CBD Leafline : The 5000g Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray

At The Amazing Blog, we've written about countless CBD products and regular readers will know how much we love CBD with its endless benefits. This time it’s with the 5000g Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray by a familiar award-winning CBD brand CBD Leafline. You may remember the brand from previous blog posts here.

CBD Leafline was founded in 2018 by husband and wife team and CBD enthusiasts Paul and Sonia Shrive. By doing their research and not rushing through the entire process, the company was able to go through proper research and development on CBD with the purpose to follow UK product compliance while also providing consumers with the highest quality. Another brand focus is to educate customers on CBD by making packaging easy to read and understand. "Our other main focus has been to educate our customers about CBD through reader-friendly packaging that is easy to understand – we know there is nothing worse than being left frustrated by industry terminology – we hope we have achieved that." This family-owned business aims to be transparent about its entire process. All products are batch tested by a government-accredited UK independent laboratory. CBD Leafline is CannaPro certified meaning; their products, trading standards, marketing, and conduct have been reviewed. Their products are natural, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, paraben and sulphate free, and all made within their own facilities in the UK. CBD Leafline is an award-winning company. In fact, they have won a few awards at the 2021 and 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards. They recently won Best CBD Oil (isolate) at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards for their Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray which we are reviewing today.

The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray is THC-free and has 5000mg CBD which is isolate, which means that all other compounds such as flavonoids, terpenes, and amino acids, have been extracted, leaving behind only pure CBD. It’s also made up of fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil) and Citrus flavour it has 5000mg of CBD Isolate. 

They use fractionated coconut oil (MCT) as a carrier oil (the CBD is crystalline or powder in its raw state therefore mixed with the MCT for this reason); it's naturally high in fat and has had all of the non-essential fats removed to allow the most efficient absorption of CBD. As it’s made with CBD isolate there is no taste or trace of hemp, which makes these Twist Sprays (strawberry and citrus) very popular and easy to take. CBD Isolate is an excellent option for those interested in CBD but not the compounds found in cannabis plants, particularly if you are a sportsperson with routine drug testing. The extraction is done by a unique and challenging CO2 extraction process. Extra precautions must be taken to avoid unwanted substances during purification.

Now, what are the benefits of CBD? Scientists have reviewed a variety of benefits when researching CBD. CBD is thought to improve one's anxiety and depression. When CBD is consumed, it positively interacts with serotonin receptors in the cerebrum. It may also relieve inflammation and pain and be immune-modulating. CBD sprays are more unusual than other CBD edible products in the market. This makes them a little harder to find. However, what we like is that this spray has higher bioavailability than some other edibles, and these sprays, like the oils, are applied directly under the tongue. Tongues mucus membranes have small capillaries, which allows the product to be absorbed faster into the bloodstream. The spray allows a more direct route than other forms of ingestion. To use, shake the contents first and spray the recommended dosage directly under your tongue every morning and night. For maximum effect, allow the oil to sit under the tongue for about 2 minutes, CBD Leafline recommends. For new consumers, it's best to start with the lowest dosage to see how the body handles it. This 5000ml is the most potent dose in the range, so for the CBD novice, it’s recommended to start with 1500ml, as you can always slowly increase the dosage if necessary. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, and you can even refer to one of the dosage guides here. The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray comes in a 30 ml bottle with an applicator at the top. We like it because it tastes great and is an easy and discreet way to carry CBD.

The Pure CBD Citrus Twist Spray contains 5000mg of pure CBD and is THC-free. It’s a great way to start off your day and end your night. The Twist Spray ranges come in 3 strengths: 1500mg, 2500mg and 5000mg. See here to purchase the PURE CBD Citrus Twist Spray for £49.99.

Purdy & Figg : The Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray

Now with Omicron, yet another strain of COVID-19 on the rise, it’s even more critical to keep hands clean and sanitised. And at The Amazing Blog with how often we use hand sanitiser, it’s a must to have one with a good fragrance too. This is where Purdy & Figg's Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray comes into play. Plus, we love their coordinating Refillable Atomiser, making it even more convenient to carry hand sanitiser in our party bags this season.

Purdy & Figg is a company that was founded in pursuit of reducing "the number of toxic chemicals that we use on our skin and plastic waste around our homes." NHS nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturist Charlotte Figg shared this passion and began experimenting with creating natural cleaning products for the home. When cold and flu season rolled around, these founders wanted to create a solution, "For a better, bacteria-killing and moisturising alternative to the toxic mass-produced hand sanitiser gels found everywhere else." Beyond their passion for finding good, natural products, they have helped others discover ways to make their own products. Purdy & Figg held "workshops to share their knowledge with others on how they could create great products at home, to save money and to help the planet." Purdy & Figg remains a family business with Purdy's sons now at the helm, and Charlotte & Purdy still creating new sprays and products. 

The Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray is an effective sanitiser and made with 70% pharmaceutical grade alcohol and safe, pure essential oils. This spray has a sweet orange, pink grapefruit and niaouli flower scent, making it smell infinitely better than your standard hand sanitiser. For a sanitising product, it's impressive that there are only a few key ingredients: pharmaceutical grade Isopropyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel), vegetable glycerin and three 100% pure essential oils. Witch hazel is a popular ingredient in skincare due to its anti-inflammatory and bacteria-fighting properties. Vegetable glycerin is Non-GMO and vegan friendly, and this ingredient is essential in helping the skin stay smooth while retaining moisture. This hand sanitiser has proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria. What we love is the uplifting fragrance of pink grapefruit, sweet orange, and the aromatic niaouli flower essential oils, which are energising with anti-depressant and naturally anti-bacterial properties, making them a winner. The essential oil niaouli will probably be new to our readers, it’s a relative of the tea tree plant with many similar healing benefits which is why it’s probably used here. It has sweet camphorous like top notes and undertones of eucalyptus, blends particularly well with the other essential oils pink grapefruit and sweet orange.

Purdy & Figg packages their products in sustainable glass bottles with the option to purchase refills. They even created a 15 ml refillable aluminium atomiser spray bottle in vibrant colours of red or blue (suitable for spotting quickly in a handbag!) With any of the four preferred Purdy & Figg sanitisers, fill up this container to have a stylish yet practical (and sustainable) way to carry your favourite sanitiser. Made of aluminium and glass this reusable container is small and convenient, allowing you to keep it unobtrusively in a pocket or in a tiny party bag.

We’re big fans of hand sanitiser sprays, as they’re easy, quick-drying and less fiddly to use than their gel cousins. Simply spray this Purdy & Figg sanitiser onto your palms then rub your hands together to ensure complete coverage and take in the beautiful scents of the essential oils. There are four fragrance blends to choose from with Floral, Woody, Frankincense & Myrrh and Citrus. Oh, and we must mention that they were voted best hand sanitiser of 2020 by ITV This Morning! This is another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase the 50ml Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray and 15ml Refillable Atomiser Spray, together, for £17.99 see here. We also think this makes a very practical stocking filler.

Root Minerals : Moisture Infusion Lipstick & IntensifEYE Me Natural Mascara

After a long year stuck inside, there is no better feeling than being able to go out again, and for us at The Amazing Blog, this means putting a little more effort into ourselves and our appearance! That is why we went on the hunt for new and unique beauty products to break us out of our post-pandemic slump. Root Minerals caught our attention with its multitude of natural products. We decided to try the Moisture Infusion Lipstick in the shade Strawberry Kiss and the IntensifEYE Me Natural Mascara. 

Root Minerals is a vegan makeup brand that is “inspired by love.” The company, which is based in the UK, was founded by Jay Baharj in 2016. Jay’s story starts with the love for his wife and a fascination with natural ingredients. When Jay’s wife, Amy, used makeup, her sensitive skin would have a bad reaction, eventually leading her to stop wearing makeup altogether. Jay began to wonder if other people suffered this way and why makeup couldn't benefit the skin. These questions drove Jay to research many different “natural” brands that contained many harmful and unnecessary ingredients. Out of frustration and love for his wife, Jay founded Root Minerals to create makeup products that would be cruelty-free, ethical, and all-natural. Jay now has a well-established makeup line featuring over 60 super pigment eyeshadows, 30 organically infused lipsticks, 36 foundation shades, and more! Root Minerals proudly holds the vegan certification and uses its brand to advocate against animal cruelty. Root Minerals began with a story of love and continues to promote love through its natural and ethical products.

The first product that we tried was the Moisture Infusion Lipstick in the shade Strawberry Kiss.  All of the lipsticks in this collection are infused with organic oils and plant-based waxes, which protect the lips from the sun and provide staying power for all-day colour. Natural oils and waxes are also beneficial due to their moisturising and nourishing power, setting apart the Moisture Infusion Lipstick from others that dry out our lips as the day goes by. Some of the most notable ingredients in these products are castor oil, shea butter, and iron oxide colouring. Castor oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which helps retain the skin's moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin. When used in lipstick, castor oil keeps the lips hydrated and helps avoid the product's bleeding around the lips. Shea butter is an easily absorbed ingredient that goes to work at treating and preventing chapped lips. The fatty acids and antioxidants found in shea butter help smooth lips and create a soft and supple look. Iron oxide colouring is a natural colourant that comes from the oxidation of sedimentary rocks, leaving us with brilliant shades of silver, red, yellow, brown, and more. Iron oxide is moisture resistant, making it perfect for the gym or summer heatwaves. The shade Strawberry Kiss, a dark metallic orangey-red colour, and is reminiscent of the natural wonders left behind by oxidised rock. The colour is earthy and rich, perfect for a pop of colour and has a fabulous bit of shimmer for this festive period. The application was smooth and felt nourishing even hours after applying. 

The second product that we tried was the IntensifEYE Me Natural Mascara. This cleverly named mascara has a specially designed brush and formula meant to thicken and darken lashes. This multifaceted mascara is waterproof, quick-drying, and perfect for sensitive eyes or contact wearers. The unique formula contains natural plant oils and vegetable waxes for long-lasting wear. One ingredient that stood out to us is oryza sativa bran oil. This bran oil helps to repair dress and brittleness while contributing to hair growth. This oil helps treat and nourish the eyelashes while being worn, making a multi-purposeful product. In addition to healing the lashes, the mascara can be used as an eyeliner due to its creamy texture or used to eliminate white hairs. We liked how the formula was buildable, which meant we could add more or less mascara to create a day or night look without the mascara clumping. Just a few swipes left our lashes fuller and thicker, and the creaminess of the product made for a smooth application. If you are looking to add mineral makeup into your routine, then these natural and ethical products will be for you. To purchase the Moisture Infusion Lipstick for £25, click here. To purchase the IntensifEYE Me Mascara for £25, click here.

The Soap Loaf Company : Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit

We love a challenge at The Amazing Blog, and this time, we thought we’d try our hand at making a hand-crafted soap as it looked like a lot of fun! This award-winning Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit is from The Soap Loaf Crafting Company the same company that sent us their Solid Deodorant Making Kit, which we reviewed here. 

After working as a finance broker for 11 years, founder Natasha Green felt it was now time for her to get in touch with her creative side. This manifested itself into creating a bath and body care business, The Soap Loaf Company , in 2012. The company brings to market handmade toiletries and cosmetics, which has gone on to expand into their renowned DIY cosmetic workshops. Through The Soap Loaf Company, Natasha began to host soap-making parties for children's groups and organisations. As the parties expanded with new products and ideas, she decided that it was time to attract the adult customer audience. In 2018, Natasha launched a sister brand Cosmeti-Craft. It offers customers unique experiences to nurture their creative side and provides them with a wide array of cosmetic products to craft at home, from soap and bath bombs to deodorants and lip gloss. Now with over thirteen different locations around Yorkshire, The Soap Loaf Company has opened up spaces for adults and children alike to explore their crafting abilities. These workshop crafting parties include making body butter, lip balm, solid shampoo bars and deodorant, moisturiser, and many more. They also extend past the borders of Yorkshire and travels around the country hosting events and supporting charities. Cosmeti-Craft works hard to foster a self-care environment for its customers. The brand points out how it excels in the "field of self-care, wellbeing, and mindfulness offering the resources to create a unique self-care, personal hygiene based and creative cosmetic product." The essence of both these brands is to allow others to develop new creative skills in a way that improves their well-being. Many healthcare experts have linked crafting and participating in handmade activities, to a boost in an individual's morale together with a positive effect on mental health. The company also prioritises sustainability, as they're a plastic-free business and only use 100% recycled product wrapping and biodegradable glitter. They focus on offering fully compostable packaging, reusing and recycling all materials from their suppliers, and ordering materials in bulk to reduce shipping frequency and CO2 emissions. They also collect bottle tops for a specialist recycling group, offer paper bags in store for customers, and reward customers with a 20% discount for bringing refillable containers when making further purchases. As a vegan and cruelty-free company, their Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit Kit  (see below) was recently awarded the Best Soap Bar Gold Winner at the 2021 UK Global Makeup Awards. Natasha Green has also been recognised for her impressive business acumen and was a finalist for the Best Business Woman in Retail or Consumer Business at the 2019 Best Business Women Awards.

This time we were lucky enough to be sent the Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit.  The Soap Loaf Company promotes this crafting experience as "the best bar of soap, is one that the consumer makes for themselves." This Soap Making Kit allows you to create two different 85g soaps, which you can decorate and colour in your own manner, giving you the opportunity to explore your creative side. The kit comes with two different kinds of SLS free soap bases, a fragrance oil, two different types of floral petals, soap colour, soap mould equipment, and a step-by-step tutorial to help you through it.  All you need is a microwaveable mixing bowl or large jug, a wooden spoon, and a microwave. The two types of soap bases are translucent, which we used (see photo above) or an opaque one. They are both glycerin and SLS-free (SLS is an acronym for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), a surfactant known to irritate the skin. Glycerin, on the other hand, is a humectant; it hydrates and helps the skin to retain moisture. Without SLS's, the glycerin soap base is more effective in soothing all skin types, including sensitive ones. The kit also comes with a rose fragrance oil that gives the soap its calming floral scent. Rose essential oil combines vitamins and minerals with benefits for both the mind and body; and has antiseptic properties that help combat redness and irritation. The dried rose petals in the kit, apart from the fresh floral fragrance roses emanate, also have other benefits mentioned above. The dried marigold petals are known as an anti-inflammatory and have antioxidant properties to aid with collagen production. Apart from the refreshing botanicals, both these petals contribute to the soap exfoliant properties make the skin soft. The brand also encourages you to experiment with other ingredients, like dried flowers or coconut oil, for increased moisturising and further exfoliating effects. We particularly liked making this soap bar because it avoids all artificial preservatives, chemical foaming agents, and palm oil. 

To help you create your hand-crafted rose soap bar, the kit has an in-depth set of instructions. The process includes using a 'melt and pour' method, where you melt the soap base in the microwave and then mix the ingredients in, using your own unique blend. Then simply pour the contents into the mould and let it set. This will take about thirty minutes, but if you are feeling eager to see your finished product, you can pop it in the fridge, and it should be cool and set in just fifteen minutes. Once it’s all set, gently peel off the mould, and voila! The soap is now ready. If you are not using the soap immediately and avoid surface condensation, it is best to store it in a cool and dry area in an airtight container or cling wrap. NB Cosmeti-Craft advises that this soap should be used within six months of making as it doesn’t have any preservatives.  We loved how the soap smelt, looked and felt and think that it makes not only the perfect Christmas gift but also a super-easy crafting and activity project. The Cosmeti-Craft Rose Soap Crafting Kit can be purchased here for £19.99, and if you are looking for more structured guidance, you can purchase it for £29.99 here with the Online Workshop Session.

Havuka: Five Herbs Balm and the 30% Spruce Resin Balm

Living amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, at The Amazing Blog we love brands that transport us to faraway lands with their natural and organic products. Today, we’re back with the Finnish botanical brand Havuka, who we recently featured here, this time it’s with their  Five Herbs Facial Balm and 30% Spruce Resin Balm.

Havuka is a Finnish brand launched by entrepreneur Anna-Leena Toivanen that creates natural, artisan cosmetics "from the Finnish forests and land." Their products utilise natural remedies from the Finnish landscape inspired by Elias Lönnrot's recipes. Elias Lönnrot was a Finnish physician, philologist, and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry. During his travels, Elias collected poems and stories across Finland, resulting in the creation of the Kalevala, a collection of literary works based on the Finnish landscape. Throughout his journey, Elias discovered the healing powers of Finnish botanicals and herbs. Particuarlly the spruce resin, which has been used in Nordic countries for centuries as a healing balm to treat skin infections, insect bites, chapped hands, cuts, scrapes, eczema, burns and rashes. Havuka continues his journey by bringing "natural products made according to his recipes bringing them into modern times." The brand is a family-owned company that has passed on the tradition of creating these natural products for three generations. Anna-Leena first learned about Elias Lönnrot from her father, and now her son Timo Tynys is the current CEO. Havuka's resin-based spruce products are made by hand using traditional Finnish techniques, where they take great care when sourcing their materials, selecting spruce resin harvested domestically and combining with other organic ingredients. 

Havuka sent us two of their products to try, the first being their Five Herbs Balm.  As Elias Lönnrot wandered across the northern meadow, he collected five herbs from which he prepared an eye cream that he gave to his wife, Maria. The Havuka Five Herbs Facial Balm is modelled after this very cream. The first botanical is dandelion. Rich in antioxidants, it has anti-ageing benefits for the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Dandelion also contains vitamin C that promotes healing and detoxifying properties that help reduce clogged pores and acne. The second herb is yarrow, said to have been used on battlefields to slow bleeding, it also has antimicrobial properties. In this balm, it works to restore the skin, soothing irritation and healing broken capillaries. The Five Herbs Facial Balm also contains burdock, which includes multiple types of powerful antioxidants like quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids. These antioxidants reduce inflammation and protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals, and is ideal for treating skin conditions like acne and eczema. The next herb in the balm is broadleaf plantain, the leaves of this plant contain many anti-inflammatory compounds like tannins and flavonoids. It can also support healing by blocking microbial growth and relieving pain. The fifth and final botanical is chickweed, which has a high concentration of vitamin B that soothes skin and eases any inflammation caused by bug bites or eczema. This balm is specifically aimed at helping to calm and soothe the skin around the delicate eye area. To apply, take a small amount with your ring finger and gently tap the cream onto your skin, starting from the inner corner of the eye and going outwards. They recommend keeping the cream in the refrigerator, as the coolness feels refreshing on the skin helping to calm and heal, plus, the darkness of the refrigerator protects the integrity of the balm's delicate ingredients. 

The second product that Havuka sent us was their 30% Spruce Resin Balm. Throughout his journeys, Elias Lönnrot developed wounds on his feet, prompting him to utilise the powerful healing benefits of Spruce Resin. And legend has it that this resin immediate soothed his feet and gave him the strength to continue on his travels. Spruce Resin, known as ‘nature's own antiseptic balm,’ has rejuvenating and calming benefits, repairing skin damage while also providing antibacterial and antimicrobial protection. It's a renewable natural resource that contains hundreds of active compounds, including antioxidants, flavonoids, delicate oils, and natural resin acids. Spruce Resin is said to be so potent that with regular application, beneficial effects are visible within only 3-5 applications! Again, this balm doesn't contain any chemicals, fragrances, or additives, only pure raw materials with 30% spruce resin, organic beeswax and rapeseed oil. Ideal for use to treat dry skin, abrasions, scratches, insect bites, burns (including sunburn), and even healing tattoos. And also suitable for our furry friends too, it can treat wounds, burnt or day paws, and even tick bites and insect stings. This is a balm that’s good for treating the body as a whole (rather than specifically the eye area). For skin and nail issues, they suggest applying the balm to the area once or twice daily until healed. It’s also recommended to use the resin balm in a warm environment like a sauna where the heat enhances its absorption. We love how both these little jars of balms have a multitude of uses - perfect for keeping in the medicine cabinet or on the dressing table. To purchase the Havuka Five Herbs Balm, 40ml for €27.90 or 100ml €49.90 here and The 30% Spruce Resin Balm is available here at €27.90 £ for 40ml or 100ml at €39.90.