‘Gameface’ Moisturiser by Triumph and Disaster

Who likes dry skin? Not us! We boys here at The Amazing Blog understand the importance of keeping skin moisturised at all times.  Thanks to our friends at Triumph & Disaster we have found this a real 'game changer' in the moisturiser world. There is a great story behind this brand with its sporting roots. Triumph & Disaster was founded in 2011 by Dion Nash, a former New Zealand international cricketer, who realised the toll sun, wind and sweat were having on his skin. This inspired Dion to create a naturally based skincare brand specifically for us boys, which not only protects our complexions from the environment but also utilises the latest technologies in green science. Previously we tried out Triumph & Disaster’s No Dice Sunscreen, and this product set the bar high for the rest of their products.

We are happy to report that Triumph & Disaster has done it again, and lived up to our expectations. We requested their latest Beauty Shortlist 2018 award-winning ‘Gameface’  Moisturiser to try. Three of the star ingredients in this moisturiser are ponga fern, horopito oil and jojoba extract. Ponga is fern found in New Zealand, it works to tighten skin making us look younger upon application to the face. Horopito is an antioxidant-rich plant that is also from New Zealand which conditions skin and leaves it with a healthy-looking appearance. Jojoba is a botanical extract that comes from the seed of the jojoba tree which is very similar to the oil that our skin naturally produces. This helps to balance your skin's oil production creating a more balanced skin.

When applied this moisturiser has the subtlest of woody fragrance undertones that are almost undetectable. What we love about this product is that it effortlessly melts into the skin absolutely leaving no residue and yet leaves the skin feeling soft and nurtured. Triumph & Disaster is known for combining science and nature to create the most effective products on the market and we were certainly 'bowled over' with this little gem. You can purchase the ‘Gameface’ Moisturiser by Triumph & Disaster here for £36.

Friday Favourites: Natural Body & Face Oils

January is the time of the year when we recover from the many excesses that happened during the festive season when our skin is perhaps not at it's best. Then add the effects cold weather or central heating and our complexions become dehydrated and flakey. At The Amazing Blog, we have come up with a few suggestions for natural body and face oils that will provide just what you need for extra nourishment with their plant extracts, vitamins and superfoods.

Anti-cellulite products are often not worth the cash you spend on them. We’ve spent too many hours in search of an efficient way to get rid of the cellulite blight; if only we had come across the Kypwell brand earlier.

The emulsion of Kypwell’s Anti-Cellulite and Firming Body Emulsion contains natural high-tech ingredients that helps to provide a fat burning effect. The unique combination of plants extracts primarily from their native Cyprus provide the key ingredients; namely heart-leaved globe daisy and bitter ginger enhanced with essential oils including lemon, orange and grapefruit oils. These all work to smooth the cellulite bumps while also firming skin. Combine this with their delicious zesty KypSlim organic herbal tea and your regular exercise regime and we think it'll work wonders to get you back in shape in no time! The Kypwell emulsion is for all skin types and works best by being applied to specific body areas once or twice daily. You can purchase the Anti-Cellulite and Firming Body Emulsion, using PayPal, here for around £53.42.

You cannot get more natural than Rio Rosa and their award-winning Chilean Rosehip Oil, containing one key ingredient: rosa mosqueta (rosa affinis rubiginosa) rosehip seed oil. The product is 100% natural, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. The oil is made by pressing wild rose seeds that grow in the Chilean Andes. These seeds are renowned for their skin rejuvenating properties. Used on the face and body it helps to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and wrinkles while effectively nourishing and hydrating dry skin.

The oil is rich in vitamin A, C and E and contains wonderfully high levels of essential fatty acids. This oil is perfect for anyone with dry and sensitive skin looking for a miracle product that will provide the care and hydration with skin needs and help them have a healthier skin. Purchase the Chilean Rosehip oil here for £11.99.

We couldn’t have a post discussing body oils and emulsions without mentioning one of our favourite brands and also a Beauty Shortlist Winner, Bodhi & Birch. Bodhi & Birch is an independent, eco-luxury, British skincare brand that creates products inspired by aromatherapy and botanical remedies.

The three body oils we like the best are now available in a mini collection which is perfect if you are as indecisive as us. The mini collection features 15 ml versions of the Chinois Blue Body Oil, Nordic White Body Oil and the Sicilian Rose Body Oil.

The Chinois Body Oil indulges skin with organic oils of Camellia, Avocado and Tamanu Nut with Hyacinth and Ginger. Avocado oil with its nourishing properties helps make skin softer and rejuvenated. Skin is left smelling divine and intensely hydrated. The Nordic White Body Oil is perfect for this time of year, warming to the skin with a very uplifting fragrance. It is a curative blend of Spruce, Cypress and Pine and frankincense. The high levels of Gamma Linoleic Acid, Omega 6 and Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes help improve the health of skin and work for a younger looking appearance. If you love roses, then The Sicilian Rose Body Oil is for you, enriched with Safflower, Macadamia, Rose and Lemon oils which nourishes and hydrates skin. This oil also has a beautiful slight zesty and pink pepper scent that lingers throughout the day. You can purchase the mini collection here for £20.00.

Last but by no means least is one of our favourite oil from M Picaut, the Precious Oil. M Picaut is a Swedish skincare brand that believes that 'less is more' when it comes to skincare. Thus they only create products with only the purest organic ingredients.

The Precious Oil is formulated to stimulate the production of collagen, reduce fine lines and wrinkles while nourishing skin. The serum is packed with organic Scandinavian ingredients and superfoods but also include apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, Rosmarin leaf extracts and Sea buckthorn extract. Together these elements fight against signs of ageing, provide deep moisture to the skin helping for a softer and smoother skin.  This highly nourishing serum is perfect to use during the colder months when your complexion is more affected by environmental damage and in need of that extra-hydration and protection. The Precious Oil is 100% vegan and not tested on animals. Purchase The Precious Oil here for £60.

Vegetable Crisps by Leighton Brown

We at The Amazing Blog have something rather ground-breaking to report; we actually prefer Leighton Brown vegetable crisps to any old potato crisps! The texture is super-crunchy and the flavours are bold. Move over Walkers!

These treats for the taste buds come in three flavours; Parsnip crisps with Manuka Honey, Sweet Potato Crisps with Cheese & Jalapeno, and Beetroot Crisps with Horseradish & Dill. Leighton Brown is an artisan brand, whose products are vegetarian, gluten-free and made with only natural ingredients; but this goodness doesn’t take away from the vibrant flavours. With these crisps, they have a unique combination of tastes with their piquancy and seasoning, in our view they're pure stimulation for the taste buds. We’re obviously not the only ones to think this, as Leighton Brown crisps have won several Great Taste Awards by the Guild of Fine Food not just for one but for every single flavour!

The heat from the Jalapeno peppers pairs perfectly with the cheese, the Manuka honey brings a gorgeous sweetness, and the dill and horseradish make a delightfully tangy pairing. The echo around the office is 'please pass me another packet'. We’re now fully on board with these yummy and appetising vegetable crisps. You too can purchase Leighton Brown crisps online here for around £16 for 12 packs, or around £30 for 24 packs; or they're available individually in store nationwide at Holland & Barrett.

Nail Polish By Maggie Anne

Nail polish is the perfect accessory to transport your look from season to season, and so we, at The Amazing Blog, have hand-picked some gorgeous autumnal shades from Maggie Anne’s extensive colour choice, for you to sport as summer melds into winter. Not only this, but it is vegan, 6-free and the formula is a winner.

We were lucky enough to receive the colours Olive, Sapphire, Nancy and Jasper. Olive, a muted sage green with creamy and grey undertones is ideal for the cooler months. Sapphire, like that of its name, is a rich blue, but still with those grey undertones to give it that autumnal vibe. We had to include a nude, as it is a staple in any girl’s collection, and Jasper is our new favourite. A best-seller for Maggie Anne, Jasper is the perfect pinky-beige that will complement any skin tone. For those who like a little pizzazz in their nail polishes, Nancy delivers a gorgeous deep purple with a shimmery shift.

Many people still remain unaware that regular nail polishes are not vegan; they contain ingredients derived from animals, such as crushed up beetles, fish scales and oyster shells. It is these ingredients that lend nail polishes their shine. However Maggie Anne has not compromised on the quality of their polishes, and they’ve achieved both a cruelty-free product and a fabulous formula. They have been given the stamps of approval from Peta and Beauty Without Bunnies. It is even ideal for pregnant women, as it is free from harmful chemicals. They are  6-free, meaning these formulas do not contain six harsh chemicals that many nail polishes contain, such as formaldehyde, toluene and camphor. The result is a gel-like finish without the use of a UV lamp or soaking your nails in toxic acetone. We’re not the only ones who champion Maggie Anne nail polishes. They won ‘Best Nail Brand’ at the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2017 and ‘Best Nail Polish’ at the Natural Health International Awards.

Purchase Olive here, Jasper here, Nancy here, and Sapphire here for £10.50 each, or sample the whole range here.

Dairy Free Chocolates – Moo Free

While going dairy-free is somewhat of a fad at the moment, it is so for a reason. Of course, some people are lactose-intolerant, but for the rest of us, we can acknowledge when maybe certain ingredients don’t agree with us or we don’t agree with the ethics behind the production process. When we here at The Amazing Blog heard about Moo Free, the leading ‘free from’ chocolate manufacturer, and their vast range of dairy free chocolate products, our ears pricked up. We were able to try the Original Chocolate Bar, the Caramelised Hazelnut Nibs Bar and the Cheeky Orange Chocolate Bar.

The chocolate recipe recently won the award for ‘Best Vegan Chocolate’ at the VegFest Awards 2016, as voted for by the public, and we can certainly see why. After sampling this assortment of goodies, we can most definitely vouch that it tastes just like regular dairy chocolate. Moo Free uses rice milk in lieu of cow’s milk, creating that ever-familiar delicious milk chocolate taste. This spectacular chocolate is not only free from dairy, but it is also free from gluten, wheat, lactose, soya and casein, completely vegetarian and vegan, and certified organic with ethically sourced ingredients. Colour us impressed.

Moo Free chocolate comes in a huge array of flavours and forms. Their baking drops are ideal for some delicious dairy free muffins or cookies, and their chocolate bars come in a whole range of additional flavours including fruit and nut, crunchy banana, mint and honeycomb. Moo Free even has advent calendars, chocolate Santas and Easter eggs.

You can find Moo Free products across thousands of stores across the UK, such as Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Asda. Find your nearest stockist here.