The Soap Loaf Company : Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit

We love a challenge at The Amazing Blog, and this time, we thought we’d try our hand at making a hand-crafted soap as it looked like a lot of fun! This award-winning Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit is from The Soap Loaf Crafting Company the same company that sent us their Solid Deodorant Making Kit, which we reviewed here. 

After working as a finance broker for 11 years, founder Natasha Green felt it was now time for her to get in touch with her creative side. This manifested itself into creating a bath and body care business, The Soap Loaf Company , in 2012. The company brings to market handmade toiletries and cosmetics, which has gone on to expand into their renowned DIY cosmetic workshops. Through The Soap Loaf Company, Natasha began to host soap-making parties for children's groups and organisations. As the parties expanded with new products and ideas, she decided that it was time to attract the adult customer audience. In 2018, Natasha launched a sister brand Cosmeti-Craft. It offers customers unique experiences to nurture their creative side and provides them with a wide array of cosmetic products to craft at home, from soap and bath bombs to deodorants and lip gloss. Now with over thirteen different locations around Yorkshire, The Soap Loaf Company has opened up spaces for adults and children alike to explore their crafting abilities. These workshop crafting parties include making body butter, lip balm, solid shampoo bars and deodorant, moisturiser, and many more. They also extend past the borders of Yorkshire and travels around the country hosting events and supporting charities. Cosmeti-Craft works hard to foster a self-care environment for its customers. The brand points out how it excels in the "field of self-care, wellbeing, and mindfulness offering the resources to create a unique self-care, personal hygiene based and creative cosmetic product." The essence of both these brands is to allow others to develop new creative skills in a way that improves their well-being. Many healthcare experts have linked crafting and participating in handmade activities, to a boost in an individual's morale together with a positive effect on mental health. The company also prioritises sustainability, as they're a plastic-free business and only use 100% recycled product wrapping and biodegradable glitter. They focus on offering fully compostable packaging, reusing and recycling all materials from their suppliers, and ordering materials in bulk to reduce shipping frequency and CO2 emissions. They also collect bottle tops for a specialist recycling group, offer paper bags in store for customers, and reward customers with a 20% discount for bringing refillable containers when making further purchases. As a vegan and cruelty-free company, their Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit Kit  (see below) was recently awarded the Best Soap Bar Gold Winner at the 2021 UK Global Makeup Awards. Natasha Green has also been recognised for her impressive business acumen and was a finalist for the Best Business Woman in Retail or Consumer Business at the 2019 Best Business Women Awards.

This time we were lucky enough to be sent the Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit.  The Soap Loaf Company promotes this crafting experience as "the best bar of soap, is one that the consumer makes for themselves." This Soap Making Kit allows you to create two different 85g soaps, which you can decorate and colour in your own manner, giving you the opportunity to explore your creative side. The kit comes with two different kinds of SLS free soap bases, a fragrance oil, two different types of floral petals, soap colour, soap mould equipment, and a step-by-step tutorial to help you through it.  All you need is a microwaveable mixing bowl or large jug, a wooden spoon, and a microwave. The two types of soap bases are translucent, which we used (see photo above) or an opaque one. They are both glycerin and SLS-free (SLS is an acronym for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), a surfactant known to irritate the skin. Glycerin, on the other hand, is a humectant; it hydrates and helps the skin to retain moisture. Without SLS's, the glycerin soap base is more effective in soothing all skin types, including sensitive ones. The kit also comes with a rose fragrance oil that gives the soap its calming floral scent. Rose essential oil combines vitamins and minerals with benefits for both the mind and body; and has antiseptic properties that help combat redness and irritation. The dried rose petals in the kit, apart from the fresh floral fragrance roses emanate, also have other benefits mentioned above. The dried marigold petals are known as an anti-inflammatory and have antioxidant properties to aid with collagen production. Apart from the refreshing botanicals, both these petals contribute to the soap exfoliant properties make the skin soft. The brand also encourages you to experiment with other ingredients, like dried flowers or coconut oil, for increased moisturising and further exfoliating effects. We particularly liked making this soap bar because it avoids all artificial preservatives, chemical foaming agents, and palm oil. 

To help you create your hand-crafted rose soap bar, the kit has an in-depth set of instructions. The process includes using a 'melt and pour' method, where you melt the soap base in the microwave and then mix the ingredients in, using your own unique blend. Then simply pour the contents into the mould and let it set. This will take about thirty minutes, but if you are feeling eager to see your finished product, you can pop it in the fridge, and it should be cool and set in just fifteen minutes. Once it’s all set, gently peel off the mould, and voila! The soap is now ready. If you are not using the soap immediately and avoid surface condensation, it is best to store it in a cool and dry area in an airtight container or cling wrap. NB Cosmeti-Craft advises that this soap should be used within six months of making as it doesn’t have any preservatives.  We loved how the soap smelt, looked and felt and think that it makes not only the perfect Christmas gift but also a super-easy crafting and activity project. The Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit can be purchased here for £19.99, and if you are looking for more structured guidance, you can purchase it for £29.99 here with the Online Workshop Session.

Nourishe : Nectar of Life - Beautifying Face Serum

If you’re reading The Amazing Blog, then you’ll know that we love brands that combine cutting-edge science with potent, natural botanicals. This is why today, we'd like to introduce the organic and vegan skincare Nourishe and their rather aptly named face oil serum, The Nectar of Life.  We were interested to find out more about how this serum strengthens the skin from within, using whole plant complexes and geometric formulations only found in nature.

Natural and organic USA based skincare brand Nourishe is founded by master alchemist Kristin Bauer. She developed an interest in DNA mutation and the skin treatment of patients while working early on in a hospital burns unit. This is where she began to study the science behind skin growth and regeneration. Once she became pregnant with her daughter, she began to realise the magnitude of chemicals in our everyday daily lives, wondered to herself, "How can we expect to have healthy bodies if we are using polluted chemical products on our skin?" Over ten years, Kristin travelled to the Amazon jungle of Peru, where she studied herbalism with Indigenous peoples and native healers. Through this experience, Kristin discovered the power and potency of nature and how it can work to heal the body. Nourishe puts that power at the forefront of their beliefs, using 100% organic cruelty-free and vegan ingredients, which are also ethically grown and harvested raw from nature and, therefore, free from preservatives, fillers, and chemicals. They use only botanicals as ingredients, instead of using, say, four or five certified organic ingredients, they use an astonishing twenty to forty in each product, allowing the maximum potential for nutrition absorption into the skin. Plant neurobiology studies have shown how plants respond and survive against all odds in environmental variables; Nourishe uses this plant intelligence to integrate some of these evolved learnings into their skincare to heal and work on a cellular level. They also believe in the power of self-love and self-care, carefully selecting ingredients and providing education about the truth of toxicity in skincare products. In addition, the brand uses quantum entanglement science to encode each product with the Schumann resonance, which is scientifically proven to repair DNA and help new DNA helices form! Their passion for nature doesn't end there; the brand also uses environmentally friendly packaging, with biophotonic glass, allowing only three spectrums of light to pass through.  All products are certified organic by Where Food Come From (formerly known as A Bee Organic).

The Nectar of Life is a rich amber-coloured face oil serum full of plant and botanical extracts and made with worldwide botanical ‘nectars’. As mentioned above, these all come together with their plant intelligence using the Schumann resonance method, where they adapt to enhance the skin’s needs. There are over thirty-two organic ingredients in this small 15ml bottle! For us, the star ingredient here is the helichrysum flower extract from the yellow helichrysum stoechas plant, which has been used for centuries in ancient medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. The flower has been referred to as "Immortelle" due to its anti-ageing properties and is considered one of the oldest healing oils in Europe. We love how the helichrysum is rich in flavonoids, kaempferol flucosides, apigenin luetolin, quercetin and essential oils. Then there is its cousin the chrysanthemum flower extract, also yellow in colour, but with a much larger flower head, it helps to clear up skin irritation, redness, and even eczema and psoriasis. It also reduces skin discolouration and puffiness and offers numerous healing benefits i.e. being currently used to treat prostate cancer. One of our other favourites here is the prickly pear seed oil, high in essential fatty acids, omega-6, omega-9, and the natural antioxidant vitamin E. These ingredients brighten and replenish skin while reducing skin inflammation and preventing skin damage and acne. Finally, the last of the key ingredients is red ginseng root, known as the "root of immortality". it contains high levels of phytonutrients that increase oxygen circulation to skin cells, boosting energy production within the cells and brightening skin. The serum is waterless and doesn’t contain aloe vera gel, glycerin, or fillers that could disrupt the skin or cause increased bacteria growth in the serum.

We loved how it’s fragrance-free ( with only the natural scent of the botanicals) and how this amber nectar made skin soft and gave it a radiant glow, so it’s no small wonder that it was an Editor’s Choice Gold Winner at the 2021 Global Green Beauty Awards. To use the serum, apply a few drops to a clean face after toner and before moisturiser to get the maximum benefits for the skin. Although it may appear a little on the pricey side, we think it's excellent value for money when you consider the plethora of nutritious organic oils and plant extracts. If you'd like to purchase the Nectar of Life Serum, you can get it here on the Nourishe website at $108.00 for 15ml. 

Havuka: Five Herbs Balm and the 30% Spruce Resin Balm

Living amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, at The Amazing Blog we love brands that transport us to faraway lands with their natural and organic products. Today, we’re back with the Finnish botanical brand Havuka, who we recently featured here, this time it’s with their  Five Herbs Facial Balm and 30% Spruce Resin Balm.

Havuka is a Finnish brand launched by entrepreneur Anna-Leena Toivanen that creates natural, artisan cosmetics "from the Finnish forests and land." Their products utilise natural remedies from the Finnish landscape inspired by Elias Lönnrot's recipes. Elias Lönnrot was a Finnish physician, philologist, and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry. During his travels, Elias collected poems and stories across Finland, resulting in the creation of the Kalevala, a collection of literary works based on the Finnish landscape. Throughout his journey, Elias discovered the healing powers of Finnish botanicals and herbs. Particuarlly the spruce resin, which has been used in Nordic countries for centuries as a healing balm to treat skin infections, insect bites, chapped hands, cuts, scrapes, eczema, burns and rashes. Havuka continues his journey by bringing "natural products made according to his recipes bringing them into modern times." The brand is a family-owned company that has passed on the tradition of creating these natural products for three generations. Anna-Leena first learned about Elias Lönnrot from her father, and now her son Timo Tynys is the current CEO. Havuka's resin-based spruce products are made by hand using traditional Finnish techniques, where they take great care when sourcing their materials, selecting spruce resin harvested domestically and combining with other organic ingredients. 

Havuka sent us two of their products to try, the first being their Five Herbs Balm.  As Elias Lönnrot wandered across the northern meadow, he collected five herbs from which he prepared an eye cream that he gave to his wife, Maria. The Havuka Five Herbs Facial Balm is modelled after this very cream. The first botanical is dandelion. Rich in antioxidants, it has anti-ageing benefits for the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Dandelion also contains vitamin C that promotes healing and detoxifying properties that help reduce clogged pores and acne. The second herb is yarrow, said to have been used on battlefields to slow bleeding, it also has antimicrobial properties. In this balm, it works to restore the skin, soothing irritation and healing broken capillaries. The Five Herbs Facial Balm also contains burdock, which includes multiple types of powerful antioxidants like quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids. These antioxidants reduce inflammation and protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals, and is ideal for treating skin conditions like acne and eczema. The next herb in the balm is broadleaf plantain, the leaves of this plant contain many anti-inflammatory compounds like tannins and flavonoids. It can also support healing by blocking microbial growth and relieving pain. The fifth and final botanical is chickweed, which has a high concentration of vitamin B that soothes skin and eases any inflammation caused by bug bites or eczema. This balm is specifically aimed at helping to calm and soothe the skin around the delicate eye area. To apply, take a small amount with your ring finger and gently tap the cream onto your skin, starting from the inner corner of the eye and going outwards. They recommend keeping the cream in the refrigerator, as the coolness feels refreshing on the skin helping to calm and heal, plus, the darkness of the refrigerator protects the integrity of the balm's delicate ingredients. 

The second product that Havuka sent us was their 30% Spruce Resin Balm. Throughout his journeys, Elias Lönnrot developed wounds on his feet, prompting him to utilise the powerful healing benefits of Spruce Resin. And legend has it that this resin immediate soothed his feet and gave him the strength to continue on his travels. Spruce Resin, known as ‘nature's own antiseptic balm,’ has rejuvenating and calming benefits, repairing skin damage while also providing antibacterial and antimicrobial protection. It's a renewable natural resource that contains hundreds of active compounds, including antioxidants, flavonoids, delicate oils, and natural resin acids. Spruce Resin is said to be so potent that with regular application, beneficial effects are visible within only 3-5 applications! Again, this balm doesn't contain any chemicals, fragrances, or additives, only pure raw materials with 30% spruce resin, organic beeswax and rapeseed oil. Ideal for use to treat dry skin, abrasions, scratches, insect bites, burns (including sunburn), and even healing tattoos. And also suitable for our furry friends too, it can treat wounds, burnt or day paws, and even tick bites and insect stings. This is a balm that’s good for treating the body as a whole (rather than specifically the eye area). For skin and nail issues, they suggest applying the balm to the area once or twice daily until healed. It’s also recommended to use the resin balm in a warm environment like a sauna where the heat enhances its absorption. We love how both these little jars of balms have a multitude of uses - perfect for keeping in the medicine cabinet or on the dressing table. To purchase the Havuka Five Herbs Balm, 40ml for €27.90 or 100ml €49.90 here and The 30% Spruce Resin Balm is available here at €27.90 £ for 40ml or 100ml at €39.90.  

Circulove : CALM Face & Eye Serum

At The Amazing Blog new skincare ingredients always pique our interest, and when we learnt about this CALM Face & Eye Serum by Circulove, with its biotic actives designed to deliver probiotic benefits directly into the skin – we knew this was a must-try! 

Circulove is a Scandinavian brand that was founded in Finland in 2020. Where a group of designers, natural cosmetics chemists, beauticians, nurses and lifestyle professionals have come together to create this brand to help people live a “more sustainable and purposeful lifestyle while enhancing their natural beauty.” The idea of a circular lifestyle is the basis of Circulove. The concept of circularity focuses on cycles in the sense that things should be reused and recycled. Circularity considers entire ecosystems, like social, cultural, natural, and human capital, and the benefits of these systems. With this ideal in mind, their goal from day one has been “to create clean, biotic skincare products with no compromises.” Päivi Paltola, the founder of Circulove, was concerned with the increased occurrences of greenwashing and began investigating circular design principles to try and create “more purposeful beauty.”  Circulove is committed to following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future. Anyone can see their commitment to these values and goals, with toxic-free products and less waste; they use 30% ocean waste plastic for their recyclable mono-material bottles and organic by-products from the food industry for ingredients. The plastic used is recycled waste plastic collected from the Java Sea, meaning Circulove contributes to the ocean clean-up movement. They also promote up-cycling and transparent supplier networks, scrutinizing their own carbon footprint, by using 85% of Finnish or local Scandinavian ingredients in their products. Paltola says it best, “we know we are on a lifelong learning journey, and we believe that every action counts.” They are also FI-NATURA certified.

The CALM Face & Eye Serum hydrates, soothes and protects the skin. What makes this serum ‘different’ is that it combines vegan prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics with eight luxury plant extracts and oils to help reset the skin taking it back to its original and natural state. Prebiotics are compounds that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms and may help improve the skin’s barrier function. Applying topical prebiotics and probiotics to the skin is the most effective and direct way to affect the skin’s microbiome. Postbiotics include enzymes, peptides, and cell surface proteins and are a by-product of the fermentation process of the probiotics. The ingredients in this serum are fermented for 3-5 weeks, which is the chemical breakdown process of the prebiotics and postbiotics. Following the fermentation process,the plant extracts and oils are then added. The CALM Face & Eye Serum helps reduce redness, creates long-lasting moisture, protects against free radicals, and balances the skin’s pH and oiliness. The beauty of this serum is that it is suitable for all skin types, and can significantly help those with sensitive, rosacea, couperose or atopic skin. The CALM Face & Eye Serum contains a few other key ingredients. The antioxidant and flavonoid plant extracts are derived from lady’s mantle,  blueberry and lingonberry. The pure oils here are raspberry seed, jojoba and sunflower, hemp, and rosehip all of which are rich in essential fatty acids such as omegas 3 & 6, vitamin E and antioxidants. The vegan prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics come from fermented oats and tapioca; the slow fermentation process ensures that these ingredients stay nutrient-dense. Beyond these ingredients, Circulove has provided a detailed ingredients list that includes the country of origin (the list can be found here ) where the brand delivers full transparency for each product - and we’re obsessed! In their efforts to create sustainable products, the packaging is airless, designed specifically for their all-natural skincare, and this design lets you use every last drop of the product since the bottom of the packaging rises as you use it. The simple white opaque bottle ensures that the natural ingredients retain their integrity. Each of Circulove’s products are free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, silicones, chemical sunscreen, nano zinc oxide colourants, added perfumes and GMOs. 

To use the CALM Face & Eye Serum apply to clean skin on the face, under the eyes and around the lips - both day and night. NB: We found that the airless pump required a quick 5-10 pumps to activate before using. It can be used alone for combination or oily skin, or if like us you have normal to dry skin, then use it prior to moisturiser or face oil. The fragrance gave us a delicious hint of berries combined with green tea. It felt like a lotion to apply and absorbed quickly as It’s light to the touch, but super-hydrating once on the skin, and yes, we’d say it’s yet another of our #amazingfinds. The 30ml CALM Face & Eye Serum is available for purchase directly from Circulove’s website here for € 59.00.

Object : Moisturising Shampoo Bar

At The Amazing Blog, we like to find new and artisan natural brands to talk about, and today, we’re featuring an award-winning eco-friendly natural haircare from the British artisan brand Object. We tried out their  Moisturising Shampoo Bar and their purposefully designed Light Weight Travel Tin shampoo bar container.

Object, is co-founded by Jack Wolton and Hugo Tylor, and focuses on providing “natural, ethical, and plastic-free products.” After struggling to find hair and body care brands that offer both sustainable and high-quality ingredients, Wolton and Tylor decided in December 2020 to create their own. The two are eager to offer new alternatives to wasteful plastic packaging, while also providing well-designed and effective natural ingredients. Object launched to fill this gap in the market and is built on the principles of creating natural alternatives and “objecting to the status quo” - hence the inspiration for the brand name! The founders also want to tackle and create awareness of social and environmental issues and in a recent interview with It’s Nice That, Wolton describes here how they care a lot about inclusivity and promote acceptance and diversity, and celebrate being ‘different’ in everything that they do. They also donate a percentage of their sales to local charities, plus they have a strict code of ethics which all their suppliers must comply with. To reflect their values, they do not use any chemicals in their products and only use natural ingredients, which can be found on their website here. The brand takes its sustainability efforts even further by being a waterless and plastic-free brand. The packaging is made from 50% recycled cotton, and they only use FSC (The Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper and cartons. They have gained brand recognition for their eco-friendly efforts, as their Moisturising Shampoo Bar was recently awarded Gold for the Best Sustainable Hair Product at the 2021 Global Green Beauty Awards. Object has also received the Butterfly Mark Certification by Positive Luxury to show how they meet the “highest verified sustainability standards.”  

As fans of shampoo bars, we couldn’t wait to try this Moisturising Shampoo Bar. We find that shampoo bars tend to last longer than liquid shampoos, and are gentler on the hair and scalp as they don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium lauryl sulfate, which can contribute to dry hair. The Moisturising Shampoo Bar is gender-inclusive, handmade in Spain, and does not use any sulphates, parabens, artificial colouring, or palm oil. As regular readers will know, palm oil contributes to deforestation, and the sulphates can lead to a dry and irritated scalp. This award-winning bar is made from moringa, jojoba and argan oils, blended together with coconut milk and essential oils. The moringa oil, made from the seeds of a moringa oleifera (a type of tree found in the Himalayan mountains), is packed with omega-3, which moisturises and strengthens the hair and scalp. Jojoba oil contains a blend of oils, vitamins, and minerals that help to regulate scalp sebum production, and leave hair feeling hydrated. As for argan oil, it helps soothe and nourish hair cuticles with its vitamin E and fatty acids. The coconut milk here is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, along with vitamin E to fight against serum build-up in the hair. The combination of these ingredients helps hair to have more volume and shine and overall be more healthy. The sustainable nature of this product also is important to point out, as it’s all-natural, vegan, 100% plastic-free, and cruelty-free. Did you know that a shampoo bar saves the waste of up to three shampoo bottles? The bar also has a fragrance combination of earthy and citrus scent that is derived from the blend of ylang-ylang, cedarwood, citronella, and lavender essential oils. We found it long-lasting and both refreshing and nourishing for the hair. To use the shampoo bar, we soaked our hair and rubbed the bar in our hands to create a frothy lather, and worked it into our scalp. We then ran the bar down the hair strands to cleanse and finally rinsed. The shampoo bar left our hair squeaky clean with zesty fragrance; however, we did need to follow up with our regular conditioner to leave it tangle-free.

What we also like the ergonomically designed shampoo bar container, Object's Light Weight Travel Tin, to store the bar and to help to make it last longer. It’s made from rust-proof aluminium with strong durability and a screw top to prevent leaking. This container is perfect for draining your shampoo bar dry straight from the shower or for travel purposes. They suggest frequently emptying water from the tin, and ensuring that the bar is dry before putting it into the tin. The Light Weight Travel Tin can be purchased here for £5, and the Moisturising Shampoo Bar can be purchased here for £14.