Chocolate Sun Giveaway

If you are anything like us at The Amazing Blog, then the recent heat wave has inspired you to get your legs out and develop a desirable tan. However, if you still connect with us, then that sun-kissed glow is hard to come by without a little help! We have been big fans of Chocolate Sun’s Cocoa Glow for years now, having previously reviewed them on The Amazing Blog here. If you were intrigued then, or are now; and want the golden chance to win a bottle of this tanning goodness, read on!

This is a real treat we wish we could enter as Chocolate Sun is the creator of the very first organic sunless tanning solution. A favourite among LA locals, beauty editors, industry experts and celebrities alike; their products nurture your skin while giving a beautiful and natural glow. They have a cult following and have won countless awards receiving Allures “Best of…” for ten years in a row. Unlike other chemical infused tanning products, Chocolate Sun only makes beauty items that are free of minerals, petrochemicals, sulphates and are vegan and cruelty-free which implies that you can feel and look good simultaneously. Before we get into the details of the giveaway, let us give you a little insight into why this is so exciting. Chocolate Sun products are ideal for self-tanning novices and tanning enthusiasts who want to prolong their existing tan. Their products are made with a blend of organically grown wild botanic herbs which exude beneficial, nurturing and hydrating properties. 

Chocolate Sun offers a range of gorgeous self-tanners. Their best seller is the fabulous Cocoa Face and Body Tanning Cream which is a rich and nourishing body cream with a base of Shea Butter and Coconut Oil that gives the products a delicious chocolatey aroma. The Cocoa Face and Body Tanning Cream is available in three tones; ‘Lite’ for fair-medium skin which gives a subtle hint of colour, ‘Glow’ for all skin tones to give a gorgeous natural glow to the skin, and ‘Absolute’ for a deeper, just back from holiday look. Also in the range is Cocoa Illume Face Gel, which uses Aloe as a base to nourish and calm delicate facial skin. It's lightweight formula leaves your face with an instant glow that develops to give you an even sun-kissed look. Finally the Cocoa Illume Sunless Tanning Face Gel. Each product contains Shea Butter and Coconut Oil which gives the products a delicious chocolatey fragrance. The Cocoa Illume Face Gel is available for fair-medium skin tone and medium to dark skin tones. The product uses Aloe as a base to protect delicate facial skin. With its lightly scented light-weight formula, it will leave your face with an instant glow that develops quickly into giving you even sun-kissed skin. Cocoa Fleur has the lightest formula in the collection and is available in three tones. Due to its lightness, this is the perfect product for quick touch-ups or, to gradually build up a tan. What is more, the product helps to enhance and extend existing tans. 

Now to the competition; we are offering you the chance to win your very own Coco Glow, which is a cult best seller. This product will leave your body with a golden brown, natural and enviable tan within 6-8 hours. A Beautiful World, the exclusive distributor of Chocolate Sun in the UK, has been very kind enough to provide this wonder-product to one lucky winner. To win your very own full-size bottle of this tanning miracle, you only have to follow a few simple steps:
1)    Follow or Like both Amazing PR and A Beautiful World on Twitter or Facebook
2)   Email your name and address to info@theamazingblog.co.uk within 24 hours. We will only pick a winner who sends us their information by 13.00 tomorrow.

We will announce the winner at 15.00 Monday (03/07/17) - Good Luck! :)

3/07/17- CONGRATULATIONS TO Natasha Gregory who has won our giveaway. :)

Oregano Oil Soft Gels and Oregano Mouthwash - Zane Hellas

It will come as no surprise to anyone that The Amazing Blog love supplements and the added boost they give to our bodies. Therefore, after hearing about the many benefits of Oregano Oil, such as its ability to fight off and prevent infection, we knew it was time to try it for ourselves. A little bit of research revealed that the best oregano oil originates from Greece and in particular a brand called Zane Hellas. We decided to try the Soft Gels and Mouthwash and put the miracle of Oregano oil to the test. 

Oregano oil has been linked to supporting the immune system, protection against harmful organisms and infections, it is a digestive aid, an allergy support and eases the symptoms of a cold. Being anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic and an antioxidant there isn’t much that Oregano oil can’t help your body fight. We found that the Zane Hellas Soft Gels were an excellent way to incorporate oregano oil easily into daily life for maximum effect. They were so easy to take, you only need one a day preferably with a meal, so we just incorporated them into our post-breakfast morning routine. A pot contains 60 soft gels so lasts around two months. 

We were intrigued by the idea of oregano oil based mouthwash. A 100% natural and vegan the daily oral rinse is excellent at maintaining good dental hygiene by preventing and reducing plaque build up. The mouthwash left us with fresh breath as it reduced our chances of developing gingivitis, dry mouth and thrush (mouth candida fungus.) This is all possible because the carvacrol in the oregano oil eliminates bacteria that live on the tongue and the back of the throat. It has a wonderfully strong and herby scent and is milky in appearance. In a glass bottle with a dropper, the directions are clear and straightforward to follow, just add 15-20 drops of the mouthwash into a small (20 ml) cup of water and rinse for 30 seconds.

Zane Hellas produces the best organic oregano oil that you can buy. Created in Greece with all natural and organic Greek ingredients we cannot recommend this brand enough. The products arrived quickly and were easy to incorporate into our daily routine, so even though they are currently only available in Euros, delivery is quick and you can purchase the products through PayPal. With the proven benefits of oregano oil, incorporating these products into your life is an easy decision to make. You can buy  Zane Hellas Oregano oil here for roughly £17.00 (including shipping) and the mouthwash here for £10.00 (including shipping) 

Alfred Hitchcock - Friday Favourites

The Amazing Blog has a major treat for all you film buffs! This June, the South Bank Centre in London is hosting a tribute to the one and only Alfred Hitchcock. We could not be more excited for the events on offer, which include special and once in a lifetime opportunities.

On the 23rd of June as part of their Classical Season, The South Bank Centre will be screening the cinematic masterpiece that has ruined hotel showers for people around the world, Psycho. Alongside the screening, Robert Ziegler will be conducting Bernard Herrmann’s spine-tingling score with the London Philharmonic. We can’t think of a better way to bring Psycho alive than to watch it on screen and have the iconic score played by one of the world's best orchestras. This is a  truly unique evening, and one we think is worth far more than the £20 a ticket costs. 

If this piques your film and music interests and you want to delve deeper and acquaint yourself with the process of the famous aquiline director, then on the 24th of June, for only £25, the South Bank Centre will also be screening a special documentary called What You Need to Know: Alfred Hitchcock. The documentary will look at how Hitchcock’s films use music as an essential tool to create the unbearable tension they are famed for. It will specifically focus on his collaboration with composer Bernard Herrmann, who he worked with to create the scores for the previously mentioned Psycho as well as Vertigo.  

We certainly cannot think of a better way to spend the weekend, perfect to go to either alone, with friends or on a date. These events encapsulate everything that makes London life fabulous; entertainment, culture and fun. You can purchase tickets to the screening of Psycho here for £20 and for What You Need To Know: Alfred Hitchcock here for £25. 

Friday Favourites - Father's Day Gifts

We here at The Amazing Blog think men should be pampered just as much as women are. Dads work hard and are definitely in need of some spoiling. See our top picks to make your dad feel special this Father's Day.

First on our list is the Body Wash and Eau de Toilette by Milano Cento. Inspired by aromatic plants of Italy, the Milano Cento Him range is bound to make your dad feel like a Don. The range is based on the classic sophistication of all things Italian, for a man wanting a somewhat unusual, unique and understated scent. The Him body wash and eau de toilette are formed from the same scent, which opens with zesty notes of lemon, bergamot and petitgrain. The middle notes are herbaceous, of lavender, intense basil, rosemary and sage, followed by base notes of rich, sensual sandalwood, patchouli, spicy cloves, cinnamon and warm amber. You will be left with an overall citrus and woody aroma, which is, in itself, a gift to yourself if you get to smell it on the regular.

Milano Cento does not sell online, but you can find their nationwide stockists here. Purchase the Eau de Toilette for £29.50 for 50ml or £49.50 for 100ml. Purchase the Body Wash for £12.50.

If you thought candles were just for women, then think again. LEGNA London has created candles especially for men, with the philosophy that candles shouldn’t be marketed solely to women. By creating a non-obvious manly product, LEGNA dedicates their candles to anyone of any sex, to couples and to friends. They draw their inspiration from an array of cultures from around the world which celebrate manhood.

Hand poured in the UK, made of biodegradable, natural, blended wax. The ingredients are composed of non-petroleum renewable resources and therefore burn clean. There are three signature scents; Strength, Unity and Wisdom, made from classic masculine ingredients, such as musk, tobacco and leather. Strength gives off a delicate smoky and woody, yet sweet, aroma. Strength was created to celebrate the physical and spiritual strength of men. Unity is composed of comforting spicy ingredients with woody notes, designed to celebrate the brotherhood of man. Wisdom is comprised of musky leather notes, creating a warm and luxurious fragrance for people to relax around and share their experiences.

Having been featured in and receiving raving reviews from The Independent, GQ, Elle Man, Country & Town House, the lucky gentleman is sure to enjoy the aroma of these heady scents.

Purchase the candles separately for £40 each (220g) or together in a gift set for £50 (3x 75g) here.

If your dad boasts a full beard, The Scottish Fine Soaps Company's Face & Beard Care Kit is the ideal gift. Men’s grooming is serious business, and should be an indulgent experience from time to time, or even every day! Blending luxurious ingredients with contemporary Scottish style, The Scottish Fine Soaps Company have created a kit with a face and beard soap, beard oil, aftershave balm and a hardwood beard comb.

This grooming kit is in their Thistle & Black Pepper range. With this kit, you can care for your beard and pamper your skin with the invigorating scent of thistle and black pepper. All products are made and packed in Stirlingshire, Scotland. Scotland has one of the most beautiful natural environments, so it only makes sense to draw inspiration from it. So as to not damage it, The Scottish Fine Soaps Company practices sustainable and environmentally-friendly production. Even more, the products are cruelty-free, paraben-free and use natural ingredients wherever humanly possible.

Purchase the Face & Beard Care Kit here for £19.99.

Bentley released their newest fragrance for men, Bentley Momentum, earlier this year. This bold eau de toilette was made for the discernible man who appreciates beautiful craftsmanship and quality. If your gentleman in mind is a fan of the finer things in life and wants his signature scent to meet the standards of Bentley cars, then you must give Momentum a sniff.

Momentum is a forceful composition that contrasts aromatic freshness with potent woods. The primary notes are a splash of aquatic aromas, closely followed by energising bergamot and cooling violet. Underneath this refreshing concoction is herbaceous and aromatic sage, adding a sensuous warmth and depth. The final notes are striking ambergris and cashmere wood. The dry-down of the scent reveals a deep blend of smooth sandalwood, dusky tonka bean and a lingering trail of sensuous musk and moss. This scent certainly gains momentum, all encapsulated in a sleek, geometric bottle.

Currently, Bentley Momentum eau de toilette can only be purchased exclusively at Harrods in-store, for £59 (50ml).

We clearly think men should smell marvelous, which is why we are continuing our scent search with L:A BRUKET's Perfume Oils. This product is for the man that is partial to aromatherapy. With each spritz you are administering a mind-strengthening aroma. The perfumes are made purely from organic and natural oils. There are three scents to choose from, each with differing properties. Petitgrain, with its bittersweet notes, is calming and relaxing. It is said to improve memory and help you work well under pressure and stress. Perfect for those workaholic dads. Myrrh, paired beautifully with cedarwood, is sweet and woody. This oil will help with concentration and trigger a focusing effect. Lastly, Hinoki is also woody but with fresh notes. Hinoki is known for its mentally-strengething and energising properties. Ideal when paired with an outdoorsy man.

Purchase the L:A BRUKET Perfume Oils from their UK stockist here for £46 each (10ml).

Whether your dad is a beard-guy, a fragrance-connoisseur, or enjoys a scented candle, with these exciting products to choose from there will surely be some lucky dads this Father's Day. They most definitely deserve it so use this opportunity to spoil your dad, but remember that you can treat your dad to these gorgeous gifts any day of the year.

Posh Tart - Filthy Velvet

Here at The Amazing Blog, we love nothing more than lighting some candles and unwinding with a few close friends, so when Filthy Velvet sent us one of their fun candles to try, we couldn't wait to use it.

There is a cheeky element to Filthy Velvet that we love, and while they make fabulous candles with beautiful scents, they don't take themselves too seriously. The candles, or "Scented Scandals" as they call them, are chic and set in a circular metal tin, looking at home on any counter, table or mantelpiece. The fun begins as you watch a shocked friend reading one of Filthy Velvet's unexpected names, such as "Big Pants" or "Busty Blonde" or "Pot Head." The provocative product names are original, odd and hilarious, making a superb gift for your sassiest friend.

We were sent the apple pie candle "Posh Tart" which had a sweet apple aroma, with notes of rich, spicy cinnamon and hints of nutmeg, vanilla and sugar pastry. The scent was noticeable but subtle, so you don't have to worry about it overpowering your home. Filthy Velvet's products are all hand poured in Northern Ireland, and are made from the finest fragrance oils, natural wax and cotton wicks. With a burn life of up to 50 hours, these "filthy little scandals" are sure to leave you smiling for a long time.  

If you want the perfect quirky candle for your home, or a fun gift to give to a loved one, you can purchase a candle from their website here from £10.50.