Skin Care

Skimono - Beauty Masks

Living in the world of fast-paced London, it sometimes makes it difficult to remember to slow down and devote some ‘me’ time. Then we heard about Skimono, who have launched a range of beauty masks targeted at helping those who have big-city living. We first discovered them as Winner’s in 2018 The Beauty Shortlist Awards, and we’ve been itching to try their masks ever since. At The Amazing Blog, we think that Skimono offers the perfect solution to slow down, take stock and relax with their bumper selection of revitalising sheet masks.

Although beauty masks first originated in Asia, Skimono has developed these on with their innovative technology and modern approach. With application of a Skimono Beauty Mask, the 3D bio-cellulose matrix sheet delivers serums into your skin, restoring it in the process. Skimono describes itself as not only a brand but a lifestyle, helping to achieve: “Your time, devoted to you and to be relished…” What we particularly like about these masks is that they help to combat our dreaded city air pollution and drying effects from summer air conditioning. These masks not only target the face, but also the hands and feet too.

We all tried four masks from the Skimono range, each has their special 3D bio-cellulose matrix sheet which works on specific skin issues. Out of the three, the one that came out top for us was the Advanced Moisturisation+ . We loved the ingredients with rose flower extract and hyaluronic acid - wonderful for plumping up the skin and giving a dewy after effect. The Anti-Ageing+ mask targets wrinkles and dullness with the collagen, extracts of oat and grape seed all helping to rejuvenate tired looking complexions.

If you are suffering from dry or scaly feet, particularly if you expose feet to the summer elements. We recommend trying the Total Conditioning+ feet mask, this contains shea butter, olive oil, tea tree and chamomile. It works almost instantaneously to perfect hard skin and cracked heels. For dry hands, the Intense Nourishment+ mask delivers a serum infused with shea butter, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid restoring softness and brightening skin tone. Both these products are ideal to use as prep for a home mani pedi.

Skimono recommends that their masks be used as part of a weekly restorative treatment for face, hands and feet to battle the nasties that we face from all our environmental stress. The face masks are priced at £15 each, the hand at feet mask at £10 each. You can buy each of the Beauty Masks separately here. Or as a collection with their Induglence Masks 7x Multipack at £50, which will certainly have you covered!

Pevonia - Radiance Mask Gift Set

As regular reader of The Amazing Blog, will know we prefer brands that can offer us natural ingredients and yet can deliver spa-quality results. That’s why we’ve been long standing fans of UK-based beauty brand Pevonia. Having reviewed a few of their products the past few years (check out our review about their EyeRenew Conceal & De-Age Treatment here). Pevonia’s newest release of their collection of Ravishing Radiance Masks did not disappoint, and left us feeling pampered with their three ultra-smooth masks.

Since its founding 1991, Pevonia has used completely natural and organic ingredients made from the ‘purest holistic botanical and marine elements’ in its products. All Pevonia products are free from any mineral oils, lanolin, PABA, animal testing and fragrances and alcohols that won’t dry out your skin. The range of three skincare masks each target different target problems and skin types but leaves your skin feeling just as radiant and glow-y. With the added bonus is that all three masks have aromatherapy benefits .

There was something for everyone in the office – One of us has combination, oily skin so the Bright Skin Green Apple Mask worked best with her skin. In addition to the polysaccharides, sodium lactate and sodium PCA found in green apple, the mask’s brightening and hydrating efforts are heightened with the addition of Red Clover extract which balances and evens-out the skin. For people with more acne-prone skin, Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal mask, made with ‘the finest micronized Charcoal,’ clarifies and detoxifies skin to improve the complexion. The added Shea Butter and Grapefruit extract also gives an added brightening and moisturising boost to oily, clogged skin. The last mask of the range, the Ageless Skin Collagen Mask, contains collagen polypeptides, Orange peel extract and green tea antioxidants that help plump and reduce lines and wrinkles.

For best results, apply a small amount of your mask of choice to cleansed and moisturised skin. After 15 minutes, remove with water and continue with the rest of your skincare routine. If you’re ready to start seeing visible results, purchase one of Pevonia’s 1.7 oz. radiance masks here for the Bright Skin Green Apple Mask (£40), here for the Pure Skin Charcoal Mask (£36) and here for the Ageless Skin Collagen Mask (£40). We think these trio of masks are perfect for a pampering girls night in!

Ultra Luxe Moisturizing Sunscreen - BB Lifestyle

At The Amazing Blog, we’re always on the search to find a great sunscreen that (1) doesn’t make us look like pale and zinc-y and (2) protects as well as moisturises our skin. We’re happy to report in that BB Lifestyle’s Ultra-Luxe Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 is everything we want and more…

Based in California, BB Lifestyle is a luxury unisex skincare brand that aims to educate people in the way that they view skincare offering a more holistic approach. Bill Bakho the founder, makes sure that his brand is all natural, with no-filler and that it is a ‘multi-tasking, easy-to-wear sun screen that is inspired by nature.’ He also claims that in their natural skincare range they deliver dermatological-grade results. After using the Ultra-Luxe Moisturizing Sunscreen first hand, we agree that its non-greasy, weightless formula left us feeling both protected and pampered. Besides being SPF 30+, their signature, luxury sunscreen is made with seaweed, orchid and algae extracts as well as their patented HC56Complex, which is a hemp oil that provides anti-oxidant benefits to your skin. The sunscreen also has anti-ageing benefits with added UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum to help prevent skin damage. Another added plus for those of us with sensitive skin is that the full BB Lifestyle range are also vegan including the Utra-Luxe Moisturizing Sunscreen.

Application of the Ultra-Luxe Moisturizing Sunscreen is like any sun cream. A small amount applied 15 minutes before you are out in the sun and re-apply every two hours. This will leave your skin feeling protected yet glowing. We used it also as a primer under makeup, which worked a treat! To try living the #BBLifestyle you too can purchase their 100 ml tube of signature sunscreen for £49 on their website here.

Nunaïa's Nourishing Radiance Serum

Spring has sprung, and the year seems to be flying by! This provoked a question in the office, how often do we take the time to switch off completely? It seems we do so very infrequently at The Amazing Blog, a revelation that has pushed us to think more consciously about including wellbeing rituals into our daily routines. When Nunaïa introduced their brand to us, we quickly realised it was the perfect way to do so with our skincare. Sharing our concerns for living in the fast lane, founder Nicola Connolly has created a brand focused on ritual, wellbeing and health – so you can imagine that we were eager to try their philosophy for ourselves. Not only that, but this seedling company are truly a great discovery, as they were recently awarded ‘winners’ in the category of The Best Facial Oil for Dry Skin in the prestigious 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Nicola believes that there are means and ways of bringing greater meaning and balance. Through travels to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes Mountains of Peru, she discovered a unique and balanced way of life; one in which nature, wisdom of the land and oneself could live harmoniously. More simply, she realised that her work/life balance was somewhat out of sync, driving her goal to create a skincare brand that would bring intention and meaning into people’s lives (and glowing skin as a result of this). This is where Nunaïa was born – providing raw, living and superfood products from ‘Soil to Skin’.

We couldn’t wait to try their star product: Nourishing Radiance Serum; a vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested serum, containing top-notch ingredients. These include sacha inchi, maracuja, chia and avocado – rich in essential plant actives and sourced uniquely from both the Peruvian Rainforest and Andes Mountains. We particularly love the texture of this oil; it has a perfect juxtaposition of a rich oil with a non-greasy finish, helping to soothe redness and inflammation simultaneously. Thanks to the use of vitamins A, B, C and E, our skin felt smoother and nourished after use, and if that’s not enough, the concoction of ingredients also protects against pollution, and both UV and blue lights. The packaging is also eye-catching, the serum itself is in a delicate glass bottle, encased in a mint green box. Nicole has thought of everything!

To use this oil, we recommend using every night after cleansing. If you have dry skin (or are taking the time to pamper yourself one weekend morning) then it is also a treat for a dehydrated complexion. You can purchase Nunaïa's bottle of goodness for 79 Euros Here. Enjoy!

Body, Face & Foot Balms by Okko

It is no secret that here at The Amazing Blog we value good skin care products above all else after all beauty trends come and go, but our skin is here for life, so it’s imperative that if we always want to look our best that we take care of it. As such we are always searching for new and exciting products that to help care for our skin and manage any conditions it may have. So we were thrilled when Okko Skin Care sent us some samples of their 100% natural and environment-friendly balms

Okko’s balms are deeply moisturising sticks containing organic rosehip oil, organic jojoba oil, aloe butter and organic chia seed oil just to name a few.  Okko produces two distinct body balms, two unique face balms, and one original foot balm. The body balms are suitable for all skin types, and both left our skin feeling nourished and moisturised. We particularly loved the Organic Borage and Rosehip Body Balm Stick, as the borage oil helps to enhance skin’s elasticity. The two face balms were light and gentle. The Organic Chia Seed and Rosehip Balm was great on dry skin, as chia seed and rosehip are deeply nourishing. The clary sage and rose geranium, in the Organic Clary Sage and Rose Geranium Balm, left our skin feeling velvety soft. 

We think that the Organic calendula and Eucalyptus Foot Balm is a must have this summer. As we approach summer so do we approach sandal season. The foot balm is an excellent way to calm and smooth feet. The organic calendula oil aids to smooth skin and helps with tissue regeneration, therefore healing and smoothing rough or broken skin on feet. Using has removed any fears we may have had about getting our feet out this summer!

You can purchase all of the Okko products on their website here, and prices range from £18.00 - £22.00. However, if you want to test them out first before buying full-size balm you can! Okko have Try me versions of all their products for £2.50