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.

Amoorra Mood Boosters Calm Spray & Sleep Oil

Everyone needs a spa-day, but what if you don’t have the time or money? This is where we’ve been looking for at-home solutions; after all, we need to get better sleep to help reduce anxiety and stress. If that is what you are looking for, Amoorra is the brand for you. Here at The Amazing Blog, we’ve already featured their Bath Bombs for the Shower. Today we want to talk about their Calm Mood Booster and Sleep Natural Oil both claim to help offer a solution for achieving a sense of peace and tranquillity.

 Amoorra was founded by two busy mums who were struggling to find time for spa-days. They wanted an at-home spa experience without having to worry about cleaning up afterwards. The name Amoorra comes from the Italian words for love and aroma. All the brand’s products are based on the principles of aromatherapy, where they offer a selection Bath Bombs for the Shower, as well as a Mood Booster sprays and blended therapeutic essential oils.

We tried the Calm Mood Booster which comes in a handy blue glass spray bottle. It’s ideal for spritzing making you take a step back and draw breath all when life gets too hectic. We think this is great for breaking a frenetic work cycle or changing the mood. It can be sprayed in the air, on fabric and even on the pulse points, we found with just one spray you get an instant aromatherapy hit. In the blend are antioxidants which have many benefits, including helps fight signs of ageing and protect against environmental stresses.  It contains just a few simple ingredients in water/alcohol base with the essential oils of camomile, cardamom, clove and lemon; which when combined these give an uplifting and zesty finish.

Unlike the Calm Mood Booster, the Sleep Natural Oil is a concentrate of only pure essential oils. We recommend using a few drops of Sleep Natural Oil in a plug-in diffuser which will puff out a fragrant mist helping you to drift off peacefully. There are only three ingredients here with lavender, bergamot and vetiver. Lavender has many benefits to help you sleep, as well as reducing stress and anxiety. The bergamot will reduce nervous tension in the body and elevate mood. Finally, vetiver oil calms the mind and is particularly good for insomnia, fatigue and depression.

When purchasing your 50 ml Calm Mood Booster at £9.99  here and/or the 30ml Sleep Natural Oil at £14.99 here, Amoorra is offering 20% of your purchase using the code Gift2020.

Strangelove – Fallintostars Eau de Parfum

Change of season always means a change of fragrance for us at The Amazing Blog. Which is where we look for a scent that makes us feel unique, i.e. a signature. Today we have discovered a very special fragrance that resonates well with the autumn, with it’s delicious wafts of oud, meet the Eau de Parfum Fallintostars by Strangelove.

Strangelove is a fragrance brand that wishes to provoke a passion amongst all those who have the olfactory experience. Founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Gaynes, who took her inspiration from the three years she lived in Italy before moving to New York. In Italy, she discovered oud and fell in love with its history and richness; thus this brand’s success story began. Besides being friends, she works closely with Helena Christensen, the famous supermodel and creative director of the brand. Where Christensen is influential in developing the narratives of each fragrance with the collection and the presentation of the brand.  Onboard also is the master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel who has been instrumental in creating Strangelove’s distinctive collection. Gaynes is also co-founder of GaiaOne, a company changing the way raw materials are sourced for fragrances with sustainable practices for essential oils, and it was through this work that she first discovered oud that has become integral for the brand. Oud is sourced from a rare aromatic wood resin and harvested from the agarwood of the Aquilaria tree. This is a fast-growing evergreen tree found in Southeast Asia. Agarwood is among the most expensive timber in the world. Strangelove only ever uses genuine oud from sustainable suppliers; where every batch undergoes strict quality control. The success of Strangelove is echoed in a plethora of countries such as Canada, USA, England, Qatar. The blend of sensual pure perfume oils combined with the splendour of the majestic oud and other precious and sustainably sourced ingredients give these coveted fragrances their originality and a cult following.

Today we’re going to be talking about Fallingintostars which first launched in 2019, Gaynes explained “With fall​intos​tars, I wanted to bring the wonder of the universe to the wearer. fall​into​stars is a meditation on the universe itself: dark, mysterious, yet leaving a trail of powerful illuminations. The scent contains a core of pure oud, which gives fall​into​stars a deep, primal quality, emphasised with amber and labdanum notes. It’s complemented by ingredients like pink peppercorn and rosewood, which make the scent dreamlike and ethereal.” Let’s start with the base notes of this fragrance. First and foremost is the oud. It is at the heart of all of the Strangelove Eau de Parfum collection. When first applied, we could instantly sense the woody nuance of the oud adding a richness and dimension, then came the leathery notes that immediately melted into honey, amber and peppercorns. Oud has no parallel in the western world, and this is what makes the fragrance unique and luxurious.  The Indian oud is mixed with amber, warm and musky, adding depth and sweetness, making it perfect for autumn. The cooler fresh air of this season with its hint of earthy aromas marries so well with the warmth that this fragrance provides. The mixture also includes a delicate sweetness, almost majestic with light touches of woods and cinnamon found in the Peru balsam which is also bright and clean smelling. Another scent in the base note is the Siam benzoin. It’s a milky, vanilla-like smell, reminiscent of brown vanilla beans that are often used in the making of fine fragrances. Finally, for the base notes is the Labdanum which gives a leathery scent elevating it and giving it even more warmth. Moving on to the middle notes, with henna flower. The sweet, green and persistent smell of the henna feels almost narcotic. In contrast, the addition of rose here adds a floral lightness to the blend. The last middle note is the rosewood which adds peppery aroma on top of the sweet floral scent. Now the top notes, these are the ones that are instantly evident when the fragrance is applied. Pink peppercorn which has an aroma that is fresh, very intense, diffusive, warm with sweet-spice and a faint floral note and a dry woody slightly smoky undertone. The saffron here has a unique and unexplainable soft sweet earthy musk. The ginger is warm, peppery and sometimes with a camphoraceous or lemon note. Finally, the bergamot has a bright, sweet aroma with notes of tartness and acidity. However, its unique floral, spicy edge distinguishes it from other citrus scents making its addition here extremely unique. 

What is it really like? The bottom line for me is that Fallingintostars is quite inexplicable moreish – it’s probably one of the more extraordinary fragrances that I have recently worn, and will continue to wear. I always know when I have found something special, as I get stopped in the street and asked what fragrance am I wearing and Fallingintostars is that scent. Tempted? Fallingintostars can be purchase here for £105.

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. 

AMAZINC! Skincare - Mineral Sunscreen, Lip Balm and Mineral Shield

As regular readers will know we’re always preaching about sun awareness.  Particularly with the erosion of the ozone layer and the planet heating up… Today we’d like to talk about a mineral-based sunscreen and block. AMAZINC! Skincare is a sun care range that provides high protection and is made for those who have an active lifestyle and who want to indulge in a bit of surfing or other water-based fun.

This Czech brand AMAZINC! Skincare, launched in 2015 by Jan Kostelnik and Stepan Martinek, whose vision was to create a natural sunscreen and block that was not only functional but also kind to the environment.  What sets this apart from other suncare brands is that it has been created by a team of nature lovers who regularly hike in the mountains and surf the oceans – so they knew that there was a gap in the market and what was needed. We like that they have no nasties in their formulas, as we’ve found that many of the high street sun protection products have chemical formulations that are dangerous for marine life and corals (check out your regular sunscreen's ingredients here). These chemicals pollute playgrounds, mountains and oceans with compounds that destroy the environment. A quick run-through on the main chemical to look, oxybenzone is the one that harms marine life and is known as one of the most toxic ingredients in the cosmetic industry. This has proved to be deadly when in contact with marine life and wildlife in general, where It creates reef bleaching that causes the death of the coral. Something we didn’t know, is that non coated nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide aren’t any better either! AMAZINC! ensures that these chemical compounds are not found in any of its products and helps to raise awareness around this. Their products are mainly vegan and also have plastic and chemical-free packaging (reusable aluminium bottles, tins and cardboard tubes). Also, as an environmentally aware company, they’re on a mission to help educate their customers too.

We tried the Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, which offers a high level of protection with only mineral filters and natural ingredients, making it a nature-friendly form of sun protection. The key ingredients include almond oil that protects the skin from the UV as well as reversing any damage. It also has jojoba oil a popular ingredient in natural sunscreen products with vitamin E which when combined with other antioxidants such as those found in olive oil, protects the skin from sun damage; these will stop skin dehydration or flaking. This product is also rich in zinc oxide, a topical skin product that is used as a protective coating also used for mild skin irritations or abrasions as it speeds up healing. Finally, the triticum vulgare germ oil here is to relieve dryness.  This natural mineral sunscreen has a subtle sweet almond fragrance. We used this as a one-off application, out sailing all day with hot sun and the reflections from the sea, and when we returned to land there wasn’t even the slightest bit of redness in sight! I would advise that this Is not suitable for those who are wishing to pose on the beach topping up their tan, as this Mineral Sunscreen does leave a white residue (from the zinc/titanium oxide). However, it’s perfect for the action-packed adventurer who just wants one application and to go.  This Mineral Sunscreen you can find in 150ml here for €24.95.

Next is their natural Lip Balm this is rich in natural emulsifiers which help to retain moisture, making it ideal dry or chapped lips. We found it very smooth to apply and unusually long-lasting. There’s jojoba oil, rich in vitamin B and E and essential minerals like zinc that will make your lips soft. The almond oil here will does wonders for the lips keeping them hydrated and rejuvenate. The antioxidant properties in the olive oil condition and protect lips from drying out. The texture is balm-like and waxy and the vanilla planifolia fruit extract not only adds to the fragrance and taste but has antioxidant benefits and skin-soothing agents. This Lip Balm does not contain sun protection – so please bear this in mind. It’s perfect for carrying in your pocket all year round to provide a lip pick-me-up. You can find it here in a generous 30g for €12.25.

Last but not least, is the Mineral Shield which has 17.5g of essential zinc cream that comes in four colours. This sunblock offers full UV protection and is easy to apply/remove and yet is highly water-resistant. They have perfected this formula with their Mineral Shield compound with a mix of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide and kaolin. The combination of these natural ingredients will provide nature-friendly and sustainable sun protection. They say it’s for applying to on the face and lips, we think it’s also ideal for covering up and protecting any suspicious moles or skin damage. We like that this Mineral Shield does not get washed away, it stays put until you wipe it off. The blend contains bee wax which works as a natural binder, stabiliser and skin-conditioner, and is often used as a topical, non-allergenic sunscreen ingredient to condition and repair. It also contains olive oil and lanolin (wool fat) so this product is not vegan! It’s a great little full sunblock, ideal to keep on hand in case you need some serious cover-up. You can find it here for €11.95. 

We’re impressed with this sun care range and certainly put it to full use. What would we order more of? Both the AMAZINC! Mineral Shield to dab on moles and the Lip Balm as we loved the taste and texture.