Friday Favourites: Face Masks

There is nothing better for your body and mind than the occasional pamper day. It is utterly imperative to take the time to give your face and body the attention it needs. We at The Amazing Blog follow a strict rule of giving ourselves a full-blown pamper session at least once a month because it helps us take a moment to breathe, reflect and slow down. Today we've featured a wide range of faces masks so whatever you skin type or budget we think we've got it covered!

If you are like us, then you’re in need of some interstellar relaxation, and the only brand that can meet such space-age promises is Spacemasks. We love that each mask has a stylish star-studded cover so you could literally use it anywhere; at home or on the go. Each box contains five masks guaranteed to whisk you to a world of peace. 

These masks are the perfect way to get your well-deserved beauty rest. Scented with jasmine essence, these masks are incredibly soothing. Added bonus? They heat up when opened, which left us feeling warm and cosy. It was a fantastic way to literally melt away all the stress of the day and drift off to a more beautiful world as we slept.  It is so easy to use this product, just open the pouch and unfold the mask. Then gently place it over your eyes and fit the loops over your ears.  The mask will start heating up pretty quickly as the oxygen reacts with the iron particles in the product. Leave it on for 15 minutes as you drift off to a space far away from Earthly stresses. 

For a better night’s sleep, reduce eye strain and relieve tiredness you can purchase your pack of 5 masks here for £15.00.

The second mask for your next pamper day that we would recommend is the Retexturing Radiance Mask from Lucia Magnani Skincare. One of most luxurious range of skincare that we've seen in a while, we all fell in love with this beautiful faux tortoise shell pot. This brand has a fundamental philosophy that helps them develop all of their products. They believe that their products should help bring out everyone's inner beauty to equip you with a natural radiance and a confident glow. 

This mask has a unique formula based on the individual properties found in the waters and mud of Castrocaro Terme in Italy. It is enriched with antioxidants CoQ10, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E. The combination of these ingredients helps the mask to regenerate, strengthen and preserves the skin's structure. The mask works to keep skin looking youthful and radiant. The presence of minerals and other key ingredients with an astringent effect reduces the size of pores, signs of redness and skin irregularities. We found that our skin was looking brighter and more radiant after use, making it the perfect product to lift you when you’re feeling a bit worse for wear. 

The product is the most effective when used 2-4 times a week. Just massage directly onto cleansed skin and leave to dry for around 5-20 minutes before rinsing off. We'd certainly like to try more products from this skincare range. You can purchase the face mask here as part of their 6 part Ben Essere skincare set for £590 which contains all the brands signature products.

The next mask we wanted to introduce you to is the steinEY from Soley.  Containing Wild Icelandic Herbs and Volcanic Ash, this face mask will make you feel Scandi chic in 10 minutes.

The face mask contains minerals that regulate and balance skin, stimulate cellular metabolism and strengthen skin tissues while also reducing the signs of ageing. Packing in an exfoliating effect, the mask will also help to even out skin texture by removing dead skin cells, toxins and other impurities. The rich volcanic clay from Eyjafjallajökull and the Wild Icelandic birch promote the skin’s natural equilibrium, meaning you will be looking like your best self in no time. Mix ½ a teaspoon of the mask with ½ a teaspoon of water and apply evenly to clean skin with fingertips once a week. Leave it on until it dries and turns a light grey, which should take roughly 10 minutes. You can purchase the mask here for £38

Last, but by no means least, we wanted to introduce you to the Chlorella-Algae Mask from one of our favourite brands, ISUN.

This mask is suitable for all skin types and is ideal for people looking for a calming and hydrating gel mask. The mask contains superfood ingredients such as Chlorella-algae and Aloe Vera, which calms, nourishes, soothes and firms the skin. The lavender and rosemary oils in the mask help to enhance the skin-soothing properties and make this a sensory experience as well as a rejuvenating one. We think that this mask is particularly good for those with sensitive skins and the co-owner Tracey Annette suggested: "Chlorella Algae Mask mixed with plain Natural Yoghurt is also excellent for hyper-sensitive skin conditions such as Rosacea." We're already fans for iSuncare skincare and have to say that this mask left our skin feeling more toned and hydrated and we also liked how fresh-faced we felt all day long. You can purchase the ISUN mask here for £52.00

No pampering session is complete without a face mask and we hope you enjoy trying our favourites too. Make your next ‘me time’ all that bit more special.

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!

GelTouch Mini Starter Kit

Calling all aspiring nail aficionados; here at The Amazing Blog we think that we've found you the ultimate talon-transforming product. GelTouch has now released a Mini Starter Kit, which claims to transform any nail polish into a high-shine glossy gel finish, just perfect for nail novices. We love the idea of salon-quality nails from home, and all in mere minutes!

The Starter Kit comes with a mini LED lamp that transforms each nail in seconds, a GelTouch Top Coat and Cleansing Wipes. They recommend that you allow your regular nail polish at least 20-30 minutes to dry on your nails. Then once the polish is completely dry, apply a thin coat of GelTouch Top Coat; cure your nails under their LED Lamp for 60 seconds. Finally, wipe the sticky residue from each nail using a Gel Cleansing Wipe. Do not fear; the nail polish won't be impossible to remove at home. They say: 'When you’re ready to remove, simply peel GelTouch off of your nails' (which we don't recommend!) We say lightly soak them in acetone.

The lamp comes with a USB power cable, so all you need to do is plug it into a laptop for example. The kit is so ‘mini’, that the lamp fits just the tips of your fingers on one hand and is genuinely portable. Why not take it away with you on holiday? We think that it's just perfect for manicures on the go!

Don’t let the size fool you though, it may be mini, but the staying power the combined effect of the GelTouch Top Coat and LED lamp gives your regular nail polish is mighty. The final bonus is it only takes 60 seconds to transform nails, into a chip-resistant, shiny result that can last up to ten days. vailable to purchase from ublondon.com for £24.99.

Friday Favourites-Skincare Feature

Today at The Amazing Blog, is our final post of 2017. With this in mind, we thought that we'd cover great skincare products for healthy skin to take you into the New Year. Regular readers will know, we're firm believers that a good skincare routine is the key for a glowing complexion. As such, we love to indulge our skin with the most efficient and hydrating skincare that we can find; and here are just a few of our favourite 'go-to' products:

The Hayo’u Treat-Rite de-stress Beauty Oil is one them. Hayo’u is a skincare brand that prides themselves on making fantastic skincare products inspired by ancient Chinese rituals. This face oil is a concentrated treatment that intensely nourishes skin while tackling signs of anti-ageing. The product is packed with essential oils including almond oil, Karanja oil, rice oil, camelia oil, white lotus oil, frankincense oil, lavender oil, ylang-ylang oil, jasmine oil and cedarwood oil. Together these most hydrating and relaxing ingredients work for a younger looking and rejuvenated skin. Purchase the Hayo’u beauty oil here for £33.

For those of you that like that luxurious packaging with a unique touch then Elizabeth Grant is the brand for you. Her glamorous Supreme Face Cream duo are a big hit at The Amazing Blog. Formulated with gold extracts, these creams promote a healthier, stronger and younger-looking complexion. The Day Cream is packed with botanical ingredients including blue-green algae, gold, yeast, lupin, olive oil, avocado oil, shea butter and vitamin E to name but a few! Gold extracts are well-known for their rich anti-oxidant properties as well as illuminating and revitalising the skin; while the avocado oil, shea butter and olive oil provide intense nourishment. 

The Night Cream also formulated with these gold extracts repairs and improves skin structure during the night. The moringa seeds, peptides, shea butter, olive oil, avocado oil, marula oil, vitamin E, ceramide and aloe vera included in the formula; makes the cream a highly hydrating product that protects, repairs and prevent skin from ageing. What make this product really stand out is the blue-green algae infusion; these algae help reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and skin pigmentation thus making it a must-have anti-ageing product. You can purchase the day and night duo here for £19.99.

What could be better than a multi-use product that cleanses, tones and hydrates the skin? Nothing immediately come to mind. Here the Botanicals Nourish Hydrating Mist seems to do it all. Formulated to suit all skin types, this mist helps promote a clearer and more balanced skin tone. Enriched with essential extracts and anti-oxidant such as rose oil, lavender oil, camellia oil, palmarosa oil and white tea; the mist gently cleanse skin while nourishing it. Perfect for keeping on our desk gently spritzing on our face against the dehydrating office central heating. The Nourish Hydrating Mist can be used on its own or to prepare skin for other treatments.You can purchase the Botanicals mist here for £20.

For those looking for that extra-hydration Kudu’s Squalane natural hydrating treatment oil is one of the best solutions. Made with pure Squalane derived from Mediterranean olives this oil nourishes, replenishes skin and works for a firmer and more even skin tone. Its lightweight formula is good for all skin types and it is easily applied and quickly absorbed. In the longer term, Squalane oil helps reduce lines and wrinkles and improves skin texture. This product is good multi-purpose oil and can be used on both the skin and hair.

Another favourite from the brand is the Bio-Active Hydration serum, specially crafted to provide extra-nourishment to the deepest layers of the skin, this serum pampers and repairs dry skin and sensitive skin. The blend of organic oils infused in the formula are bursting full of nutrients: Squalane, Gotu kola, jojoba, coconut, rosehip, grape, and marula oils. Not only do these ingredients moisturise skin, but also boost collagen production for a more supple skin. This effective mix promotes a more radiant, hydrated and replenished skin. Purchase the squalane here for £20.88 the bio-active serum here for £19.52

That's it from us. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Walford-Richards Designs - The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner

Cleaning brushes such a tedious task that we all tend to put off until there is no way to avoid it. At The Amazing Blog, we were as lazy and reluctant at cleaning brushes as anyone until we discovered Walford-Richards Designs The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner, a real revolution. The brush cleanser was created by James Walford-Richards who used his expertise to create a brush cleaner more efficient than any other in the market. The Best Makeup Brush Cleanser is hand-poured in the UK and contains ethically sourced ingredients; it is also cruelty-free and is produced with Vegan ingredients.

This handcrafted brush cleansing balm not only deeply cleanses make-up brushes and sponges but is also anti-bacterial and conditioning meaning that it enhances the longevity of the brushes leaving them clean and fresh.  This highly effective, beautifully scented brush cleanser is essential to any make-up enthusiast or artist and should be part of a regular routine. Unclean brushes collect dust, dirt and plenty of bacteria which in turn transfers onto your skin creating spots and blemishes. This brush cleaning balm helps you take the best care of your skin.

At The Amazing Blog, we absolutely love this quick and practical solution for cleaning our brushes. It's brilliant in the way it quickly deeply cleanses both brushes and sponges removing all make-up and build up, leaving them softer and fluffier than before. We must all add that this cleansing balm smells amazing and leaves a fresh and clean lemon scent on the brushes. This product impressed us and we'd recommend this without hesitation for cleaning and maintaining your make-up brushes. You can purchase the brush cleaner here for £25.00.