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. 

Bean Álainn Naturals Skincare

Are you tired of searching for chemical and toxin-free skincare? Then we at The Amazing Blog have just the brand for you, meet Bean Álainn Naturals. All their products are completely chemical-free, cruelty-free, and utilise 100% organic, cold-pressed oils.

Mother and daughter duo LeAnn C. Riley and Erin L. Sorena are the co-founders of US skincare Bean Álainn Naturals. Their mission is primarily to create pure and organic ingredients with no hidden extras. With their respective backgrounds in molecular biology and wellness, it was the perfect match for creating this brand. The origins of the name Bean Álainn, is from a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘beautiful woman’. Ingredients are sourced from all over the world, although the products are produced in their own private laboratory in California, USA. They all go through a rigorous checklist to ensure purity, potency and minimal processing. To this end, their products are chemical-free, cruelty-free, and use 100% organic cold-pressed oils. We like that the EWG Skin Deep Organization has given them the highest safety rating of zero for being completely non-toxic and that they were also awarded by Cruelty-Free International a Leaping Bunny certification.  They pay meticulous attention to detail, with their skincare being formulated, bottled, and packaged only in small batches. By the way, the packaging and branding have changed since we were sent their products.

We were sent three of the products, and will begin with their hero product, the Master Mix Anti-Ageing Powerhouse Serum. It is a daily face serum for both morning or night. Use alone, or in our case, as a primer under makeup. This serum is in actual fact more of a face oil and contains some potent and luxurious anti-ageing oils. These oils are sourced from all around the globe with argan, jojoba, orange, apricot seed, pomegranate seed, grapeseed, evening primrose, krill and emu oil.  Argan oil, as we all know, helps protect against sun damage with its omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and linoleic acids. Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce redness. Emu oil is rich in vitamin E and has small particles that allow it to penetrate deeper into the dermis to moisturise and prevent skin ageing. When we asked co-founder Erin Sorena, why emu oil? She told us: ”Many oils make these same claims, but studies show that emu oil far outperforms other oils in its class, including olive oil (which does not absorb into the skin as easily and clogs some prone skin). Emu oil is a luxury but comes from emus that are sustainably raised.” The Orange oil helps dry, irritated, acne-prone skin and gives the serum its citrus fragrance. Apricot oil is also anti-ageing and prevents blackheads, softening and soothing the skin. Pomegranate oil regenerates and repairs skin. Grapeseed oil helps the skin be more elastic. Evening primrose oils enhance the textures and elasticity of your skin. Lastly, the krill oil here improves the overall appearance of the skin. It is a very rich serum, so only a few drops are needed. Shake the bottle well, then massage into a damp face and neck. They recommend using it both in the morning and evening to get the best results. The 1oz Master Mix Anti-Ageing Powerhouse Serum is available here.

The Enliven Mist helps brighten the skin. You would typically use it before their Master Mix as a prep or primer. We used this Mist on face and neck after cleansing then followed it with our regular skincare routine. However, some of us spritzed it during the day and found that it offered excellent hydration (particularly now we have the central heating on!) That said it’s not a flower water and leaves a slight dewy residue, which in turn gives the skin more of a glow. The organic green and white tea extracts help with skin-firming.  Whereas the organic liquorice extract is effective in improving an uneven skin tone. Plus, with its glabridin, a potent antioxidant, it’s a skin-soothing ingredient too. Helichrysum oil here is a slightly more unusual ingredient (from the Latin it translates as immortal or everlasting) it’s hydrating and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Cucumber seed extract gives a protective barrier and helps with cell regeneration, while the rosehip oil has lots of fatty acids and has cell-repairing notes. The 4oz Enliven Mist is $35 and available here.

The last, but certainly not the least, is their Transformation Clay Mask. We like that this is formulated with only three ingredients. The seaweed here is full of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and antioxidants. The bentonite clay helps to remove sebum or oil from the skin's surface and has a calming effect on inflamed breakouts. And the organic peppermint oil will detoxify the skin while moisturising and tightening. This mask is designed for a monthly or weekly home facial, we used it weekly and found it easy to mix with equal parts of water (and we even added some of the Enliven Mist). It took about 20-30 minutes to dry then we rinsed it away. This was our favourite product; we loved the simplicity, purity and of course, the results which gave us incredible soft and hydrated skin. At 6oz the Transformation Clay Mask is $40 and available here. To start your chemical-free skincare journey go to Bean Álainn  Naturals here.

PURU Suisse – Pure Sunscreen SPF50

We’ve already spoken about two other natural SPF sunscreen brands recently on The Amazing Blog and this is the last of the three for us to review.  Meet PURU Suisse, with their Pure Sunscreen SPF 50. BTW they’ve changed their packaging since we received this; however, we’re told that the ingredients remain the same.

PURU Suisse brand was born out of a frustration of not being able to find 100% natural products in Switzerland. According to Paul Flato, CEO and MD of the brand, PURU guarantees that each of their products is 100% natural, where every ingredient is checked before they process them into each of their products. These food-grade ingredients are handmade in small batches by their certified production lab. By purchasing PURU products, you can help preserve the environment from additional toxins and pollutants plus their packaging is 100% recyclable.  Flato commented in a recent interview: “We are focusing to deliver not just organic but really 100% pure, natural and honest products to our customers. We are a brand you can really trust without even checking or thinking about the ingredients. Furthermore, we want to educate and make our society/customers aware of how harmful certain ingredients for the human body are.” The brand promises 100% satisfaction to its customers and the quality of the products speaks for themselves. PURU loves animals, so they support causes that help animals and plant life. For this reason, none of their formulas is ever tested on animals. 

PURU means purity, and that what’s excites us, especially when it comes to sun care. The Pure Sunscreen SPF 50, is a recent winner at 2020 international organic awards, this is a mineral-based sunscreen which contains non-nano zinc oxide. The great thing about this mineral UV filter is that it does not penetrate the skin, or disintegrate under UV radiation, is harmless to the environment and considered the safest and most effective sunblock ingredient today. You can scan this sun care and find all ingredients on the YUKA app. Let’s start with the organic coconut oil, which is a deep hydrator and will leave skin smooth as it’s a natural-based emollient. The coconut extract will also act as a skin conditioner. The organic cacao seed butter here is one of the most potent skin healers and very protective; with its natural source of antioxidants and saturated fatty acids which are especially beneficial for healing dry, cracked skin. It is also rich in natural plant compounds called phytochemicals which will improve the blood flow on into your skin and slow the skin from ageing by protecting it from UV rays. This sun lotion is also rich in organic beeswax, straight from the honeycomb, and has anti-inflammatory properties in the beeswax which encourage healing of wounds. It also offers a protective skin barrier soothing sunburn without clogging pores. Furthermore, beeswax is high in vitamin A, which has been found to support cell reconstruction. Finally, vitamin E oil can absorb the energy from UV light and reduce damage. What we like about PURU Sunscreen is that it is highly concentrated, won’t sting your eyes, and it is reef and lake safe. There are no allergens, no irritants, no petroleum, or harmful substances. However, we found that when applied it does leave a slight white residue on the skin. It is non-greasy and almost fragrance-free (it has a subtle coconut/honey scent) which we liked. PURU advises applying their sunscreen every 2 hours, especially if you’re in and out of the water, although they say it’s water-resistant for up to 45 minutes. This is one to pack away for travels to the winter sunshine; it’s suitable for all the family, including babies. What makes this product a great sun protector, is the fact that it is made with a limited amount of all-natural ingredients and contains the mineral-based sunscreen too. You can purchase the 100ml bottle here for £30.95 and get a free lip balm too! 

La Coèss - REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil

As the nights are drawing in and temperatures drop, this signals to us at The Amazing Blog to change our skincare regime by adding in something a little richer and more protective. That’s why we’ve been searching for plant-based face oils with concentrated nutrition to revitalise, restore and helps balance our complexions. Today is one of our first #amazingfinds for autumn skincare with REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil from La Coèss.   

La Coèss REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil took over eight years in the making. This is because the founder Sophie Wang wanted to search out the best of the best for this her signature product. In her mission to find the perfect face oil, it led her on a long journey with testing over 312 ingredients, in order to find the right blend. So as to optimise these organic plant-based oil extracts, they are all freshly crafted in micro-batches in Portland, USA. Every attention has been given to the detail and design including the stylish handmade glass bottle, with its dropper top made from wenge wood. This REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil feels luxurious. The packaging is made up of a quality white cardboard box, embossed with a rose and separated into two parts. It has a closure of a seal, that is stamped with their logo and when opening the box, you find the heavy frosted bottle on its throne, all of which screams sophistication and luxury.   

Let’s talk about REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil itself, it is a powerhouse to fifteen natural oils from 10 different countries. When you first open the bottle a hint of the jasmine immediately greets you, its role is to offer protection from external stress factors and pollution and will even skin tone. However, this face oil contains first and foremost, jojoba and rosehip oils. These natural ingredients are known to rebalance the oil on your face, they contain vitamin B and fatty acids that are known for their ability to soothe skin. The rosehip, in particular, will repair any skin damage thanks to its high concentration in antioxidants, linolenic acid, and provitamin A. Together with the sea buckthorn they generate the rosy coloured hue in the oil. Sea buckthorn here will also purify and fight clogged pores. Then there is the magical golden Argan oil, straight from the Moroccan it has an incredible ability to nourish, moisturise and, protect. The avocado oil provides an emollient ingredient ideal for dry, dehydrated, damaged and mature skin and is rich in chlorophyll which will reduce inflammation. Moving on to the camellia oil used in the ancient Japanese traditions, this will soften lines and act as an anti-ageing oil, simultaneously, giving a natural radiant glow. The Rosemary will refresh and balance and rejuvenate the complexion. The exceptional blend also contains chia seed oil which will help to maintain the moisture level and the healthy protective layer. It will give relief from irritation, dryness and peeling.  Among the long list of other potent natural ingredients, there is lavender which is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that will help with breakouts, relax and detoxify. The pomegranate makes for a reliable hydrator; it will also soften and regenerate. The grapeseed oil is a highly penetrating oil that will protect and shield, whereas the prickly pear is an extraordinary healing agent that has been used for centuries, rich in amino acids that will stimulate the collagen which will promote cell renewal. It also contains vitamin K, which will brighten the face. The evening primrose is rich in fatty acids that will leave skin deeply hydrated. Finally, the carrot root oil is an exceptional cell regenerator. And that, I think concludes on the function of each of the fifteen oils found here. 

This REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil is suitable for all skin types and is vegan, cruelty-free and certified organic. Apply to a cleansed face adding the Face Oil by dropping 3-8 drops on the hands or directly on the face. Massage the oil in an upwards and clockwise movement making sure it reaches face, neck and décolleté. For best results, apply it both day and night.  We used this Face Oil alone at night with their clear quartz guasha ( I’m not sure whether they send this automatically with each order?) This guasha is a beauty tool used to apply pressure and gently scrape the skin to relieve tension, it helps increase skin cell nutrition and improves blood flow.   During the day we mixed a few drops of the Face oil to enhance our regular moisturiser, which made it a better base for applying makeup. To purchase you can find the 30ml  REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil here for $108. Although this may seem expensive, we found a little went a long way and the bottle appears to have lasted much longer than we anticipated. Would we buy more? Definitely.

Carina Organics - Unscented Natural Body Deodorant

We at The Amazing Blog know how important it is to stay fresh while living our busy and sometimes hectic lives. Whether we are running daily errands, going to the gym, or travelling; we all want to feel protected from unpleasant odours. We also love discovering new brands that have natural or organic products that are vegan friendly, not tested on animals and free from nasty chemicals.  That’s why we tried and tested this fragrance -free natural deodorant for sensitive skin Unscented Natural Body Deodorant by Carina Organics. 

Carina Organics is based in Vancouver and aims to provide 100% natural products, completely free of synthetics, parabens, fragrances, gluten and dyes. Founded by Helmut Gollner, who migrated from Germany to Canada and whose passion for homeopathic skin and haircare led him on this journey to launch Carina Organics. Since Carina’s inception in 1972, its main focus and philosophy is to create self-care products by replacing chemical ingredients with natural and organic ones. Gollner believes that nature provides the means to keep our skin healthy and beautiful, which is why  Carina takes great pride in their formulas and the quality of the ingredients they use. All of Carina products are manufactured by hand on the North Shore of Vancouver, where they produce a wide range of hair, face, body and baby care.

We chose to review their Unscented Natural Body Deodorant, as one of our bugbears is heavily fragranced deodorants. Although we all like to smell fragrant, it can also conflict with our chosen scent of the day; i.e. a heavily scented floral deodorant clashing with a delicate fresh cologne. What we love about Carina’s Unscented Natural Body Deodorant is that it’s produced using only natural and non-staining mineral salts. It protects the skin for up to 24 hours, leaving it fresh and odour-free, making it impossible for bacteria to develop. Made of only three simple ingredients: Filtered water, potassium alum, and pine extract, this deodorant is hypoallergenic, 100% biodegradable, cruelty-free and vegan.  Applied with 5-6 pumps of the spray under each arm or on any other desired area of the body, it dries quickly and is long-lasting. The Unscented Natural Body Deodorant was sent to us via Live in the Light, a UK online store which distributes their products. With a holistic approach, Live in The Light believes that skincare products that we use in our daily regime have an impact on our health, and supplies only high quality natural and organic products, just like this Unscented Natural Body Deodorant which you can purchase here for £13.50.