Quarnero: Fleur de Sel Relax Bath Salts

With winter still upon us here, at The Amazing Blog we love taking a hot bath at the end of the day, to warm up before bed and soak away the day. We've recently featured a few different bath products, but today we have an exceptional and award-winning brand Quarnero, with their delicate and unique Fleur de Sel Relax bath salts. 

Quarnero was founded by mother and son Zorica and Rešid Seferović, and is based in the Kvarner region in Croatia. They produce natural and organic face & body oils and bath salts, which have up until recently, been primarily created for the spa and salon sector. Their ingredients are mainly derived from the local region where the wild plants flourish in the clean air, and the unpolluted Dalmatian shoreline gives life to their fleur de sel. Otherwise, other key organic ingredients such as organic cold-pressed sesame oil and a few of the essentials oils are carefully sourced from selected organic locations. They use organic biodynamic plant actives combined with their time-honoured knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies to bring these select products to life – for Quarnero their brand ethos is to get’ back to basics’ and ‘less is more’. All products have the prized certification from NATRUE, International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association https://www.natrue.org, who are committed to promoting and protecting global natural and organic cosmetics. All Quarnero products are handmade, vegan and delivered in solid, simple apothecary-style jars with Miron violet glass. Interestingly, this violet glass is scientifically proven to maintain fresh ingredients longer than clear glass. It also acts as a barrier preventing the loss of bioenergy, enzymes, smell or colour from the product stored within, making preservatives less necessary. The brand is now available in 39 countries, with six products in total, which are within the two ranges of Face & Body Oils and Bath Salts.

These Fleur de Sel Relax bath salts were a recent Wellbeing Winner, named as the Best Bath Soak at the global 2020 Beauty Shortlist Awards. As the name suggests, these contain the beautiful fleur de sel crystals, together with Quarnero organic botanical oils. When poured into the bath, this heady mix is slow to dissolve, fragrancing the water which in turn, absorbs into the pores relaxing the body. Any undissolved fleur de sea crystals can also be used to gently exfoliate and stimulate the lymph,as well as improving the skin's texture by making it soft and smooth. Fleur de sel is a salt enriched with natural minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iodine from the Adriatic Sea. It forms in oceanic conditions in seawater; it’s flaky, fragile and forms either as flat mass or as hollow pyramids, which look like angular delicate flowers (hence the name ‘flower of salt’). These bloom and float on the surface and are carefully harvested by hand. Fleur de sel is known as the purest form of salt on earth, as it contains no impurities or bitterness from the sea. Its been a tried and tested formula for therapeutic bathing since the Roman Empire and some even say that these salts have the aroma of violets.  Apart from the salts, other ingredients include oils from lavender, bergamot orange peel and geranium leaf. Lavender, as we know, relieves stress and aids sleep. Bergamot has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the skin. The geranium leaf has been used as far back as the Egyptians in tea to alleviate anxiety and fatigue. When I opened the jar of Relax Bath Salt, it immediately filled the room with its notes of lavender, bergamot, geranium leaf; and the potent fleur de sel. Another one of our #amazingfinds, it was deliciously intoxicating and from just opening the lid, I could slightly ‘taste’ the saltiness in the air. I can honestly say, that I could not get enough of these Relax bath salts. They made me feel uplifted, and yet tranquil, relaxed and at peace. With all the lockdown, stress and anxiety – what better way to soak away the worries of the day and get a good night’s sleep? To purchase the Relax Bath Salt in 450g at €94,49 please email info@quarnero.hr for enquiries due to the online shop currently being unavailable.

Yatlina Mask Drops & Simon Copeland Face Masks

When stepping outside our front door, wearing a mask has now become a necessity to keep our loved ones safe.  Today at The Amazing Blog  we’d like to introduce Yatlina’s Mask Drops who offer an ingenious solution, helping to keep our masks smelling fresh!

Yatlina was launched last year by Yasmine EIGhamrawy, a registered and certified aromatherapist, who’s created a range of aromatherapy-based products. EIGhamrawy worked in the fast-paced world of film visual effects for 20 years before switching to become an aromatherapist. This experience has helped her gain a better understanding of how to deal with stress, which is where she wants to impart this knowledge and passion to others. The brand's ethos is to create products with the highest quality ingredients using three core principles, the chemistry with potency, traditions with usage, and scent profiling. With these Yatlina Mask Drops delivers maximum effectiveness for everyday use, with ingredients that are 100% natural and cruelty-free. What makes Yatlina unique, is that they're the only brand to creates aromatherapy drops specifically designed for use with a face mask. These are a mix of pure essential oils and flower water hydrosols; which are safe to use close to the face, and can easily be washed off any fabric masks. Yatlina currently sells two Mask Drop products: Calm Blend and Power Up Blend in 10ml or 5 ml bottles.

We received both the Yatlina Mask Drops with The Calm Blend, and Power Up Blends. Both help lift the discomfort associated with wearing a mask by producing calming and energising aromas. When inhaled, these essential oils disrupt the central nervous systems stress signals and help the muscles relax, which activates the parasympathetic response that supports the immune system. Key ingredients used in both the Yatlina Mask Drop blends include caprylyl/capryl glucoside, flower water hydrosols and three main chemical constituents: linalyl acetate, linalool, and B-caryophyllene, which offer uplifting health benefits and make the formula safe to use on masks. Capryl glucoside is a natural low foam base and mild cleanser used in cosmetic products for sensitive skin individuals. It is plant-derived, biodegradable, and gentle on the skin. It creates fine and stable foam and is a good solubiliser for essential oils. Flower water hydrosols are produced by filtering fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plants. These waters are less concentrated than pure essential oils, making their aromas soft and subtle. The blend includes three chemical compounds: 24-36% of linalyl acetate, 24 - 33.34% of linalool, and 0.6- 2.5% of B-caryophyllene. Linalyl acetate reduces skin inflammation, heals rashes and reduces blood pressure. Linalool, which produces a pleasant floral aroma, is a common constituent in a wide variety of skincare products. It is anti-inflammatory and has sedative and stress-relieving effects through oil inhalation. B-caryophyllene is a primary contributor to black peppers spiciness and is a significant constituent in cloves, rosemary and cannabis. It is directly beneficial to colitis, osteoarthritis, anxiety, depression, liver fibrosis, and Alzheimer's type diseases. 

In the Calm Blend ingredients include soothing neroli, calming lavender and uplifting bergamot mint, which help promote calm and wellness and reduce depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, nausea, and stress. These inspire a feeling of being 'centred' and we found that there’s something very comforting and reassuring about this blend. In the Power Up Blend, rosemary, cooling peppermint, earthy clary sage and coriander combined help improve memory and concentration as well as reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. This aroma is bright, fresh and floral, and brings a creative clarity. It can be used when out and about or when needed for a good brain boost during the day. To use these Mask Drops: (1) Apply one drop to each side of the mask before wearing (2) Reapply if needed throughout the day. (3) If using a reusable cloth mask, wash it after every use and air dry to keep fresh and clean. They advise that these Mask drops can also be added to tissue or cotton wool to use as a light personal inhaler. We’ve loved using these drops and cannot recommend them highly enough. To purchase Yatlina's Mask Drops, see here where you can buy in full-size 10ml for £18.99 or in travel size 5ml for £10.99. 

You will also see  Simon Copeland's Technicolour Marilyn Mask pictured above. As a couturier and designer Simon Copeland's face masks highlight his creativity and sophistication with these fashionable designs. Customers can order personalised and unique masks - we highly recommend exploring more here. These masks are interlined with washable cotton jersey and lined with silk satin to be soft against the skin and could be worn daily in combination with Yatlina's Mask Drops. All profits from these face masks will be donated to NHS Charities. To purchase the Technicolour Marilyn (above) for £29.99, click here; ** 10% off discount code to use anytime until the end of March 2021 (code amzpr10).**

Bōbé Beauty: Natural Perfume Oils

The power of fragrance to influence our mood or recall a memory…is something we all tend to underestimate. These could be key moments in our lives: people, places and situations…like the smell of a cake slowly baking in the family kitchen, or the scent that our grandmother wore. Today at The Amazing Blog  we’re featuring  Bōbé Beauty, a Canadian aromatherapy brand that has created a unique trio of 100% natural perfume oils. 

Marlese Assman is the founder of Bōbé Beauty and a practitioner in aromatherapy, reflexology and Chinese medicine based in Saskatchewan Canada. Her curiosity for flora and fauna fuelled her passion for creating her own line of botanical perfume oils. Assman trained with fragrance experts based in Barcelona, New York and France; making her dream of producing a natural fragrance line become a reality, where she has transferred her aromatherapy expertise into the world of perfumery. Assman said: “I’ve been scouring the French countryside for ancient roses, the hidden apothecaries of Greenwich Village for the perfect patchouli, and slipping into Saskatchewan’s own fragrant forests to encapsulate fresh cut wood and campfire.” Her trio of Bōbé Beauty perfume oils offer an intimate, sensual botanical journey where her goal is to provide a feeling of “youthful experience through assured independence” and ancient luxury for the modern muse. These perfume oils are all free from parabens, petroleum, alcohol, phthalate, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. With their all-natural ingredients tested on humans, not animals are made with love and care in small batches (photo here by special request is credited to Flint + Feather Photography).

The first out of the three perfume oils that we tried is Darya with the silver top which embodies ‘the modern mermaid’. In this subtle yet complex fragrance, the purple passion fruit and citrus balance the jasmine and coconut. While the seaweed brings this earthy, seaside smell that transports you to a tropical island with its fruity notes; you can almost visualise the beach with lapping waves. Other ingredients here are blackcurrant bud, myrrh, liquidambar, amber resin, rock rose. Darya is available here. Moving on to the second perfume oil Metsa with the gold top. This one captures ‘The woman of the forest’ (see our photo above) With its earthy scents, this perfume oil reflects the strength of nature. The musk and the wood intertwine to create a mixture of warm, spicy and sweet yet powerfully green fragrance that is perfect for inspiring sensuality. Ingredients include perus balsam, labdanum, patchouli, clary sage, rose de mai, davana, pink  peppercorns and juniper berry. Metsa is available here. The third perfume oil that we tried is Sepeideh with the rose gold top, which translates as ‘before the dawn’ in Persian. This youthful but sensual perfume oil was named after Marlese’s daughter. In this fragrance, the green leaves gently mix with the smell of sunbathed flowers, while the citrus adds a twist and the softwoods carrying you to the beginning of the forest, in the quiet early morning when you feel safe and in harmony with nature slowly awakening. This was our favourite with its more unusual ingredients of nerolina, rhododendron, vanilla and ambette seed.You can purchase Sepeideh here. 

These empowering and uplifting natural oil perfumes are in a base of organic jojoba oil, and the unique combination of essential oils and fragrances have all been strategically sourced from around the globe. We used these alone and even combine one or two of the trio to create an individual scent that resonated with our given mood. They lift the spirits and are comforting to wear - we think ideal for our current #lockdown situation! They are available for purchase on Bōbé Beauty’s website here each of 10ml rollerball bottles are $50.00 CAD (approx. £28.92).

Rejuvenated: H30 Hydration® Sachets

Now we’re all held captive ‘inside’ during lockdown, it’s given us time to reflect on the state of our nutrition and its effect on our skin. Today at The Amazing Blog we’re talking about supplements and featuring one of our favourite nutraceutical brands Rejuvenated, with another of their hero products H30 Hydration® powders which are rich in natural ingredients like polyphenolic antioxidant from resveratrol - a potent weapon against ageing. 

Rejuvenated is a British nutraceutical brand founded in 2003 by Kathryn Danzey, a health and wellness expert. With a team of scientists and nutritionists, she developed a range of natural supplements focusing beauty from the inside with harmony and balance. Danzey recently said: “By embracing an overall progressive approach, we can make drastic improvements in not only our face but our whole well-being.” The brand’s core values are keeping their products 100% natural, traceable and ethically sourced. There’s no artificial sweeteners or flavourings and all their products are GMO, gluten and lactose-free. Although all products are cruelty-free they also recently launched some vegan alternatives to some of their marine collagen supplements. We applaud Rejuvenate for committing to provide 90% plastic-free packaging by the end of 2021.

Having won the prestigious global Beauty Shortlist Award three times, we consider this a must-have supplement to try. The H30 Hydration®  is a skin hydration supplement it offers a radiant boost to both the skin and energy levels. Rejuvenated has carefully combined a list of key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid giving a long-lasting surge of skin hydration.There’s resveratrol, a plant compound with powerful antioxidant properties, that tackles underlying skin stress plus protects the heart and circulatory system, and lowers cholesterol levels. With other specific nutrients included like vitamin C to protect the body from oxidative stress and inulin a fermented fruit sugar and prebiotic, it’ll further enhance your daily supplement regime. The ionic minerals here also play a crucial role and allow this drink to absorb through the gut wall more effectively. Once again, Rejuvenated has delivered an exceptional supplement where this H30 Hydration® drink, when taken regularly, will do its work by plumping up skin cells keeping them firm; where the ionic electrolytes will adjust and control the even distribution of fluids throughout the body. All of these ingredients will regulate the lipid barrier function, cellular turnover and anti-oxidant production ensuring that a supple, glowing and beautiful skin is enhanced and maintained. Drink it anytime (we drank it at night), it’s easy to use and all you have to do is add one sachet to 400ml of water, stir well and drink. This  H30 Hydration® is available in 24 individual Sachets here at £24.95.

Shake CBD: Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts - Twinset

Now we’re all at working from home; there is nothing better than taking time out to reflect on our day with a relaxing bath before bed. At The Amazing Blog we’re back with some new CBD bath-time gems to soak away the day with Shake CBD  and their Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts.

Shake CBD founder Leighton was always a fan of all things CBD, especially when he witnessed the difference it’s made to the lives of friends and family. Many people are sceptical of CBD, its effects, and what it does, which is one of the main reasons Leighton started Shake CBD, as he wants to encourage more people to experience the benefits it offers. The CBD industry is beginning to become quite saturated here in the UK, which is why Shake CBD wants to provide cost-effective natural CBD infused products.  The brand is proving to be very popular with the body-building fraternity; and now has a brand ambassador with Will McKeown, the athlete and bodybuilder. McKeown recently commented on using these CBD Epsom Salts: “ With sleep being of critical importance for muscle repair and cognition, I was surprised by just how relaxed I felt after using some of Shake’s CBD infused Epsom Salts. After a tough day of work and training, I was instantly put in a more relaxed state which allowed me to settle down for the evening and get the most out of my night’s rest. I firmly believe using CBD products had a drastic and positive effect on my training.”  Currently, Shake CBD have three CBD products in their range with 1000mg Full Spectrum CBD oil, 1200mg CBD Muscle Rub and their 100mg Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts. They try to keep a low carbon footprint with their CBD which is sourced and manufactured here in the UK.

These handmade artisanal Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts  are a twin set and come in 200mg recyclable and reusable clear glass bottles with metal screw tops. There are only four natural ingredients used which are a combination of Epsom salts, sweet almond oil, 100% pure essential oils and 100 mg of CBD. The sweet almond oil hydrates and nourishes the skin and the type of CBD used in these Bath Salts is a mix of isolate and full-spectrum oil. The orange label bottle has the botanicals of lavender, bergamot and sweet orange essential oils. Lavender can help ease anxiety and also fights insomnia by helping you get a better night sleep. Bergamot is a stress reducer, lessens feelings of fatigue, and helps alleviate inflammation and sweet orangel is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. The blue label bottle contains a combination of lavender, jasmine and thyme essential oils. Here the jasmine oil can be a form of anti-depressant and helps release stress whereas the thyme oil is stimulating and anti-bacterial. Apart from the CBD, the other main ingredient in both is the Epsom salts which are not ‘salts’ but are made up of therapeutic magnesium, sulphates and oxygen. They provide the body with magnesium (did you know that most people don’t consume enough magnesium in their daily diet?) Having an appropriate amount of magnesium helps boost sleep and ease stress by regulating over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation and aids muscle and nerve function. The sulphates improve the absorption of nutrients, flush out toxins and soothes headaches.  It was hard to choose a favourite between the two, if pushed, we’d say the orange label as the fragrance we found to be slightly more uplifting.  To purchase these Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts see here for £19.99.