Lovegrove - Lavender & Clary Sage Massage Balm

We love multi-tasking products, particularly as we here at The Amazing Blog have learnt to our cost, that shopping for all our pampering products, can certainly add up! So when we heard that Lovegrove’s Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm had multiple uses, we knew we had to try it. This massage balm can be used for manicures, pedicures, reflexology, massages, or you can add it to your bath for some extra muscle relaxation; how perfect is that? Lovegrove Essentials is a UK artisan brand that has been developed over the past six years. It was created by a mother and daughter duo Hannah and Hayley, whose combined knowledge and experience as respective holistic practioner and make up artist, certainly sets them apart. They have created specific blends of essential oils in their natural skincare range, which are not just for a topical effect they are also there to help individuals on a more holistic level for the mind and body. 

Lovegrove’s Massage Balm is made from 100% natural ingredients and it is vegan (made from a rice wax instead of bees wax). One of our favourite things about this balm is that moisturises the skin without leaving any unwanted greasiness. The main ingredients in the product are lavender and clary sage essential oils. Firstly, lavender essential oil has a mild analgesic properties which is especially good for treating muscular pains and a variety skin conditions. Secondly, clary sage essential oil creates a feeling of well-being and calmness it relieves stresses and is ideal for those suffering from insomnia or anxiety. The blend of lavender and clary sage essential oils in this balm provides the skin with an unbeatable combination that soothes skin and uplifts the spirits; and we think it smells incredible!

In addition to this Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm, Lovegrove offers massage balms in two other fragrances; spike lavender, ginger & marjoram and black pepper & rosemary. All of Lovegrove's massage balms are vegan and 100% natural. We think can think of endless reasons to use these balms. You can purchase your own 100g tub of Lovegrove’s Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm here for £19.00.

Harry’s – The Winston Set

We believe in supporting companies who actively make a positive difference in people's lives. So when The Amazing Blog heard that Harry’s shaving products, a subscription-based shaving system, supports and donates to many organisations that help challenge outdated stereotypes about ‘what it means to be a man’; we wanted to get involved and try out their products. This US-based company was co-founded by Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider, with a social mission: "We set aside a percentage of our sales, and a lot of our time, for charitable organisations. We always have, and we always will because it’s just the right thing to do". We were sent the Winston Set containing key products from Harry's - a Shave Gel and their Winston Razor with the replacement blades. These products gave us with a satisfying shaving experience and helped to leave our skin feeling as smooth as silk! 

First, we used the Harry’s Shave Gel to prepare our face for a clean-cut and close shave. The gel contains an aloe-enriched formula with cucumber that is both paraben-free and sulfate-free.This helps make it a gentle product that refreshes and protects the skin. The gel also contains hyaluronic acid which maintains moisture in the skin after shaving. It has a very subtle fragrance, which we're glad to report isn't at all overpowering. Using this Shave Gel on a moistened skin creates a lather-up effect that gives great 'slip' and takes all the effort out of shaving.

For the next step, we used Harry’s Winston Razor for a completed shave. The razor’s metallic build provides it with a sleek look that feels great to hold. It also has a comfortable central rubber grip section that makes shaving easier than ever. The razor has a flex hinge that helps the blade to follow the contours of your face. Each Harry’s Razor Blade cartridge contains 5 razor blades. The razor blade includes a lubricating strip at the top that further enhances the smoothness of your shave. Like any razor, you must replace the blade over time. Harry’s sells replacement razor blade packages to keep your razor as good as new. Four replacement blades come in a water-safe case that is 100% recyclable.

As mentioned previously, Harry’s donates a portion of their profits to organisations who work to continue the conversation about male stereotypes. If you want to have an effortlessly smooth face while making a positive impact, you can purchase Harry’s shaving products online. We also like the fact that Harry's offers a trial pack here for as little as £3.50! This trial pack includes the Winston Razor and one Shave Gel as part of a regular customised subscription, that can be cancelled at any time. We were sent the  'Winston Set' here a luxurious box set priced at £24 which has the weighty engraved, die-cast zinc and polished chrome finish razor. Otherwise, you can order each item separately: The Harry’s Shave Gel for £3.50 which is available here; the Winston Razor available here for £18.00 and the set of four replacement razor blades is available here for £7.50.

Embassy Gardens Market opens

This Saturday, the Embassy Gardens Market will be opening at Embassy Gardens’ New Union Square in Nine Elms Lane London SW8 5DA. The market is brought to us thanks to Shepherds Markets and EcoWorld Ballymore, two companies looking to bring a colourful, vibrant market to Embassy Gardens. Here at The Amazing Blog, we discovered the first Embassy Garden Market last November which was a huge fun, and we can’t wait to attend again this spring. This springtime market will include a selection of local food and drink products from some of London’s finest (and tastiest) vendors.

The first Embassy Gardens Market of 2018 will take place on Saturday April 28th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. If you cannot make it to opening day, do not stress; the market will be open again on Saturday May 26th and Saturday June 30th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The closest tube and overland stops to the market are the Vauxhall or the Battersea Park.

The vendors in attendance at the market will include; La Ferme, L’Amuse Bouche, Finest Fayre, Cookies n Cream, Goko, Rao Deli, Pequod Fish Burgers, Pippin Doughnuts and Chelsea Flower Gin and Tonics/Prosecco. These stalls offer a wide selection of cultural cuisines to choose from and we are sure that you will be able to satisfy whatever taste you are craving. In particular, we are especially eager to try out Goko’s Chinese Dumplings and La Ferme’s crepes.

In addition to all of the wonderful food options provided at the market, there will be live musical performances. Guests can look forward to seeing Swedish singer songwriter Axel Janson and beatboxer/singer Dana McKeon perform live at the market. We can’t wait to watch and listen to the live music while snacking on some tasty market finds. We think that this market is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends or family. After all, nothing brings people together like sharing food.

Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipsticks

We're always thrilled to find new beauty products that make us look and feel great, and here at The Amazing Blog nothing helps to uplift our spirits more than applying a little bit of lippy!  Today one of our latest lipstick discovery is from the eco-friendly brand the Vegocentric Lipsticks from Lippy Girl.

Lippy Girl is a Canadian-based vegan and organic brand founded by Darcey Diehl who was determined to show the world that you can make high-quality lipsticks without chemicals, animal products or animal testing. Each lipstick is incredibly pigmented and creamy and the best part is that they seriously last all day. In 13 beautiful shades, so you are sure to find one that suits you; whether you are looking for an every day neutral, a staple red, or a daring purple. We were sent a shade cheekily named Son of a Brick: a matte orange-red shade that is perfect to keep in your bag for taking you from a day to night look.

The key ingredient used in every Vegocentric Lipstick is organic shea butter, which makes each application go on smoothly with a creamy matte finish that won’t leave your lips feeling dry. The lipsticks are also formulated with organic castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and carnauba wax with natural mineral pigments that will make all your looks pop.  We particularly like that they are affordable, have 100% recyclable aluminium tubes and no bees products or polybutene/petroleum. The Vegocentric Lipsticks from Lippy Girl are available here through Botanical Brands for £12.50.

LOLA Make Up by Perse

Here at The Amazing Blog, we are always looking to expand our make-up bag with the latest and greatest products. Recently, we have been loving LOLA, Makeup by Perse. We previously raved about LOLA's Matte Long-Lasing Lipstick in the past here, so we were thrilled to get the opportunity to try out some more of their products. All of their professional quality products are affordable, cruelty-free, designed by make-up artists and beauty experts. In addition to their wide array of makeup products, LOLA also offers nail polish and makeup accessories online on their website.

We understand that a good primer can make or break any makeup look. With the help of a good primer, you can ensure that your make-up will last for hours at a time.  The Illuminating Base primer by LOLA has certainly not disappointed, this Illuminating Base is made out of diamond core powder and micro mineral pearls. These ingredients help to create a more even looking skin tone that will bring out your skin’s natural glow. The Illuminating Base is also oil-free, which helps to leave your face feeling light and smooth. You will find that the appearance of your pores and fine lines will be reduced when you apply the product under your foundation. The product is also incredibly easy to use. You simply apply a pea-sized amount of the product to the entire face using your fingers or a brush.

Another great LOLA product that we've been using is their Concealer Pen. This product helps you to flawlessly hide under eye dark circles and any other imperfections you may want to cover up. This liquid concealer comes with a convenient built-in brush to assist with the blending of the product onto the skin. The application is so simple you can apply it on the go if need be. The concealer contains pearl-coated pigments that make your skin radiate light and help you to appear more awake. The pen comes in three different shades so you can find one that matches your skin tone. 

Finally, another one of our other favourite LOLA products is their Ultra High Shine Gloss. This is the perfect lip gloss to finish off and perfect your make-up look. The gloss is available in 10 different shades, so you can test out different shades to find your favourite. Each gloss has a hyaluronic acid filling that adds volume to your lips after just one use. In addition, there is an active vitamin complex that ensures that your lips stay moisturised and soft. The glosses can be used on their own or with any LOLA lipstick, ensuring that your lips get a shiny finish. We tried out the clear gloss (010) and our lips were glistening all night long. 

You can purchase the Illuminating Base here for £13.95, the Concealer Pen here for £15.95 and the Ultra High Shine Gloss here for £5.95.