Organic Island : Shell Lips Balms

How at The Amazing Blog, we wish it was summer - oh to be walking barefoot along the beach, without a care in the world…  Well, what if we told you that there’s a product that could bring back some of those distant memories?  See the above pretty Shell Lip Balms, housed inside recycled shells which have been washed up on the Australian shores. These contain yet another of Organic Island’s organic raw plant-based balms. Recently, you may remember we featured their PAWPAW Multi Balm here.

Organic Island is an organic Australian skincare launched in 2006 by Mark Powers. The company ethos is to produce honest organic cosmetics and skincare all with advanced technology. With their patented formulas of Si02 Matrix, OliveM 1000 and Lexfeel Natural, Organic Island is an established and multi-award winning brand. They also have the much acclaimed ACO (Australian Certified Organic) and BDIH Germany certification, which are two of the most highly-regarded global commissions. Receiving these accreditation, means that their products only contain organic, raw plant and mineral-based formulas, and ensures a purity of ingredients. Organic Island also states that the only preservative they use in their Shell Lip Balms is vitamin E.

These Shell Lip Balms are made using only 100% recycled beach shells; they collect the washed-up shells, cleaning with sandblasting and water pressure - Organic Island does it all. Every shell is unique, and there are six different types of shells to choose from. Our favourites are the select four, that have a handy mirror tucked inside. We received the full set of six shells to try, which consist of the White Pearl and Turquoise which are a small and compact size. The medium ones are Mocha and Oriental Fan; and largest are Tiger Crown and White Frangipani. Inside all six shells is the organic, silky and moisturising balm which contains only eight organic ingredients. The rosehip oil is packed with essential fatty acid vitamins and antioxidants, which help improve skin hydration and repair dry, damaged skin. Coconut oil contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties help prevent irritation, making it an excellent skin emollient; and the macadamia oil protects the lips from environmental damage. There is also jojoba oil, lanolin wax, beeswax, vitamin E, and mango seed butter; these all work together to deliver a nourishing and soothing salve. The formula is made up of only natural emollients and has no artificial ingredients i.e. parabens, sulphates, artificial colours, fragrances or petrochemicals. Although, for now, we can’t have our sunshine getaway, we can at least reminisce using one of these seaside inspired beauties. Why not choose your favourite shell for £12.99 here. Each one comes with it’s own a protective cotton pouch, and if you buy two, you get another one free!

Pura Vida Organic: CBD Shampoo and CBD Conditioner & Mask

Last year, at The Amazing Blog we introduced the award-winning organic CBD skincare Pura Vida Organic with their CBD infused grooming products for men here. Today, we want to talk about the Pura Vida Organic's haircare with their CBD Shampoo and Conditioner & Mask, particularly as finding the right type of haircare for our long fine, unruly frizz - has become an on-going mission!

Pura Vida Organic are based in Croatia and were founded in 2015 by Jennifer Deegan. Using only the purest organic ingredients, they focus on CBD skincare with a wide range of anti-ageing serums, moisturisers, balms, elixirs, massage oils, body butter, shaving gels and many more. Deegan recounted her brand story: "All my life I suffered terribly with topical dermatitis (eczema) but when I changed my skincare to hemp and CBD based products – all symptoms disappeared in 3 days. I was amazed and wanted to offer this to everyone who needs it.” Hence, in Pura Vida Organic's the primary ingredient is CBD (THC-free) in broad spectrum or isolate. In 2018, Pura Vida Organic passed the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA (CGMP) and the international standard for quality management systems (ISO9001). In 2019, they were the first CBD skincare production facility to obtain the COSMOS Organic and Natural certification, allowing them to have their organic and natural skincare commercialised world-wide. They recent won Best Face CBD Product and Best Body Butter at 2021 The Organic Clean Awards. They have experience in distribution, wholesale and manufacture, but what really sets Pura Vida Organic apart from other CBD brands is their ingredients and ethos. Sustainability is at the heart of the brand, where all plastics are recyclable, boxes are made of 25% grass pulp, recycled paper and cardboard. Even the labels use vegetable dyes and vegan-friendly glue. All products are 90% handmade which offers both the personal touch, and a decrease in energy consumption from mechanical production. 

They kindly sent these two haircare products to try the CBD Shampoo and the CBD Conditioner & Mask. They are both suitable for all hair types, including coloured or chemically treated. What makes this CBD Shampoo special is its calming effect on itchy, irritable, sensitive scalps; and with its mild bio-degradeable plant-based surfactants, its gentle enough to use even on children. This CBD Shampoo cleanses both the hair and scalp and with its 600mg of CBD, it works as an anti-inflammatory helping to dissipate any scalp issues. The antioxidants here balance the sebum levels in the scalp, promotes growth and smooths hair cuticles. The plant-based surfactants are composed of sugar-beets, corn starch and coconut fatty acids; together with the pea proteins these help condition, strengthen, nourish the hair. As someone with fine curly hair that weaves itself into knots, this was joy to use, as it cleansed hair leaving it manageable rather than a tangled mess. When using this Shampoo massage a good amount into the scalp for at least a minute, then rinse and follow with their CBD Conditioner & Mask. 

The CBD Conditioner & Mask works to soften, detangle, smoothen and restore the hair - using the key ingredients of CBD, vitamin B and plant proteins. This product contains 1000mg of CBD, which strengthens the hair and helps calms scalp irritation. The jojoba and sunflower waxes lightly coat the hair strands, without making hair feel heavy, and protect it from heat and sun damage. Vitamin B enhances hair strength and shine; and the plant-derived proteins act as the building blocks for healthy hair, keeping it smooth and frizz-free. For me this CBD Conditioner & Mask was the perfect finishing touch – it complemented the CBD Shampoo and together they worked to improve wet combing, leaving my hair silky, tangle-free, and smelling super-fresh with its subtle apple fragrance. I used the CBD conditioner, from roots to tip leaving on for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinsed and towel dried. As the name suggests, this can also be used as a hair mask, apply a generous amount to wet clean hair and wrap in a warm towel for 20-30 minutes before rinsing and styling. If like us, you suffer from the dreaded frizz, then this haircare will be for you, it took away static and left the hair with a defined curl not a ball of frizz – we’d certainly recommend these as another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase Pura Vida Organic's CBD Shampoo in 100ml for €15.00 or 200ml for €30.00, see see here. To buy Pura Vida Organic's CBD Conditioner & Mask in 50ml for €22.00 or 100ml for €35.00 see here. We can’t wait to review more from this brand! 

Amai Hana: Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio and Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream

Today at The Amazing Blog,  we’re featuring another award-winning natural skincare brand that has caught our eye. However, this time its with biocosmetic phytotherapy formulas. We’d like to introduce Amai Hana with their Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio and Mousse Lift H2 Bio day cream.

Amai Hana is based in Barcelona and produces 100% natural formulas using aromatherapy and phytotherapy principles. They practice biocosmetic phytotherapy which is a science-based medical practice, with traditional medical herbalism; these use vegetal origin products to help prevent, heal and cure. The brand was launched in 2019 by Susanna Asensio, who has a master's degree in phytotherapy and a degree in chemical sciences, specialising in the formulation and synthesis of organic and pharmaceutical compounds. Amai Hana's philosophy is to promote vegetarianism values, responsibility, sustainability, conscious consumption, respect for oneself, the animal world and the environment - quite a list! Each product is handmade with 100% natural plant actives, cruelty-free and offered at affordable prices. Their products range from serums, balms, massage oils, creams and soaps. They are packaged in pharmaceutical-grade containers and are presented in natural eco-cotton bags.

We were given two product to try from Amai Hana: The Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio  and the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream. Let’s start with the Silky Skin Serum GI Bio, Amai Hana's best-selling hero product, and a recent Bronze winner at the 2020 Scandinavian Global Makeup Awards. Its recommended for the face, neck and décolletage as an anti-wrinkle, regenerating and firming treatment. The main ingredient here is centella asiatica extract (see photo above) which stimulates collagen production and has madecassoside an active compound potent with antioxidant and a rich source of amino acids. The lavender, rosewood and geranium essential oils work as anti-inflammatory agents to moisturise and regenerate dry, damaged, and inflamed skin. These oils inspire feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being - effectively reducing stress and anxiety. We found it to be an excellent serum for daily use and when applied, we found that a little goes a long way. They recommend using on clean dry skin both morning and night. Amai Hana tells us that with use, softer and more hydrated skin will be evident in 7-19 days. This Silky Skin Serum left our skin feeling smooth, firm, and rejuvenated; and when we inhaled its soothing botanical scent, it had the added benefit of making us feel less stressed! 

Next, we used the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream, this provides rich nutrition and was recently a Gold winner (in the awards as mentioned above). This Day Cream works as a gentle astringent and antioxidant acting to close large pores and tightens the skin, making it firmer and brighter. The other big plus here, is that it also claims to reduce dark circles around the eye area. The key ingredient is  witch hazel hydrolate for its tightening and lifting effect. Whereas the macadamia oil here regenerates and softens the skin. It also has the essential oils geranium, frankincense, and rosewood; the combination of which, promote cell regeneration, regulates sebum and stimulate the skin’s collagen natural production. The formula is so gentle, that they recommend using this Day Cream to treat acne, rosacea or couperose. Simply use alone or combine it with the Silky Skin Serum to complete your beauty ritual. As we have dry skin, we used these together as they offered extra nourishment, plus firmed and lifted the skin (we notice this around the neck area). To purchase Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio in 30ml for €23.99, see here, or to buy the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream in 60ml for €27.99, see here.

Yatlina Mask Drops & Simon Copeland Face Masks

When stepping outside our front door, wearing a mask has now become a necessity to keep our loved ones safe.  Today at The Amazing Blog  we’d like to introduce Yatlina’s Mask Drops who offer an ingenious solution, helping to keep our masks smelling fresh!

Yatlina was launched last year by Yasmine EIGhamrawy, a registered and certified aromatherapist, who’s created a range of aromatherapy-based products. EIGhamrawy worked in the fast-paced world of film visual effects for 20 years before switching to become an aromatherapist. This experience has helped her gain a better understanding of how to deal with stress, which is where she wants to impart this knowledge and passion to others. The brand's ethos is to create products with the highest quality ingredients using three core principles, the chemistry with potency, traditions with usage, and scent profiling. With these Yatlina Mask Drops delivers maximum effectiveness for everyday use, with ingredients that are 100% natural and cruelty-free. What makes Yatlina unique, is that they're the only brand to creates aromatherapy drops specifically designed for use with a face mask. These are a mix of pure essential oils and flower water hydrosols; which are safe to use close to the face, and can easily be washed off any fabric masks. Yatlina currently sells two Mask Drop products: Calm Blend and Power Up Blend in 10ml or 5 ml bottles.

We received both the Yatlina Mask Drops with The Calm Blend, and Power Up Blends. Both help lift the discomfort associated with wearing a mask by producing calming and energising aromas. When inhaled, these essential oils disrupt the central nervous systems stress signals and help the muscles relax, which activates the parasympathetic response that supports the immune system. Key ingredients used in both the Yatlina Mask Drop blends include caprylyl/capryl glucoside, flower water hydrosols and three main chemical constituents: linalyl acetate, linalool, and B-caryophyllene, which offer uplifting health benefits and make the formula safe to use on masks. Capryl glucoside is a natural low foam base and mild cleanser used in cosmetic products for sensitive skin individuals. It is plant-derived, biodegradable, and gentle on the skin. It creates fine and stable foam and is a good solubiliser for essential oils. Flower water hydrosols are produced by filtering fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plants. These waters are less concentrated than pure essential oils, making their aromas soft and subtle. The blend includes three chemical compounds: 24-36% of linalyl acetate, 24 - 33.34% of linalool, and 0.6- 2.5% of B-caryophyllene. Linalyl acetate reduces skin inflammation, heals rashes and reduces blood pressure. Linalool, which produces a pleasant floral aroma, is a common constituent in a wide variety of skincare products. It is anti-inflammatory and has sedative and stress-relieving effects through oil inhalation. B-caryophyllene is a primary contributor to black peppers spiciness and is a significant constituent in cloves, rosemary and cannabis. It is directly beneficial to colitis, osteoarthritis, anxiety, depression, liver fibrosis, and Alzheimer's type diseases. 

In the Calm Blend ingredients include soothing neroli, calming lavender and uplifting bergamot mint, which help promote calm and wellness and reduce depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, nausea, and stress. These inspire a feeling of being 'centred' and we found that there’s something very comforting and reassuring about this blend. In the Power Up Blend, rosemary, cooling peppermint, earthy clary sage and coriander combined help improve memory and concentration as well as reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. This aroma is bright, fresh and floral, and brings a creative clarity. It can be used when out and about or when needed for a good brain boost during the day. To use these Mask Drops: (1) Apply one drop to each side of the mask before wearing (2) Reapply if needed throughout the day. (3) If using a reusable cloth mask, wash it after every use and air dry to keep fresh and clean. They advise that these Mask drops can also be added to tissue or cotton wool to use as a light personal inhaler. We’ve loved using these drops and cannot recommend them highly enough. To purchase Yatlina's Mask Drops, see here where you can buy in full-size 10ml for £18.99 or in travel size 5ml for £10.99. 

You will also see  Simon Copeland's Technicolour Marilyn Mask pictured above. As a couturier and designer Simon Copeland's face masks highlight his creativity and sophistication with these fashionable designs. Customers can order personalised and unique masks - we highly recommend exploring more here. These masks are interlined with washable cotton jersey and lined with silk satin to be soft against the skin and could be worn daily in combination with Yatlina's Mask Drops. All profits from these face masks will be donated to NHS Charities. To purchase the Technicolour Marilyn (above) for £29.99, click here; ** 10% off discount code to use anytime until the end of March 2021 (code amzpr10).**

Deardot Cosmetics: Yuja Cleansing Seal

We keep hearing so much about K beauty and reviewed a few brands in the past, so today at The Amazing Blog we thought we’d take a look at more Korean skincare brands, starting with the awards winning Deardot Cosmetics and their Yuja Cleansing Seal.

Deardot has a strong threefold philosophy which is to keep its ingredients minimal, vegan and eco-friendly. Launching in March 2020, it’s founded by Woorikidsplus, a Korean beauty tech start-up whose aim is to educate the next generation with their Deardot philosophies. The Deardot’s fundamental goal is to provide natural skincare using only minimal ingredients. The brand also focuses very design-led packaging with the rather unusual concept of writing letters to your loved one (or in this case, your precious skin!) That said, Deardot is best known for their commitment to preserving the dangyuja fruit and its seeds (part of the citrus family and a genealogically a variety of pomelo fruit) which is only grown on Jeju Island, a province of South Korea. It is a plant mainly used for tea and was historically used to treat the common cold. What makes Deardot unique is that it exclusively uses an extract from the dangyuja in its products (see above photo). This fruit contains three times more vitamin C than lemon and helps to revitalise and brightening dull skin. All ingredients in their products are natural and are recognised and certified by EWG Green and FDA. They have 11-products in the range from cleansers, lotions and creams, to serums, toners and masks; which are suitable for all skin types.  

The Deardot Yuja Cleansing Seal contains 30 ‘seals’ moulded into small, flat, water-soluble pressed powder rectangles. The reusable cardboard packaging includes many surprises: letters and stickers, along with the paper sachets containing the cleansing seals themselves.  We discovered these recently when they won the gold in the 2020 Global Green Beauty Awards  for Best Ethical Beauty Product & Most Innovative Green Product. They are paraben-free, and has a very slight yuja citrus fruit fragrance. The cleansing seal is used in three easy steps: To activate the pressed powder ‘seal’ in your hand, add a little warm water (no running water) mixing until it forms a white paste. Next, rub the paste gently on the face to remove makeup or daily residue, and finally, rinse the face with clean water.  We used this Yuja Cleansing Seal as part of our night-time routine, which left our skin feeling cleansed and hydrated. The two key ingredients here are shea butter and yuja extract. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and healing properties where it conditions, tones and soothes the skin. Yuja extract, has many health benefits such as boosting the body’s immune system, reducing inflammation and moisturising the skin. We think the Yuja Cleansing Seals are ideal for on the go or for slipping into your hand luggage, as they take up absolutely no space!  Although they say these seals are suitable for all skin types, we think these will appeal more to the teen generation with their added novelty stickers and design paraphernalia. You can purchase the Yuja Cleansing Seal here which come in either a pack of 14 for $10 or 30 for $18.