Ayumi - Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang skin and hair care

At The Amazing Blog we believe in source not only the very best products for our readers, but also the best value; and that’s why we’d like to introduce you to another one of our #amazingfinds Ayumi. Today we’re reviewing their seasonally scented Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang skin and hair care range, we also think that these will make fabulous Christmas stocking fillers!

Ayumi is an Ayurvedic and natural skincare brand that originates from a family run business, known as Fudco, which also happens to be one of the leading brands and suppliers of the ethnic food market. Ayumi use only natural ingredients with infusions of spices and essential oils. Their core ranges are Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang, Argan, Neem & Tea Tree, and Turmeric with combinations of Shea Butter,  Hibiscus or Bergamot. The brand’s inspiration comes from ayurvedic principals which is an ancient Indian philosophy that is believed to be one of the most ancient healing traditions helping to create a balance between mind, body and spirit.

Ayumi kindly sent us eight products in their range of Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang face and body care to review. Each of these products has the perfect pairing of a warm, woody and seductive sandalwood, and the heady sweet floral scent of ylang-ylang.  And what a scent combination it is! It couldn’t be more comforting or uplift on these dark bitter nights. This range has been created to help balance and revitalise and is best suited to those with dry or sensitive skin. 

Let begin with the body care range. The Body Wash is a good place to start, it cleanses without stripping away the skins naturals oils, it feels hydrating and invigorating and left our skin smelling subtly scented. The Body Scrub is a gentle and yet effective exfoliator – it takes away rough skin with the finely ground olive seed powder, ideal for getting rid of the daily commuting grim. We recommend using this weekly. To finish off we used the Body Lotion this was our favourite from the range, it smelt divine, absorbed quickly and kept our skin soft and supple all day long. Ayumi also sent us their Argan & Sandalwood Shampoo which has all the nourishing properties of the argan oil and the growth stimulation of amla and bhringra. It’s good for strengthening weak hair and is gentle enough to be used as a frequent wash shampoo.

Moving onto the four key face care products in the Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang range. The Face Scrub is creamy in texture with bamboo stem and perlite volcanic lava powders, it gently buffs the skin leaving it free from impurities and city pollution. It has cocoa and shea butter to replenish the skin and leave it silky smooth. The Face Wash is a gentle cleansing wash, pampering and soothing as well as effectively removes stubborn residue of make-up. Great for everyday use. The Face Mask is a slightly different combination of Sandalwood & Pink Clay, the clay and zinger root extract are the base of this mask which helps to draw out all the impurities in the skin. Finally, we used the Face Cream which has the glorious scent of frankincense, sage and patchouli. We liked the texture and noticed that it gave a luminous base for our foundation.

We think that Ayumi has a great variety of natural skincare that won’t break the bank, and is a great way to introduce your friends to a really special ayurvedic skincare brand. All products are around £6.99, see here.

JUL ET MAD Paris - The Stairway to Heaven

Have you like us at The Amazing Blog, a burning desire to rush off to the mountains for snow, fresh clean air and spiritual tranquility?  Then let us introduce to The Stairway to Heaven the latest fragrance launch from one of the favourite perfume houses JUL ET MAD Paris. Taking their inspiration from the vast beauty of the snowy mountain tops of the Himalayas – it’s no surprise that when you close your eyes, this heady scent will help to transport you on a sensory journey there. Regular readers may remember that we’ve previously reviewed their other delicious fragrances Aqua Sextius and Nea.

JUL ET MAD Paris was formed after a fortunate and unexpected encounter with the founders Julien (JUL) and Madalina (MAD) on the streets of Paris. This led onto the creation of a brand that has launched many cult fragrance collections such as Les Classiques and Les WHITE. Stairway to Heaven is their second collaboration with perfumer Cecile Zarokian, who has already gone on to create over a hundred fragrances for various brands in the European and Middle-East perfume sector.

We think that Stairway to Heaven is very special indeed. This Himalayas inspired perfume is built around a complex range of 8 different white musks. They describe it as: “Luminous ‘second-skin’ perfume, a veritable mantle of softness and lightness. The original composition is characterised by a dual whiteness: pure and immaculate, but warming and enveloping. A slightly gourmand and fruity accord contributes to its addictive effect, while accents of precious woods, amber and incense complete in a most lavish manner this astonishingly rich fragrance.” We couldn’t agree more and think it’s just magical…. And yet another wonderful creation from this inspired couple.

Whether you are looking for a new fragrance or a Christmas gift, we think that this 50ml pale blue fragrance, housed in a beautiful silver-plated multi-faceted bottle, will not disappoint. Retailing at 145 €/ £135, see here, to purchase.

Bili Beauty – Eyes of India Eyeshadow Palette

India is well known for its bright colour palette, diverse culture and unique beauty. Bili Beauty is a brand that creates makeup inspired by India’s evident diversity and celebrated explosion of various different shades and tints. All their products are made in California, vegan, cruelty-free and made with natural and organic ingredients. Bili Beauty brings together Indian beauty trends and presents it to a spectrum of individuals to all different corners of the world.

The founder of Bili Beauty, Sarah began the company with an underlying political motive. Although many of the major stores have an array of different cosmetic brands and products, they are often unable to cater to all the different skin tones. This is where Bili Beauty sets itself apart from others as it is highly pigmented and adapts to suit all given skin shades, textures and tones.  With the combination of her love for Indian culture and her passion for makeup, Sarah was able to create a cosmetics brand with clean ingredients and high pigmentation that celebrated and educated people about the beautiful diversity of Indian culture.

The Eyes of India Eyeshadow Palette is one of our #amazingfinds and our new favourite here at The Amazing Blog. The palette features ten matte as well as glittery shades of pink, gold, red, green and various others that will make your eyes pop. While the palette will enhance your eyes with their vibrant shades, its fragrance will also take you on an olfactory journey all the way to the hidden roads of Jaipur and the magical wonders of Agra. This eyeshadow palette takes you on a cultural beauty that walks you through the enchanting beauty of India, all from the convenience of your blending brush and creativity. The key natural and organic ingredients in these pigments are vitamin E, sunflower and moringa oils, rosemary leaf, Indian gooseberry terminalia chebula and bellerica, caesalpinia sappan bark and bamboo extract. It’s 100% vegan with no animal byproducts and almost 70% of these eyeshadows are made up of pure pigment. We also applaud Bili Beauty who donate a percentage of their annual sales to Destiny Rescue a non-profit organisation to help end child sex trafficking all over the world.

We think that this special eyeshadow palette is not only perfect as a Chrismas gift but as a present to yourself! To embark on this cultural experience, simply visit here to get your very own The Eyes of India Eyeshadow Palette is $49.00.

Jeffrey’s Tonic

With the party season nearly upon us, we’re always looking for a fresh take on our favourite cocktails in order to impress! At The Amazing Blog we love a good gin and tonic just as much as the next person, however, we’ve found ourselves getting a little jaded with just plain tonic water, which is normally on offer. That’s where our #amazingfinds and discovery of Jeffrey’s Tonic comes in.

Jeffrey’s Tonic started when Mike and Maureen Robinson received a book for Christmas all about gin, tonic waters and syrups. After experimenting with the recipes and getting glowing reviews from family members, it finally clicked to the Robinsons that this might be something they should share. The distinctive ingredients are what make Jeffrey’s Tonic stand out. The syrups are made from cinchona bark straight from Ecuador. While most other syrups use quinine a extract, Jeffrey’s uses bark straight from the tree which gives it a distinct amber colour. Discovered in Peru, cinchona bark is known for its anti-fever properties. Did you know that Robert Talbot used cinchona bark to cure King Louis XIV of France of malaria?

Jeffrey’s Syrups come in 4 varieties and it is recommended that you mix them in a 1:5 ratio with soda water. The Not So Plain Tonic Syrup is simply made with cinchona bark and organic Sicilian lemon juice. We recommend pairing it with complex or fruity gin for an interesting cocktail. The Original Recipe is the first recipe that Mark and Maureen made, with cassia, nutmeg and allspice, The Original is a great addition to any Christmassy drink. We recommend adding a splash to your whisky cocktail for a round, bold flavour. The Lime, Galangal & Orange pairs perfectly with your bubbly prosecco or with soda water for an adult soft drink astThe galangal gives depth to the delicious citrus flavours. Whereas the combination of their Yarrow, Rosehip & Elderflower provides a really delicate flavour, perfect for pairing with a floral gin or dry prosecco!

If you want to add an original twist to your drinks this season, the individual Jeffrey’s Tonic Syrups can be purchased here for £7.00 for 200ml. Apart from being able to purchase them individually, we also like the Gift Set with all four varieties of Tonic Syrups, and think it makes the ideal stocking filler this Christmas, as it’s only £14 for four 50ml samples here.

Woodsetton Art Pottery's Workshop

After a long week, there's nothing better than doing relaxing and creative activity. We think that pottery achieves just that, allowing us to take the time-out immersing ourselves in something that doesn't involve work, emails or social media. Something we actively try and encourage at The Amazing Blog, so we were excited to learn more about the Woodsetton Art Pottery's classes.

We came across Woodsetton Art Pottery's is the brainchild of Lorraine Bates, who aims to tailor classes, ensuring everyone leaves with a newfound knowledge (whether you're brand new to pottery, or more experienced). Based in Woodsetton, West Midlands, there is a space for everyone, from beginner classes to throwing and glazing. With a maximum of seven people per workshop, the courses aim to improve everyone’s creative skills, gaining optimum knowledge and interaction with a pottery professional. The studio is also well equipped, with electric potter wheels and a range of equipment for hand builders and sculptures.

The beginner's pottery course includes hand building, extruding and sculpting. The aim is that every student will learn to throw on the wheel, giving the opportunity to let your inner child out (and to get your hands dirty in the process). If you choose only to do this course, then you can make use of Lorraine's extensive experience, paying £2 per piece for her to tidy/turn your work, with subsequent biscuit firing, glazing and glaze firing. This means that however skilled you prove to be (or not), you will leave with a professionally finished piece.

For a more advanced course, Lorraine offers throwing courses. These are a day long, with a maximum of five students, allowing each person access to their own wheel - improving throwing and turning techniques. Alternatively, if glazing is your interest, then there is also a separate glazing workshop. Here you will learn to apply different glazes, colours and dippings, to make your pieces true works of art. The created pots can also be decorated with sponging, stencilling and brushing.

The Raku Day workshop is slightly different, allowing students to bring in their own works from home (size permitting), to decorate and glaze in the workshop. The extensive experience of Woodsetton Pottery will ensure that you leave with new glaze recipes, with the focus being to teach correct mixing techniques, including ways in which to reduce oxidisation.

If you’re interested in enhancing your creative personality, the workshops run from 10am-4pm during both the week, and on Saturdays. There is also the possibility to arrange a group workshop for you and your friends. Up to six wonderfully decorated objects are included in the fee, which will be bisque fired and glazed, and available for collection within four weeks. Generally, day courses are £75 each (Monday to Friday) and £90 on Saturdays, You can also purchase gift vouchers as a special treat for loved ones. You might like to attend a workshop in August (subject to availability)⚱17th August - Places - £90 - Throwing on the wheel plus associated handbuilding and decorating techniques. Suitable for beginner or those honing their techniques.⚱25th August - Places - £90 - Throwing on the wheel plus associated hand-building and decorating techniques. Suitable for beginner or those honing their techniques. Otherwise from September onwards course dates will 3 months in advance. Please visit their Tumblr page here to see an extensive list of specific workshops and prices. Enjoy!