Jillian Dempsey: Cheek Tint ' Rosy'

Now we’re back again in #lockdown holed up in our homes, at The Amazing Blog we need to find something to bring back that healthy glow to our cheeks.  For us, blush and cheek tints are the way forward, and today we are reviewing Jillian Dempsey’s easy to use and blendable cream Cheek Tint, which gives just the right amount of subtle radiance. 

Founder Jillian Dempsey is a professional makeup artist from Los Angeles. Her star-studded clients range from Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Winslet, Emilia Clarke, and so many more. If it’s good enough for them, then it’s certainly good enough for us!  Her work has been featured in editorials such as Vogue, ELLE, Vanity Fair, and Dazed, and photographed by famous fashion photographers like Mario Testino and Annie Leibowitz. Having an artistic eye, she’s always able to find fresh and new ways to give her clients’ skin a radiant glow. So, the natural progression was for her to create her product range with exciting textures and colour palettes. In February 2016, Dempsey started her self-titled line releasing her Waterproof Khôl Eyeliner and Lid Tints. A little over two years late in the summer of 2018, she released her Cheek Tint cream blushes. All products are formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, GMOs, synthetic fragrances or dyes. They are also classified vegan and are therefore cruelty-free.

The Cheek Tints  come in a variety of six shades and we received ‘Rosy’, which a vibrant medium pink. All the Cheek Tints have a velvety texture making them effortlessly glide onto the skin; plus they’re smooth and easy to blend. Not only that, this is also preservative-free and made with natural and organic plant extracts and waxes such as those from the Chinese lacquer and Indian shala trees. The organic sunflower seed wax acts as a thickener and provides a non-sticky feel, while both the organic shea butter and the bamboo stem extract help to nourish and hydrate the skin. The organic coconut oil provides a protective barrier giving the Cheek Tint smoother appearance when applied. Dempsey said: “Blush is one of my favourites. It’s transformative because depending on where you apply it, you can change the shape of your face. My Cheek Tint has an unbelievably smooth texture, so blending is fast and finger-friendly.”  And we think this Rosy hue complements a wide range of skin tones, it certainly gave us a warm pinky glow to our very dull city pallor. Purchase the Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint in Rosy for £24.50 here.

Organic Island: Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm

Although we’re all wearing masks in the outside world – don’t forget that your lips need protection still against the chilling winter winds. Yes, it’s sad to see our favourite lipsticks and glosses now gathering dust, but using a shielding multi-balm for the lips is our new beauty must-have. With this in mind, The Amazing Blog is happy to report in today with a good clean, potent and tested winter salve from Organic Island with their Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm.

Organic Island was launched in 2007 by Mark Powers and is one of Australia’s few organic skincare brands to have been awarded certification by two of the most highly regarded industry commissions:  Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and BDIH Germany (BDIH). These societies ensure that all certified products are free from any synthetic materials, hormones, petrochemicals, and made with raw plant and mineral extracted materials. Not only are Organic Island’s products certified by both commissions, but they also qualify as advanced organic skincare, and are clinically tested using patented formulations unique to Organic Island. Oh, and the fact that they do not dilute their products with water shows the purity and potency of thier ingredients. Products currently range from multi-balms, hand and skincare to the gentlest of baby care. 

One of the products that Organic Island kindly sent us is their hero, the multi-award-winning Paw-Paw Multi-Use Balm. Using their patented delivery of OliveM1000, Crystal Skin and Si02 Matrix, these hasten the absorption directly into the dermis for faster results. This incredibly potent papaya formula is a multi-balm ready to be used on any part of the face or body where it’s needed for instant soothing, healing or a cell renewal boost. Rich in three types of pawpaw, which include pumpkin papaya, papain (papaya enzyme) and carica papaya fruit extract. Combined with cocoa butter, vitamin E and beeswax, these gently exfoliate chapped lips or dry skin thus promoting hydration. This, in turn, creates a protective barrier where the antioxidants act as a shield, to heal and protect the skin. We used it on bare lips out in the cold, which was a huge success; however, it could also be used as a primer under lipstick or over lipstick to add a subtle gloss. If you’re looking for a highly effective multi-use salve, then look no further, this Paw Paw Multi-Use Balm with its anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect companion for skin irritation, eczema, burns or insect bites. You can purchase this very special balm as your winter salve, 25ml for only $9.95 (£5.48) here directly from Organic Island’s website. 

Berries Skincare: Radiance Pigmentation Solutions

As we’re all now working from home and sporting ‘naked faces’ (who can be bothered with makeup?!) It’s brought to our attention the patches of pigmentation and sun damage. With this in mind, The Amazing Blog has been on the hunt for a product to help even out our skin tone. Step forward the artisan brand Berries Skincare with their Radiance Pigmentation Solution.

Berries Skincare’s  Guyanese founder is Maryam Hack who has created a skincare range that helps remove pigmentation and boosts skin self-confidence. Although she still resides in Guyana (South America), the brand is based in the USA. Having only launched a year ago, word of mouth travels fast and they now ship to over 220 countries worldwide.  With a background as a nutritionist, where she set up a home-based healthy food service, called Mary Hack’s Diet Food; armed with this knowledge and experience, it has stood Hack in good stead to find and curate the ingredients for her products. While there are currently only three products in the range, she hopes to expand with more offerings in the future. All Berries Skincare products are with less than 0.25% natural fragrance, manufactured in an FDA certified facility, they follow Good Manufacturing Practices, and are inclusive of all genders and skin types. These products are formulated without parabens, sulphates, synthetic dyes, phthalates, silicones, hydroquinone and triclosan. They are also Non-GMO, cruelty-free and vegan.

The Radiance Pigmentation Solutions can be used on both the face and body. It’s three primary objectives are to help even skin tone, brighten skin and reduce pigmentation/sunspots. Although the ingredients are mainly of a natural origin, they still recommended a sensitivity patch test first before use, ensuring there’s no adverse reaction. Apply onto moisturised skin, twice daily until the skin tone evens out (this could be anything from 2 – 6 weeks). This Pigmentation Solutions product should be gently dabbed onto the skin (not rubbed back and forth) in the localised area where needed. It is formulated with five key active ingredients kojic acid, vitamin B3, E and C, plus chamomile and camellia sinensis aka green tea (our photo above is with camellia sinensis). The kojic acid is a by-product from the fermentation process of malting rice for use in the manufacturing of sake (the Japanese rice wine). It targets and prevents pigmentation and lightens the skin. Vitamin B3 blocks melanin production and helps even out the skin tone; vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that nourishes and soothes the skin. Vitamin C fights signs of ageing while brightening the skin. The chamomile extract helps reduce redness, whereas the green tea extract fights signs of ageing and soothes the skin. The most important point to mention here is that an SPF 30+ must be used during the day while using this product. it prevents further sun damage, particularly with the kojic acid ingredient, which will make the skin more sun-sensitive. We found it easy to use and it didn’t cause any irritation. Did we see any results? Yes and no – it certainly helped reduce the darkness of sunspots but not banish them, although to be fair, we only used it for two weeks – we needed to use if for longer. Also, I’m not sure how permanent the results are, we’ll let you know when we return back from our next sunshine holiday. However, with the UK’s yo-yoing #lockdowns this might be 2022! To start your journey to a more even and brighter skin tone and head to Berries Skincare here to purchase a 50ml bottle of Radiance Pigmentation Solutions for $29.95, shipping costs will vary according to your location.

Tropikal Sundai – Golden Mango Body Butta

Has your skin got the winter blues? Then at The Amazing Blog we can’t wait to introduce you to some tropical sunshine. What better way to start the New year off right by treating dry skin to this super-hydrating Golden Mango Body Butta from Tropikal Sundai. With this gloomy January #lockdown, we love that this brings a much needed holiday glow to our skin.

Starting at a young age, Tropikal Sundai’s founder Ashlie-Selina Ryan spent her Sundays learning about Bajan plants and their healing properties from her Mother. While on a bike ride in Cherry Hill, Barbados, her skin started to get irritated and inflamed. This was when she learned from her cousin about the benefits of using plants such as Aloe Vera to soothe her skin. This gave her the inspiration to create her own line of products with Tropikal Sundai utilising traditional Bajan ingredients. Although now based in Hackney, Tropikal Sundai is as the name indicates a tropical fruit-infused artisan brand, whose ingredients are entirely vegan, cruelty-free and natural. One of their strong beliefs is ‘that mother nature has the abilities to heal, restore and nourish.’ They currently have a trio of products in the range with Guava & Aloe Hydrating Mist, Peach Papaya Glow Serum and Golden Mango Body Butta (which we are featuring below).

As mentioned, we think this Golden Mango Body Butta will make a great addition to your body care routine. As this Body Butta keeps skin moisturised and glistening with its all-natural ingredients. All products are handmade and in small batches where they only use raw butters and organic or cold press oils. Here in the Golden Mango Body Butta, the mango and cherry kernel oil are the prominent fruity fragrances in this decadently rich whipped body cream. With its key ingredients of aloe vera/coconut butter, mango, cherry kernel and shea oils, together with rosehip and grapeseed oils, which when combined make this a supreme skin food. The aloe vera/coconut butter hydrate and soothes irritated skin. The rosehip and shea oil help to moisturise and reduce any appearance of scarring. Although, the number one ingredient here is the mango (mangifera indica) butter, which rejuvenates and heals the skin, easing skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. This is a truly luxurious body cream, where a little goes a long way, when applied in the morning it lasted until bedtime, keeping skin soft supple throughout the day. It’s suitable for dry patches or for those with eczema;  we highly recommend treating skin with this pure and tropical plant magic, Golden Body Butta 250ml for £25, see here to purchase. 

Cannabina – CBD Bath Bomb Trio

Here at The Amazing Blog, we highly recommend soaking away 2020 and welcoming in the New Year with a nice relaxing bath, and a CBD infused Bath Bomb. Today we are featuring the deliciously scented CBD Bath Bomb Trio collection from Cannabina.

From growing up in sunny Jamaica, Cannabina’s founder Gemma McKay already had a knowledge and understanding of cannabis with all its properties and benefits. Which is why she recently launched this British brand with its hemp-based THC-free broad-spectrum CBD ingredients. These products have been created for everyone to enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of CBD. Which is where Cannabina offers a variety of CBD infused items from bath bombs and skincare to tinctures and edibles. McKay’s passion and interest in cannabis are the motivating factors behind the brand’s mission to improve the quality of life for their consumer, through this incredible plant's relieving and healing properties. Cannabina is an all-natural CBD brand where the products are free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, solvent residues, chlorophyll, fats and lipids. There are no preservatives, sulphates, mineral oils, parabens, artificial colouring, flavours or perfumes. The brand’s products are also cruelty-free and are tested and certified by both US and UK laboratories. Cannabina also has a strong sustainability ethos with its recycling and asks customers to return their product empties, for which they are rewarded with a 5% discount on further purchases.

The CBD Bath Bomb Trio is a collection of all three bath bombs. Each contains 100mg of broad-spectrum CBD and Epsom salts and are formulated with a specific combination of essential oils for a specific purpose. Let’s start with our favourite; this was the Purple CBD Bath Bomb we used this bath bomb when we were feeling particularly restless and wanted to soak-out a stressful day. With key ingredients of lavender flowers and oil, we knew we’d get a good night’s sleep. It dispersed slowly into the bath and filled the room with a glorious scent that left us feeling relaxed and aided towards a good solid seven hours sleep. Next, the Red CBD Bath Bomb which they described as ‘sensual’. It’s made of ylang-ylang, patchouli, rose geranium and orange essential oils. Ylang-ylang is known to calm the nervous system and offers a feeling of euphoria. Patchouli helps boost circulation and has a soothing effect on both the body and mind. Orange helps ease muscle pain and is also considered an aphrodisiac. Whereas rose geranium is often used to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. There were rose petals that floated in the water when this bath bomb dissolved and the four oils when combined offered a sweet slightly fruit/rose floral scent - we’d say that this is mood-enhancing and relaxing. The third Bath Bomb is the Yellow CBD Bath Bomb which comprises of cypress, lavender, chamomile and lemongrass essential oils. Cypress has strong antiseptic qualities, lavender is relaxing, chamomile an anti-inflammatory and lemongrass relieves aches and pains. It has a robust, zesty lemongrass/cypress scent, where we found it more invigorating than relaxing. We think it’s best used after a run or a hard session at the gym with its great anti-inflammatory qualities. 

Quickly added, all three of these Bath Bombs are designed to ease tension in the body.  The Epsom salts found in each Bath Bomb are not ‘salts’ they are comprised of magnesium sulphate and oxygen. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body, including regulating over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function, and prevents hardening of the arteries. Sulphates improve the absorption of nutrients, flush out toxins and soothes headaches. As a rule, we don’t consume enough magnesium in our diet, and these Bath Bombs release a good ratio of magnesium ion as well as CBD and essentials oils. Which when combined in these Bath Bombs and melted into the bath, are then absorbed into the body helping stimulate its healing process. We highly recommend giving these a try, not only will your bathroom smell amazing, but your body will unwind into a state of blissful tranquillity. The CBD Bath Bomb Trio are each 200mg, and you can buy them here for £20.00.