Ancienne Ambiance : Bacca Berry and Adriatica Fig Soaps

We believe that it’s always quality over quantity. This is why at The Amazing Blog we want to introduce you to one of our favourite luxury lifestyle brands, Ancienne Ambiance and their Adriatica Fig and Bacca Berry soaps. Not only do these help to keep skin soft and hydrated but are fragranced with delicate botanical extracts. If you’re curious to know more about the other products we’ve reviewed, then see here.

Founded by Adriana Carlucci in 2004, with a boutique expansion in 2014 in Chelsea, Ancienne Ambiance truly is a unique and wonderful brand. Adriana’s background in antiquities fuelled by her passion for fragrance inspired her to bring together the curation of these exceptional products. Historical elements and themes run through the entire range with either the ingredients or with the methods that the products have been created. Ancienne Ambiance brings history to life and embraces their corporate colour purple, often dubbed one of the papal and royal colours and a time-honoured symbolic colour with historical significance. The award-winning brand uses sustainable and ethical practices, which include no testing on animals and the use of recyclable packaging. Products range from perfumes to jewellery and skincare to candles, where each product also has its own story. Ancienne Ambiance produces some of the finest quality luxury lifestyle goods exclusively in the UK, France, Lebanon and Italy, all delivered in beautiful purple hand-crafted gift boxes.  

We chose two of their soaps, The Bacca Berry soap and Adriatica Fig soap from their set of four here.  All the soaps are made in France using the traditional Savon de Marseille techniques, and each soap is made with safe, sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients. Beautifully embossed with the Ancienne Ambiance logo, these are made with a 100% vegetable oil base and includes key ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil (as the natural glycerine). The shea butter, in particular, improves the skin’s natural barrier and protects the skin from environmental stressors. They lather well without the presence of SLS and are gentle enough to use on hands, face and body. Apart from the fragrance, we love how they both cleanse and hydrate the skin keeping it nourished and moisturised.

The Bacca Berry soap, they refer to it as berry-licious, and we couldn’t agree more! It’s a beautifully light and berry scented with hints of redcurrants and blackcurrants, all of which help cleanse and gently purify the skin. Translated from Latin, Bacca means berry, and it is also the botanical term used to describe a fruit that is a pulpy and juicy fruit with one or many seeds but not encased or with a stone. Historically, these succulent berries were included in soap to treat or cleanse impurities. This soap delivers a beautifully soft and gentle berry-like scent that gives a delicate fragrance to the skin. 

The Adriatica Fig soap is another beautiful and luxurious soap with nourishing and moisturising qualities. This type of Mediterranean fig has fresh, top notes with green florals and green leaves and gives base notes of warmth and calm. The Adriatic Fig, a highly prized ingredient in ancient times and is known to symbolise rebirth, abundance, and prosperity. 

We loved the gorgeous fresh fruity fragrance of these soaps, they’re almost too good to use. In fact, some people tuck soaps into an empty suitcase or even an underwear drawer to keep clothes smelling fresh. Not a bad idea! Also, did you know that the word soap originates from the Latin word ‘sapo’? Soap production dates back to around 2800 BC in ancient Babylon. The first known formula for soap was written on a Babylonian clay tablet around 2200 BC. It is said that soap was first discovered at the base of Sapo Hill in Rome by washerwomen who noticed while doing their laundry in the River Tiber that using cleansing substances like clay made for cleaner laundry. To quote Ancienne Ambiance, “Mother nature – or Demeter, the ancient Greek goddess of the earth’s fertility – provided everything the ancients needed to create effective products for beauty and wellbeing in a sustainable manner, so why change things?”  Why change things indeed!

To purchase BACCA Berry Soap 100g at £6 please see here, or for the ADRIATICA Fig Soap 100g at £6 please see here. Or with ten soaps in the collection you can build your own set of four soaps please see here.

Ego Harmony : Night Cream ARGAN & OPUNCIE

Sometimes at The Amazing Blog we like to look a little further afield for new skincare to feature. Today, it’s with this multi-award-winning and natural skincare brand Ego Harmony from the Czech Republic. We wanted to try their super-hydrating Night Cream ARGAN & OPUNCIE with all their new skincare technologies!

Ego Harmony was launched just last year by founder Frantisek Vorel. Ego Harmony is a natural cosmetics brand that offers highly effective and gentle skincare products. Although Frantisek Vorel worked in a corporate environment, he had always wanted to create his own brand of skincare. Initially, Frantisek thought of selling imported Moroccan cosmetics in Europe under his own company, but this soon changed when he decided to create his own range instead. The Ego Harmony skincare range offers face cream, night cream, face scrub, and cleansing foam, all of which are age-defying and aimed at improving overall skin health. The main mission of the brand is to produce skincare that is efficient, safe, and kind to both skin and environment. They source ingredients from all over the world, where they are then developed in certified laboratories in the Czech Republic. All their products are certified by the National Reference Center for Cosmetics at The National Institute of Public Health, where they go through seven microbiological and dermatological rigorous tests to certify their safety. Ego Harmony products are paraben-free, SLS-free, silicone-free, phthalate-free, and made without mineral oil. Their natural ingredients list is available here. The brand also ensures that they do its part in safeguarding the environment, and uses sustainably sourced ingredients that are thoroughly supervised by leading health and beauty professionals, and never tested on animals. We were also pleased to see that all their packaging is already recycled or fully recyclable, and the natural wood wool they use as a protective filling can also be ecologically disposed of.  Although a new brand Ego Harmony has not gone unnoticed in the world of beauty, two of their products were Gold and Silver winners at the 2021 Global Green Beauty Awards. With new products on the way, we are excited to see what Ego Harmony has coming next.  

Now for the science part: Not only do they harness the power of natural ingredients, but also use unique patented formulas, with REFORCYL® from Switzerland and LIFT Oléoactif® from France. REFORCYL® is an ECOCERT certified mixture of substances that support skin regeneration and nourishment. It is made with gynostemma pentaphyllum extract, or jiaogulan, a plant that helps stimulate epidermal lipid synthesis to restore and strengthen the skin barrier. It also includes the plant cistus incanus, the rock rose (in photo above), which fortifies the reduced antioxidative defence system found in mature skin to prevent further harm to the skin barrier. Protecting your skin barrier is key to combatting the look of aged skin, as damage to it can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and volume loss. As for LIFT Oléoactif®, it is also ECOCERT certified and uses Oléo-éco-extraction technology to concentrate biomolecules from botanicals spilanthes acmella and astragalus membranaceus. LIFT Oléoactif® revitalises the skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines and reorganising the collagen network to improve the quality of your skin. It rejuvenates the skin by reorganising the collagen network and remodels cutaneous microrelief. The implementation of these sciences makes Ego Harmony stand out, as they use advanced technology and botanical mixtures to combat the effects of skin ageing.

The Night Cream ARGAN & OPUNCIE  is a luxuriously thick cream, made up of 96.45 % natural ingredients. With lots of seed oils such as argan, jojoba, safflower, sunflower and prickly pear seed oil, together with plum kernel and sweet almond oil make up the bulk of the natural ingredients here. This gentle Night Cream works to hydrate, improve firmness and elasticity, protect the skin barrier, and when used often, smooth out wrinkles - what a list! Argan oil is a natural ingredient rich in omega fatty acids, vitamin E (a potent antioxidant), and linoleic acid, all of which help nourish, hydrate, and moisturise the skin. Argan oil’s vitamin E reduces fine lines, plus, this extract restores skin elasticity and softens the complexion. Opuncie AKA prickly pear oil, part of the cactus family, is another key ingredient here because it’s full of fatty acids, active minerals, and even more vitamin E to help improve skin. It’s also highly effective at retaining moisture and has antioxidant properties to promote collagen production, reduce wrinkles and the appearance of under-eye circles. It also manages sebum production so that the skin is left looking firm, bright, and refreshed. As mentioned (see para above), the cream also is made utilising other natural ingredients using the REFORCYL® and LIFT Oléoactif® technologies.  There is also niacinamide, which comes from vitamin B, and is effective at combating acne and inflammation and reducing the size of pores. Niacinamide also fights the first signs of skin ageing and increases the production of ceramides within the skin. Ceramides are naturally occurring compounds that renew and hydrate the skin but decrease with age. The even better news is that it’s suitable for sensitive skin types, and even those that are prone to acne. We found the Night Cream to be hydrating with a subtle floral fragrance, and although rich and creamy, it’s light in texture and didn't feel the least bit oily. it also absorbed well, and thankfully is not one of those night creams that leaves more on the pillow than on the face! For optimum usage, Ego Harmony suggests keeping the cream out of sunlight and storing it in a dark and dry place at a temperature between 5°C and 30 °C. The Night Cream works its magic during the night, leaving skin soft and replenished in the morning. If you’re looking for a night cream that is natural and also embraces new skin technologies, then this one is for you. The Night Cream ARGAN & OPUNCIE is available for purchase on their website here for €21.43.  

MIG Living : Ritual Body Lotion Bar - Bloom

At The Amazing Blog, it’s no secret that we love natural ingredients in our skincare and also firmly believe that nature knows best! We like to look for the more unusual artisan skincare products from around the globe, so when we heard about this waterless Ritual Body Lotion Bar - in Bloom by American award-winning wellness brand MIG Living, we were very eager to give it a go.  

MIG Living is a Colorado-based beauty and wellness brand whose mission is “to activate the inner and outer well-being of mankind through pure, authentic true beauty rituals.” This family-run company was founded in 2010 after entrepreneur Jaime Cross, who stepped away from her banking career and decided to set up her own business. After studying chemistry, naturopathic healing, and herbal alchemy, Jaime learned how to develop her own formulas. She began selling her products at farmer’s markets, where her business continued to grow, becoming what it is today. In a recent interview with Forbes, Jaime explained, “Our whole foundation is about creating products that are sourced from nature, and that can help solve our bodies most innate problems.” With health, wellness, and good living at the forefront of the brand, MIG Living works to create self-care products that nurture the body and soul. MIG Living offers a wide range of products, from serums, lotions, and toners, to balms and supplements. Their products are toxin-free, cruelty-free, and natural, as they use the most natural and effective ingredients to balance and restore the skin. They are also clean formulas, handcrafted in the USA, and sourced from American farmers. To work towards their goal of being a leading brand in the clean self-care and wellbeing sector, MIG Living develops products specifically to promote optimum mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As a brand dedicated to helping people find their purpose, MIG Living offers opportunities for aspiring ambassadors through its True Beauty Ambassadors program. While they are a direct selling company, in April of 2020, MIG Living decide to also take on a different approach and created training systems and ambassador workshops to help people become marketing leaders and entrepreneurs. The brand is also passionate about the movement to end child trafficking, and are partnered with Not for Sale, a campaign that aims to fight modern slavery and exploitation. Jaime and her brand have already been recognised for their pioneering approach; where she won the Gold Stevie Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, and MIG Living won the Gold Stevie Award for Company of the Year at the 2021 American Business Awards. 

We received the Ritual Body Lotion Bar in the fragrance ‘Bloom’. It’s part of a range that’s been designed to help soften, moisturise, and soothe the skin. Lotion bars are conveniently housed in a push-up tube, in a waterless solid form, made from all-natural ingredients with no nasties. The lotion bar comes in three different fragrance options, ‘Bloom’ (which we received), ‘Blood Orange & Grapefruit’, and ‘Lavender & Primrose.’ What we love is that these are all waterless, meaning a longer shelf life and more hydration for the skin. While you may think taking away water will cause dry skin, it actually does the opposite. Water-based products can draw out moisture and natural oils from your skin, leaving it dehydrated and even irritated at times. With no added water, the lotion is free from preservatives, stabilisers, and emulsifiers, leaving more room for the botanical actives.

The combination of wild-crafted herbs, farm-fresh beeswax, and plant-based ingredients leaves the skin with a healthy glow. They all work in synergy to restore moisture and reduce dry or irritated skin, promoting elasticity, which in turn helps to fight signs of ageing, and improves the skin’s overall wellbeing. Let’s do a quick rundown on the ingredients: The base is made up of shea butter, olive, coconut, pomegranate, caster, pumpkin seed, hemp oils and beeswax. These work as humectants, meaning they help skin stay hydrated and lock in moisture, and together they act as a protective barrier against environmental stressors. The lotion bar is also blended with hyssop and calendula (see photo), which creates an uplifting and fresh fragrance. Hyssop has cleansing properties that help diminish large pores and regulate the skin's natural oils, leaving the skin looking replenished. As for calendula extract (commonly known as marigold), it’s anti-ageing and promotes collagen production and skin-firming, It also revitalises and soothes skin by combating dry and itchy patches. Other ingredients include the raspberry leaf which acts as an astringent by tightening the top layers of skin and balances out the oils here. The moringa oil slows down ageing and prevents free radical damage. The wild clover has isoflavones, which stimulate the skin's natural collagen production, increasing the skin's thickness, and together with the yarrow flower and marshmallow root, they provide instant hydration and boost moisture levels. A quick mention to the pomegranate seed oil,  one of our favourite ingredients, it’s rich in vitamin C, and an antioxidant that aids collagen production with its age-defying actives and anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.  We also like that this lotion bar is cruelty-free, is completely natural with no nasties and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones.  

To apply, twist up the container and gently massage the lotion bar over the body. We used it sparingly on your arms and legs, concentrating on elbows, knees, and hands. We found that by using just a small amount, it gets the job done and were pleasantly surprised with how lightweight it felt. The fragrance gives a hint of refreshing florals, and the overall effect left skin feeling soft, hydrated and nourished - which is exactly what we need during these cold long winter months. The Ritual Body Lotion Bar is available for purchase directly from MIG Living's website here for $49.00.  

Herbal Earth - No 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil

At The Amazing Blog we like to give our readers the ‘heads-up’ when we find a new natural skincare brand with eco ingredients and biodegradable and recyclable packaging. That’s why today we want to talk about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil.

Based in Ireland, Herbal Earth was founded in 2017 by Nancy O’Reilly to “provide natural solutions to common problems.” A year into this business, Nancy graduated with a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica, where the knowledge and education she received have helped her create a range of skincare that is honest, natural, and gentle. The ingredients are simple yet effective, with no cheap fillers or exaggerated claims, and are “rich in high-performance components carefully selected for their skin benefits.”  Nancy believes that creating clean skincare is crucial, but knows that sustainability goes beyond just the ingredients. Inspired by the trailblazing Jo Chidley from Beauty Kitchen, Nancy has adopted a similar “return, refill and repeat scheme” for her products. With this process, once you finish your favourite Herbal Earth product, you simply return the bottles to Herbal Earth, where they will clean and sanitise the glass jar to be used again. This process allows everyone to feel good about their choices in a world that is consumed by increasing waste and overconsumption. Beyond this approach, Herbal Earth uses biodegradable packaging to help reduce its impact on our planet and are looking to install wind and solar technologies to power production and run the office. Plus, they have partnered with Mossy Earth a global organisation that helps rewild the planet. Herbal Earth’s goal is to “combine the best of nature and science to create natural skincare for sensitive skin.” 

What we like about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is that it protects the skin from harmful effects of pollution, UVA, UVB and blue light (HEV) damage; while also nourishing and repairing the skin and its natural barrier. Launched in June last year, this award-winning facial oil is packed with natural antioxidants and botanicals with scientifically proven benefits. Let’s talk about the ingredients; each has its own unique benefit and is delivered in a concentrated oil form. Passion fruit seed is high in vitamin C, which promotes collagen formation and reduces redness; it also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Marula seed is high in antioxidants and fatty acids and so it helps improve the skin’s ability to hold moisture. Watermelon seeds are full of vitamin C and magnesium, which enhances the complexions overall appearance. Grapeseed is high in vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals; these strengthen collagen and maintain elastin. It is also known to be “exceptionally high in the omega-6 fatty acid”, leaving a lightweight feel while penetrating the many layers of skin. The next ingredient in this facial oil is meadowfoam seed, an oil pulled from the seeds of the meadowfoam flower; it delivers nutrients deep into the skin while also locking in moisture. Astaxanthin, here, is one the most potent antioxidant that can be found, belonging to the carotenoid group. Carotenoids are the most widespread group of pigments that are found in nature, visibly seen in algae, lobster, salmon, and prawns. This is where astaxanthin improves the appearance of fine lines and protects the skin against UVA, UVB and blue light damage. Last but not least, are frankincense and myrrh. These two ingredients are both derived from tree sap and are best known for their fragrance in incense. Frankincense is known for being antifungal and for rejuvenating damaged skin. Myrrh is an ancient ingredient that dates back to Ancient Egypt when used for face masks and other cosmetic purposes. This extract has rejuvenating properties, where it evens skin tone giving a more youthful-looking appearance.

This facial oil is a glorious rich russet colour, probably from carotenoid in the astaxanthin, and has a subtle warm and slightly wood scent, all of which help the skin “recapture its radiant glow.” Best of all, for those with sensitive skin, this No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil doesn’t contain any essential oils or nut oils. To use simply apply 1 or 2 pumps day and night to damp skin, and then gently massage in an upward and outward movement. According to Herbal Earth, an impressive 86.7% of users tested said their skin was smoother and more moisturised. Made in small batches with only natural ingredients, Herbal Earth pays particular attention to the little details that make this facial oil stand out. If you live in Ireland, this facial oil is included in Herbal Earth’s sustainability initiatives by offering a refill purchase option. If you choose just to refill your facial oil, you will receive a bottle with a cap (you need to hang onto your pump insert for reuse) and this option is sent without a product box, reducing paper waste. The No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is available in a 30 ml jar for €54.95 or a mini, 3ml jar for €7.50 here.

Founder's Formula : Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask

At The Amazing Blog, we’re always on a quest to find new natural products with unique plant-based formulas. And in our search, we discovered the Australian botanical skincare brand Founder’s Formula. Regular readers will remember that we recently reviewed their Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum here. Today we’re featuring their equally intriguing face mask, but this is not just any face mask… It’s a Post-workout Australian Clay Detox Mask, see below to learn more.

Founder’s Formula was launched by anthropologist Dr. Annie Holden in 2021, but the brand’s story starts three years earlier. After visiting Cosmoprof, the world’s biggest beauty trade show in Italy, Annie realised that there were plenty of beauty products from around the globe, but none with Australian botanicals. This inspired her to go back to Australia and conduct research on Australian botanicals and how to include them in modern-day skincare. Dr. Holden immersed herself in the research, as she had done previously when spending 35 years of her professional life working with indigenous peoples in remote parts of Australia. During this time she built her lab where she experimented with gentle formulas rich in wild-harvested and organic ingredients. Australia’s geographic location makes its plants extremely unique, in fact, 85% of its plants grow only in Australia. Also, did you know Australia has 23,000 known species? However, those that have been properly studied, are less than 1,000! These botanicals have adapted to the harsh Australian climate and have developed ways to store large quantities of phyto-compounds (chemicals believed to have medicinal properties) to survive in this environment. As a skincare enthusiast, Dr. Holden was eager to create her own skincare range using these potent plant-based ingredients. Once she shared her newly created products, she received overwhelmingly positive feedback and Founder's Formula was born. The brand was created to be the “best possible in uncompromising, potent, effective skincare using Australian Botanicals.” By working with one of Australia’s leading formulation chemists and applying research from Australia's leading 5-Star Plant Science universities, the company has created a range of skincare to target hydration, anti-inflammation, depigmentation, and pro-ageing. Specifically, the 13 products within the range are crafted to bring hydration back into the skin, fight and prevent inflammation and combat hyperpigmentation which can be a result of sun damage, helping to revitalise the skin bringing it back to optimum health. Dr. Holden purposely avoids the use of essential oils and fragrances, formulas are developed using only the most simple and natural ingredients to be kind to both the skin and planet. These evidence-based formulas are clinically clean, and the ingredients are sourced from certified organic suppliers, making the brand CertClean certified. Founder’s Formula shows their commitment to harvesting organic ingredients, and they also meet the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACO). The products are all manufactured in Australia, are toxin-free and are developed without animal testing.  

We received the Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask designed to cleanse and soothe the skin. This mask won the Best Natural Skin Mask (Bronze Winner) at the 2021 Global Clean and Green Beauty Awards. With the mask’s exceptional blend of natural Australian botanicals, let’s just say, we weren't surprised it was award-winning. Clay masks are known to help skin heal, brighten the complexion, improve blood circulation beneath the skin and promote collagen production. The Founder’s Formula mask here aims to draw out toxins, deeply cleanse, maintain clean skin health, and soothe the skin. This product combines key ingredients like Australian clay, Tasmanian mountain pepperberry, babassu seed oil, and squalane to nourish and respect your skin's natural balance. Australian clay works to draw out toxins from your skin, which can strengthen the skin barrier and improve skin elasticity. The Tasmanian mountain pepperberry (pictured above), comes from a shrub found in south-eastern Australia. It’s used in skincare to reduce inflammation redness and sensitivity. This pepperberry consists of the powerful active polygodial, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It’s also a bushfood condiment added to curries and alcoholic drinks and even export to Japan to flavour wasabi!  As for the certified organic babassu seed oil, this extract is packed with lipids and restorative essential oils to moisturise the skin, and it is highly recommended for people with eczema or dry skin. Plus, we found that this babassu seed oil doesn't clog pores as many other oils do! Another ingredient to highlight is the plant-based squalane, a hydrocarbon and natural emollient, which means it helps your skin deeply retain moisture. Squalane has a long shelf life and is a common ingredient in skincare, as it prevents dry patches and is highly effective at leaving your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. A few other elements worth mentioning are the peptides (tyrosine and arginine based molecules) that are included in the mask. These peptides work with skin nerve cells to trigger met-enkephalin, an opioid peptide, to help calm the skin and prevent inflammation at the source. In a sea of face masks, this one stands out. It leaves skin feeling cleansed and refreshed, plus we were impressed with this mask’s ability to promote longer hydration in the skin. The clay mask is easy to use, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and suitable for vegans. It is packaged in an aluminium tube, as aluminium is a highly recycled and circular economy material; but there’s a plastic cap, so please recycle this too! The mask also comes with a complimentary muslin cleansing cloth to help with removal. Founder’s Formula suggests using the mask after a workout, a run, or any time after your skin is exposed to an unclean environment, this is when the clay mask is at its most effective as it binds oils and draws out the residue of sunblock and other toxins. We thoroughly enjoyed taking 15 minutes of relaxation time to use the clay mask, and applied a light layer directly onto our post-workout skin and left it on for 10 minutes - for optimum performance - then rinsed away in lukewarm water. By the way, the brand says to get the best results, please refrain from cleansing your face prior to mask application. The results were noticeable, skin felt was hydrated, and our complexion softer. The mask can be applied daily, and with the results we received, it seems like we have a new product to add to our post-workout skincare routine. We are looking forward to featuring more from Founder's Formula, to share with you its array of magical antipodean botanicals. You can purchase the 75ml Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask here for $68.00AUD.  AND to get a 10% discount please click here expiring 30 June 2022, Adding code AMAZING at check out, valid one per customer.