Zglow Blueberry Antioxidant Mask

Today, The Amazing Blog has quite the treat for you all. This intensely hydrating Blueberry Antioxidant Mask from zglow is so deliciously scented that we’re almost tempted to take a taste! Instead, we let our skin drink up this treat made of 100% organic ingredients. Zglow is a US skincare brand that cares about what ingredients are absorbed into the skin, the environment, and our animal friends. This is something that always sparks our interest, particularly since they proudly boast to be organic, paraben, chemical and BPA free, vegan, non-toxic, and never tested on animals.

This creamy face mask is filled to the brim with ripened blueberries and white tea, which do wonders for cell rejuvenation and the removal of dead skin cells. Blueberries are little antioxidant powerhouses and this face mask is full of all of their skin-loving vitamins. It is highly recommended for dry to normal, sensitive or mature skin types. Our favourite way to use it is as a base for our makeup, especially those of us who struggle with pesky dry patches that can cause your makeup to appear flaky. We simply apply a pea size amount all over the skin, let it soak in for a few minutes, and continue on with our make-up routine.

This mask glides on and over dry patches to make our skin brighter, while helping to reduce redness. When we really need to pack in a punch of serious hydration, we exfoliate the skin in the shower and then apply a generous amount over the face and neck.  Relax for 10-15 minutes, as the mask works its magic. Then simply rinse and follow with your regular moisturiser. We also used the Blueberry Antioxidant Mask overnight. Just remember to always wipe away any excess before hitting the pillow. Of course, our favourite part is the fact that it smells just like blueberry pie. The Blueberry Antioxidant Mask is available for purchase here on the US website for $27 plus international postal shipping charges of $14.

Utopia Skincare

As our readers of The Amazing Blog will know we're always striving for perfection - well, perhaps only in our dreams! So when we heard about ‘Utopia Skincare’ we wanted to see if the products really lived up to their name... Made in the UK, Utopia Skincare was created by Chris Smith, an award-winning skincare formulation scientist who invented the patented anti-ageing antioxidant complex used in the renowned Boots’ No7 Protect and Perfect Serum. It has been specifically designed for women with mature skin, to help prevent signs of premature ageing before, during and after menopause. What make this range unique is cutting edge 'Adaptive Skincare Technology' which uses ingredients that literally adapt to the skin’s particular needs. The range also contain a pollution defence formula which claims to protect the skin from 'harmful environmental aggressors' that speed up the ageing process.  What makes Utopia’s product line stand out for us, is their Derma Complex which is a combination of eight ingredients that work together to create a more youthful looking complexion. This complex is able to penetrate down to the lower levels of the dermis and restore collagen and elastin fibres, thus reducing and preventing the appearance of wrinkles. All of Utopia’s products are collagen boosting, pore refining, paraben free, and silicone free. They are also suitable for vegans and vegetarians. 

The first of the three products that we were sent was their Hydrating Day Cream. This advanced formula  contains retinol, SPF 30 and UVA protection to help prevent sun damage and other pollutants. Our skin definitely felt more hydrated throughout the day, but what really appealed to us was that it contains a lot of ceramides, sterols and other skin lipids; also the SPF in the cream which gives extra protection under make-up. It is easy to use, simply apply a pea-sized amount to your face and neck each morning. It also works well as a primer and lets the foundation just glide smoothly on.

The second product was their Nourishing Night Cream; this cream works to restore the skin to its optimum hydration level overnight and also removes dead skin cells. When applied to the face, the cream is instantly soothing, giving improve firmness and elasticity, we also liked the texture and smell. It works deep down at the dermal-epidermal and has three star ingredients; these are exopolysaccharide, vitamin E and ceramide-rich oat oil. Exopolysaccharide helps to rebuild skin, vitamin E absorbs toxic free radicals, and ceramide-rich oil brings hydrates the skin.

The final one of our trio is the Instant Firming Eye Serum it treats the under eye area, which is probably one of the most challenging areas of the face to repair. Utopia Skincare has formulated this Serum to help reduce dark circles, crows feet and puffiness. It contains pepha-tight to immediately reduce under eye bags, neodermyl which combined offers the best of the latest anti-ageing technologies. Utopia claims that when used over the course of two weeks, it has the same wrinkle reducing effect as that of a collagen injection! We can't vouch for this, but it did leave the eye area of our Exec Ed's plumped up and smoother.

You can purchase a 50ml tub of Utopia’s Hydrating Day Cream here for £34. A 50 ml tub of Utopia’s Nourishing Night Cream here for £34, and a 15 ml tube of Utopi­­­a’s Inst­­­­ant Firming Eye Serum here for £27.

AT Beauty’s Snail Extract Intelligent Mask

Although we believe that beauty is ageless, The Amazing Blog understands that preventing wrinkles is a priority for some – and we have just the product for you.  After featuring A.T Antao’s Oh My Glide Eyeliner, it is no surprise that we would be covering the company again.  A.T launched its Intelligent Sleep Mask that improves elasticity and softness.  Its secret ingredient? Snail extract. Yes, you read that correctly.

As a luxury cosmetics brand, it’s only fitting the company prides itself on their useful and high-quality products. Teniya Tao, founder of A.T, uses hidden beauty secrets from China. The mask contains snail helix dispersa muller – an ingredient frequently used in ancient China. The ingredient’s properties are known for its remedial benefits which are both hydrating and soothing. In addition to elasticity improvement, the mask balances oil levels and minimises pores.

To use this product, gently massage the mask in upward strokes, apply lightly at night to the face, neck and décolletage; it is perfect for waking up with a  soft, silky nourished complexion. While we questioned the snail extract at first, we actually regret not trying this product sooner. It comes in a very stylish red pot with a spatula for application. And just in case you are wondering, the mask is odourless in an opaque gel.  You can purchase an 80g tub of AT’s Snail Extract Intelligent Mask here for £22.80.

The Somerset Toiletry Co. – Mr Manly – Soap, Mug + Bag

Let’s face it – men can be challenging to shop for, but The Amazing Blog found the perfect solution. We previously wrote about The Somerset Tolietry Co. Naturally European Sage Hand Cream and are thrilled to share their newest male products. The company created The MR Collection, a unique line of men’s products that includes Mr Soaps, Mr Mugs and Mr Toiletry Bags. The Mr Collection began only as a line of soap and after much success, expanded to toiletry bags and mugs.

The Mr Soap Collection includes four different scented soaps: sage (The Mr Manly Soapy), spearmint and patchouli (Mr Perfect), black pepper and ginger (Mr Hipster), and cedar wood and lemongrass (Mr Groomed).  Each comes packaged in a colourful paper wrapping with an image of a bearded man. The soaps are triple milled, ensuring the highest quality product, and blended with shea butter to protect and moisturise the skin.

The MR Collection includes two mugs – a Mr Manly Mug and a Mr Perfect Mug. These enamel camping mugs are a fun and different gift that won’t break the bank. Painted on the bottom of each is the phrase, “Yes, I am!” So, when your man drinks from it, everyone will be reminded of how manly/perfect they are. The mug is multi-purposeful and used as a shaving caddy or a desk tidy.

The collection’s Mr Perfect and Mr Manly Toiletry Bags are heavy duty canvas bags with a colourful water-resistant lining. The outside of both bags is a sleek grey colour with minimal decorations and either blue interior, for Mr Manly Bags, or orange interior, for Mr Perfect Bags. The bags are 255 x 170 x 120 mm making them the perfect size for travelling.

You can purchase soaps from the Mr Soap Collection here for £4.95 or the Mr Perfect or Mr Manly Mug here for £4.95. You can also find the Mr Perfect or Mr Manly Wash Bag here for £11.95.

Myrto Argan Bio Body Wash

Cold weather and dry skin go hand-in-hand, so it has been our mission here at The Amazing Blog to stop the cycle. It’s hard to resist a long hot shower or a bath when the weather is so currently dreary, Summer? What summer! So instead we have made it a point to find a bodycare regime that keeps our skin seriously hydrated. We were sent the Argan Bio Body Wash in Cassis Schizandra from Myrto  This is one of our favourite and most recent organic brands #amazingfinds  and our skin has never felt or looked better!

Most shower gels contain harsh ingredients that focus on cleansing, which often leaves our skin even drier than before.  We used the Argan Bio Body Wash because it uses mild amino acids that cleanse the skin, and are gentle enough to preserve and protect the skin lipid barrier without any use of irritating alcohols, preservatives, or emulsifiers. Instead, Myrto uses skin-loving ingredients like hand-pressed organic Argan oil, which instantly nourishes the skin. This is so gentle with a pH value of 5,0 to 5,5 that you can use it as a 2-in-1 product for both body and hair!

There are three different body washes that will cater to your specific skin needs. Both the Pomegranate and Cassis Schizandra Body Wash have been formulated to suit sensitive skin types. The Myrtle Tea Tree is perfect for sensitive skin that is prone to impurities, while still maintaining the skin’s moisture. Myrto also recommends this one to men with very short hair who want an all in one product.

All three of the Myrto Argan Body Washes are organic, vegan and come in two sizes: A 100ml size for £10.50 and a 500ml for £43.40 and you can purchase them both here.