Davisage: DVS Handie Bottles

Our way of living at the moment is constantly changing.  Be it the way we eat, dress or live day by day.  Now at The Amazing Blog we don’t leave the house without our mask and hand sanitiser. Alas, with the use of all these alcohol-based sanitisers, comes with the downside of dry hands. However, we have found a solution with Davisage’s two different types of DVS Handie Bottles. Both cleverly have a hand sanitiser and hand cream combined in separate sections in one bottle, making it dual-action. And, one of these just happens to be alcohol-free!  

We have already featured several products from the Davisage range here. Davisage is a company that combines technology and expert knowledge to create advanced products that help to address issues such as anti-ageing. These have been developed combining Japanese expert technologies and famous French formulations. So, when we learned about their timely launch of the DVS Handie Bottle, we couldn’t resist making this the latest #amazingfinds and must-have addition for our handbags!  

The DVS Handie Bottles combine both sanitiser and cream, where each 7.5ml is kept in separate compartments in this 15ml bottle – making it a dual-action. Let’s talk about the luxurious hand cream contained in both types of Handie Bottles. Its key ingredient is black orchid known for its amazingly deep hydration. It helps to prevent loss of elasticity and firmness, keeping the skin soft. The orchid oil has healing properties and soothes irritated skin. Orchids have often been called 'the perfect plant for the skin' simply because it contains calcium, magnesium and zinc which are all beneficial. Not only does orchid oil moisture the skin it also boosts the skin’s immunity, reduces fine lines and signs of ageing.  Whereas the Santiser here kills germs and effectively prevents the growth of fungus and yeast. This has a 60% alcohol content, which kills 99.99% of bacteria and bugs. The Handie Bottle that contains alcohol, kills all germs, bacteria, and viruses in a matter of 60 seconds. The alcohol-free one here will remove all germs, bacteria, and viruses as well, but it includes lavender known for its antibacterial properties and the aloe vera, which will hydrate your skin.

These elegant Handie Bottles, serve as 4 in 1 product making them unique in so many ways. Apart from the santiser and hand cream, these bottles have a handy compartment at the base of the bottle which can act as jewellery/ring holder. They also have a little circular facial mirror ideal for a quick touch up of makeup on the hoof. These both get the thumbs up from us as they’re multipurpose, small and light enough to even be taken on a plane. You too can purchase these here for £22.

Pure Anada - Fresh Cucumber: Hand & Body Wash and Cocoa Body Butter

As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog natural products are our thing. And in the wake of the global pandemic, we ‘ve noticed that more consumers are now mindful and ingredient aware when it comes to making their skincare purchases. We’ve also recently received lots of enquiries asking us to advise on the best natural skincare to buy etc. So, in our search for something new to share, we’ve turned to one of our favourite online stores Live In The Light; where they kindly sent us a selection of products from an organic transatlantic brand, the first of which we’re featuring today, meet Pure Anada.

For Candace Grenier, the Canadian founder of Pure Anada, it all began in 2003, when she started a family and changed her way of living into a more environmentally friendly one. This began with changing her household cleaning products and went right the way through to all her cosmetics. Candice discovered a niche in making her own, “I made colours for myself, friends and family.  I was surprised to learn how many ladies were sensitive to traditional cosmetics.  It seems as if our bodies are just saying…’enough already with the chemicals’!  Even more fascinating was that the products I was creating from organic botanicals, and food-grade minerals didn’t irritate their skin at all!” Having always been passionate about creating her own products, she went on to launch a very successful business, making a variety of organic household and personal care products. Candice has high ethical standards when it comes to her products and ensures that there is no child labour or discrimination against women. Pure Anada avoids using toxins and other ‘dirty dozen’ and try to maintain a clean formula with each product they make. All their products are free from common allergens and are derived from natural or plant-based origins; as well as cruelty-free, they don’t test on animals and most of their ingredients are vegan. They have an open appreciation for nature giving their brand transparency through all their products. Today we’re featuring  Pure Anada’s Fresh Cucumber Hand & Body Wash and Fresh Cucumber Cocoa Body Butter.

The Fresh Cucumber Hand & Body Wash is free from silicone, artificial ingredients and fragrance. What we love in this Hand & Body Wash is that this has biodegradable surfactants that are derived purely from sugar and coconut oil making it rich in elements that help to heal dry skin. This gentle Fresh Cucumber cleanser also contains cetearyl olivate extracted from olive oil, which is not only an excellent antioxidant but also a brilliant skin protector. There’s sunflower oil which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and contains fatty acids like the omega-6, vitamin E. Finally, the other more unusual ingredient here is the leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate which provides mild protection against bacteria, mould, and yeasts. Radish root is a great natural alternative to synthetic preservatives. There is no overpowering scent in this Hand & Body Wash, we could only just make out a subtle cucumber fragrance. It applied like a milky lotion but created a good lather to clean and left our skin soft and moisturised. It comes in a convenient 300 ml size and costs £9.50 here.

Next, we have the Fresh Cucumber Cocoa Body Butter which echoes similar ingredients to the Hand and Body Wash. it’s super-rich in sunflower seed and coconut oil, as well as shea and cocoa butter; which will provide your skin with all the protection and moisture it’ll need. Deeply hydrating, it’s the perfect partner to go with the Hand & Body Wash. We loved using both in equal measures - so no particular favourite here. With the summer now upon us, we suggest starting your day by using these in tandem, that way you stay fresh and fragrant all day long! The Fresh Cucumber Cocoa Body Butter in 125ml costs £8.00 here.

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. 

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.

Esteem Royale Cosmetics - Goat's Milk Soaps

Here at The Amazing Blog we’ve long been fans of goat’s milk. From drinking it as an alternative to cow’s milk (easier to digest and not pumped full of hormones) to using it as a body wash see here. So when we heard about an international brand Esteem Royale Cosmetics with their Goat Milk Soap, Royale Marrakech Blend (which was the winner in the Pure Beauty Global Awards 2019 for Best New Bath and Shower Product here) we knew we had to try it.

The brand was created in 2013 by two Nigerian sisters Odion and Idowu Ejere. They commented: “We have developed skincare potions and makeup that cater to people of every colour and every age in different climates with inputs from our loyal customers, retailers, distributors, dermatologists and beauty experts.”  Thanks to being online, the brand sells its products globally and you’ll find all kinds of skincare products for face and body (including their Goats Milk Soaps) as well as a range of lipsticks. Their cosmetics were initially created for women of colour but can also be used by everyone.

They kindly sent us their full collection of four Goat Milk Soaps.  First of all, the packaging is a set of stylish rounds that are made of eco-friendly cardboard boxes. Each soap comes in a 3/4 ball shape with a flat base, making it easy to handle. They are all rich with anti-ageing properties, vitamins, nutrients, proteins and naturally occurring triglycerides. Plus, they are formulated with carefully sourced ingredients that exfoliate, soften, nourish and visibly brighten the skin. The rich lactic acid content helps to remove dead skin cells on the surface to reveal younger-looking skin, and hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, vitamin A, selenium helps protects the skin from sun damage.  Let’s start with the Bubblegum Tang – its fragrance is sweet and fruity (like bubblegum) key ingredient (after goats milk) is brown sugar which is a natural humectant and has natural anti-bacterial properties. Then there is Mucatti Mandarine Crush  - this is as it sounds citrusy. It has mandarin orange extract and vitamin C from grapefruits and limes which lighten the skin and promote collagen production. Then there is the Toasted Coffee Blend - the scent is like sweet milky coffee which is not surprising as it’s main ingredient is black coffee beans, which are highly exfoliating, help to fade dark spots, prevents acne and combats cellulite (we preferred using this on our body, not our face!) Finally, their award-winning soap Royale Marrakech Blend this was undoubtedly our favourite. With its subtle fragrance and creamy texture, it also has the additions of oatmeal, soybean protein, coconut oil essence and Xinjiang liquorice extract.

For those of you who are not in the know, goat’s milk is a very gentle cleanser rich in fatty acids and it also has many anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. It helps to give the skin a healthy barrier keeping it nourished and moisturised. To purchase your any of the Esteem Royale Goat Milk Soaps for £8.67 see here.