Jane Scrivner : Peace, and Revive Blends - Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils

We all know the importance of being mindful, whether focusing on health or taking an hour out to compose oneself during a stressful day. Today on The Amazing Blog we want to talk about a new range of essential oil blends that have helped us to get a feeling of balance and calm. We were delighted to test out these two unique natural aromatherapy blends, Peace and Revive in the Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils collection, from one of our favourite holistic and natural skincare brands Jane Scrivner. Some of our loyal readers may well remember that we wrote about the brand back in 2013 and 2014.

Jane Scriver created her skincare range in 2013. With over thirty years of experience in skincare working as a therapist and an international skincare trainer to top global spas, she discovered local and indigenous raw oils, which inspired her to create her very own range of skincare products. "I then came home to practise in London and used these same oils in my treatments, unblended and pure, and I saw how my clients' skin turned from pale and pasty to nourished and alive."  In addition to her well-known skincare, Jane has now added a home and lifestyle product range of emotion and mood-enhancing diffusers and blended essential oils. The brand commits to sourcing everything ethically by using carefully assessed suppliers for traceability and sustainability. All products are paraben and SLS free; they are also cruelty-free and 100% natural and use certified organic ingredients wherever possible. The ranges are handmade in small batches in the UK, where they are mindful of waste and only use FSC approved packaging. The brand is no stranger to beauty awards as they have already won several Beauty Shortlist Awards and Beauty Bible Awards for their skincare range.

Recently, they received an award at the Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards 2022  for their Peace and Revive  Blend Pure Essential Oils. As we were privileged to be amongst the judges this year, we thought we’d feature these two blends which really impressed us. We used these in a candle diffuser (pictured here) which uses accelerated evaporation by heat with the drops mixed in with water; and in an ultrasonic diffuser with its waves transforming the essential oil mixed with water into a vapour. We also like the suggestion that Jane gives here, “My favourite ways to use these is to either drizzle just a few drops into a bowl of pinecones collected on a walk and to let the aroma gently perfume the room or for my office, if I have a busy 'thinking' day, I drop Blend #29 into an electronic diffuser to stay inspired and creative!" 

The Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil, we found enhanced a sense of calmness. It contains nine soothing ingredients: Bay, benzoin, chamomile Maroc, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, sweet orange, and petitgrain. Bay is woody and spicy scented yet fresh, it’s indigenous to Europe and the Middle East and can grow up to six metres. Bay in aromatherapy practices is used to increase mindfulness and promote focus. Benzoin is sap from Styrax trees, and the extract has a warm scent to it. This blend is used to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. Chamomile Maroc plant from North-West Africa and South Spain. Traditionally, this extract has been used as a muscle relaxant and for anxiety relief helping to relax the mind. Eucalyptus is native to Australia. Although this oil has many external benefits, such as relieving respiratory conditions, eucalyptus oil also eases tension and helps bring a wave of positivity. Frankincense comes from the trunk of a Boswellia tree. Frankincense is one of our favourite oils; it’s used for grounding and connectedness and is one of the key essentials we use for meditation. Lavender is one of the most frequently used plants in essential oils, and for good reasons. Lavender provides a clear and focused mind, emotional stability, and inspiration. Interesting fact, the Egyptians used myrrh for embalming as It slowed the decaying process and left a pleasant scent. In this blend, myrrh is used to uplift moods by removing any negative feelings and keeping minds grounded. When it comes to sweet orange extract, there are many benefits to this citrus ingredient, the extract can help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Lastly, petitgrain oil comes from a bitter orange tree native to southern China. The word petitgrain is French, meaning "little grains". Petitgrain oil has many uses; it soothes nerves protecting the mind from anxiety, shock, and fear. We think this blend is perfect for people who need to take a step back from their stressful lives, for much-needed relaxation. 

The Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil blend is made from seven unique energy-boosting ingredients: Basil, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, lime, patchouli, and peppermint. Basil extract is proven to have many health benefits, including stabilising the nervous system, it’s known to help decrease tension and anxiety. Clary sage is another plant with many physical and mental benefits and significantly helps to reduce stress as it has antidepressant properties. Geranium oil comes from the leaves of a plant called pelargonium graveolens, indigenous to South Africa. Geranium oil is used to treat signs of stress, anxiety, and depression and helps restores confidence. The grapefruit inspires an uplifting and positive mindset needed for motivation in this blend. Lime is also used to uplift one's mood and energy, purify the air, and even help with relaxation after a long day. Patchouli is sweet, spicy, and woody, and in this blend; it helps aid symptoms of depression and stress as it induces a sense of wellbeing. The final ingredient is peppermint, known to help relieve sorrow, or feelings of restlessness and offer a sense of calm. We think that the Revive Blend is best used when you first wake up giving a much-needed burst of energy, it’s also a brilliant blend to help give focus.

We’ve always been big fans of aromatherapy essentials oils ,and these blends are another of our #amazingfinds. Not only do they smell gorgeous, but they’ll make a great addition to anyone's aromatherapy collection. Both blends come in small 10ml glass bottles, and the brand advises adding 2-3 drops of these essential oil blends to any room fragrance device or getting creative and using what you have. Also, to note, depending on the base ingredients, these essential oil blends can smell very different when used in their product than in pure form ‘on the nose’. To purchase the Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend see here for £18 or Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend to Refresh & Awaken here for £16.  Or to purchase the full range of the four Life Essentials Pure Essential oils here for £85.

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.

Little Green's CBD : Unwind Candle

As we kick off the new year, finding new ways to improve our hectic lifestyle and reduce stress, we're making a priority. Here at The Amazing Blog, it is no secret that we are huge fans of CBD, as it helps relax our minds and improve our focus. Regular readers will know we’re also big fans of scented candles, so when we received the UNWIND Candle by CBD wellness brand Little Green's CBD, we knew we were in for a treat.  

Little Green's CBD was founded by former personal trainer and model, Sasha Green. Having worked for over ten years in these professions, he noticed the stressful impact they were having on both his body and mind. Sasha started using CBD products on his journey to find a holistic way to help deal with stress, sleep, and recovery, but his experience was not exactly what he was hoping for. With his research and difficulty to find top-quality CBD products that also offered full transparency, it inspired him into creating his own brand, Little Green's CBD. Sasha explained, "Little Green's CBD was created with the main focus on being high quality, and where each product had a specific purpose." The brand has a range of CBD products that include candles, oils and a balm, where each is aimed at targeting a specific need. The candles have been developed to promote a sense of calm and help de-stress, the oils, one for the day to combat stress and anxiety, and the other to be taken at night to improve sleep patterns, and the balm to relieve pain and revitalise overworked bodies. Both the candles and oils are made from the broad-spectrum distillate, which is THC-free and uses the whole plant to retain the full-plant synergy. Sasha himself has benefited from using the products and commented, "These CBD products have helped me immensely and have become an integral part of my self-care routine." The emphasis here is on the importance of full transparency, as they work with a certified government supplier, and all their products are developed and tested in the UK. The brand also conducts thorough in-house testing at its factory and sends all products to a third-party lab for further testing. They also work closely with hemp plant farmers who avoid using pesticides, which means the CBD will be additive-free, with a more natural and sustainable growing approach. The company works towards safeguarding the environment by using a more eco-friendly extraction method, and through their partnership with One Tree Planted This charity aims to help with global reforestation, they plant a tree for each product sold. We were also happy to hear all their products are made from natural ingredients and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.  

The UNWIND Candle is made from 100% eco soy wax and is infused with CBD to soothe the mind and body. Soy wax, derived from soybeans, known to be an excellent carrier oil. As a natural and renewable resource, soy wax is biodegradable and has a lower melting point than other waxes commonly used for candle-making. This difference means that soy wax candles will burn cleaner and longer, and emit less black soot than other candle composites. This candle uses a natural hand-made cotton wick, which also means it burns longer and emits less smoke. The infusion of 1500mg of broad-spectrum distillate allows the candle to harness the soothing and healing plant powers of CBD. When this candle is lit, and the fragrance fills its surroundings, the CBD here offers benefits such as boosting mood and promoting a sense of relaxation and relieving insomnia. The candle also includes a blend of essential oils with holistic and aromatherapeutic properties combining tobacco absolute, lemon, mint and jasmine – which create a warm and comforting oaky scent. The tobacco fosters an enriching and energising aroma which has been proven effective in relieving symptoms such as mild depression. The zesty lemon oil fights fatigue and listlessness, and the refreshing peppermint has uplifting qualities with compounds that promote muscles relaxation. As for jasmine essential oil, it's believed to relax the nervous system while also improving mood and wellbeing. For those looking for new ways to integrate CBD into their lives, this candle is perfect, as the CBD is not ingested, so the effects are more gradual as the candle disperses its scent into the atmosphere. Let us explain; as this CBD infused candle burns, the uplifting aroma from the CBD and essential oils stimulates the cell receptors, transmitting tranquil messages throughout the nervous and limbic system (the part of the brain that regulates emotion). Burning a candle is a great way to unwind and promote a feeling of calm and serenity, so adding CBD into the mix only further enhances these positive effects.

By lighting a candle, it offers a soothing and intimate ambience, which is precisely what we all need to start this New Year by feeling calmer and stronger. This CBD infused candle's burn time is around 30-35 hours, but we suggest trimming the candle wick around ¼ of an inch to make it last longer. Remember that you should only snip the wick when it is completely cool and always clean off any smut or remnants. This hand-poured 20cl UNWIND Candle (with 1500mg CBD) is available for purchase directly from Little Green's CBD website here are now on offer at £29.