Circulove : CALM Face & Eye Serum

At The Amazing Blog new skincare ingredients always pique our interest, and when we learnt about this CALM Face & Eye Serum by Circulove, with its biotic actives designed to deliver probiotic benefits directly into the skin – we knew this was a must-try! 

Circulove is a Scandinavian brand that was founded in Finland in 2020. Where a group of designers, natural cosmetics chemists, beauticians, nurses and lifestyle professionals have come together to create this brand to help people live a “more sustainable and purposeful lifestyle while enhancing their natural beauty.” The idea of a circular lifestyle is the basis of Circulove. The concept of circularity focuses on cycles in the sense that things should be reused and recycled. Circularity considers entire ecosystems, like social, cultural, natural, and human capital, and the benefits of these systems. With this ideal in mind, their goal from day one has been “to create clean, biotic skincare products with no compromises.” Päivi Paltola, the founder of Circulove, was concerned with the increased occurrences of greenwashing and began investigating circular design principles to try and create “more purposeful beauty.”  Circulove is committed to following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future. Anyone can see their commitment to these values and goals, with toxic-free products and less waste; they use 30% ocean waste plastic for their recyclable mono-material bottles and organic by-products from the food industry for ingredients. The plastic used is recycled waste plastic collected from the Java Sea, meaning Circulove contributes to the ocean clean-up movement. They also promote up-cycling and transparent supplier networks, scrutinizing their own carbon footprint, by using 85% of Finnish or local Scandinavian ingredients in their products. Paltola says it best, “we know we are on a lifelong learning journey, and we believe that every action counts.” They are also FI-NATURA certified.

The CALM Face & Eye Serum hydrates, soothes and protects the skin. What makes this serum ‘different’ is that it combines vegan prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics with eight luxury plant extracts and oils to help reset the skin taking it back to its original and natural state. Prebiotics are compounds that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms and may help improve the skin’s barrier function. Applying topical prebiotics and probiotics to the skin is the most effective and direct way to affect the skin’s microbiome. Postbiotics include enzymes, peptides, and cell surface proteins and are a by-product of the fermentation process of the probiotics. The ingredients in this serum are fermented for 3-5 weeks, which is the chemical breakdown process of the prebiotics and postbiotics. Following the fermentation process,the plant extracts and oils are then added. The CALM Face & Eye Serum helps reduce redness, creates long-lasting moisture, protects against free radicals, and balances the skin’s pH and oiliness. The beauty of this serum is that it is suitable for all skin types, and can significantly help those with sensitive, rosacea, couperose or atopic skin. The CALM Face & Eye Serum contains a few other key ingredients. The antioxidant and flavonoid plant extracts are derived from lady’s mantle,  blueberry and lingonberry. The pure oils here are raspberry seed, jojoba and sunflower, hemp, and rosehip all of which are rich in essential fatty acids such as omegas 3 & 6, vitamin E and antioxidants. The vegan prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics come from fermented oats and tapioca; the slow fermentation process ensures that these ingredients stay nutrient-dense. Beyond these ingredients, Circulove has provided a detailed ingredients list that includes the country of origin (the list can be found here ) where the brand delivers full transparency for each product - and we’re obsessed! In their efforts to create sustainable products, the packaging is airless, designed specifically for their all-natural skincare, and this design lets you use every last drop of the product since the bottom of the packaging rises as you use it. The simple white opaque bottle ensures that the natural ingredients retain their integrity. Each of Circulove’s products are free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, silicones, chemical sunscreen, nano zinc oxide colourants, added perfumes and GMOs. 

To use the CALM Face & Eye Serum apply to clean skin on the face, under the eyes and around the lips - both day and night. NB: We found that the airless pump required a quick 5-10 pumps to activate before using. It can be used alone for combination or oily skin, or if like us you have normal to dry skin, then use it prior to moisturiser or face oil. The fragrance gave us a delicious hint of berries combined with green tea. It felt like a lotion to apply and absorbed quickly as It’s light to the touch, but super-hydrating once on the skin, and yes, we’d say it’s yet another of our #amazingfinds. The 30ml CALM Face & Eye Serum is available for purchase directly from Circulove’s website here for € 59.00.

Object : Moisturising Shampoo Bar

At The Amazing Blog, we like to find new and artisan natural brands to talk about, and today, we’re featuring an award-winning eco-friendly natural haircare from the British artisan brand Object. We tried out their  Moisturising Shampoo Bar and their purposefully designed Light Weight Travel Tin shampoo bar container.

Object, is co-founded by Jack Wolton and Hugo Tylor, and focuses on providing “natural, ethical, and plastic-free products.” After struggling to find hair and body care brands that offer both sustainable and high-quality ingredients, Wolton and Tylor decided in December 2020 to create their own. The two are eager to offer new alternatives to wasteful plastic packaging, while also providing well-designed and effective natural ingredients. Object launched to fill this gap in the market and is built on the principles of creating natural alternatives and “objecting to the status quo” - hence the inspiration for the brand name! The founders also want to tackle and create awareness of social and environmental issues and in a recent interview with It’s Nice That, Wolton describes here how they care a lot about inclusivity and promote acceptance and diversity, and celebrate being ‘different’ in everything that they do. They also donate a percentage of their sales to local charities, plus they have a strict code of ethics which all their suppliers must comply with. To reflect their values, they do not use any chemicals in their products and only use natural ingredients, which can be found on their website here. The brand takes its sustainability efforts even further by being a waterless and plastic-free brand. The packaging is made from 50% recycled cotton, and they only use FSC (The Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper and cartons. They have gained brand recognition for their eco-friendly efforts, as their Moisturising Shampoo Bar was recently awarded Gold for the Best Sustainable Hair Product at the 2021 Global Green Beauty Awards. Object has also received the Butterfly Mark Certification by Positive Luxury to show how they meet the “highest verified sustainability standards.”  

As fans of shampoo bars, we couldn’t wait to try this Moisturising Shampoo Bar. We find that shampoo bars tend to last longer than liquid shampoos, and are gentler on the hair and scalp as they don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium lauryl sulfate, which can contribute to dry hair. The Moisturising Shampoo Bar is gender-inclusive, handmade in Spain, and does not use any sulphates, parabens, artificial colouring, or palm oil. As regular readers will know, palm oil contributes to deforestation, and the sulphates can lead to a dry and irritated scalp. This award-winning bar is made from moringa, jojoba and argan oils, blended together with coconut milk and essential oils. The moringa oil, made from the seeds of a moringa oleifera (a type of tree found in the Himalayan mountains), is packed with omega-3, which moisturises and strengthens the hair and scalp. Jojoba oil contains a blend of oils, vitamins, and minerals that help to regulate scalp sebum production, and leave hair feeling hydrated. As for argan oil, it helps soothe and nourish hair cuticles with its vitamin E and fatty acids. The coconut milk here is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, along with vitamin E to fight against serum build-up in the hair. The combination of these ingredients helps hair to have more volume and shine and overall be more healthy. The sustainable nature of this product also is important to point out, as it’s all-natural, vegan, 100% plastic-free, and cruelty-free. Did you know that a shampoo bar saves the waste of up to three shampoo bottles? The bar also has a fragrance combination of earthy and citrus scent that is derived from the blend of ylang-ylang, cedarwood, citronella, and lavender essential oils. We found it long-lasting and both refreshing and nourishing for the hair. To use the shampoo bar, we soaked our hair and rubbed the bar in our hands to create a frothy lather, and worked it into our scalp. We then ran the bar down the hair strands to cleanse and finally rinsed. The shampoo bar left our hair squeaky clean with zesty fragrance; however, we did need to follow up with our regular conditioner to leave it tangle-free.

What we also like the ergonomically designed shampoo bar container, Object's Light Weight Travel Tin, to store the bar and to help to make it last longer. It’s made from rust-proof aluminium with strong durability and a screw top to prevent leaking. This container is perfect for draining your shampoo bar dry straight from the shower or for travel purposes. They suggest frequently emptying water from the tin, and ensuring that the bar is dry before putting it into the tin. The Light Weight Travel Tin can be purchased here for £5, and the Moisturising Shampoo Bar can be purchased here for £14.  

Mokosh : The Ultimate Nutritious Starter Pack

With so many different skincare products to choose from, mixing and matching products can often feel like trying to solve a puzzle! So, today at The Amazing Blog, we thought we’d keep it easy by featuring a set of products that work together in perfect synergy. Meet The Ultimate Nutritious Starter Pack, a sample-sized 4-step routine created by the organic skincare brand Mokosh.

Former medical scientist, veterinarian, and pathologist Marion O'Leary founded Australian brand Mokosh in 2006 after discovering many of the mainstream skincare brands she used contained toxic ingredients. She worked with her friend Jayne Bland who introduced her to the Indian science of Ayurveda, which focuses on working with the body's natural healing systems. The result is 10 years of research and experimenting, refining, and perfecting an organic skincare range that doesn’t compromise on ingredients - using the purest and most beneficial. Marion was determined to make "the world's cleanest skincare range" by creating Mokosh. She wants to target the root cause of skin imbalance and restore the skin's equilibrium with products that are potent, healing all made with simple botanicals. All products are formulated without water, or the skin-disrupting emulsifiers and preservatives. As a waterless brand, Mokosh products have a higher concentration of healing, natural ingredients that don't disturb the skin's microbiome or barrier. In addition, all Mokosh products are free from synthetic ingredients, fillers, palm oil, and artificial fragrances. They're cruelty-free, certified organic, and packaged only with refillable or recyclable materials. Mokosh offers a skin-match quiz on their website to recommend products based on your skin type, concerns, and needs. With natural products that are suitable for any skin type, it's no wonder that Mokosh is a multi-award-winning brand and recently received the "Most Revolutionary Skincare Brand" Award in the Luxlife Health, Beauty, & Wellness Awards 2021.

Mokosh sent us their Ultimate Nutritious Starter Pack,  a set of four different products designed to meet the needs of dry and mature skin. These products focus on hydration, replenishing the skin's protective barrier, removing dead skin cells, rebalancing skin pH, and delivering potent nutrients to promote collagen production and enhance elasticity. The first product in the pack is their Facial Cleanser, Exfoliator, and Mask,  a 3-in-1 formulation that removes superficial cell debris, clarifying, refining, and renewing the skin. It delivers humectants, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory molecules, minerals and α- and β- hydroxy acids that promote cell regeneration and collagen growth. It contains aloe vera gel powder to soothe and moisturise skin, meadowsweet leaf and flower powder which contains salicylic acid to exfoliate naturally, and pomegranate fruit juice powder to provide hydration and deposit vitamin C in the skin. This Facial Cleanser, Exfoliator, and Mask comes in a powder form, so to use it, take about ½ to 1 teaspoon of powder and add water to make a smooth paste. To cleanse, gently massage the face and rinse, and to use as a mask, apply it to the skin and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. We liked using this product in the shower to make it easier to mix and rinse, but be careful not to allow water into the jar!

The second product in the pack is the Pure Hydrosol Toner made with a blend of damask rose and lemon balm hydrosols. Hydrosols are made by distilling fresh flowers, leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. They're water-soluble and contain as many nutrients as essential oils but are much gentler on the skin. Rose hydrosol is a mild astringent, so it controls sebum production, tightens pores, and balances skin pH. It also maintains moisture in the skin, delays the formation of wrinkles, and has anti-inflammatory properties, decreasing redness and repairing irritated and damaged skin. Lemon balm Hydrosol also soothes inflamed skin, tightens pores, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Both of these hydrosols also have aromatherapeutic properties, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. You can spray this onto your face and neck after cleansing and before applying the serum. We also liked using it throughout the day, as it’s a refreshing pick-me-up.

The third product is the Raspberry and Pomegranate Beauty Serum, a hydrating concentrate that Mokosh designed for normal and dry skin. The serum is a blend of ten organic botanical seed oils that work together to protect dermal elements and plump and soften the skin to reduce signs of ageing. Pomegranate and raspberry seed oils contain high concentrations of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that fortify the skin's barrier, as well as Vitamin E, C, and A that provide deep moisturisation that helps to restore damaged skin and fade scars. After cleansing, warm about 3 to 4 drops of this serum in your hands before patting gently into your skin.

This routine's fourth and final product is the  Rich Face Cream formulated for mature or dry skin types. It's an award-winning and best-selling cream that delivers potent botanicals and nutrients that protect collagen, build the skin's protective barrier, and support cell growth. This cream contains ten oils mixed with shea butter, including rosehip, avocado, pomegranate, neem, and prickly pear oils - all rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, triglycerides, and vitamins. These nutrients nourish and repair skin, and help to reduce inflammation, and even skin tone. As the last step in your routine, take a half pea-sized amount, warm in your hands, and pat onto skin. It smells amazing and feels luxurious, almost balm-like in texture, and best of all, very little goes a long way. Being small and compact this Ulitmate Nutritious Starter Pack could also be a very good travel companion for a weekend away. To experience the benefits of the Mokosh Ultimate Nutritious Starter Pack, you can purchase it here for $45.00AUD.  

CBD Pure Oils: CALM – CBD Infused Scented Oil

Regular readers of The Amazing Blog will know that we can’t resist trying something new from the world of CBD, Today, think ‘room fragrance’. We couldn’t resist trying this CALM- CBD Infused Scented Oil, a CBD infused fragranced oil from CBD Pure Oils. A few drops in water either with an ultrasonic aroma diffuser (photo above) or burning in a traditional ceramic one; the combined effects of CBD with essential oils help to transform a room’s ambience.

The CBD Pure Oils story starts in August of 2017 with two friends discovering that they’ve both been using CBD products, on a regular basis for anxiety and pain relief.  This was the moment when Debbie Houghton and Julie Barrett decided to become the founders of a new CBD brand, This way they both could share their CBD experience with others. What started as an idea to provide high-quality CBD products has now turned into a successful and innovative brand.   They described CBD Pure OIls as a place for consumers to “easily access the products they desire and be assured that the CBD products they are buying are pure.”  With transparency at the forefront, the two founders want to ensure that the CBD products they offer are always reliable and pure. To emphasise this brand message, they use EU-approved hemp strains that have been extracted in the UK through a Co2 supercritical extraction process. They’ve also made information on their products available here with the laboratory results giving the strength and purity.  CBD Pure Oils sells a selection of full-spectrum but THC-free CBD products, ranging from oils and topicals to the slightly more unusual home products. Co-founder Denise pointed out, “Having the ability to provide a CBD oil that contains the whole plant, and is full-spectrum, increases ‘the entourage effect’ within our bodies, meaning our customers will get the maximum benefits from our CBD oil.” They’re also proud members of the Cannabis Trade Association, a trade body that aims to foster good work practice, raise standards, increase safety, and monitor the cannabis trade industry in Europe. All products are suitable for vegans, they’re mindful of their carbon footprint, and use recyclable packaging for their products.  

CALM- CBD Infused Scented Oil combines essential oils with 20mg of full-spectrum CBD oil, creating an aromatherapy-based room fragrance. This deep scented blend can be broken down into three main notes: the top note is bergamot, the middle note is patchouli, and the base note is amber. As mentioned earlier, this dark amber and bergamot essential oil is infused with full-spectrum CBD, this unusual addition helps to add another dimension raising a further sense of calm, which in turn reduces stress and promotes a feeling of relaxation. The full-spectrum CBD oil means that it retains many of the terpenes and natural plant compounds, like THC. However, the THC in all the products from CBD Pure Oils has been removed by using a Co2 supercritical extraction process. When these terpenes come together with other natural plant compounds, like those found in essential oils, they tend to create an even more amplified effect. The bergamot here is a popular citrus essential oil also known to relax the mind and relieve stress. Patchouli oil, made from the leaves of a patchouli plant, has its own beneficial properties like alleviating pain and easing anxiety, As for the amber oil, made from melted tree resin, it’s known to strengthen memory, soothe the mind, and improve sleep patterns. All these ingredients come together to form this unique CALM- CBD Infused Scented Oil. By harnessing the CBD benefits with these essential oils, this infusion creates a feeling of ‘calm’ which when either burnt or vapourised in a diffuser, offers a feeling of almost meditative tranquillity to the surroundings.

To use this CALM - CBD Infused Scented Oil, we simply added five or six drops together with water into our ultrasonic aroma diffuser, which dispersed plumes of fragranced vapour into the air, taking only moments to create a scent-filled room. The best way to describe this dark bergamot and amber aroma is a warm, earthy, sweet scent with a slight touch of citrusy spice - and no smell of hemp!  We found it very mellow and autumnal. Sadly, this little bottle didn’t last long as the scent proved very popular in the office, and became part of our daily home-time routine - stimulating the senses and calming our busy minds!. Yes, it’s another one of our #amazingfinds. The 10 ml CALM- CBD Infused Scented Oil (containing 20 mg of CBD oil) can be purchased here for £9.  

Nurme : Natural Deodorant Mandarin and Orange

At The Amazing Blog we know how important it is to stay fresh while living our busy and sometimes hectic lives. Whether we are running daily errands, going to the gym, or travelling, we all want to feel protected from unpleasant odours. We also love discovering new brands with natural or organic products that are not tested on animals and free from nasty chemicals. And let’s face it, no matter what the activity, we all want to smell our best! Today we are featuring Nurme’s Natural Mandarin & Orange Deodorant.

Nurme is an Estonian brand that has just celebrated 12 years of producing natural cosmetic products. The name stems from the Estonian word Nurm for meadow, a special place from childhood for Marit Tiits, co-founder of the brand. For her a meadow is a place that “always brought me joy was full of surprises, and when needed, offered comfort.” Nurme is a business built and run by a mother-daughteriew, duo, Marit and Luule Tiits, who decided to combine their knowledge, skills and drive to create this business when the financial crisis of 2009 arrived, resulting in redundancy notices for them both. Marit began by making handmade soaps and bath cosmetics in her home kitchen; she created unique gifts for friends and family. Marit describes it best: “At first, I thought that soap is just a nice accessory in the bathroom and never thought of washing myself with it. The excitement was even greater when I realised that I had managed to change the world.” When Marit became a mother herself, it became clear that skin problems affected many people and that your soap choice is the starting point in helping restore your skin. They found that your skin’s condition could improve by 80 per cent with a suitable natural soap.  Nurme strives to create “100% natural and organic products” literally from head to toe. Since 2009, they have been producing handmade and natural products with aromatherapy, body, skin and hair care products; and are also a multi-award-winning brand (see here).

The range of products from Nurme are created using only natural, herbal ingredients that offer gentle ingredients for both skin and hair. This same concept is used to formulate Nurme’s Natural Deodorant, which contains odour-neutralising essential oils and baking soda to prevent the spread of odorous bacteria. The other key ingredients here include cornstarch, which is excellent for absorbing moisture; coconut oil, which is used for its antibacterial properties to help reduce odour-causing bacteria. Plus beeswax, which is used as a natural consistency stabiliser and shea butter which leaves a non-greasy feel while moisturising the skin. Last but not least, Nurme uses sunflower seed oil due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which also benefits dry skin. Marit notes that “it can be said that basically all the oils, fats, waxes, essential oils, and extracts used in Nurme products are skin superfoods.” This natural deodorant is aluminium and paraben-free, without synthetic dyes or fragrances. Nurme’s Natural Mandarin & Orange Deodorant uses mandarin peel oil and sweet orange peel oil to give it the delicious citrus scent. To go along with their natural products, Nurme utilises “zero waste” packaging for their deodorant, made out of cardboard, so that it is environmentally friendly. This deodorant was duly put through its paces with pilates, workouts and brisk walks. It passed our test, as we stayed fragrant with no evidence of any nasty niffs. It's easy to use; just push up at the base of the cardboard tube and apply the balm to your underarms. If like us, you love natural deodorants that smell ‘natural’ and then this one is for you. Plus, it’s already gained worldwide recognition winning a silver at 2021 The Global Green Beauty Awards. Nurme’s 80g Natural Mandarin & Orange Deodorant is available here for €12.60 and also in five other fragrances.