NORSE: Aftershave Balm & Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for Hard-Working Hands"

The girls at The Amazing Blog have yet again, come to my rescue and helped to put an end to my suffering… We’re talking razor burn (from recently shaving off my whiskers) and dry hands (sustained from extracurricular work as a volunteer). Meet both Aftershave Balm and Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for Hard-working Hands" from the trusty newcomer and grooming brand Norse.

As the regular readers will remember, I’ve already reviewed two of Norse’s products: the Exfoliating Face Wash Bars and the Norse Shower Bars here. I’m a fan of this new brand and I’ve just added two more of their products to my favourites list.  I also have to admit to being a ‘little obsessed’ with their Hand Salve. As I mentioned before, Norse’s products are handmade, vegan, and cruelty-free.  Iain Kerrigan, the founder of Norse, states: “All products are plastic-free, environmentally (and wallet) friendly.” Which in these challenging economic times, the latter will hold great appeal for one and all.

Let’s start with the Aftershave Balm which left my skin as soft as a baby’s bum!  As the name says, it’s a Balm, an emollient that can be used on the face or (in my case) dry elbows too. It absorbs quickly into the skin and is non-greasy formula despite being rich in key ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba, and sweet almond oil. I also loved that it had a subtle zesty finish too. Having shaved off my whiskers, my exposed skin was extremely sensitive and this Balm offered both protection and hydration. A little goes a long way and I think that this is a brilliant multitasker that’ll offer plentiful use all year round. You can purchase your Aftershave Balm here 100g for only £ 20.00.

Then we come onto my favourite the Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for hard-working hands" as someone who works with their hands;  this has been a lifesaver for me. Not only with all the hand washing but as a couturier at Simon Copeland London by day and a volunteer making PPE by night – I’ve noticed the toll it’s taken on my hands. My skin has become noticeably drier but by applying this Hand Salve last thing at night, massaging it into my palms, back of hands and cuticles, it has really helped to soothe and replenish the oils making my skin soft and supple again. Like the Aftershave Balm, it has shea butter, jojoba and sweet almond, although this has the addition of key ingredients such as beeswax which will help to protect skin and essential oils like lavender, rosemary and tea tree to rid bacteria and heal cuts. This is a must for everyone who has hard-working hands. You can purchase your 85g Hand Salve "Paw Chutney for hard-working hands" here for only £14.00. 

Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions

We’re fans of goat’s milk and one of us here at The Amazing Blog drinks it regularly on a daily basis. Did you know that unlike cow’s milk, the enzymes in raw goat’s milk aids the digestion process? Thus making it more tolerable for not only humans but dogs too! So, we’re pleased to introduce you to our latest #amazingfinds with Chuckling Goat and their Kefir Lotions. These are a series of four different skin lotions which are good for using on the face and body that contain the same award-winning kefir and raw goat’s milk.  

It all started when the founders Shann and Richard Jones were trying to find new ways in which to help their son Benji, who was suffering from eczema and chronic bronchial infections. This is when they discovered that by feeding him goats milk it helped his allergies, and so they went and bought their very first goat! The rest, as they say, is history and in 2014 Chuckling Goat was born. They have found themselves being hailed as gut health specialists, and now have 23 team members, 15 barn cats, 50 goats, and more than 200 000 pleased customers from 56 different countries from all around the world.  They are a UK market leader in the production of raw goat’s milk and kefir which for those of you who are new to kefir, it’s a great immune booster and contributes to functioning the nervous system. Not only that it maintains the normal function of bones and skin and also reduces fatigue and tiredness. We love that Chuckling Goat has already donated more than £100,000 worth of their products to the NHS as part of their appreciation to those on the frontline. These Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions are all handmade, cruelty-free, and suitable for pregnant women and children over 3 years old. All products are unisex and are primarily composed of goat’s milk, kefir, Finnish oat oil, rice bran oil and olive oil, and are either pure or with a specific essential oil. They are made in small batches by hand on the farm and made from food-grade ingredients. 

First, we tried the Sensitive Kefir Lotion. Made with their raw goat’s milk, it contains valuable minerals, enzymes, and vitamins that help nourish your skin. Its key ingredients are goat milk, kefir, oat oil highly concentrated in antioxidants, and vitamin E, it softens and smoothens the skin. It also contains water and olive oil, this natural oil helps to decrease acne, hydrate, and moisturise the skin, and also contains antioxidant properties, therefore fights the bacteria along with other vitamins such as vitamin B5. This Sensitive Kefir is the only one of the lotions not to contain any essential oils (in case of skin sensitivity).

Next up, we have the Soothing Kefir Lotion this has the inclusion of a rosemary essential oil that acts as a refreshing astringent that helps the skin cells contract and also balances the skin tone. It has an antimicrobial benefit on the skin which helps prevent future breakouts, as well as vitamin B5. The smell is a very subtle rosemary.

The third product to try is the Calm-Down Kefir Lotion which is differentiated from the others because it contains lavender oil. The latter works to kill bacteria on the skin and therefore fights acne and other skin breakouts, it also is known for its ability to soothe eczema and help with dry skin conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. This amazingly fragranced lotion is ideal dry skin and was our favourite with the lavender fragrance which is so calming.

Last but not least, Break-out Kefir Lotion contains the divine tea tree oil which is known for its focused anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce swelling and aid in giving a smooth and crystal-clear skin. This fourth Kefir Lotion contains thyme essential oil, a true skin fortifier which offers itchy-skin relief. Studies have shown it to be was more effective against acne bacteria, than the chemical ingredient benzoyl peroxide. The tea tree oil is also believed to be highly antibacterial and is commonly used to treat acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.

With all these lotions having raw goat milk and kefir, it makes them ideal for keeping the right pH balance of the skin with the added benefit of the good bacteria. Let’s not forget to mention that these are free from phthalates, petrochemicals, parabens, dyes or artificial perfumes. These four handmade all-natural Chuckling Goat Kefir Lotions, each comes in 2 different handy sizes, 50ml and 150ml, and cost £8.95 and £17.95 respectively. Or you can buy the full set of four here for £26.95.

Douvall's Argan & Ungurahua Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Most people when you mention Argan oil, think about it from a culinary perspective and their gastronomic trips to Morocco. However, here at The Amazing Blog we want to talk about it as a key ingredient in skin and hair care. For centuries women in the Arab Maghreb have been using Argan oil for its beneficial properties in their hair. Today we’re featuring Douvall's latest launch of Argan & Ungurahua Shampoo and Conditioner. Douvall’s were one of the first British brands to use organic Argan oil here in the UK.  We’ve reviewed their Moisturiser here and more recently, their Organic Hemp & Argan Oil and  Cannabis & Argan Oil here. Knowing how much we love their products, we couldn’t wait to try these! 

As mentioned previously, Douvall's is a British make-up and skincare brand whose key ingredient is organic Argan oil, founded by mother and daughter, Alicia and Georgia Douvall.  They produce vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly cosmetics made from only natural ingredients. They use no chemicals, artificial fragrances, sulphates, parabens or alcohol and the brand also commits to support charitable causes such as the breast cancer charity The Haven. They also partner with the women's cooperatives that produce their argan oils in Morocco. This partnership has led to the construction of a school and a reforestation project. 

The Shampoo and Conditioner look quite similar; the packaging is recyclable brown plastic pump bottles which are useful as it allows us to see how much product we’ve used. The label is a pale salmon pink with gold and black writing which makes the duo both girly and aesthetically pleasing. The fragrance of each is natural and subtle where we could easily pick out green tea extract. The key ingredients in both are Argan oil (which we know about) with its antioxidants, vitamin E, omega 3,6 and 9. The other, Ungurahua oil was new to us. It derives from the rainforests of Central and South America, dating back centuries to the time of the indigenous people. It is high in unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid and due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, Ungurahua is also considered to be one of the best remedies for treating scalp problems, especially itchy dandruff and hair loss. Plus, it stimulates the regeneration of follicle cells. Impressive!  We wonder if this will set the trend, and we’ll see more hair care containing this new ingredient soon. 

They both also contain the same ingredients such as organic green tea, aloe leaf, rosemary leaf, honeysuckle flower and raspberry leaf. The Shampoo complements the Conditioner perfectly. We particularly like that they are both colour safe, which we find this is a rare find in the world of organic and natural hair care. As one of us has coloured, long, fine and curly hair, this cetainly set a challenge. Not only did it step-up to the mark but actually detangled without damaging and left hair silky, shiny and soft to the touch. Will we be buying more? Absolutely! To purchase 275ml Argan & Unguraha Oil Shampoo for £24 and the 275ml Conditioner for £26 see here.

Bao-Med Pure Oil Bodywash & Pure Soap

We hate having dry skin, particularly at this time of year when we’re regularly applying our fake tan. At The Amazing Blog far too often we’ve experienced our sunless tan going patchy and flaking off from the hard London water. This is why we’ve been exploring new products with baobab oil, known for its super-hydrating qualities. It’s an extraordinary seed oil that has impressed us in Body Balm and Moisturiser here and as a Hydrating Body Oil here.  Today our latest baobab #amazingfinds are Pure Soap and Pure Oil Bodywash from Bao-Med UK.

Bao-Med UK has four products: Pure Soap, Pure Oil Bodywash, Food Supplements and Pure Skin, Scalp & Hair Oil (the latter won an award with Beauty Shortlist Award in 2020). All products are natural and organic and come with international certification. Baobab seed oil production contributes to the economic revival of the poorest parts of South Africa and Venda. Bao-Med's products are made from pure baobab seed oil and a vitamin and mineral-rich white powder from the fruit which is used in their Food Supplements. This oil has softening, protective and restructuring properties and which are excellent for skin and hair, often used for stretch marks or dry and damaged hair. Bao-Med products use only a sustainable process, only collecting the fruit that has fallen from the tree onto the ground, leaving the tree intact. In this way, they ensure a sustainable harvest and the tree can produce fruit for hundreds of years to come. This brand’s products have been created to help promote healthy skin, scalp, hair and nails; as the baobab seed oil is renowned for its hydrating and healing properties.

First of all, let's start with their Pure Soap made with pure baobab oil with the addition of a natural fig fragrance. It’s smooth to handle and looks like a maple fine-grained wooden roundel. The fig fragrance is subtle, even moreish and particularly evident when lathered up in the hands. We ventured to use this both on the hands and body. It also became a regular fixture both prior and during our covid19 lockdown. Best of all, unlike other soaps when used, we didn’t need to follow it immediately with hand cream, as it magnificently cleansed and moisturised.

Then we have the Pure Oil Bodywash made from baobab and olive oil. This hit the spot addressing our dry skin problem. Hydrating? Oh yes, this most certainly was. With a pH balance of 6.0 pH (neutral and akin to milk) when applied, it had the consistency of oil not that of liquid soap. As soon as it mixes with water goes from being clear into a silky milk-like foam. The product is not greasy and as soon as you apply it, you can feel that it cleaning and moisturising, which leaves a dewy glow to the skin. It also gve a delicate fragrance and worked like a wonder oil keeping our dry and flaky skin at bay. We think this would be particularly good for those with sensitive skin who find regular soap too harsh. Out of the two, this was undoubtedly our favourite. You can purchase your Pure Oil Bodywash 50ml for £9 or a 200ml bottle for £25 here. You can also buy the 90 gm Pure Soap here for £15.

2020 Mama & Baby Awards are now OPEN

Calling clean, green parent and baby brands! The 7th annual Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby awards are now open for entries. But hurry – the final deadline is May 8.

The hotly anticipated Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby awards are back to celebrate outstanding ethical products for parents, babies, toddlers and beyond. 

Right now parents are more plugged in than ever to global health concerns. So there’s never been a better time to shine a spotlight on cherishable essentials that beautifully nurture, pamper and protect our families.

“There’s huge demand among parents for products that meet high ethical standards with an ingredients list that’s as pure and natural as possible,” says awards founder Fiona Klonarides.

“However, well-meaning mums and dads can find it tough to navigate the category. We need to direct consumers away from the big non-natural ranges cluttering the shelves of high street chemists and towards the gentle, ethical, clean natural brands – big and small.

“We’re not looking at a brand’s advertising budget. We’re finding out if their products perform for the most discerning audience possible: parents and their kids.”

Brands can enter now here .

Find out who’s won on Friday 12 June

These awards provide The Beauty Shortlist's definitive run-down of top-ranked natural, organic and earth-friendly baby products, plus beauty and wellness for mums and parents.

Experts, consumers and editors trust the awards to highlight excellence and ethics through a proudly independent judging process. 

For 2020, the global panel includes: 

– UK Katie Hill, co-founder of green living magazine My Green Pod (distributed quarterly with The Guardian to six million eco conscious consumers). 

– USA Makeup artist (Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue) and wellness coach Denise del Russo. 

– AUSTRALIA Holly Spierings, creative director of award-winning make-up brand Eye of Horus. 

Looking for recommendations right away?

Here are three of our previous winners… 

1. Madara Organic Baby & Kids Cocoa and Plum Creamy Oil
Judges loved how the extra-creamy consistency makes massages feel soothing and special for everyone. Meanwhile the rich cocoa butter smoothes away dryness and nourishes soft and delicate skin.

2. Balmonds’ Skin Salvation
Natural balms are a positive boon for parents protecting against nappy rash. The beeswax base seals away the skin’s moisture while protecting against irritating dampness – making it a must for the baby bag.

3. Bloom and Blossom Matilda’s Miracle Detangler
A natural product that takes the fight out of bed-time or pre-school hair-brushing is a big win for parents. Judges admired the calming lavender scent and how it worked across all different types of hair (however tangled).

About the awards
Originally launched seven years ago by beauty writer and respected natural living expert Fiona Klonarides, the awards are a 100% independent guide to parent and baby products.

Each year they’re judged by a panel of unbiased industry experts with no sponsorship or advertising to sway their decisions. This unique, transparent approach with an intrinsic focus on “natural, eco and ethical” attracts entries from across the world – creating a uniquely level playing field for both big and small brands.