Pura Vida Organic: CBD Face Mask CBD and CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum

As we always say, taking care of your skin should be the number one priority, and as we move into a new season with spring this is the time to look into changing your skincare routine. We've already recently introduced Pura Vida with their CBD haircare collection here, so today we’re back with more of Pura Vida's award-winning CBD products. As our regular readers will know we love all things CBD, and this time it’s with the Pura Vida CBD Face Mask and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum. 

Pura Vida Organic was founded in 2015 by Jennifer Deegan. The brand was developed specifically for problematic and sensitive skin, using the purest ingredients. The brand focuses on organic CBD products, where sustainability is at the heart of the brand, with recyclable plastic and boxes made of 25% grass pulp, recycled paper and cardboard. Even the labels use vegetable dyes and vegan-friendly glue.  90% of the products are handmade offering both the personal touch, and a decrease in energy consumption from mechanical production. Pura Vida Organic's primary ingredient is CBD (THC-free) broad-spectrum or isolate. In 2018, Pura Vida Organic passed the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA (CGMP) and the international standard for quality management systems (ISO9001). In 2019, they were the first CBD skincare production facility to obtain the COSMOS Organic and Natural certification, allowing them to have their organic and natural skincare commercialised world-wide. They have experience in distribution, wholesale and manufacture, but makes sets Pura Vida apart from other CBD brands is their organic ingredients. Pura Vida Organic is proud to have one of the most comprehensive ranges of organic CBD products which range from CBD oil, to baby care, men’s, body care, skincare and haircare. They are Bronze winners for their full body care range at the recent Cosmetique Mag 2021.

This time Pura Vida kindly sent us two skincare products: the CBD Face Mask  and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum The luxurious CBD face mask is packed with plant-based nutrients. The base is comprised of kaolin clay, camellia sinensis (AKA as green tea seed oil) and mango seed butter. Together these feed, nourish, calm, and deeply cleanse the skin of impurities; gently sloughing away dull dead skin and absorb impurities from the pores. The 300mg of CBD isolate counteract free-radical damage and visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin dullness, and red-coloured skin tone. The magnolia bark extract successfully combats breakouts, and oily skin. It has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine containing magnolol and honokiol compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. There are rosehip and passionfruit seed oils here to boost vitamin C and omega-6 linoleic acid. The rose flower extract is high in vitamin C and also tannins, offering toning and antioxidant benefits to prevent signs of ageing. Finally, the calendula flower extract (AKA marigold) has skin-soothing and antioxidant properties and helps reduce the production of excessive sebum. This face mask is undoubtedly one of the gentlest that we’ve tried. It’s not grainy or abrasive and applies smoothly over the skin. We used it 2 or 3 times a week and found it left our skin soft and hydrated. With all its nutrient-rich skin food, we’d recommend it to those needing a skin boost or as something to calm irritated and sensitive skins. Apply a generous layer of face mask to your clean skin and relax for 20-30 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water, and splash with cold water to close your pores. To purchase the CBD Face Masks in 30ml for €29.00, click here. 

The CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum is a lightweight serum designed to hydrate the delicate eye area and reduce dark circles and puffiness.  With 200mg of CBD and cannabis sativa seed oil (cold pressed from hemp seeds) these help to moisturise and nourish while also helping strengthen the skin barrier. The chlorella vulgaris (green algae) extract stimulates the skin cells and increases the skin's firmness and tone, lightening the effect on dark circles. It has seawater with hydrolyzed algin (this binds the water) to minimise the size and puffiness of any undereye bagging. The polysaccharides here are responsible for the skin's natural ability to hydrate, retain moisture and are critical for skin repair and skin renewal. The raspberry seed oil is for a slightly brightening effect, reducing any redness or swelling. The butterfly lavender (French lavender) extract boosts blood circulation with a tightening and smoothing the skin. And finally, there’s also the magnolia bark extract, rosehip and passionfruit seed oil (see above para). This Eye & Wrinkle Serum we couldn’t get enough of! What a difference this made to the eye area after little or no sleep…. The Serum calms, soothes and magically seemed to lighten and tighten the area.  We used morning and night until… empty! In particular, we noticed how it minimalised fine lines and plumped up the skin so dark circles seemed to disappear! Pura Vida also recommends gently massaging the Serum into  face, neck and décolletage with circular upward motions - although with this tiny 10ml bottle we think it rather a waste!  We loved this Serum and really noticed an increase in firmness and tone in our delicate eye area. This is without doubt, another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase Pura Vida's CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum in 30ml for €45.00, click here. 

GLOWWA™ - Hair Food

We can’t believe how long our hair is with #lockdown and no hairdresser appointments! They say that hair is a woman’s crowning glory, and some of us here at The Amazing Blog have noticed a growth spurt of at least 4” in the past few months. The upside, is all the different hairstyles to play with ponytails, French braids, updos, curls etc. The downside, is it urgently needs cutting and colouring. However, something we do realise is that we need to give it some TLC and maintenance, ideally feeding the roots to keep it strong and healthy.  This is where the Hair Food a supplement from GLOWWA™ comes in with its unique vegan-based vitamins for promoting healthy hair growth. 

GLOWWA™  recently launched as a brand specialising in hair and beauty supplements to help women feel their best. As mentioned GLOWWA™ is 100% vegan, they are also passionate about being a clean, cruelty-free and plastic-free brand working towards a plastic-free planet. Plus, there is no gluten, dairy, wheat, sugar or artificial flavourings/colourings to be found in any of their capsules. As they say, healthy hair starts from the inside out, together with food, lifestyle and stress which all contribute to the rate of growth and quality of the hair. With the recent Editor’s Choice win in the 2021 The Beauty Shortlist Awards, the Hair Food is fast gaining well-deserved recognition. With every order placed, GLOWWA™ commits to planting a tree in an area that need support in mitigating climate change, or damaged ecosystems. We like how they want to make a difference.

We were kindly sent a month’s supply with the 60 Capsule Hair Food  which provides daily nutritional support for thicker, healthier hair, adding improved conditioning, and shine. This supplement contains no GMO’s or bulking agents. Instead, they have high strength biotin, vitamins C and B3, B5, B6,B12; MSM and zinc citrate. The main ingredient here is biotin, also known as vitamin H, which plays an essential role in growing our hair, skin, and nails. Vitamins B5, B6 and B12 help strengthen and condition the hair. Zinc citrate plays a vital role in hair growth and repair to help us avoid hair loss! Most importantly, MSM is a sulphur-rich compound with anti-inflammatory properties which influences hair growth and retention. GLOWWA™ recommends taking two capsules daily for a minimum of 90 days for best results. We tried GLOWWA™ hair food for a month, we did notice a slight difference with nail strength and some new downy hair that appeared on our hairline. However, we’d recommend trying the full 90-day course here, as this needs to be continued on for the 90 day period to see more evident results. GLOWWA™ hair food is delivered in a stylish recyclable blush pink cylindrical container. It can be purchased, click here for £34.99 for 60 capsules or a 12 week course at £94.99 click here.

EarHub: Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs

Did you know that apart from irritability and fatigue, sleep deprivation can also lead to imbalanced and dehydrated skin? And as tomorrow is World Sleep Day (yes, there really is such a day!) we at The Amazing Blog, thought we’d review the perfect partner to aid a peaceful night’s sleep, the simple, reusable and invaluable:  EarHub’s Sleepwell Silicone Earplugs.  

EarHub is a UK based company specialising in developing and delivering a range of superior ear protection. It was launched in 2020 with a purposeful mission to raise awareness, and educate the consumer about ear health and wellbeing, by providing premium foam and soft silicone earplugs. According to EarHub’s Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, “Many people will be struggling to sleep because of a noisy sleep environment and these Earplugs may significantly help to improve the quality of sleep by reducing noises such as a snoring partner.  These earplugs may reduce usual background noises and snoring (45 decibels - 65 decibels) by as much as 50%. This is a small price to pay for a good quality night's sleep which can not only make you look and feel better.” If you’re having some trouble sleeping, you should know that you’re not alone, since 51% of adults worldwide get less sleep than the average amount needed. As EarHub claims these earplugs can reduce the background noise by 50%, think what a difference that will make if you live with a snoring partner or pet! As we’re based in the heart of a noisy city - we couldn’t wait to put these to the test!

The company kindly sent us a 6-pair-set of  Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs. Did you know that damage occurs at noise levels over 80 decibels?  And you’d be surprised where this noise level occurs, think a busy restaurant or an electric lawnmower. Astonishing, isn’t it? That’s why we now like to keep a set of these to hand. These silicone earplugs come in a convenient travel case, making them easy to transport or store. A huge plus for us is that they’re BPA-free and environmentally friendly. Their reusable and only requires a quick wash with warm water and soap. We love their practicality; made of hypoallergenic silicone they mould comfortably to fit the ear forming an airtight seal over the ear canal. They not only block out noise, but also make the ear watertight, ideal for swimming or water sports. They actually reduce outside noise by 27 decibels which is a higher rate than other earplugs that we’ve tried.  They’re also so comfortable, that you almost forget you’re wearing them! BTW they’ve got a give away for a month’s worth of earplugs to mark World Sleep Day tomorrow, for to 5 lucky winners… so head over to their Instagram page here. To purchase Earhub Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs see here  for £8.99.

David Jourquin Paris: Cuir Mandarine Eau de Parfum

We think that a scent can immediately change your mood, bringing good memories back or creating new and exciting ones. Finding that one and only fragrance that encompasses your style, personality and suits each season - is a case of trial and error. This is why at The Amazing Blog we love exploring new olfactory experiences. Meet David Jourquin with and his inventive range of fragrance, today we are reviewing the delicious Cuir Mandarine.

David Jourquin created his fragrance company in 2011  after a lifetime of being surrounded by all sorts of olfactory inspiration. His mother always went to work wearing her famous leather coat and loved sprinkling tiny drops of perfume on the cushion pillows. His father smoked cigars and took David to the market in Pointe-à-Pitre,Guadeloupe, where he revelled in all the spices’ sweet, robust aromas. For David, these memories have shaped who he is today, and inspired him to recreate them in the form of his unique fragrances. Motivated by intense passion, each of his fragrances expresses a different facet of his intimate universe. Inspired by seasons and places he has created a core collection with Vendômen offering seven different Eau de Parfum where these scents are characterised by their personality and emotional impact. The Opéra collection are the refill flacons ready to be slipped into the leather coverings of the Vendôme Collection, or left bare, according to one’s desires and budget. For Jourquin, fragrances are emotional touchstones: "They speak the truth in a language that is invisible yet essential, intimate yet universal. My greatest joy is to share these fragrances with you, to create secret paths that bring us closer to ourselves so that in turn, we can get closer to others." We were excited to experience this magic.

We couldn’t wait to try one of his first launch fragrances with the much talked about  Cuir Mandarine which was a recent Gold winner with Best New Premium Fragrance at the 2020 Pure Beauty Awards.  it emits a very soft and slightly sweet unique mix of mandarin and leather. The square bottle itself is clad in hand-stitched calfskin with a solid wood grain top to accentuate its masculinity. The vibrant top notes of mandarin, pepper and lavender are very evident and immediately greet you. However, what makes this so unusual is the middle notes of leather and patchouli. The five different varieties of patchouli used originate from the mint family and are cultivated in tropical Asia. Here the patchouli has subtle musk that enhances the other fragrance notes. The base notes are the rich blond Virginian tobacco and amber which add a dimension to the sweet and earthy notes, holding everything in balance. Although Cuir Mandarin luxurious fragrance that is aimed at the male market with its timeless and classic scent and modern twist; we loved the sensual, rich, warm and sweet aroma which conjured up the change of seasons, taking us swiftly from autumn to winter.  It ‘s certainly a scent we’d recommend spritzing to uplift spirits and transport you to warmer climes even on a grey and wet English day! You can purchase Cuir Mandarin in 100 ml for €230 in 5 ml for €8.90 here. 

ST.. essentials: Eco-Friendly Shimming Body Glitter Gel & Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment

With Spring almost here, at The Amazing blog we just can’t wait for lighter mornings and longer days.  However, we’re still in need of adding a little sun-kissed shimmer to our dull wintery skin.  And what better way than to use some serious sparkle from a young and inclusive brand ST..essentials. 

ST..essentials recently launched last year, and is more than just makeup it’s a movement. The brand is founded by Sheena Ellington and Temi Alebiosu, two young women who are both passionate about cosmetics.  They have built this concept around their core brand values with a particular focus on inclusivity, making them a stand out from other traditional cosmetic brands. ST.. essentials wants to spread a message of positivity through their products, regardless of skin tone, sexuality or body size, so that everyone can glow!  Their cosmetics are cruelty-free, vegan and eco-friendly. Wherever possible, products are refillable and ingredients are natural. Their aim is to make their customers feel pretty and confident while also taking care of the planet, “Within the brand, it is very important that everybody who comes in to contact with our brand, feels an instant vibe of positive energy.” This artisan brand offers a range of products that are not only handmade but affordable and easy to use.

They sent us two products, the first was the Eco-Friendly Shimming Body Glitter Gel  in ST. Dhabi Gold. This is a must-have to get THAT glow and a great multi-purpose product that can be used on the face and body. We’d suggest using it as an brow shimmer or as a subtle touch to highlight cheekbones. It’s also perfect to use on the body to that dewy glistening look, and with the added plus of the vanilla oil, it gives out a sweet scent. Our personal favourite was to use it on our shoulders and decolletage to accentuate and catch the light. With the two different shades, it offers a choice of light or rich gold which will complement any skin tone. In the ingredients there is aloe vera which well known for its multiple benefits such as cooling and soothing; the macadamia nut oil here is filled with antioxidants, vitamins and essentials fatty acids, to nourish the skin as well as make it shine. The only ingredient here that we aren’t so keen on is the phenoxyethanol which depending on the amount in this product, may cause some skin irritation or sensitivity. The Shimming Body Glitter Gel works so well thanks to the eco-friendly tiny mica /titanium dioxide particles which gives the product its twinkle. this is, a natural ingredient that reflects ST..essentials' commitment to the environment. ST. Dhabi Gold here for £23.99, or as a refill at £10.99.

The brand also sent us their Eco-friendly Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment in Silver Coast Once again, we loved the versatility of this product as it can be used on the face, body, hair or nails (under clear polish). Indeed, not only perfect for an ultra-reflective eye look but also perfect for adding a body highlight - we even used it with a stencil to create some body art. We recommend applying a small amount of a plant-based balm either with a brush or your fingers. This can be anywhere on your body, face, hair. Then sprinkle some Loose Glitter on it and you’re good to go. Please use with caution, when applying around your eye area due to the fine particles which might fall into the eye. It’s easy to remove and washes off with warm water and soap, or by using regular makeup remover. You’ll love experimenting with this Silver Coast Eco-Friendly Loose Glitter as well as their other six colours in the range, perfect for creating your own super-glam looks for getting ready for après-lockdown and the summer festivals (fingers crossed!). We feel it's important to highlight once again, that the pigments used here in both products are made using the finest of earth's natural ingredients, natural mica, a soft silicate mineral that can be found in many forms. You can purchase the Eco-friendly Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment (in silver Coast) in 5g here for £7.00.  These cosmetics will make you glitter like a goddess - even during lockdown!