Underbelly Festival

Every city welcomes the unique, eccentric and unconventional. London is especially no stranger to this. The Amazing Blog appreciates the unusual and fun events that the city puts on, and this programme is no exception. Over the past decade, the Southbank has hosted the Underbelly Festival, and it’s back this summer for another wild experience. Until the end of September, you can purchase tickets to attend live circus, comedy, cabaret and family entertainment. 

Join the live entertainment this month, accompanied by international food and drink, right on the banks of the Thames. Prepare to have your mind blown, according to Time Out, with the showgirls of the House of Burlesque. The provocative performance will have you singing and dancing along with their soundtrack and sing-alongs. Come and celebrate their 7th year performing on the Southbank!  On until 27th September, you can purchase a ticket here for £21.00. The show lasts about 80 minutes.

After you’ve witnessed the revolutionary movement of the House of Burlesque, attend Europe’s most prestigious Burlesque competition, Burlesque Idol 2018. In its 9th year, the competition has produced starlets from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Paris and America. At the event, guests will be greeted by showgirls and given a ballot to vote on their favourite contestant. Help the judges pick the next Burlesque Idol by purchasing tickets here for £21.00.

Next up on the lineup, is cabaret with The Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret and Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique. For one night only, on the 19th September, the talented group, Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret will be performing. Tickets can be purchased here from £21.00. Don’t miss out on headliners such as Ray Gelato and the Giants who have played for H.M. Queen, Sir Paul McCartney and Richard Branson. If you can’t make it on the 19th, don’t fret! Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique will have shows this month. You can purchase tickets here from £17.00.

Most shows range from £21.00 or less! Find out about the other exciting events happening at the Underbelly Festival. There is something for everyone!

Lola’s Apothecary

Amongst the hustle and bustle of city life, The Amazing Blog finds it necessary to make time for relaxation, whether it’s watching a marathon of our favourite box sets or drawing a warm bath. Lola’s Apothecary helped us unwind with their Delicate Romance Balancing Bath & Shower Oil and Tranquil Isle Bath Salt. Lola’s Apothecary is a UK and Devon based company who take a holistic approach to wellness and spa, with products which are grounded in nature. We found ourselves reaching nirvana with their intoxicating fragrances. All the handmade products are created with the intent to enrich your self-care rituals.

The award-winning Delicate Romance Balancing Bath & Shower Oil is composed of plant essences that emit a romantic fragrance of flowers and spices. The scent is warm and inviting and immediately commands the body to relax. It only takes a few drops to feel the effects of instant gratification. The glass bottle is simple, yet elegant and inside has a selection of adorable floating rosebuds. You can also reap the benefits of the aromatherapy by rubbing a few drops onto your décolletage before slipping into the bath for a soak. The source of vitamin E treats sensitive skin. Beta Carotene stimulates cell turnover with its high level of omega 6. Other ingredients help reduce redness and inflammation and regulate hormonal health.

Similar to the bath oils, the Tranquil Isle Bath Salt is concentrated in essential oils that create a therapeutic experience. The calming smell of lavender puts your mind at ease of everyday stresses. The Himalayan Crystal Salt is one of the purest salts with traces of many minerals that are also very beneficial to health. Roman Camomile acts as an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent for sensitive skin. The Vetivert is a relaxant that aids sleep and relieves nervous tension.

To use, create a complete atmospheric experience for yourself – dimming the lights and lighting a candle. You can indulge in the pleasures of aromatherapy without leaving the comfort of your own home. As you draw the bath, drip a few drops of the oil or sprinkle the bath salts. Step into the tub and let the therapeutic smells take over. Purchase the Balancing Bath & Shower Oil 100ml here for £40 and the Tranquil Isle Bath Salts here for £50.

Korres – Bergamot & Jasmine Body Milk and Shower Gel

The Amazing Blog is always on the hunt for great-smelling body products that encourage healthy skin. One of our favourite brands is Korres, and as regular readers will know, we have covered many of their products over the years, the most recent being their Yogurt Range. As a natural Greek skincare brand, they have their roots set firmly in Athens; in fact, they started as one of the first ever homoeopathic pharmacy in Greece. Korres’ goal is to mix both nature and science, taking advantage of their extensive scientific resources, for the advancement of clinically safe and effective products.

The latest products from the Korres range that we tried are their Bergamot & Jasmine Body Milk and Shower Gel. The exotic Bergamot & Jasmine are a scent combination to fall in love with! This fragrance isn’t overpowering, in fact, it has a delicate balance of spicy citrus from the bergamot oil, and calming floral bouquet from the Jasmine. Thus making these two products extremely mood enhancing and uplifting to use.

The Body Milk, made from 92% of natural content, is enriched with shea butter, almond oil, active aloe, and pro-vitamin B5, ideal for improving the suppleness of the skin. We mustn't forget to mention that almond oil is a fantastic anti-inflammatory and that aloe vera stimulates cell rejuvenation. The foaming Shower Gel is made from 87% of natural content and is enhanced with moisturising wheat proteins and althea extract, to help maintain natural moisture levels. It also contains active aloe to help reduce signs of ageing. What’s not to love? Purchase Korres’ Bergamot Jasmine Body Milk 200ml for £10.00 here and the Bergamot Jasmine Shower Gel 250ml for £8.00 here.

Map of the Heart – Clear Heart Vol. 1 Perfume

The summer has awoken our senses to fresher and lighter scents. The sun is out and it’s time to tweak our regular signature scent to match the change in temperature. The Amazing Blog has found just the perfume by Map of the Heart, an Australian company whose fragrances originate in France.

Map of the Heart has six unisex fragrances that are meant to 'conjure stories of place and character' and encourage people to challenge whatever life throws up. We tried their Clear Heart Vol. 1 perfume and were blown away by its subtle fragrance layers.

Clear Heart Vol. 1 perfume is inspired by the Australian summer, and we can see why. It has a light mix of soft green florals, combined with salty, and gentle ambery notes. All very reminiscent of balmy care-free days just lazing by the sea and listening to the echo of the lapping waves. When we spritzed and spritzed some more, it really lifted our mood and spirits. The top notes of the scent contain touches of citrus, green leaves, and blackcurrant. The heart of the fragrance has watery notes, Tunisian neroli, orris, and peony. Finally, the base of the perfume contains white cedar wood, Australian sandalwood, incense, and musks - it's truly moreish!

We also can’t get enough of the perfume’s bottle: the recreation of a living, breathing heart. This iconic shape was designed by the legendary Pierre Dinand (YSL ‘Opium’, Calvin Klein ‘Eternity’, Dior ‘Au Savage’). The design is cohesive with Map of the Heart’s desire to focus on the raw and honesty of human life. The question is, who'll be the lucky person taking this bottle of happiness home? I think we'll have to toss a coin for it!

So what happens if you order this and don't like it? There is an option. Map of the Heart fragrances let you try their products, with the option to return. Select LOVE IT, KEEP IT and your order will be shipped with a complimentary sample of your order choice. If you love it and want to keep it, then proceed to open the tissue seal and enjoy. However, if not, follow the instructions under the returns policy, and ensure the order is returned within 14 days of receiving.  Purchase your Clear Heart Vol. 1 perfume by Map of the Heart 90ml here for £150.00 also retailed in Harrods.

Africology - The Rose Body Balm

Culture is an integral part of the journey for the beauty industry and its products. It is where both ancient and new ideas come together, transforming knowledge into something special. The Amazing Blog always gravitates toward beauty products that have adopted innovative ideas, especially ones that use culture as the foundation of practice. Africology is one such company, who celebrate Africa’s heritage and plant life, subsequently capturing the flora and fauna of Africa in their skincare products. I first came across Africology when I had a friend from South Africa to stay. Buried deep in her hand luggage was their serum, a product she eulogised for hours about. It was a piece of 'home' that she prized more than anything else that had travelled 8k miles to get here! Then Africology popped up again, as winners at 2018 The BeautyShortlist and that's when I knew that I had to try it. 

The Rose Body Balm was the first product we requested to try.  Infused with shea butter, marula oil, rosehip seed oil and unrefined beeswax. Its texture is light and soft and glides across the skin during application. While massaging the product into the skin’s surface, the balm becomes a medium for increasing lymph flow and circulation. As it becomes a source of nourishment, the balm also alleviates muscle pain. The purpose of the balm extends far beyond hydrating dry areas and cracked heals. Rose, a foundational component of the product, is a mild anti-depressant and balances emotions and hormones. The floral aroma is subtle and calming. For use, warm a tiny amount in your hands and apply to the affected areas. The product can be used during a bath or shower, as part of a message, or melted in an aromatherapy burner. However, Africology recommends applying it to damp skin after a warm bath.

Interested in learning more about the key ingredients’ perks? Keep on reading...Shea butter: The fatty acids contained in shea oil are a source of vitamins A, E and F. Shea oil is an anti-inflammatory, and helps to retain moisture, relieve itchiness and soothe sunburnt skin. Marula seed oil: The oil extracted from the kernel of the marula fruit, the seed oil is rich in antioxidants and stimulates collagen and elastin production. Due to its light consistency, the oil doesn’t clog pores and treats acne with its antimicrobial and non-comedogenic properties. Beeswax: Beeswax is thick in nature, and acts as a protective barrier for the skin. As the foundation of the balm, it also prevents the separation of oil and liquid components. Rosehip seed oil: This oil contains vitamin A and C, which exfoliates and moisturises the skin while boosting skin regeneration and elasticity. Green rooibos (leaf powder): With its natural compounds, leaf powder is an excellent aid for eczema, nappy rash and acne. The alpha-hydroxy acid found in leaf powder also maintains healthy skin. African potato (root powder):  Root powder contains sterols and sterolins that are helpful in acne, eczema and psoriasis treatment.  It also boosts the immune system.

This product did the rounds at The Amazing Blog, we dabbed it onto our pulse points (gorgeous rose aroma) and also put a 1/2 teaspoon of the balm into our aromatherapy burner, which melted to give the office a sense of calm. A little does go a long way (hence the 125ml jar), you can purchase yours for £21 here.