Aura Organics : Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask

Let’s talk face masks; it’s something that we love at The Amazing Blog, and consider an essential part of our regular skincare routine. We were lucky enough to test out The Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask from Aura Organics, which won Best Exfoliating Product at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Aura Organics was founded in 2015 and is a small family run business by Danielle Andrean. It is a London based spa and beauty brand focusing on both beauty and wellbeing. Their motto is "Pura Vida", which translates to "pure life" and ties into their mission statement as a natural, organic and holistic brand. As they proudly state, "Our company policy is to always be environmentally friendly, always keep up to date on the most interesting new remedies from around the world. We are organic. We are natural." The brand was also awarded the "Silver Award" at the 2018 Free From Skincare Awards and was nominated again the following year too. Aura Organics has a physical space in London where they offer spa and yoga services. "We welcome you to Aura Spa. Our sacred space is where you can indulge in guilt-free beauty and wellbeing. We pride ourselves in high-quality service with our friendly all-female team." Their treatments range from facials and pedicures to massages and CBD tanning. Their yoga and wellness studio provides a variety of physical classes. You can pick between a relaxing yoga class or a high-intensity pilates class. Got a little one? You're in luck because Aura Organics also offers baby yoga. In addition to this, their wellness studio provides more spiritual workshops such as angel readings and meditation. The skincare range from Aura Organics is cruelty-free, as well as paraben and sulphate free. The brand is also free from harsh chemicals as they have an extensive knowledge of healing plants. They even use natural preservatives such as fermented radish and coconut (see below). Most importantly, the brand strictly highlights being an all-natural and organic range of skincare. Danielle said, "My experience in working within the mainstream skincare industry revealed many problematic, unnatural and cheap ingredients in a lot of products that lack nutritional value and cause skin irritation. This initiated the beginning of a mission to apply the knowledge I had learnt, alongside studying organic cosmetic chemistry to create wholesome and organic products." Aura Organics also uses special coloured glass bottles to help protect the product from harmful UV rays and keeps products free from contamination by plastics. Overall the brand offers a wide range of both skincare and services to help keep the skin glowing, the mind healthy, and the body active. 

What we loved was the Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask, which is said to help reduce clogged pores and leave the skin firmer, moisturised and radiant, The star ingredient here is honey. The brand specifically uses acacia mangium honey, which some have compared to manuka honey, but this is far more sustainable. The honey is imported from the Borneo rainforest, with the bees pollinate the abundance of acacia mangium trees. This honey (like most) is rich in nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc potassium calcium and copper, vitamin C and other antioxidants. However, acacia mangium honey, like manuka, it’s thought to help improve the healing time of wounds; making it a great choice to use if you have scarring or any common skin conditions like acne. Aura Organics says that they chose this honey as it's completely free from pollutants and supports the delicate ecological balance in its surroundings.

The Exfoliating Face Mask has a base of kaolin clay which is purifying and detoxifying, it gently cleanses the skin to remove dirt, grime, and general pollutants. It’s also infused with organic sweet orange oil and beta carotene-rich organic mango butter and extract. These both moisturise, are rich in antioxidants, stop dryness and help soothe any skin irritation.

For the exfoliant, the organic pineapple powder complements the bamboo extract, for a natural and gentle way to remove dead cells from the skin’s surface. Not only is bamboo high in antioxidants, but it contains large amounts of natural silica which strengthen and tighten the skin, that naturally retains moisture keeping the skin hydrated. It also naturally absorbs dirt and bacteria to keep pores clean, exfoliating the skin for better absorption of serums or moisturisers, in order to give a healthier-looking complexion. Finally, the fermented radish root and coconut are here as pure and natural preservatives - giving the product a safe and longer shelf life.

Packaged in a small metallic rose gold jar, we can only describe this mask as uplifting with its fruity and zesty scent. It smells almost good enough to eat! Whipped into a creamy paste, the kaolin clay combined with all the ingredients gives it a good thick texture, making it easy to spread generously and evenly on the face, neck and décolletage. We applied it as a mask and kept it on for about 10-15 minutes to hydrate and moisturise. Then gently massaged it in, using slow circular motions to exfoliate and eliminate all the dead skin, before rinsing off and patting dry. We love the natural and organic ingredients, and also how it leaves the skin super-soft and looking refreshed. Aura Organics recommends using this once or twice a week, followed by a soothing moisturiser. For us, it’s a keeper and another of our #amazingfinds. You can purchase the 100g Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask here for £12. 

Canax : Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules

It is no surprise with all its many natural benefits, that we’re big fans of CBD products at The Amazing Blog, and we wanted to share a new CBD discovery with Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules by Canax. It’s a product that has been primarily created to help ease some of the symptoms for women in perimenopause or menopause As well as being a Wellbeing Editor’s Choice winner at this year’s Beauty Shortlist Awards, they are also one of our #amazingfinds.

Canax was founded in 2020, based in Nottingham it’s the product of co-founders and best friends Jess Cohen and Sophie Garner, a paediatric nurse. They initially met through their husbands, who were football players for Nottingham Forest. The idea of creating premium CBD products started when Jess' mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (rare cancer that targets the plasma cells). Sophie said, "We came across CBD a few years ago, Jess's mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and she has found that CBD along with medical treatment has helped ease her daily anxieties and encourages sound sleep which is vital in any type of healing and recovery." As a nurse, Sophie had a first-hand account of how CBD helps her patients, and as mums, they know how overwhelming life can get. That's when Jess and Sophie realised they wanted to help others. They created Canax with a motto: less of the stress. "That's why our Mummy Gummies CBD range has been designed to fit perfectly around your own busy life, helping you take the edge off whenever you feel the need.” They are dedicated to providing only the highest quality organic THC-free CBD which is derived from a farm in Oregon, USA. Their products also offer a simple buying process with a rolling subscription service. All their ranges are organic, palm oil-free, and plant-based, meaning that Canax is suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike. Their best-known product, Mummy Gummies, has highly rated reviews and has been featured in major magazine publications. 

As mentioned earlier Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules has been created to aid the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Like all their other edibles, they contain absolutely no THC and are in a concentrated form of CBD Isolate only. Which is a purified crystalline form, and it is completely tasteless and odourless, which makes it the ideal candidate for use in edibles. It has soothing properties to help sleep, mood, and anxiety. In menopause, CBD is known to alleviate hot flushes and improve bone density by stabilising the hormone changes often caused by the menopause. CBD also has anti-inflammation properties that help cure acne for clear skin and ease rosacea.

The capsules are also made up of six other natural ingredients: Zinc, B12, B6, magnesium, vitamin C, and sage. Zinc is an essential element used for cell growth, hormone release, immune response and replication. Vitamin B6 and B12 have many advantages, and these two convert food into energy that helps create the organic chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Ultimately it helps with focusing, energy levels, and mood. Magnesium, another vital element, is crucial in producing energy, forming proteins, maintaining genes, and regulating the nervous system. Vitamin C, as you may know, is high in antioxidants. It helps protect the body's tissues from harmful free radicals and stabilises the linings of blood vessels. It can help soothe menopause symptoms such as varicose veins, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Vitamin C also helps reduce the risk of severe medical conditions like heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. Lastly, native to the Mediterranean region, sage can relieve symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. It has been used as a natural remedy for menopause for hundreds of years, and fun fact, sage is actually part of the mint family.

What we like about Canax is that they’re very transparent about what's in each product, and their website provides an ingredient list of each product and what they do. The recyclable pink and yellow hue pack contains 30 CBD capsules with 20 mg of CBD in each. They recommend taking one capsule daily as they are, or emptying into a glass of water. Regardless of whether you are menopausal or not, we think these capsules are a great way to get daily 20mg of CBD (and all the vitamins) particularly if you don’t like the hempy taste of the oils. The brand also recommends taking these capsules continuously to reap the benefits, "You need to give Mellow Meno 7-10 days to kick in and really see the wonderful effects it will have." To get full use of the product, it's best to store it in a cool and dry place. For us as regular CBD takers, this is a low dosage, however, we think they offer a great introduction to those who are newbies to CBD. You can make a one-time purchase of 30 capsules or buy a monthly subscription here for £39.99 or £31.99. 

Trelonk Cornwall : Molecular Wellbeing Head Strong #04

During the past year at The Amazing Blog, like so many, we’ve felt the need to surround ourselves with a blanket of calm. When Edwina was offered this stress-busting Molecular Wellbeing #04 Head Strong to judge for The Beauty Shortlist Awards, she leapt at the opportunity! It’s from the award-winning Cornish essential oil brand Trelonk best known for harnessing cutting-edge innovation in plant science.

Although Trelonk was officially launched in 2021 by Mark Parnall, Trelonk Estate, where the brand was conceived, has a rich agricultural history dating back between 1891-1907. Today, the Trelonk Estate goes back to its original farming roots by harnessing new agricultural technology and improving farming practices to grow and harvest specialist crops. Preparations for their brand “Trelonk” began in 2018, with Trelonk being incorporated into Parnall Group. Despite all the challenges COVID brought, the Trelonk website officially went live in Spring 2021. Founder Mark Parnall said, "Living through Covid-19 has caused a shift in attitude towards plant science, along with compelling research showing the effectiveness of particular plant molecules on human health." With a focus on plant technology and oils, Mark believes that there are remarkable opportunities to connect the origins of authentic Cornish crops and science to help those interested in natural remedies. The brand’s mission is to enhance health and wellbeing through sustainable farming operations that positively affect the environment. “By growing and processing on-site, we aim to provide full traceability and authenticity of the products, underpinned by regenerative farming methods and strong environmental credentials." This idea has won the brand the 2021 Blue Patch Sustainable Innovation Award. As expert aromacologists (study of the influence of odours on human behaviour), they use advanced extraction technology to identify the most compelling plant molecules to use in their formulas. With the use of botanical actives, also known as terpenes, the brand primarily uses the power of inhalation, as it’s the fastest method of delivery (60-90 seconds) and the nasal receptors communicate with nerve cells via neurotransmitters in the limbic system. These positive effects may be felt within minutes! This combination becomes a high-impact wellbeing solution known as ‘Whole Plant Therapy’. For those that are novices to aromatherapy, Trelonk has made an informative list of their frequently used ingredients and their benefits on their website see here. Sustainability is at the heart of the brand, not only with many of the ingredients being grown and harvested on the Trelonk Estate but also with the use of deep violet-blue biophotonic glass bottles stopping harmful UV light and keeping the potency of the oils inside. They describe themselves as ‘where botanicals also meet technology’, Trelonk’s therapeutic formulas are founded solely on scientific research analysing the molecular make-up of plants and identifying the active elements. They’ve recently unveiled £1 million worth of scientific equipment, where they work with scientific partners in three state-of-the-art laboratories designated for plant tissue culture, oil extraction and molecular research. The three ranges of hand-blended Molecular Wellbeing essential oils are ‘Power Through’, ‘Head Strong’ and ‘Lights Out’.

The Head Strong range is designed to help support and uplift mental health and wellbeing. The trio of blends offers differing benefits, for instance, #04 for Stress-Busting and Anxiety, #05 for Concentration and Focus, and #06 for Confidence and Positivity. Trelonk's expert aromacologists explained that the ‘mother blend’ (or base formula) for all three in this range is a combination of bergamot for uplift, rosa damascena for strengthening, ylang-ylang for stress-busting, geranium for balance, sandalwood for calm and green mandarin for nervous tension and restlessness.

We’re going to talk about #04 for Stress Busting and Anxiety which recently won a Wellbeing Editor’s Choice at The 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.  Apart from the plant active in the ‘mother blend’ above. What makes up the ten plant actives complete are the key additions with petitgrain, yuzu peel oil, eucalyptus and helichrysum flower oil all of which offer a well combined citrusy and floral uplifting scent. The petitgrain is known for its sedative qualities calming nerves and aiding anxiety, with its bright distinctive orange blossom accent. Yuzu peel oil is very similar to bergamot extract, and it can also balance one's mood. Yuzu has a sweet and citrusy scent and has dominant uplifting properties while calming the mind at the same time. Eucalyptus relieves exhaustion, elevates mood, and rejuvenates the spirit with its distinct camphoraceous smell. Finally, the helichrysum provides support in releasing emotional trauma.

We love how it oozes with encouraging citrus notes from the green mandarin, the richer and warmer notes of rosa damascena and helichrysum add weight to the blend, balancing the mind into a state of assurance. The extract has soft floral tones and a fresh aroma, making the oil mood affirming and providing comfort during heightened stress. What we found interesting (take note Trelonk) is that Edwina has carried this around with her continuously when out and about, and like a nosegay, it has kept her safe and clear of catching covid when others around her have fallen sick. A coincidence? maybe.

There is a Nasal Inhaler, which Edwina uses, it’s pictured above at £6. it’s easy to use, you put the wick inside the glass tube and add up to 20 drops of the oil, then waft it under your nose, whenever you feel the need. It helps create your own personal aroma bubble! It also comes as a gift set here. Trelonk also recommends different ways to use their Molecular Wellbeing blends. The first is putting 3-5 drops in a steam diffuser, and it's perfect to use while you do your morning yoga or everyday morning routine. Second, you can add 25 drops of the oil into 100g of Epsom salts in a bath, which feels fantastic after a long day. Lastly, you can apply two drops into a teaspoon of carrier oils of your choice, and apply directly to the skin.

The Head Strong #04 is another one of our #amazingfinds and certainly resonated with Edwina, who is a big fan of all things aromatherapy. The Head Strong #04 and Nasal Inhaler are available together for £28.90 here  We hope to try more products from Trelonk to focus more on our mind, body, and overall health. We think this is a must-have for all.

Menteath Lewes : Smoked Bay Body Oil

Today is the start of a series of our product reviews, where Edwina had the privilege to be on the panel of judges for this year’s 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards. They are also our #amazingfinds here on The Amazing Blog. As regular readers will know we love to find and share new sustainable and indie brand products. And what better way to kick off than by reviewing a brand awarded “Best Brand to Watch 2022.” This unique skincare company, Menteath caught our attention with their handcrafted products and wild-grown ingredients inspired by ancient traditions. Watch this space as they make new strides in the world of natural skincare. We want to introduce you to their very special Smoked Bay Body Oil, which we fell in love with.

In 2019, Felicity Stuart-Menteath, inspired by nature’s beauty, created her brand Menteath in the memory of her grandfather, Fred Hatton. Menteath is an all-natural, organically certified and holistic skincare that carefully and thoughtfully creates infused skincare products. As Felicity says, “I have fused traditional smoke rituals from the Middle East and Old England, bringing together ancient traditions, conservation, and wildlife, with beauty in nature.” The name of the brand itself alludes to Felicity’s Scottish lineage, although the brand is based in Lewes, Sussex. She has drawn her inspiration from her journeys in the beautiful surroundings of the Sussex Downs and the Highlands to create a range of products, which include body oils, face oils, cleansers, and tonics. Apart from nature and the environment, Menteath prioritises sustainability and ethics. “I harvest fallen trees four times a year in line with the seasons in two woodland locations in Sussex, England, and Perthshire, Scotland. Each tree species allows me to create small batches of beautifully fragranced plant-derived oils.” They only use all-natural and well-sourced ingredients, and Menteath works with like-minded suppliers and producers that also aim to work ethically and sustainably. Additionally, the brand uses recycled materials for packaging its products, even generously offering a refill service to its customers. It’s important to the brand to source suppliers who work ethically, organically and provide alternative livelihood programmes supporting organic farmers who grow and harvest their plants every year. They have planted over 1,000 trees at Knepp Wildlife in Sussex, where each purchase of a Gift Box results in tree planting. Menteath also supports the Alternative Livelihoods Project (ALP) in Afghanistan, where much of the Earth's poppy seeds are harvested and sold. Poppies are crucial to the economy in Afghanistan, but they have unfortunately cost the lives of many innocent individuals. The ALP works to provide small farmers with the opportunity to grow alternatives to opium poppies and earn a stable income. Many of these farmers have successfully moved from poppy farming to organic rose otto farming. Each bottle sold of Menteath's Wild Path Body Oil supports these farmers in Afghanistan. Felicity also offers personalised massages and facials at her shop in Lewes - see here to book.

The Smoked Bay Body Oil is enriched with a smoky wood infusion, inspired by the smoke bathing similar to a dukhan, a practice where smouldering wood is placed around the oil, with wool draped over it to create a smoke chamber, which generates a rich herby and woody aroma from the scented smoking wood. According to Felicity, this body oil is a nod to the Aleppo Soapmakers in Syria, with its distinct smoky scent, and healing and soothing qualities.

The oil is rich in vitamins and actives that nourish the skin. The fundamental elements here are the combined oils with olive, wheat germ, jojoba, and sunflower. These moisturise and protect skin from environmental damage and pollution. They are also plentiful with fatty acids which helps the skin produce more collagen, for ample benefits to help improve the skin's elasticity. The wheat germ contains tocopherol (vitamin E) which nourishes, hydrates and is rich in antioxidants. The rosewood strengthens and regenerate the skin, and is, therefore, ideal for treating stretch marks or tired skin.

The further aromatic ingredients also include cade oil, which possesses anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Historically used in folk medicine, cade oil is obtained by dry distillation from the branches of Juniperus oxycedrus, also known as prickly juniper, and further gives the product its smoky and woody scent. Like cade oil, lanus nobilis fruit (bayberries) here has anti-bacterial properties and depth to the scent with its sweet and spicy notes.

Thyme, pimento and racemosa leaf (part of the West Indian bay tree family), generate a delicious herby aroma. There’s the anti-microbial parsley seed which adds green, spicy, herbal notes to balance the smokiness. Limonene and geraniol are both ingredients used here to enhance the product’s scent. Geraniol is a naturally derived fragrance from plants such as rose, geranium and citronella. It serves as an excellent scent carrier with a floral bouquet and is known to offer the aroma a longer shelf life. Finally, limonene is present for its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. that is also known to calm skin.

The Smoked Bay Body oil is a treat. When opening the bottle the initial scent notes remind us of sweet burning leaves, which then mellow into more fragrant green tea and leathery notes. It becomes moreish, as the fragrance lingers with its rich aroma that gives a feeling of peace and comfort. Although it’s created as body care we couldn’t resist using it on hair ends too. Designed to be used after bathing or showering at night, we noticed when used, our skin was left hydrated and soft in the morning; making this another of our #amazingfinds and an excellent addition to any self-care routine. It’s a remarkable ode to nature and is undoubtedly a unique product, that has forged a way to connect modern skincare with ancient traditions. To purchase the 50ml Smoked Bay Body Oil at £48 see here. 

Annabelle Minerals - Makeup Pencils

It’s been a while since we’ve reviewed makeup on The Amazing Blog; so, we were excited to receive a range of makeup pencils from plastic-free and zero-waste mineral makeup brand Annabelle Minerals. It’s the first time we’ve reviewed Annabelle Minerals, and we couldn’t wait to try their latest launch of their eco and vegan EYE Pencils, JUMBO Eye Pencils and JUMBO Lip Pencils.

Anna Szczerba founded Annabelle Minerals in her home country Poland in 2016. Before creating her cosmetic company, she was a lawyer who studied law in Kraków. She began her company because of her personal experience with blemishes and when looking for solutions she came across a forum that introduced her to mineral makeup. This is when she discovered that mineral makeup helped with her breakouts and blemishes. With the lack of mineral makeup to be found in Poland, Anna decided to create her own with the help of a lab to manufacture her first cosmetic products, initially selling on her online shop and Facebook page. Eventually, she was able to quit her day job, and after a year, her brand was able to take off. Annabelle Minerals has been created with a view to being waste-free. As a starting point, with every product they release, they make an effort to use sustainable packaging. "Our passion is finding beauty in the surrounding reality, which is why the mission of Annabelle Minerals is making sure that every woman believes in the beauty that she has inside." As a vegan and cruelty-free brand, their products also offer UVA/UVB protection and are plastic-free, making them perfect for zero-waste lovers. They are also an award-winning brand with five awards to date which include Beauty Shortlist Awards in 2020 and 2021 and three Global Green Beauty Awards in 2020.  

Annabelle Minerals sent us their complete set of makeup pencils, which include JUMBO Lip Pencils, EYE Pencils and the JUMBO Eye Pencils. The brand told us the thought process and reason behind launching these new products. "We are constantly on the lookout for new launches in the spirit of less waste. As a brand, we’ve become very eco-conscious and are evolving towards being more sustainable with every new product, and makeup pencils were something that was missing in our offerings. We've been in the process of creating the lip pencils for months to make sure the first lip product is special and something we would use ourselves daily. Then we liked the results so much, that we decided to create something for the eyes, too."

Key ingredients common to all the makeup pencils are: Hydrogenated vegetable oil, copernicia cerifera wax, silica, glyceryl undecylenate, cocos nucifera, vitamin E, mica and oryzanol. The hydrogenated vegetable is best known as a thickening agent in cosmetics and for offering products a long and safe shelf life. However, it also has the added benefit of occlusives these help prevent transepidermal water loss. The copernicia cerifera wax is vegetable wax it’s a texture enhancer, stabiliser and a hypoallergenic additive to cosmetics. Silica when applied topically significantly improves the elasticity, texture and hydration of the skin. Glyceryl undecylenate is used to emulsify a product along with its antimicrobial properties. It also acts as a skin-conditioning agent and seals moisture into the skin. Cocos nucifera (coconut oil) is highly moisturising and the fatty acids give nourishment to the skin. Vitamin E is a light stabiliser, hydrator and antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory benefits. The mica is a natural mineral that is commonly used as a colour additive and for its shimmery qualities in cosmetics. Finally, oryzanol which is extracted from rice bran oil and good for natural UV-A and UV-B absorbing capacity

Let’s start with their JUMBO Lip pencils - these are effortless to apply with creamy, non-drying formula, making them are comfortable to wear all day long. They also nourish and soften while providing long-lasting coverage and are versatile enough to use as a lipstick or lip liner, leaving a velvety semi-matte finish. The JUMBO Lip Pencils come in three natural lip shades. Cranberry is a deep and moderately cool berry shade. It gives a natural, multidimensional look. It's perfect for an everyday makeup look or a unique statement look. When you're looking for a natural and simple lip, then the Clover shade is the way to go. This nude pink shade accentuates your lips naturally and easily—ideal for an everyday look. Lastly, Marigold is great for when you want a warmer hue. This colour has peachy tones that go great with daily makeup and could even be used with a bold smokey eye for an evening look. Marigold makes lips appear fuller with its natural lip tone colour, and like the other two colours, leaves a semi-matte finish.

As mentioned, there are two different types of eye pencils – their EYE Pencils and JUMBO Eye Pencils. Both these eye pencils leave a creamy and velvety look and give a great colour payoff, and come in three shades. They are gentle and perfect for sensitive eyes, or beginners as they are long-lasting, and can be applied in several ways, starting as a basic eyeshadow and to a precision eyeliner. To quote Annabelle Minerals “[They’re] super blendable and very easy to use, we think they’re a great staple product.”

The slim EYE Pencils offer more precision lining than the JUMBO. We loved the versatility of Dark Wood a classic/go-to pencil as it is excellent as an eyeliner and eyeshadow primer. This shade will become a must-have in your makeup bag. Forest Sky is a graphite grey shade, and it is ideal for green and blue eyes as it leaves a soft and smoky effect. Lastly, comes the shade Pine, this brown shade gives a matte finish that you can use, again, with a smoky eye or even use as a filler to touch up eyebrows.

Their JUMBO Eye Pencils, as Annabelle Minerals says “Glide on effortlessly and create infinite looks with minimal effort.” Their smudgeable formula makes them easily blendable. The Fern, as the name suggests, is a beautiful green shade and has iridescent mica particles whose colour changes depending on the light. You can wear it alone or mix and match it with the other pencils. If you want a more suitable shade for an everyday look, then Maple is the colour for you. With a deep brown and copper glow, Maple is excellent for everyday use, again, it has the same iridescent particles as Fern, but here they reflect the light with a copper halo. Last but not least, we have Mist, a classic white and beige pencil with a matte finish. This colour can be used as an eyeshadow, liner, primer, and highlight.

Our conclusion? For the eyes, we loved experimenting with blending more than one JUMBO shade together to get a graduated look. The EYE pencils apart from precision liners, made great waterline pencils as they didn’t transfer or bleed. And the JUMBO lip pencils are a brilliant trio of natural lip colours - again we mixed and matched, using them to fill in and subtly enhance our natural lip colour. All makeup pencils are packaged in traditional natural wood and, for protection, have a metallic rose gold metal cap at the end. They have good eco-credentials as they're biodegradable (except for usable metal caps) and zero-waste products. Another one of our #amazingfinds we think these products are great as a standalone or blended with each other - here you can have lots of fun experimenting with different looks. The only thing missing is a JUMBO pencil sharpener - maybe something for the brand to add to their e-shop? You can find the JUMBO Lip Pencil here for £11.90 and the EYE Pencil and JUMBO Eye Pencil here for £9.90 and £11.90 each.