Therapie - Himalayan Detox Bath Salts

I owe a big thank you to my dear friend Fiona at The Beauty Shortlist who yet again, first introduced me to another new brand Therapie  (in fact the Himalayan Detox Bath Salts won The Beauty Shortlist ‘Best Bath Salts 2013 Award’). So you can imagine how thrilled we were when they arrived at The Amazing Blog for us to try. We unanimously concluded that this is a very special brand indeed.  Michelle Roques O’Neil is the name behind the brand (and also hailed by Vogue as one of their top 10 aromatherapists) and what we love is that she is very passionate about all her products.

In fact, each of her products are lovingly hand-blended and designed to help us all create more ‘me time’. They are truly nurturing. Perfect for those of you, who like me, are time poor, on the go and constantly clock watching. When I first used these extraordinary Himalayan Detox  Bath Salts in my bath at the end of the day, I quite literally felt like I’d ‘washed away’ my everyday tensions and stress -  it was glorious. The pink mineral salts are instantly effective by drawing out physical toxins and helping your body find an equilibrium.  These Himalayan Detox Bath Salts contain a combination of genuine Himalayan Salts, Geranium, Rosewood, Patchouli, Lavender, Juniperberry Lemongrass, Grapefruit and powdered Amethyst. All of these ingredients are designed to work together balancing  pH levels and the positive and negative ions.  I also used these Detox Bath Salts in conjunction with the rather wonderful Cherish skin repair body serum  which Fiona from The Beauty Shortlist also recommended. It has an exotic sweet floral fragrance with Ylang Ylang paired with soft, green Rose Geranium illuminated with sweet fresh citrus notes and a dusky hint of Musk. It has revitalising, healing and skin boosting essential oils, all of which help to condition, repair and protect.  The end result is fabulously toned and lustrous skin. Totally delicious!

So, if you too have been run-ragged all week and are in need of some serious revitalisation then I cannot recommend these Therapie products highly enough. Each of Michelle Roques-O’Neil’s products are specifically developed for the body and you’re in for a big treat not only physically but also mentally. After just one bath and body treatment I promise that you’ll sleep like a baby! We are very fortunate to offer a limited time discount code for the Himalayan  Detox Salts 500gm pouch. Simply enter AMZ20 and receive 20% OFF the retail price. This discount begins today and is valid through the 30th of June. While the discount only applies to the 500gm pouch their other products are surely well worth the price. The Himalayan Detox Salts are also available in a stonking big 400ml jar for£35.00 and the Cherish Skin Repair Serum  is £42 for a generous  200ml bottle - both available here. 

ManCave Moisturiser

Since I work with a bunch of girls, I often get forced to try different kinds of skincare products for men. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say “forced”, since I will admit,  I have started to take a slight interest in my own skincare routine. All I hear day in and day out are beauty tips, so I’m guessing some of them are beginning to sink in. The one tip that has always been stressed is the importance of a good moisturiser. I just can’t seem to get that tip out of my head, so when ManCave Moisturiser arrived at The Amazing Blog office, I was eager to try it out.

I decided to use ManCave in the morning during usual skincare routine. After shaving and washing my face I used a small amount of the moisturiser on both my face and neck. The texture was nice and did not feel too heavy on my skin, which is one that thing that I absolutely hate. This moisturiser is designed to hydrate your skin, protect you from harmful UV rays and stimulate your skin with the help of caffeine. Although I did not notice the effects of the caffeine, the hydrating qualities were like nothing I had experienced. I found that this moisturiser not only made my skin feel great but it was so different from all the other beauty products that come through our office - I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. From its sports inspired packaging, witty product description as well as the results I received from it, the ManCave Moisturiser is definitely something I will continue to use.

If you are interested in getting your own ManCave Moisturiser, it's avaible on their website as well as your local Sainsbury’s for £9.50. And for all the ladies out there, this is a great gift for the men in your life. You may have to convince him to use it at first but once you do, he won't be able to stop.

Bilton Basics Cookery Book

If there is one thing I have learned from working with the lovely ladies here at The Amazing Blog it is that women admire a man who can cook. Personally, I think cooking can be a bit overwhelming. And with all those wordy and dull recipe books out there, I have never had a desire to learn more. But with my recent discovery of Timothy Bilton’s new Bilton Basics cookery book, there is a change in the air. From the opening pages, Bilton claims that he has designed this book as a simple and straightforward guide to learning the skills of cooking. The words ‘simple’ and ‘straightforward’ grabbed my attention immediately and after thumbing through the first few recipes I couldn’t seem to put the book down.

While this book is indeed simple, Bilton takes a rather wholesome approach to the skills of cooking. Starting from the beginning, Bilton explains various cooking techniques including boiling, poaching, stewing, braising, roasting, frying, baking, and steaming. I was familiar with these terms but never fully understood them. His instructions make learning these techniques quite easy. This cook book covers a large range of foods from Baked Scallops and Scottish Salmon to Venison and Lamb. If you are not too fond of the seafood or game dishes, he has also included some sweets such as Puddings, Yorkshire Ice Cream and Rhubarb. Being a big steak fan myself, I would love to master Bilton’s Yorkshire Flat Iron Steak. It seems like a fairly simple recipe and hopefully with a few tries I should be able to make it at least somewhat appetising. And for dessert, I definitely want to experiment with Bilton’s Rhubarb creations. Although I will say, the chocolate tart looks equally delicious. With just a quick glance through this book you’ll see why all his dishes are enticing. Each recipe is complimented with a beautiful photograph courtesy of David Walker that is sure to get your taste buds tingling.

Bilton Basics captures the true cooking choreography that all recipe books should, one of delicious dishes, clear recipes, beautiful images, and a little bit of story and wit. Timothy Bilton has turned complexity into simplicity - making it easy to learn some luxurious recipes and cooking skills. For £25 you can began to surprise the women in your life with your new-found cookery. It’s a purchase you won’t regret. Available direct from Butchers Arms at 014 8468 2361 or info@thebutchersarmshepworth.co.uk and also on amazon.

Black & Taylor - Archie Black's Dog Soap

What a wonderful discovery we made at The Amazing Blog with the handmade soap company Black & Taylor. Our dear and recently departed four-legged friend Mojai was just the perfect guinea pig for their Archie Black’s Dog Soap . In fact, you couldn’t ask for a better subject to test out a specific ‘doggy bar’ of handmade soap. Mojai was ‘super’ hairy with a rather unique double-coat, he had the most amazing undercoat which comprised of oodles and oodles of the very softest fluff.  He was also rather partial (thank goodness) to bath-time.  This dog soap contains Sunflower Oil which is rich in vitamins A, D, and E and is easily absorbed by the skin. And is scented with Lavender and Citronella Essential Oils which act as a natural bug repellent. All of which is extremely useful for those of you who have pets – with Summer approaching and with all the nasty beasties that are lurking in the long grass. It is easy to use and lathers up nicely. I was apprehensive as I wondered if it would leave a ‘knotty’ matted coat that I would spend hours combing out. But I’m happy to report that both pet and owner were extremely happy with the result – and with the price at £3.95.

Black & Taylor don’t just produce a Dog Soap they have a wonderful selection of products for humans. We were particularly taken with the Gift Sets like Gardeners and the Patchouli & Rosewood. I also love the idea of  Black & Taylor Wedding Favours.  Where you can choose up to any two soaps from their entire range of special wedding gifts for guests. i.e. Rose Geranium and Sunflower Blush for the ladies and Patchouli & Rosewood for the gents. All of which can be made into heart shapes or blocks and wrapped in a variety of coloured Organza bags to match the wedding day colours. Black & Taylor soaps are vegetable oil based, meaning they do not use animal fats and are scented using high quality essential and fragrance oils. Each of their soaps are genuinely handmade using a centuries old process that ensures each bar is of the highest quality. They will not dry your skin as they have absolutely no detergents or harsh ingredients. We are sold on this great little British soap company and their prices - starting from £3.95 on their website. We particularly love the way that these handmade soap last so much longer than commercial soaps. So throw away that supermarket brand and back British!  

MyChelle - Fabulous Eye Cream

As many of you will know from reading our blog we’re fans of the MyChelle brand and recently reviewed their  Deep Repair Cream. When it came to their other ‘hero’ product, it was a big toss-up as to who was going to review their  Fabulous Eye Cream. However, it was a case of ‘Age over Beauty’ and I insisted that my needs were far great than that of my dear young colleagues…

In my experience eye creams can either be too heavy and greasy or very light leaving an unsightly residue all around the eye area. Fabulous Eye Cream is neither. I’m pretty sceptical when it comes to eye creams and their ‘promise’. I’ve spent way too much money on creams that are (the above) or just don’t deliver. I’ve been using this Fabulous Eye Cream for over a month and a half now and find that this little tube goes a very long way – I’ve barely made a dent in it. The cream feels very luxurious and is immediately absorbed into my skin. It smells slightly floral but not overpowering.

MyChelle’s advanced formula is designed to nourish the delicate eye area. They claim that the Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem (Edelweiss Plant) Stem Cell Culture which inhibit collagen breakdown and are clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth by 15% after only twenty days of use. It also contains the magical ingredient of Sodium Hyaluronate (L) (Hyaluronic Acid) - Hyaluronic Acid from mucopolysaccarides, which as we all know binds moisture within the skin, giving a smoothing and firming effect.  Other key ingredients are Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract an antioxidant, which improves collagen content, renews collagen related to weakened connective tissues, prevents scar tissue formation by slowing down excessive collagen production at wound sites; stimulating circulation and the oxygenation of skin tissues. And Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract which provides soothing and cooling effects to ease irritated skin, has been shown to be moisture-binding, moisture-regulating with softening properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, bleaching effects, which  improves flavonoid protections and nourishes the skin.

Well, yes I have noticed a difference, subtle but definitely a difference particularly the softening of lines around my eyes. What I particularly like is that this Fabulous Eye Cream is ‘natural’ with only naturally derived ingredients (definitely my thing…) I’ve also used it on my lip area at night and have seen a noticeable ‘smoothing’ in that area too. I’m surprisingly won over by this product and love the way it seems to be just lasting and lasting. While normally £19 for only 15ml we are lucky enough to offer a 50% discount! For the next month simply(ENDS 6nd June 2013) enter AMAZING50 upon checkout and receive this incredible deal. It truly woks out to be a great value for the money. Recommended!