Cannabina: Raw Hemp + CBD Soap Bar

If you’ve been reading The Amazing Blog  for a while, you’ll know that we like to try lots of different products that contain CBD. Today we are looking at massage soap bar infused with Raw Hemp CBD from Cannabina, who we have recently featured here with their CBD Bath Bomb Trio.

Cannabina is founded by Gemma McKay, and a brand specialises in all kinds of healing products infused with hemp-based broad-spectrum and THC-free CBD ingredients. These products have been created for everyone to enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of CBD. 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. 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’re rewarded with a 5% discount on further purchases.

The Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar has 100mg of CBD and is made with super-clean formulas, intended for use with those with sensitive or irritated skins. This is a gender-free soap bar, where This is a gender-free soap bar where Mc Kay tells us that she initially created this as a massager for the breast area and lymph nodes. However, it is also proving popular for using on the face, and with those who have back acne. Alas, we don’t have to full ingredients to tell you about, as this is such a new product for Cannabina (nothing listed on packaging or website). They tell us that it is 95.8% organic. We will hazard a guess that this semi-translucent CBD Soap Bar has flecks of hemp and is made with glycerine and 75% hard oils like coconut; the 13 nodules moulded into the bar making it particularly good as a massager. We’d also add that it’s ‘fragrance-free’ with no hemp or essential oil scent evident. The raw hemp and CBD interact with theendocannabinoid receptors to help moisturise, balance oil levels and heal the skin as well as reduce any inflammation. This Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar is also efficient in treating skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis. If you are looking for an antioxidant, pore cleansing and anti-acne actions, then this is designed for you. We used it in the shower, gently massaging our body and breast lymph area - we found it uplifting. It seemed to work wonders on our mood (and body) after yet another long and tedious #lockdown day. This 100mg Raw Hemp & CBD Soap Bar is available here £6.00.

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.

Karmameju - HERO Age-Defence pH Solution 02

With the current cold weather, our skin at The Amazing Blog feels like it is continuously bombarded by external aggressors, plus with our regular use of disinfecting products and hand sanitisers doesn’t help! Bearing this in mind, we’ve been delving into highly active skincare to help protect our skin. This week, we had the opportunity to test out and learn about a rather unconventional product called HERO pH Solution 02 from Karmameju.

The Danish brand Karmameju is all about natural beauty, health and a positive attitude all of which means a great deal to its founder, Mette Skjærbæk. It is a brand based on results, quality, transparency - which we really appreciate - and respect for the human body, with a call for self-care. Her ten years spent in the fashion and beauty industries as a model, and ‘Bachelor of Science in natural health’ completed in New York, all inspired her to create her own skincare line in 1999. This is a brand based on natural ingredients but also provides tangible results, which she couldn’t find with other brands that she tried. A little over 20 years later, Karmameju carries a whole line of face, body, sun care, hair, fragrances and home spa accessories. For Mette, it’s key that her skincare products must act as ‘skin food’, nourishing skin with organic and highly active ingredients that can also be easily absorbed by the dermis. We’ve noticed that the brand is very candid about their ingredients and actives used, as well as their research process, which is quite refreshing! Karmameju uses natural plant extracts which act as efficient bio-actives combined with clinically proven high-performance dermatology approved ingredients. Thanks to smaller batches produced, the presence of preservatives, emulsifiers, and surfactants – which are still needed to stabilise a formula and help it perform – are greatly minimised. To ensure that the clients will have significatively visible effects using her products, they’re all tested in-vitro in their laboratories in Italy to measure effects like the moisture levels or collagen boosts are reached.

The HERO pH Solution 02  is a clear, serum-like liquid and a unique skincare product which they describe as, “an essential protective barrier and ‘a knight in shining armour’ for the skin’s immune system.” We’d define it as something of an ‘innovation in a bottle’! Acting as a ‘pH stabiliser’, it is an all-round product that can be used on the face, the body, or even the scalp. Most commonly it’s used as a serum, replacing the first step of a skincare routine after cleansing or showering; or for skin-boosts throughout the day. So how does it work? As its name suggests, the very few but powerful natural and dermatology actives work together to help your skin to achieve the perfect pH so that it not too alkaline (i.e. tending towards the maximal pH of 14), which leads to overly dry skin. Or acid (leaning towards the minimal pH of 0), which can activate uncontrolled sebum production and acne. Balanced skin thrives with a pH value of approximately 5, meaning that the skin pH is slightly acidic. Having the correct balance here not only keeps external bacteria, fungal infections, and free radicals (like pollution) at bay, but it also retains the necessary moisture, natural oils, bacterial flora, and enzymes. This ensures a healthy cell renewal process and overall wellbeing for the skin. Ingredients in HERO are: Aqua/water/eau, glycerin (vegetable), pentylene glycol (natural source), pectin, hydroxyacetophenone (found in Norwegian spruce trees) and citric acid. The glycerin will improve smoothness and suppleness and will swiftly increase hydration. Pentylene glycol is moisture-binding and antimicrobial. Pectin fights against changes to the skin structure associated with ageing.  The hydroxyacetophenone is a skin conditioning ingredient with a specific phenolic antioxidant capable of neutralising several different types of free radicals. Finally, the citric acid works by exfoliating the upper layer of dead skin cells to help clean pores, even skin tone.

Although we may not realise it, every day we inflict micro-aggressions to our hands, face, scalps, and body because simple things like washing up or taking a long hot shower can disrupt the acid balance. And that’s without mentioning the chlorine in the swimming pools, shampoos, face cleansers, or detergents! HERO used daily will ensure a rebalancing and stabilising action, where the pH instantly restores its natural protection. Suitable for all skin types, it is recommended for dry and sensitive skins prone to disorders like eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea to help treat redness and irritation. This clear and unscented formula is easy to use. Simply pump a few drops on a towel-dried scalp after washing, or a dry face, hands and body after cleansing, a long shower or washing up; gently massage into the area and leave it to absorb. We particularly liked using it for hands (drying from hand sanitiser) and on the face prior to applying our moisturiser or makeup. To purchase the HERO pH SOLUTION 02, see here bottle retails at €27.      

Black Ink - CBD Infused Coffee

We’ve previously introduced CBD oil, skincare and a few edibles; today we’d like to talk about another way of getting your daily dose of CBD, that we’ve been experiencing at The Amazing Blog. It’s one that’s perfect for the coffee enthusiast, or for those who want to try CBD, but dislike the earthy taste of hemp. Welcome Black Ink CBD Coffee.

Black Ink CBD Coffee is founded by Irish entrepreneur Gavin RC Moore and is now one of the leading CBD coffee brands here in the UK and Ireland. It owes its reputation to its premium-quality organically certified Arabica coffee beans, and its full-spectrum infused European CBD. The coffee beans are grown on the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which is what gives the beans their world-renowned flavour. You’re probably wondering what purpose there is to mix CBD and coffee. Well, CBD and caffeine each have similar beneficial properties, some of which include mood-lifting and antioxidant effects. Because of these shared properties, caffeine and CBD enhance each other. As most of our regular readers will know, the real benefit of taking CBD is to calm anxiety and nerves and help soothe pain, as it has a ‘relaxing’ effect. As surprising as it may be, this is where the CBD comes into play; its relaxing effect balances the stimulant of the caffeine, helping to eliminate the jitters and anxiety. Now, you might be wondering how you are going to get your usual morning pick-me-up if there is CBD inside. Rest assured, the CBD will not completely overpower the caffeine, so you will still be able to get that alertness from your morning coffee, the caffeine’s ‘drawbacks’ are simply balanced. The result is a pretty good feeling of being energised but relaxed all at the same time, a sort of ‘serene concentration’.

The girls at the office have been having this as their morning coffee, and say that the coffee tastes rich and smooth with a touch of very well-rounded nuttiness and subtle berry flavours. However, interestingly not with a trace of hempiness! It’s an almost identical match to pure Arabica coffee, with no bitter aftertaste. On the safety and ethical sides, you’ll be pleased to know that this product is third-party lab tested, that the grains and hemp used for the blends are organic and that their packaging is entirely recyclable. Each pack has 200g of CBD-infused ground coffee beans and should make about 20 cups. A cup of coffee includes approximately 10mg of CBD which provides you with your morning wellness nutrients (it takes about 20 minutes for these to spread through the body).  We used our trusty Aeropress for single cups. They suggest brewing your coffee in a cafetiere, by adding about 10-15g of Black Ink CBD Infused Coffee per person, pour near-boiling water, stir, and cover. Wait about 3-4 minutes, then push the strainer down. Your CBD-infused cup of coffee is now ready! Even though this is the traditional way to make it, you can also drink it as a cold brew. Like any other coffee, it should be kept in a sealed container in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight to last. Remember, it needs to be consumed with three weeks from opening to get the full benefits from the fresh ingredients. If you want to make BLACK INK CBD Infused Coffee part of your morning routine, you can purchase the pack of 200g for £30 here. You can also turn it into a monthly subscription and save up to 10%.

Albiva - ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum

Everyone knows that the weather conditions here in the UK are wildly unpredictable. One minute it’s rain, the next sun, and who knows what the following day might be doing - snowing?! All these temperature changes effect our skin with varying degrees of dryness or break-outs. Which prompted our mission at The Amazing Blog to look for a natural skincare to protect and nourish it rain or shine. This is where we’d like to introduce you to Albiva (who we met at the CEW Awards showcase) a new natural skincare where science meets nature, and they kindly sent us their ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum to try out.

Ivana Iesini founder of Albiva, was diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 28, where she was having to combine so many conventional medicines, that it started to make her feel worse. During her months of recuperation, she thought about her grandmother, Albina who was a herbalist. She remembered the natural remedies that she was introduced to from an early age, and the power of all these botanicals used to help heal and regenerate the body. Her journey into launching Albiva had begun. The name is a portmanteau combining the name of Ivana’s grandmother and her own. Ivana combined her knowledge of these natural remedies, her studies in biomedical sciences together with embracing an organic way of life, and bingo! From this, Albiva skincare gradually took shape combining her knowledge of science and natural compounds, all collated from sustainable sources. Another thing that sets this brand apart is their use of ‘gemmotherapy’ (an advanced branch of phytotherapy, which isolates the active ingredients from the embryonic tissues of plants). They also remove plain water from their formulations, where Albiva prides itself on replacing the plain water with COSMOS certified organic Raspberry water, this in itself is an active ingredient renowned for firming, lifting and smoothing properties. There are skin-identical and cell communicating ingredients, all designed to stimulate cell regeneration using the skin’s own cell biology. Let’s not forget to mention the ultra-hydrating blend of botanical extracts, powerful antioxidants, collagen supporting ingredients, peptides, ceramides, compound of oligo-elements, phyto-stimulins, nucleid acids, marine algae extracts, essential fatty acids and many more. Now you know why this brand is so very special!

The ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum (ECM means extra cellular matrix) combats hyperpigmentation (age spots) and equalises the skin texture providing natural minerals and vitamins that the skin might be lacking. This serum rejuvenates and restores damaged skin by combining an array of natural botanicals: Mallow, Peppermint, Cowslip, Lady’s Mantle, Speedwell, Melissa, and Yarrow together with Swiss Garden Cress extract; all to enhance the complexion protecting it from environmental damage. It is vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested, contains 77% of certified organic ingredients and 92% of natural ingredients. We like that it’s light in texture, absorbs quickly (no oiliness), with the subtlest of fragrance and left our skin feeling hydrated and looking brighter. We used it under our regular moisturiser and SPF primer, and were pleased to note that it complemented these other products. This serum is suitable for all skin types, so whether you are combating age spots or the effects of the erratic UK summer weather, the ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum is going to be your perfect ally. This is one brand to keep an eye on, as we’ll predict they’ll being going places…. To get your very own special serum, go to Albiva’s website here 30ml for £195.00.