MIG Living : Ritual Body Lotion Bar - Bloom

At The Amazing Blog, it’s no secret that we love natural ingredients in our skincare and also firmly believe that nature knows best! We like to look for the more unusual artisan skincare products from around the globe, so when we heard about this waterless Ritual Body Lotion Bar - in Bloom by American award-winning wellness brand MIG Living, we were very eager to give it a go.  

MIG Living is a Colorado-based beauty and wellness brand whose mission is “to activate the inner and outer well-being of mankind through pure, authentic true beauty rituals.” This family-run company was founded in 2010 after entrepreneur Jaime Cross, who stepped away from her banking career and decided to set up her own business. After studying chemistry, naturopathic healing, and herbal alchemy, Jaime learned how to develop her own formulas. She began selling her products at farmer’s markets, where her business continued to grow, becoming what it is today. In a recent interview with Forbes, Jaime explained, “Our whole foundation is about creating products that are sourced from nature, and that can help solve our bodies most innate problems.” With health, wellness, and good living at the forefront of the brand, MIG Living works to create self-care products that nurture the body and soul. MIG Living offers a wide range of products, from serums, lotions, and toners, to balms and supplements. Their products are toxin-free, cruelty-free, and natural, as they use the most natural and effective ingredients to balance and restore the skin. They are also clean formulas, handcrafted in the USA, and sourced from American farmers. To work towards their goal of being a leading brand in the clean self-care and wellbeing sector, MIG Living develops products specifically to promote optimum mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As a brand dedicated to helping people find their purpose, MIG Living offers opportunities for aspiring ambassadors through its True Beauty Ambassadors program. While they are a direct selling company, in April of 2020, MIG Living decide to also take on a different approach and created training systems and ambassador workshops to help people become marketing leaders and entrepreneurs. The brand is also passionate about the movement to end child trafficking, and are partnered with Not for Sale, a campaign that aims to fight modern slavery and exploitation. Jaime and her brand have already been recognised for their pioneering approach; where she won the Gold Stevie Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, and MIG Living won the Gold Stevie Award for Company of the Year at the 2021 American Business Awards. 

We received the Ritual Body Lotion Bar in the fragrance ‘Bloom’. It’s part of a range that’s been designed to help soften, moisturise, and soothe the skin. Lotion bars are conveniently housed in a push-up tube, in a waterless solid form, made from all-natural ingredients with no nasties. The lotion bar comes in three different fragrance options, ‘Bloom’ (which we received), ‘Blood Orange & Grapefruit’, and ‘Lavender & Primrose.’ What we love is that these are all waterless, meaning a longer shelf life and more hydration for the skin. While you may think taking away water will cause dry skin, it actually does the opposite. Water-based products can draw out moisture and natural oils from your skin, leaving it dehydrated and even irritated at times. With no added water, the lotion is free from preservatives, stabilisers, and emulsifiers, leaving more room for the botanical actives.

The combination of wild-crafted herbs, farm-fresh beeswax, and plant-based ingredients leaves the skin with a healthy glow. They all work in synergy to restore moisture and reduce dry or irritated skin, promoting elasticity, which in turn helps to fight signs of ageing, and improves the skin’s overall wellbeing. Let’s do a quick rundown on the ingredients: The base is made up of shea butter, olive, coconut, pomegranate, caster, pumpkin seed, hemp oils and beeswax. These work as humectants, meaning they help skin stay hydrated and lock in moisture, and together they act as a protective barrier against environmental stressors. The lotion bar is also blended with hyssop and calendula (see photo), which creates an uplifting and fresh fragrance. Hyssop has cleansing properties that help diminish large pores and regulate the skin's natural oils, leaving the skin looking replenished. As for calendula extract (commonly known as marigold), it’s anti-ageing and promotes collagen production and skin-firming, It also revitalises and soothes skin by combating dry and itchy patches. Other ingredients include the raspberry leaf which acts as an astringent by tightening the top layers of skin and balances out the oils here. The moringa oil slows down ageing and prevents free radical damage. The wild clover has isoflavones, which stimulate the skin's natural collagen production, increasing the skin's thickness, and together with the yarrow flower and marshmallow root, they provide instant hydration and boost moisture levels. A quick mention to the pomegranate seed oil,  one of our favourite ingredients, it’s rich in vitamin C, and an antioxidant that aids collagen production with its age-defying actives and anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.  We also like that this lotion bar is cruelty-free, is completely natural with no nasties and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones.  

To apply, twist up the container and gently massage the lotion bar over the body. We used it sparingly on your arms and legs, concentrating on elbows, knees, and hands. We found that by using just a small amount, it gets the job done and were pleasantly surprised with how lightweight it felt. The fragrance gives a hint of refreshing florals, and the overall effect left skin feeling soft, hydrated and nourished - which is exactly what we need during these cold long winter months. The Ritual Body Lotion Bar is available for purchase directly from MIG Living's website here for $49.00.  

Herbal Earth - No 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil

At The Amazing Blog we like to give our readers the ‘heads-up’ when we find a new natural skincare brand with eco ingredients and biodegradable and recyclable packaging. That’s why today we want to talk about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil.

Based in Ireland, Herbal Earth was founded in 2017 by Nancy O’Reilly to “provide natural solutions to common problems.” A year into this business, Nancy graduated with a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica, where the knowledge and education she received have helped her create a range of skincare that is honest, natural, and gentle. The ingredients are simple yet effective, with no cheap fillers or exaggerated claims, and are “rich in high-performance components carefully selected for their skin benefits.”  Nancy believes that creating clean skincare is crucial, but knows that sustainability goes beyond just the ingredients. Inspired by the trailblazing Jo Chidley from Beauty Kitchen, Nancy has adopted a similar “return, refill and repeat scheme” for her products. With this process, once you finish your favourite Herbal Earth product, you simply return the bottles to Herbal Earth, where they will clean and sanitise the glass jar to be used again. This process allows everyone to feel good about their choices in a world that is consumed by increasing waste and overconsumption. Beyond this approach, Herbal Earth uses biodegradable packaging to help reduce its impact on our planet and are looking to install wind and solar technologies to power production and run the office. Plus, they have partnered with Mossy Earth a global organisation that helps rewild the planet. Herbal Earth’s goal is to “combine the best of nature and science to create natural skincare for sensitive skin.” 

What we like about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is that it protects the skin from harmful effects of pollution, UVA, UVB and blue light (HEV) damage; while also nourishing and repairing the skin and its natural barrier. Launched in June last year, this award-winning facial oil is packed with natural antioxidants and botanicals with scientifically proven benefits. Let’s talk about the ingredients; each has its own unique benefit and is delivered in a concentrated oil form. Passion fruit seed is high in vitamin C, which promotes collagen formation and reduces redness; it also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Marula seed is high in antioxidants and fatty acids and so it helps improve the skin’s ability to hold moisture. Watermelon seeds are full of vitamin C and magnesium, which enhances the complexions overall appearance. Grapeseed is high in vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals; these strengthen collagen and maintain elastin. It is also known to be “exceptionally high in the omega-6 fatty acid”, leaving a lightweight feel while penetrating the many layers of skin. The next ingredient in this facial oil is meadowfoam seed, an oil pulled from the seeds of the meadowfoam flower; it delivers nutrients deep into the skin while also locking in moisture. Astaxanthin, here, is one the most potent antioxidant that can be found, belonging to the carotenoid group. Carotenoids are the most widespread group of pigments that are found in nature, visibly seen in algae, lobster, salmon, and prawns. This is where astaxanthin improves the appearance of fine lines and protects the skin against UVA, UVB and blue light damage. Last but not least, are frankincense and myrrh. These two ingredients are both derived from tree sap and are best known for their fragrance in incense. Frankincense is known for being antifungal and for rejuvenating damaged skin. Myrrh is an ancient ingredient that dates back to Ancient Egypt when used for face masks and other cosmetic purposes. This extract has rejuvenating properties, where it evens skin tone giving a more youthful-looking appearance.

This facial oil is a glorious rich russet colour, probably from carotenoid in the astaxanthin, and has a subtle warm and slightly wood scent, all of which help the skin “recapture its radiant glow.” Best of all, for those with sensitive skin, this No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil doesn’t contain any essential oils or nut oils. To use simply apply 1 or 2 pumps day and night to damp skin, and then gently massage in an upward and outward movement. According to Herbal Earth, an impressive 86.7% of users tested said their skin was smoother and more moisturised. Made in small batches with only natural ingredients, Herbal Earth pays particular attention to the little details that make this facial oil stand out. If you live in Ireland, this facial oil is included in Herbal Earth’s sustainability initiatives by offering a refill purchase option. If you choose just to refill your facial oil, you will receive a bottle with a cap (you need to hang onto your pump insert for reuse) and this option is sent without a product box, reducing paper waste. The No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is available in a 30 ml jar for €54.95 or a mini, 3ml jar for €7.50 here.

Founder's Formula : Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask

At The Amazing Blog, we’re always on a quest to find new natural products with unique plant-based formulas. And in our search, we discovered the Australian botanical skincare brand Founder’s Formula. Regular readers will remember that we recently reviewed their Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum here. Today we’re featuring their equally intriguing face mask, but this is not just any face mask… It’s a Post-workout Australian Clay Detox Mask, see below to learn more.

Founder’s Formula was launched by anthropologist Dr. Annie Holden in 2021, but the brand’s story starts three years earlier. After visiting Cosmoprof, the world’s biggest beauty trade show in Italy, Annie realised that there were plenty of beauty products from around the globe, but none with Australian botanicals. This inspired her to go back to Australia and conduct research on Australian botanicals and how to include them in modern-day skincare. Dr. Holden immersed herself in the research, as she had done previously when spending 35 years of her professional life working with indigenous peoples in remote parts of Australia. During this time she built her lab where she experimented with gentle formulas rich in wild-harvested and organic ingredients. Australia’s geographic location makes its plants extremely unique, in fact, 85% of its plants grow only in Australia. Also, did you know Australia has 23,000 known species? However, those that have been properly studied, are less than 1,000! These botanicals have adapted to the harsh Australian climate and have developed ways to store large quantities of phyto-compounds (chemicals believed to have medicinal properties) to survive in this environment. As a skincare enthusiast, Dr. Holden was eager to create her own skincare range using these potent plant-based ingredients. Once she shared her newly created products, she received overwhelmingly positive feedback and Founder's Formula was born. The brand was created to be the “best possible in uncompromising, potent, effective skincare using Australian Botanicals.” By working with one of Australia’s leading formulation chemists and applying research from Australia's leading 5-Star Plant Science universities, the company has created a range of skincare to target hydration, anti-inflammation, depigmentation, and pro-ageing. Specifically, the 13 products within the range are crafted to bring hydration back into the skin, fight and prevent inflammation and combat hyperpigmentation which can be a result of sun damage, helping to revitalise the skin bringing it back to optimum health. Dr. Holden purposely avoids the use of essential oils and fragrances, formulas are developed using only the most simple and natural ingredients to be kind to both the skin and planet. These evidence-based formulas are clinically clean, and the ingredients are sourced from certified organic suppliers, making the brand CertClean certified. Founder’s Formula shows their commitment to harvesting organic ingredients, and they also meet the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACO). The products are all manufactured in Australia, are toxin-free and are developed without animal testing.  

We received the Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask designed to cleanse and soothe the skin. This mask won the Best Natural Skin Mask (Bronze Winner) at the 2021 Global Clean and Green Beauty Awards. With the mask’s exceptional blend of natural Australian botanicals, let’s just say, we weren't surprised it was award-winning. Clay masks are known to help skin heal, brighten the complexion, improve blood circulation beneath the skin and promote collagen production. The Founder’s Formula mask here aims to draw out toxins, deeply cleanse, maintain clean skin health, and soothe the skin. This product combines key ingredients like Australian clay, Tasmanian mountain pepperberry, babassu seed oil, and squalane to nourish and respect your skin's natural balance. Australian clay works to draw out toxins from your skin, which can strengthen the skin barrier and improve skin elasticity. The Tasmanian mountain pepperberry (pictured above), comes from a shrub found in south-eastern Australia. It’s used in skincare to reduce inflammation redness and sensitivity. This pepperberry consists of the powerful active polygodial, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It’s also a bushfood condiment added to curries and alcoholic drinks and even export to Japan to flavour wasabi!  As for the certified organic babassu seed oil, this extract is packed with lipids and restorative essential oils to moisturise the skin, and it is highly recommended for people with eczema or dry skin. Plus, we found that this babassu seed oil doesn't clog pores as many other oils do! Another ingredient to highlight is the plant-based squalane, a hydrocarbon and natural emollient, which means it helps your skin deeply retain moisture. Squalane has a long shelf life and is a common ingredient in skincare, as it prevents dry patches and is highly effective at leaving your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. A few other elements worth mentioning are the peptides (tyrosine and arginine based molecules) that are included in the mask. These peptides work with skin nerve cells to trigger met-enkephalin, an opioid peptide, to help calm the skin and prevent inflammation at the source. In a sea of face masks, this one stands out. It leaves skin feeling cleansed and refreshed, plus we were impressed with this mask’s ability to promote longer hydration in the skin. The clay mask is easy to use, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and suitable for vegans. It is packaged in an aluminium tube, as aluminium is a highly recycled and circular economy material; but there’s a plastic cap, so please recycle this too! The mask also comes with a complimentary muslin cleansing cloth to help with removal. Founder’s Formula suggests using the mask after a workout, a run, or any time after your skin is exposed to an unclean environment, this is when the clay mask is at its most effective as it binds oils and draws out the residue of sunblock and other toxins. We thoroughly enjoyed taking 15 minutes of relaxation time to use the clay mask, and applied a light layer directly onto our post-workout skin and left it on for 10 minutes - for optimum performance - then rinsed away in lukewarm water. By the way, the brand says to get the best results, please refrain from cleansing your face prior to mask application. The results were noticeable, skin felt was hydrated, and our complexion softer. The mask can be applied daily, and with the results we received, it seems like we have a new product to add to our post-workout skincare routine. We are looking forward to featuring more from Founder's Formula, to share with you its array of magical antipodean botanicals. You can purchase the 75ml Post-Workout Australian Clay Detox Mask here for $68.00AUD.  AND to get a 10% discount please click here expiring 30 June 2022, Adding code AMAZING at check out, valid one per customer.

The Clean Beauty Club : Wonder Balm & Serums

At The Amazing Blog we love to have a go-to beauty staple or two, and for us, not many beat The Clean Beauty Club's trio of Wonder Balm, Wonder Morning Serum and Wonder Evening Serum with their brand transparency and simple ingredients.

The Clean Beauty Club is a Scottish brand that started small and simple and has now grown into the 'wonder – ful' company that it is today. Originally called 'A Pony Called Steve,' The Clean Beauty Club went through a name change so that the branding matched the high-quality products they were producing. Owners Emma Campbell and Aminah Morgan have been working closely together since they met at school. Their friendship made it easy to make this necessary branding change. They said it best, "So it's time for us to rethink what we're saying to the world. We want everyone to know how incredible this balm is, because it really is changing skin for the better." The name change came with a change in products and how they sold their products. Prior to the change, A Pony Called Steve only sold to independent shops and had an extensive collection of products. When The Clean Beauty Club came to life, their focus was to produce and perfect their Wonder Balm, which was a balm they had personally been using for over ten years. The new branding aligned with this great product using only the best, natural ingredients and recyclable packaging to embrace the idea of 'clean beauty.' An important component to their brand is that their decisions are "based on love and joy, not success." Emma and Aminah want their customers to be happy with their products and love them as much as they do.

Their Wonder Balm is one of their hero products. They have been making different variations of the balm for about ten years. Over the years, they have worked tirelessly to create the best version of the Wonder Balm that they could, and they researched until they were "100% sure that they had the best ingredients they could possibly use."  With a list of powerful antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-ageing properties, the Wonder Balm will have your skin feeling cleansed nourished and moisturised all in one - it’s a multi-balm. The lemon seed oil helps soothe inflammation and moisturise the skin helping maintain the skin's health, appearance, and texture. While the moringa oil is used to moisturise and cleanse the skin. And the pomegranate seed oil supports the skin's hydration. We love how this Wonder Balm can be used as a ‘one and done’ skincare routine - great for keeping to hand for when you’re on the go. It can be used to remove makeup, even tough products like waterproof mascara, while cleansing and moisturising skin. The Wonder Balm has been nicknamed 'facial in a tin' by users of the product it's easy to use and available for a one-time purchase for £12.00 here or a subscription option with your choice of delivery every month, two months or even three months for £9.60 – a savings of 20%! 

Next, we tried the two Wonder Serums – both share hero ingredients similar to the Balm, including lemon seed oil and pomegranate seed oil (see above). Plus, the moringa oil is a key ingredient that is extremely lightweight in texture but full of vitamins, A.C and E. It also has cytcytokinins, which promote cellular growth to support and nourish cell tissue and fatty acids, which are high content of mono-saturated oleic acid (omega 9) to help improve the skin's natural protective barrier that keeps skin looking hydrated and plumper. These are the Wonder Serum - Morning and the Wonder Serum - Evening.

Let's talk about the Wonder Serum -  Morning first; this is an oil-based serum used following a morning cleansing routine. This product gets to bear the Wonder name due to similar, powerful ingredients like the Wonder Balm. It was a finalist in the Clean Beauty Awards 2021, and with good reason, this serum has high levels of moringa oil, which, as discussed, is known for its moisturising and healing properties. Another one of the active ingredients here derives from a microalgae, which reduces the damage usually caused by adrenaline when we are stressed. The results speak for themselves as it leaves skin glowing. It’s easy to use in the morning after cleansing and super gentle and with little or no fragrance - so it won’t clash with any other skincare used. Just use a few drops and pat gently into the skin on your face and neck. The Wonder Serum - Morning is available in a 10ml bottle for £12.00 here. 

To round out the Wonder products, let finish with the Wonder Serum - Evening which packs a powerful punch. This serum uses the same natural yet effective ingredients as the Wonder Balm and Morning Serum, just at a higher concentration. Pomegranate seed oil nourishes our skin due to the high concentrations of vitamin C, which offers regenerative, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to give skin that glowing appearance. Just like the morning serum, the Wonder Evening Serum should be used after cleansing by just using a few drops, then patting it gently into the skin. The Wonder Evening Serum is available for £10.00 for a 10ml bottle from their website here.  Our favourite? We’re suckers for multi-use products so it’d have to be the Wonder Balm - and in this cold weather, it’s also great protection against chapped lips!

All three of these Wonder products are available for purchase through The Clean Beauty Club's website here.

Little Green's CBD : Unwind Candle

As we kick off the new year, finding new ways to improve our hectic lifestyle and reduce stress, we're making a priority. Here at The Amazing Blog, it is no secret that we are huge fans of CBD, as it helps relax our minds and improve our focus. Regular readers will know we’re also big fans of scented candles, so when we received the UNWIND Candle by CBD wellness brand Little Green's CBD, we knew we were in for a treat.  

Little Green's CBD was founded by former personal trainer and model, Sasha Green. Having worked for over ten years in these professions, he noticed the stressful impact they were having on both his body and mind. Sasha started using CBD products on his journey to find a holistic way to help deal with stress, sleep, and recovery, but his experience was not exactly what he was hoping for. With his research and difficulty to find top-quality CBD products that also offered full transparency, it inspired him into creating his own brand, Little Green's CBD. Sasha explained, "Little Green's CBD was created with the main focus on being high quality, and where each product had a specific purpose." The brand has a range of CBD products that include candles, oils and a balm, where each is aimed at targeting a specific need. The candles have been developed to promote a sense of calm and help de-stress, the oils, one for the day to combat stress and anxiety, and the other to be taken at night to improve sleep patterns, and the balm to relieve pain and revitalise overworked bodies. Both the candles and oils are made from the broad-spectrum distillate, which is THC-free and uses the whole plant to retain the full-plant synergy. Sasha himself has benefited from using the products and commented, "These CBD products have helped me immensely and have become an integral part of my self-care routine." The emphasis here is on the importance of full transparency, as they work with a certified government supplier, and all their products are developed and tested in the UK. The brand also conducts thorough in-house testing at its factory and sends all products to a third-party lab for further testing. They also work closely with hemp plant farmers who avoid using pesticides, which means the CBD will be additive-free, with a more natural and sustainable growing approach. The company works towards safeguarding the environment by using a more eco-friendly extraction method, and through their partnership with One Tree Planted This charity aims to help with global reforestation, they plant a tree for each product sold. We were also happy to hear all their products are made from natural ingredients and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.  

The UNWIND Candle is made from 100% eco soy wax and is infused with CBD to soothe the mind and body. Soy wax, derived from soybeans, known to be an excellent carrier oil. As a natural and renewable resource, soy wax is biodegradable and has a lower melting point than other waxes commonly used for candle-making. This difference means that soy wax candles will burn cleaner and longer, and emit less black soot than other candle composites. This candle uses a natural hand-made cotton wick, which also means it burns longer and emits less smoke. The infusion of 1500mg of broad-spectrum distillate allows the candle to harness the soothing and healing plant powers of CBD. When this candle is lit, and the fragrance fills its surroundings, the CBD here offers benefits such as boosting mood and promoting a sense of relaxation and relieving insomnia. The candle also includes a blend of essential oils with holistic and aromatherapeutic properties combining tobacco absolute, lemon, mint and jasmine – which create a warm and comforting oaky scent. The tobacco fosters an enriching and energising aroma which has been proven effective in relieving symptoms such as mild depression. The zesty lemon oil fights fatigue and listlessness, and the refreshing peppermint has uplifting qualities with compounds that promote muscles relaxation. As for jasmine essential oil, it's believed to relax the nervous system while also improving mood and wellbeing. For those looking for new ways to integrate CBD into their lives, this candle is perfect, as the CBD is not ingested, so the effects are more gradual as the candle disperses its scent into the atmosphere. Let us explain; as this CBD infused candle burns, the uplifting aroma from the CBD and essential oils stimulates the cell receptors, transmitting tranquil messages throughout the nervous and limbic system (the part of the brain that regulates emotion). Burning a candle is a great way to unwind and promote a feeling of calm and serenity, so adding CBD into the mix only further enhances these positive effects.

By lighting a candle, it offers a soothing and intimate ambience, which is precisely what we all need to start this New Year by feeling calmer and stronger. This CBD infused candle's burn time is around 30-35 hours, but we suggest trimming the candle wick around ¼ of an inch to make it last longer. Remember that you should only snip the wick when it is completely cool and always clean off any smut or remnants. This hand-poured 20cl UNWIND Candle (with 1500mg CBD) is available for purchase directly from Little Green's CBD website here are now on offer at £29.