NORSE: Aftershave Balm & Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for Hard-Working Hands"

The girls at The Amazing Blog have yet again, come to my rescue and helped to put an end to my suffering… We’re talking razor burn (from recently shaving off my whiskers) and dry hands (sustained from extracurricular work as a volunteer). Meet both Aftershave Balm and Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for Hard-working Hands" from the trusty newcomer and grooming brand Norse.

As the regular readers will remember, I’ve already reviewed two of Norse’s products: the Exfoliating Face Wash Bars and the Norse Shower Bars here. I’m a fan of this new brand and I’ve just added two more of their products to my favourites list.  I also have to admit to being a ‘little obsessed’ with their Hand Salve. As I mentioned before, Norse’s products are handmade, vegan, and cruelty-free.  Iain Kerrigan, the founder of Norse, states: “All products are plastic-free, environmentally (and wallet) friendly.” Which in these challenging economic times, the latter will hold great appeal for one and all.

Let’s start with the Aftershave Balm which left my skin as soft as a baby’s bum!  As the name says, it’s a Balm, an emollient that can be used on the face or (in my case) dry elbows too. It absorbs quickly into the skin and is non-greasy formula despite being rich in key ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba, and sweet almond oil. I also loved that it had a subtle zesty finish too. Having shaved off my whiskers, my exposed skin was extremely sensitive and this Balm offered both protection and hydration. A little goes a long way and I think that this is a brilliant multitasker that’ll offer plentiful use all year round. You can purchase your Aftershave Balm here 100g for only £ 20.00.

Then we come onto my favourite the Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for hard-working hands" as someone who works with their hands;  this has been a lifesaver for me. Not only with all the hand washing but as a couturier at Simon Copeland London by day and a volunteer making PPE by night – I’ve noticed the toll it’s taken on my hands. My skin has become noticeably drier but by applying this Hand Salve last thing at night, massaging it into my palms, back of hands and cuticles, it has really helped to soothe and replenish the oils making my skin soft and supple again. Like the Aftershave Balm, it has shea butter, jojoba and sweet almond, although this has the addition of key ingredients such as beeswax which will help to protect skin and essential oils like lavender, rosemary and tea tree to rid bacteria and heal cuts. This is a must for everyone who has hard-working hands. You can purchase your 85g Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for hard-working hands" here for only £14.00. 

ULU (U Love U) - Revitalise 5% CBD Serum and Happy 1% CBD Body Oil

We like to support all things CBD and at The Amazing Blog we search out the very best that we can find. Today at The Amazing Blog we want to introduce you to ULU (U Love U), a newcomer that produces CBD oils and skincare. We like that their motto is ‘love your life’ and as we all know, the pressures of everyday life can often lead to anxiety and stress and ULU are here to help break that cycle. CBD has become more and more popular here in the UK and we’ve been featuring it here for a while now. We’re always curious as see to how products from this humble hemp plant can play a positive part in our lives. 

Founded by Paul Hembery, whose background is motorsport, where he worked in a high-pressure and stressful environment. After having discovered the merits of CBD products, he wanted to provide a solution for other people experiencing similar challenges. He believes in spreading positivity and wellbeing, “I was studying a life course in California with the Bob Proctor Institute and was struck by the need to increase positivity and confidence in people and life in general.” Paul went on to say: “Combine that with the opportunity CBD is providing and my personal mission to provide high-quality solutions, I decided to create ULU. You only get one life. So, above all, I want people to love it.” All of which proved to be his inspiration to venture into the world of CBD. ULU offers THC free full-spectrum CBD products (we recently explained THC-free full spectrum process in another CBD feature here). Their product range includes skincare, pet supplement oils,  sublingual oils, capsules, combined amino CBD and vapes.  They are made in Germany and are herbicide and pesticide-free. Today we are reviewing two of their skincare products Revitalise 5% CBD Serum 750mg and the Happy 1% CBD Body Oil 750mg.

Indeed, CBD oil has numerous ‘positive’ properties and one of the many adverse effects we’ve felt from this quarantine/pandemic has been stress, and this stress is reflected immediately on our skin; whether it’s an acne breakout, skin redness, or dehydration.  The Revitalise Serum offers the skin relief and protection against environmental pollution and free radicals. A powerful and natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, the CBD here is broad-spectrum and THC-free (confusing, I know when they tell us they’re full-spectrum, perhaps it’s only the sublingual products?) The CBD is the key ingredient in this Serum, where it helps purify the skin and offers some great anti-ageing effects too. The Serum has 5% of CBD (750ml in this 15ml bottle) making it and the Body Oil, the highest concentration of organic broad-spectrum CBD in skincare, here in the UK. However, don’t be concerned it is very gentle on the skin despite its strength, we found that it suited all our skin types and really plumped up the skin. Their organic cannabidiol here is combined with organic aloe leaf juice an antioxidant-rich in vitamins and known for its legendary heal properties. There is organic coconut oil and sunflower seed oil, which are rich in vitamins A, C, and, D. Plus the red raspberry, blueberry, and cranberry extracts that shield the skin and act as a cell regenerator, encourages cell growth and boosts the collagen levels in the skin.  We think that this Serum is ideal for dry skin with its addition of organic neem seed and rosehip seed oils which even out skin tone and rebalance any redness. This Revitalising Serum is available for here in 15ml for £41.

The second product from ULU we tried is the ULU Happy 1% CBD Body Oil is a deeply hydrating body oil which contains 1% of CBD (750mg in 15ml). What better way to leave your skin with velvety result than by using this Body Oil. It contains jojoba seed oil that will help soothe your skin and leave it glowing with the Meadowfoam seed oil which will help prevent loss of skin moisturisation. The avocado oil will make sure your skin gets all the vitamins and protein it needs to keep it healthy and protect it from UV rays damages. This Body Oil also contains sunflower seed oil, neem seed oil, and organic coconut oil and has a natural slightly zesty aroma to keep you smelling fresh and feeling energised. They recommend using this also on eczema and acne. With a name like HAPPY who could resist? Quickly added neither of these products smells even the tiniest bit ‘hemp-y’ - which we’ve heard as a common complaint with some CBD skincare. See here for the ULU Happy 1% CBD Body oil in 75ml for £44.

Cleanse & Cure - 100% Organic Gold Sea Moss

It is always hard to find the right elements to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle. Today at The Amazing Blog we’ve found something slightly different …  It’s a pure ingredient from the Irish Sea brought to us from Cleanse & Cure.  We discovered from them, that this Organic Gold Sea Moss is thought to be a bit of a natural miracle worker, which is why we wanted to try it.

Sea Moss has been played an integral and medicinal role in both the Jamaican and Irish traditions.  This type of Sea Moss can be found on the Atlantic Coastline of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. It was used by the Irish as a type of medicine in the 1800s and helped to feed the population during the potato famine. Irish Sea Moss is considered as a great digestive aid. Cleanse & Cure use a traditional recipe with wildcrafted raw sea moss, spring water and a little citrus juice to cleanse and flavour. With its gel-like texture, it makes a great agent to heal and soothe the mucus membrane in the body like the respiratory and digestive systems. It can get rid of bad gut bacteria; therefore, it has a prebiotic effect. Sea moss can improve your thyroid functions with its high concentration in iodine, an element used by your own hormones to regulate metabolism, mood, and much more.

It is a great immune booster thanks to the potassium, amino acids, vitamin C and antioxidants. We included it in our version of an alkaline Green Smoothie: with a handful of fresh parsley, 1 x juice of a lemon, 1 x small cucumber (whole), and 1 x apples (whole), ½ a tumbler of spring water and a hand full of ice cubes, all blitzed up in the blender. The one to two tablespoons of this Sea Moss is recommended to take daily. We found it to be almost tasteless and it simply vanished in this smoothie. As a superfood, it can be used as a supplement and is said to contain 92 of 102 of the body’s natural elements, 80% of which are from the important ones. Just like any other natural product, it will deteriorate over time, therefore, Cleanse & Cure advises keeping it for no more than 2-3 weeks, but you can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

With all these nutriment benefits and with it's a gel-like quality its ideal for using as a face mask particular for those with eczema, psoriasis or with skin sensitivity. It is rich in sulphur and therefore is an antibacterial, reduces the excess of sebum oil in the skin and hence less acne breakout. It has all the elements when applied topically to help keep the skin hydrated and enriched in vitamin A, potassium, calcium, sulphur, magnesium, and vitamin K. It can also be integrated into your daily diet, be it for weight loss or other reasons since it contains fibre and is low in cholesterol and fat.  It also contains Algin which is a phytonutrient that has therapeutic values such as a heavy metal detoxifying agent. Cleanse and Cure offers two kinds of Sea Moss: The Organic Gold Sea Moss available in either 750ml for £25 here or 380ml for £15 here. The Organic Purple Sea Moss available in 380ml for £20 here.

Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions

We’re fans of goat’s milk and one of us here at The Amazing Blog drinks it regularly on a daily basis. Did you know that unlike cow’s milk, the enzymes in raw goat’s milk aids the digestion process? Thus making it more tolerable for not only humans but dogs too! So, we’re pleased to introduce you to our latest #amazingfinds with Chuckling Goat and their Kefir Lotions. These are a series of four different skin lotions which are good for using on the face and body that contain the same award-winning kefir and raw goat’s milk.  

It all started when the founders Shann and Richard Jones were trying to find new ways in which to help their son Benji, who was suffering from eczema and chronic bronchial infections. This is when they discovered that by feeding him goats milk it helped his allergies, and so they went and bought their very first goat! The rest, as they say, is history and in 2014 Chuckling Goat was born. They have found themselves being hailed as gut health specialists, and now have 23 team members, 15 barn cats, 50 goats, and more than 200 000 pleased customers from 56 different countries from all around the world.  They are a UK market leader in the production of raw goat’s milk and kefir which for those of you who are new to kefir, it’s a great immune booster and contributes to functioning the nervous system. Not only that it maintains the normal function of bones and skin and also reduces fatigue and tiredness. We love that Chuckling Goat has already donated more than £100,000 worth of their products to the NHS as part of their appreciation to those on the frontline. These Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions are all handmade, cruelty-free, and suitable for pregnant women and children over 3 years old. All products are unisex and are primarily composed of goat’s milk, kefir, Finnish oat oil, rice bran oil and olive oil, and are either pure or with a specific essential oil. They are made in small batches by hand on the farm and made from food-grade ingredients. 

First, we tried the Sensitive Kefir Lotion. Made with their raw goat’s milk, it contains valuable minerals, enzymes, and vitamins that help nourish your skin. Its key ingredients are goat milk, kefir, oat oil highly concentrated in antioxidants, and vitamin E, it softens and smoothens the skin. It also contains water and olive oil, this natural oil helps to decrease acne, hydrate, and moisturise the skin, and also contains antioxidant properties, therefore fights the bacteria along with other vitamins such as vitamin B5. This Sensitive Kefir is the only one of the lotions not to contain any essential oils (in case of skin sensitivity).

Next up, we have the Soothing Kefir Lotion this has the inclusion of a rosemary essential oil that acts as a refreshing astringent that helps the skin cells contract and also balances the skin tone. It has an antimicrobial benefit on the skin which helps prevent future breakouts, as well as vitamin B5. The smell is a very subtle rosemary.

The third product to try is the Calm-Down Kefir Lotion which is differentiated from the others because it contains lavender oil. The latter works to kill bacteria on the skin and therefore fights acne and other skin breakouts, it also is known for its ability to soothe eczema and help with dry skin conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. This amazingly fragranced lotion is ideal dry skin and was our favourite with the lavender fragrance which is so calming.

Last but not least, Break-out Kefir Lotion contains the divine tea tree oil which is known for its focused anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce swelling and aid in giving a smooth and crystal-clear skin. This fourth Kefir Lotion contains thyme essential oil, a true skin fortifier which offers itchy-skin relief. Studies have shown it to be was more effective against acne bacteria, than the chemical ingredient benzoyl peroxide. The tea tree oil is also believed to be highly antibacterial and is commonly used to treat acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.

With all these lotions having raw goat milk and kefir, it makes them ideal for keeping the right pH balance of the skin with the added benefit of the good bacteria. Let’s not forget to mention that these are free from phthalates, petrochemicals, parabens, dyes or artificial perfumes. These four handmade all-natural Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions, each comes in 2 different handy sizes, 50ml and 150ml, and cost £8.95 and £17.95 respectively. Or you can buy the full set of four here for £26.95.

Danilo Manco - Gustoso Organic Apple Vinegar

Summer is really here (in between the rain showers!) and what better way to enjoy our new outdoor life than with a gorgeous salad (or a cocktail*) with Gustoso Organic Apple Vinegar.  At The Amazing Blog, all the girls and I love to try new products that have a twist, and we certainly haven’t tried an organic apple vinegar before… 

Sent to us by The Olive Oil Company, this organic apple vinegar is produced by Danilo Manco in Italy. The term ‘vinegar’ actually refers to the two-step process of fermentation from a carbohydrate to an alcohol and then to acetic acid. Sugar is converted into alcohol, which is then fermented into vinegar. This vinegar comes from the wonderful Modena area in the Emilia Romagna region Italy; and has been made from organically grown apples and then stored in wooden casks.  This process concentrates the flavours while allowing the microorganisms necessary to convert the apples into vinegar to enter the barrels. The longer the ageing time, the better the end product is. The mother apple vinegar (a substance composed of a form of cellulose and acetic acid bacteria that develops naturally during the fermentation process) turns the alcohol into acetic acid with the help of the oxygen present in the air. NB this is not apple ‘cider’ vinegar it is a pure apple vinegar made in the balsamic style. In order to maintain the delicious taste and natural antioxidant properties of the vinegar, it only contains the best selection of Italian organic apples. These are then turned into a concentrated apple juice and mixed with the mother organic apple vinegar.  The result is both yummy and healthy!  No wonder it received the Great Taste 3-star award in 2019.  

After all the baking and snacking we’ve been doing, a salad which only needs a dibble this apple-based balsamic vinegar is perfect for helping to shed the any extra kilos that might have crept on during our recent lockdown. You can taste the apple making it sweet, tangy and bursting with flavour. Dark brown in colour it is thicker than an ordinary vinegar and has the consistency almost of a balsamic glaze.  So a little goes a long way which is good as this is a luxury item. It combines well with scallops and prawns as well as adding it into strews.  Also, perfect drizzled on strawberries or in *cocktail such as this ‘Apple Vinegar Vodka Sipper.’  Take 30g of apple juice, 30 g of vodka and one teaspoon of GUSTOSO Organic Apple Vinegar. Add crushed ice and mix in a cocktail shaker, then serve and garnish with grapes on a cocktail stick. Delicious! So go forth and take the flavour of your next salad to a new level by buying a bottle here for £13.50 (200ml) of the Gustoso Organic Apple Vinegar.