Bee Approved - Vegan Honey

Veganista is a new company that we at The Amazing Blog  have discovered on our continual quest to search out healthy and nutritious options. And they have an absolute belter to tempt us with … especially if we have opted for the vegan route to our nutrition, in the form of  Bee Approved  their alternative to honey.

Being an animal product, honey of course is not suitable for the vegan diet, and therefore Veganista have come up with Bee Approved Honey as the go-to alternative for those people who wish to avoid animal products where possible. Now our first question - probably like yours - is: how? Step forward the often overlooked brown rice to take a bow, for it is this humble larder staple which when cooked and with its starch broken down, gives us brown rice syrup with easily digestible sugars. Not only is this particular nectar mushy, sticky and thoroughly delicious, but when you consider the vast range of uses that honey gives us, then the field opens up completely for Bee Approved Vegan Honey’s versatility, since it can be used in as many and varied ways itself. It can be used raw, cooked, as a garnish or indeed as the main ingredient in a plethora of dishes from desserts to cocktails, and much in between.

With the Certified Vegan Trademark  behind it, each pot of goodness is authenticated by an acutely experienced team of professionals ensuring the high standards as set down in 1944 by The Vegan Society are continually met adhering to the strict code of total exclusion of any animal products, either in manufacture or final product. All BeeApproved foods are also Certified Organic and Gluten Free.

The primary supplier of Bee Approved Honey is Veganista’s own online shop here, for 150g, we won’t be breaking the bank at the competitive price of £3.49. Larger jars are also available in 250g and 500g sizes as well as the incredibly travel friendly 10g tube for just 50p! So, these jars of golden goodness tick all the boxes - not least of all giving all those hardworking bees a thoroughly well-earned day off the perpetual round of honey production!

PuraVida Bio

As our readers know, at The Amazing Blog we always veer towards good all-natural products. But, even with all the natural products we use, toxins still find a way to get into our skin through polluted air. We know that we’ll never leave the hustle and bustle of the city, but is the city air messing with our skin? Enter PuraVida Bio with their skin detox line. The Detox Serum, Detox Mask and Anti-age Balm all offer a perfect remedy to polluted skin. Anti-pollution skincare is one of the fastest growing areas in beauty and is something we’re all keen to try more of.

PuraVida Bio is an Italian brand of organic skincare that was started after identifying a need for high quality, innovative skincare products for all age ranges that are also completely safe and effective. We particularly like how they break down the ingredients that they use in each product with a purpose for each one. What makes this brand ‘different’ is that all their products are made with certified natural organic ingredients which are transformed into precious plant Lysates. The ingredients are provided by Alce Nero approved Italian farmers who cultivate under strict guidelines for organic farming. These are then go through a method of biotransformation into certified Lysates through an active process of natural fermentation (called ‘elision’), which strengthens all the antioxidants revitalising all the ingredients used. You can read more about this here.

We were sent three of their key products to test. The first of which was their Detox Serum, which is a concentration of anti-pollution active ingredients. It contains extract of Malvasia grapevines which maintain the correct level of skin microflora and speed up natural detoxification. The serum can be applied alone or before a moisturiser or balm, but we saw the best results when using together with their Anti-age Balm.

The Anti-age Balm we enjoyed using, light in texture, easy to absorb and the fragrance has a delicious powdery sweetness (the beetroot extract?) The extract of beetroot helps bind vitamin D on the skin, essential for toning and hydrating the skin. This is a long lasting formula that goes on working for 24 hours as it’s powerful antioxidants, ceramides and fermented angelica oil protect the skin and keep it toned and uniform. The vitamin C stimulates the renewal of collagen and combats the formation of age spots.

Our favourite of the three products is hands down the Detox Mask. It comes in these perfect single-use travel pods that are so easy to throw in a carry-on bag if you’re traveling. The PuraVida mask is the fastest way to detox your skin. Just apply the mask to the face and neck and leave for 15 minutes, once a week. It’s rich in powerful antioxidants and vitamin D, which is necessary for proper skin hydration.

All products are natural, gluten free, nickel tested no parabens or artificial preservatives and are not tested on animal. They are also approved by ICEA, one of the most important institutes for ethical and environmental certification. If you would like to remove some of the effects of pollution from your skin, the PuraVida Bio Detox products  can all be purchased here. The 50 ml Anti-age Balm is €32. You can purchase the 30 ml Detox Serum for €45 and the pack of 4 (8ml) Detox Masks retails for €22.

Clockface Beauty - Foot & Leg Scrub and Foot & Leg Balm

The Amazing Blog office is always buzzing with activities so much so, that we often forget to take time out to indulge in a bit of pampering (i.e. a relaxing foot massage). That why we love the way The Clockface Beauty, have created a ‘little bit heaven on earth’ with their two Foot & Leg Scrub and Foot & Leg Balm home-spa products.

Clockface Beauty is a mother-daughter luxury skincare brand equipped with organic natural products for guaranteed skincare results. Sarah Thomas, the founder of Clockface Beauty started to become concerned about what she used on her skin as it dramatically changed while she was pregnant with her eldest son. With help from her mother, Karen Horsely, they created a multi-tasking skincare brand that is 100% natural, ethical and proven. Clockface Beauty also prides itself on being sustainable and organic with transparent product labelling.

The Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Scrub is undoubtedly a unique product with its versatility, as it doubles up as a foot scrub and hydrating shaving conditioner. The scrub works quickly and effectively to remove dead skin cells and everyday toxins while tightening, firming, toning, smoothing and adding vitamins to the skin. The scrub has a light pink colour and appears foamy. It has a slightly sweet smell of neroli which is awakening and fresh. Unlike ordinary scrubs, it has fine salt granules which making it safe for exfoliating your legs and feet and the infused butter ensures your skin is not stripped of its oils leaving the skin moisturised after rinsing. Great for massaging onto tired feet to refresh and revive. To use as a conditioning shaving cream, apply before shaving and then rinse off afterwards with warm water. This scrub contains Himalayan pink salt, mango and avocado butter, neroli, ylang ylang essential oils.

As they say two is always better than one! And to accompany the delicious Scrub is the Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Balm, this is unmatched with Its uplifting, revitalising and refreshing treatment. Winner of the 2019 Mama & Baby Awards it is fortified with a range of essential oils, avocado, mango butter and vitamin E this is the ultimate treat for tired feet.  The balm hydrates, soothes, smoothes and moisturises legs and feet. The antioxidants help fight off the signs of ageing and fatty acids heal the skin from within. The balm resembles melted butter in texture and colour although slightly viscous. It has a zesty aroma combined with jasmine, frankincense and may chang.It is not lumpy, greasy or sticky and it simply smoothly glides on the skin giving your legs and feet a hydrated glow. We suggest using this after the Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Scrub for a calming and soothing double effect. Plus the balm is ideal for softening hard feet because of its excellent moisturising properties.  

Both the Scrub and the Balm are vegan, 100% and suitable for all skin types. NB: Both products state that they are not suitable for people who have a nut allergy. Foot & Leg Scrub is 120ml for £34.00 here and the Foot & Leg Balm is 120ml for £37.00 here.

Friday Favorites – Natural Deodorants

Late summer is probably the best season of the year here in the UK, still light evenings and gently balmy nights… However, not always is so nice in rush hour on the tube when packed with hot sweaty bodies and it’s 25+ degrees. You leave home smelling fresh but when you reach the office, you look and feel like you’ve run a marathon. Today at The Amazing Blog we thought it an opportune moment to share with you our four favourite natural deodorants that will help to keep you smelling sweet all day long.

First up is Scence’s natural deodorant balm. With three different scents, Scence has you covered. The Cornish-based artisan skincare brand cares about what you put on your skin in the same way as cares about the planet. If it harms the planet, it harms us. Formulated with natural and organic ingredients, get ready to enjoy fully nourished skin. Scence was founded by Krista Taylor who clarified the brand’s message: “I have always been interested in natural oils and the efficacy of herbs and felt frustrated that so much of the natural skincare on offer was packaged in single use plastic containers and applicators. I was making balms for family and friends that needed help with eczema and sensitive skin as well as developing a really effective deodorant that didn’t use questionable ingredients like aluminium.” 

Their Cool Rose, Juniper Berry and Cedar Fresh deodorant balms are made for everyday use and are designed to last up to 3 months. Mainly composed with organic coconut oil, mango butter, essential oils, baking soda and arrowroot; they absorb moisture and are made into a stick for easy application. Because it is a natural product with fresh ingredients, it is recommended to use within 12 months of purchase to maintain the optimal qualities of each of the elements.

Our favourite was the Cool Rose stick which melts as soon as it touches your skin, making it very easy to glide and releasing the scent of rose geranium. Each stick is packaged in a fully recyclable tube and all deodorants are paraben and cruelty-free. Get your Scent Deodorant Balm here for £12.00.

Next is Elsa’s Organic Skin Foods’s Deodorant. Founded by Henrietta, The brand’s name Elsa is inspired by her mum, who is an environmentalist and advocate that has been producing artisan skincare for decades. Henrietta has a teen daughter who like all of us when she comes back from school, she is a little less fragrant than when she left… Henrietta refused to use any roll-on or sprayed deodorants that are chemical based and found it quite hard to find natural deodorants. This is why she decided to specialise in deodorant creams with ingredients that you would only find in a kitchen. Thus, Elsa’s Organic Skin Food’s was born.

With a range of four signature deodorant stick fragrances: Dew, Ocean, Sensitive and Love. All key ingredients are coconut oil, arrowroot powder, shea butter, magnesium oxide, candelilla wax, vitamin E, bergamot oil, geranium oil, patchouli oil, and a few other essential oils. They each certified organic and some are even winners of The Beauty Shortlist Awards and Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards.

Elsa’s deodorants are very simple to use. Apply it onto clean and dry areas for a few seconds, swiping up and down 1 or 2 times. Your body heat will soften the stick allowing it to slide smoothly on your skin. Because its composition is very rich in minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, it automatically becomes a 4-in-1 deodorant. It is disinfectant and antimicrobial, blocks odour, absorbs wetness, and soothes your skin, keeping it nourished.  We gave Love a go and of course it smells amazing. It releases scents from roses and patchouli and keeps your skin odour-free all day. All products are It is vegan and suitable for all skin types. Purchasing your 45 ml deodorant stick here for £12.00 each.

Onto Logona, an established German beauty brand which has been trading for over 40 years, with huge expertise in the natural products sector all products come with the NaTrue or BDIH seal.  From makeup, nail polish to natural shampoos, and many more products, Logona has been a pioneer brand winner of several awards including having received distinctions from Öko-Test particularly for their Daily Care Organic Aloe & Verbena Deo Spray.

This Daily Care Organic Aloe and Verbena Deo Spray, is a deodorant that ensures long-lasting freshness to combat body odour successfully. With verbena and aloe as main active ingredients, this deodorant has a lemony verbena fragrance and soothes irritated skin by nourishing it and moisturising it.  We quickly want to mention that although it’s a very gentle deodorant, it also fights against bacteria with all the antioxidants it contains.

We love this alternative spray deodorant because it gives ultimate freshness, protects the planet and our skin. Get your Logona award-winning deodorant here £8.95.

Last but not least, is We Love The Planet. This Dutch brand has developed a series of deodorants that consist of 100% natural ingredients. They are NC and EcoControl certified, meaning they only make products with natural ingredients. Their key organic ingredient is coconut oil and We Love The Planet stick deodorants have no synthetic fabrics or aluminium added, meaning it is harmless to you and the planet. Sometimes, when using a high street brand of roll-on deodorant, we find that it takes time to absorb and clogs under-arm pores, but this does not happen with We Love The Planet. Like our other natural deodorants, it acts as a moisturiser and soothes your skin in a matter of seconds. Also, like some of the other natural deodorants mentioned in this feature, one single stick can last up to 3 months. Amazing.

We Love The Planet have created six different scents for their deodorants; Forever Fresh, lovely citrusy and pure spice odour; Lovely Lavender, wonderful smell of wild and tame lavender; Mighty Mint, a blend of mint and rosemary scents; So Sensitive, ideal for extra-sensitive skins since it is hypoallergenic and had a delicate and mild smell; Original Orange, another citrusy hinted deodorant with a touch of mandarin; and Sweet Serenity, a subtle scent of rose, honey and spices. No matter which one you chose they will be equally effective. Each stick is made out of 100% recyclable materials and the deodorant is made with coconut oil, baking powder, corn starch powder, caprylic acid, and beeswax. These ingredients deodorise, moisturise, calms irritated skin, reduce the excess of oils and perspiration and help skin restoration. Beeswax used to keep the consistency of the stick and allows it to slightly melt when it touches your skin.  Our favourite fragrances from this range were the Forever Fresh and Lovely Lavender sticks, they are so easy to carry around in a handbag to apply and top-up during the day. Just push the bottom a little bit for the stick to go up and swipe it on each armpit a couple of times. Purchase your stick now for € 11,50 here.

We hope we have given you a perfect solution to help ‘keep fragrant’. We are so thrilled to discover so many great natural deodorant brands and hope that we have persuaded you to try something new too. Which was our favourite? That’s a hard one, we’d have to say that we loved them all!

Nairian - Micellar Rose Water and Cleanser

As fellow skincare fans will know, we’re always on the hunt for new cleansers and micellar waters to help maintain a clear skin. This is something we’ve all struggled with for a long time, because most products either provoke dryness or produce oils in excess, leaving our skin sticky or worse, clogging our pores. Finding products that are powerful and effective but also soft and kind to our skin is a challenge. At The Amazing Blog, we have discovered a new brand Nairian who we’ve heard lots of good things about. What’s more they produce an effective Micellar Rose Water and Cleanser which we couldn’t be more excited about.

Nairian is an Armenian family-based business that always has two priorities: Your skin and the planet. Armenia is a small country in Eastern Europe where the soil mainly comes from volcanoes, therefore it is incredibly rich in nutrients. Nairian sustainably harvest their ingredients in these local lands, on the slope of Mount Ara. They use principles of aromatherapy to make all their products which are cruelty, paraben, sulphates, synthetic fragrances and chemical-free. Nairian puts quality and sustainability at the core of the business and by growing all their products organically, where they are handcrafted and plant-based. They also monitor the production process from seed to bottle, in order to deliver the very best in top-quality products.

Let’s start with the Nairian Cleanser which is a delicately fragranced, gentle soap-free formula made with calendula flower and essential oils. It cleanses, calms and brightens both the skin and mind, as you inhale its flowery and zesty fragrance. Containing sunflower seed oil, citrus peel and rose geranium all of which have antibacterial properties among others, it soothes our redness and inflammation whilst maintaining our skin’s natural moisture.  The Nairian Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and is highly recommended to use on acne-prone, dry or mature skin. To make the most of it, use only two pumps and gently massage your face. To remove it, use a damp cloth and repeat the process morning and night. Ideally, follow it with your toner (i.e. Nairian Micella Water for optimal results) and a moisturiser of your own preference.

For us finding micellar waters and cleansers that do not irritate the skin has been a bit of a mission. Nairian Micellar Rose Water is gentle but also capable of deeply removing pollution and grime. Mainly composed with rose water, this micellar will not only cleanses but it also soothes and calms any inflammation. It also contains a hint of rose essential oil which spreads antioxidants throughout the skin, protecting it from day-to-day pollutants as well as preventing ageing. The Nairian Micellar Rose Water is suitable for all skins and its dash of glycerine, finds the perfect balance between oily and dry, giving you a soft and hydrated face. Wet a cotton pad and apply it onto your skin in an upward motion to fully activate all the ingredients.

We’ve added these two Nairian cleansers to our must-have list, we think once tried, you will too. With countless benefits, the Micellar Rose Water and their Cleanser leave your skin like never before. If this sounds like something you need, you can get your 200ml Micellar Rose Water for £28 here and the 100ml Cleanser for £28 here .