Rosenserien - Rose Anti-Wrinkle Cream

If you’re a regular reader of The Amazing Blog, then you will know that we're big fans of natural and organic products. Today we’re returning back to an old favourite: Rosenserien. We have previously featured their Wash and Shave Gel for Men, as well as their Self Tan, so were excited to give their Rose Anti-Wrinkle Cream a whirl. Quickly added please don’t be put off by the words ‘anti-wrinkle' this is a great all-round cream for dry skin, whatever your age might be.

Rosenserien is a Swedish organic skincare brand for the whole family. Their products are free from animal testing, and synthetic ingredients, and are also free from parabens, alcohol and mineral oils. The products are also 100% from natural origin. What else could we wish for? The Rose Cream Anti-Wrinkle Cream is 100 % natural, vegan and 81 % of ingredients are certified organic certified. It helps to maintain the skin's pH balance, controlling excess oil, and reducing the redness of irritated skin. This includes acne, dermatitis and eczema prone skin, proving the effectiveness of the natural ingredients. This product contains essential rose oil and a base of certified and fair-trade aloe vera gel. It also contains Chinese green tea which aids to rid of impurities, and the creamy formula is ideal for moisturising and softening the skin. Yes, rose oil is known for its anti-ageing properties, helping to prevent line formation in the skin. However, this rich formula also contains antioxidants and fatty acids, which also help to protect, moisturise and help to slow down the ageing process. Overall, apart from the delicious fragrance, we found that this face cream really does help to promote a glowing (yet non-greasy) complexion.

They recommend applying this cream to cleansed skin, dampened in rose water, morning and evening to both the face and neck. If you’re wondering, do I have to travel all the way to Sweden to get this product? No, you can get it from their online website, just click here to purchase this 50 ml of Rose Anti-Wrinkle Cream at €43, your skin will thank you for it.

Marie Reynolds - MRL Restore

Here at The Amazing Blog, we are all in agreement that a girls night in, is long overdue. We’ve got our chick flicks, chocolate (and wine) lined up, but one thing we couldn’t forget, is a good face mask. We were therefore pleased to discover MRL Restore by Marie Reynolds, part of a successful skincare range designed to balance and brighten the skin. Marie is most well known for her facial treatments, which she undertakes at Fortnum & Mason in London and her clinic in Norfolk.

This very special skin food facial mask supports imbalances within the epidermal flora, and is completely cruelty-free. It is also 100% organic and uses no artificial colours or preservatives. The product is entirely natural and, just like all Marie Reynolds products, it doesn’t only focus on visual and physical causes of skin imbalances, but also aims to combat the impacts of stress and lifestyle.

The mask adapts to every skin type and condition, balancing the skin’s natural flora and fauna. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating and brightening results thanks to the plant-produced chemicals (phytonutrients) which are used to protect the skin from environmental toxicity. Using eight strains of live bacteria during the production process, a wide range of imbalances in the skin are targeted. The MSL Restore multi-strain formula works in multiple areas, providing protection against a wide range of harmful bacteria, fungi and yeasts that may be present on the skin.

We can confirm that the cleansing effect kicks in immediately, and as one jar contains about 19 applications, you can deliver a refreshing cleanse time and time again. To use this mask, you simply mix one teaspoon of MRL Restore with a small amount of water. Blend this into a smooth paste and apply it evenly on your face and neck. After 10 to 15 minutes, loosen the mask with wet hands, massage it again for a further minute and then remove the residue with warm water. This process is best followed by moisturising your skin, preferably using the Marie Reynolds’ Epidermal Blanket, but of course, any desired moisturiser is suitable.

Ramp up your girls night, and purchase your own MRL Restore jar for £68.00 (80g) here. Pass us the popcorn!

Friday Favourites - Face Oils

Including a face oil in our daily beauty routine has become somewhat of a ritual for us at The Amazing Blog. This week, we’d like to introduce you to four of our favourite luxury face oils that will enchant your senses, revive your skin and keep your complexion feeling supple and hydrated, even as the temperatures drop.

Our first pick is Replenish, a night oil created by the award-winning aromatherapy brand Beatitude. As a brand that we know and love, we have previously written about their Peace Bath Oil. Founded by Rebecca O’Connor, the name of the brand itself represents supreme happiness and blessedness, and according to Rebecca, the brand aims to bring “a sense of happiness, calm and well-being”. We can certainly vouch for this, as the Replenish Oil has become a much-loved part of our wind-down evening routine.

It’s a profoundly nourishing oil that awakens your senses and skin cells, to give your complexion a radiant and healthy glow. With powerful ingredients like rose, neroli and immortelle, it is also anti-ageing, working to combat fine lines and dehydration. Anti-oxidants and vitamins are mixed in a unique formula of rosehip, vitamin E, evening primrose and many more natural plant ingredients. These make our skin feel nourished and rejuvenated, and as the texture is light on the skin, it doesn’t leave the greasy look that most of us fear when considering facial oils. Instead, it absorbs quickly and has become a firm favourite in our nightly beauty routine. It can be used under night cream or stand-alone; apply to the décolleté, neck and face with light upwards massage movements, but be careful to avoid the delicate eye area. Click here to purchase a 30ml bottle of anti-ageing magic for £38.

Up next is a deeply nourishing and natural facial oil, known for its premium anti-ageing properties. Created by experts at Lumity, a brand committed to proving that ageing is more than skin deep, their Natural Anti-Ageing Facial Oil is equally rejuvenating and balancing. The brainchild of Sara Palmer Hussey, Lumity’s products are designed with busy lifestyles in mind, combining vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids to create simple skincare and supplement products. In fact, we reviewed Lumity’s Anti-Ageing Supplements back in 2017, click here to view the post.

This time, we tried the Facial Oil and were pleased to discover that the formula contains 32 different botanical oils and extracts, including passion flower seed oil, known for stimulating skin cells, and marula oil, known for healing powers. Alongside this, the mixture of argan and jojoba seed oil make this a unique and plant-based blend, full of the nutrients that are welcome as winter approaches. This luxurious oil provides smoother skin, and in just 4 weeks, 73% of users noticed a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These are statistics we can back, as members of the Amazing Blog team (not naming any names) have noticed similarly smooth and younger complexions. Lumity's Facial Oil (30ml) is available on their website, standalone for £60 or at a discounted rate of £48 if purchased as part of their monthly subscription.

Our third find this Friday is from Botany Blend; a brand celebrated for combining green beauty and luxury, offering us a range of oils that indulge our minds and bodies. With expertise in aromatherapy products that satisfy your senses, and revitalise the skin, each batch is handmade and all ingredients are sourced sustainably. We love the use of certified organic ingredients and were excited to discover that the products are all made in a small studio on the Devon coast.

We tried the Aceso Oil, which like Botany Blend's other products, is free from essential oils. The formula contains numerous potent antioxidants, alongside Co2 extracted sea buckthorn, rosehip berries, apricot kernel, safflower and Japanese camellia. These are all rich in plant-based fatty acids, helping to nurture even the most sensitive of skin. We found that the oil was easy to apply, and was soothing, yet non-greasy, ideal for use both morning and night. It even acts as a smooth base for makeup, something we would often steer clear of with other oils. If you have sensitive skin or are merely looking for an organic oil that does not contain essential oils, then this will be for you. Purchase your own 30ml bottle of Acesco for £35 here.

Last, but by no means least, we came across Vetivert & Co, a London based brand, founded by Aanu Oduyeni to provide plant-based oils to nourish and repair the skin. Suffering from acne, and dreading scarring, she envisaged a brand that would be free from synthetic fragrances, nut oils and parabens, and suitable for vegans. These goals are something that she has very much achieved, so we were excited to try the Balance Oil.

As with Vetivert & Co's other products, Balance Oil is cruelty-free, and 100% natural, containing a blend of tamanu, seabuckthorn, palmarosa and lavender oils. We found these ingredients not only helped to avoid future breakouts by neutralising and calming the skin, but that they also helped to repair it, aiding with the scarring that many of us are availed with. This oil helps to defy the stereotype that oils will clog pores and worsen acne, as many of us here have been suitably impressed with the long lasting effects. As a lighter oil, this can be used twice daily (morning and evening) and should be gently patted onto damp or dry skin. Combat your acne worries by purchasing a 30ml bottle here for £35.

Face oils often have a reputation of only being necessary for dry or older skin. While there is truth in this statement, we hope to have opened your eyes to the uses of facial oils for all skin types. Whether you have sensitive or acne prone skin, we're sure one of these products will be suitable for you.

Kris D' Amour - Balancing Body Lotion

Does your skin feel out of control? Here at The Amazing Blog we have learned about the benefits of using oils; they balance the skin like nothing else. So when Kris D’Amour’s Balancing Body Lotion arrived to our offices, we were ready to slather it on!

The Balancing Body Lotion is especially formulated to effectively treat oily to combination skin types, purifying the skin and refining the pores. Made from 100% pure plant extracts, butters and plant oils, it will nourish and hydrate your complexion. The unique combination of Juniper Berry, Petitgrain, Patchouli, Tamanu and Lavender Oils help clear up greasy skin, acne and other skin blemishes while also releasing congestion, dissolving excess sebum, regenerating and rejuvenating the skin.

As someone who suffers from oily skin, I couldn’t wait to try this product. The lotion goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy; it soaks right in. The only issue I have with the lotion is the scent: it is very overpowering and it also lingers for quite a while. Others in the office don’t mind the smell, but it was a bit too much for my liking. Other than that, I think the lotion does exactly what it says on the tin... and that’s all that you can ask from a beauty product.

You can purchase 200ml of the Balancing Body Lotion for £19.00 on the website.

All we want for Christmas....

With Christmas just over a week away and with all our pressies almost bought, here at Amazing PR HQ we have decided its time to turn our attention to our own Christmas wishlists. So Santa, if you are reading this, any last minute stocking fillers would be very well received. After all we have been awfully good girls this year... Edwina’s Wishlist:

A Bouquet Delivered Monthly from Pinstripes and Peonies - £880 PA

Slightly decadent I know, but a beautiful bouquet delivered to your door each month is guaranteed to lift the spirits and provide a stunning statement. Pinstripes and Peonies are renowned for their breathtaking and individual designs and will even supply next year’s Christmas wreath free of charge on top of the twelve arrangements.

Les Queues de Sardines Icar Tights - £36

These tights bring a quirky twist to festive dressing. Les Queues de Sardines are noted for their unconventional and unique graphic style. Produced in limited quantities, they are screen-printed by hand on a rural farm in France, so I can be sure I will stand out in a sea of black opaques.

GelaSkins Phone Cover – Around £30

Want to personalise your phone? I mean REALLY personalise? GelaSkins makes art portable with their collection of designs from over 100 artists that can be made into a ‘skin’ for any mobile phone. For further individuality you can even upload your own photo and they will convert it to a clever little anti-scratch, anti-UV cover. I'm sick of other people walking off with my phone in meetings,  so I rather fancy a bit of leopard print for my Blackberry:

Katie’s Wishlist:

Emma Franklin Gold Hippopotamus Ring - £115Central St Martins graduate Emma, designs and makes each individual piece from her animal kingdom inspired collection at her Clerkenwell studio. Her menagerie of designs are heirlooms in the making. I am particularly taken with this gold hippo ring, such a unique and individual piece it’s sure to get people talking. Emma makes each piece to order and also takes commissions, get your order in early, this girl is going places.

Coulson Macleod ‘Love Makes The Ride Worthwhile’ Limited Edition Print - £199

The simplicity of the messages in Coulson Macleod ‘Love Collection’ is what makes them so powerful. This combined with the raw, distressed finish of the typography within a vintage-style, handmade oak frame and you have a unique piece whose sentiment resonates widely, but still retains a personal touch. I have been lusting after a Coulson Macleod design for so long now, it is really is the most perfect understated declaration of love you could give...

Elizabeth and James Rabbit-Trimmed Stretch-Jersey Blazer - £665

Ok this may be a bit of wishful thinking, but this blazer is my perfect piece, casual, easy-to wear style with a luxurious twist. The olive green colour makes it so versatile; I would wear it with everything, from jeans to add a bit of glam, right through to a little black dress with biker boots to give a grungy edge. The Elizabeth and James range is designed by the Olson twins and incorporates the pair’s eclectic-chic style. The blazer is available from Net-A-Porter and as usual they have provided some great styling pointers (see image below).

Eleanor’s Wishlist:

Astley Clarke Evil Eye Charm Bracelet - £125

A lapis lazuli and 18ct gold vermeil chain wrap with a yellow gold, turquoise and diamond micro pave evil eye charm. The evil eye charm safeguards and protects, while lapis lazuli strengthens truth and bonds relationships, my little lucky charm for the year ahead!

The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness by Bethanie Lunn - £9.99

The essential A-Z of life skills girls! Including tips on how to make the perfect cocktail, find the best vintage boutiques, walk in high heels, diet successfully, a guide to the coolest boutique hotels and best online dating sites. Celebrity contributors include Elle Macpherson, Dita Von Teese and Mark Hix.

Acne Pistol Boots - £415

A classic Acne boot that will keep me going for seasons to come. The high leg shaft is very flattering and the heel is the perfect height for everyday wear. This really is a boot for all occasions, so I think that justifies the expense...doesn’t it??

And not forgetting the fourth member of the Amazing PR team, a cheeky little Tibetan Spaniel who is mainly wishing for a Santa sack full of treats this Christmas.

Mojai’s Wishlist:

Paragon Christmas Stocking for Small Dogs - £5.99

This all-natural stocking stuffed full of treats will keep both me and my human happy. The tasty treats will give me hours of chewing fun, but it’s also healthy and nutritious so will stop her worrying about my waistline. Bring on the Christmas day over-indulgence!

http://www.naturalpetproductsltd.com/healthy-treats/christmas-stockings/prod_14.htm

Mungo and Maud Cashmere Pullover in Chocolate - £108

It’s Mungo and Maud, it’s cashmere, it’s my colour and I am so worth it...need I say more?

http://www.mungoandmaud.com/store/product/1780/Cashmere-Dog-Pullover-Chocolate-25cm/

Jacks Cabana ‘The Cuff’ Dog Bed – POA

Jacks Cabana offer elegant, hand-crafted designs for style conscious pets and their humans. This bed is a statement piece in its own right, so I will definitely be centre stage when visitors come over (think of the possibilities for fuss and treats!). Available in a range of wood finishes and with a clever little space saving drawer, this is slicker than your average dog bed. Better start practicing those puppy dog eyes if you want to be curled up in this in time for Christmas.

http://www.jackscabana.co.uk/bed1.html

And finally, they say money can’t buy you love, but I think my human could give me a helping hand by getting me a girlfriend of my very own.

Merry Christmas everyone! xxx