Flower and Spice - Rose & Coriander Travel/Discovery Set

 At The Amazing Blog, we all can relate to the need to pamper ourselves after a hectic week at the office. Therefore, we like to treat ourselves with natural skincare products that are both soothing and calming. So when someone suggested we try the newly launched skincare brand Flower and Spice with their range of natural and organic products, we did just that!

After deciding to stop working in the marketing industry, Flower and Spice founder Karmen Novak  went on to studying organic skincare science at UK-based Formula Botanica before launching the brand last year. Her mission is to ‘...bring nature back to your daily life.’ After experiencing great results on her own skin from the selection of natural oils she chose, Karmen decided to share her propriety blend of essential oils with the world, all in the form of her first launched product the much haled Midnight Beauty Rich Revitalising Serum. Since then, she has gone on to release two other equally successful products. While we only got to try two out of their three products, in the Rose & Coriander Travel/Discovery Set we were extremely pleased with the results. The set is comprises of two of Flower and Spice’s, products the Soothe and Repair Daily Moisturiser and the Midnight Beauty Rich Revitalising Serum. Both of these contain rose absolute and coriander seed oil and other botanical ingredients ensuring the efficacy while also exuding a gentle and relaxing aroma during use. 

The first product in the set is the Midnight Beauty Rich Revitalising Serum. This contains ten essential oils and is void of any parabens and fillers. In addition to the rose and coriander oils, the serums are antioxidant rich with other oils like prickly pear, plum seed, jojoba, apricot seed, argan, evening primrose and macadamia. Together these work to regulate your skin’s oil production and the texture of your skin by hydrating and preventing signs of ageing.  Flower & Spice recommend using this alone at night-time by simply gently press about three pumps of the serum onto cleansed skin. However, If like one of our team, you have particularly dry skin we suggest using this Serum in tandem with the Soothe and Repair Daily moisturiser during the day.  Let the Serum sink into your skin before applying the moisturiser to lock-in the effects.  

Next we tried was the Soothe and Repair Daily Moisturiser. While the rose absolute in the moisturiser provides an aromatherapy feel, other plant-based ingredients such as the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory coriander seed oil, grape seed oil, the rare prickly pear seed oil, aloe vera, rosewater and arctic oat extract all soothe, smooth and moisturise giving the skin a dewy, supple complexion. After cleansing skin, apply a generous amount of the moisturiser for day or night. This Rose & Coriander Travel/Discovery Set is perfect to use either individually or together with a layer effect depending on your skin type. Start your journey towards giving your skin a special relaxing treat by purchasing the duo set which contains a 30ml bottle of the Moisturiser and an 10ml bottle of the Serum here for £61.43 and if you purchase now you get 2 gifts offered!

Etch Taper - Shave Gel

Increasingly for us boys at The Amazing Blog the once daily chore of keeping our beard in check, has transformed into an art form of near perfectly precise sculpting of the hair, both on our head and our face. Inevitably around this new phenomenon, a thriving commercial model has emerged not only of barber shops opening at an impressive rate on our high streets, but also now an extensive range of grooming products, designed specifically  for the professionals which are offered also to each of us.

Etch Taper - Shave Gel is one such glorious find, and is the brain child of an entrepreneurial biomedical engineer with a fascinating interest in the revered world surrounding the barber’s shop chair, which went a bit further than simply having the ultimate buzzcut. Dr Salman Malik’s story is an inspiration to those who identify with the entrepreneurial hold that takes place when the potential of a solid idea germinates into the foundation stone for the construction of a brand. As if Dr Malik didn’t have enough to concentrate on with securing two Masters Degrees and a PhD, he also found time to study the art of cutting hair, all gleaned from the wonders of the internet - YouTube and Instagram, take a bow - and from this point, gained a loyal client base of eager heads needing to be kept in tiptop shape at the weekends.

Clearly a chap who is driven in an inexhaustible pursuit of knowledge, the nexhet challenge came in trying to source the perfect gel - if we remember his background, the fact his focus was on the perfect formulation of the ingredients with a very clear goal in mind, can come as no surprise at all. In this he was fastidious in producing ‘a shave gel that worked’, and thus we have at our fingertips the glorious golden elixir  he has produced is a slick, clear golden gel which allows us to see what we are doing, whilst lubricating the skin and follicles which are destined for a trim. The fragrance is peppermint based and key ingredients include witch hazel and aloe vera to soothe. It’s so cools as it glides on, and because of its transparent consistency, we can actually be far more precise in the shave job at hand.

Salman hasn’t stopped there, with a marketing campaign as slick as his product - the visual pull from the pharmacy shelf is given high prominence, understanding his target market, and keeping the message clear and succinct. Something tells us his attention to detail will continue to come through as he works towards the dream of opening his own barbershop, and then taking his brand global. When you see how far he has come in a comparatively short time, it would be a short-sighted person who doubted such an outcome; increasing your Instagram following fivefold in just a few months, and securing three distributors is testament to that.

On the subject of distribution, and where we can all get some of this magic formulation to enjoy, check out  where the golden gel (250ml) is available to buy here for £13.00 .

XO Balm

As you know we at The Amazing Blog love to have a go-to beauty staple and for us not many beat XO Balm which is a latest multipurpose balm. The product is perfect for those with eczema, boyfriends with beards or sensitive skin in need or some TLC. The balm is effective in soothing and relieving dryness, sensitive and irritated skin. What’s more, the product is multi functional and can be used on the face, body and hair. 

The balm is 100% natural and has a simple four-ingredient formula that offers a natural alternative to prescription products for those suffering from eczema and dermatitis. The effective combination of beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil and chia seed oil locks in essential nutrients and soothes, restores and strengthens everything it is applied to. The balm won’t clog your skin and is fragrance-free. It contains no synthetics and leaves a long-lasting protective barrier with a matte finish. Within days one of us with eczema found that this balm not only stopped them itching but also took down their redness - we're impressed! We think that this little balm is a handy travelling companion as the tin packaging means that it fits in any bag, pocket or hand making it perfect for those on the go. 

You can purchase the balm here for £12.50.

Badger Balm - Organic Body & Skincare

Here at The Amazing Blog, as our readers know, we're all for organic products containing home grown ingredients. But the first thing that really appealed to us when we received samples from Badger Balm was the crazy cute badger who resides on the packaging!

This is a fab brand from the USA that has created a range of organic balms and skincare products that are free from petroleum and artificial colours. We just cant get enough of the variety of products. We tried the Hardworking Hands Balm, Peppermint & Tea-tree Foot Balm, Lavender & Bergamot Sleep Balm  and the set of Classic Lip Balms which all come in little pocket sized tins and handy packaging, perfect for make up and weekend bags everywhere. We highly recommend trying the Cheerful Mind Balm, designed to lift spirits when you’re feeling a little run down - we've certainly passed that around the office when one of us is feeling a little blue. However, our favourite product is the Lavender & Bergamot Sleep Balm because it is just so relaxing, unusual and, different from what we normally try out at The Amazing Blog. If you suffer from restless nights, this product is perfect. The scents infuse to create a soothing fragrant lullaby to send you off swiftly to sleep after a hectic day at the office. After all we all need some help getting those precious Zzz's now and then. Thanks to Badger Balm we can come into the office refreshed and ready to face the day.

 All Badger Balm products are available on their home website here  or  internationally here. Prices range from £3 to £30.

Miessence Skin Essentials

When I wake up in the morning, the last thing I want to do is take the time for a long skincare regime before applying my makeup. I need a routine that is both quick and easy. I like products that are light on my skin, but get the job done. Thankfully, The Amazing Blog has come across Miessence Skin Essentials Packs and we absolutely love them! Miessence is the world’s first certified organic skincare, haircare, body, nutrition, and cosmetic product range. Not only does each product include all organic ingredients, but the entire three step skincare routine takes a total of two minutes (I never thought it could be so easy). The combination of their cleanser, conditioner, and moisturizer, makes for the perfect routine to rejuvenate your skin, making it look fresh and radiant everyday.

These products are made from the purest variant of every ingredient. They are hand blended to ensure they really are the best products they can possibly be for their consumers. Most of Miessence’s ingredients come from family organic farms. Purchasing these products not only benefits you, but also the local community where these ingredients are sourced. What a great way to support these families, while also having a one-of-a-kind skincare pack that will dramatically enhance the complexion of your skin.

There are additional products in the range that can be used to create a home spa ritual and products that have specific anti-ageing benefits or treatments for conditions such as rosacea and couperose skin, blemish prone skin etc. The Miessence brand promise is “to create certified organic products with unrivalled purity, potency, and freshness.” They use the best quality natural 100% beneficial ingredients and avoid the use of all toxic synthetic chemicals. These products truly are the purest and the best.

 Whether you choose the Balancing , Rejuvenating , Purifying , or Soothing  pack, each contains a 250ml cleanser, 100ml skin conditioner, and a 50 ml moisturiser. Three of the skincare packs retail for £81.35, and the Purifying  one can be purchased for £75. If you don’t feel like spending that much on a new skincare line, take advantage of the discount they are offering this month! During November, if you place an online order over £65 or more via their website here, you will receive 20% off all of your orders. Plus, if you quote the promo code “lifestyle” at the checkout, your online account will be credited with £15 to use towards your next purchase! We at The Amazing Blog fell in love with Miessence’s simply extraordinary skincare products and know you will love them too if you add them to your daily routine.