Andalou Naturals – Men’s Invigoriating Body Wash, Grooming Style Balm & Herbal Deodorant

Stem Cells are grabbing our attention today - fear not, we will delicately avoid beginning a debate on ethics, but rather, let us focus on the benefits which can be had from the science employed in the extraction of the exotically named phytocannabinoids from the mature stalk of the hemp plant, fortifying us with a veritable armoury of goodies to counteract free radicals, oxidative damage and pollution. Yes, we at The Amazing Blog are talking totally natural skincare here - a revolutionary, patented liposomal technology which promotes and protects the vitality and longevity of skin stem cells, and thereby giving us enhanced skin health. All this comes to us from the incredibly popular Californian brand of Andalou Naturals whose range is as expansive as it is diverse.

Started by Stacey Kelly Egide and Mark Egide, who have a long track record of success building brands in the natural space. For over 30 years these visionary partners have been creating category-defining brands like Beauty Without Cruelty, Avalon Organics, Alba Botanica, Alba Hawaiian, Sonoma Soap Company, Un-petroleum, and The San Francisco Soap Company.  Andalou Naturals, the first non-GMO project verified beauty brand and has a comprehensive product portfolio and distribution network in North America, Europe, and Asia. Founder Stacey said “for Andalou Naturals, my goal was the create an empowerment brand with a mission to influence the industry to do better”

Of course, the full range offers up lots of benefits from all sorts of sources - the apple, grape, rose, and the organ tree kernel, all contribute their nutritious elements for our skin’s wellbeing, but for today we are highlighting three of the best in Andalou’s men’s grooming range, starting with the minty refreshing Men invigorating Body Wash  which comes in a bumper 25ml tube, giving us the 3-in1 action, for hair, body and face. It can be bought here for £10.79. This one gives great value for money, and has been formulated with cannacell antioxidants and organic hemp seed oil. There is also aloe vera in the mix to soothe, and bioavailable vegan ingredients, keeping the natural credentials high, making this suitable for all skin types.

The cannacell antioxidants are also to be found in the Men Herbal Deodorant in Mountain Sage, along with the essential hemp seed oil and vegan probiotics, which is again it’s very gentle on the skin, neutralising any odour in a mild but effective way. Sizewise, we have a stick of 75g  here for £8.55

Interestingly, Andalou gives us another 3-in-1 option when it comes to their Men Grooming Style Balm which can be used to shape and condition our hair, scalp and beard. Clearly giving a nod to the avoidance of too many bottles of potions in our grasp, here we have an easily absorbed application to create and finish off the well-groomed look we are asking for. Priced at £10.79 here for a tube of 125ml. What makes this, the deodorant and the body wash all very appealing is that they are 98% nature-derived, non-GMO project verified, and vegetarian with a large vegan offering, Plus, they're gluten-free and cruelty-free. And we love that these are quality grooming products are accessibly priced for our wallets!

True Skincare - Rosehip and Rosemary Facial Oil

In a society driven by Instagram likes and online presences, transparency is becoming a rarity. The Amazing Blog admires the mission of True Skincare, to create a line of products that are inclusive to all. Founded on the moral principles of being honest and genuine, True Skincare fights industry exclusion with ethical, effective and purse friendly products.

With the use of 100% natural and ethically sourced ingredients, and the avoidance of chemicals, artificial fragrances and parabens, it is no surprise that True Skincare is also certified by the Soil Association. Founder, Emma Thornton wanted to focus on creating truly natural and organic products, extending from the ingredients sourced, to the use of cruelty-free, vegan and recycled packaging. True Skincare strives to be accessible to all women, something Emma recognised as lacking in the premium beauty sector. She values the need to steer away from clever marketing techniques that mask deceptive messaging, instead, provides a range of products that are ethical and affordable, without compromising on quality. That is certainly a philosophy we admire.

We tried the Organic Rehydrating Facial Oil, which, thanks to the scent of rosehip and rosemary, suitably woke us up each morning. This botanical oil contains sesame, sunflower and apricot kernel, carrier oils which are perfect for dehydrated skin. Additionally, the use of rosehip captures moisture and reduces the appearance of scars, dark spots and fine lines, while rosemary is both an antioxidant and antiseptic. Together, these ingredients remove impurities and maintain clear skin, something I am thankful for, as the weather continues to wreak havoc with my skin. The oil is light, and a little goes a long way. Although designed for dehydrated skin, members of The Amazing Blog team with oilier skin found this oil equally nourishing at nighttime. For maximum results, use this oil both morning and evening - simply massage 2-3 drops in upward and circular motions across the face (we also applied it to our necks). In line with Emma’s desire for inclusivity, this oil is reasonably priced at £13.50. To try a 30ml bottle for yourself, click here.

EliRose Skincare - Nourishing Organic Serum

As regular readers will know, we at The Amazing Blog team are particularly careful about the skincare products that we use, always erring on the side caution. Very happily, we recently discovered a new skincare launch:  EliRose Skincare, a luxurious British brand that is certified organic, vegan, and cruelty-free. Their niche area is to cater to those who suffer from excessively dry skin, eczema, and acne. The Canadian founder Claudia Bussieres wanted to find an 100% organic product, but felt deceived by so many products’ labels. Claudia commented it appeared that 'natural' beauty companies all prioritised product longevity, shelf life, and regulation for cash flow as being more important than the side effects. As a solution, she worked with a team of chemists for over six year, developing her first product the Nourishing Organic Serum, and the start of creating a line of skincare with trusted ingredients.

Since some members of our team have sensitive skin and eczema, they were thrilled to try EliRose’s Nourishing Organic Serum with the hope they would experience some relief. The lovely floral fragrance immediately caught our attention. The serum is loaded with beautiful organic oils, such as Bulgarian rose otto oil, evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, jasmine essential oil, geranium leaf oil, and rosehip seed oil. Combining these oils has a balancing effect, which helps to maintain moisture, prevent hormonal acne, and increase collagen production. This non-greasy formula is a Pure Beauty Global Awards 2018 Winner and made without gluten, PEGs, GMOs, Parabens, silicone, mineral oils, and artificial fragrances. The Nourishing Organic Serum’s soothing formula also applies smoothly with quick absorption time.

You can purchase the Eli Rose Nourishing Organic Serum 30ml here for £68.00.

Bare Faced Skin – Face Revival Cream

We know from experience how sensitive skin can be, especially on the face. This is why we were happy to discover Bare Faced Skin, a high-performance, luxury skincare brand, with a range made from organic botanical ingredients. Bare Faced Skin was created by Helen Taylor, who has sensitive skin and has suffered from eczema herself. Helen's brand statement is: "The range was designed to create skin you'll be confident in; skin you want to be seen.” At The Amazing Blog we're all about finding and inspiring self-confidence. Having a clear complexion is a magnificent start and a boost for anyone. What we love is that Bare Faced Skin do not test on animals, and that the products have no hidden ingredients. It seems we're not the only ones impressed by the brand, as Bare Faced Skin were nominated in both the Face Care (Take Off) and Bodycare (Leave On) categories at the 2018 Free From Skincare Awards. To see a full breakdown of their ingredients, click here.

We’ve found that their Balance Shea & Thistle Face Revival Cream is excellent for normal to combination skin due to the hyaluronic acid and lupine peptides it contains. Together, they help to protect, while leaving you with a bright complexion. This winner of a 2018 Beauty Shortlist Award for Editor’s Choice contains shea butter, thistle seed oil, lavender oil, blood orange peel oil, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, pomegranate seed oil, black seed oil, and sea buckthorn. This combination results in a sweet floral fragrance, highlighted by the lavender and blood orange oils. Palmarosa essential oil is also added to balance the T-Zone. The Face Revival Cream is light on the skin and absorbs quickly to work its hydrating magic. You can purchase Bare Faced Skin’s Balance Shea & Thistle Face Revival Cream 50ml for £48.00 here.

We also had the opportunity to try Bare Faced Skin’s 15ml travel sized creams. This is a premium brand, so it’s nice to be able to try their face and body lotions in their affordable travel sizes. The big plus is that they can fit into any plastic carry-on bag. The Hydrate Sea & Macadamia Face Revival Cream is lightweight and lovely for skin that is lacking moisture and nourishment. The list of ingredients is as follows: shea butter, white poppy oil, rosehip fruit oil, black seed oil, blood orange peel oil, mandarin oil, and sea buckthorn oil.

Fantastic for refining and mattifying the complexion, the Mattify Sea & White Poppy Face Revival Cream moisturises and nourishes the skin. This face cream contains thistle, shea butter, white poppy seed oil, grapefruit peel oil, cardamom seed oil, sweet almond oil, and sea buckthorn fruit extract. The Lift Pumpkin & Borage Body Lotion contains borage oil to protect the skin from external elements, while the pumpkin seed oil soothes. It's excellent for tired-looking skin. This body lotion also contains sweet almond oil, shea butter, sea buckthorn fruit extract, thistle seed oil, and pomegranate seed oil. Enticed by the lovely ingredients? Each of these lovely travel sized creams can be purchased for £14.50 here.

Marina Miracle - Amaranth Face Oil & Night Serum

Skincare is an essential process in our daily regimen. Finding the perfect products that fight impurities, without irritating the skin, can be a challenge. The Amazing Blog noticed that the most coveted products are those created by people who understand our wants and needs from skincare. Marina Engervik, the founder of Marina Miracle, gets it. After being a victim of chemical-based skincare lines, Engervik found the solution with natural ingredients. Her formula treats all types of skin and is 100% natural. The Norwegian brand focuses its efforts on carefully selected ingredients, that are of high-quality, luxurious and safe. Marina Miracle products are both vegan and cruelty-free, and 90% certified organic.

We admired the company’s mission, which strives to be sustainable in all aspects of its business strategy – through the ingredients, packaging and supply chain. All packaging is made up of recycled paper and is compostable.  The company’s suppliers are chosen based on their respect for the environment, animals and people, by advocating to select fair-trade.  Additionally, when possible, products are shipped by sea.

The company’s drive to find natural alternatives, with healthier benefits, motivated us to try both the Amaranth Face Oil and Amaranth Night Serum. Both are anti-ageing and work to revitalise the skin. The face oil is hydrating and improves elasticity. After application, your skin is noticeably softer and left with a lasting glow. The all natural face oil has a soothing fragrance of ylang ylang and grapefruit and is made up of Scandinavian herbs, amaranth and Arctic cranberry extract.

The night serum’s aroma of oranges and flowers is soothing and refreshing. It contains amaranth, Argan, chia and natural fruit acids that rejuvenate and tone the skin. As you sleep, the serum soaks deep into the skin, moisturising and evening your complexion. After cleansing your face, shake the bottle well. Then, drip 4-6 drops onto the pads of your fingers, rub together and apply the product. Their Argan Night Serum recently won the 2018 Beauty Shortlist Awards Editor’s Choice. You can purchase the 28ml  Amaranth Face Oil here for £63 or the 28ml Amaranth Night Serum here for £87.