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 each, please email info@quarnero.hr for enquiries due to the online shop currently being unavailable.

Raised Spirit: Organic CBD Cacao

I think we can all agree that sitting around at home during lockdown can be a bore. But we’ve learnt some new and fun ways to pass the time by experimenting with our baking. Today, The Amazing Blog  would like to introduce a tasty new healthy treat from Raised Spirit with their delicious Organic CBD Cacao use it in baking, spread it on a toasted bun, or just spooned straight from the jar!

Raised Spirit was launched in 2013 by health coach Nick Osipczak. As a former professional athlete, Nick had the opportunity to travel worldwide and learn about health and nutrition from various experts and discovered the hemp plants benefits. He always dreamt of releasing an organic, plant-based product, and in 2017, they launched with CBD Coconut Oil Pro, as their first hemp-infused product. Raised Spirit creates a variety of organically certified CBD edible and topical products, that have the versatility to be used to enrich a diet or applied to the skin.  What sets the brand apart from its competitors, is that they are the first UK brand to produce CBD infused organic coconut oil, which is a superfood in its own right. Their vision for the future is to increase their hemp-based offerings, expanding into clothing, building materials and biofuel.

We couldn’t resist trying the Organic CBD Cacao which is a delicious and divine nutrient-dense superfood. We like that it is  made using only four simple ingredients: Organic CBD coconut oil GOLD, raw cacao powder, coconut blossom syrup and sunflower lecithin.  In this 200m jar is their exclusive ingredient of Organic CDB Coconut oil GOLD, which contains 500mg of full-spectrum (with 0.2% THC), which offers the maximum ‘entourage effect’ meaning that the whole hemp plant is used rather than a single aspect. This offers significant benefits with all the compounds working together boosting the health, and the overall therapeutic effect of the cannabinoids. Plus, there’s vitamins A, D, K and E, as well as 400+ offer compounds found in the hemp plant. This is combined with organic coconut oil made of 100% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) with a shorter chemical structure than other fats. In simple terms, the fats are quickly absorbed, promoting satiety and preventing fat storage. The lauric acid in the oil destroys bacteria that can lead to stomach ulcers and food poisoning, and converts to monolaurin, for a protective immune function. It also has the advantage of being a stable oil without spoiling when used at high temperatures making it an excellent substitute for any kind of butters or vegetable oils.

The addition of the raw cacao here is another superfood, made from raw fermented unroasted cocoa beans. This organic cacao powder has 40 times the number of antioxidants of blueberries, is full of anti-inflammatory flavanols, and is packed with mood-enhancing compounds that release endorphins making it so compatible with the full-spectrum CBD here. The other two ingredients are coconut blossom syrup, a nectar collected from the sap of coconut blossoms, a healthy sweetening alternative to sugar and contains iron, magnesium and zinc. And finally, the sunflower lecithin, is the vegan alternative to the lecithin typically sourced from egg yolks, it has antioxidant properties and helps contribute to brain, heart and liver health.

This Organic CBD Cacao has a semi-sweet coconut-chocolatey taste that offers a variety of uses, and is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Whether you’re in the mood for baking chocolate brownies, or quickly adding some to a smoothie, this won’t disappoint! So, If you’re planning to make changes for a healthier diet, or just looking to experiment with something new, this will make for a tasty substitute. It is very rich, so if you get tempted to spoon it from the jar (like us!), you’ll find that 2 teaspoons will quickly satisfy that chocolate craving. Dare we compare this to a well-known high street hazelnut spread? Yes, we will as we think this is much nicer!  We used it (as suggested) combining two tablespoons of CBD Cacao with 1 cup of oat milk on low heat, whisking it and blending thoroughly - yum.  We also got creative and used this in a recipe "Cacao & Almond Date Energy Balls" on Raised Spirit’s Facebook page here;  which we found to be a good sweet energy pick-me-up ideal for those afternoon slump moments. Or you could try experimenting with your favourite chocolate brownie recipe by substituting butter and cocoa with this healthier (and tastier) alternative. Curious to try?  Then see here where you can purchase this 200ml jar of Raised Spirits Organic CBD Cacao for £39.99.

NeoNaturelle: C-Major 23% Vitamin C Serum

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, Canada. It 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.

GoBo: Deodorising Fluid

Who doesn’t go through that uncomfortable feeling of sticky armpits or the occasional ingrown hair? Today at The Amazing Blog we’d like to share another of our #amazingfinds with this new Deodorising Fluid that keeps them smelling fresh and feeling pampered. This is GoBo the first AHA Deodorant to launch here in the UK.

GoBo are part of a British parent company Lamonts & Co, which manufacture consumer health and wellbeing products. GoBo‘s creator Laura Lamont said, “Underarms are meant to sweat naturally, but that doesn't mean you have to smell by the end of the day.” This is where she saw a gap in the UK market for a new type of deodorant containing powerful ingredients, such as AHA's, to detox and deodorise underarms as well as nourish the skin. The AHA here stands for alpha-hydroxy acid, consisting of mandelic, malic, lactic and glycolic acids derived from nuts, fruits, milk or sugar cane.  AHA’s are well-known for their exfoliating, smoothing and depigmenting and firming properties – which GoBo boosts here. The brand promises a natural product that is cruelty-free, and free from alcohol, essential oils, aluminium and parabens. Apart from the underarm area, this gentle formula can be used in between skin folds or under the breast area to help prevent or neutralise body odours. GoBo promises an astonishing 24 - 48 hour protection with a choice of four Deodorising Fluids Original Unfragranced, Jasmin, Orange Blossom and Rose.  

So how does GoBo work? When you switch to a natural deodorant after using one with chemical ingredients, the glycolic acid will eliminate the accumulated grime, sweat, and dead cells build-up. The other key ingredients here are arrowroot which acts as a moisture absorbent keeping the skin dry. In contrast, the vegetable glycerine takes on the role of moisturising agent, resulting in a well-hydrated skin area. Whereas the Guar Gum here is a natural food-grade thickener working as a prebiotic. What’s unique about this GoBo’s formula, is that it won’t prevent you from sweating; instead, it’ll let your body perspire naturally.  As mentioned earlier, the product reduces pigmentation and prevents ingrown hairs caused by depilation; what more can one ask for? The brand kindly sent us two products from the range with the Original Unfragranced and Orange Blossom. The Deodorising Fluid comes in a small glass bottle with a roll-on for easy application. The serum-like texture dries quickly, leaving no residues, making it quick and practical, especially when you’re dressing in a hurry. The Original Unfragranced is unscented, while the Orange Blossom is fragranced by only using natural floral water and has a mild scent that didn’t conflict with any other fragrances we used. After giving these a try, we can safely say that they keep their promise of providing fresh and smooth underarms. Would we buy more? Absolutely! As we get into spring, why not make the switch to these fresh AHA Deodorising Fluids for your new natural deodorant. You can purchase any of the four 100ml GoBo AHA Deodorants here. for £9.99.

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 list: 23K 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 ritual, using 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).