Moksa: Damask Rose & Vetiver Bath Salts

Calling all bathtime junkies - it's now the season of self-care after all those overindulgent festivities. At The Amazing Blog, we think that simple pleasures are always the best; and for us, there's nothing better than to grab a book and unwind in a steamy bath with some fragrant and relaxing bath salts. That's why we couldn't resist trying these Damask Rose & Vetiver Bath Salts from British indie skincare brand Moksa that made an excellent addition to our bathing ritual.

Moksa a Devon-based natural skincare brand which all began from the inspiration that founder Chloe Osborn's found during her travels. The unusual brand name Mokṣa is a Sanskrit word meaning liberation, bliss and inner peace; Chloe said, "The word Moksa really resonates with me in so many ways. With my travel came a great sense of freedom and a definite sense of inner peace, so it just felt so apt; with that Mokṣa was born." In an interview with The Green Parent, Chloe explained, "I spent some time in an Ashram learning all things yogic, which was a huge inspiration. The idea that I could actually create my own business filled me with anticipation and excitement. The name Moksa came to me the day we returned to the UK, it sounds silly, but it really was one of those magical lightning bolt moments." Established in 2018, Moksa has gone from strength to strength and developed products ranging from skincare to bath products, candles and even teas. Each product embodies the brand's core values as 100% natural, handcrafted, environmentally friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced. They also use UK-based suppliers who farm ethically and are sustainable and fair trade, sharing similar values. These artisan products have organic ingredients and contain no parabens, petrochemical (mineral oils), sulphates, alcohol or fillers. Moksa is an award-winning brand that has received awards from the Beauty Shortlist, FreeFrom awards, and The Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards; they were also shortlisted for the International Beauty Awards in 2019.

One of the most important aspects of taking a bath is the 'feel-good factor' inspired by relaxation and the heady aromas emanating from the steamy, fragrant vapours. This is where Moksa's Damask Rose & Vetiver Himalayan Bath Salts scores a whooping 10/10, with us for its plethora of relaxing and natural ingredients.

The seven key ingredients in the bath salts are: Himalayan pink salt, Fleur de Sel de Guerande, Epsom salts, rose absolute, vetiver and geranium essential oils, and dried rose petals. The Himalayan pink salt is a detoxifier harvested from the Punjab region in Pakistan, where the rock salt gets its pinkish hue. They are anti-microbial premium grade pure, unrefined and considered the purest in the world as they contain upwards of 84 minerals and trace elements, including calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. The Fleur de Sel de Guerande, is hand-harvested French sea salt; it works to remineralise the body, which in turn helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Epsom salts (AKA magnesium sulphate) are a naturally occurring mineral known to ease pain and relieve inflammation. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes helping muscle and nerve function, together with preventing the arteries from hardening.

These bath salts get their soothing scent from a combination of essential oils. The rose absolute is derived from the damask rose and introduces a light and floral aroma; it's hydrating and ideal for dry and sensitive skin types. The vetiver essential oil promotes skin regeneration, and the geranium adds another uplifting sweet floral note to the fragrance and is also known for its anti-anxiety and depression properties. Finally, the dried rose petals, besides emitting a warm scent, detox the body and help with better sleep.

As Chloe says, "You'll feel transported to the gorgeous flower baths of Bali with this sensuous blend." With its unique scent and texture, what better way to soak away stress at the end of the week? We held a couple of scoops (bamboo scoop provided) under a warm running tap to help them dissolve, et voila, a wonderful at-home spa, which left skin feeling soft, fresh and infused with rose. Best of all, they felt like they removed built-up toxins, and cleansed and relaxed both mind and body. Tempted to try?

Moksa offers this product in three sizes: A jar of bath salts at 250g with a glass jar with a bamboo scoop and lid at for £18. Or if a refill pouch is more your style, there’s a 100g refill priced at £10, or a 400g refill at £21. The Damask Rose & Vetiver Himalayan Bath Salts can be purchased here.  

Scentimental candles : Candle Mini Duo Set

With yesterday’s arrival of the Winter Solstice and the dark evenings that still envelop us, we thought it timely to celebrate such a landmark by lighting some candles. At this time of year, at The Amazing Blog, we like to sit quietly with a lit candle, reflecting on past events and giving thanks for all the good things. There's also something rather inviting about putting candles in the window, it makes a home feel welcoming and 'hygge'. To add to the Christmas vibe and get you in the mood, meet another of our #amazingfinds with Scentimental and their Candle Mini Duo Set, their heady fragrance and evocative aromas, will add to making your surroundings warm and harmonious.

Scentimental began in 2015 when Salma Bello, the founder, took her inspiration from a visit to Grasse, the world-famous perfume capital. From here, she went on to create her British/ Nigerian home fragrance brand, which uses the medium of scent to tell the untold stories of many places that contribute to the richness of a global community. Scentimental is based on the principle that "Each fragrance is personal, intimate and memorable and leaves a lingering sense of nostalgia as well as a footprint on your bucket list/travel map." And with this olfactory journey, the brand seeks to empower the culture and its people and, in their own little way, reinvent tourism by taking their community on unforgettable fragrant memories and travels around the globe. Salma explained, "Our scents individually speak to a myriad of cultural depths and heritage. With each of our fragrance compositions, the key ingredient is a vibrant effusion of culture." Scentimental is a luxury artisan brand 'born in Lagos', with products handcrafted in the UK. They offer affordable, premium-quality fragranced goods with a selection of hand-poured and gender-neutral candles, reed diffusers and fragrance oils.

They kindly sent us for review their Candle Mini Duo Set that offers "A memory waxed in time." Beautifully presented in a small elegant gift box, wrapped in bespoke tissue with a 'Scentimental Express Telegram' to encourage us to light the candles to make a wish or set intentions. The two 9cl (70g) travel candles inside are Lagos and Kwara. Both are richly scented, and even as the gift box opens, without being lit, the candles fill the air with an exotic fragrance.

Lagos has a notable light and fruity element, "An accord of tart pineapple notes, mango, and cucumber." As it warms up, the heart notes echo a floral mix of hibiscus, lilac, damask rose, and jasmine finally layered in the base note of white musk. The white musk anchors the fragrance and is there to elevate the mood and offer a feeling of general well-being. We found its fragrance unique and uplifting. It's aptly described as "Effervescent, vibrant and bursting with energy just like the city it's named after." It has a touch of tropical and exotic easily spiriting us away to far and distant climes.

Kwara is a different candle altogether, and our favourite of the two. It smoulders with the heady and intense fresh top notes of tomato, and green leaf with a dab of pine; which then open up with calming notes of earthy rosewood, followed by spicy black pepper and finally the soft accents and base notes of sandalwood. Sandalwood is well placed here, as it’s believed to be beneficial in treating anxiety and fatigue, Whereas the spicy black pepper relieves stress, making them a harmonious coupling. It’s a luxurious, warm, nostalgic scent that sets the scene; and made us want to hunker down and snuggle up during this hectic festive season.

All their candles are made of blended fragrance oil and 100% natural soy wax, a non-toxic alternative to paraffin. As a natural and renewable resource, soy wax is biodegradable and has a lower melting point than other waxes commonly used for candle-making. This difference means soy wax candles will burn and last longer; they also burn cleaner and emit less black soot than other candle types. These 9cl (70g) candles each offer a burn time of 15-18 hours, whereas their other larger 30cl (220g) candles burn up to 40 hours. Whether you are looking to light a candle to set intentions or want to fill the room with a hypnotic aroma, we find at this time of year, candles always help to brighten up the mood.

These luxurious and unique scents will undoubtedly lift any flagging spirits – which after this challenging year, is something we all could do with! To help you get to your happy place, we recommend purchasing the Scentimental Candle Mini Duo Set for £40, available exclusively online here.

We wish you all: Health, Wealth & Happiness.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Lilly Be Organics : Be Energized Essential Oil Perfume

We love the power of fragrance, and how it can influence our mood, it’s something we all tend to underestimate. Perfume oils, have been our No.1 go-to scent for a while, and today at The Amazing Blog we want to talk about a new and award-winning essential oil perfume Be Energized by Lilly Be Organics.

Founder Lissette Monzon was a clinical master aromatherapist before starting Lilly Be. She’d already earned two master's degrees in education and worked as a teacher for 11 years. As much as Lissette enjoyed teaching, she longed to know more about plants and oils since the first time Lissette's mother introduced her to an aromatherapy kit at age 15. Even though she is a certified clinical master aromatherapist, she didn't put her skills to work for over ten years. As a stay-at-home mother, this was when she started selling her organic products at local farmers' markets, "To me, I was simply making ends meet. But, my beautiful customers and a series of serendipitous events revealed otherwise." And this is when Lilly Be, a US-based organic aromatherapy and skincare brand came to life. All of the products start with "BE", as in "to be" or "becoming" who you indeed are. Her priority is always to inspire positivity and target individuals in a holistic manner. "We look to nature as our original medicine and as a true example of what it means to simply BE." Lilly Be has 20 organic products from skincare, body care, perfumes, essential oils and wellness. Lissette told Voyage Mia in an interview that she chooses to work with organic, nature-based ingredients, to create synergy within the mind and body. Lilly Be also gives back to Sofias Hope, which fights childhood cancer. Together, Lilly Be and Sofias Hope produced "Be Hope", a rollerball perfume that promotes courage, peace, and optimism while pushing aside fear. She donates 20% of the proceeds throughout the year and 50% during September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Not only did Lilly Be win Editor's Choice for the ‘Be Energised Essential Oil Perfume’ and ‘Be Dreamy Pillow Mist’ at The 2022 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards, but also ‘Be Clear Daily Face Wash’, and ‘Be Refreshed Ultra Quenching After Sun Care’ in the Beauty section. The products are all made in the USA, produced organically, GMO-free, with sundried instead of chemically altered clays and salts, synthetic, paraben, dyes, and fragrance-free. They are also cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

We’ve been looking forward to reviewing this Be Energized Essential Oil Perfume; these rollerball essential oil perfumes come in six different scents: Be Hope, Be Energized, Be Refreshed, Be Prosperous, Be Love, and Be Your Dream.

Be Energized contains only four blended organic essential oils: Peppermint provides mental clarity, and helps relieve stress and headaches, and rosemary, helps improve memory. Ginger which increases energy levels; and grapefruit, which provides a bright aroma that helps to stimulate the senses. The base carrier oil is jojoba oil and vitamin E, which moisturises skin and absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. Jojoba oil has a slower evaporation rate than most oils, helping perfume last longer. These combined ingredients are designed to inspire positive energy and mindset. As Lissette says, this perfume is "Nature's energy – bottled."

Lilly Be's glass rollers are stylishly packaged in natural bamboo. Each rollerball has the product name engraved into the bamboo - so no chance of muddling them up if you have more than one... What we like about rollerball perfumes is that they are less harmful to the environment; a spritz of spray perfume may contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) that react with sunlight and other chemicals in the atmosphere resulting in ozone pollution.

Given the choice of wearing perfume oils or an Eau de Parfum, it’d be perfume oil every time for us. Why? Did you know that perfume oil is more concentrated? With over 20% of fragrance concentration in the oil, this gives the wearer up to eight hours of scent, and even then, it still deliciously lingers. Whereas Eau de Parfum (EDP) contains about 12% fragrance concentration in alcohol, which evaporates after approximately four hours, leaving the wearer needing a reapplication. Plus, most spray perfumes have an alcohol base which can be extremely drying to the skin.

Lissette recommends you use the rollerball on your pulse points as often as you choose. We applied it first thing, and again when we were flagging at our desks; it certainly helped to give a much-needed burst of energy during the day. Anointing the pulse points, especially the wrists, rub a little to warm up the oil, and then take deep breaths; it also helped to soothe the mind, uplift the spirits and gave us our own little piece of calm. An uplifting scent with the top notes of peppermint following through with grapefruit and a tiny touch of ginger and rosemary - they all blend together extremely well. Lilly Be's Essential Oil Perfumes are among another of our #amazingfinds. To purchase this handy pocket-sized Be Energized Essential Oil Perfume at $20 (£15.85) see here.

CBD Leafline : The 5000g Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray

At The Amazing Blog, we've written about countless CBD products and regular readers will know how much we love CBD with its endless benefits. This time it’s with the 5000g Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray by a familiar award-winning CBD brand CBD Leafline. You may remember the brand from previous blog posts here.

CBD Leafline was founded in 2018 by husband and wife team and CBD enthusiasts Paul and Sonia Shrive. By doing their research and not rushing through the entire process, the company was able to go through proper research and development on CBD with the purpose to follow UK product compliance while also providing consumers with the highest quality. Another brand focus is to educate customers on CBD by making packaging easy to read and understand. "Our other main focus has been to educate our customers about CBD through reader-friendly packaging that is easy to understand – we know there is nothing worse than being left frustrated by industry terminology – we hope we have achieved that." This family-owned business aims to be transparent about its entire process. All products are batch tested by a government-accredited UK independent laboratory. CBD Leafline is CannaPro certified meaning; their products, trading standards, marketing, and conduct have been reviewed. Their products are natural, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, paraben and sulphate free, and all made within their own facilities in the UK. CBD Leafline is an award-winning company. In fact, they have won a few awards at the 2021 and 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards. They recently won Best CBD Oil (isolate) at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards for their Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray which we are reviewing today.

The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray is THC-free and has 5000mg CBD which is isolate, which means that all other compounds such as flavonoids, terpenes, and amino acids, have been extracted, leaving behind only pure CBD. It’s also made up of fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil) and Citrus flavour it has 5000mg of CBD Isolate. 

They use fractionated coconut oil (MCT) as a carrier oil (the CBD is crystalline or powder in its raw state therefore mixed with the MCT for this reason); it's naturally high in fat and has had all of the non-essential fats removed to allow the most efficient absorption of CBD. As it’s made with CBD isolate there is no taste or trace of hemp, which makes these Twist Sprays (strawberry and citrus) very popular and easy to take. CBD Isolate is an excellent option for those interested in CBD but not the compounds found in cannabis plants, particularly if you are a sportsperson with routine drug testing. The extraction is done by a unique and challenging CO2 extraction process. Extra precautions must be taken to avoid unwanted substances during purification.

Now, what are the benefits of CBD? Scientists have reviewed a variety of benefits when researching CBD. CBD is thought to improve one's anxiety and depression. When CBD is consumed, it positively interacts with serotonin receptors in the cerebrum. It may also relieve inflammation and pain and be immune-modulating. CBD sprays are more unusual than other CBD edible products in the market. This makes them a little harder to find. However, what we like is that this spray has higher bioavailability than some other edibles, and these sprays, like the oils, are applied directly under the tongue. Tongues mucus membranes have small capillaries, which allows the product to be absorbed faster into the bloodstream. The spray allows a more direct route than other forms of ingestion. To use, shake the contents first and spray the recommended dosage directly under your tongue every morning and night. For maximum effect, allow the oil to sit under the tongue for about 2 minutes, CBD Leafline recommends. For new consumers, it's best to start with the lowest dosage to see how the body handles it. This 5000ml is the most potent dose in the range, so for the CBD novice, it’s recommended to start with 1500ml, as you can always slowly increase the dosage if necessary. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, and you can even refer to one of the dosage guides here. The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray comes in a 30 ml bottle with an applicator at the top. We like it because it tastes great and is an easy and discreet way to carry CBD.

The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray contains 5000mg of pure CBD and is THC-free. It’s a great way to start off your day and end your night. The Twist Spray ranges come in 3 strengths: 1500mg, 2500mg and 5000mg. See here to purchase the PURE CBD Citrus Twist Spray for £49.99.

Youth & Earth : Preservage

We cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your body from the inside out and new supplements always pique our interest. At The Amazing Blog, we’re constantly reading up on ‘biohacking’ and were thrilled to test Preservage from the award-winning Youth & Earth, where it recently won ‘Best Wellbeing Brand’ and ‘Best Supplement - Age Well’ at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards.

Youth & Earth is a British brand that produces natural anti-ageing supplements, using cutting edge science to slow down ageing at a cellular level. Although life expectancy has been increasing in the UK for the past few decades; there has been a slowdown over the last decade. There are ‘Blue Zones’, which are geographic areas where people are expected to live longer than elsewhere. In these zones, some people live to 90-100 years old. Youth & Earth explore this in their feature on ‘Blue Zones’ here. The brand is the largest supplier of NAD+ boosters in the United Kingdom and Europe - these are the natural fuel cells use to function. However, they become more depleted in our bodies as we age and “drop as much as 50% by we are 50.” Youth & Earth supplements target the nine hallmarks of ageing: Cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, poor intercellular communication, genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient-sensing, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The products target these by recreating the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle. Youth & Earth’s founder, Ed Van Harmelen, founded the company after learning that his NAD+ levels were dropping. He started learning about the principles of longevity pathways and researched the hallmarks of ageing back in 2017. He looked for supplements that address ageing at the cellular level, and found a gap in the market, so Youth & Earth was born. As they say, “Backed by science, rooted in rigorous research and, when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, are designed to slow down, stop or even reverse the ageing process.” All ingredients are researched, scientifically backed and have very high bioavailability. Products are all-natural, pure and vegan, with sublingual powders, delayed-release capsules, and liposomal formulas.

Preservage helps with cell health and antioxidant protection and is an all-natural supplement designed to optimise intestinal absorption of ingredients like Resveratrol (350%) and Curcumin (200%). The key three of quercetin, resveratrol and curcumin have scientific proof here. The full ingredients listed for Preservage are trans-resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, bioperine (black pepper extract), rice flour, microcrystalline cellulose (plant fibre), and silicon dioxide.

The trans-resveratrol is commonly sourced from red wine, grapes, berries and chocolate (theirs comes from a surprising source - Japanese knotweed!) It is a natural polyphenol with many benefits, such as protecting the heart, helping the body fight disease, and lowering cholesterol. Trans-resveratrol versus resveratrol is more effective because it can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Curcumin is full of antioxidants and the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory compound and a potent antioxidant that can neutralise free radicals and may increase brain levels of BDNF protein which plays a role in memory and learning.

Quercetin mainly comes from onions, and is also found in many other fruits and vegetables like capers, asparagus, and apples, It is also rich in antioxidants. It’s thought to help protect the body from cardiovascular diseases and contains flavonoids with potent antioxidant properties.

Bioperine is a black pepper extra, which helps enhance nutrient absorption (particularly the curcumin)> It decreases inflammation, and stabilises blood sugar levels; and is also said to combat cancer cell growth, decrease inflammation, and boost brain function. The fillers are rice flour, which contains vitamin E and other nutrients such as calcium; Microcrystalline Cellulose which acts as an absorbent and emulsifier, and silicone dioxide, a natural compound and anti-caking agent that ensures full absorption.

Youth & Earth recommends taking two capsules of Preservage every morning on an empty stomach, which provides 200mg Trans-Resveratrol, 200mg Curcumin, 400mg Quercetin, and 20mg Bioperine. Taking the supplement daily allows it to naturally slow down ageing in the body, and it delays cellular ageing and boosts the longevity gene sirtuin. By the way, sirtuins are a family of 7 proteins, with each one playing a variety of roles. However, they all work in synergy to keep the body healthy and functioning efficiently. Again, best explained by Youth & Earth detail more about this here.

The Preservage is a potent polyphenol booster and mTOR inhibitor. Polyphenols are full of antioxidants that protect body tissue and help maintain healthy and youthful skin, whereas mTOR is a longevity pathway that helps slow the ageing process. How was it for us? We love the ingredients and what they offer, and are big fans of curcumin and trans-resveratrol already. Here the combination of trans-resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin and bioperine offers us pretty much all we need to increase our energy levels, aid anti-inflammatory issues, with the added bonus of slowing premature ageing - all in two daily capsules! Youth & Earth also recommends taking their NMN with Preservage for the ultimate anti-ageing effects - something we’ve yet to do. Start your anti-ageing journey today and purchase Preservage here 60 x 410mg capsules for £29.99 as a one time purchase, or subscribe and save 15% off.