Byre Bodycare: Skimmed, Semi-Skimmed & Full Cream Body Washes

It’s nearly the end of summer… and now the time for us at The Amazing Blog to look for pampering body products in preparation to help protect and hydrate our skin. We were curious to try a set of natural, milk-based body washes from Byre Bodycare. These are not only gentle on the body but also good for the environment with their recyclable bottles and tops.

The CEO Alicia Chivers and MD Quentin Higham of Byre Bodycare believe in supporting British farming as a vital industry, especially at this time of Covid19 and Brexit. After all, farm produce is at the heart of most of the food that we find on our table, which is why this brand values every single component from dairy farming, in particular, the whey. This is considered to be a waste product in the dairy industry with an annual waste of 870,000 tonnes as a by-product of milk and cheese production. Byre has taken this byproduct of whey to use as a key ingredient in their trio of luxury Byre Body Washes, which also contains 96% of naturally derived ingredients. We were impressed to learn that Byrne Bodycare supports the  Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution by donating a percentage from their annual sales to help supports farming families in adversity, which is why we’re delighted to talk about their natural range of bodycare today. 

There are currently three Body Washes in the range – just like milk they come in Skimmed, Semi-Skimmed and Full Cream. They are natural and all free from parabens, silicones, synthetic colours and mineral oils. They are very sensibly priced at a very reasonable £5 each.  Let’s start with the Byre Body Wash Skimmed, they say this is light, airy and creamy, and we couldn’t agree more. With its fruity fragrance, the sweet whey protein powder here contains collagen and amino acids which help maintain the skin’s elasticity and firmness. It is an antioxidant protecting against free radicals and helping to delay the signs of ageing. Whey protein also slows down the degeneration of muscles and also considered as a deep cleanser. It holds antibacterial properties that help in fighting acne and will restore the pH balance. This body wash is enriched with aloe vera known for being an excellent moisturiser and a fast wound healer. Also rich in vitamin A and C and these help to hydrate dry skin. The blend also includes poppy seed oil, a deep moisturiser that also reduces any inflammation. This natural body wash will condition and nurture the skin, leaving it feeling velvety and smooth. The second product in this range is the Byre Body Wash Semi-Skimmed which is smooth and whipped, slightly creamier than the Skimmed, with what we think is a meadowsweet/ floral fragrance. Alongside the whey powder, it contains aloe vera and vitamin E which will protect you from UV sun damage, calm and hydrate the skin. The poppy seed oil is beneficial for people suffering from skin ailments such as inflammation, eczema, prickly skin. Whereas vitamin C will even out skin tone and get rid of dark spots. This Semi-Skimmed Body Wash will stimulate your skin’s healing process keeping it smooth and rid it of rashes thanks to the richness of vitamin B5 and B6.  Just like they say, we are saving the best for last. The third product in this range won a silver medal in the 2020 Global Makeup Awards with their Byre Body Wash Full Cream. This is a rich, thick and creamy body wash and smells divine with its buttery vanilla fragrance. The key ingredients here are the nourishing sweet whey powder, aloe vera and poppy seed oil and oatmeal extract. The latter has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that will help treat dry skin and get rid of dead skin cells. It contains a natural component called saponins which makes the oatmeal a deep cleanser. Some customers have testified to it being a great product to use if you have skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. We were impressed with how hydrating these all are and will certainly be buying more! You can find the trio of Byre Body Washes here for £5 each for 250ml  

Concrete & Wax - The Modular Collection: Tealight Trio in All Sage

It’s nearing to the end of August and we can feel that slight autumnal bite in the air. Shorter days and longer nights are not far away and the candle season is almost upon us. This is why at The Amazing Blog we thought we’d introduce you to one of our first #amazingfinds for the autumn. Meet the contemporary styled and hand-poured candle company Concrete & Wax with their versatile Tealight Trio in All Sage from The Modular Collection which are stackable tea lights where you can build them vertically or burn each one independently. 

They were founded in 2018 by Alex Sommer and Laura Keller (AKA Mr. Concrete and Mrs. Wax) who among many other things, are also expert trend forecasters in the fashion industry. They came up with this conceptual brand, which offers the consumer a variety of design choices with mix and match concrete modular and interchangeable candleholders, together with uniquely fragranced soy wax candles. The holders are available in six plain colours and three unique camouflage designs. They’re cleverly adaptable and fit into almost any interior style whether it’s a minimalist contemporary penthouse or rambling country cottage. At each stage of brand development Concrete & Wax, wanted to make sure that they kept their sourcing of materials and suppliers as sustainable as possible. And as a true testament to artisan craftsmanship, they produce all products in their Suffolk workshop where everything is hand-poured, finished and packaged. They say: “When it comes to the finishing touches, we scour the local market to source as much as we possibly can - our aim is to support local business and to keep our footprint as small as possible.” The general perception of concrete is a rough, heavy industrial material; however, here we see it being used as a smooth material taking on streamline and stylishly statuesque shapes. They produce a selection of reed diffusers, in black bottles with concrete tops that double up as a tealight holder. Also not forgetting the recent addition of coasters in all the different colourways including a new splatter design.

Concrete & Wax very kindly sent us the Tealight Trio in Sage these are three hand-poured sage green concrete tealight holders in varying heights. As mentioned, they can burn independently or be stacked to make one tall tower. Each of these concrete holders has natural cork feet making them appear as if they’re slightly floating, plus the cork offers protection for heat-sensitive or polished surfaces.  We preferred to arrange these all nestling together for an extra twinkly effect. All candles (including tealights) are made of 100% vegan blended soy wax with a choice of fragrance. We’re fans of soy wax as it’s clean-burning and tends to hold scent longer than other varieties of wax due to the slow burn which releases the scented oils gradually.

There are four candle fragrances. The Lime, Basil & Mandarin is a citrusy fragrance that is relaxing and energising all at once. Lime is known to help clear the mind, the basil is thought to boost mood, and the mandarin soothes tensions. Secondly, we have Tobacco & Oak, this is considered as a very earthy aroma with smoky tobacco and dark oak mixed with leather, spice and musk. It’s very masculine, but not overpowering. This autumnal scent makes you want to hunker down and snuggle up in the warmth. The musk here will also help elevate your mood and give a general feeling of wellbeing. Thirdly, Sandalwood & Black Pepper, which according to Concrete & Wax, this scented candle is the most luxurious in the collection. Sandalwood is believed to be beneficial in treating anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia and the warming scent of black pepper will help relieve stress. Last but not least, Amber Noir, is the latest addition to the collection and is warming, intoxicating and mysterious. Tropical and exotic, burning this candle will spirit you off to far and distant climes … Top tip: These tealight candles will also fit into the Slim Holders. We love the pick ‘n ‘mix and the interchangeable aspect, which allows us to swap fragrance, colour or style of container all on a whim to fit our mood!  To see the full range from Concrete & Wax see here starting from £22.

Essench CBD Cosmetics - Intense Hair Serum

Summer means humidity, which is not always compatible with our hair! We start the day with beautifully straight hair, which when we step outside, miraculously transforms into an uncontrollable bundle of frizz! Oh yes, we at The Amazing Blog know this situation only too well and in our search to find new ways of dealing with our hair, we decided to try this Intense Hair Serum from Essench CBD Cosmetics. We prefer hair serums that are oil-based as they stop the frizz and also hydrate the scalp. We’re not fans of silicone-based hair serums as they only coat the hair to enhance shine; whereas oil can actually penetrate the hair fibres and feed the scalp follicles to restore and repair the hair on a long-term basis.

Essench CBD Cosmetics started in 2019 and is a small family-run CBD business. They are an artisan brand that provides top quality natural products that are handcrafted with their own unique formulas including CBD. The company was created by Christina and her fiancé Jenny, who wanted to produce products that make a difference in peoples’ everyday lives.  After having struggled with endometriosis, Christina turned to CBD which has helped to turn her life around. Ever since she made a promise to raise awareness around both CBD and the medical condition of endometriosis. The company sources its CBD in the purest form from Holland and Germany. It is THC-free and extracted by C02 method. They use ‘CBD distillate’ in their oral oils, which is a highly refined cannabis extract often derived from hemp flower and hemp biomass. CBD distillate typically contains around 80% CBD with the balance including minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant oils and extracts. Otherwise, in their skincare, they use ‘CBD isolates’ which contain only CBD in its purest form with no other terrapenes or cannabinoids. Currently, they have 100% biodegradable packaging on their bath bombs and aim to have all their other containers and packages completely green by the end of 2022. They are also actively involved campaigning with Seed The Future that is a pressure group that aims to get the government to tell the truth and abandon the unsubstantiated and unfounded laws and regulations surrounding cannabis. 

We've already featured many different CBD products here, and as regular readers will know, we’re big fans of this natural ingredient. Let’s do a quick recap for those of you new to CBD. Many people think CBD will get you high like cannabis, however, that’s far from the truth. The natural ingredient cannabidiol (CBD) used in products here in the UK, is only allowed to contain a limited amount of up to 0.02% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by glands of the marijuana plant. Other compounds unique to marijuana, are called cannabinoids, one of these is CBD which is nonpsychoactive and according to studies actually blocks the high associated with THC. CBD works with your endocannabinoid system which is exceptionally effective in dealing with anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, improving sleep. Not only that but we also like CBD in skincare for its effectiveness in fighting acne and treating eczema and psoriasis.

The product we want to talk to you about today has earned its spot among the finalists in the World CBD 2019 Awards in Barcelona for Innovation  – as Innovative Award Finalist, the Intense Hair Serum- 250mg CBD. The 250mg of CBD  here is isolate (see above paragraph). As discussed, CBD oil has many known benefits like pain and inflammation reduction, and it also encourages a sense of well-being and calmness. But did you know that CBD oil is also beneficial for your scalp and hair? CBD oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids that will nourish the scalp and consequently strengthens the hair and encourage growth. Therefore, CBD is ideal for people suffering from hair loss. Inside the cannabidiol, the fatty acids are omega-3, 6, and 9 which will moisturise and feed the scalp. CBD oil contains abundant amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and vitamin E – which is a natural anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal for common scalp conditions like psoriasis or folliculitis. It also balances your scalp's natural production of sebum, whether it was too much or too little.  CBD works as an adaptogen and is excellent for all hair types as it regulates sebum production. CBD will increase the elasticity, volume and shine of your hair because of the lipids. This Intense Hair Serum also contains jojoba oil which is an excellent remedy for dandruff.  Jojoba is rich in vitamins and minerals that will support the hair, with vitamin C, B and E, copper, and zinc all of which fortify and thickens it. This serum blend also contains castor oil, a remedy long used in traditional medicine which is said to stimulate the scalp, ease dandruff, and leave your hair smooth and shiny. Rich in olive oil it will help to alleviate itchiness or scalp irritation. The Intense Hair Serum smells of rosemary, which is different from other CBD based hair products which usually smell of hemp. The rosemary oil in the blend makes it very appealing as a scent and will also fight hair loss together with the added horsetail oil. They do this by improving the blood circulation in the scalp which in turn improves the condition of the scalp and the individual hair follicles stimulating hair regrowth. Finally, the nettle leaf oil here is loaded with protein, fibre, fats, vitamins A, B, C and K and minerals such as calcium, silica, magnesium and iron. All these work together to shield and protect the hair from free radicals and strengthen the blood vessels, which means that the follicles will receive more nutrients and oxygen, resulting in better hair growth.  I have used the whole 30ml bottle, which lasted for two or three hair massages (I have long wavy hair) and found that it left my hair with no frizz (unusual!) and super-smooth and shiny. For me, it worked as a wonderful hair treatment with the added bonus of rehydrating and calming my slightly itchy scalp.  Essench CBD advises massaging the Serum gently into the scalp and leaving for about 10 minutes then combing through so all hair is coated evenly. Leave it in for a minimum of 1 -2 hours then wash thoroughly. Repeat 2 times per week or as desired. We’d highly recommend this for your fight against frizz, it’s one of our top summer #amazingfinds, to purchase your Intensive Hair Serum 30ml for £20, see here.

Conscious Cosmetics - Lavender & Sage Deodorant & Underarm Care

With these long humid summer days, we struggle to keep smelling fresh. There is nothing worse than being on London public transport and getting a whiff of someone else’s stale body odour! That’s why at The Amazing Blog, we want to talk about a natural skincare and cosmetics brand Conscious Cosmetics that has impressed us with their gloriously fragranced Lavender & Sage Deodorant & Underarm Care.

Founded in 2010 by Malene Rosenberg Hansen in Canada, where she is a product developer and purveyor of natural, organic, cruelty-free and vegan beauty and skincare products.  Her Danish-Canadian company develops natural beauty products that are rooted in the Scandinavian way of life, with particular attention paid to the health and wellbeing aspect.  This holistic, ethical and artisan brand only makes in small batches with the finest and most natural ingredients sourced from all over the world. The primary mission of Marlene is to create products that are both delicious for the skin and good for the environment. Having come from an international background and lived in Europe, West and Central Africa this has helped her connect to nature, where she holds a deeply rooted appreciation for sustainability, simplicity and most importantly, functionality. Her products reflect her philosophy by mindfully selecting fresh botanicals and minerals to use in harmony with the incredible powers of colloidal silver as their natural method of preservation.

We’ve chosen to review the Lavender & Sage Deodorant not only for its natural and organic ingredients but for its heavenly scent!  It instantly soothes, conditions and nourishes the skin. There are far too many chemically made deodorants on the market which are known to not only harm your delicate underarm skin but can cause rashes or worse with ingredients like aluminum. This is a unisex deodorant, which is fresh, pure and alcohol-free and will leave you feeling confident and smelling fragrant. It truly does neutralise any unpleasant odours caused by bacteria and has their hero ingredient of Colloidal Silver Water which is considered to be a natural preservative because it is pure and clean. Let’s talk about the other key ingredients here which include the organic virgin coconut oil that will nourish and condition, leaving underarm skin smooth. It is also known to having a plethora of vitamins, antioxidant and antifungal properties. There is cold-pressed avocado oil, known for its ability to quickly and deeply penetrate the skin with the benefit from the vitamins A, D, and, E as well as potassium and fatty acids. The lecithin acts as a humectant and cold-pressed castor seed oil that has healing properties and has been used as far back as the Egyptians. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin and is rich in vitamin E, Omega 6, and, 9. One of the other essential elements here is shea butter to protect your skin from environmental damages as it is rich in vitamins A, E and, F. This magical ingredient will also protect from sun damage and contains nutrients necessary for collagen production and is very compatible with keratin which will strengthen and give elasticity. It is also considered as a balancing agent. Furthermore, there is arrowroot powder which will eliminate toxins and help calm and get rid of shaving rashes. Organic beeswax contains vitamin A and provides long-term hydration which will soothing irritated skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skins. Among other ingredients, there is the powerful and pampering aloe vera gel naturally rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc as well as amino acids and skin rejuvenating enzymes. The two key botanicals here are the lavender and sage essential oils. The first one will add not only smells wonderful but will also calm the skin while the second will act as a toner, effectively tightening pores and firming the skin. Finally, the tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil combine their cleansing and healing powers helping to refresh and deodorise. A top tip that they gave us, is to keep it in the fridge during hot days that way it will last longer!

We’re over the moon with this natural and organic deodorant – there are other natural ones here in the UK but we’ve found them to be too waxy or they leave behind a white residue on clothing– not this one! When I finish this – I want to buy another. Please Conscious Cosmetics, come and sell directly into the UK soon! We can’t wait to try more from this brand. If you can’t wait to try this like us, you can buy it here for $28.00

Inspira Cosmetics: Mykonos Blue Collection

Were you thinking about planning a summer trip to the beautiful Greek islands? But then cancelled as you realised with a heavy heart, that there’ll probably be the UK quarantining as a consequence… Well, at The Amazing Blog we’ve found for you the Mykonos Blue Collection of skincare as a consolation!  This is a new launch from one of our favourite skincare companies Inspira Cosmetics whose other products you may remember we recently reviewed here.

Inspira Cosmetics is based in Aachen, Germany, and is known for its solution-based skincare. Their motto is ‘maximum effect, but as natural as possible’ where they have cutting edge technology, combined with natural and active ingredients. We think that they’re a true leader in their field, and this brand never ceases to amaze us with their latest products.

The first product we want to talk about is the Mykonos Blue Aqua Hydro Gel Cream. This gel-cream will leave the face with a hit of a fresh wave and will deeply moisturise the complexion. The algae extract will hydrate with its powerhouse of nutrients, minerals and will extract the toxins to purify and heal thanks to their therapeutic benefits. This refreshing gel-cream will alleviate dry skin since it also contains hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate and help with the disappearance of any wrinkles and reduces fine lines. It also contains pentavitin®  made from plant extracts and known as a great protector preventing dehydration and sensitivity. This 100% natural ingredient will also act as a shield with powerful hydration lasting up to 72 hours. The caffeine here ensures a fresh complexion and works as a natural 3D lifting polymer that will intensively tighten the skin.  All of these ingredients make it ideal for applying after a long day battling the elements, as it will cool and soothe. however, more importantly, this Aqua Hydro Gel Cream containing pentavitin® which will keep the skin moisturised for a good period of time. The Mykonos Blue Aqua Hydro Gel Cream 50ml at €39.50 here.  

Moving on with this exclusive collection, the next product that we tried was the Blue Intensive Moisture Mask. This is the perfect product to apply when you’ve returned back from the beach with drying winds and sea. It also contains the intensely hydrating ingredients of algae extract and the humectant of hyaluronic acid both of which hold moisture in the skin, plumping up and revitalise It. This Intensive Moisture Mask is also a combination of hydrator and cleanser, where the charcoal powder here removes dead skin cells and control oil production. The sea salt cleanses the pores and balances oil helping avoid breakouts for those prone to acne. The glyceryl caprylate will restore oil in the skin and regulate the moisture. They advise applying it generously to a cleansed face, leaving it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off the rest or massage into the skin with their Blue Cooling Massage Tools. the Blue Intensive Moisture Mask 50ml at €37.50 here.

The third product in this collection is the Mykonos Blue Cooling Massage Tools. These massage tools are made of glass and filled with a sea-blue cooling liquid which will chill quickly when kept in the fridge.  These are cooling and refreshing tools to use in circular movements either alone or in conjunction with the Intensive Moisture Mask to invigorate and aid faster penetration of ingredients. What better way to leave your skin refreshed and soft than by combining these two elements. These Blue Cooling Massage Tools can also be used on both the face and body. The Mykonos Blue collection also contains a fourth product, Mykonos Blue Eau de Toilette 100ml, which we will be featuring soon. It’s a beautifully presented collection which is evocative of summer Greek holidays; to see the full collection click here.