Dr. Lipp's Moisturising Lip Tints

Happy Valentines Day from us at The Amazing Blog! Whether you’re spending the evening with a loved one, or are planning to snuggle under a blanket with some chocolate and a chick flick - you’ll want to be taking care of your lips. Particularly at this time of the year, we’re subject to dry and cracked skin, which is only made worse by chemically laden lip products. This is where Dr. Lipp steps up the lip product game! Founded by Norwegian entrepreneur and artist, Pontine Paus, this brand is perfect for sassy women who want to know what is inside their beauty products.

Created out of just four, all natural ingredients, this brand really created a lifestyle movement of full disclosure skincare. Pontine Paus explains “sometimes the best things have been around for centuries, we just need to learn about them”, something we couldn’t agree more with. Their products are 100% natural, with the brand being particularly famous for its Original Nipple Balm. Designed for dry skin, this balm has won multiple awards, and is know for its glorious richness and ultra-effective long-lasting moisture. In fact, we reviewed this product last year (see here), so we were more than excited to try their new range of Moisturising Colour Tints.

These tints have the same base as The Original Nipple Balm, made from medical grade lanolin, ditrach phosphate (a natural pigment disperser) and glyceryl caprilate (a natural preservative made from organically grown vegetable oils). The difference however, is the addition of pigment, with three different colours sourced from organically grown plants. The first, a natural pink, comes from the use of sweet potato pigment, while the deeper burgundy shade is derived from elderberry pigment. Flavour and fragrance-free, these tints will leave your lips kissably soft. Additionally, for red lip lovers, the red radish pigment creates a bold, yet moisturised finish.

To purchase your own lip tints (free from parabens, animal testing, sulphates and mineral oil), then visit the Dr. Lipp website here. You can purchase them as a lip set for £18 or individually for £6.99 (8ml).

Khadi's Face Masks

The best way to start a relaxing self-care routine is with the perfect face mask. We at The Amazing Blog are always on the quest to find top quality products that work with the skin’s natural balance, so we were excited to discover Khadi, an skincare company with 100% organic and natural products.

Khadi combines Ayurvedic formulations (developed with Ayurvedic doctors), to create a strong unity of body and mind. The concept of the company was formed after one of the co-founders took a trip to India. H had always suffered with a dry and itchy scalp, a problem that was solved by using a Ayurvedic shampoo. So effective at ridding him of dandruff, he brought his findings back from India. He subsequently helped to set up the brand Khadi developing handmade herbal products like Ayurvedic shampoo, handmade soaps and skincare. Although these products are from India they are also German organically certified. All their ingredients are 100% natural made with herbal ingredients which are vegan, free of parabens and artificial ingredients. These products work with the power of India’s nature, using exotic ingredients and age old wisdom.

We tried three of their herbal face masks and were very happy with the results. Starting with our favourite one the Sandalwood, which is suitable for all skin types. We found that when using this, that our pores significantly reduced. Those of us with sensitive skin were also pleased to discover that it was particularly effective at cooling and calming the skin, even protecting against sunburn. It provides a fresh and healthy complexion, moisturising the skin and subsequently smoothing any small imperfections and wrinkles. The Orange mask is slightly sweet-scented - it immediately brightened our mood when applied. Perfect for combination skin, this mask works as a natural cleanser, helping to create a smoother complexion. It can also be used on the body, by stimulating blood circulation, helping to prevent both cellulite and bloating. Finally, the Neem mask is primarily suitable for normal to greasy skin, as it works as a natural antiseptic, preventing infections, removing toxins and restoring a natural and healthy glow. It really detoxifies your skin, freeing it from impurities, as well as refining pores. It also works to fight bacteria, leaving your skin feeling fresh, without a tight sensation.

All three herbal masks use clay as a base, which clarifies and prevents inflammation. No matter which skin-type, you will find the perfect mask to leave you feeling relaxed and fresh. By cleansing, hydrating and supporting regeneration, all three masks promote more harmonious complexion. To use, mix one teaspoon of the powdery mask with water (you can add milk for dry skin, or yoghurt for greasy skin), and apply a thin layer on face and neck (or even the body if you wish). Rinse after 15 to 20 minutes, and you’ll be greeted with a hydrated and fresher skin.

To purchase one (or all) of these face masks for yourself, click here, where you will find each Khadi Herbal Face Mask for £12.90.

Rouge Bunny Rouge - Tinted Luxe Balms

Particularly after the lingering January blues; February for us, is a more positive month for moving forward with change and productivity. So we’ve all been making a conscious effort to cheer ourselves up, starting with brightening up our make up choices. Regular readers of The Amazing Blog will recognise the brand, Rouge Bunny Rouge - where we have reviewed a whole host of their products, from eyeshadow palettes to lip pencils. We were therefore thrilled to be introduced their new Tinted Luxe Balm collection. After all, what better way to brighten up our day than with a vibrant lip colour?

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a global brand, aiming to blur the lines between reality and imagination, with their Enchanted Garden collection. We tried six of Tinted Luxe Balms, and found each of them to be hydrating, plumping and repairing. Thanks to the carefully designed formula, gone are the days of dried out lips, these balms left us with moist and kissable lips! We particularly like the lightly sweet scent, and the varied range of colours. Whether you’re a bold lip kind of person, or prefer something a little more subtle, there will be a shade for you.

Packed with long-lasting actives, these lip balms are a great alternative to non-invasive lip treatments, providing pigmented colour, elasticity, smoothness and volume. Only active ingredients are used (all free from animal testing), and many even have anti-ageing properties too. They are Ecocert-approved, with a patented active complex derived from natural sunflower oil which intensely hydrates and softens. The finish is lightweight, non-sticky and long-lasting, the colour simply fades to a subtle and flattering tint, if not re-applied. Additionally, these balms are encased in elegant black packaging making them even more stylish to apply.

What we love about these lip balms, is the scope to play around with all the shades. You could even combine them with your favourite clear lipgloss for an even more ‘lush’ finish. The shades vary from brighter shades, to more subtle cool tones, with the most adventurous being Poised Peonies (a rich and dark cherry red), Lovely Lilacs (an unusual violet with drop of magenta) and Amazing Anemones (a bright but transparent red). For a more natural lip, we like Playful Primrose (a sheer baby pink colour), however Mysterious Magnolias (a gentle and soft neutral pink) and Captivating Camellias (a soft caramel with a hint of peach) are equally great at adding a little colour, without veering too far from your natural lip shade. To purchase your own Tinted Luxe Balm for $29 each, click here. The hardest part for us? Choosing which shade to wear!

Barber Mind's Ocean Hair Grooming

We are all aware of how far the world of male grooming has jumped in recent years - thriving businesses popping up in our high streets catering to the particular need for us boys to take great pride in our presentation of self to the world. Therefore it’s inevitable that huge competition and artistry would be kindled, as the desire to push forward the boundaries gathered pace with our Italian cousins, grabbing the opportunity with both hands and not for the first time, giving us all food for thought at The Amazing Blog…

Therefore we invite you to enter the world of Barber Mind, an incredible space where the passion for doing what they do is best exemplified in their inspirational tag line: ‘Barber Mind is a point of view, a way of being. It’s born as a belief fixed in a tattoo, a prospect that contains the principles of the brand: Scruple, Care and Respect’. And we think that it’s a rather cool place to be, with precision styling, design and care of oneself.

Where better to start delving into their treasure trove, than with Barber Mind Ocean Hair Grooming, the perfect styling tool for that effortless aplomb which the Italians do so well - and your crowning glory is left smelling quite delicious too! Granted, that may be slightly missing the point, as this worthy bottle does so much more besides perfuming the locks; it’s styling properties are impressively firm without being sticky or claggy - perhaps the need to run hands through hair was a major factor in their research and development! Anyway, they certainly achieved a very tactile result, alongside the fresh and clean fragrance. Paraben and colourant free; petroleum and paraffin free and free from animal by-products, so the provenance here is quite impressive too.

Of course the fun doesn’t end with styling the hair, there is much more product and ethos on offer from the Barber Mind Team - not just for the hairdo either; there are beard oils, and shaving options to keep us in complete grooming heaven, all with the unmistakeable trademark of the core belief of Barber Mind. How cool is it that you can also source your own barber shop’s emblem pole, or if that is a tad on the excessive side for your bathroom, you might be tempted by a rather funky ring to signify an appreciation of the brotherhood, and it’s beliefs?

Clearly there is much to explore and enjoy through Barber Mind, but the Ocean Hair Grooming is a great place to start - £16.20 will bag you a 250ml bottle here, although there are intermittent offers discounting certain products and haircare kits - so keep an eye open!

Marie Reynolds - MRL Restore

Here at The Amazing Blog, we are all in agreement that a girls night in, is long overdue. We’ve got our chick flicks, chocolate (and wine) lined up, but one thing we couldn’t forget, is a good face mask. We were therefore pleased to discover MRL Restore by Marie Reynolds, part of a successful skincare range designed to balance and brighten the skin. Marie is most well known for her facial treatments, which she undertakes at Fortnum & Mason in London and her clinic in Norfolk.

This very special skin food facial mask supports imbalances within the epidermal flora, and is completely cruelty-free. It is also 100% organic and uses no artificial colours or preservatives. The product is entirely natural and, just like all Marie Reynolds products, it doesn’t only focus on visual and physical causes of skin imbalances, but also aims to combat the impacts of stress and lifestyle.

The mask adapts to every skin type and condition, balancing the skin’s natural flora and fauna. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating and brightening results thanks to the plant-produced chemicals (phytonutrients) which are used to protect the skin from environmental toxicity. Using eight strains of live bacteria during the production process, a wide range of imbalances in the skin are targeted. The MSL Restore multi-strain formula works in multiple areas, providing protection against a wide range of harmful bacteria, fungi and yeasts that may be present on the skin.

We can confirm that the cleansing effect kicks in immediately, and as one jar contains about 19 applications, you can deliver a refreshing cleanse time and time again. To use this mask, you simply mix one teaspoon of MRL Restore with a small amount of water. Blend this into a smooth paste and apply it evenly on your face and neck. After 10 to 15 minutes, loosen the mask with wet hands, massage it again for a further minute and then remove the residue with warm water. This process is best followed by moisturising your skin, preferably using the Marie Reynolds’ Epidermal Blanket, but of course, any desired moisturiser is suitable.

Ramp up your girls night, and purchase your own MRL Restore jar for £68.00 (80g) here. Pass us the popcorn!