Booheads: Soniboo

Today we are talking about brushing teeth, as we all do every day, if not twice a day. At The Amazing Blog we’re big fans of electronic toothbrushes but always have the dilemma regarding the plastic heads - which are not great for the planet. We don’t want to keep littering our beautiful earth with plastic toothbrush heads, and this is where we found these eco-friendly toothbrush heads, made with natural and environmentally friendly bamboo from Booheads, with their Soniboo collection. This is where brushing teeth has now got a little more earth-friendly!

Ben Caspary, the founder of Booheads, realised a gap in the dental market for a sustainable option for electric toothbrush heads. After much time, research and thought, Ben took the opportunity and launched the first electric toothbrush head made from sustainable, biodegradable, and plant-based materials. He told us, “Booheads was created out of lockdown where I was reflecting on my own consumption habits, and started the question of why we cannot make products more sustainable? After a bit of exploration, I noticed that the electric toothbrush market was not as eco-friendly as our manual equivalents, with a solution not existing. I decided to take the plunge and Booheads was born.” The bamboo is FSC certified, with their bioplastic being made from plant-based. The head is compatible with all the Sonicare range from Philips. All packaging is made from recycled kraft paper and is biodegradable too. The bioplastics can start biodegrading as soon as 90 days, depending on the conditions, and bamboo takes around three years to decompose fully; however, it is 100% organic.

Booheads  Soniboo range are a zero-waste replaceable electric toothbrush heads and a brilliant alternative to the plastic ones. This product is compatible with the full range of Sonicare, DailyClean and ProtectiveClean’s base handles – we also see that they are now producing heads for Oral B handles. As mentioned, the heads are made of plant-based materials with bamboo and bioplastics, which are FSC Certified, renewable and easily disposable. Bamboo is a natural plant grown with zero pesticides or fertilisers. It’s a biodegradable botanical, able to regenerate soil and prevent soil erosion. Bioplastic is a material made from corn starch and castor bean oil, causing it to break down into renewable resources. Cornstarch is derived from corn, which means it doesn’t contain any toxins and is easily compostable in most recycling facilities. The bristles are plant-based medium-soft bristles with 62% castor oil and Dupont nylon, whereas the fitment comprises 80% cornstarch and 10% PBAT and 10% talcum powder. If concerned about degrading of the nylon in the bristles, they can be removed with a pair of pliers before disposing of the heads. The structure of this head is designed to get into the crevasses and cavities of the teeth, leaving them sparkly and clean. Even dentists love this product because of it’s efficiency at cleaning while being a great eco alternative (a win-win). We love the array of the four snazzy colours, which not only look pretty and will stop you and your partner won’t get the heads mixed up – eww, after all, who wants to share a toothbrush?! This is another of our #amazingfinds, so If you have an electric toothbrush or thinking about buying one, pair these sustainable toothbrush heads with it, to help the world become a cleaner and greener place. We believe that this is something worth investing in, not to mention how clean your teeth look and feel.  Why not start by buying the Booheads’ Soniboo two-pack here for only £7.99. Hurry, as they are running out, and we’ll be ordering more!

Luonkos: Rebirth & Radiant Facial Oil Cleansing Cakes and Celebrate Sparkling Body Cake

Are you feeling guilty about your bathroom shelves being stacked full of plastic bottles? At The Amazing Blog, we are! We’re trying to do our best to have more zero-waste, and this week we’re featuring our second sustainable Scandinavian brand, from the land of the midnight sun. Today it’s with Luonkos and their multitasking ‘Cakes’ that help to minimise our skincare products, and reconnect us back to nature.

Luonkos is a natural skincare brand from Finland, founded in 2018 by an enterprising trio of women; Miia Leino, Jonna Vesterinen, and Piritta Fors. Their primary mission is to help stop plastic bottles flooding bathrooms by giving us more sustainable alternative. The company currently sells Oil Cleansing Cakes, Body Cakes, Forest Cakes, and Hair Products. Luonkos’ facial Oil Cleansing Cakes won the Best Natural Innovation award in the 2020 Nordic Natural Beauty Awards. The company’s Cakes are all oil-based and composed of natural oils that cleanse the skin in a gentle, nurturing and healing way. Luonkos has a product for every skin type, and promise with regular use these will return the skin back to its natural pH balance. Having a zero-waste ethos is important to Luonkos, and all their products are plastic-free, handmade with all-natural ingredients, waterless, vegan and packaged in stylish biodegradable hexagonal cardboard boxes. Co-founder Fors recently said in an interview with Nordic Natural Beauty Podcast, “We really wanted to create a valued-based brand and inspire people to start thinking about the what’s in the products that they use.” She went on to say, “we’ve created multi-use zero-waste natural products that don’t have any preservatives or chemicals. We believe that you’re allowed to have this ‘I love me’ moment while cleansing so that you are taking care of yourself and your skin.” Although the company is based in Finland, their products are sold in multiple countries in Europe and are delivered internationally. Luonkos chose to call their products ‘cakes’ instead of ‘bars’ because cakes have a more joyful connotation!  Last October they were the first consumer products in the world to use a revolutionary Finnish invention, a forest microbe extract that, research shows, supports and strengthens the body's immune system. They were also the first products with EXAKT smart tags to arrive on store shelves. 

Luonkos sent us two facial oil cleansing cakes, the Rebirth Facial Oil Cleansing Cake  and the Radiant Facial Oil Cleansing Cake. Both the Oil Cleansing Cakes are 4-in-1 products that clean the skin, take off makeup (even waterproof makeup), and balance and nurture the skin. The Rebirth Facial Oil Cleansing Cake is for dry and normal skin, brightens and revives skin, and was Luonkos’ first product! Ideal for the 30+ age group this cake also helps to address any hyperpigmentation. Some of the ingredients in this cleansing cake include cacao seed butter, coconut oil, almond oil and Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract for fragrance. The cacao seed butter moisturises the skin, the coconut oil helps cleanse the skin effectively, the almond oil softens and nurtures skin. This Cake has a warm and comforting fragrance that reminds of delicious sweet cacao/chocolate. The Radiant Facial Oil Cleansing Cake is for dry and sensitive skin, has no added fragrance. There are only five ingredients in this cleansing bar which include apricot kernel oil, cacao seed butter, coconut oil, shea butter, and sea buckthorn seed oil. The apricot kernel oil nurtures and nourishes skin, the cacao seed butter moisturises the skin, the coconut oil helps cleanse the skin effectively, the shea butter nourishes and protects skin, and the sea buckthorn seed oil rejuvenates and strengthens skin. Which was our favourite? As we have sensitive skin – Radiant was our preferred Oil Cleansing Cake here. That said, we loved the performance and fragrance of Rebirth. We used them to effectively remove makeup at night and freshen up our complexion in the morning. What we love is that these Cakes is that they are gentle with no eye-stinging or excess oily residue. We still have Radiant on-the-go where it has pride of place, in the bathroom. If you are scared to try oil cleansing because your pores clog up easily, they recommend that you first try to double cleanse with your chosen Oil Cleansing Cake before using it solo. These Oil Cleansing Cakes are 60 ml, which means approximately 60 uses, making them very cost-effective. To store the Oil Cleansing Cakes, keep them in a dry place and out of direct sunlight; and to apply, rub the cake in your clean, dry hands to release the oils, massage this oil onto dry skin to remove makeup or impurities, and then wipe away the remaining oil with a warm damp cloth or sponge.You can purchase the Rebirth Facial Oil Cleansing Cake here for 24,15 €, the Radiant Facial Oil Cleansing Cake here for 24,15 €.

In addition to the Oil Cleansing Cakes, Luonkos sent us their Celebrate Sparkling Body Cake. This Celebrate Sparkling Body Cake brought a glorious sheen to our legs, cleavage, arms, and even cheekbones! Some of the moisturising ingredients include aloe vera, frankincense oil, jojoba wax, cacao seed butter, mica mineral pigment, lychee essential oil, barley starch, grape seed oil, peppermint essential oil, and sea buckthorn seed oil. Let’s talk about the ingredients and what they do: The aloe vera cools and calms the skin after sunbathing, frankincense oil improves concentration and calms the mind, the jojoba wax and cacao seed butter soothe and hydrates the skin, whereas the tiny mica mineral pigments give the skin a reflective glow. The lychee essential oil is an anti-inflammatory and protects skin; the barley starch helps the product spread evenly. The grape seed oil balances, t the peppermint essential oil cools, and the sea buckthorn seed oil rejuvenates and strengthens skin. Like the Oil Cleansing Cakes, this is 60 ml and is also recommended to be stored in a cool, dry place (place out of direct sunlight) so that it doesn’t melt! Sadly, this didn’t last as long as the Oil Cleansing Cakes – but with good reason as we used it all over the body (not exclusively on the face). To apply this Body Cake, simply rub the cake in your clean, dry hands (again) and put the oil on damp skin (ideally after a shower), let your skin dry with the oil before getting dressed, to help keep skin soft and hydrated. This Body Cake is perfect for now to show off your summer tan with its touch of sparkle, making you ready for a night on the town. To purchase the Celebrate Sparkling Body Cake, see here for 22,54 €. Luonkos is yet another of our our #amazingfinds and we hope to see them here in the UK soon.

Grevinnans Rum: Firming Body Oil

At The Amazing Blog we have a soft spot for Scandinavian skincare brands, especially those that include their native ingredients. We have had our eye on this lifestyle brand Grevinnans Rum as many of their products contain locally sourced organic botanicals and cold-pressed oils. Today we are featuring their Firming Body Oil.

Grevinnans Rum is an organic lifestyle and skincare brand based in Gränna, Sweden. Founder Karin Egertz has worked with skincare all her professional life, and has always made her own small batch skincare. After realising that the type of sustainable and organic skincare, that many people were looking for didn’t exist, she decided to expand her production and open a shop. In a recent interview, with the Nordic Natural Beauty Awards  Karin said, “With help from my husband and sons, we expanded the production to meet the demands. Everything was handmade by us from the finest organic raw materials. The demand was so great that we decided to close the shop and only focus on production.” Unlike other skincare brands, Grevinnans Rum products are handmade using the finest raw materials sourced from local Swedish producers. Products are also free from palm oil and animal testing, making them cruelty-free, vegan friendly and suitable for all skin types. The range has artisian soaps, lotions, body balms, salt scrub, body oils, face oils, serum and many more. When asked what Grevinnans Rum is about, Karin said in an interview with a Scandinavian lifestyle blog Stromstadspa, “In short, you can say that everything about us, is about natural luxury and no-nonsense!” The formulas are designed with the utmost care making them one of the most exclusive natural brands in Sweden. They bring to life traditional knowhow with their use of medicinal plants, with an alchemy that embraces both the old and the new.

Grevinnans Rum Firming Body Oil is a luxurious dry oil designed for the whole body. it has benefits such as anti-ageing, helping to get rid of stubborn wrinkles and cellulite, and of course, skin firming; with the added bonus of soothing the skin and giving it a natural glow. The ingredient include: Sea buckthorn oil, this is extracted from berries and seeds of the plant, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. This specific oil can help stimulate skin regeneration and reduce inflammation following UV exposure, protecting skin against sun damage. Rosehip oil contains vitamin C and A which can benefit the skin in many ways as it can reduce hyperpigmentation and stretch marks. In order for this body oil to keep the skin supple and nourished, marigold oil is added, which has healing properties that offer an immediate boost to dull skin. Avocado here is rich in vitamin E and biotin, this fruit helps increase skin elasticity and prevents dry skin. Carrot and sunflower oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin. Lemon verbena is another botanical here that not only awakens the body, but it also detoxifies and treats the skin. Lastly, natural peppermint adds to the relaxing smell and cooling effect. Other ingredients include thistle oil, safflower seed and a few others. With this plethora of botanicals and natural oils, makes this a nourishing Firming Body Oil ideal for rosacea, psoriasis, eczema or stressed skin. The fragrance is subtle - all we could detect was a gentle mix of lemon verbena, mint and marigold. When applied it left our skin looking glowing and radiant - we used it on décolletage, arms, legs and torso; and when applied it felt super- luxurious! It may be for skin-firming but we also found it hydrating and replenishing too. It’s a fantastic multipurpose oil (think about adding to ends of hair too) making this 100ml bottle, in our view, a ‘must-have’ item to take on your travels this summer. To purchase the 100 ml Firming Body Oil see here for 499 KR/£42.02. 

VENIA Cosmetic: Unique for Women

As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog we're always on the hunt for new natural skincare products to reviews, especially when they have more unusual ingredients. Today we're featuring a brand called VENIA Cosmetic who have a range of natural skincare products infused with 24-carat gold. They kindly sent us their Unique for Women cream, which has natural plants and oils and their signature 24-carat gold flakes.

VENIA Cosmetic is a small UK family run skincare business, started by the founder Jessie Matharu, in 2016. The inspiration came from his own journey, having suffered from dehydrated skin from many years of long-haul travel, having worked in the airline industry. It took six-year in development, including two years of testing and working closely with a team of professional cosmetologists. Venia Cosmetic then launched as a premium 100% certified, natural skincare range. Matharu was recently quoted as having said, "We have meticulously sourced and tested each natural ingredient over the last six years to treat a hormonal skin problem, ageing and sensitive skin. It's lightweight, luxurious formula is packed with antioxidants and the finest plant extracts leaving the skin nourished with a sumptuous floral scent." In Latin, VENIA means "indulgence," and this is where the brand wants to offer everyone the opportunity to purchase a little piece of affordable luxury. All formulations contain 24-carat gold, herbal extracts, essential oils, plants and marine-based ingredients. All products are manufactured locally, and it’s Soil Association and halal-certified, suitable for vegans and paraben-free; plus part of the Cruelty-Free International. The brand has a wonderful giving-back policy with their charity partner the Alzheimer's Society donating 5% of all their online sales each year on World Alzheimers Day (which will be on 21st September 2021). This particular charity apart from being a great cause, has a special meaning to Jessie's family. It helps people affected by dementia and Alzheimer's by funding research to find a cure, campaign for change, and create a supportive community.  We see that the brand recently won a Gold Freefrom Award 2021 for their Signature-Men's natural 24-carat gold daily face hydration cream. As they say, their concept is simple, "Create pure, natural products made using only the finest ingredients."

Unique for Women is a natural 24-carat gold moisturiser for women. This daily moisturiser is versatile and light, making it ideal for all skin types - including sensitive skin. The idea is that it creates a radiant glow, balances skin imperfection and leaves skin rejuvenated. Let's talk about their key ingredient 24-carat gold flakes. Some of you may think this sounds like a bit of a gimmick; however, our research has shown otherwise. Gold as an ingredient has many benefits from helping to increase moisture to reducing dryness, and due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it protects the skin against free radicals that accelerate ageing. And this soft precious metal's purity and composition allows the skin to absorb it readily. Thus, making it ideal for those experiencing sensitive, hyperpigmented, or acne-scarred skin. With regular use, many claim that a more youthful appearance can be seen from the use of gold flakes, as they help stimulate skin cells renewal and blood flow, making the skin clearer of toxins and appear dewy and firmer. But what we liked was the subtle luminous effect Unique for Women gave as the 24-carat gold flakes combined and melted with the other ingredients. And lastly, to say on 24-carat gold, it boosts natural occurring collagen in the skin, creating a plump and younger-looking skin, and who doesn't want that? 

The other main ingredients in Unique for Women are derived from natural plants and oils like shea butter, vitamin E, omega 3 & 6, and argan oil. Having high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter is the ideal ingredient for conditioning and toning skin. What really seals the deal for shea butter is its emollient properties. This rich tree nut oil creates a smooth barrier that locks in moisture. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from being damaged and increases blood circulation, causing the skin to become firmer. Argan oil, derived from Morocco, is a firm favourite of ours; it improves water retention and keeps skin more hydrated. With multiple healing properties, Argan oil can reduce rosacea, hyperpigmentation and acne, creating a calmer complexion. Omega 3 & 6 are types of fats found in flaxseed, nuts, and leafy vegetables, these naturally occurring fats increases the fatty acid levels, repair the skin barrier to improve moisture and elasticity and reduce UV-induced photo damage and signs of ageing.  We used Unique for Women, night and day for a week and liked its texture and performance. It seemed to be fragrance-free with a hint of natural Argan, which meant that it didn’t conflict with any of our other SPF ‘s or cosmetics used. It felt soothing, hydrating and gave our complexion a much-needed boost, and our skin felt healthy and supple. Unique for Women is packaged in a glamorous gold orb, making it an item to proudly display, and unscrews to reveal the tiny gold flakes in the rich cream. This moisturiser feels like a treat, so why not treat yourself and purchase this 50ml Unique for Women, see here for £65. 

Hempura: 250mg Revitalise CBD Cream with Terepenes

As regular readers will know, we love to introduce new CBD products on The Amazing Blog (see here), and If you're looking for a natural alternative to help muscle or joint fatigue, CBD might just be the answer. Today we’re featuring the brand Hempura who we recently reviewed here. However, this time it’s with their newly repackaged 250 mg Revitalise CBD cream clinically proven to repair, restore and soothe the skin.

Founder Lewis Hadaway created Hempura in 2017 with the idea of educating consumers on CBD and providing high-quality authentic hemp extract. His passion for CBD made this brand what it is today - one of the more established premium CBD brands in the UK. They aim to provide the most natural and healthiest CBD products and extracts the UK has to offer. Hadaway commented recently in Cannabis Health News, "We empower our customers to make informed decisions. This reduces concerns and fears, especially for seniors." One thing that consumers love about Hempura is that they are all-natural, never adding ingredients that are unnecessary or artificial, compared to some other CBD brands. In order to ensure confidence in consumers, Hempura tests all products to the highest standards of safety with lab certificates. Never using synthetically derived CBD, pesticides or additives makes their products the best for all-natural lovers. The best full-bodied CBD products come from using a clean extraction process that preserves the natural hemp each plant has to offer. Hempura guarantees this by using all raw cannabidiol plants locally sourced at an Eastern European organic farm that ensures the quality of naturally occurring minerals. Hempura sells products like vape liquids, edibles, capsules, creams, or oils - all products are GMO-free and vegan. Making this brand a member of the Vegan Society and Cannabis Trade Association. This brand's love for nature shows with their sustainability efforts. All productions of hemp and products are protective of the environment, whether that's by using eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials, using renewable energy that maintains a commitment to carbon neutrality or creating as little waste as possible. Hempura is one brand that believes in true principles and proves it with its efforts of providing exceptional CBD products. 

Hempura's 250mg Revitalise CBD Cream has 250mg of broad-spectrum refined extract CBD per bottle and 1.1mg of CBD per pump. Recently repackaged in an eco-friendly glass jar with a sustainable bamboo lid, this topical cream contains refined hemp extract and natural high antioxidant properties that repairs and restores the skin. The cream is luxurious and rich, perfect for soothing the skin, plus it’s in a base of hydrating cocoa butter and olive oil. We find that CBD cream and balms are good to help ease hand and elbow pain (over typing!) or even rubbing on temples to stop a headache. Some of their customers even say this cream eliminated lasting redness on the skin and have seen results within weeks. It is lab-tested, giving clinically proven results, and made with organically grown industrial hemp. CBD creams applied to the body work by CBD molecules bypassing cutaneous receptors activating neurotransmitters that block signals for pain. Other key ingredient in this cream is terpenes and flavonoids, commonly found in herbs, fruits, and plants, and is used to help the cream penetrate the skin more effectively. High in antioxidant properties and phytonutrients, they also have other medical benefits like antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and helps prevent inflammatory diseases. We are great believers in CBD as an excellent option for people looking for alternative medicine for pain relief, and it’s something we use on a regular basis. We recommend a topical cream as a good first step to start exploring the power of CBD. This 250 mg CBD cream is perfect for all adult age groups especially those looking for an all-natural topical cream to soothe over exercised limbs. This product can be used any time of the day, but we particularly recommend using it after a long hard work out to achieve optimum muscle relaxation i.e. resulting in little or no soreness the following day. To purchase this 50ml Revitalise CBD Cream in 250mg for £23.99 see here, or if you would like to go for a stronger version of 50ml Revitalise CBD Cream in 500mg see here for £39.99.