Nathalie Bond - Bloom Body Oil

London is starting to be a crimson and fiery orange dream, thanks to the autumn leaves. However, the crisp air can start to affect our skin’s moisture levels, especially when you have sensitive skin. As our regular readers will know, we’re more than just a tad fussy about what we use on our bodies, and are always eager to know what the ingredients are. Today The Amazing Blog is reviewing a product by the certified COSMOS Organic & Natural and cruelty-free skincare brand, Nathalie Bond. Their products are made in small batches, so we know we’re getting the quality that we deserve. We’re fans of this organic skincare brand and have recently reviewed their Bloom Lip Balm, here.

Nathalie Bond uses cold pressed and sustainably sourced oils. This family-run business has a range of products with handmade soap, lip salves, balms, body/face oils, scrubs, bath salts candles, and mists.

We gave their Bloom Body Oil a whirl. This oil is certified organic and 100% natural, 99% of the natural ingredients are organic. The Bloom Body Oil contains safflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, rose geranium flower oil, palmarosa oil, patchouli oil, and vitamin E. Safflower oil is known to rejuvenate and moisturise damaged skin. Jojoba oil is found in most natural skincare products, due to its quick absorbing properties. We found the Bloom Body Oil wasn’t greasy, it absorbed well and did wonders to hydrate our skin. Nathalie Bond recommends this oil for all skin types and we couldn’t get enough of the beautiful rose geranium and patchouli fragrance, it left our skin gently scented. You can purchase Nathalie Bond’s  Bloom Body Oil 30ml for £10.00 or the 100ml bottle for £24.00 here. There is free shipping on orders over £40 in the UK.

Marvis - Travel Kit and Toothpaste Dispenser

The Amazing Blog believes that the oral hygiene is the most essential element of our morning and evening routines. Recently, we learned about Marvis, an Italian toothpaste company that dates back to the ‘50s. Ludovico Martelli bought the brand in the ‘90s, with a vision of creating a toothpaste brand to surpass the traditional concept of toothpaste. This is certainly something he has achieved, with five innovative flavours ranging from classic strong mint, Amarelli liquorice, cinnamon mint, ginger mint, and jasmine mint. Rather an unusual set of combinations I’m sure you will agree! Initially designed for smokers, we were particularly interested in the strength of their toothpastes, with intense cleaning power and strong flavours to leave your mouth feeling fresh.

We tried and tested their handy Zip Bag with Toothpaste and Brush and Toothpaste Dispenser. The Zip Bag is made from rubber, particularly useful as it is waterproof and easy-to-clean. Inside the bag, we found an 85ml tube of Classic Strong Mint toothpaste. Since we’re mint-lovers, we were more than pleased. There’s nothing like the traditional punch of mint to leave your mouth feeling fresh. We can confirm that is it indeed “strong”- the minty tang stayed with us even after our morning coffees. Not only toothpaste with a formidable taste, but the formula itself is equally standout, intensely fighting against tooth decay, tartar and plaque for a pearly white smile. Encased in a charming tube that adds a bit of luxury to our bathroom cabinet, the kit also contains a sleek black toothbrush, meaning that it is equally ideal for travelling.

The last goodie we tried was their Toothpaste Dispenser. This dispenser is made of porcelain and is a great help to get the last bit of toothpaste out a tube. We didn’t realise how much toothpaste we were wasting before using this product. All you have to do is pop the tub into the top, and twist the metal handle. To try these innovative products for yourself, you can purchase Marvis’ Zip Bag with Toothpaste and Brush here for £17.50 or the Toothpaste Dispenser here for £17.50.

True Skincare - Rosehip and Rosemary Facial Oil

In a society driven by Instagram likes and online presences, transparency is becoming a rarity. The Amazing Blog admires the mission of True Skincare, to create a line of products that are inclusive to all. Founded on the moral principles of being honest and genuine, True Skincare fights industry exclusion with ethical, effective and purse friendly products.

With the use of 100% natural and ethically sourced ingredients, and the avoidance of chemicals, artificial fragrances and parabens, it is no surprise that True Skincare is also certified by the Soil Association. Founder, Emma Thornton wanted to focus on creating truly natural and organic products, extending from the ingredients sourced, to the use of cruelty-free, vegan and recycled packaging. True Skincare strives to be accessible to all women, something Emma recognised as lacking in the premium beauty sector. She values the need to steer away from clever marketing techniques that mask deceptive messaging, instead, provides a range of products that are ethical and affordable, without compromising on quality. That is certainly a philosophy we admire.

We tried the Organic Rehydrating Facial Oil, which, thanks to the scent of rosehip and rosemary, suitably woke us up each morning. This botanical oil contains sesame, sunflower and apricot kernel, carrier oils which are perfect for dehydrated skin. Additionally, the use of rosehip captures moisture and reduces the appearance of scars, dark spots and fine lines, while rosemary is both an antioxidant and antiseptic. Together, these ingredients remove impurities and maintain clear skin, something I am thankful for, as the weather continues to wreak havoc with my skin. The oil is light, and a little goes a long way. Although designed for dehydrated skin, members of The Amazing Blog team with oilier skin found this oil equally nourishing at nighttime. For maximum results, use this oil both morning and evening - simply massage 2-3 drops in upward and circular motions across the face (we also applied it to our necks). In line with Emma’s desire for inclusivity, this oil is reasonably priced at £13.50. To try a 30ml bottle for yourself, click here.

TABAC Shaving Soaps

At The Amazing Blog we love to rediscover grooming classics, and it’s time to pay due homage to a shaving classic. TABAC have been giving us boys a no-nonsense, smooth as you like, close shave, since the 1950s, and like most of the design classics from that era, the complete range stands the test of time, with the Original Shaving Soap taking their jewel in the Tabac crown... The woody, masculine fragrance is instantly recognisable, and evocative of so much male grooming history - the chances are somewhere in all our ‘shaving journeys’, this pot of sumptuous lather has played a part, even if it was from our father’s, or grandfather’s tutorials when puberty began knocking on the bathroom door.

The lather really is the key here, to protecting the skin as we scythe off those unwanted hairs, and TABAC have consistently given us this. So much so, it is quite easy to overload the shaving brush and find ourselves deep in Christmas cake icing territory, which can be totally counter-productive. Loading up the brush, however, with a generous head of cream, should be plenty to ensure a decent first and second attempt. As a lot of water is kept in the bubbles, continuous hydration is easily achieved and is important in avoiding the dreaded drag of a blade, which inevitably leads to irritation and possible soreness. Used in the right way, this shaving soap will not only give many effective shaves, but also helps to prepare the follicles for harvest time, and as we all know, prepped skin will always yield a calmer result following the onslaught of a razor.

Granted, there may indeed be slightly cheaper options on the market, but when it comes to putting our best chin forward, who is going to quibble about £13.10 for a whole 125g tub or perhaps £8 for a 10g stick. The TABAC range is a staple of the male grooming industry, you will find their goodies in most high street shops, local chemists and online from The English Shaving Company.

Friday Favourites - Face Oils

Including a face oil in our daily beauty routine has become somewhat of a ritual for us at The Amazing Blog. This week, we’d like to introduce you to four of our favourite luxury face oils that will enchant your senses, revive your skin and keep your complexion feeling supple and hydrated, even as the temperatures drop.

Our first pick is Replenish, a night oil created by the award-winning aromatherapy brand Beatitude. As a brand that we know and love, we have previously written about their Peace Bath Oil. Founded by Rebecca O’Connor, the name of the brand itself represents supreme happiness and blessedness, and according to Rebecca, the brand aims to bring “a sense of happiness, calm and well-being”. We can certainly vouch for this, as the Replenish Oil has become a much-loved part of our wind-down evening routine.

It’s a profoundly nourishing oil that awakens your senses and skin cells, to give your complexion a radiant and healthy glow. With powerful ingredients like rose, neroli and immortelle, it is also anti-ageing, working to combat fine lines and dehydration. Anti-oxidants and vitamins are mixed in a unique formula of rosehip, vitamin E, evening primrose and many more natural plant ingredients. These make our skin feel nourished and rejuvenated, and as the texture is light on the skin, it doesn’t leave the greasy look that most of us fear when considering facial oils. Instead, it absorbs quickly and has become a firm favourite in our nightly beauty routine. It can be used under night cream or stand-alone; apply to the décolleté, neck and face with light upwards massage movements, but be careful to avoid the delicate eye area. Click here to purchase a 30ml bottle of anti-ageing magic for £38.

Up next is a deeply nourishing and natural facial oil, known for its premium anti-ageing properties. Created by experts at Lumity, a brand committed to proving that ageing is more than skin deep, their Natural Anti-Ageing Facial Oil is equally rejuvenating and balancing. The brainchild of Sara Palmer Hussey, Lumity’s products are designed with busy lifestyles in mind, combining vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids to create simple skincare and supplement products. In fact, we reviewed Lumity’s Anti-Ageing Supplements back in 2017, click here to view the post.

This time, we tried the Facial Oil and were pleased to discover that the formula contains 32 different botanical oils and extracts, including passion flower seed oil, known for stimulating skin cells, and marula oil, known for healing powers. Alongside this, the mixture of argan and jojoba seed oil make this a unique and plant-based blend, full of the nutrients that are welcome as winter approaches. This luxurious oil provides smoother skin, and in just 4 weeks, 73% of users noticed a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These are statistics we can back, as members of the Amazing Blog team (not naming any names) have noticed similarly smooth and younger complexions. Lumity's Facial Oil (30ml) is available on their website, standalone for £60 or at a discounted rate of £48 if purchased as part of their monthly subscription.

Our third find this Friday is from Botany Blend; a brand celebrated for combining green beauty and luxury, offering us a range of oils that indulge our minds and bodies. With expertise in aromatherapy products that satisfy your senses, and revitalise the skin, each batch is handmade and all ingredients are sourced sustainably. We love the use of certified organic ingredients and were excited to discover that the products are all made in a small studio on the Devon coast.

We tried the Aceso Oil, which like Botany Blend's other products, is free from essential oils. The formula contains numerous potent antioxidants, alongside Co2 extracted sea buckthorn, rosehip berries, apricot kernel, safflower and Japanese camellia. These are all rich in plant-based fatty acids, helping to nurture even the most sensitive of skin. We found that the oil was easy to apply, and was soothing, yet non-greasy, ideal for use both morning and night. It even acts as a smooth base for makeup, something we would often steer clear of with other oils. If you have sensitive skin or are merely looking for an organic oil that does not contain essential oils, then this will be for you. Purchase your own 30ml bottle of Acesco for £35 here.

Last, but by no means least, we came across Vetivert & Co, a London based brand, founded by Aanu Oduyeni to provide plant-based oils to nourish and repair the skin. Suffering from acne, and dreading scarring, she envisaged a brand that would be free from synthetic fragrances, nut oils and parabens, and suitable for vegans. These goals are something that she has very much achieved, so we were excited to try the Balance Oil.

As with Vetivert & Co's other products, Balance Oil is cruelty-free, and 100% natural, containing a blend of tamanu, seabuckthorn, palmarosa and lavender oils. We found these ingredients not only helped to avoid future breakouts by neutralising and calming the skin, but that they also helped to repair it, aiding with the scarring that many of us are availed with. This oil helps to defy the stereotype that oils will clog pores and worsen acne, as many of us here have been suitably impressed with the long lasting effects. As a lighter oil, this can be used twice daily (morning and evening) and should be gently patted onto damp or dry skin. Combat your acne worries by purchasing a 30ml bottle here for £35.

Face oils often have a reputation of only being necessary for dry or older skin. While there is truth in this statement, we hope to have opened your eyes to the uses of facial oils for all skin types. Whether you have sensitive or acne prone skin, we're sure one of these products will be suitable for you.