Procoal - Activated Charcoal Purifying Detox Mask

At The Amazing Blog we’re fully aware of the current charcoal trend  in many beauty and wellness products, which is where we have covered it here from Restoria’s Charcoal Exfoliating Wash to White Glo’s Charcoal Deep Stain Remover Toothpaste and Just For Tummies Food Supplements. What we like about activated charcoal it removes excess oil, dirt, environmental pollutants, and dead skin cells from pores, leaving us feeling detoxed, helping us to achieve a more radiant complexion. With this in mind, we were keen to try the new Procoal Activated Charcoal Purifying Detox Face Mask.

Procoal is a UK-based company and was started in 2016 after its founders set out to create high-quality products without lower-cost filler ingredients, like a few charcoal brands that can be found in this sector. The company prides itself on ‘prioritising quality over profit’ and uses natural ingredients that are traceable, ethically sourced, free of parabens, and cruelty-free.

The Purifying Detox Mask uses one of its four key ingredients, charcoal, to deep clean pores and remove pollutants. We can see why Egyptians have used activated charcoal for centuries for its many different uses-including drawing poison from wounds-because you can feel clearer pores after just one use of this mask. Natural clays kaolin, montmorillonite, and ghassoul work to absorb and eliminate impurities and sebum as well as even out your complexion. Besides making your skin feel fresh, this product is effective on all skin types (charcoal is very gentle and won’t irritate sensitive skin) and helps fight acne. So, take 5-10 minutes out of your day to relax and treat your skin with this face mask while knowing that what is in it is all-natural. You can buy the mask for yourself here for £8.99 .

Voya Men's Grooming Range

We head over to the glorious the isle that is emerald, for this post, indulging in, without apology, Voya’s dreamy range of men’s skincare- with such a deliciously smelling combination of clove and lime, it certainly wasn’t a hardship - indeed more an exceptionally unrestrained bout of serious pampering. Such a start to the day really sets you up perfectly for what may lie ahead - good or bad (the day we mean!) the skin is certainly going to be in tiptop shape. The girls at The Amazing Blog have already experience the gorgeousness of this organic Irish brand with a few of their goodies including their Hydrating Body Lotion  So now it’s my turn!

The provenance of this range stems from a formidable heritage, rooted in the luxury spa marketwhich originated in the indigenous bathhouse tradition of Co. Sligo. The bathhouses which opened in 1912 may have since closed, but the essential ingredient which continues to provide it’s magic of course remains in bucketfuls … well vat-fulls really. And this essential ingredient which provides such incredibly healing results is of course seaweed. Naturally, the benefits of seaweed have long been known to soothe and heal, but more thorough investigation continues to throw up advantages not simply in deep detoxification, but also in aiding weightloss amongst other things. As nature’s most powerful anti-oxidant from the vegetal world, it’s hydrating and nourishing properties come from it’s plethora of minerals and vitamins, which have proven to effectively treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and acne, and is particularly good for sensitive skin. It also naturally moisturises, whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by improving skin’s elasticity and stimulating the renewal of damaged cells.

The Voya Men’s grooming range is totally focused on organic seaweed and the following two scientifically proven and 100% natural active ingredients. Speci’MenTM derived from the Baobab tree, and DEFENSIL®-PLUS: A complex of Blackcurrant Seed Oil and Balloon Vine extract. Here we have a three step routine to savour: An Invigorating Face Wash, (recently awarded Winner in the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards) Cooling Shave Gel  and Rejuvenating Moisturiser. These Seaweed-based products use the highest-quality botanical elements and aromatherapy oils in sustainable and historical processes to attain their high level of quality. The organic seaweed itself is harvested by hand to help protect the delicate coastline of West Ireland and no artificial colours or fragrances are used, with all products adhering to the strict COSMOS standard. All this science could easily overshadow the fundamental treat that comes with using this Voya For Men range -  but  we enjoyed, and enjoyment is certainly the route we took! It must also be added that they are perfect for fighting signs of aging, reduce enlarged pores, calm inflammation from shaving and soothe dehydrated skin.

Available here priced at £27.00 for the 125ml Invigorating Face Wash, £23.00 for the same sized Cooling Shaving Gel and £45.00 for the  50ml Rejuvenating Moisturiser … For the level of luxury on offer here, and the chance to bathe in some Irish magic, trust me the cost is well worth it.

Tyme - Upstaged Thermal Protectant

At The Amazing Blog we’ve collectively bought dozens of hair oils, masks, leave-in conditioners in an attempt to treat our heat damaged or coloured hair. Whilst some these products have helped in reversing the damage of hair dryers and hair dye, it’s great to discover just ONE product, that does what all! Step this way the creator of the revolutionary TYME Iron, who have now delved further into the world of haircare, by releasing their one-stop Upstaged Thermal Protectant. This spray that not only protects the hair it also helps to improves hair strength, shine and softness.  

TYME, is US based haircare company, whose mission is to '…create a hair care line that will perform its best.’ As someone who has dyed, straightened and curled their hair, those words sounded like music to my ears. It’s difficult to find products that help with my combination of damaged, fine and sometimes frizzy hair without weighing it down. However, I’m impressed with TYME’s Thermal Protectant spray that has really ‘upstaged’ my daily haircare routine.  

In addition to being heat resistant up to 300° C, Upstaged Thermal Protectant is also gluten, paraben and sulphate free so it doesn’t weigh down or cause unnecessary build up in the hair. The spray protects from heat and UV rays while giving hair volume, texture and shine in the process. Whether you have coarse, thin or even extensions in your hair, this spray will leave your locks looking pumped-up and shiny. A sulfate and paraben-free formula,  the key ingredient is extracted from the baobab tree, the hydrolysed adansonia digitata seed extract which is then infused into the heat protectant spray as the all-in-one repairing, strengthening and moisturising agent. Added Aloe Vera provides the shine and softness while additional polymers keep hair from feeling stiff and greasy. For optimal results, TYME recommends using the Upstage Thermal Protectant spray on towel-dried hair and comb through. After evenly distributing the spray, style as you would in your regular styling routine. So you can now reduce the number of products in your bathroom cabinet, but not forfeiting the results towards getting softer and stronger hair. See here to purchase your Upstage Thermal Protectant at £18.99 for a 120 ml bottle. We think you won’t be disappointed.

Pevonia - Radiance Mask Gift Set

As regular reader of The Amazing Blog, will know we prefer brands that can offer us natural ingredients and yet can deliver spa-quality results. That’s why we’ve been long standing fans of UK-based beauty brand Pevonia. Having reviewed a few of their products the past few years (check out our review about their EyeRenew Conceal & De-Age Treatment here). Pevonia’s newest release of their collection of Ravishing Radiance Masks did not disappoint, and left us feeling pampered with their three ultra-smooth masks.

Since its founding 1991, Pevonia has used completely natural and organic ingredients made from the ‘purest holistic botanical and marine elements’ in its products. All Pevonia products are free from any mineral oils, lanolin, PABA, animal testing and fragrances and alcohols that won’t dry out your skin. The range of three skincare masks each target different target problems and skin types but leaves your skin feeling just as radiant and glow-y. With the added bonus is that all three masks have aromatherapy benefits .

There was something for everyone in the office – One of us has combination, oily skin so the Bright Skin Green Apple Mask worked best with her skin. In addition to the polysaccharides, sodium lactate and sodium PCA found in green apple, the mask’s brightening and hydrating efforts are heightened with the addition of Red Clover extract which balances and evens-out the skin. For people with more acne-prone skin, Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal mask, made with ‘the finest micronized Charcoal,’ clarifies and detoxifies skin to improve the complexion. The added Shea Butter and Grapefruit extract also gives an added brightening and moisturising boost to oily, clogged skin. The last mask of the range, the Ageless Skin Collagen Mask, contains collagen polypeptides, Orange peel extract and green tea antioxidants that help plump and reduce lines and wrinkles.

For best results, apply a small amount of your mask of choice to cleansed and moisturised skin. After 15 minutes, remove with water and continue with the rest of your skincare routine. If you’re ready to start seeing visible results, purchase one of Pevonia’s 1.7 oz. radiance masks here for the Bright Skin Green Apple Mask (£40), here for the Pure Skin Charcoal Mask (£36) and here for the Ageless Skin Collagen Mask (£40). We think these trio of masks are perfect for a pampering girls night in!

You Create Beauty - DIY Beauty Recipe Box

With DIY skincare and beauty subscription boxes becoming increasingly popular, it’s not a surprise that The Amazing Blog has joined the craze and indulged in this trend by trying You-create-Beauty’s double treat - the DIY Beauty Recipe Box.

Launched in September of last year, the DIY Beauty Recipe Box is completely organic and is entirely curated for you, by you. The simple and transparent nature of the brand, is inspired by Ayurveda; which is an ancient Indian practise, that emphasises harmony and balance in all aspects of your life - including beauty - to treat your skin holistically. In true Ayurveda nature, the first step to create your own DIY Beauty Recipe Box is to take an energy test which describes your body, skin, temperament and hair type. From that, you are able to gauge which energy or “Dosha” you are, so your beauty recipes are specific to you.

Then, you select two beauty recipes from three choices of a face scrub, face mist and face oil to have in your box. Each energy- Kapha, Pitta, Vata - each is designated a My Blemish Resolution, My Calmness and My Iridescence but the ingredients used in them are selected specifically for each different energy. Ancient Indian oils, herbs and spices are used in all of You-Create-Beauty’s products such as Saffron Strands, Triphala, Organic Ground Tulsi, Vetiver and Organic Ground Bitter Melon. Other staple ingredients like Natural Vitamin E Oil, Red Rose Petals and even apricot to name a few, are incorporated into the recipes as well. If you’re not sure what some of the ingredients are, You-create-Beauty emphasises transparency by disclosing what the ingredients are and how they extracted them on their website. So, as you follow the recipes in your beauty recipe box, you can rest assured that you will know you are creating products that you can trust. To try this new holistic and creative way of skincare, subscribe to a two-month box for £20 here.