EarHub: Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs

Did you know that apart from irritability and fatigue, sleep deprivation can also lead to imbalanced and dehydrated skin? And as tomorrow is World Sleep Day (yes, there really is such a day!) we at The Amazing Blog, thought we’d review the perfect partner to aid a peaceful night’s sleep, the simple, reusable and invaluable:  EarHub’s Sleepwell Silicone Earplugs.  

EarHub is a UK based company specialising in developing and delivering a range of superior ear protection. It was launched in 2020 with a purposeful mission to raise awareness, and educate the consumer about ear health and wellbeing, by providing premium foam and soft silicone earplugs. According to EarHub’s Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, “Many people will be struggling to sleep because of a noisy sleep environment and these Earplugs may significantly help to improve the quality of sleep by reducing noises such as a snoring partner.  These earplugs may reduce usual background noises and snoring (45 decibels - 65 decibels) by as much as 50%. This is a small price to pay for a good quality night's sleep which can not only make you look and feel better.” If you’re having some trouble sleeping, you should know that you’re not alone, since 51% of adults worldwide get less sleep than the average amount needed. As EarHub claims these earplugs can reduce the background noise by 50%, think what a difference that will make if you live with a snoring partner or pet! As we’re based in the heart of a noisy city - we couldn’t wait to put these to the test!

The company kindly sent us a 6-pair-set of  Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs. Did you know that damage occurs at noise levels over 80 decibels?  And you’d be surprised where this noise level occurs, think a busy restaurant or an electric lawnmower. Astonishing, isn’t it? That’s why we now like to keep a set of these to hand. These silicone earplugs come in a convenient travel case, making them easy to transport or store. A huge plus for us is that they’re BPA-free and environmentally friendly. Their reusable and only requires a quick wash with warm water and soap. We love their practicality; made of hypoallergenic silicone they mould comfortably to fit the ear forming an airtight seal over the ear canal. They not only block out noise, but also make the ear watertight, ideal for swimming or water sports. They actually reduce outside noise by 27 decibels which is a higher rate than other earplugs that we’ve tried.  They’re also so comfortable, that you almost forget you’re wearing them! BTW they’ve got a give away for a month’s worth of earplugs to mark World Sleep Day tomorrow, for to 5 lucky winners… so head over to their Instagram page here. To purchase Earhub Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs see here  for £8.99.

David Jourquin Paris: Cuir Mandarine Eau de Parfum

We think that a scent can immediately change your mood, bringing good memories back or creating new and exciting ones. Finding that one and only fragrance that encompasses your style, personality and suits each season - is a case of trial and error. This is why at The Amazing Blog we love exploring new olfactory experiences. Meet David Jourquin with and his inventive range of fragrance, today we are reviewing the delicious Cuir Mandarine.

David Jourquin created his fragrance company in 2011  after a lifetime of being surrounded by all sorts of olfactory inspiration. His mother always went to work wearing her famous leather coat and loved sprinkling tiny drops of perfume on the cushion pillows. His father smoked cigars and took David to the market in Pointe-à-Pitre,Guadeloupe, where he revelled in all the spices’ sweet, robust aromas. For David, these memories have shaped who he is today, and inspired him to recreate them in the form of his unique fragrances. Motivated by intense passion, each of his fragrances expresses a different facet of his intimate universe. Inspired by seasons and places he has created a core collection with Vendômen offering seven different Eau de Parfum where these scents are characterised by their personality and emotional impact. The Opéra collection are the refill flacons ready to be slipped into the leather coverings of the Vendôme Collection, or left bare, according to one’s desires and budget. For Jourquin, fragrances are emotional touchstones: "They speak the truth in a language that is invisible yet essential, intimate yet universal. My greatest joy is to share these fragrances with you, to create secret paths that bring us closer to ourselves so that in turn, we can get closer to others." We were excited to experience this magic.

We couldn’t wait to try one of his first launch fragrances with the much talked about  Cuir Mandarine which was a recent Gold winner with Best New Premium Fragrance at the 2020 Pure Beauty Awards.  it emits a very soft and slightly sweet unique mix of mandarin and leather. The square bottle itself is clad in hand-stitched calfskin with a solid wood grain top to accentuate its masculinity. The vibrant top notes of mandarin, pepper and lavender are very evident and immediately greet you. However, what makes this so unusual is the middle notes of leather and patchouli. The five different varieties of patchouli used originate from the mint family and are cultivated in tropical Asia. Here the patchouli has subtle musk that enhances the other fragrance notes. The base notes are the rich blond Virginian tobacco and amber which add a dimension to the sweet and earthy notes, holding everything in balance. Although Cuir Mandarin luxurious fragrance that is aimed at the male market with its timeless and classic scent and modern twist; we loved the sensual, rich, warm and sweet aroma which conjured up the change of seasons, taking us swiftly from autumn to winter.  It ‘s certainly a scent we’d recommend spritzing to uplift spirits and transport you to warmer climes even on a grey and wet English day! You can purchase Cuir Mandarin in 100 ml for €230 in 5 ml for €8.90 here. 

ST.. essentials: Eco-Friendly Shimming Body Glitter Gel & Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment

With Spring almost here, at The Amazing blog we just can’t wait for lighter mornings and longer days.  However, we’re still in need of adding a little sun-kissed shimmer to our dull wintery skin.  And what better way than to use some serious sparkle from a young and inclusive brand ST..essentials. 

ST..essentials recently launched last year, and is more than just makeup it’s a movement. The brand is founded by Sheena Ellington and Temi Alebiosu, two young women who are both passionate about cosmetics.  They have built this concept around their core brand values with a particular focus on inclusivity, making them a stand out from other traditional cosmetic brands. ST.. essentials wants to spread a message of positivity through their products, regardless of skin tone, sexuality or body size, so that everyone can glow!  Their cosmetics are cruelty-free, vegan and eco-friendly. Wherever possible, products are refillable and ingredients are natural. Their aim is to make their customers feel pretty and confident while also taking care of the planet, “Within the brand, it is very important that everybody who comes in to contact with our brand, feels an instant vibe of positive energy.” This artisan brand offers a range of products that are not only handmade but affordable and easy to use.

They sent us two products, the first was the Eco-Friendly Shimming Body Glitter Gel  in ST. Dhabi Gold. This is a must-have to get THAT glow and a great multi-purpose product that can be used on the face and body. We’d suggest using it as an brow shimmer or as a subtle touch to highlight cheekbones. It’s also perfect to use on the body to that dewy glistening look, and with the added plus of the vanilla oil, it gives out a sweet scent. Our personal favourite was to use it on our shoulders and decolletage to accentuate and catch the light. With the two different shades, it offers a choice of light or rich gold which will complement any skin tone. In the ingredients there is aloe vera which well known for its multiple benefits such as cooling and soothing; the macadamia nut oil here is filled with antioxidants, vitamins and essentials fatty acids, to nourish the skin as well as make it shine. The only ingredient here that we aren’t so keen on is the phenoxyethanol which depending on the amount in this product, may cause some skin irritation or sensitivity. The Shimming Body Glitter Gel works so well thanks to the eco-friendly tiny mica /titanium dioxide particles which gives the product its twinkle. this is, a natural ingredient that reflects ST..essentials' commitment to the environment. ST. Dhabi Gold here for £23.99, or as a refill at £10.99.

The brand also sent us their Eco-friendly Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment in Silver Coast Once again, we loved the versatility of this product as it can be used on the face, body, hair or nails (under clear polish). Indeed, not only perfect for an ultra-reflective eye look but also perfect for adding a body highlight - we even used it with a stencil to create some body art. We recommend applying a small amount of a plant-based balm either with a brush or your fingers. This can be anywhere on your body, face, hair. Then sprinkle some Loose Glitter on it and you’re good to go. Please use with caution, when applying around your eye area due to the fine particles which might fall into the eye. It’s easy to remove and washes off with warm water and soap, or by using regular makeup remover. You’ll love experimenting with this Silver Coast Eco-Friendly Loose Glitter as well as their other six colours in the range, perfect for creating your own super-glam looks for getting ready for après-lockdown and the summer festivals (fingers crossed!). We feel it's important to highlight once again, that the pigments used here in both products are made using the finest of earth's natural ingredients, natural mica, a soft silicate mineral that can be found in many forms. You can purchase the Eco-friendly Loose Glitter Eyeshadow Pigment (in silver Coast) in 5g here for £7.00.  These cosmetics will make you glitter like a goddess - even during lockdown!

Provacan: CBD Babysoft Cream & Massage Oil

With all this changeable spring weather, it’s been having a negative effect on our skin, with the sudden appearance of eczema and dry patches on our neck. As fans of all things CBD at The Amazing Blog, we thought we’d give another range of topical CBD skincare a try to soothe our skin. This time it’s with Provacan's  CBD Babysoft Cream and Massage Oil. 

Provacan was established in 2017 by founder and CEO Clifton Flack, who has spent many years researching cannabis-based health in the ever increasingly competitive cannabis industry. Provacan is the flagship company of CiiTECH. This parent R&D company is a registered UK cannabis biotech company and a collaborative partner with Israel's Hebrew University of Jerusalem – the epicentre of cannabis research and development. Provacan's unique products are developed by collaborating with leading researchers and scientists to identify and create novel CBD formulas, using innovative delivery systems and advanced extraction techniques to develop high quality CBD products. According to Flack, “Since our inception in 2017, we have been dedicated to providing the UK market and beyond with innovative CBD products, including an expansive topical range, that have been inspired by CiiTECH’s unrivalled cannabis knowledge and research.” Their products are based upon decades of scientific evidence and data-based research, combined to give the end-user convenience and practicality in mind. Their CBD supplements are grown, manufactured, and produced under strict EU agricultural and food processing guidelines. Their production and distribution is also fully compliant with British Healthcare best practice, the UK Cannabis Trade Association's quality standards, and EU Cosmetics GMP certified . As a leading CBD formulator and with these top-notch credentials, their CBD products range from vapes, e-liquids, edibles to topicals made from CO2 extracted pure, organic EU-grown cannabis (hemp) CBD Isolate. They contain no artificial colours or preservative and are Kosher certified by the Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din (KLBD).

We were kindly sent two products from Provacan the CBD Massage Oil and CBD Babysoft Cream both with an extract of 100mg hemp-based CBD isolate (lab-verified). Let’s start with the CBD Babysoft Cream, this is the face cream that they recommend for sensitive skin. Its designed to relieve and protect the skin with its rich emulsion that is thick and creamy to apply. The 0.1% of cannabidiol isolate helps to soothe inflammation and counteract damage from free-radicals improving skin tone, and dullness. The olive oil acts as an antioxidant, lanolin as an effective emollient, locking in much-needed moisture. The Sacha inchi oil for long-lasting hydration and free radical defence. The D-Panthenyl Ethyl Ether is a source of vitamin B5 and deemed to be a crucial ingredient to help deliver supple skin. Zea mays (corn oil) and sunflower oil contain antioxidants, tocopherols and linoleic acid which relieve irritation, eczema, and psoriasis. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and the rose seed oil is full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, necessary for tissue and cell regeneration. Finally, there is zinc oxide which reduces UV light reaching the skin and therefore helps reduce hyperpigmentation. Our experience using this cream was overall positive; it did hydrate the skin and felt soothing when applied to the dry/eczema patches. However, a couple of things that we weren’t so keen on, the petrolatum content here known for its adverse effects when used long term, and skin lightening leaving a delicate white veil from zinc oxide. To purchase Provacan's CBD Babysoft Cream with 100mg of CBD in 100ml for £29.99, click here.

Provacan's CBD Massage Oil, is the latest topical to launch in their range. Again, it offers the 100mg of relaxing CBD isolate, but this time it’s a completely natural formula combined with plant-based botanicals.  The base of the massage oil is a mix of hemp seed (cannabis sativa) rice bran and apricot kernel oils, all rich in amino acids with vitamin A and E full of natural antioxidants. The three essential oils are sweet orange, to stimulate circulation, promotes cell growth and collagen synthesis. Ginger root, which repairs skin damage boosts elasticity and skin tone. And finally the eucalyptus oil, which helps reduce pain or inflammation. Out of the two products, this was our favourite. The fragrance is subtle and the oil has just enough ‘slip’ to knead it into the body for a deep tissue massage before absorbing completely. Great for relaxing nights in or used post work out, they suggest using this liberally, but I’m afraid in a 50ml bottle it only lasted for three or four sessions. We’d love this in a bigger bottle but with a smaller price! The Provacan CBD Massage Oil is  with 100mg of CBD isolate in a 50ml bottle for £19.99 see here.

Waken: Spearmint Mouthwash

Brushing one’s teeth twice daily is a given. However, not many of us think about using mouthwash on a daily basis. Here at The Amazing Blog we believe in proper oral care just as much as our skincare. This is where we’d like to introduce Waken with their range of eight natural mouthwashes. We chose Spearmint to try, which unlike other mouthwash, uses natural mint and is entirely alcohol-free. 

Waken is a mouthcare company that Simon Duffy created in 2019. Duffy was the former founder of Bulldog skincare launched in 2006 which focused on sustainability and ethics. The company won many grooming awards around the world and was present in more than 30 countries. After selling Bulldog in 2016, he was inspired to use the same core principles of sustainability and ethics in dental care sector not only to improve on mouthcare the products in the market, but also to help the environment too. This led to the launch of Waken in 2019, which sells vegan mouthwash and accessories made with natural ingredients and sustainable alternatives. As you may know, regular mouthwash is usually used to kill 99% of germs in the mouth and keeps it fresh. However, many types of mouthwashes heavily rely on artificial ingredient, Waken, does not use any artificial flavours or colours. Their range of eight mouthwashes are entirely alcohol-free which rids the mouth of the burning sensation you would typically get while using regular mouthwash. Waken strives to create mouthcare products that not only care about the planet but also can be showcased as a thing of beauty in the bathroom, rather than a symbol of embarrassment! All mouthwash bottles are sustainable and certified carbon neutral where the bottles are kind to the planet, they suggest rinse, recycle and repeat in good conscience. They also offer a food-grade reusable stainless steel Mouthwash Cup that is dishwasher-friendly and will sit proudly with your chosen Waken Mouthwash.

This award-winning Spearmint Mouthwash recently won a Silver in 2020 Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards . It is a vegan-friendly blend that is kind to the teeth and gums. Some of the key ingredients here are sodium fluoride to protect against cavities. The xylitol is the sweetener, processed from trees like birch or plant fibre called xylan. It works by starving the harmful bacteria in the mouth and is known to boost dental health and prevent tooth decay and inflammatory gum diseases.  The hydrogenated castor oil is an emulsifier, it works to keep the product blended and it is also completely safe and it is an approved food-grade ingredient. What impressed us was the taste…the flavour is most definitely spearmint, and unlike other mouthwashes, this felt mild in the mouth and didn’t exude any eye-watering vapours! Waken recommends rinsing your mouth with 20ml of the Spearmint mouthwash twice a day for 30 seconds and then expel. Remember to never swallow or swig from the bottle, and do not dilute the mouthwash. This Spearmint mouthwash impressed us with its delicious flavour and the freshness it left in our mouth. However, we would like to remind our readers that using mouthwash is not a substitute for regular brushing or flossing. This will undoubtfully make an elegant statement when gracing your bathroom and you can purchase the Waken 500ml Spearmint Mouthwash for £4.50, here. Of course, we mustn’t forget about their Mouthwash Cup accessory to accompany the Spearmint Mouthwash. This will ensure you take the correct serving of your mouthwash every time,  for £3.00, you can purchase the Mouthwash Cup here.