Soapology - Hair Conditioner Bar

With the world as it is, we’re all now looking for more sustainable ways of living, and a question we keep being asked is: Where do we start? A good starting point is to find environmentally friendly personal products, such as skin and hair care. Today at The Amazing Blog we want to introduce you to greener alternatives for your hair care with a Hair Conditioner Bar by Soapology.

Based in Nottingham, Emma Grosse started her company Soapology in 2011, after making natural body scrubs and skincare for friends and family; as they told her that these products were much better than the options found in-store! This was the turning point when Grosse decided to produce commercially and said: “Any product we buy in liquid form such as a shower gel, shampoo or conditioner can be made in a solid version and is much more eco friendly as we are stripping the need for a watertight container which is usually a plastic bottle. Our solid Hair Conditioner Bar is great because it’s plastic-free and therefore zero waste. It’s also great for travelling.” The brand has concentrated on the production of handcrafted artisan soaps and spent months doing research and trial tests to perfect the products. Grosse’s love for the craft prompted her to open up the Soapology Studio in 2014, holding group soap-making workshops as well as one-on-one sessions. Soapology is committed to combatting homelessness and has partnered with Framework. For every ten items purchased, they donate one bar of soap to this charity which supports vulnerable and homeless people in the Nottinghamshire area. 

The Hair Conditioner Bar in 2020 has swept the board with awards, a silver for the Best Ethical Hair Product and the Best Zero Waste Product in the Global Green Beauty Awards, plus a gold at the Green Parent Natural Awards. So, we couldn’t wait to try it! We think that this should be your first step in getting rid of those plastic conditioner bottles in your bathroom. It is housed in an aluminum tin, which can be reused once the bar is finished. We recommend using this after shampooing, where you squeezing out the hair, and rub the conditioner bar directly starting at the ends and working up, letting it absorb into the hair strands, then rinsing out after a minute or more. Between uses, they suggest leaving the Conditioner Bar to dry, which can be done in their tin. We love that it contains four key natural ingredients which are cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and castor oil. It also has a fresh scent that comes from pure essential oils of grapefruit, lime and rosemary. Here the cocoa butter (bean pods pictured above) adds moisture, volume and strength, it helps to repair damaged hair. The coconut oil helps fight against dandruff and provides moisture, shine, and softness. The jojoba oil is rich in vitamins such as vitamins B, D and E, all of which help to nourish the hair. Finally, the castor oil hydrates the scalp increases blood flow and thus stimulates new hair growth. Combining these ingredients gives the hair a deep condition and helps de-tangle (a must for us). We have fallen in love with this Conditioner Bar with its simple ingredients, high performance and zero-waste green credentials. It’s another one of our #amazingfinds. It is good value and lasted for us approximately 6-8 washes (with very long curly hair). You can purchase the 50g Hair Conditioner Bar here for only £8.

La Coèss - REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil

As the nights are drawing in and temperatures drop, this signals to us at The Amazing Blog to change our skincare regime by adding in something a little richer and more protective. That’s why we’ve been searching for plant-based face oils with concentrated nutrition to revitalise, restore and helps balance our complexions. Today is one of our first #amazingfinds for autumn skincare with REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil from La Coèss.   

La Coèss REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil took over eight years in the making. This is because the founder Sophie Wang wanted to search out the best of the best for this her signature product. In her mission to find the perfect face oil, it led her on a long journey with testing over 312 ingredients, in order to find the right blend. So as to optimise these organic plant-based oil extracts, they are all freshly crafted in micro-batches in Portland, USA. Every attention has been given to the detail and design including the stylish handmade glass bottle, with its dropper top made from wenge wood. This REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil feels luxurious. The packaging is made up of a quality white cardboard box, embossed with a rose and separated into two parts. It has a closure of a seal, that is stamped with their logo and when opening the box, you find the heavy frosted bottle on its throne, all of which screams sophistication and luxury.   

Let’s talk about REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil itself, it is a powerhouse to fifteen natural oils from 10 different countries. When you first open the bottle a hint of the jasmine immediately greets you, its role is to offer protection from external stress factors and pollution and will even skin tone. However, this face oil contains first and foremost, jojoba and rosehip oils. These natural ingredients are known to rebalance the oil on your face, they contain vitamin B and fatty acids that are known for their ability to soothe skin. The rosehip, in particular, will repair any skin damage thanks to its high concentration in antioxidants, linolenic acid, and provitamin A. Together with the sea buckthorn they generate the rosy coloured hue in the oil. Sea buckthorn here will also purify and fight clogged pores. Then there is the magical golden Argan oil, straight from the Moroccan it has an incredible ability to nourish, moisturise and, protect. The avocado oil provides an emollient ingredient ideal for dry, dehydrated, damaged and mature skin and is rich in chlorophyll which will reduce inflammation. Moving on to the camellia oil used in the ancient Japanese traditions, this will soften lines and act as an anti-ageing oil, simultaneously, giving a natural radiant glow. The Rosemary will refresh and balance and rejuvenate the complexion. The exceptional blend also contains chia seed oil which will help to maintain the moisture level and the healthy protective layer. It will give relief from irritation, dryness and peeling.  Among the long list of other potent natural ingredients, there is lavender which is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that will help with breakouts, relax and detoxify. The pomegranate makes for a reliable hydrator; it will also soften and regenerate. The grapeseed oil is a highly penetrating oil that will protect and shield, whereas the prickly pear is an extraordinary healing agent that has been used for centuries, rich in amino acids that will stimulate the collagen which will promote cell renewal. It also contains vitamin K, which will brighten the face. The evening primrose is rich in fatty acids that will leave skin deeply hydrated. Finally, the carrot root oil is an exceptional cell regenerator. And that, I think concludes on the function of each of the fifteen oils found here. 

This REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil is suitable for all skin types and is vegan, cruelty-free and certified organic. Apply to a cleansed face adding the Face Oil by dropping 3-8 drops on the hands or directly on the face. Massage the oil in an upwards and clockwise movement making sure it reaches face, neck and décolleté. For best results, apply it both day and night.  We used this Face Oil alone at night with their clear quartz guasha ( I’m not sure whether they send this automatically with each order?) This guasha is a beauty tool used to apply pressure and gently scrape the skin to relieve tension, it helps increase skin cell nutrition and improves blood flow.   During the day we mixed a few drops of the Face oil to enhance our regular moisturiser, which made it a better base for applying makeup. To purchase you can find the 30ml  REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil here for $108. Although this may seem expensive, we found a little went a long way and the bottle appears to have lasted much longer than we anticipated. Would we buy more? Definitely.

Beautanix - Beautiful Glow Clay, Day Oil and Serum 40

As regular readers will know at The Amazing Blog we like to search out new indie brands that have created something special. Therefore, it’s great to find a new natural skincare brand that specifically targets the 30+ age group. We are talking about Beautanix whose affordable products work to combat early signs of ageing by using only natural ingredients that help the regeneration skin cells, protect the skin and help to give us a more youthful appearance.

The Beautanix Founder Margaret Frixou is a reflexology and massage therapist who early in her career used essential oils and is well-versed on their wonderful healing properties. Margaret saw first-hand how natural ingredients really make a difference. Shocked by the list of harmful chemicals in her regular skincare, she decided it was time to create her own range using her knowledge and experience, thus Beautanix was born. Beautanix has seven key products that have natural ingredients that are vegan and ethically sourced. We received three products to try the Beautiful Glow clay mask and the Replenishing Light Day Oil and Serum 40 .

First, we used the refreshing Beautiful Glow clay mask, then went on to apply the Replenishing Light Day Oil to restore and protect our complexion. The Beautiful Glow is both soothing and nourishing. The product glides onto the skin flawlessly leaving a subtle floral/zesty scent. Made with fine kaolin clay, it has organic avocado and rice bran oils which help to lift dull and tired skin both hydrating and giving a healthy glow. Other key ingredients are carrot seed and sea buckthorn CO2 extracts which promote healthy skin cells. This refreshing clay mask works well on dry or sensitive skin types and is best used once a week on clean skin. We found Beautiful Glow to be a gentle product that left skin feeling soft and moisturised.  The pot contains 8-10 full face applications, and once applied, wait 30-45 minutes for it to absorb then rinse off with warm water.

Next, we used The Replenishing Day Oil which was our favourite product of the three. It has key ingredients of rice bran oil, thistle meadowfoam, rosehip. The combination of these potent raw botanicals contain antioxidants and wonderfully beneficial giving the skin a much-needed boost. This Day Oil is suitable for dry and sensitive skin and can be used daily on face and décolletage. It’s light in texture and we loved its delicious floral bouquet. We used it after the Beauty Glow clay mask, which helped to keep the skin supple and protected – we also found that a little went a long way.

The final product we used from the trio was Serum 40, which was a recent Editor’s Choice Winner in The 2020 Beauty Shortlist Awards, it’s perfect for irritated or sensitive skin. It’s a rich serum that helps to regenerate skin cells and prevent wrinkles. Vital ingredients here include sea buckthorn, eco marine extract, prickly pear seed oil with frankincense and patchouli, the latter two are the ideal essential oils for nourishing more mature skin. The serum is best used at night 2-4 times a week it immediately nourishes the skin upon touch and has a refreshing and calming aroma. The serum is the perfect way to end the day. We think these products complement each other well. You can find The Beautiful Glow clay mask in 60g for £25.99 here, the Serum 40 in 15ml for £31.00 here and the Replenishing Light Day Oil is 15ml for £24.99 here.

Seamore – I sea pasta and I sea wraps

When we typically think of seaweed we either think of it as algae that washes up on the beach, or something that is deep fried on a Chinese menu. Perhaps, you might have even tried it as a dried snack, if we’re craving something salty and crunchy? But have you ever thought of seaweed as a tortilla wrap or even pasta? It might not sound super-tasty, but that is precisely the notion Seamore is looking to challenge. As regular readers of The Amazing Blog will know, we love finding new beauty products and superfoods, so you can imagine how intrigued we were to try two items from this startup.

William Sodderland started Seamore in 2015 after he went on a holiday in Ibiza and mistakenly thought his seaweed dish was pasta. This moment propelled him into looking into it as an alternative to foods we already love and ‘to turn seaweed into an everyday food’. Sodderland found that seaweed is a healthy food option as it is high in nutrients and antioxidants. He also discovered it is quite sustainable because seaweed doesn’t need land, extra water, fertiliser or pesticides to grow. However, all of Seamore’s seaweed is sustainably sourced off the coast of Ireland in small batches over two months.

The first product we tried was I sea pasta made of 100 percent natural and hand-picked himanthalia seaweed. While the seaweed is a black colour when you first remove it from the packaging, once it’s cooked it tastes and has the same texture as pasta. It’s not too salty and doesn’t have an overwhelming sea smell either. Unlike regular pasta, I sea pasta is low in carbs and full of minerals, vitamins, iron, and fibre. One serving also has 50 percent of the vegetables you need per day. We liked it paired with sweet Bolognese sauce and a glass of wine. The second item we tried was I sea wraps. They are the first seaweed wraps in the world and have 50 per cent himanthalia and wakame seaweed. I sea wraps contain more fibre and protein as well as fewer calories and saturated fat than ordinary wraps. They’re full of omega-3, iron, iodine, B vitamins, and fucoxanthin, which has been proven to fight fat. You can’t taste the seaweed in the wrap except for seaweed’s natural umami flavour, which compliments any filling. You can eat it hot or cold, but we preferred it as a way to give ourselves more vegetables with a cheese tortilla.

If you’re still not convinced, Seamore has many recipes to try here and you can find it here The starting price of the pasta is £6.50 for 100g (approx. 5 servings).  

L’Araboutique® Skincare

Today at the Amazing Blog we’d like to share with you some natural treasures from Arab world. The Middle Eastern cultures have some of the best kept beauty secrets, and we’re going to introduce you to one of them. Meet the natural and organic skincare brand L’Araboutique who have an array of exotic ingredients including: Extra virgin olive oil from Palestine and Syria, mineral-rich Zamzam water from Saudi Arabia, the finest royal green hojari frankincense from Oman, fragrant pink roses from Madina and rich organic sidr honey from Yemen.  And these are just a few of the wonderful pure ingredients found in their products.

L’Araboutique® was created by Dr. Samira Zaidan and Dr. Mona Alyedreessy (a mother and daughter team) and they claim to be the only skincare and haircare brand to make natural products with Zamzam water. These products are handmade in the UK, are organic, chemical-free, cruelty-free, halal, eco-friendly and vegan (apart from those containing camel milk, beeswax and sidr honey) they are also UK and EU tested approved and certified.

They very kindly send us a selection of products to try, and the first products we used were their soaps. The Oat, Sidr Honey & Madina Rose Soap can be used on the skin or hair to soften and hydrate. The combination of oat, sidr honey & Madina roses calm and moisturise the skin. The Arabic Gum & Bay Leaf Soap has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties while simultaneously stimulating the skin’s collagen production. One of our team even noticed that their skin appeared brighter after using this bar. Next we tried the soap Arabic Coffee, Ginger & Cinnamon. Did you know that coffee is the number one natural product to combat cellulite? No neither did we, but we loved how energising this scrub left us feeling.

Then there is The Madina Rose & Saffron Face Cream which dates all the way back to ancient Egypt when Cleopatra discovered the beauty benefits of rose water. This luxurious face cream has three key ingredients: Iranian saffron flowers blossom, mineral-rich Zamzam water infused with fresh Madina rose water and oil. All of which help to reduce hyperpigmentation. This was our Editor Edwina’s favourite. Staying on a rose theme, we also tried their Madina Rose Deodorant  which is a 24-hour deodorant cream made from organic cold-pressed coconut oil that helps to  fights bacteria. It also has turmeric to lighten dark patches and pigmentation on the underarm area and smells divine.

Finally, we come to The Sutanah Face Lift Mask a recipe apparently only shared between Arabian royalty. Made with pomegranates, Moroccan rhassoul clay and aloe vera juice, this mask instantly tightens and lifts the face – this powder you simply mix with water. Best of all, we like how the brand contribute 50p from every sale to a charity that helps to build wells around the world. The Water Project charity provides essential clean water to families and communities where it’s needed the most. 

L’Araboutique® can be purchased here with skincare prices starting from £15. We think they are a wonderful new discovery, where the ancient and modern worlds meet and we can’t wait to try more for this brand.