CAVARA Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller

We have a saying at The Amazing Blog of ‘happy skin, happy self’. A clear and healthy complexion is something that we don’t take for granted. Even though we’re very spoilt and get lots of natural lotions and potions to test, we never tired of skincare; and face rollers are an area that we’ve just started to explore. However, today’s face roller, it is not just any face roller, it’s made of rose quartz which is cool to the touch, alleviates puffiness and feels healing to the skin. Meet the Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller by CAVARA.

CAVARA is a British company that offers high-quality anti-ageing skincare devices.  This Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller is their first skincare device to launch. It’s a transformational beauty tool that helps to achieve a glowing and youthful complexion and is where the use of holistic crystals meets a modern-day skincare regime. The rose quartz is thought to help shrink pores because of its natural cooling properties. The question we had is why rose quartz and not jade? Rose quartz stays cooler than the commonly used jade face roller which by its adaptive nature, tends to remain warm on contact with the skin. Also, because jade is a soft stone, and might not stand up to general wear and tear whereas a rose quartz face roller is more robust. We like how the brand is passionate about their product and how they say: “We recognise your power to actualise intention and create the skin and life of your dreams. CAVARA is centred on the possibility to manifest your best self in order to live your best life.” And that’s why we couldn’t wait to try it!

Let’s talk about the actual rose quartz itself. This is a powerful crystal open to love, self-care and heart healing. It is made up of quartz and the addition of manganese and titanium which gives a pink colour. It’s one of the most well-known and popular crystals because it works with love and is strongly attached to both the heart and throat chakras. But it’s not a stone that simply rests in romance. It’s for all kinds of love from healing communication with family to developing deeper bonds with lovers and friends. It purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. Therefore, helping to rid any negative emotional stresses that might have an impact on the skin and accelerate ageing. Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of sadness. Rose quartz has been used as far back as the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who used it as part of their routine to maintain youth and beauty believing in its potent skin benefits.

This sculptural looking Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller is made up of two different sized quartz rollers on either end, all held in place with elegant brass fixtures. The small roller is intended to be used on the more sensitive areas such as under the eyes or your throat, whereas the bigger roller is for the rest of the face, neck and decolletage. We found that it was excellent for getting back the colour in our cheeks and for bringing more oxygen to the skin. It also helps to relieve tension, which can often build up in the facial muscles. Best of all, it helped to boost the skin’s elasticity, improve lymphatic drainage and stimulate cell turnover. We found our skin looked more vibrant, toned with reduced inflammation, all benefits from its cooling effect. This facial roller brought a soothing sensation and was brilliant for using first thing in the morning, banishing any puffiness prior to our skincare routine and makeup. This facial roller is often used by skincare professionals and alike, who say when refrigerated, the rollers will provide a small amount of relief from swelling in the same way that an ice cube facial would, although with less mess! We used it by without any serum or creams and started by rolling from the centre of the face in an outward direction, where the positive and uplifting effects were instantaneous. It’s easy to maintain by cleaning with warm water and gentle soap, and on our rose quartz journey, we also learned that to ‘recharge’ the powers of rose quartz, you simply leave it out under moonlight (because this crystal’s yin energy is connected to the moon). Is this spurring you on to purchase? Then see here for £49.99.

Orange County: CBD Gummy Buttons

Don’t they look delicious? Having seen a lot of positive reviews on this CBD brand, we were excited to finally get the chance to try these goodies out. Needless to say that with the team here at The Amazing Blog, the jar did not last long! Yes, today we are reviewing Orange County CBD’s Gummy Buttons, and we are telling you all about these sweet treats!

Orange County CBD is an all-American CBD company that produces all sorts of CBD-infused goods, from E-liquids to beauty care products, along with…edibles! All of Orange County CBD’s  products are home-grown, manufactured, and tested in the U.S. The hemp is grown in controlled farms in Colorado, Kentucky, and Northern California, where the company is based, and the manufacturing occurs in a GMP certified lab. Since their beginnings, they have been aiming at producing high-standard quality products, and today they are recognised as one of the companies with the highest-quality CBD oil, which is used to infuse their products. Their distillate is indeed one of the purest on the market, thanks to their extraction method that uses supercritical CO2, a method with low environmental impact and that has been approved by the U.S. FDA. The distillate is broad-spectrum, meaning that it contains mainly CBD as well as a few other phytochemicals (CBDV, CBG, CBC) present in the hemp flower, but no THC. In other words, yes, it will relax you and soothe you, but no, you will not get high with CBD edibles, as CBD is non-intoxicating and has no psychoactive effects. What’s more, all of Orange County CBD's manufactured products are thoroughly tested in a third-party laboratory to ensure that their high standards regarding the accuracy of the cannabinoid profiles are reached. And you can check these yourself before buying (or eating if you purchase online) thanks to the embedded QR codes on each packaging, it doesn’t get any safer than that!

The product that we have received at the office is the CBD Gummy Buttons, in Small size and with 10mg per gummy – which is higher than most gummies on the market. They come in a small plastic jar and are available in three strengths: 10mg, 25mg, and 50mg per sweet, and three sizes: the small grab bag with 8 buttons containing 25mg each (approximately 200mg total), the small jar (which is the one we have) that contains approximately 20 buttons and a large-sized jar at 1250g. When we tasted these, they were not, as we suspected, too sickly sweet and we were surprised how fruity, soft and chewy they were – unlike traditional gummies which are glutinous and have a much firmer bite. No wonder they were won the ‘Best Edible’ Award at the Hemp and CBD Expo 2020, and got so many positive reviews! Usually, CBD edibles have a strong CBD oil taste which leaves a bit of an aftertaste -  not the case with these. They taste sweet and fruity, almost like traditional gummies, and each colour is a different taste. You can taste the berry, orange, lemon, and apple. Also, they have a 2-year ‘best before’ date, so if you can resist having them near you all this time you don't have to worry about a near expiration date. Although they are all vegan and GMO-free, they do contain sugar (no corn syrup or artificial sweeteners here), so if you feel a bit concerned about the presence of sugar, you may want to take them at strategic times during the day, like just after getting up, or just before/after a workout, and avoid eating these at night. If your main concern is insomnia or sleeping at night, you may want to try taking one before going to sleep to beneficiate from the relaxing effect of the hemp. As most of you know, CBD can be a great help to cope with joint, nerve and muscle pains, or anxiety. We think that edibles are perfect for a stressful period at work or to combat the winter blues! Orange County CBD recommends eating 2-4 gummies a day to get your dose of CBD in your system. The perfect dosage varies from a person to another, so we recommend that you experiment step by step, starting with small doses then increase them in case the relaxing effect is not there, especially if CBD is new to you. You can purchase the Small CBD Gummy buttons 10mg here for £16.99. Also thanks to CBD-Produce who sent us these and another CBD food product from their extensive range (visit here ) if trying CBD for the first time, or if you’re an experienced user, we think you’ll find something to tempt you at this this great one-stop shop for all things CBD.

Aus Dem Orient: Shampoo & Night Cream

With the ever-changing regulations on self-isolation and travel, it's something we're all having to put on the back-burner. However, today at The Amazing Blog we’re going to take you on a journey where Switzerland meets Morocco, with organic skincare Aus Dem Orient.

The trip today takes us to the Deutschschweiz, the German-speaking part of Switzerland where Marie-thérèse Hainke the founder of Aus Dem Orient, always held a fascination with Morocco and decided to take a journey there to discover the different smells, colours, spices and culture. There she and her family found themselves captivated by the beauty of Moroccan and their traditions, as well as the warmth of the people. This was when the family Hainke decided to create Aus Dem Orient and bring these unique Moroccan ingredients to Switzerland, where they’ve now built a brand that offers a pure and high-quality natural skincare. Their products are also certified with an organic seal in both Morocco and Europe, but Switzerland only acknowledges these as natural. This is because a Swiss organic certification is a timely and expensive process which many of the small skincare producers cannot afford. The Aus Dem Orient range of skincare is suitable for all skin types and contains no preservatives, parabens, silicone, dyes, or synthetic ingredients. It is also proudly a cruelty-free brand.

We received two products and will begin with their hero product the Night Cream with Argan & Prickly Pear Seed Oil. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E this night cream is ideal for addressing dry skin. The prickly pear seed oil is a luxurious anti-ageing oil that contains over 80 percent of unsaturated fatty acids. It supplies the skin with moisture, nourishes, regenerates and also reduces age spots. The golden argan oil here has a unique composition of essential fatty acids and a high content of vitamin E, one of the most critical antioxidants. This oil provides valuable moisture and is quickly absorbed without leaving an oily film. The antioxidant activity in argan oil helps to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by the sun with burns and hyperpigmentation. There is also the addition of shea butter, which is again is rich in fatty acids; and the beeswax which has anti-inflammatory properties and offers a barrier between the skin and environment, without clogging the pores. It’s light in texture, although it feels creamy and hydrating, with a slightly honey-ed scent. With its few organic ingredients, this night cream offers simplicity at its best.

The other product we tried is their Shampoo Argan Oil with Honey. The natural scent of the shampoo is a combination of honey and argan. This is an organic shampoo designed to protect and hydrate the hair. The argan oil here is used as a hair treatment, it is beneficial for both the hair and scalp and is used as a conditioner. Vitamin E in the argan acts as a moisturiser for the scalp and also fights dandruff and a dry scalp. The honey has unique healing abilities and has both emollient and humectant properties. Emollients smooth the hair follicles, adding shine to dull hair whereas the humectants bond with water molecules, adding moisture to any dry hair strands. By locking in the moisture the honey can help restore the natural lustre to the hair and promotes hair growth as well as acting as being a cleanser. One of the most crucial factors for us is that shampoo must be colour-safe, which this is. It cleansed our hair well, we must point out that this is not a co-wash, so a conditioner is recommended to use with this and we see they have, but we didn’t try it. You can find the 50g of Night Cream with Argan & Prickly Pear Seed Oil for CHF 37.00 and the 200ml Shampoo Argan Oil with Honey for CHF 17.00, both here.

Green Chemistry: Phyto Flora,

In our never-ending search to find new and exciting skincare formulas to introduce you to; today at The Amazing Blog, we’ve found a rather special natural serum from Green Chemistry. This brand is a US-based indie skincare that has a range of wild-sourced clinical and holistic skincare, where they only use food-grade botanicals and have an emphasis on Ayurveda.

Brigitte Tolson is the founder of this brand and began her successful journey in aesthetics as a cosmetic surgery consultant and professional makeup artist in her hometown of Los Angeles. Her interest and passion for natural skincare took on a voyage of discovery with Ayurveda and holistic medicine, which has since grown fuelled by her passion for incorporating these into her own skincare and practice. Her clinical area of expertise is with treating cystic acne, nutrition, advanced peels, holistic skincare, sun damage, anti-ageing and other systemic issues of the skin. After years of research and collaboration, Tolson built Green Chemistry with a mission to provide clinically proven ingredients with a focus on the holistic.  Her mission has been to create products that complement the range of treatments that she already offers her clients and to provide unique formulations that have been lacking in the professional skincare sector. Tolson said: “What initially started as two of the most nutrient-rich serums on the market, has evolved into a line that now makes a scientifically proven toxin-free hyperpigmentation treatment, along with a mask that draws city pollutants from the skin, and a rich anti-ageing night cream that even surpasses my expectations.” Currently, with eight products in the range, they are produced in small batches, using the best local botanicals available from farms and orchards. Green Chemistry also has a ‘give back’ policy to help save the bees, where they contribute $3 from each purchase to the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association. Tolson feels strongly about making this donation as it is these bees that are responsible for pollinating most of the ingredients that Green Chemistry source from locally. 

The product we’re featuring today is the Phyto Flora which is a serum which they say is ideal for dry, sensitive skin with acne or eczema. The key ingredient here is the hemp seed oil which balances the skin and helps to reduce acne scarring, and offers relief from acne, psoriasis, and eczema. The hemp oil also strengthens the skin and enhances its ability to resist viral, fungal, and bacterial infections and has shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria and yet is still intensely hydrating. Next is the Spanish lavender which has been specifically selected over 40 other different species of lavender. This lavender reduces sensitivity, redness and the antibacterial properties here cleanse the pores and work as an anti-inflammatory. The damask rose reduces inflammation by suppressing the growth of certain bacteria and has mild astringent properties. The star jasmine is restorative and known to detoxify the skin. The sea buckthorn oil promotes skin hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration and even helps treat and prevent acne. Sea buckthorn helps to reduce swelling and redness associated with many skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This blend also contains sesame seed and jojoba oils which are both rich in vitamins and fatty acids which can help protect skin cells from the damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, and toxins. The chia seed oil here maintains moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines relieving dryness and peeling. The camellia flower oil is an excellent emollient for keeping skin moist and supple and has properties that will prevent skin breakouts. It is rich in coenzyme Q10, which can help your body produce collagen and elastin, and is rich in cranberry which provides vitamin C. These will improve the skin’s appearance making it look softer and brighter; and then with the addition of tomato seed oil, this will even out the skin tone. Finally, this serum will deeply cleanse thanks to the daikon seed extract.  We used this for both night and day and found the serum’s scent-neutral with only the subtlest trace of jasmine where it meets the lavender. All of which means that it will happily sit under other skincare with no scent conflict. Because this serum is oil-based, a little goes a long way and we found that only a few drops were needed. None of us here have acne breakouts, but some of us do have dry and sensitive skin; and found this to be a Godsend, to protect skin against the yo-yo-ing effects of going between central heating and the chilly outdoors. To purchase the 30ml bottle for $70.00 see  here.

Incensum Fragrance – Sanctifino Perfume Oil

These past few months, the COVID 19 pandemic has forced us all to reconsider our place on this earth. During the lock-down, nature began to take back this place that we call home: Plants were able to finally grow freely and animals started coming out fearlessly to live their happy and simple lives. And while each and every one of us at The Amazing Blog has had time to reflect about the endangered state of our planet Earth, a new fragrance that we’ve received from Incensum has helped to uplift our spirits, and reconnect us back with nature.

Sanctifino is a unisex perfume oil from the LA-based brand Incensum Fragrance, which is created by designer and founder of the brand Jeannine Clark. With its completely vegan, synthetic-free, and hand-crafted formulas, the brand celebrates the origins of perfumery by honouring the reverie that the ancestors avowed to nature. Through its all organic perfume oil, the brand aims to calm the senses, helping the wearer find peace and embark on a spiritual journey to commune with nature and the universe. When talking about their alchemy and olfactory process, they told us: “Both human and non-human creatures are known to communicate their emotional states through the scents they emit. A fragrance may complement or intensify one's own natural pheromones which can evoke subconscious effects.” Intriguing! This may only be their debut perfume oil, and if Sanctifino is anything to go by, we feel sure that their next one will be even more alluring! 

This perfume oil Sanctifino is supernatural – in every sense of the word – an elixir trapped in a luxurious hand-crafted bottle, that reflects the mystical and heavenly ambience that emanates from the bottle. It comes in two sizes 50ml and 5ml, we received the 5ml with a roll-on top, making it the perfect size to fit into even the smallest bag.  With strong top notes of incense and a piquant of very intense green scent from the galbanum green resin fighting for dominance, it oozes autumn.  We think it’s reminiscent of the wafting smoke from sweet autumn leaves left to smoulder. It gently caresses and with its oily finish makes for a longer-lasting scent release on the skin, unlike its cousin Eau de Parfum. When the organic jojoba base oil warms up, the middle notes become more apparent as they liberate softer aromatic and more comforting notes of clary sage, silver fir. The sweet orange here also lingers, helping to create a warmth and sense of wellbeing. If describing it as a smoky scent sound surprising for a fragrance, we want to point out that it is nonetheless deliciously original, and works well with the other essential oils, to create a perfect balance of a smoky-sweet-earthy scent. When we close our eyes and inhale, we can almost imagine being transported to an ancient temple, surrounded by wild plants, where the incense burn and the sunlight cast shadows on the gold-carved statues of gods. We recommend anointing the wrists, rub a little to warm the perfume oil, and then taking deep breaths; it helps to soothe the mind giving you your own little piece of calm throughout the day.  Again, they say that it is a: “Multidimensional experience as well as shedding light into the nature of reality by fusing the mind, body and spirit through aromatic essential oils.” And, we couldn’t have said it better! If we’ve managed to intrigue you with this Sanctifino Perfume Oil, you too can purchase their 5ml here for $35.