multipurpose

SKIRR: Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm

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In this new world of lunchtime walks, jogging or running for our daily 10k steps - we’ve heard lots of moans and groans of newfound soreness from skin rubbing or blisters. So, when we at The Amazing Blog  heard about Skirr Skin with their Anti-Chafing Stick Sports Body Balm – we had to give it a try – after all, prevention is better than cure!

Skirr Skin is a sustainable sports skincare brand based in Argyll, Scotland, for eco-conscious adventure and endurance athletes looking for body care to address sport-specific problems and protect their skin from chafing and blisteringChafing and blisters are caused by friction from clothing or two areas of skin rubbing together. It can worsen during very sweaty and wet conditions causing extreme discomfort. We don’t want that! Skirr, an old Scottish word for glide or move faster, and is founded by registered nutritional therapist and entrepreneur Moira Newiss. Having graduated from Formula Botanica, Moira always dreamed of being an entrepreneur with an eco-focused company. When she couldn’t find a brand that sold natural and sustainable products for sports skincare, she was eager to start her own to combine her passion for sport and the environment. Soon, Skirr Skin was launched in February 2020 with her first product, the Anti-Chafing Stick Sport Body Balm. This was formulated and tested out at the Tyndrum24 Ultra race in January 2020 at the Scottish Highlands and proved itself to have effective protection for runners over 70 miles! Moira believes she has created not only an eco-friendly product but a product that protects athletes (and novices) who have struggled with chafing. One of these athletes is Kyle Gordon, who is the brand’s first ambassador, a full-time Scottish elite cyclist who is training for the Commonwealth Games 2022 and spends between 15 – 25 hours a week in the saddle. We couldn’t wait for our tester to try this Body Balm. 

The Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm  contains eco-friendly, natural and organic ingredients that help to prevent blisters, chafing and maintain healthy skin. It also acts as a nourishing moisturiser to keep the skin supple and in good condition. It is suited for multi-sport use, including running, cycling, swimming, skiing, and surfing. We think that you’ll never go wrong with this Sport Body Balm! It even contains 30% more product than its main competitor. It is packaged in fully recyclable cardboard so you can enjoy sport as well as preserve the outdoors. Skirr suggests using the Sport Body Balm by pushing up the tube’s bottom and applying it directly to areas where you may experience chafing, such as the feet, groin, neck, or chest. The ingredients are unique and critical here. Coconut oil contains nourishing fatty acids that help hydrate and protect the skinJojoba seed oil is a crucial ingredient proven to combat acne, dry skin, and other skin conditions such as chafing. Beeswax creates a protective layer on the skin. It also removes dead skin and keeps the skin soft and hydrated. Sunflower oil is a highly absorbent non-irritant that helps combat dry chafing skin. Finally, vitamin E will help make the skin look its best, and rosemary will relieve any pain and inflammation. Our tester is new to exercise, with both running and cycling, and complained bitterly about the soreness on the inside of his thighs. He even purchased lycra shorts to wear under his tracksuit bottoms – but alas these didn’t offer a solution. After we handed him the Skirr Sports Balm to try, he eulogised how even after a whole weekend of full-on activities, there was no more soreness. He was also impressed with how this Sport Body Balm both protected and soothed. He has subsequently abandoned his undergarment of lycra shorts! You can purchase the Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm directly on Skirr Skin’s website for £19.99 here

Apothem: RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel

Still in lockdown, topics of wellbeing and health certainly seem to be at the forefront in everyone’s mind. If you’re into taking care of your body and giving it all the TLC that it deserves, then please keep reading on. Today at The Amazing Blog we want to flag up yet another one of our  #amazingfinds. This time it’s with the CBD wellness brand Apothem and its award-winning RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel, not only for all the CBD lovers but also for those needing a soothing cream for over-worked bodies.

Apothem is co-founded by Tony North and Amelia Barlein and specialises in luxury organic hemp-based CBD drops and topicals. Launched in October 2019, in a male-dominated industry, co-founder Amelia's goal is to empower women in business and build a positive and collaborative culture for those working in the cannabis industry. Apothem is a unisex wellness brand that encourages the positive impacts of CBD while supporting positive mental health through a partnership with suicide prevention charity CALM, which is committed to breaking down common barriers through CBD education. Amelia Baerlein was recently quoted as saying: "We founded Apothem to disrupt the existing CBD market with a contemporary collection of products designed to set new standards in purity, quality and strength. Everything we design and make is created with real people in mind as an addition to their everyday rituals; however, they choose to live life." Apothem is a luxury vegan, cruelty-free, organic brand that only uses cultivated hemp with zero THC. All their CBD products are produced to Good Manufacturing Standards and listed on the EU cosmetics notification portal. Formulas are original and developed in a lab by a diverse team of experts who triple-check the products' potency and purity and put them through rigorous testingAll hemp used is organic and grown in Alicante, Spain, where plants grow outside without the use artificial lighting. Any excess hemp created in production is used to develop packaging, clothing, shoes, and accessories. Apothem is a brand built on honesty and quality, something we look for when buying CBD oil drops, topicals and skincare. They recently scooped up the Best CBD Oil, Best CBD Muscle Balm and five other awards in the Wellbeing Awards with the 2021 Beauty Shortlist; and gained industry recognition as the Best New British Brand award (silver) at the Pure Beauty Awards 2020.

Having seen the launch of Apothem, their RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel was the one product from the range, that we desperately wanted to try. This is because RECHARGE combines every thing we want in a CBD healing balm, it’s natural with pure Hemp-CBD isolate with magnesium, and botanicals from arnica, green tea, magnesium, and essential oils. Unlike many other CBD body creams/ balms, with overpowering fragrances like lemongrass or eucalyptus, this emits a lovely soft rosemary, juniper and mint scent. It is a truly therapeutic cream-gel, designed to deliver a cooling remedy targeting tension to help re-energise overworked bodies (in my case muscle strain). Easy to apply I found it cooling and effective. For me, it helped alleviate everyday stiffness from my hips and calves. Let’s look at the key ingredient here, arnica reduces aches and swelling; green tea is a fantastic antioxidant and calms redness or skin irritation, and magnesium is a superb support for the immune system. The rosemary and mint essential oils help relieve stress and muscular or joint inflammation. Juniper oil also reduces fatigue, muscle aches and helps relieve pain from arthritis. In clinical trials with RECHARGE over a period of 14 days with 52 participants – it came out with astonishing results as 99% of participants agreed that it helped relieve muscle fatigue, increase joint mobility, relaxed muscle tension and gave greater ease of movement after use. And we couldn’t agree more – this is a very effective anti-inflammatory packed with a potent 800mg CBD in a 100ml tube, and currently one of our favourites.  You can purchase Recharge CBD Cream-Gel in either 25ml for £20 here or 100mml at £55, click here.   

Quarnero - Scent of the Mediterranean Face & Body Oils: Refresh, Relax, Sensual & Spirit

Remember those relaxing and soothing Quarnero’s Fleur de Sel Relax Bath Salts? Well, today, at The Amazing Blog we’re back with more of Quarnero’s nature-inspired skincare; but this time, it’s with their set of four Mediterranean Face & Body Oils. These are ideal for uplifting mind and body; so we thought, what could be a more appropriate time to use these now we’re still in #lockdown.

As previously mentioned, Quarnero is a family based business with mother and son team, Zorica and Rešid Seferović, in the Kvarner region of Croatia. This is where they produce natural and organic face and body care. Ingredients are mainly derived from the local region where wild plants flourish in the clean air, unpolluted Adriatic shoreline and the historical landscape. Other key organic ingredients are sourced from carefully selected organic locations – such as organic cold pressed sesame oil and some of the essentials oils. They use organic and natural biodynamic plant actives combined with their time-honoured knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies to bring these unique products to life – for them it’s taking ingredients back to basics with a ‘less is more’ philosophy. All products have the prized certification from NATRUE, International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association , an organisation committed to promoting and protecting global natural and organic cosmetics. All Quarnero products are handmade, vegan and delivered in solid, simple apothecary-style jars with Miron violet glass. Interestingly, this violet glass is scientifically proven to maintain fresh ingredients longer than clear glass. It also acts as a barrier preventing the loss of bioenergy, enzymes, smell or colour from the product stored within, making preservatives less necessary. The brand is now available in 39 countries, with six products in total, which are within the two ranges of Face & Body Oils and Bath Salts.

Quarnero’s luxury vegan and organic unisex oils featured here today are suitable for both the face and body, making them incredible multitasking oils. We were sent the full set of Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oils, which are: Sensual, Relax, Spirit and Refresh. They offer all-year-round skin nourishment as each one contains a combination of pure bio-organic plant actives in the oils with a base of organic cold-pressed sesame oil. These ingredients are non-greasy, quick to absorb and designed to primarily help regenerate, soothe and protect the skin, emitting their unique Quarnero ‘Scent of the Mediterranean’ fragrance. The carrier oil in each is the cold-pressed sesame oil which is an excellent choice, as it doesn’t interfere with the essential oil’s therapeutic properties and is also full of antioxidants, vitamin E and omega fatty acids. It has a natural SPF 4 for protection and best of all, it keeps the skin gently nourished. The other ingredient common in three of the oils is lavender augustifolia (lavender oil) – see our photo above. This is one of the most versatile and popular distilled essential oils and best known to promote relaxation, treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. 

Each oil in this Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oil range offers specific mood enhancing property. The  Sensual emits softness and warmth with the cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) blended with delicate camellia oil, citrus essential oil; this will relax tense muscles, eliminate stress and anxiety, uplift and stimulate awakening sensuality. The Relax has an impressive combination of rosemary, lavender, geranium leaf and bergamot to relieve tired and irritated skin from negative environmental factors.It is also recommended for massaging into the body as an anti-cellulite treatment to aid with lymphatic drainage and make skin smoother. Spirit has a blend of excellent regenerative properties; these include rosemary, lavender, lemon and bergamot, which refresh the skin with a slightly zesty fragrance. This also has a stimulating effect on mood and we found it inspired in us a more optimistic outlook. Finally, the Refresh is a fusion of tangerine, lavender and mentha piperita leaf (peppermint). This mix has cooling and soothing characteristics, and when inhaled gave a feeling of elevated calm.

So, where to begin? We started by opening each of the four bottles in turn. Whichever one we instinctively felt most drawn to, we then applied. This was directly onto damp skin after an evening shower or bath. We recommend decanting the oils into a 20ml glass bottle; they work best warmed up bain-marie style, and then massaged to the skin. Left overnight the ingredients can fully absorb and work their magic. Quarnero also recommends using these oils to heal the skin after exposure to extreme cold or heat and as an added bonus, these oils are gentle enough to even be massaged into beards or the scalp. Once again, we’ve been won over by Quarnero’s skincare, where they offer their unique gifts from the earth, sun and sea and we cannot wait for to try more. To purchase Quarnero Scent of Mediterranean Face and Body oils, 100ml at €33 eachplease email info@quarnero.hr for enquiries due to the online shop currently being unavailable.

NeoNaturelle: C-Major 23% Vitamin C Serum

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Like many of you, here at The Amazing Blog we only want to use clean beauty, which is ideally organic, vegan or natural. As the skin is the largest organ in the body, we think it deserves to be pampered with the best.  We’ve reviewed many different face serums in the past; however today, we were curious to try this C-Major 23% Vitamin C Serum from NeoNaturelle, with its unique waterless formula and high potency of vitamin C. This Serum is also fortified with potent botanical actives that claim to brighten the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

NeoNaturelle is founded by a mother and daughter team Nila and Marina Cook in Vancouver, CanadaIt all began in 2019 when Nila’s pregnant daughter Marina wanted to swap her regular skincare for more natural and cleaner formulas that contained anti-ageing and active ingredients. This proved to be challenging to find, as many of the natural skincare products which had the right ingredients, didn’t offer any of the potent anti-ageing actives. It was at this moment, that Marina and Nila decided to create NeoNaturelle skincare with clean, safe, natural and plant-based potent actives, which they'd been searching for. NeoNaturelle, is where science meets nature , with its seven products in the range, six are certified safe even for pregnant and lactating women or those with sensitive skin. The only exception here is their Skin Repair face oil which has retinol, as it is advised pregnant women avoid retinol (vitamin A) in their skincare. The brand’s mission is to provide customers with brand transparency as well as a skincare education. They want to inspire and educate the consumer, with their story and holistic approach to wellbeing, mental health, diet, exercise, and much more.

This newly launched C-Major Serum has already secured an award win with  Made in Vancouver 2020 Awards. As mentioned at the start, this 23% vitamin C  serum is in a stable waterless, oil-soluble formula that ensures the prolonged and safe use of this maximum potency of vitamin C activity. While high concentrations of regular vitamin C can cause skin irritation due to its ascorbic acid, C-Major uses a gentle and non-irritant formula. Let’s take a look at some of Serum’s key ingredients; these consist of aloe vera extract, which acts as a hydrating agent with its soothing and antioxidant properties. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, unlike pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid), is fat-soluble, making it easier and fast-acting for the vitamin C to penetrate the dermis. The niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) minimises and tightens enlarged pores, renews skin cells and protects against UVA, toxins and pollution.  Apricot kernel oil is rich in vitamin E and works in partnership with vitamin C to improves skin tone, maintain softness and nourish the skin. Rosa Canina (aka rosehip) oil is rich in vitamin C, is excellent for cell regeneration and improves skin texture. Dl alpha-tocopherol is a synthetic and stable form of vitamin E; it reduces UV damage, is an anti-inflammatory and protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Finally, the Hydrolyzed oat, is an oat protein that reduces the appearance of fine lines and is a natural long-lasting humectant with powerful anti-ageing properties. 

The C-Major’s blend aims to boost collagen production, nourish the skin, and reduce pigmentation while making skin appear brighter and healthier. It is a light, quick-absorbing Serum and suitable for all skin types, even (as mentioned) the most sensitive. With its golden elixir it has a delicious aroma of tropical fruits – a mix of passionfruit/ grapefruit. Interestingly, they suggest using this Serum under OR after moisturiser. We used this Serum morning and evening under moisturiser. It was quick-absorbing and easy to use, it blended well and left our skin looking dewy. Thankfully it had no adverse reactions (unlike some other vitamin C serums), our skin did look brighter. Although vitamin C serum is known to help protect against sun damage (applied after exposure); during the day we would recommend using this with an SPF, as sun sensitivity increases with the use of vitamin C based skincare. We like that this C-Major offers safe ingredients and a maximum doses of vitamin C, all without the risk of irritation.  To purchase NeoNaturelle’s Vitamin C Serum for $96 (approx. £70.34 ) click here.

LA FERVANCE: Éclat Extraordinaire

We’ve found a way to replace three skincare products in our daily routine by using just one. This is a balm made up of not 95 or 98% natural ingredients, but 100%! Intrigued?  Well, we certainly were, at The Amazing Blog, we would like to introduce LA FERVANCE  with the brand’s first-born Éclat Extraordinaire.

LA FERVANCE takes its name from the French word for “fervour”;  this brand is all about keeping things simple and caring for the planet, whilst also indulging all the senses by offering high-performance luxury skincare. The brand is a marriage of the two cultures that have been part of Melissa Obeid’s life for many years: Australian and French – where the Australian born Melissa studied fashion in Paris in 1990. Melissa officially created LA FERVANCE  in 2016, when she and her family came back to France for a sabbatical.  This is when she saw a gap in the market, as very few ethical, transparent and sustainable skincare brands with 100% natural ingredients and origins were available in the market. Thus, this led her to go on and create this luxury and clean beauty brand that would not only take care of skin but also the planet.  After three years of complex research, development, and certification phases, with the help of French experts, she officially launched her brand in December 2019 with a single, multi-purpose product, thereby making a strong statement to say that no one needs a 10-step skincare routine, instead use one efficient multi-tasking product that does it all, which is what gave rise to the ÉclatExtraordinaire production. And as Melissa says, “less is more! This is what luxury is all about,” she also went on to say, “LA FERFANCE will resonate with those seeking authenticity, integrity and real results.” Theirs is a new philosophy of ‘Fusionistique Skincare™’ where the products are the first and only of their kind, fusing 100% natural ingredients, eco-packaging, culture and usage with a vision to the future. The brand in the future, will offer the consumer refills for their existing jars avoiding purchase of full replacements with all the packaging. They see themselves as visionaries and hope by 2025 that they will be regarded as pioneers in the luxury beauty space.

As mentioned previously, Éclat Extraordinaire is a multi-purpose 100% ethical and sustainable balm. They want to offer the best possible luxury skincare experience, with their formula that is entirely free from any synthetics, and contains only carefully chosen ingredients that are 100% natural and clean. The product has already achieved a certification from product and packaging from COSMOS, a membership of COSMEBIO and has been awarded the Butterfly Mark from Positive Luxury. Enhanced with its 67 active ingredients this waterless formula boasts 100% natural hyaluronic acid and bio-active blends.  These include mimosa AKA Australian wattle (pictured above), which is high in polyphenols which provide strong antioxidants; then there’s jojoba and baobab (which we’ve discussed often). The kakadu plum extracts is high in vitamin C (and lesser-known antioxidants like gallic acid and ellagic acid). The buriti oil is rich in beta-carotene and unsaturated fatty acids; plus, there’s vitamin E and seawater from the Brittany coast. This enriched balm also has a combination of Australian herbs and spices which they call their 'Mountain Harvest™’ these are a mix of Aniseed Myrtle Leaf, Mountain Pepper Leaf, and Wild Rosella Flower. These three botanicals are highly effective in offering protection against free radicals and come with anti-ageing actions. The last active ingredient used for this formula is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that is also by far the noblest on the list23K conflict-free Italian gold dust, with the added pearl pigments for extra luminosity. Yes, gold! This gives the skin a warm glow, plus, the gold activates cell regeneration, stimulates elastin and collagen production, and helps the blood circulation, fight toxins, and enhance the gold's anti-ageing effect.

This prestige skincare is a luxurious creamy balm that comes in an elegant and recyclable 50ml glass jar with a gold embossed lid. The texture is quite impressive, as it literally melts into the skin leaving its soft and sophisticated bespoke scent. The product has been clinically tested, and has been specially created to offer smoothness and shine. They suggest 3 different ways to use  Éclat Extraordinaire, as a day and night cream, and also a mask ritual. So far, we’ve used it in two different ways: As a morning ritualusing a small amount between your fingers and apply to cleansed face and neck to wake your skin and give it a nice golden glow boost, where you can either decide to use it as a leave-on day cream for a naturally glowy look or use it as a primer for your make-up, as the sucrose fatty acids ester base act as silky protection that locks in moisture for 24 hours. We also used it as an overnight night balm, for when skin needed a hydration boost. Apply a medium layer to a cleansed or exfoliated face and neck. Then massage the skin either with your finger tips or with a beauty massaging tool to increase the circulation and enhance the actives and vitamins for better stimulation for cell renewal. Our verdict? We loved the versatility of this rich balm, plus the radiant effect it had on our complexion. Probably best suited to the 35+ age group or those with a normal/dry skin type. LA FERVANCE is a brand that will easily seduce those who aspire to a simple but luxurious skincare. However, we think it will appeal first and foremost to those looking for authenticity, integrity, and performance without compromise. The Eclat Extraordinaire balm is available here for €195.00 (approx. £177.75).