shower & bath

2022 Beauty Shortlist & Wellbeing Awards - Are Now Open for Entry!

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Good to grow: 2022 Beauty Shortlist & Wellbeing Awards open for entries with new blue beauty and plantable beauty categories and fresh faces on the judging panel.

Entries have opened for the upcoming Beauty Shortlist Awards which will celebrate the highest-scoring brands and products that celebrate NATURE on Wednesday 2 March 2022.

Honouring the most-loved earth-safe and ocean-safe beauty and wellness products – all tested by experts – the ethical, natural and organic showcase returns with over 40 new categories embracing blue and green beauty, more age-specific skincare and self-care categories, eco-packaging, holistic health, eco innovation, nutrition, aromatherapy, CBD and more.

2022 BEAUTY SHORTLIST & WELLBEING AWARDS ENTRY FORM (ENTRIES CLOSE 29 OCTOBER)

ENTRY FORM

If you had to pick the most stellar month of the year for beauty and the planet, September would be up there: Organic September, a new season with lots of new launches, the Great British Beach Clean, World Car Free Day - and it’s FSC week soon, celebrating & raising awareness of responsible forestry 🌳

Never have we lived through a time when comforts and joys have been more important to our wellbeing - and it’s exactly those that are celebrated every year at the Beauty Shortlist Awards:

You are warmly invited to celebrate the top-scoring beauty, grooming and wellness of the year with the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards on Wednesday 2 March.

These independent and 100% sponsor-free global Awards celebrate the highest-scoring ethical brands and products of the year, evaluated by beauty and wellness industry experts:

  • natural + organic beauty, personal care

  • nutrition, wellness, health supplements, CBD & eco cleaning

  • men’s hair, skincare, self-care, body & shower products

Happy September!

Grevinnans Rum: Ansiktsmask/Peel, and Saltvattentvalen No:1

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When it comes to skincare, sometimes simplicity is key, and at The Amazing Blog  we love it when natural products offer multiple benefits and uses. Today, we’re introducing two more versatile and handy products from one of our favourite Nordic natural skincare discoveries Grevinnans Rum, who we recently wrote about here. See below with their Ansiktsmask/Peel  and the Saltvattentvalen No:1.

As regular readers will remember, Grevinnans Rum is a family-owned organic skincare brand founded in Gränna, Sweden, by Karen Egertz. With a background in the skincare business and a degree in marketing, she decided to open a skincare shop where she would sell unique, organic skincare. However, she quickly realised that the products she hoped to stock did not exist, and with the help of her family, she closed her physical shop to focus on producing her own organic and vegan skincare products. With the motto “Only the best is enough,” Grevinnans Rum pride themselves on the quality of their products, carefully selecting their ingredients. Karin and her team manufacture everything by hand in their small skincare factory, from organic raw materials and natural raw materials such as water and salt.  Their attention to detail results in skincare that is natural, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, and suitable for all skin types. It’s no wonder that Grevinnans Rum won two Nordic Natural Beauty Awards in 2020 from and were nominees at STHLM Beauty Week Awards 2021.

As a two-in-one, this Ansiktsmask/Peel face mask and peel is a brilliant multitasker that works as both a deep cleanser and moisturiser. Suitable for all skin types, It contains many natural active ingredients. The first of these are two types of clay: Moroccan lava clay and white kaolin, these work together to cleanse the skin, dissolve blackheads, and control sebum production. It also contains oat silk, a protein-rich oat flour extract that improves skin texture and leaves skin feeling smooth. In addition, the Ansiktsmask/Peel includes moisturising ingredients such as jojoba oil and frankincense, the oldest essential oil still in use that was said to have healing properties by Queen Cleopatra herself. When applying the Ansiktsmask/Peel onto your face and neck, leave it on for about three to ten minutes, depending on how much time you have. We followed Grevinnans Rum’s recommendation and used this mask twice a week and found that it helped cleanse the skin by drawing out the impurities, and when rinsed off, it left our complexions feeling hydrated and soft. Another big plus, is that they say with regular use it helps reduce any pigmentation spots or sun damage. The 100ml jar of Ansiktsmask/Peel can be purchased here for 499 KR (£41.53).

Next, we tried Saltvattentvalen No:1 (AKA the Saltwater Soap No:1), this is a handmade and organic saltwater soap that can be used as a hand and body soap, and is also gentle enough to be used on the face. It contains saponified coconut oil, natural glycerin, Dead Sea salt, peppermint and citrus (litsea cubeba). Using a saltwater soap was a first for us; it means that it contains potassium salts rather than sodium salts, making it gentle, not abrasive. Interestingly, the brand suggests using it also when bathing in the sea or freshwater lakes to get most out of the soap, and to feel more at one with nature. Saltwater soaps provide many benefits to your skin: They moisturise without leaving a greasy feel, exfoliate dead skin cells, draw out skin impurities and fight acne, and absorb excess oil. The use of saltwater in soap also increases circulation; the principle of using saltwater has been around since the Ancient Greeks and Romans who used saltwater-based baths and products to help them reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Packaged in a branded paper surround and carried by a loop of handmade rope strung through the middle, the packaging for the Saltvattentvalen No:1 is very eco-friendly and recyclable. As mentioned above, you can use the soap in all types of water, and if you find yourself using the soap in cold water, they suggest that it be heated in the hands, rather than in the water, to help produce extra foam. We found it to be an excellent multitasker – cleansing, exfoliating and very gentle. We only used it in the shower and bath and are still super-curious to try it in the sea! We loved how easy it was to use, and how it made our skin feel clean and soft, leaving a subtle zesty scent which was a welcome bonus! Out of the two products this was our favourite and one we’d rate as another our #amazingfinds. We’ve fallen in love this brand, and can’t wait for Grevinnans Rum to be stocked in the UK. To purchase this 250g Saltvattentvalen No:1, see herefor 159  KR (£13.23).

MINT: 3in1 Shampoo Bar Trio

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At The Amazing Blog, something we’re always search for is multitasking products; today we have a trio of 3in1 Shampoo Bars from MINT  which offer a more sustainable way of living and a good starting point, for those looking to find environmentally friendly personal products. 

MINT is a wellbeing, beauty and grooming brand founded by Dee Momi. Before starting MINT, Dee had a successful career as a chef, until she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30. During the treatment, she found herself feeling repelled by the smell of hot food, and so she started eating more cold or raw foods and drinking lots of plant-based juices. During this time, she also lost her taste and wasn’t able even able to taste her own cooking. However, she managed to make herself feel useful by preparing much appreciated smoothies for herself and her fellow chefs. This is where it all started for MINT. A combination of my own story and striving for better health sparked the idea for me to launch my own powders and supplements with the range being plant-based, made locally in the UK and clearly labelled with dietaries/ingredients were the top priorities.” Today, MINT offers a selection of food supplements, plant protein powders and 3in1 Shampoo Bars. All the products are vegan and 100% plant-based, they also contain no artificial sweeteners, colours or flavourings. The powders and the food supplements are also GMO and chemical-free. All packaging is recyclable and their ethos is focused on being high-quality with natural and non-harmful ingredients, which are good for the body as well as the planet. 

We tried the 3in1 Shampoo Bar Trio set, which are three different cleansing bars. Each is a multipurpose cleansing bar that can be used on hair, face and body. They are all vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, palm-oil-free, SLS/SLES free and plastic-free. Plus, these bars can last up to five times longer compared to regular shampoo or shower gel. The three main ingredients used in each bar are shea butter, almond and jojoba oil. Shea butter is a good moisturiser, and with its high level of fatty acids, it regulates skin sebum. It contains vitamins A and E for strong antioxidant action on both skin and hair. Almond and jojoba oil combined, are also powerful moisturisers, efficient emollients, which balance the absorption of moisture, stimulate collagen and are enriched with vitamin E. We found all three of these cleansing bars highly nourishing, they kept our skin hydrated and helped to reduce any scalp irritation or dryness.  

The Sea Minerals bar is for all hair and skin types. The added ingredient here is Dead Sea salt which contains several minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur. These exfoliate the dead skin cells to leave skin smooth, hydrated and purified. It also has the added benefit for hair by preventing hair loss and dandruff - this is excellent for the scalp and hair in particular. The Coconut + Argan  is recommended for dry skin, damaged or coloured hair.  This contains coconut oil with the previously mentioned benefits and Argan oil. The Argan oil here has moisturising, nourishing, cleansing and conditioning, properties with vitamin A and E, antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid.  This was our favourite of the trio – we found it gentle and efficient for removing makeup, and left our skin feeling super-hydrated too. When used as a shampoo it cleansed the hair leaving us with little or no need for a conditioner. The Tea Tree + Lime + Mint  is more for oily or combination skin and greasy hair. The Tea Tree leaf oil, is known for its cleansing and antiseptic properties, helps to eliminate dandruff. This oil is good for oily skin, and of course, thanks to the terpenes, it deeply cleanses. Lime oil is also present here and thanks to the limonene it contains, the antioxidant effect boosts skin health to make it look brighter. This lime oil also helps to fight against dandruff, and adds a glossy sheen to the hair. The spearmint leaf oil, provides a fresh scent to this cleansing bar and is also a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal. It also stops scalp dryness boosting blood circulation for healthier hair. With #lockdown nearly at an end (we hope!), these multipurpose 3in1 Shampoo Bars will fast become your new best friends as you throw them into your rucksack, and take-off this summer for your staycation adventure . You can purchase the 3 in 1 Shampoo bar trio for £22.00 here. 

MINT have kindly given you, our readers, 50% off! Please use the promo codIAMAMAZING (valid from 1 May until 31 July 2021 at 23:59). Where you can buy one and get one free on each of the three 3-in-1 Shampoo Bars (NB this does not apply to The Trio package). You can use the code multiple times until 31 July. Finally, all orders are dispatched on the same working day when completed before 3 pm.

Spruce: Multi-Purpose Starter Kit

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The world of cleaning products is at last changing, and thankfully there is now a choice of natural cleaners with plant-based ingredients to make our homes sparkle.  For too long, products with harsh chemicals, leaving toxic residue on our counters, floors and even on our hands, has dominated. Although these natural products aren’t cheap, at The Amazing Blog we think that when it comes to buying safe, eco-friendly and non-toxic household cleaning items, these are a wise investment. Today we take a look at a Multi-Purpose Start Kit from Spruce.

Spruce, is a British cleaning brand recently founded by Mahira Kalim. They have launched with two products made from non-toxic ingredients and without any single-use plastics. After suffering from health issues, possibly due of the toxins in household products, Mahira realised that the market was filled with cleaning products that use single-use plastic bottles with 90% water, toxic chemicals, artificial dyes and fragrances. So, she decided to create a brand that offered safe, natural, and eco-friendly choices for consumers; “without compromising on convenience, effectiveness or aesthetics”. Having launched Spruce in the midst of the pandemic, Mahira has “put people and the planet over profit”. Therefore, she has developed her products to be entirely cruelty-free, vegan, and safe for pregnant women, children, and pets. Their product packaging, including the reusable aluminium bottles and the refill sachets, are all plastic-free, recyclable, FSC-certified, and printed with biodegradable ink.  Sustainability is at the heart of the brand. With the one-time buy of the aluminium bottle, it’s the world's most recycled material with 80% of the aluminium in use today which is recycled.  Their lightweight refill sachets have a concentrated powder and only weighs 4 grams, which is 140 times less than a typical cleaning bottle that weighs 560 grams, plus these are completely biodegradable!  Refills fit through a letterbox and get delivered with a significantly low carbon footprint. They also offer a flexible subscription which can be changed or cancel anytime.

The Multi-Purpose Starter Kit  is one of Spruce’s best-seller. The brand has already gained consumer recognition having been shortlisted by Dezeen Awards for their Sustainable Design and an Eco Lifestyle Winner at 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards. We initially found Spruce at its inception on Instagram and have been itching to try their cleaners ever since. The Kit comes with a lightweight aluminium Spruce bottle and a plastic-free Multi-Purpose cleaner refill sachet. The refill sachet is made of plant-based or food-grade powder ingredients highly rated for their environmental and human safety on Environmental Working Group (EWG) and by the  European Chemical Agency (ECHA). The plant-based ingredients include sodium coco-sulfate (a surfactant derived from coconut) and alkyl polyglycosides (sugars). Whereas the food-grade ingredients include citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and sodium bicarbonate. Plus, there are locally sourced essential oils which contain antimicrobial properties. They are quick to point out that their surfactants work differently from toxic antibacterial agents (pesticides) that kill the bacteria. Also, a point to remember is that antibacterials are effective against bacteria, not viruses. Anyway, we couldn’t find any nasties here! We found it is gentle on the nose, where it left only the slightest residue of a mild spa-like geranium fragrance. Happily it also made swift work of removing lingering food stains and greasy marks from kitchen and bathroom worktops. To turn this Kit into a cleaning solution, you simply add the refill sachet into the bottle and fill it slowly with tap water- easy! This Multi-Purpose Kit has won us over as being not only good for the planet, but also great for our pocket; it lasted over a month, with regular use, which for us makes economic sense when this one product can replace at least three of our current others. You can purchase the multi-purpose starter kit here for £12.00 and refills at £9.99 each.

Organic Works: Bergamot Hand Wash

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Washing your hands is the best way to kill germs and prevent infectious diseases from spreading. Especially during this pandemic, we find ourselves in a constant cycle of washing our hands just to avoid getting sick, and then applying hand cream when the hard London water dries them out. We’ve been looking for the a natural and moisturising hand wash to use at The Amazing Blog  to keep our hands clean, healthy and soft. This is when we found heard about an award-winning Bergamot Hand Wash from Organic Works

Initially known as Organic SurgeOrganic Works decided to rebrand itself as Organic Works after a fire started at a neighbouring warehouse in the winter of 2019, which destroyed all of its products and stock. Organic Works have more than 50 years experience in the world of natural, organic and clean beauty; making them trailblazer with their much-loved formulas and philosophy: ‘Organics that truly Work’. This family-run business manufactures focusing on fresh and natural ingredients with no preservatives. Everything is made in small batches, which means that rather than mass production, the products are handcrafted and made in small amounts to ensure the best quality. As a privately owned, vegan, cruelty-free, organic brand, it also values transparency and sustainability. Its products use not only sustainably sourced and traceable ingredients, but also have minimal and recyclable packaging. All of which we applaud.

Because of its clean yet effective formula, Organic Works Bergamot Hand Wash  won the Best New Natural Product in the Pure Beauty Awards London 2020. It is 100% cruelty-free and great for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin. As a clean beauty product, 98.89% of its total ingredients come from natural sources, and 96.34% of the total plant-based ingredients are from organic farming. It’s formulated with aloe extract and several coconut-derived cleansing agents, which gently wash away impurities and keeps our skin silky smooth. Enriched with sweet orange and bergamot oils, it has a distinctive soft citrus fragrance combining the tropical orange and bergamot scent. Plus, the essential oils contained in the formula provide long-lasting protection against bacteria and dryness, and the therapeutic properties here can boost mood and awaken the senses. Best of all it leaves hands fragrant and soft – we can’t wait to try more from this brand. To purchase the 300ml Organic Works Bergamot Hand Wash at £10 for 300ml, see here. And when you’ve reached the end of the bottle, they offer a BIG 1000ml refill for this too at £27!