Vilana - Mint Hair Conditioner

One of our missions this month has been to find a completely natural hair conditioner that won’t irritate an itchy or sensitive scalp. Not an easy task!  At The Amazing Blog, we’ve searched high and low and were recommended to try a brand called Vilana Natural Beauty, who are famed for their gentle hair care products and advice on hair loss.

Founded by Vilana Bagdone, a wife and mother of three who has a light bulb moment when one day she caught sight of her ‘dull, drawn and pale skin’. Despite using countless bottles of high street creams and serum, nothing seemed to help. It was only then that she realised she needed to return back to basics to harness the true power of nature and natural products. Today Vilana Natural Beauty uses a selection of top-quality essential oils to ensure she has the best to create her effective skin and hair care solutions. We’re excited to report that the brand has recently been nominated for The Scottish Business Awards which will be held on 23 February.

We tried the Vilana Natural Beauty Mint Hair Conditioner which is their hero product from the hair care collection. Looking at the key ingredients, it’s no surprise it is a bestseller. The conditioner is enriched with apple vinegar that leaves the hair feeling soft, shiny and smooth and peppermint essential oils which help to promote hair growth. Peppermint has antimicrobial and antifungal properties which help to tackle dandruff and other scalp issues. The shea butter and honey also add moisture for more luscious and thicker-looking hair. We’ve used this several times and noticed that it helped to restore, nourish and soften the hair effortlessly. They advise that you leave the product on the scalp for up to five minutes, in order to let the conditioner soothe and sink into the scalp, then rinse away. We were left with a refreshing scent of mint and very shiny hair. The added bonus is that it can be used as a hair mask as well.  There are no sulphates or parabens, and they even offer a full ingredient list with an explanation here. This one of our #amazingfinds of the week; you too can purchase a 200ml pot of Vilana Natural Beauty Mint Hair Conditioner for £12.50 here.

Friday Favourites - Body & Hand Care

At the Amazing Blog we have to confess to being a little obsessed with body and handcare products, particularly during these cold winter months. We don’t know about you, but our skin tends to be much drier and we find ourselves piling on layers of lotions and body butter. However, as always we’re ever mindful of ingredients and prefer to use more natural products. For today’s #amazingfinds we’re going to highlight some natural/organic body and handcare products, not just for winter, but for the whole year-round.

Avid readers of The Amazing Blog know that we have showcased many of the Lavera products, previously reviewing their products like their Firming Body Milk. Lavera, which means ‘the truth’ in Latin, is an affordable natural skincare range for people of all skin types. Containing 100% natural and organic ingredients, we love how transparent they are with their ingredients. With Lavera, we can rest assured that what we’re putting on our bodies is natural and safe.

That’s why we wanted to try the Lavera Neutral Body Lotion, which is specially formulated for sensitive and easily irritated skin. With organic evening primrose oil, it’s good at soothing itchy or flaky skin. Lavera body care in general consists of a rich emulsion with high lipid content, meaning that they nourish skin for longer than perhaps other body lotions. The organic jojoba oil and shea butter are the perfect combination to help lock in moisture, keeping the skin smooth and supple. We recommend using it daily after showering to experience the enriching benefits of their balanced pH-neutral composition which supports cell renewal. We also mustn’t forget to mention the all-important squalene, fennel, witch hazel and olive oil extracts. To feel the uplifting effects, you can buy the Lavera Neutral Body Lotion 200ml here for £14.95

Next, we have an award-winning beauty brand, Beeutiful. We discovered Beeutiful when they were crowned The Best Bee Beauty Brand at the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2019 as well as winning the Best Body Balm Category with the B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Body Balm. Beeutiful’s skincare is so natural that you could almost eat it! Made from 100% natural ingredients, the product range is created by using UK sourced ingredients and beeswax and honey from Beeutiful’s own hives. To quote Carly, the founder: “Our products are not tested on animals and we only harvest that from the bee that does not harm them; honey, wax and propolis. You will not see Royal jelly or bee venom in any of our products as dead bees are necessary for their obtainment!”

The B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Body Balm comes in a generous size glass pot that is fully recyclable. The luxurious oils feel rich and extremely hydrating on the skin, and we loved using it morning and night. The combination of jojoba, coconut and cocoa butter and beeswax glide onto the skin. The essential oils of frankincense and rose were chosen for their toning, skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Together they create a ‘beeutiful’ blend and fragrance, particularly with the rose absolute (one of our favourite scents). This Balm not only hydrates but also calms the skin making it an excellent anti-inflammatory for sensitive skins. It’s a hot favourite with our Exec Editor! Apart from producing this glorious body Balm they also donate 10p from every sale to Friends of The Honey Bee. All products are free from parabens, sulphates, preservatives, artificial or synthetic colours or fragrances, phthalates, silicone, GM ingredients and petrochemicals. See here to purchase your B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Balm it is £43 per 200ml or a smaller 120ml size for £28.

Philosophia Botanica is inspired by African beauty secrets. Surrounded by the nature of Cape Town, South Africa, founder Francesca was inspired to create a 100% natural beauty brand while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Francesca who’s an oriental medicine, acupuncture spa consultant and formulator, took her passion for well-being, herbal remedies and anything natural and Philosophia Botanica was born.

The Philosophia Botanica Baobab Hydrating Body Oil is created with the key ingredient Baobab seed oil. Often referred to as the ‘tree of life’, the baobab tree is grown in Africa and produces a velvety-looking fruit the size of a coconut which is where the baobab seed oil goodness comes from. With a rich and recognisable scent, it packs a healthy punch for the skin with calcium, magnesium and ten times more vitamin C than in oranges! It’s filled with antioxidants, fatty acids & vitamins to replenish the skin all the way down to the cellular level. Baobab seed oil is an excellent choice for lightweight hydration for any skin type. The oil formula absorbs quickly and nicely, removing any signs of dryness and is particularly good for anti-ageing. The other key ingredients here are moringa oil, which is also famous for its anti-ageing properties, it helps to eliminate wrinkles and slow down the ageing process. Plus, the yangu oil which is full of linoleic acid, omega-6, and oleganic acid, omega-9 these essential fatty acids make it perfect for moisturising the body. This ingredient hails from seeds of the cape chestnut tree also found in Africa. Finally, there’s neroli oil, which is obtained from the bitter orange tree, it is steam-distilled from the small white waxy flowers. Apart from its gorgeous aroma, something we were intrigued to discover is that it also possesses actives that have the ability to reduce acute and chronic inflammation too. A little goes a long way and this Hydrating Oil is a great multitasking product and can be used as a massage oil and in the bath too. To experience Africa’s best-kept secret for yourself, the Philosophia Botanica Baobab Hydrating Body Oil can be purchased here £52 for 200ml.

While we’re making sure that our body is moisturised, we mustn’t forget about our hands, too! Born from a passion for nature, natural and organic products, Akamuti’s founder Lindsey was determined to create a range of products that were brimming with goodness and mindfulness. Lindsey aimed to develop products that told a story with their ingredients, and the Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter certainly does just that. They have a zero-waste policy where all of their waste is recycled, whether it be plastic, aluminium, glass, printer toners, cardboard – nothing reaches the landfill. Akamuti also use a mixture of materials for their packaging. The PET containers are fully recyclable, phthalate and BPA free. NB since writing this, they seem to have swapped this container for an aluminum tin.

This hand cream is one of three in their range of handcare. Scented with lime, lemon and a dash of lavender, this Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter smelt so good that we had to stop ourselves from slathering it all over our arms and torso! it smells divine and we recommend spreading a generous amount on your hands and nails, particularly after washing to replenish oils and moisture. This award-winning Cuticle Moon Butter (The Green Parents Natural Beauty Awards Best Buy 2016) is enriched beeswax and honey (from the forests of Zambia and Ethiopia), and organic cocoa butter to combat dryness. The lemon oil is a natural nail treatment to help cleanse, purify and strengthen with its natural antiseptic properties. The organic virgin cocoa butter has nutrients essential for skin repair to feed your dry hungry skin. The Akamuti Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter 50ml can be purchased here for £6.95

Jonathan Ward – Roscuro Candle

We don’t know about you, but when we eventually flop down on our sofa after work, we think that there’s nothing better than relaxing, watching a flickering candle flame and surrounding ourselves with a gorgeous fragrance. And as regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog we’re big fans of candles! As the nights draw in with this unpleasant dank autumnal weather, it’s speeded up our search to find exotic scented candles to uplift our flagging spirits. Today we wanted to share with you one of our latest #amazingfinds and candle discoveries with ‘Roscuro’ from Jonathan Ward.

Jonathan Ward is a British home fragrance producer, who makes hand-poured candles using organic coconut oil, bees and vegetable waxes. They are all about clean-burning. These candles are certified organic by the Soil Association and the brand has fast become something of a pioneer in the world of home fragrances. Jonathan Ward made his foray into fragrance back in 1979 developing his first-ever perfume. Fast forward into 2018, where together with his European partners in Greece and London he developed his first candle collection ‘Scent of Time’.

This collection is a combination of thirteen candles all inspired by historical figures and their legacies, but in a rather unique way represented through fragrance. We were very kindly sent ‘Roscuro’ to try. This is candle is inspired by the artist Caravaggio, where ‘chiaroscuro’ defines his painting technique of creating ‘light and shade’. For those not familiar with Caravaggio, let us explain, he is probably best known for his painting ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’ where he uses a painting technique bringing people and objects from the shadows into the light. Talking of light, we lit this candle last night and can happily confirm that it gave a glorious aroma with a heart-warming fragrance blending base notes of Bailloni wood and amber; hints of iris, honey, and hay giving it a delicacy, and shots of prune and patchouli as top notes. Particularly now with the sun so low in the sky creating dramatic shadows as the days shorten, this candle’s fragrance takes us seamlessly through a journey from autumn to winter. Best of all, its hypnotic aroma fills the room without being overpowering.

This elegant candle is contained in a glamorous double old fashioned style whisky glass which is perfect for repurposing for a second life. We also love their use of the traditional GF Smith British papers used for the stylish boxes and labels. Not forgetting to mention their double cotton wick which allows the candle to burn cleanly for up to 45 hours. Jonathan describes this candle as ‘warm nostalgia’, and we couldn’t agree more. He has an excellent nose for an enticing fragrance and now we’ve experienced the mesmerising Roscuro - we’ll certainly be returning to try more. These candles are available exclusively online here for £40 (240 mg); or at one of their eight partner shops here in London, Los Angeles, Hove, Stockport or Fife.

Hair, Nail & Cutlicle and Foot Masques by 7th Heaven

If you fancy a quick salon-like experience, look no further than the range of body and hair masques by 7th Heaven. We at The Amazing Blog are big fans of an at-home pamper session, and these affordable yet luxurious masques are ideal. Even better, the masques are all vegan and cruelty-free.

Give your tresses a moisture boost, with the Hair Masques infused with nutritious ingredients including papaya, coconut oil, argan oil and honey. The masques are packed with natural nutrients, to nourish hair, treat dry tips and support follicle growth. You will be left with shinier, healthier locks.  Although perhaps a trivial matter of concern, finger nails also require strengthening and nourishment. For which, 7th Heaven's Strengthen Nail & Cuticle Finger Masque provide conditioning and protection with argan and macadamia oils and pomegranate. These are especially great for strengthening and nourishing your nails in between nail polish wears. For an all over hand treatment, the Softening Glove Masques deliver grounded shea nuts and pressed soybeans, bidding adieu to dry, chapped and rough hands.

You can't forget the feet, as they really do take the brunt of the work. If you're always on your feet, out and about, the heels can get cracked and dry. 7th Heaven's foot range includes the Smooth Heels Masque, made from natural sweet almond oil and shea butter, to deeply moisturise, smooth and soften those heels. To further pamper those feet, pop on a pair of Soften Sock Masques. In addition to almond oil and shea butter, the sock masques contain soybean to further rehydrate the feet.

Purchase 7th Heaven masques in stores such as Boots, Wilko and Claire's, or online from their official Amazon page from £1. 

Spreads - Savvy, Keen Nut Butter, Erbology and Ogilvy's

We are surrounded by so many healthy and so-called ‘delicious’ alternatives to our favourite toast toppers and sandwich fillers. Here at The Amazing Blog, we have compiled our favourite natural spreads that will give our usual peanut butter and chocolate spread a run for their money. Today we are so aware of what we are putting into our body and Savvy Spreads, Keen Nut Butter, Erbology and Ogilvy’s will ensure we remain beautiful from the inside out.

Firstly, we are bringing you a taste of the Mediterranean with Savvy’s Sweet Sesame Spreads in three different flavours, Carob & Honey, Chocolate and their award-winning Date.

Astoundingly, there are only up to 5 ingredients in each spread, and each is from a totally natural source. The founder of Savvy Spreads uses an ancient Mediterranean preserve recipe and gave it a 21st Century update for all the family to enjoy. We had full confidence that we were spreading pure nutrition on our morning toast and it felt great. Savvy Spreads can be used in sandwich fillers, cake flavouring, crepes and even porridge toppers. All spreads are gluten free and vegan friendly. We loved that it satisfied our sweet tooth without damaging our health. But don't just take our word for it, try out these delicious healthy spreads for yourself here.  

We are particularly excited at the discovery of a mouth-watering and all-natural nut butter. Peanut butter fanatics will love Keen Nut Butter, an indulgent creamy spread free from added sugar, salt and artificial flavouring.

There is a wide range of flavours to choose from, something most nut butter brands are lacking. We had the opportunity to try the Triple Nut flavour and were not disappointed. The divine smell itself left our stomachs rumbling before we’d even tried it, and we loved the rich taste and buttery texture. It melted beautifully on warm toast to provide us with a nutritious and indulgent breakfast or a midday snack. If you’re keen to get your hands on this guilt-free nut butter get your own here for £2.99 per jar. 

If jam is more up your street, we have the perfect organic substitution. Erbology have created a range of delicious Sea Buckthorn jams, of which we had the opportunity to try the apple flavour.

Rather than a simple sugar high, these jams contain a host of vitamins, minerals and Omega 3,6,9 + 7 that is rarely found in such a concentrated form. As avid beauty enthusiasts, we were ecstatic to learn that the antioxidants in the jam promotes healthy skin and hair. Radiant skin and thick shiny locks while satisfying sweet cravings, that’s our kind of spread!  We thought it made a tasty topping to our porridge and a delectable addition to afternoon tea scones, along with a spoonful of clotted cream. If you want to watch your waistline but don’t want to give up your favourite sweet spreads, try out the Sea Buckthorn Apple jam here for £8.90. 

Last, but not least, Ogilvy’s has produced a British honey range with a difference.

The nectar collected to create the honey comes from a wide variety of plants and flowers, which gives each one its own unique taste. We were lucky enough to try the Borage, Heather and Wildflower honeys. We loved the traceability of these spreads; the Borage nectar was collected in Warwickshire, the Heather nectar in the Derbyshire Peak District, while the Wildflower nectar came from gardens and hedgerows in the heart of England. The differing textures, richness and fragrances provided a refreshing variety. The runnier Borage honey was great as a sweetener in porridge or in warm drinks. Whereas the Heather honey was rich and thick which made it an ideal toast topper. Check out the range of Ogilvy’s British honey range here for just £5.59 each.