The London Original Print Fair - Friday Favourite

We, here at The Amazing Blog, are always on the hunt for fabulous, unique and special events around the capital for you to enjoy and this week is no different. For four days only (!) The Royal Academy of Arts is hosting the London Original Print Fair, London’s longest-running art fair. It is full of beautiful, whimsical and thought-provoking prints that you won’t be able to tear your eyes away.

This fair offers a remarkable opportunity to experience and appreciate works from every period of printmaking. From the earliest woodcuts of Dürer to the silk screens of modern contemporaries, this fair gives insight into the evolution and changing fashions of the print world. Allowing, the seasoned enthusiast, curious viewer or budding collector to all share an experience and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of this artistic method.

The exhibition is an eclectic mix of styles and artists, as renowned pieces are placed alongside new names. The variety in this print fair is breath-taking and if you don’t believe us or want to have a sneak peek then just check out their exhibitors. What's more, if you love fall in love with one of the prints, then you may even be able to purchase it for yourself! So whether you want to add to your art collection, are thinking of starting one or just want to go for a look, you will love this exhibition. With it closing on Sunday you can purchase tickets here! They are free for Friends of the RA, £12 for adults and free for under 16s!

Rosehip Oil, Rosehip Oil with Vitamin C and cellular radiance serum - [A'kin]

The idea of 'pure' ingredients may not seem like something you’ve thought about, or if you have, it might sound like a fanciful dream, but we here at The Amazing Blog have found the reality. [A’kin] is a brand which defines itself by its dedication to “the power of purity.” Their products undertake a unique process to ensure that their ingredients are: properly researched for their health and beauty benefits, extracted in their purest and most beneficial form, and selected and tested for synergy and skin compatibility. As such we had high hopes and expectations for the two oils and one serum we tried.

Both of the [A’kin] Oils we tried used Rosehip as the basis of the products, but both achieved different results. Rosehip is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids which help to give skin a youthful and healthy glow. Rosehip is also full of Omega 3, 6, and 9 which help to restore moisture as well as nurturing and rejuvenating the appearance of skin. The first Rosehip based oil we tried was the Brightening Rosehip Oil with Vitamin C, and we can honestly say it did everything it said and more! Our skin felt brighter and clearer, as the Vitamin C in the oil acts as a powerful reviving antioxidant helping to neutralise free radicals, clear up the skin, all the while keeping it hydrated and fed! While the Brightening Rosehip Oil with vitamin C is suitable for all skin, the Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil is better suited for dry and or sensitive skin types. This oil left our skin feeling smooth and deeply hydrated. The oil is enriched with pure active botanicals and contains only two ingredients: rosa canina seed (rosehip) extract and rosemary leaf extract. [A'kin] Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil has a concentration of Omega essential fatty acids that is no less than 80%!! This award winning Rosehip oil helps to restore moisture and helps reduce the visible signs of aging. The result is vibrant, glowing and healthy radiant looking skin.

The [A’kin] Revitalising Cellular Radiance Serum was a fantastic anti-aging serum that completely rejuvenated our skin, restoring youthfulness. The powerful serum combines 6 organic and certified extracts: pomegranate amaranth, seabuckthorn, rosehip, calendula, and chamomile. All of which help to moisturise skin, while firming it up. It’s no wonder, therefore, that in a recent study on 32 women aged 50 and over, the serum was shown to improve skin texture by 84%, skin radiance by 69% and reduce wrinkles by 22% over a three month period. What more could you want from an all natural anti-aging serum!

You can purchase [A'kin]'s revitalising cellular radiance serum here for £26.00 their brightening rosehip oil with vitamin C here for £24.00 and their pure radiance rosehip oil here for £18.00

nügg Intense Lip Boosting Mask

With summer firmly in sight, there are no more excuses for weather-induced chapped lips.  Here at The Amazing Blog, we've got the solution for those of you that suffer all year round from dry or flaky lips. Say hello to nügg with their stylish little pot of Intensive Lip Boosting Mask.

The Intensive Lip Boosting Mask is contained in an elegant golden spherical orb and accompanied with a reusable white linen beauty cloth. What we particularly like about this product, is that the lip mask is vegan, 100% natural and made with Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Licorice Root Complex. The product worked well as an intensive lip mask, helping to hydrate, soften and condition our lips, it also has a fresh minty flavour. We think this makes the perfect revitalising beauty product to take on holiday.  Our Exec Editor took this lip mask on a long haul trip and has hailed it as her new travel must-have.  After her long flight, she applied it for twenty minutes, before gently removing with the reusable linen beauty cloth. She was delighted with how quickly the mask took effect, rejuvenating and restoring the moisture waving goodbye to her dehydrated lips. The effect is long-lasting and this lip mask is surprisingly economical as a little goes a long way.  You can purchase this stylish 7g pot of nügg's Intensive Lip Boosting Mask here for £10.00.

Moist & Clean Foam, Organic Algae Detox Body Mask, and Anti-Eye Bags Gel - GMT

At The Amazing Blog, we know that as we power through our busy and hectic lifestyles time is not always on our side. So any product that combines noticeable effects and garners quick results is more than ok with us. It’s precisely because of these reasons that we love GMT and their Natura Collection. Having tried GMT Beauty before we know that the company is of a professional grade quality with each product being dermatologically tested and containing carefully chosen ingredients. We were lucky enough to be sent a bundle of the products in the collection including the Moist and Clean Foam, the Organic Algae Detox Body Mask the Anti Eye-Bags Gel, and the Triple Action Body Scrub. Made with natural ingredients, each product worked quickly and efficiently.

GMT’s Moist and Clean Foam acts as both a cleanser and moisturizer while maintaining skin health. It removed makeup effectively and left our skin feeling fresh and looking radiant. With a refreshing and citrus scent, this foam was the perfect way to start our day. The product is filled with delightful and natural goodies such as soapbark tree extract, lactic acid, grapefruit oil, hydrolysed wheat protein powder and lemon grass. The carefully selected formula helps to prevent skin from drying out and losing its naturally soft texture. To use, apply to dry skin twice a day, in the morning and evening before rinsing off with warm water.

We began to see and feel the effects of GMT’s Anti Eye-Bags Gel almost immediately. Any darkness and puffiness around our eyes were reduced, and the elasticity of our skin seemed noticeably firmer. This product is full of wonderful natural ingredients that will leave your skin looking brighter and more even. It consists of Lemon grass oil, grapefruit oil, olive oil extract, green tea extract, ginkgo biloba extract, lemon peel and  Ivy peel extract. Our skin looked more youthful than it did before, and this product has fast become a firm favourite of ours as it is so convenient to use. Just massage a small amount under the eyes until absorbed.

The Organic Algae Detox Mask provides cleansing, lipolytic and powerful draining effects. By combining algae, marine salt, and green tea, this brilliant mask can successfully remove cellulite. The ingredients guarantee a detoxification effect that stimulates metabolic processes helping to remove excess fluid while inducing the metabolism of fat.

Last, but by no means least, is the Triple Action Body Scrub. Due to its natural ingredients and perfectly balanced pH, this scrub is able to cleanse, moisturise and boost skin's vibrancy, vigour and health. Apply twice a week on either dry or damp skin or massage in for 2-3 minutes before washing off.

Each product is paraben free, mineral oil free, propylene glycol free, silicone free and are naturally scented; so you know what you’re putting on your skin is safe and natural. If you want to purchase any of these products they are available on the GMTBeauty Website. Unfortunately, the prices are all listed in Euros as the company is based in Latvia, but all products can be purchased through PayPal. The, the foam is available here for about £31.00 and the eye gel available here for around £31.00. The Body Mask can be purchased here for roughly £43.00 and the Triple Action Body Scrub here for £31.00.

Heavenly Hair - Friday Favourites

Luscious, shiny, soft, manageable and enviable locks will always be one of our deepest desires here at The Amazing Blog. A good hair day is enough to change our whole outlook on life and a bad hair day leaves us feeling insecure and helpless to the cruel ways of the universe. We know that beauty comes from within but having light, flowy and beautiful hair is an instant confidence booster and something we always strive for! It’s a simple desire really, all we have ever wanted is to have hair so glorious Samson would weep, but achieving this goal is a momentous task that has had us in tears many many times before. Given all this, it is probably unsurprising to read that we have been on a lifelong quest to find the best hair care products out there, as such we have become experts on the subject, and it is time for us to pass this knowledge on to you our lovely readers!

The key to having soft, calm and silky hair is conditioner and after products. So it only seemed fitting to begin this post by telling you about Phil Smith and two of his Be Gorgeous products; SOS rescue Damage Protection Conditioner and Total Treat Argan Oil Cream. Phil Smith creates salon quality products by using the very best natural ingredients to ensure that hair looks and feels amazing. 

The SOS Rescue Damage Protection Conditioner is perfect for those of you who apply heat to your hair. The Intensive conditioner gives a much-needed boost of hydration to heat stressed hair. The Moroccan Argan Oil helps to protect hair and help it look shinier and feel softer. We cannot recommend this enough for those of you who religiously straighten, curl or blow dry your hair on a high heat. By protecting your hair before applying heat, you are helping it to remain healthy. SOS Damage Protection Conditioner will help it grow longer and thicker, and well as protect it from appearing dead or lack-lustre. A tube of 250 ml all for a modestly priced £2.50.

If this advice comes a little too late, however, and you have already dried your hair so much you are beyond help we present to you, Phil Smith. This is when Phil Smith’s Total Treat Argan Oil Cream comes into play. This oil-in-cream treatment will miraculously transform the texture of your hair. It helps lock in moisture to heal dry, damaged hair and restore smoothness. The combination of oil and cream gives this a luxurious texture, and you can almost see your hair drink up its goodness all for a reasonable £2.50 for 100ml tube.

If these products seem right for you, then you can purchase here at Sainburys online.

For those of you with ageing hair, that may be getting thinner or growing duller; we have the perfect product for you! It is a US brand called Living Proof, and the Timeless Shampoo and Conditioner will help restore your hair to it’s natural, ageless and perfect self. The blend of amino acids, weightless emollients, a UV filter and proprietary technology, is what helps to transform your hair, so it stays visibly health at any age. Our Executive Ed is particularly fond of this brand. This winning duo is sulphate free, silicone free and colour safe, which is always a bonus! 

With Living Proof in your bathroom, you won’t have to worry about tell-tale dull hair or fading colour. Instead, you will be able to walk out in pride as people marvel at your vibrant hair and your timeless beauty. Timeless Shampoo and Conditioner are both £24 each and are available in the UK from here.

I am sure you will agree with me when we write that frizzy hair can be the bane of life and all existence. Whether you have naturally frizzy hair or leave in fear of any moisture in the air, 72 Repair Oil is the perfect one stop fix. 

Their rich oil had been formulated to eliminate frizz and moisturise all hair types! Aside from the fact that it works, what we love about this product is that unlike other hair oils that claim to do the same, it won’t leave your hair with a greasy residue. Because they understand that greasy hair is not necessarily favourable to frizzy hair! The product is specially formulated to revitalise and soften your hair. This easily absorbable formula will leave frizzy and angry looking hair frizz fee, shiny and radiant. 
72 Repair Oil can be purchased here for £14.99

Last but not least is [A’kin] and their Dry Shampoo. While we may strive for beautiful hair, sometimes it is easier to hit snooze than get out of bed and wash your hair before work. For mornings like that, you will be thankful to have [A’kin] by your side. The dry shampoo creates instantly fresher and fuller hair, without leaving residue build up like other dry shampoos. 

With a unique combination of natural bamboo and rice powder, the spray works equally well as a handy way to extend your hairstyle as well as a quick fix for dirty hair. The product adds volume and texture without leaving the tell-tale white residue. It is also enriched with argan oil to help smoothness and shine plus millet seed extract to help aid the scalp. 

You can purchase this multi-purpose dry shampoo here for 150ml £12.00.

So whether your hair is telling the world your age, won’t do what it’s told, or is frazzled beyond belief, we hope we've given you a little insight and inspiration. We also hope that you too will find a product in this feature that makes your hair so beautiful that even Rapunzel would be put to shame.  On that note, wishing you all a Happy Bank Holiday weekend from us.