Dr Russo - Once A Day Sun Protection SPF 30 & SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel

Good skin starts with prevention, and here at The Amazing Blog we’re always on the lookout for the best SPF and suncare. Today we’ve got one of our #amazingfinds, meet Dr Russo’s Sun Protection Invisible Face Gel ideal for protecting the complexion and combatting harmful rays when out and about. 

The founder Dr Luca Russo is renowned internationally for his work in reversing sun damage and premature ageing. He is a London-based cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon who lecturers on skin rejuvenation. This sun protection gel features Dr Russo’s innovative long-wear SPF technology that creates a force-field on the skin to deflect the harmful sun’s rays. His philosophy is to protect the skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens and potent antioxidants throughout the day, followed by reversal agents that stimulate new collagen production and repair all signs of photo-ageing. The beneficial ingredients are antioxidants, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. All of these repair existing signs of DNA damage, inhibit tyrosinase, help to maintain elastin and collagen levels, reduce glycation of proteins and soothes inflammation, so the skin becomes stronger, more luminous and resilient. These ingredients also help repair existing signs of damage, as well as stopping the production of melanin which causes dark spots. The product is free from PABAs, parabens, artificial fragrance and compatible with all sensitive skin types.

The formula is light-weight, non-greasy, and does not leave a chalky film on the skin, making it perfect to wear everyday under makeup. Protect, moisturise and repair your complexion with a single sweep with this once a day application.  It keeps skin protected and is waterproof and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. The product comes in SPF 30 and SPF 50 variants, to apply, use the unique click brush applicator, sweeping the product over the face and neck area. It retails for £26 for 15ml and can be purchased here. In a 15ml bottle, this is the perfect size for your handbag or to take on a bike ride.

The Handmade Soap Co: Lemongrass & Cedarwood Shower Gel and Lemongrass & Bergamot Body Butter

At The Amazing Blog, we value brands that care about our planet especially when their products and ingredients help to make this world a greener place. We came across The Handmade Soap Co, at our client's Supply & Buy event, where we engaged in a long chat with one of the founders Donagh Quigley.  This Irish artisan brand started in 2010 and has gone on to create some of finest natural bath and body products using only 'essential oil blends and nature’s pantry'. Donagh very kindly gave us their Lemongrass and Cedarwood Shower Gel and Lemongrass and Bergamot Body Butter to experience for ourselves.

Shower time is often synonymous for us with revving up for the start of another day. And we certainly enjoyed using this zesty and woody fragrance to stimulate the senses and help us on our way. The Lemongrass and Cedarwood Shower Gel is an amazing shower gel which cleared our heads and helped to give us focus for the day ahead. Formulated with natural and botanical ingredients including lemongrass, cedarwood, amyris, mandarin, patchouli and geranium oil; this shower gel gently cleanses the body while making it feel velvety smooth and wonderfully fragranced. 

The Lemongrass and Bergamot Body Butter was our favourite. This luxurious body butter is packed with the finest plants and botanic extracts including: Shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, aloe vera, bergamot oil, ylang-ylang flower oil and bergamot oil. What a list! This delicious blend makes a highly nourishing butter that pampers the skin and hydrates. The lemongrass and bergamot also gives an irresistibly fresh and zesty scent that lingers on the skin all day long.

The Handmade Soap Co's products are made with 99.7% of natural ingredients with the other 3% being only the binding agent and preservative (to stabilise the body lotions). We're happy to report that this brand is without parabens, petrochemicals and SLS. Even the card that is used for the packaging is from sustainable sources and printed with vegetable-derived ink! You can purchase the shower gel here for £10.64 and the body butter here for £17.76

Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil - Image Skincare

For a clear and bright complexion to be achieved, it is necessary to feed your skin the nutrients and vitamins needed for it to remain healthy and nourished. So when The Amazing Blog had the chance to sample Image Skincare’s wonderful Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil we were thrilled,  as it’s the perfect product to revitalise skin and feed it those all-important necessities.

We personally think that this oil is one of the best we have tried. Containing Moringa, Sea Buckthorn and Grapeseed oil along with a trove of antioxidants, this oil instantly perks skin up, brightening and refreshing it. The ingredients work together to rejuvenate ageing skin and work as an anti-inflammatory keeping puffiness under control. What’s more, the oil is also paraben and mineral oil free, so you know that while what your putting on your skin is powerful it will do no damage. This is the perfect oil for those with dry, dehydrated and sensitive skins as the oil is rich but gentle.

Purchase the oil here for £65.00

Lemongrass and Cedar Wood Shampoo and Conditioner - The Handmade Soap Co.

At The Amazing Blog, we know how important it is to deep clean your hair by using a cleansing shampoo at least once a week. The reason we use a cleansing shampoo is that they work a lot harder than standard hair cleaning products and completely strip off all the pollution and dirt that can accumulate on your hair over time. They are incredibly effective and powerful, which is why they can be daunting to use! While they do leave your hair shiny and squeaky clean, there is always the worry that because of their strength they may also remove your hair of its natural oils, and then there are also questions as to what harsh chemicals are in these products that make them so efficient? It can be daunting, but luckily, we have found a great natural cleansing shampoo and conditioner set from The Handmade Soap Co. which has eased our fears entirely!

Their Lemongrass and Cedar Wood Shampoo gently cleanses hair and worked as efficiently as other chemical filled shampoo’s we’ve tested but without stripping the hair of its natural oils! Leaving our hair looking shinier and feeling cleaner! We found that the Lemongrass and Cedar Wood Conditioner was soothing and helped to calm and revive damaged hair.

With 99.7% of the product consisting of natural ingredients from plant and botanical extracts as well as being paraben and petrochemical free, we are confident that this product will help you maintain healthy and beautiful hair!  What's more, the products have a refreshing scent with top notes of pineapple, citrus and lemongrass, and a woody base scent of patchouli and vanilla making these products a treat for the senses as well as the hair!

You can purchase the Shampoo here for £13.90 and the Conditioner here for £13.90