The London International Mime Festival

The London International Mime Festival is back, so catch this while you can. The Festival is only here for a limited run from the 10th of January to the 3rd of February.  Be sure not to miss these extraordinary, mesmerising and disciplined performers who are a treat to behold. We are so lucky to have the best of the best in the world of mime showcasing here on our doorstep. The London International Mime Festival as you’ve probably guessed is something of a favourite with us at The Amazing Blog and we're itching to get their hands on some of these very special tickets. 

Bêtes de foire by Petit Théâtre de Gestes/Association Z’Alegria at The Barbican Pit

With 16 performances spanning across London from Soho, the Barbican and even to the peripheries of Shoreditch; there's something for everyone.  Be it exquisite object and mechanical theatre from France, 19th century stage magic from Finland, a heart-warming Mexican wedding, or the breath taking new circus-theatre, which was at the start of the festival.

Peeping Tom's 32 rue Vandenbranden at The Barbican Theatre

First off we want to see the performance of UK premiere of the Belgium production ‘ Peeping Tom ‘ directed by Gabriela Carrizo (which won the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production) described as ‘….disturbing and oddly humorous. They explore an archetypal figure familiar to us all, in a production of astonishing physicality that defies characterisation.’ On at the Barbican Theatre, book your tickets here

Lebensraum by Jakop Ahlbom & Alamo Race Track at The Peacock Theatre

At the Peacock Theatre is Lebensraum, which is by the Dutch visual theatre masters, the brilliant Swedish director Jakop Ahlbom and Alamo Race Track. Their performance is in the genre of a silent movie, based on the magic of Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow. Quoted in the Telegraph as ‘Like a Charlie Chaplin skit penned by Harold Pinter’ book your tickets here.

Silent Movie Classics screened at the Barbican

Finally to mention, that earlier in the Festival this year rarely-seen silent movie classics with live piano accompaniment was shown. This included discussions, workshops in puppetry and physical/visual theatre led by internationally-renowned professionals. So you see there's something for everyone – enjoy!

Friday Favourite - Deodorants

This Friday The Amazing Blog is featuring some of our favourite new deodorants. We know that this is not a particularly 'glamorous' subject; however, we certainly regard it as an essential one. We invest hundreds, if not thousands of pounds a year on creams, perfumes and cosmetics, but most of us still buy the same brand of deodorant that we’ve been using for years! Think about it this way, you’re not still using the same mascara brand that you were at 14, so why are you using the same deodorant? We've compiled this post to show you some new options. Whatever you are looking for in a deodorant, we think that have found the perfect product for you.

The first on our list is a deodorant for men. 31st State is an amazing brand based in California (hence the name). Their products are inspired by the diverse Californian landscape, such as beaches, forests and mountains, where things seem a little less complex. As such they have created products to help make life as clean and effortless as possible. All of their products are designed for sensitive skin with no stinging or irritation. They are full of active ingredients, inspired by nature, designed to fight bacteria and soothe, with their well thought out ingredients.

Their roll-on deodorant is aluminium free and uses two strong anti-bacterial ingredients. The first is zinc which fights unwanted odours, together with silver, to combat microbes. Silver also acts as an effective anti-inflammatory and natural disinfectant. The product has a delicate masculine musk that is incredibly refreshing and promises not to overpower you like some other brands do. This is the perfect deodorant for the guy on the go and will keep you smelling good all day. Purchase it here for £5.99.

Next we have a spray deodorant specifically for women; The Damascene Rose Deodorant from the very special Spanish organic brand, Irati Organic.  Their ingredients are gathered from the farm of their parent company Josenea, a non-profit organisation who produce organic food and plants for all their healthcare and cosmetics brands. Key organic ingredients include rosa damascena flower water, pelargonium graveolens flower oil, rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil and salvia lavandulifolia leaf oil.

This deodorant is 100% free of aluminium, parabens, preservatives, dyes and synthetic perfumes making it ideal for those with sensitive underarms. The product uses essential oils to help neutralise any bad odours. It is extremely effective, with a gentle rose fragrance that isn't in the least bit overwhelming (unlike many others...) and scored as a big hit with our Exec Editor. It comes in an elegant glass bottle which merits display on any perfume shelf or vanity table. Simply spray under your arms and have a beautiful floral and fresh scent all day. You can purchase this deodorant here for roughly 11,95 €, (it is worth noting that while the prices are in Euros, the site uses PayPal).

For those of you who want to use an organic and natural roll-on deodorant, you have to try Deo Sensitiv from Giilnea Bio Organic. It is an innovative unisex product with powerful deodorising and anti-bacterial action. The product is alcohol-free and aluminium free using zinc, as well as rosemary-leaf extract and other active natural ingredients. The product is kind to the skin and will leave you feeling and smelling fresh all day long. It has a light, crisp and floral scent that reminds us of summer breezes. It does have a thicker consistency than you may be used to, but because it is a roll on, it is easily distributed across your skin. Purchase it here for £9.70.

Next on our list is the Deo Roll-on from Benecos which is another natural deodorant. We tried the Apricot and Elderflower fragrance which is very different to any other deodorant scent we have tried. Usually, deodorants are either fragrance-free or have a floral bouquet but they very rarely incorporate fruity scents like this one. What we love about this product is that the bottle is clear so you can see exactly how much is left. We think this would be a great product for a young adult new to the world of deodorant. The product is gentle and lets you perspire naturally while caring for the skin. You can purchase it here for £4.95.  

We hope that we have provided with some 'fragrant inspiration' and helped to save you from ruining any more of your beautiful dresses or shirts!

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.