Cannabina: Raw Hemp + CBD Soap Bar

If you’ve been reading The Amazing Blog  for a while, you’ll know that we like to try lots of different products that contain CBD. Today we are looking at massage soap bar infused with Raw Hemp CBD from Cannabina, who we have recently featured here with their CBD Bath Bomb Trio.

Cannabina is founded by Gemma McKay, and a brand specialises in all kinds of healing products infused with hemp-based broad-spectrum and THC-free CBD ingredients. These products have been created for everyone to enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of CBD. Cannabina offers a variety of CBD infused items from bath bombs and skincare to tinctures and edibles. McKay’s passion and interest in cannabis are the motivating factors behind the brand’s mission to improve the quality of life for their consumer, through this incredible plant's relieving and healing properties. Cannabina is an all-natural CBD brand where the products are free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, solvent residues, chlorophyll, fats and lipids. There are no preservatives, sulphates, mineral oils, parabens, artificial colouring, flavours or perfumes. The brand’s products are also cruelty-free and are tested and certified by both US and UK laboratories. The brand’s products are also cruelty-free and are tested and certified by both US and UK laboratories. Cannabina also has a strong sustainability ethos with its recycling and asks customers to return their product empties, for which they’re rewarded with a 5% discount on further purchases.

The Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar has 100mg of CBD and is made with super-clean formulas, intended for use with those with sensitive or irritated skins. This is a gender-free soap bar, where This is a gender-free soap bar where Mc Kay tells us that she initially created this as a massager for the breast area and lymph nodes. However, it is also proving popular for using on the face, and with those who have back acne. Alas, we don’t have to full ingredients to tell you about, as this is such a new product for Cannabina (nothing listed on packaging or website). They tell us that it is 95.8% organic. We will hazard a guess that this semi-translucent CBD Soap Bar has flecks of hemp and is made with glycerine and 75% hard oils like coconut; the 13 nodules moulded into the bar making it particularly good as a massager. We’d also add that it’s ‘fragrance-free’ with no hemp or essential oil scent evident. The raw hemp and CBD interact with theendocannabinoid receptors to help moisturise, balance oil levels and heal the skin as well as reduce any inflammation. This Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar is also efficient in treating skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis. If you are looking for an antioxidant, pore cleansing and anti-acne actions, then this is designed for you. We used it in the shower, gently massaging our body and breast lymph area - we found it uplifting. It seemed to work wonders on our mood (and body) after yet another long and tedious #lockdown day. This 100mg Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar is available here £6.00.

Ann & Eli Apothecary- Happy Period Tea

We knows how many women dread that ‘time of the month’ and at The Amazing Blog we like to find new ways to help ease period pains. Welcome Ann & Eli Apothecary who have created a solution with their Happy Period Tea.

Founder Andrea Bomo is a holistic wellness coach based in Montreal with a background in journalism. After her own rocky path in life, and after hearing others stories, this propelled her on to the natural health and wellness path. She spent her early twenties not paying much mind to her diet or mental health and suffered from chronic illness and depression. She was later diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome; which is when she decided to prioritise her health. Bomo is a great believer that there is a connection between our emotional and physical health. Thus her drive and inspiration behind creating Ann & Eli Apothecary is to help other women in need of support and guidance, especially to “ live naturally healthy lives and take care of their little ones.” Ann & Eli Apothecary specialise in a wide range of healing organic herbal teas and tinctures.

 The Happy Period Tea comes as a loose tea in a 57g bag with twenty five servings/portions. This tea is labelled as a menstrual cramps relief tea, but it can also help PMS and to help regulate the menstrual cycle. We recommend you use this tea if you have period pains before or during menstruation, experience PMS, have irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or have missing periods (amenorrhea). NB: They say please do not use this tea if you are pregnant. The suggested intake is to drink one to three cups a day, starting three days before the first day that your period is due. Scoop around one teaspoon of the tea into a cup or tea infuser before adding in boiling water, then allow the leaves to steep in the water for up to 15 minutes. After steeping, strain the leaves out and enjoy. Red raspberry leaf helps support healthy menstruation, toning the uterus, lessens cramps, and helps to regulate mood and hormones. Yarrow is used to relaxing the muscle in both the intestine and uterus. Sage is another ingredient that helps regulate the menstrual cycle in amenorrhea. Lemon balm also helps to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. Mugwort, sounds worse than it is (!) and increases circulation to warm up the uterus, and also regulates hormone levels. The zingibain enzyme found in the ginger helps your body fight against inflammation. As mentioned, Ann & Eli Apothecary have a range of other herbal teas. These range from those for nursing mothers, pregnant women, and some are for the everyday person for everyday use, such as Cleanse Organic Liver-Detox tea and Morning Boost, to even Beauty Sleep and an immuniTea – something we all need now that we’re in #lockdown! To take period pains away try Happy Period Tea here 57g for £12.70.

Relaxayvoo - Protect & Renew Face Oils

We think simplicity is best, and if you are looking for pure and organic ingredients that work, then look no further than this artisan skincare brand Relaxayvoo with their two facial oils. At The Amazing Blog we like to focus on skincare products that provide the best ingredients for the best results and with both of these face oils, you can’t go wrong.

Relaxayvoo was founded a couple of years ago, by two young entrepreneurial Parisian mothers based in London, Constance Laperche and Rebecca Libchaber; both of whom had successful careers in France in advertising and marketing. Finding themselves in London, bringing up young families, they decide to collaborate creating something they both loved – organic skincare. What started as sharing beauty and skincare tips progressed into a business and a passion, where they developed their ideas and ingredients with a team of beauty experts. In an article in London.French Morning.com Libchaber said: "We shared our grandmother's tips for taking care of oneself without relying on beauty/nail salons, or commercial cosmetics. Also, I want to raise my children without the obsession with brands. For example, teaching them to pay attention to the product and design, its merits and benefits rather than just the label.”  At the moment, they have only have two products in the range; these are suitable for all skin types, and are made in small batches with fresh organic ingredients; as the brand is conscious of maintaining its eco and sustainability credentials.

They kindly sent us both their face oils to try, theses come in 20ml dark glass bottles with pipette tops. The Protect Day Oil is specifically formulated to hydrate and protect the skin. The camellia and evening primrose oil are excellent sources of antioxidants and vitamins such as A, B, D, E. These help with skin elasticity, nourishing the skin, and preventing fine lines. The argania spinosa kernel oil which is more commonly referred to as argan oil is anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and moisturising. Helianthus anuus seed oil, aka sunflower oil, helps strengthen and soothe the skin. Plukenetia volubilis seed oil is rich in fatty acids that help nourish and moisturise the skin. Calendula officinalis flower extract is anti-inflammatory, moisturising, and skin firming. The tocopherol is rich in vitamin E and can help prevent sun damage. Pelargonium graveolens flower oil or rose geranium flower oil, can reduce wrinkles, and soothes irritated skin. Sandalwood and rose otto rejuvenate and energise the skin. Anthemis nobilis flower oil, aka roman chamomile, (pictured here) contains azulene that helps calm and refreshing skin. Rosa damascene flower oil hydrates skin and reduces signs of ageing. They recommended applying 3-5 drops onto your palm and massage onto clean skin in the morning. We found this was all we needed. It couldn’t be more perfect for this time in #lockdown, when our skin is make up-free and the goodness from the organic oils can absorb deep into the dermis throughout the day. This Protect Day Oil smells divine – as the fragrance from the sandalwood, rose otto and rose geranium mingle, it’s quite intoxicating and mood-boosting!

The Renew Night Face Oil is formulated to help skin repair and renew through the night. It helps fight signs of ageing with rosa rubiginosa seed oil, more commonly referred to as rosehip oil, together with evening primrose oil they help to speed up cellar renewal and plump out wrinkles. Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil, prickly pear oil is a rare and precious oil, rich in vitamin E smoothing texture and overall toning the skin. Argan oil is not only anti-ageing but also moisturises the skin. Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed oil, sweet almond oil, contains vitamin E and B, which soothes and softens the skin. Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, aka jojoba oil, is intensely moisturising and the anthemis nobilis flower oil, roman chamomile is calming (as mentioned above) and ideal for those with sensitive skin. Rosewood helps balance dry, oily, and combination skin by rejuvenating skin cells. Again, they recommend applying 3-5 drops onto your palm and massage onto clean skin during your night-time skincare routine. As we said at the start, simplicity is best, and this has a gentle, comforting fragrance of rosewood and sweet almond oil. We found it easy to apply and it left our skin soft and dewy in the morning. To purchase Relaxayvoo skincare, see here for The Protect Day Oil at £55 and the Renew Night Face Oil here for £60.

Jillian Dempsey: Cheek Tint ' Rosy'

Now we’re back again in #lockdown holed up in our homes, at The Amazing Blog we need to find something to bring back that healthy glow to our cheeks.  For us, blush and cheek tints are the way forward, and today we are reviewing Jillian Dempsey’s easy to use and blendable cream Cheek Tint, which gives just the right amount of subtle radiance. 

Founder Jillian Dempsey is a professional makeup artist from Los Angeles. Her star-studded clients range from Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Winslet, Emilia Clarke, and so many more. If it’s good enough for them, then it’s certainly good enough for us!  Her work has been featured in editorials such as Vogue, ELLE, Vanity Fair, and Dazed, and photographed by famous fashion photographers like Mario Testino and Annie Leibowitz. Having an artistic eye, she’s always able to find fresh and new ways to give her clients’ skin a radiant glow. So, the natural progression was for her to create her product range with exciting textures and colour palettes. In February 2016, Dempsey started her self-titled line releasing her Waterproof Khôl Eyeliner and Lid Tints. A little over two years late in the summer of 2018, she released her Cheek Tint cream blushes. All products are formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, GMOs, synthetic fragrances or dyes. They are also classified vegan and are therefore cruelty-free.

The Cheek Tints  come in a variety of six shades and we received ‘Rosy’, which a vibrant medium pink. All the Cheek Tints have a velvety texture making them effortlessly glide onto the skin; plus they’re smooth and easy to blend. Not only that, this is also preservative-free and made with natural and organic plant extracts and waxes such as those from the Chinese lacquer and Indian shala trees. The organic sunflower seed wax acts as a thickener and provides a non-sticky feel, while both the organic shea butter and the bamboo stem extract help to nourish and hydrate the skin. The organic coconut oil provides a protective barrier giving the Cheek Tint smoother appearance when applied. Dempsey said: “Blush is one of my favourites. It’s transformative because depending on where you apply it, you can change the shape of your face. My Cheek Tint has an unbelievably smooth texture, so blending is fast and finger-friendly.”  And we think this Rosy hue complements a wide range of skin tones, it certainly gave us a warm pinky glow to our very dull city pallor. Purchase the Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint in Rosy for £24.50 here.

Organic Island: Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm

Although we’re all wearing masks in the outside world – don’t forget that your lips need protection still against the chilling winter winds. Yes, it’s sad to see our favourite lipsticks and glosses now gathering dust, but using a shielding multi-balm for the lips is our new beauty must-have. With this in mind, The Amazing Blog is happy to report in today with a good clean, potent and tested winter salve from Organic Island with their Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm.

Organic Island was launched in 2007 by Mark Powers and is one of Australia’s few organic skincare brands to have been awarded certification by two of the most highly regarded industry commissions:  Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and BDIH Germany (BDIH). These societies ensure that all certified products are free from any synthetic materials, hormones, petrochemicals, and made with raw plant and mineral extracted materials. Not only are Organic Island’s products certified by both commissions, but they also qualify as advanced organic skincare, and are clinically tested using patented formulations unique to Organic Island. Oh, and the fact that they do not dilute their products with water shows the purity and potency of thier ingredients. Products currently range from multi-balms, hand and skincare to the gentlest of baby care. 

One of the products that Organic Island kindly sent us is their hero, the multi-award-winning Paw-Paw Multi-Use Balm. Using their patented delivery of OliveM1000, Crystal Skin and Si02 Matrix, these hasten the absorption directly into the dermis for faster results. This incredibly potent papaya formula is a multi-balm ready to be used on any part of the face or body where it’s needed for instant soothing, healing or a cell renewal boost. Rich in three types of pawpaw, which include pumpkin papaya, papain (papaya enzyme) and carica papaya fruit extract. Combined with cocoa butter, vitamin E and beeswax, these gently exfoliate chapped lips or dry skin thus promoting hydration. This, in turn, creates a protective barrier where the antioxidants act as a shield, to heal and protect the skin. We used it on bare lips out in the cold, which was a huge success; however, it could also be used as a primer under lipstick or over lipstick to add a subtle gloss. If you’re looking for a highly effective multi-use salve, then look no further, this Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm with its anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect companion for skin irritation, eczema, burns or insect bites. You can purchase this very special balm as your winter salve, 25ml for only $9.95 (£5.48) here directly from Organic Island’s website.