfortable, empowered and confident every second of the day – and in my opinion, they totally succeed
‘We are thrilled to bring Evelyn & Bobbie to John Lewis & Partners, a retailer that shares our dedication to quality, innovation and inclusivity,’ Writer Bree McKeen, CEO and founder of Evelyn & Bobbie.
‘We are excited to share our revolutionary approach with John Lewis customers by rethinking what women deserve and making it accessible. Together, we hope to inspire a new standard of comfort, wellness and body positivity, no wireless bra at a time.’
While the brand’s US site also stocks underwear (which I’ve also tried and now live in), their first foray into the UK market currently just features the bras – but we’re hoping the collection will widen in time.
On the hunt for the perfect bra? Explore Evelyn & Bobbie’s selection available in John Lewis below.
Evelyn & Bobbie Scoop Neck Tank Top, Sand
Ideal for support, separation and smoothing in one, the Scoop Neck Tank Top is the flattering piece of underwear you're going to want in your rotation. It features the adjustable straps of the Beyond Bra combined with the lift and separation of the Evelyn Bra.
Evelyn & Bobbie Defy Wire-Free Bra, Sand
This pull-over, full-coverage bra has been designed with comfort and posture support in mind, making it an excellent choice for everything from everyday wear to workouts. And yes, it's 'downward dog tested' (and approved).
Evelyn & Bobbie Scoop Neck Tank Top, Black
Ideal for support, separation and smoothing in one, the Scoop Neck Tank Top in Black is the flattering piece of underwear you're going to want in your rotation. It features the adjustable straps of the Beyond Bra combined with the lift and separation of the Evelyn Bra.
Evelyn & Bobbie Evelyn Wire-Free Push-Up Bra, Black
Love a push-up look? The Evelyn bra is the perfect blend of dramatic push-up lift with a smooth seamless design, engineered to adapt and fit you perfectly thanks to its scalloped edges, patented EB Core® for 3D lift and a smoothing back band and sides.
Evelyn & Bobbie Evelyn Wire-Free Push-Up Bra, Champagne
Opt for this iconic, comfortable push-up bra in the gorgeous Champagne finish. The Evelyn bra is the perfect blend of dramatic push-up lift with a smooth seamless design, engineered to adapt and fit you perfectly thanks to its scalloped edges, patented EB Core® for 3D lift and a smoothing back band and sides.
Truly the most comfortable underwear I’ve found…
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8 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Hundreds of shoppers express their delight for £20 wall art that is ‘lovely quality’ and ‘looks great’
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If you’re looking to spruce up your garden or living space on a budget this weekend, look no further than Dunelm.
Hundreds of shoppers have been raving about the Luxe Gold Ginkgo Indoor Outdoor Wall Art Panel that ‘looks better than expected’.
Priced at just £20, The Luxe Gold Ginkgo Indoor Outdoor Wall Art Panel from Dunelm is a versatile and stylish piece of decor that can enhance both your indoor and outdoor spaces.
The panel features a beautiful gold Ginkgo leaf design, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to any setting – if we do say so ourselves.
Luxe Gold Ginkgo Indoor Outdoor Wall Art Panel
The Ginkgo Wall Art is a stunning decor piece that adds a luxurious touch to any room or garden. Made from high-quality iron, it's perfect for both indoor and outdoor display. Featuring multiple Ginkgo leaf designs, it can be easily hung using the provided keyhole hooks.
Crafted from high-quality iron, the panel is durable and designed to withstand various weather conditions, making it perfect for outdoor use as well as indoor display.
The dimensions of the panel are 34.5cm in width, 81cm in length, and 3cm in depth, providing a substantial presence without overwhelming the space.
Designed for easy installation, the panel comes with keyhole hooks provided for secure hanging.
In fact, people have been quick to comment on just how easy it is to hang – with Pasty saying: ‘Very versatile as really good indoors as one for hall wall and two for bedroom wall. Also looks really well on an exterior wall and relatively easy to hang.’
Someone else called ‘Cakes 70’ added: ‘Purchased two of these – lovely quality and look great outside on the wall in our front garden.’
Angela A also mentioned: ‘Well-made and looks expensive. Finished my lounge beautifully.’
‘Really nice and great quality for the price. Looks good on the wall’, commented Mandy.
The luxurious gold finish and intricate leaf design make it a standout piece that can complement a variety of decor styles, from modern to traditional.
Whether you choose to display it in your living room, garden, or patio, this wall art panel is sure to make a statement.
So, what are you waiting for? Get one in your basket pronto as we can’t imagine they will last that much longer in stock.
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4 Apr, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Alcohol is linked to cancer and kills over 20,000 a year – so why do we still drink?
Buying the first round of drinks at his uncle Jimmy’s wake, Peter raised a toast of whisky. At just 67, Jimmy died last month after three years of treatment for colon cancer.
Peter, 36, who misses his uncle terribly, is currently under NHS consultant care to see if Jimmy’s death – the sixth in his family to die from colorectal cancer – qualifies him for genetic testing or early screening.
Colon cancer is one of seven cancers recognised by the World Health Organisation as being linked to increased alcohol consumption. The other six are breast, bowel, mouth cancer and some types of throat cancer: oesophageal, larynx and pharynx and liver cancer.
Yet, despite the connection, Peter has no intention of giving up drinking – and he’s certainly not alone in his choice. There are around 20,900 deaths related to alcohol in England annually, equating to a rate of approximately 38.5 per 100,000 population.
‘I’ve lost an uncle, cousins and a grandparent to bowel or colon cancer,’ says Peter, who is going by just his first name as he wants to avoid potential judgment from friends and colleagues.
‘My consultant told me when I was running through my family history that alcohol consumption is linked to this type of cancer. He asked how many units I have a week and I know I’m over the recommended amount, sometimes double.’
Peter is keen to point out that alcohol doesn’t rule his life. He might have a beer or cider, then perhaps whisky at the end of a night – sometimes it will be just one or two rather than a binge, while on other occasions he won’t drink at all and choose to drive instead.
But he also believes ‘we have to die sometime.’
‘My wife Sarah doesn’t drink much and hates that I could be putting myself at risk of an early cancer diagnosis but I just can’t handle the thought of going teetotal,’ Peter admits.
‘Whether it’s beers before the rugby or a night out with mates or sharing a bottle of wine with Sarah, I don’t want to live without alcohol. I know it could be shortening my life but no one’s getting out alive and I’d rather be on my deathbed with good memories of happy times shared and for me, alcohol is a part of that.
‘Sarah thinks I’m being selfish and it is something I reappraise a lot, but for now, that’s how I’m going to keep living my life.’
GP Dr Helen Wall from the Oaks Family Practice in Bolton says she sees Peter’s type of attitude towards alcohol and cancer risk all the time. ‘In my almost 20 years since qualifying as a doctor I have seen a significant change in the alcohol advice we give when it comes to health,’ she tells Metro.
‘In 2016 the limit for men was reduced from 21 to 14 units a week in recognition that both genders were equally at risk from alcohol harm. The advice also shifted from ‘safe levels of drinking’ to ‘low-risk level of drinking’, pointing out the fact that there is no completely safe level of consuming alcohol.
‘I believe this guidance changed as a result of a review of the evidence on the health risks of alcohol which showed links to several health conditions including cancer even at previously felt to be low-level consumption – two drinks a day,’ adds Dr Wall.
‘If I ask a patient how alcohol can damage their health most will say it may cause liver damage, and they’re correct but there are now known to be so many other effects on health.’
How alcohol impacts our bodies
Long-term health issues caused by alcohol, for more information, click here.
Brain Damage: Long-term alcohol misuse can cause issues with memory, recall, retention of information and coordination.
Digestive problems: Alcohol can interfere with the body’s gut biome leading to an imbalance and digestive issues
Sexual dysfunction: Too much alcohol can cause difficulties with desire performance and function for both men and women, it can also contribute to infertility.
Liver Disease: Drinking too much can lead to liver conditions including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Heart Disease: Alcohol increases blood pressure, it can also result in a weakening of the heart muscle. Alcohol increases the risk of stroke, irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmia, heart failure and stroke.
Pancreatitis: Alcohol irritates the pancreas and prolonged use and binge drinking can lead to inflammation which can then result in chronic pancreatitis.
Mental Health Problems: Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. It could contribute to other mental health conditions.
Weakened Immune System: The immune system becomes weaker and compromised with excessive alcohol consumption which can mean drinkers are more susceptible to infections and take longer to heal.
However, many people continue to drink alcohol despite knowing its risks because it can be a way to cope with stress, social pressures, or habit, explains Dr Hall. ‘Everyone is so much more stressed in these times it seems,’ she says. ‘The short-term pleasure or relaxation due to its affects on GABA receptors in the brain can feel beneficial. This feeling often outweighs concerns about long-term health for some individuals.’
Tabbin Almond was 54 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2014, but it took her another four years before it was linked to alcohol consumption.
‘I was in advertising for years living in London. It was a very boozy culture back in the early 90s – budgets were big and we were wined and dined a lot,’ she recalls. ‘Lunch for four would be gin and tonics to start then a couple of bottles of wine followed by port or sambucas. Deep down I think I knew I was a functioning alcoholic – I’d easily drink the government guidelines for a week in a day.’
After moving to Devon in 1998 to raise a family, Tabbin tried to change her relationship with drink. ‘I was going to funerals of people younger than me that I’d worked with who – with hindsight – might have died from health conditions exacerbated or caused by their consumption,’ she tells Metro.
‘It started to become a wake-up call. I tried Alcoholics Anonymous but it didn’t work for me. The group I attended had people whose lives had been ruined by alcohol, I felt like I was very much a middle-lane drinker.’
While over 3 million people die globally every year through alcohol-related causes, including cancer, a 2018 study in The Lancet found drinking more than seven drinks a week (100 grams of alcohol) shortened life expectancy. The research also revealed ten to 15 drinks per week reduced life expectancy by one to two years, while 18 or more drinks per week shortened life expectancy by between four and five years.
In light of the dangers, lobby groups are behind a growing call for alcohol in the UK to carry health warning labels in much the same way that cigarettes do but currently, the only obligation for alcohol is to have nutritional, allergen and ingredient labels on.
At the start of the year in America, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy also called for warning labels on alcohol so people knew the link between consumption and cancer, but no law exists that makes the labelling of this relationship mandatory.
Meanwhile, despite the glorification of booze- from the boom of bottomless brunches to ‘wine time’ merch – the alcohol-free drinks industry in the UK has skyrocketed in recent years with sales of no and low-alcohol drinks worth around £221 million a year. It’s clear a shift is finally taking place surrounding our perception of alcohol.
‘Almost half of individuals aged 18 to 34 have stopped drinking alcohol completely, and over half in this age group report reducing their intake, often due to health concerns and the negative impact of alcohol on well-being and sleep,’ explains Dr Wall.
However, Tabbin admits that back in 2007, although having stopped drinking, she started again following her breast cancer diagnosis.
After a full mastectomy, she had her lymph nodes tested to see if the cancer had spread. Tabbin discovered the cancer was in all seven of the lymph nodes. As she turned to wine to cope with the news, she had no clue that it could be linked to the disease that was ravaging her body.
‘I didn’t put two and two together at the time. When I was told I had cancer, I was pretty healthy,’ she remembers. ‘I’d been alcohol-free for a while, I ran marathons, I wasn’t overweight, I ate really well, I didn’t have a family history of breast cancer.
‘At the time, there seemed to be no logical explanation for why I had got cancer. All I knew was that I was terrified. I came back from the hospital the day I was told and drank a bottle of wine. I didn’t want to be in my head. I went back to alcohol to numb the fear about my own mortality.’
Ten months of further surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy ensued before Tabbin was declared cancer-free in November 2014. ‘The irony is I have a picture of me with a glass of prosecco right after my last radiotherapy session. I honestly didn’t link the two until a few years later,’ she says.
‘When I was finishing the frequent observations and checks, I asked my consultant what I could do to reduce the risk of cancer coming back and not once did he or anyone during my treatment talk to me about alcohol.’
Instead, Tabbin did her own research and discovered in 2018 that her oestrogen receptor breast cancer is linked to an increased alcohol intake.
She learned that one in 10 breast cancer cases is linked to alcohol consumption and that the risk of the disease increases by 40% with the consumption of five units or more a day.
It was enough to make Tabbin stop drinking completely and she hasn’t drunk since. ‘I know in myself my alcohol intake was contributory and I believe at least 50% of the reason for my diagnosis,’ she says.
‘I asked my consultant about the links between cancers and alcohol intake. He said that the WHO findings were widely accepted but that most medical professionals don’t talk about the link between alcohol and cancer because they don’t want people with cancer to feel judged or like they might have had lifestyle factors that contributed to their diagnosis.
‘I understand that, but for people like me with oestrogen receptor cancers, continuing to drink alcohol is like poking the fire. At some point, medical professionals and those who treat people with cancer need to start speaking to their patients about the links. We need to be more responsible for our own health.’
While Tabbin now runs Wine To Water Coaching, a company that helps businesses and individuals appraise their relationship with alcohol, Dr Wall says she’s also seen a difference in the relationship her patients have with alcohol.
‘The good news is things appear to be changing. Recent surveys indicate a significant shift in alcohol consumption among our young people,’ she explains.
‘I have seen this in my patient cohorts – maybe it’s time older generations followed suit.’
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