1CBD: 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil

At The Amazing Blog  we know a good CBD brand when we see one. The last time we reviewed 1CBD was with their delicious CBD infused chocolates created with leading chocolatier Paul Williams from Chocamor here which certainly left us wanting to order more! Today, we are back with another one of their products, the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil. This CBD oil, just like the chocolates, is the perfect addition to any CBD lover’s lifestyle.

1CBD, based in North East England, made its debut in 2018 with the help of founders Oman and Oliver. The business partners started their journey after they were previously commissioned to work with another CBD brand. From here, they learned the ins and outs of CBD and saw opportunities to bring their own CBD related products to the market. They wanted to create a brand that kept high-quality control on the cannabidiol (CBD) they use, which is why they only source their broad-spectrum CBD oils from Colorado, home to one of the world’s finest hemp fields. The hemp plants are hand-picked and organically grown outside in the sun with no exposure to artificial UV lights, harmful chemicals, or pesticides. All CBD oils are made in small batches and freshly prepared, ensuring consistency, taste, and potency. Broad-spectrum CBD means zero THC content, and all raw extracts are vigorously tested and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysed by independent laboratories across the USA. HPLC is a highly effective extraction process that results in 0.00% THC, making this method far superior to isolate as nearly all the plant profiles are present, including the plant’s terpenes and amino acids. HPLC is the best and most accurate way to separate and purify the CBD from THC and even THCA, a compound that is usually untraceable using other methods of extraction. All of 1CBD’s products are vegan friendly and gluten-free and range from CBD oils, capsules, balms to edibles.

Today, we are focusing on one of the many CBD oils, the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil which contains the highest ‘broad spectrum’ phytocannabinoid CBD oil available today in the UK. Very confusingly, the ‘full spectrum’ mentioned on the packaging refers to only the terpenes, cannabinoids, and amino acids in the oil - not the THC content. 1CBD tells us that this packaging will change shortly to reflect this and say ‘broad spectrum and THC free’. We find taking CBD Oil sublingually is a practical, quick, and easy way to stimulate the endocannabinoid system. Which, as our regular readers will know, we think can help relieve a multitude of health issues, such as anxiety, muscle fatigue, arthritis, migraines, stomach problems, skin conditions, and the list goes on... Here the CBD is extracted from 100% organic hemp seed oil, which is rich in healthy omega-6 and 3 fatty acids where the gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) present in hemp seed oil has been shown to reduce inflammation. Let’s also not forget that it’s full of vitamins C and E, plus all nine of the amino acids responsible for protein production. There is also evidence to show that hemp seed oil is full of arginine, a specific amino acid that produces nitric acid known to reduce blood pressure for improved heart health. What we like about the 1CBD products (mentioned earlier) is that all the raw ingredients are sourced from reputable organic hemp fields in Colorado and tested by a third-party lab for purity. 1CBD has three strengths in the 20% Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil, and we were sent the 1000mg per 5ml. Again it’s a little confusing as the percentage given on the label which represents the concentration, but the mg gives the strength per ml - go figure?! Actually, we might need to be corrected here by 1CBD. Anyway, there a dosage calculators available if you google. With this Silver Edition Pure Hemp CBD Oil it’s recommended to take 2-4 times per day (no more) by putting 2-6 drops under the tongue, holding for 30 seconds, and swallowing. The oil tastes earthy and has a very robust hempy flavour – therefore, we’d suggest that it might be better for the more practised CBD palate than an uninitiated one! The CBD oil is available in 250mg in 1ml, 1000mg in 5ml, and 2000mg 10ml sizes.All sizes can be purchased here, and the code WELCOME15 will give new customers 15% off their first order. 

Lebarde: Natural Eye Cream Gold Bee

At The Amazing Blog, we think that bees are some of the most important living beings on Earth. After all, 70% of the world's agriculture depends exclusively on bees. We appreciate what they do and, in particular, the benefits that bee's nectar can give to our skin. Today we'd like to share Lebarde, a natural raw skincare made with bee nectar from Caucasian honey bees. It piqued our interest when they won an award in the 2021 The Beauty Shortlist Awards. They very kindly sent us their recent award-winning Natural Eye Cream Gold Bee to try.

Ever since a young age Maia Gigiberia, founder of Lebarde, has always lived a natural and healthy lifestyle, and being part of a family of pharmacists, growing up in Colchis, Georgia, it’s always made her curious about science and the natural world. Interestingly enough, Maia's ancestor was the daughter of King Colchis, who invented the first natural medicines and cosmetics. So, health and beauty come naturally to Maia. After struggling with sensitive skin and being unable to find skincare products that were natural and calming for her skin, Maia started researching local botanicals, florae and bees to create an all-natural, raw skincare range. And with that, she founded Lebarde in 2019. Lebarde has now has three skincare products in the range, made with 100% natural sourced ingredients from Colchis, Georgia's Alps Mountains and nectar of the Caucasian honey bees from the local plants. The Georgian mountains have vibrant flora and fauna which thrive in the non-polluted areas, creating a natural and clean environment where Lebarde sources to make their ingredients. In addition to these botanicals, Georgia is home to the Caucasian honey bee, where they've lived for around 5,500 years. What makes these bees so unique is that they have received 3 Gold medals at international events, where the Georgian Gold Bee has the most extended proboscis -7.3 mm, which is the longest among any the honey-bees; this means that they can extract nectar from the deepest nectar tissues where no other species can. Lebarde's skincare was recently selected as the Best Special Innovation finalist at Pure Beauty London awards 2020 and the Best Eye Cream Bronze Winner in the UK Global Makeup Awards 2021. 

Lebarde's Natural Eye Cream Gold Bee is natural and free from any artificial chemicals, synthetics, and preservatives and made with only eight simple and clean ingredients: water, olive oil, pin leaf oil, pine needle oil, beeswax, Royal jelly, damascene rose oil and jojoba oil,  The key ingredients here are the bee nectar (Royal jelly) and beeswax from the bees and endemic botanicals found in the Alp mountains of ancient Georgia, Colchis, making it rich in natural retinol, vitamin E, A, and C, antioxidants and natural fatty compounds.  Royal jelly has been found to speed up skin cell renewal, boosting collagen production and helping to protect against UV damage. Beeswax, apart from forming a protective layer that won't clog the pores, it's also full of vitamin A. This vitamin A is a natural retinol that helps to boost collagen around the eyes, reducing dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. There is also olive oil full of vitamins A, D, E, and K, which is not only moisturising but is like beeswax and Royal jelly and has strong antibacterial qualities. The pine leaf and pine needle oils here are antimicrobial and soothe skin stopping any inflammation or dryness. The jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E and mimics the skin's sebum, making it ideal for both dry and oily skin. The damascene rose oil is a volatile oil obtained from the fresh flower petals of Damask rose, which has a mild emollient action that helps retain moisture in the skin. Rich in vitamin A and C, the citral here promotes the formation of vitamin A, which helps regenerate the skin's epidermal cells. Combine these eight ingredients, and you have a potent and yet gentle, effective eye cream; which we found to be extremely hydrating and nourishing when applied both day and night. . With no artificial ingredients or fragrance in this Natural Eye Cream, you can almost feel the magic of honey bees, with its powerful anti-inflammatory properties that immediately help to calm any redness or irritation. We think this gentle and luxurious eye cream is perfect for all-natural and raw skincare lovers, and yes, it is another of our #amazingfinds.  To purchase 15ml Lebarde Natural Eye Cream, see here for £79.00. 

AYPA Terra Inka: Raw Face Balm with Copoazu, & Hydrosol with Andean Hierba Luisa

There’s something very comforting about knowing that we are nourishing our skin with products that are also kind to the earth. Today, we’re revisiting a brand whose top priority is their connection to the earth: Aypa Terra Inka. In June, we covered two products here from their Aypa Raw Collection, and today at The Amazing Blog we’re excited to feature two more with the Raw Face Balm with Copoazu and the Hydrosol with Andean Hierba Luisa .

Aypa’s journey began in 2009 when founder Mirella Crovetto travelled to the Andes in her native Peru, where she sought to develop a skincare and spa brand rooted in Andean traditional healing and botanicals. There she lived alongside indigenous communities as she learned about their philosophy of life, relationship to nature, and knowledge of plant-based healing techniques. Incorporating those teachings with her background in working with international cosmetics companies, Crovetto settled in Spain and officially launched Aypa in 2011. Aypa means ‘earth’ in the indigenous Quechuan language, symbolising the values that the Andean Inca culture holds for nature. At the intersection of tradition and innovation, Aypa’s philosophy and practices are best summarised by a quote from the founder herself: “I have recovered ancient Andean wellness recipes and, with a more personal view and experience of health and beauty, I have integrated them into our contemporary world, while staying true to the Andean values.” Aypa expresses these values through their organic, toxin-free, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly skincare and through the various skin and body treatments they offer at their exclusive Aypa Spa . We also love their products are in stylish glass container with integrated bamboo lids and in minimal packaging.

The first of today’s products is their award-winning Raw Face Balm with Copoazu, a handy balm that doubles both as a cleanser and a moisturiser. This balm has a 70% concentration of copoazu butter, an ingredient extracted from the copoazu fruit native to the Peruvian Amazon rainforests. The butter is rich in antioxidant polyphenols, phytosterols, and fatty acids, all of which work together to combat free radicals, reduce inflammation, and moisturises and hydrate the skin. This allows the copoazu butter to attract 240% more water than other types of butter, preventing trans-epidermal moisture loss and maintaining the skin’s elasticity. The Raw Face Balm with Copoazu also carries babasRsu oil, another ingredient native to the Amazon extracted from the seeds of the babassu palm. It includes phytosterols and antioxidants such as vitamin E, protecting the skin while soothing and regenerating it. To use it as a cleanser, apply the balm to dry skin and massage in circular motions, add warm water to the skin and let it emulsify and removes impurities, then rinse away thoroughly. You can use the balm on its own, they recommend pairing it with Aypa’s Quinoa Face Cleanser as part of a double-cleansing routine. To use as a moisturiser (our favourite), simply apply the balm to clean skin and leave it on overnight, cleansing with warm water in the morning, with a quick spritz of their Hydrosol to freshen up. As all Aypa products go through strict screening process to ensure that they are organic and toxin-free, the Raw Face Balm with copoazu is suitable for all skin types. In addition, Aypa sources all the ingredients ethically and sustainably, and packaging is minimalist and eco-friendly. We’re thrilled to find that the Raw Face Balm with copoazu is just as kind to our faces as it is to the environment.

The second product is the Hydrosol with Andean Hierba Luisa, a toner and mist that is suitable for all skin types and is neither comedogenic nor photo-sensitising. The key ingredient in this product is hierba luisa, also known as lemon beebrush, a plant native to the Peruvian Andes used for its medicinal and therapeutic properties since ancient times. Distilling the essential oil of hierba luisa results in the aromatic hydrosol that captures the cellular water of the living plant. This nutrient, mineral, and antioxidant-rich hydrosol provides plenty of benefits: it fights oxidative stress and prevents ageing, calms skin irritation, reduces pore size, evens skin tone, regulates sebum production, and refreshes skin to produce an instant glow. You can use the Hydrosol as a cleanser, facial toner, or hydrating mist. To apply close your eyes and spray the pump about three times over your face, allowing time for your skin to absorb it afterwards. The Hydrosol is refreshing and hydrating with a soft zesty scent. With the hierba luisa it’s organic, pure, toxin-free, and contains no other fragrances or essential oils, so it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones. It’s also comforting to know that Aypa holds this Hydrosol to the same eco-friendly and ethical standards as their other products. Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Peru to experience the benefits of these very special traditional Andean raw botanicals! You can purchase the 50ml Raw Face Balm with Copoazu for 59.00€ here and the 100ml Hydrosol with Andean Hierba Luisa for 38.00€ here . The full range from the Aypa Raw Collection rates very highly with us, and we highly recommend these as another of our skincare #amazingfinds.

Nêô Sephiri's: Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil

At The Amazing Blog, regular readers will know that we love introducing new skincare ingredients together with their extraordinary benefits. Today it’s with Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil from South African skincare Nêô Sephiri. Kalahari melon seed oil is something that we have discussed before here, but only as one of many in skincare. This time, it’s exclusively as a solo ingredient..

Nêô Sephiri is a luxury skincare brand dedicated to only selling their Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil. The brand's name means 'a secret gift' in Tswana and was founded in 2020 by Olga and Bernard van Vuuren after ten years of researching the properties of Kalahari melon seed oii. This Kalahari region of Africa has been experiencing regular harsh droughts caused by climate change, many plants were dying, leaving this melon as one of few to adapt to the extreme conditions. For some reason the native Kalahari Melon, an indigenous plant, has survived and evolved in these desert conditions for hundred’s of years. This melon is citrullus vulgaris, ’the first wild watermelon, coming in all shapes and sizes with a yellow colour and is only grown in region of the Kalahari. They are far from the refreshing watermelons that we all know and love and have a very bitter taste. Bernard first discovered the ingredient while completing his PhD in Biochemistry in England after his uncle, a farmer within the Kalahari Basin, contacted him to investigate the potential of this oil. He discovered these melon seeds could be cold-pressed and filtered to produce a 100% nutritious oil to treat the skin. Co-founder Dr Bernard van Vuuren said, "What I really want people to understand is that this one ingredient can serve 80% of your skin's needs by promoting skin health and restoring skin barrier function." His wife Olga also had a very positive experience with this cold-pressed Kalahari melon seed oil when it changed her skin for the better. It healed her sunburn, windburn and post spots scarring, and she says that it repaired her skin even when it was in the most desperate states. Together they created a prototype and were astounded by the influx of positive comments they received from people with various skin concerns. The Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil helped to soothe acne, rehydrate skin and even decrease scar marks. Friends began to use the oil on their babies for baby massage and on their baby bumps. Hence, Neo Sephiri was born as a vegan certified, sustainable, ethical, skincare. In addition to harvesting from their local accredited organic farm in Kalahari Basin, they also cold press, filter, and bottle the oil themselves. Which gives back to the community by providing support, jobs, opportunities and livelihood to help the economy and indigenous people grow. This also guarantees the quality and purity of their products. The brand commented, "Our mission is embedded into our company foundation documents, and we are fully focused on achieving meaningful and lasting social impact for communities in the Kalahari Basin." Sustainability is at the forefront of Nêô Sephiri and its ethos with a multifaceted approach, encompassing ecological, economic and social impact and being part of the Cambridge Social Ventures cohort. All the waste from the melon's harvesting process is returned to the same land as the next harvests' fertiliser, and any excess from the oil production, is returned to the farm, as high protein animal feed. The brand has already gained international recognition, and are recent winners of The 2021 Beauty Shortlists Editor’s Choice and the Best New Sustainable Skincare Product in the Pure Beauty Global 2021 Awards.

Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil is currently Nêô Sephri’s only product. It is 100% natural, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and of course, vegan. This unrefined cold-pressed facial oil is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins; the fatty acids repair at the cellular level, building resilience against irritants and environmental stressors. Other antioxidants in the oil reinforce the skin barriers lipid matrix causing the skin to look firmer, reduce wrinkles and promote elasticity. In addition, this oil locks in hydration to enhance moisture for a natural glow. Repairing the integrity of the skin barrier reduces inflammation, scar marks and offers a soothing effect. Compared to other plant oils, Kalahari melon seed oil has more antioxidants with vitamin A.C and E and 70% omega-6 linoleic acid than most other African oils. It contains five times more vitamin E than argan oil and almost ten times more than marula oil. The natural tocopherol vitamin E (not the lab version of ‘tocopherol acetate’) is a fantastic ingredient that we all look for in our skincare products as it nourishes and hydrates. Linoleic acid gives this oil its fast-absorbing quality and promotes natural oil production. It’s a dry facial oil that is excellent for all skin types: particularly sensitive, dry, oily, acne-prone, and combination (see here for their Tested on Reactive Skin). For all readers with dry skin, this oil is ideal due to its essential nutrients that nourish the skin and boost skin health. And for those with oily and acne-prone skin, don't overlook this oil. Its lightweight formula leaves skin with the perfect amount of oil to not over clog pores and controls sebum production. Why not make a direct impact on the communities of Kalahari Basin, and add this unique facial oil to your skincare collection. We love how pure, lightweight and easily it absorbed into the skin, best of all it’s a facial oil that leaves little or no residue! With just three to five drops, It really does bring a little luxurious glow to the skin. We gently massaging it into the face and neck using any leftover oil for hands and cuticles. This is truly another one one of our #amazingfinds with this magical natural ingredient. To purchase Nêô Sephiri's 30ml Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil see here for £85.00.

Les Parfums de Rosine: Rose Griotte

On these midsummer days like these, we think that there’s nothing better than after the rain, taking a stroll through the garden with the flowers in full bloom and their scent is at its most potent . Today, we bring you another one of our #amazingfinds with Les Parfums de Rosine. Regular readers of The Amazing Blog  will know that at we’ve been fans of Les Parfum de Rosine for quite a while, as we've already reviewed their Ballerina No. 5 and Bois Fuchsia. We’d now like to introduce one of their newest fragrance: Rose Griotte.

Les Parfums de Rosine is a French perfume house founded by Marie-Hélène Rogeon. She comes from a longline of distinguished perfumers, where her great grandfather Louis Panafieu even created an Eau de Cologne for Emperor Napoleon III. Inspired by her illustrious heritage Marie-Hélène immersed herself in the world of perfume, where she’s combined her love of fragrance with her passion for cultivating roses. She has a collection of rose perfumes, each one different, all stemming from two main rose varieties, the fresher Un Zest de Rose to the more sensuous Une Folie de Rose. Marie-Hélène curates collections of rose based aromas which are made with natural essences. These result in a wide range of floral scents that are "immediately understandable and readable."  She also has a keen eye for detail and all bottles are carefully adorned with a silk tassel, hand-wrapped in coloured tissue paper before being delicately place into the luxuriously embossed cardboard boxes.

Rose Griotte is a perfume released in early 2021 under the creative direction of Marie-Hélène and formulated by Nicolas Bonneville. At the age of 14, Nicolas fell in love with the world of perfumes after traveling to Grasse, where he was captivated by its abundant plants and flourishing perfume industry. Similar to Marie-Hélène, he has a passion for scents and travels world-wide to harvest botanicals for his fragrances, and even cultivates a few exclusive floral varieties himself in Paris. They first collaborated in 2015 on the perfume La Cologne De Rosine and they have once again combined their mutual love for flowers to create Rose Griotte. This fragrance is part of the LES SOLIFORES COLLECTION which also includes fragrances such as Mon Amie La Rose, Le Muguet De Rosine, and Le Magnolia De Rosine.

The griotte cherry is one of the most popular cherry varieties in France and blooms every May, where its bloom and fragrance has inspired poets and artists since the beginning of time. Likewise, the griotte cherry’s beauty influenced Marie-Hélène to develop this very special Rose Griotte. The key element of the Eau de Parfum is cherry blossom which represents purity and prosperity, and the cherry fruit itself is synonymous with beauty and softness. Mirroring the plant that inspired it, this is a fresh fragrance that has both "light juicy and fruity inflexions,” balancing the cherry blossom’s delicacy, with the cherry fruit’s tartness, and the sweetness of the rose. The top notes are tangerine essence, nashi pear, bergamot and pink pepper. The middle notes are Sakura flower (Japanese cherry blossom), peony, osmanthus, and sambac jasmine; lastly, the base notes are heliotrope flower, musk, cedar and white amber. All of these notes combine together to create a delightfully light and fruity fragrance that transports you to the middle of a blooming cherry blossom garden. Best of all, Rose Griotte has lasting longevity of an astonishing 10 to 12 hours! We think it is the perfect fresh summer scent and if you'd like to experience this soft, fresh, fruity and floral beauty of Rose Griotte for yourself, you can purchase it here for 108,00€ for 50ml or 140,00€ for 100ml.