BEYofi Shaving Gel, Balm and Oil

As our desire for ever more intricate and precision shaving styles increases, so does our need for efficient tools with which we can execute our creativity with pinpoint accuracy, whilst still ensuring our skin is as protected as much as possible when the blade descends. We at The Amazing Blog notice that more and more brands are now extending their shaving ranges to include far more user-friendly options, and BEYofi are the perfect example of this - most notably their Mens Shaving Gel For Sensitive Skin, formulated with exactly that in mind, whilst also avoiding irritating the skin as far as possible. 

The shaving range is attractively packaged all with pump dispensers. But it is this Shaving Gel For Sensitive Skin, that is the one that really caught my eye. Its rich formula is designed not to lather up into an explosion of bubbles, but rather simply provide thorough lubrication of the skin along with effective moisturisation so we can sculpt away to our heart’s content. Similarly, the BEYofi Shaving Balm has also been formulated to ensure it is easily absorbed, soothing the skin to avoid irritation, soreness and reduce the dreaded razor burn. This delight is fragrance-free, allowing your choice of after-shave to remain unhindered as you complete the task in hand.

With an impressive heritage behind him, the creative genius that is Bernard D. Evans, has come up trumps once again with a superb product to add to his already impressive range to help us in our quest. The product however which perhaps exemplifies the versatility of this line is the Mens Shaving Oil, which has a three-in-one functionality, allowing us to use it on it’s own, as a preparation base for a shaving cream, or indeed as a post shave serum, and all with a fresh peppermint and lemon fragrance to engage the nostrils! The Shaving gel retails at £19.75 (100ml), the Shaving Balm for £20.45 (100ml), and the Shaving Oil comes in at £21.45 for 30ml, and all available through here.

Kayaking on the Thames

Feel like a bit of adventure?  Then read on…We at The Amazing Blog are always open to new thrills. I wonder, have you ever thought of viewing London by night on the water? However, all from a very different perspective. Enter Kayaking London who give you the opportunity to bob along the Thames, tripping the lights fantastic, in a way that only London can offer. Kayaking London have bases in Chelsea and Ladbroke Groove with excellent facilities and equipment. In both centres they have hot showers, changing rooms and lockers to keep for your valuables (you’ll need a small padlock).  Kayaking London is an activity that allows you to kayak along the river Thames while sight- seeing in London.

The tour we’re going to talk about is their Big Ben by Night. These run from now in September to April. London is equally beautiful at night as it is by day and is more beautiful as the sunset reflects on The River Thames. The trip is 2 1/2 hours long, where you glide along on the river, you’ll be able to see the Houses of Parliament and central London in all their lit-up splendour before heading back to base in Chelsea on a new tide. As the trip is run on highly stable boats, no experience in kayaking is required.

The coaches are highly trained and qualified by British Canoe Union, fully CRB checked and have years of experience. They will prep, equip and help you master the basics of boat controlling before you begin your tour. They have a range of kayaks, spacious and stable doubles, or fast sleek singles – something to suit everyone. Quickly added you have to be over 18 years old to partake in this activity. Big Ben by Night tickets are £42. purchase your ticket here Fall in love with London all over again, as you experience night-time kayaking on the longest river in England.

Matis - Vitality by M - Roll’on Energ’Eyes

A few months ago, we here at The Amazing Blog were reporting in on the range of mens skincare Réponse Homme which had been developed by Matis to sit alongside their highly successful women range (see our review here) . At the time we were struck by the intense science behind each of their products - whether for boys or girls, and therefore you can imagine our excitement to find another gem to help us in the daily battle to moisturise our skin and keep the hydration levels as high as possible- only this time, there is no battle to be waged as we have the most deliciously satisfying beauty tool at our fingertips - and it’s effects are a dream. 

The Vitality Roll’On Energ’Eyes from Matis is a tube of heaven which stands out, not just because of it’s vibrant orange/red colour palette, but because when you unscrew the lid, two things become abundantly clear. Firstly, this is no ordinary moisturiser for the delicate area around the eyes- we have three generously sized ballbearings mounted in the top which effortlessly glide over the skin, not only hydrating and toning as they go, but also massaging and cooling on their way. The second revelation is the utterly seductive fragrance, which all goes to imbue a sense of calm tranquility leaving your eyes feeling sensational.The science part of course is more straightforward, in that, by decongesting the eye contour area, we are actually stimulating the micro-circulation. Therefore hydration is maximised reducing the dark circles so the skin becomes more radiant.

The main active ingredient in our newfound friend is vitamin C, which goes to stimulate our collagen synthesis, protecting our skin, and evening out the colour tone. There are also extracts of goji berries which, being high in antioxidants, vitamins C,B and amino acids help to strengthen and regenerate the cells. So, although this glorious tube may be just 15ml, it packs quite a formidable treat into it’s compact space, but what a joy for our eyes to discover. We found it on special offer for only £15.99 here

Holly Golightly Cider from Celtic Marches

Today we unashamedly revisit our friends over in Herefordshire at Celtic Marches in fact The Amazing Blog previously featured their delicious Thundering Molly Cider way back in 2014! Today they have now come up with another hugely tempting bottle, only this time with one of the most iconic images of cinematic history: Holly Golightly. 

Any fans of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, brace yourselves for something very special indeed, today we are focusing on the heroine of that movie herself - the fabulously complicated and utterly beguiling Holly Golightly. The image is unmistakeable - perfect undo coiffed to perfection, the long black gloves, little black dress and the Audrey Hepburn pout jumps out at you from the label, making a beeline for our shopping basket. 

Standing alongside such diverse characters as Loubi Lou, and Nell Gwynne, Holly Golightly is no doubt going to make her mark in the drinks cabinet, just as she did on screen, but at just 0.5%ABV, her low alcohol content comes out as far more virtuous! Having said that, this is no wishy-washy concoction, but rather a full-flavoured medium cider, as you would expect from 100% pressed cider apples - suitable for vegans and no gluten makes this a sure fire winner across the board. Available in bottles, and cans, cases of 12 can be purchased for just £22.99 here, where the complete range and all the other characters that Celtic Marches have created, are just waiting to be discovered. Now all we need is our wrought iron fire escape, ‘Cat’ to brush past us and ‘Moon River’ playing in the background, and we can have ourselves an evening of unadulterated movie nostalgia … relax and enjoy!

The Upholstery Workshop

Today at The Amazing Blog we’re giving you an opportunity to escape to the country and learn another new creative skill. The Upholstery Workshop offers you just this, all set in the rural countryside on the Herts/Worcestershire borders.

The Upholstery Workshop is set in a 15th century red brick and timber farmhouse at Huntlands Farm, a rural retreat with wonderful views of the countryside. They have rooms to rent at the farmhouse from as little as £75 a night for a double bed – so you won’t have far to travel for your workshop!  Founders are Lucy and Stephen, Lucy Brodie holds a qualification with the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishings having been trained in the use of modern and traditional materials and methods.

There are a choice of workshops either during week or at weekend workshops. We’re suggesting their two-day course where both traditional and modern upholstery techniques are taught. The course mainly entails working on small furniture project, such as a drop-in seat for a stool or a bed headboard; all incredibly useful for giving your home an uplift. On the curriculum you’ll learn anything from a simple furniture repair to handling fabrics and tools correctly, and the health and safety guidelines. It is recommended that you bring with you a piece of furniture, some tools (they will suggest what you need), an apron, your own fabrics.  You may also want to bring a camera to record the stages of your work among other things. Don’t panic if you haven’t any furniture to bring there are many local resources nearby to nip out and get some.

The course starts from £180 including home-made lunch and snacks. You'll benefit from seeing a variety of works be completed alongside your own project. They offer a reduced rate for accommodation at £60 a night and an extra £20 if your partner wishes to join you. The cost is not inclusive of the materials used and will be charged at the end of the workshop. See here to look at available dates and book your retreat and enjoy what the countryside has to offer.