LUUV : Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil

The festive season means Christmas parties - Covid permitting - and what do Christmas parties mean? That’s right, wearing your killer little black dress! Apart from the outfit, at The Amazing Blog, we like to sport that all-year-round natural looking sun-kissed glow - all from out of a bottle! We were thrilled to discover this Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil from LUUV, which didn’t let us down.  And for those who don’t know this Estonian cosmetic brand - you can also read our review on their vegetable-based natural Lip Gloss Balms here.

Jüri Palster, the brand’s co-founder, launched LUUV to fill a gap in the market. This story began in 2017 when Jüri decided to take his innovative ideas and formulations to the next level. He decided to produce a range of natural skincare and cosmetics that were functional, clean, and simple to use. Today LUUV is the sixth biggest cosmetics manufacturer in Estonia and continues to grow. Their products are made in Estonia by biochemists, using all-natural, organic, vegan and transparent ingredients. The brand also has COSMOS Ecocert certified products, highlighting their commitment to their formulas, showing how LUUV works hard to protect the environment and meet all their sustainability standards. They also use natural resources and only green chemical alternatives, avoiding the use of any GMOs, parabens, perfumes, and synthetic colourants, demonstrating further the brand’s eco-friendly efforts. Worth mentioning too is their recyclable packaging, and a modern reverse osmosis device, within the Environmental Investment Centre’s Circular Economy Program framework, which provides them with the purest water to use in the development of their products. By the end of this year, LUUV told us that they will have over 52 different cosmetic products, ranging from skin and body care to cosmetics. This Estonian brand certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed in the world of beauty, like their Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil (see below) was recently awarded Best Natural Beauty Product Silver Winner at the 2021 Global Green Beauty Awards. 

We couldn’t wait to test out their Luuv’s Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil in medium shade. Let’s start by saying what we really liked about this 100% natural and vegan self-tan. It’s odourless, clear, and an aloe-based dry oil, that gives an even colour and moisturises skin leaving no oily residue.  Aloe vera is one of the key ingredients and hydrates and prevents skin from becoming dry  - even when this Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil is applied frequently, which is precisely what we look for. The formula boasts a list of other natural ingredients like water, glycerin, dihydroxyacetone (a fermented part of sugar beet), erythrulose (raspberry sugar extract), sunflower and carrot oil, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and citric acid. When the erythrulose and dihydroxyacetone come together, these sugars create a natural-looking and even-toned colour. The sunflower oil contains linoleic acid, which helps skin retain moisture, and the carrot oil is packed with vitamin A and beta-carotene, both good antioxidants to help keep the skin soft and hydrated. And finally, the sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, which are two different kinds of salts, and when combined, work as a preservative keeping the formula bacteria-free. As we mentioned earlier, this Self Tanning Dry Oil is fragrance-free, a big plus in our eyes. It has a slightly viscous consistency and is easy to dispense. As a dry oil, it’s super-hydrating and can be applied two to three times a week for a gradual tan build-up for a natural-looking tan.

The best part?  This Natural Self Tanning Dry Oil glides easily onto skin, and is quick-drying; we recommend waiting between 4-6 hours before washing to give it time to develop, and if you’re worried about it getting on your clothes, the good news is that it doesn’t transfer! When you want it off, it fades away slowly and evenly - just like the real thing. It’s the perfect choice for a natural all-year-round self-tan and is another of our #amazingfinds. So, if you’re looking for a  long-lasting, radiant tan, which leaves skin soft and luminous - this is for you. Why not make family and friends envious, and rock an effortless natural golden glow this season. To purchase the Natural Self-Tanning Dry Oil (100 ml size) in the medium or dark shade for €19.90, see here.

LUUV : Lip Gloss Balms

Now we’re officially in autumn, it’s time to protect our delicate lips and add a swipe of moisturising colour to complement the vibrant hues. At The Amazing Blog, we’d like to introduce another of our #amazingfinds LUUV, a brand new to the UK, with their vegetable-based natural Lip Gloss Balms.

LUUV is an Estonian cosmetics brand that was officially established in 2017. It all began four years ago with the co-founder Jüri Paltser, who ran a family-owned store in Estonian that stocked a range of over 50 cosmetic brands. Seeing a gap in the market, he decided to develop his own range of skincare and cosmetics, where he could bring all his ideas and innovations into production. Combining his background in marketing and advertising, and his interest in cosmetics, Jüri opened a small cosmetics factory in 2017, which has since grown to become the 6th biggest cosmetics manufacturer in Estonia. The LUUV brand is a big supporter of natural cosmetics, believing that cosmetics should be easy to use, with natural, clean and transparent ingredients. Their products are developed from scratch using only natural and vegan ingredients, all with the help of Estonian based bio-chemists. Products are COSMOS ECOCERT meaning that they’re eco-friendly, in recyclable packaging, and do not contain any GMOs, parabens, perfumes, synthetic colourants, or phenoxyethanol. This certification also means that LUUV uses natural resources responsibly, respects biodiversity through their production processes, and uses only green chemical alternatives. Within the Environmental Investment Centre's Circular Economy Program framework, they have acquired a modern reverse osmosis device, allowing them to use only the purest of water during production! By the end of the year, LUUV will have over 52 different cosmetic products to choose from, which range from skin and body care to cosmetics.

We were excited to be sent LUUV’s Lip Gloss Balms in four shades from their range of seven. They were recently awarded a silver medal for Best Vegan Makeup in The Global Green Beauty Awards 2021. We’d describe these as a hybrid of lip gloss and balm as they deeply moisturise, offer a dazzling shine, as well as a subtle hint of colour. Young LUUV is a pale pink,  Soft LUUV  is a nude, Fun LUUV is a light cherry red, and Perfect LUUV is rich juicy red. All of these colour shades are derived from plants, including beetroot, radishes, and potatoes. Packed with natural actives, they contain botanical ingredients such as plum seed oil, which is full of 13 different kinds of omega fatty acids and vitamins A and E that hydrate and heal. And the candelilla wax which acts as a binding agent for the ingredients, and conditions and protects chapped lips. All formulas are 100% natural and vegan, making these Lip Gloss Balms COSMOS ECOCERT certified. These Lip Gloss Balms are waterless, flavour and fragrance-free and free from synthetic chemicals or preservatives. Perfect for everyday wear as the colder season approaches; and best of all, the finish is lightweight, not too sticky, long-lasting with excellent staying power. Our favourite shade was the Perfect LUUV, it gave our lips a natural glow adding a little colour, without veering too far from the natural lip shade. To purchase the LUUV Lip Gloss Balms, visit here where all seven shades are available at €8.95 for each 10g tube. 

Berrichi: Travel Set

For the first time in over a year, people are finally travelling again! Whether it’s a quick dash for a weekend getaway or a more relaxing fortnight, everyone deserves a holiday after this tough 18 months. At The Amazing Blog we’re excited to be travelling again, and have been looking for travel-sized skincare that fits neatly into our hand luggage. You many remembered the brand Berrichi (see here).  Well, today we’re talking about their Berrichi’s Travel Set.

Berrichi,  is a natural skincare brand from Estonia, and was founded by Berit Joosep. Joosep’s dry, allergic skin and inflammation caused her to look for help from pure nature, and began mixing creams in her kitchen. Her inspiration first came from herbal medicine books and her grandmother’s wisdom, and then she discovered healing properties of algae after a trip to Bali. After two years of research, algae and super-oils became the key ingredients in the creams — these algae-based antioxidants astaxanthin and furcellaria have been studied, tested, and scientifically proven to give results. The astaxanthin is an extract derived from the green algae haematococcus pluvialis and when compared to other antioxidants, it is an astonishing 6000 x stronger than vitamin C, 3000 x stronger than reservatrol, 800 x stronger than CoQ10, 560 x stronger than green tea catechins, and 500 x stronger than vitamin E!  The red algae furcellaria, found in the Baltic Sea, is a potent neutraliser of free radicals, anti-pollution and removes toxins. Combine these super-algae, and they become very potent botanicals in this skincare. Berrichi is based on the idea that our body can heal itself when balanced. The name Berrichi comes from Berit’s nickname “berri” and the word “chi,” which stands for life, energy, and soul. Therefore, “Berrichi awakens your skin’s natural ability to regenerate, activates your skin’s own chi.” The brand has won many awards, two of the most recent being the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020 Editor’s Choice. They say, “Berrichi’s products are unique and effective. They awaken the body’s natural ability to regenerate and heal.” They export globally and are recognised for leading the way with ‘clean beauty’ and their unique botanicals. The products are free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, artificial fragrances, vegan and cruelty-free. They are also dermatologically tested and have and Ecocert COSMOS certification.

This useful Berrichi’s Travel Set includes ten small sachets of their Day-Age Defence and ten small sachets of their Night Powder Age Defence; which, as they say, allows you to “travel in comfort with your favourite creams.” Each sachet has 2 ml of cream, which gives you 40 ml total. Both the Day-Age Defence and the Night Powder Age Defence is suitable for all skin types.and apart from the astaxanthin and furcellaran algae, the other main ingredients in both are aloe vera extract and a selection of oils that include cacay nut, avocado and apricot kernel. Berrichi’s Day Age Defence Cream is velvety soft and fast-absorbing; it really nourishes and moisturises the skin. The cream also soothes irritated, allergic, and inflamed skin giving a radiant and fresh looking complexion as well as a more even skin tone. In addition, the cream restores the skin’s natural balance, prevents and reduces wrinkles, protects from environmental stressors, and can be a makeup base or primer. Berrichi’s Night Powder Age Defence restores hydration nourishing the skin while you sleep. The cream improves collagen production and restores the skin’s natural protective barriers, slowing down the signs of ageing. It also improves the skin’s elasticity and firmness, restores the skin’s natural balance, prevents and reduces wrinkles, and protects from environmental stressors. Again, apart from the algae and the other ingredients (mentioned above) there is also retinol/vitamin A. This is a potent fat-soluble vitamin; it accelerates skin renewal by stimulating microcirculation, which speeds up new skin cell production, giving an anti-ageing effect.  If you, like us, you want to take Berrichi’s Travel Set with you for your next trip, you can purchase it here for 28.00€.