Ao Skincare's Reverse Longitude PM Serum Shot

Keeping our skin looking healthy and feeling hydrated is often a struggle. Here at The Amazing Blog, we know that environmental influences and a busy lifestyle quickly leave their marks. So naturally, the greatest thing that could be invented, is a reset button for our skin. Can you imagine that? Something to bring back your natural balance. Luckily for us, this is what Ao Skincare aims to create. For Dr Mark Gray (a Harvard trained pathologist and dermatologist), skincare is evolutionary, and should work to find a balance between health and efficiency. We first discovered this brand via 2018 The Beauty Shortlist Awards where they won 3 awards for Editors Choice and we just couldn’t wait to try it!

With expertise that questions standard skincare practices, Ao Skincare’s fresh scientific methods filter nature’s potent energy into products designed to overcome uncertain elements, while defending your skin’s dynamic boundary. The adaptive ingredients protect your skin from the harshest conditions, while the cold processed formulas retain the raw power of every active. Hoping for that “reset-button”, we tried Ao Skincare’s Reverse Longitude PM Serum-Shot. This is an antioxidant-infused retinal, with the use of powerful vitamin-A, a gentle (and more effective) alternative to pure retinol. The ingredient are plant-based like Bakuchio which has the benefits of vitamin A without the typical associated sensitivities. Also containing New Zealand Red Algae one the most powerful natural antioxidant known and 6000x stronger than vitamin C. these all help to protect cells from oxidation and reduces sun damage, wrinkles, age spots and freckles - what more could one ask for?! Our skin was left feeling hydrated, boosted and calm, with noticeable results after just four weeks. The formulation is blended raw, in order not to deactivate any ingredients (a common problem as a result of excessive heating in the production process of skincare). Delivered in a metallic blue bottle, the burnt orange lettering matches the slightly transparent orange of this creamy and hydrating lotion - this is not just a product that does good, but it looks pretty good displayed on our dressing table too. It is also free from all parabens, sulphates, mineral oils, petrochemicals and fragrance.

No need to just take our word for it, in a Dermatest GbmH clinical trial it showed remarkable results as 92% of users reported that their skin felt softer and more supple, with 77% experiencing an improved appearance. Suitable for any skin type and any age, Ao skincare’s products include 95 to 98% natural ingredients and are completely cruelty-free. We really rate this serum with it’s potent cold pressed botanical based ingredients. It is a great investment for anyone looking to improve the texture their complexion, as well as plumping up and hydrating their skin. You can purchase a 30ml bottle for $129.95 here, or check out more of Ao skincare’s evolutionary products here.

Friday Favourites: Body Care Products

When The Amazing Blog did a quick beauty poll amongst some friends, it seems that body care products are something frequently overlooked. We all take great care to moisturise our faces, but what about our poor hard-working bodies? Today we have reviewed some of our #amazingfinds for the body, which we hope will tempt even the most sceptical or lackadaisical among you.

Let’s begin with Lavera, a brand that we know and love (see here for more). Lavera never fails to live up to our expectations with their 100% certified organic ingredients, all of which are dermatologically proven, vegan and with all the free-froms. We like a good multi-tasker and with their Firming Body Milk we have found just that. Not only does it help to moisturise, but it also works to firm up the skin too. Lavera claims that when used every day, there will be a noticeable difference in your skin texture within two weeks – quite a claim, but one we can justify! Gently fragranced, the use of key ingredients, organic green coffee bean and green tea, help to stimulate the skin, for a soft and smooth finish. On the other hand, the use of rosemary and grape help to leave skin feeling silky-soft. It is lightweight to use and absorbs quickly, thankfully leaving no sticky residue. They suggest exfoliating first (Lavera has a rather lovely Smoothing Body Scrub) and applying daily. Whether you’re looking for body firming or not, we really liked the fragrance, feel and texture. Sensibly priced at £10.95 for a 200ml tube , it is available here.

Next, we have CeraVe’s Moisturising Cream, an impressive hyaluronic acid and ceramide based barrier cream, suitable for use on both the body and face, and gentle enough for eczema-prone skin. What are ceramides, I hear you ask; they are lipids that not only help to form the skin’s barrier and retain moisture but also protect against environmental pollution. This body moisturiser is particularly suitable for anyone with dry or very dry sensitive skin. CeraVe is a US brand developed in tandem with dermatologists, they have over 70 products to offer and what makes their product unique is their revolutionary delivery system: MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology (MVE). This technology releases moisturising ingredients over a 24 hour period, layer by layer, to help keep skin soft all day long. Ingredients are not natural, but they are fragrance free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. CeraVe are also quick to point out that they have received more Seal of Acceptance awards from the National Eczema Association than any other brand, which makes them a very tried and tested brand. Available from Boots or Superdrug, this is an economical product, £8.50 for 177ml.

Our third body moisturiser is from the award-winning British brand PHB (Pure Handmade British) Ethical Beauty which is stuffed to the gunnels with delicious superfoods. This 2-in-1 Hand & Body Moisturiser has had us all cooing and oohing. We’ve been long-standing fans of PHB Ethical Beauty and have reviewed several of their products (and we hope many more) - see here. So when given the opportunity to try their new Hand & Body Moisturiser – we leapt at the chance! This brand is very special with 20% of their profits going to The OneLove Foundation (founded by PHB Ethical Beauty in 2015). All their products are made with ethically harvested and responsibly sourced ingredients that are 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free (Halal certified). They call this a “no-nonsense moisturiser” and we couldn’t agree more. It absorbs quickly and comes with a list of simple, natural and certified organic ingredients that perform; it feeds the skin with a pure and powerful blend of mango, shea butter, apricot and pumpkin seeds – we love both the fragrance and simplicity. It is available on the PHB website here for £16.60, in a 150ml recyclable tube.

Our final discovery are Liquid Body Washes from Fil Blanc (meaning “white thread” in French), perhaps best known for their high-quality Hammam Turkish cotton towelling (we have our eye on their multi-coloured hand woven bath robe). The brand’s inspiration is taken from Mediterranean luxury living, with a touch of bohemia thrown in. Fil Blanc is based in historical St. Nicholas Market at the Exchange Hall, Bristol where they started three years ago. All products are sourced or designed by the founder Gulsum Gok. She very kindly sent us two of their body washes Relaxing and Orange & Jasmine. All body washes are 99% natural with a 81.98 % organic base, also vegan, cruelty and paraben free. Again they come with a very simple list of ingredients: Relaxing is made with essential oils of geranium, lavender, orange and ylang-ylang; whereas Orange & Jasmine has only these. Both contain honey and aloe vera with an Argan oil base. At a reasonably priced £12 for 259ml you can purchase both here, or alternatively make a visit to their Bristol HQ.

Now there is no excuse not to implement a little body pampering!

The Bluebeard’s Revenge – The Ultimate Hair Tonics for Real Men

At the risk of being labelled 'a touch predictable’, we at The Amazing Blog couldn’t resist the obvious parallel with our favourite theatrical pastime - that of Panto … ‘Oh NO We Didn’t/ Oh Yes We Did’ etc, when Bluebeard’s Revenge presented us with two of their different Ultimate Hair Tonics for us to try. As regular readers will know we’re fans of this brand, and recently featured their Soap Stack Kit here.

You only have to read the information on the bottles to get a very clear idea that Bluebeard’s Revenge are a company with a cracking sense of humour, is clearly welcomed in the market place with razor burn weary men flocking to try the various products on order to sort the daily assault on our fac es. But be reminded, Bluebeard himself makes it very clear that this range is absolutely only for the REAL man- the kind of man who can wear lace down his chest, but still works the machismo vibe without apology or explanation - who has time for that when there are ships to be plundered and adventures to be had? 

However, we are here to tell you about both their Ultimate Hair Tonics for Real Men The Classic Blend and The Cuban Blend which are stand alone products in themselves and sit right up there with the best of them. The Classic Blend pays homage to traditional barbershop finishes, while the Cuban Blend offers an altogether more exotic, Caribbean-inspired fragrance. Both are oil-free making them ideal for all hair types, and head massages and can even be used as a cutting lotion or to break down product. Both have delicious fresh fragrance The Classic is more citrus/fresh whereas The Cuban is a tad more exotic. As a brand that has Men’s Grooming awards coming thick and fast, it is small wonder then that this range is going from strength to strength. Bluebeard’s Revenge have priced themselves very competitively, and offer much in the way of a total grooming regime to keep us boys in tiptop shape whilst we navigate our daily lives in search of that treasure chest - elusive though as it continues to be. Both these products have vegan friendly ingredients and are available online at an accessible price point of £9.99 for 200ml all from Bluebeards Revenge themselves!

Rosenserien's Shampoo and Body Scrub

Rosenserien is a brand that we know and love at The Amazing Blog. We have featured both their Natural Deodorant (click here) and Self Tan (click here) products as part of our Friday Favourites, and featured their Wash and Shave Gel for Men last year (click here). We were therefore thrilled when they surprised us with two new products, their Shampoo and Body Srub. Both are based on litsea cubeba, an Asian cleansing and refreshing plant, providing a detoxing effect to both your skin and hair simultaneously. They are also 100% vegan and natural, without the use of harsh chemicals or parabens.

Revealing the sweet natural scent of roses when opened, the 65% organic Shampoo immediately enticed us. With the uses of green tea and nourishing camelina oil, the ingredients work together to allow this shampoo to become an all-around package for your hair. It is suitable for all hair types and does excellent work on split ends (which is a problem we all share). Even dry and sensitive scalps will love this treatment. Fancy a little insider tip? Add some drops of jojoba oil for an extra nourishing hair mask.

Just as we uneartheated silky smooth hair, we wanted to replicate this on our bodies. That’s when the Body Scrub came into play. It smooths, softens, tightens and strengthens your skin, and with the use of organic and fair trade marked aloe vera as a base, this scrub exfoliates dead skin cells, while moisturising at the same time. The ingredients open your pores and leave your skin smooth and firm. Spreading a fresh citrus scent, this 84% organic product is your perfect companion for smooth skin, and is excellent when used before tanning, and before and after waxing.

To treat yourself to smooth hair this January, then you can purchase the Shampoo here for £17. Equally, for silky smooth skin, the Body Scrub can be purchased here for £24.

Veil Cosmetics AutoMatte Makeup

Imagine you’re having an after work drink, enjoying yourself at your local pub, with a glass of something nice. You go to the bathroom with a spring in your step, only to discover that your forehead could compete with the shining radiance of the sun. And no, we’re not talking about that “healthy glow”, but the present layer of sweat and city dirt that accumulates on your skin. Sound familiar? Luckily, for these unfortunate emergencies, we’ve discovered the company Veil Cosmetics, our newfound saviour at The Amazing Blog. Founded by internationally acclaimed makeup artist Sebastien Tardif, the brand offers illuminating, brightening and (most importantly) mattifying products that are multi-tasking and modern.

To lessen the glow (and by this we mean the daily London grime) from our cheeks, chin and forehead, we were thrilled to discover Veil Cosmetics’ AutoMatte Mattifying Base & Touch-Up Makeup. It is powerful at creating a matte finish to the skin, combatting excess oils, while brightening and clarifying at the same time. Coupled with the ultra-fine, and non-drying texture, it works wonders without the need for any other powders.  

The best thing about it: it’s suitable for all skin types and tones, making it a versatile and powerful product that we think everyone should keep in their bags. Powerful ingredients like vitamins C and E promote collagen regeneration, while brightening and clarifying at the same time. This multi-purpose mattifier is not only suitable to prevent oily skin, but it also creates an ultimate matte lipstick look, when applied on top of lip balm. Furthermore, it can also be used as a primer before applying your eyeshadow, helping it last longer and to intensify the pigments. Another bonus, it’s imperceptible on your skin, making it invisible for both humans and the camera. 

If you wish for a product that leaves a fine, oil-free finish that mattifies and flatters universally, then you can purchase this 100% vegan and paraben-free product here for $39.00. They offer free worldwide shipping, so no need to worry if you’re purchasing from outside of the US.