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.

Lime Lace - Lets Rock Hand Candle

Rock 'n' roll is much-loved music genre at The Amazing Blog. What’s better than a dramatic electric guitar solo or the slam of drumsticks on the cymbals? Home products that incorporate our musical interests always get our attention and one of our favourite brands that do so is Lime Lace. They are an inspirational boutique online store offering eclectic home accessories and gifts, and you can see other products that we’ve written about in the past here.

Lime lace specialises in helping their customers create personalised homes filled with quirky items that speak to each person's unique personality. The Lime Lace Lets Rock Hand Candle provides customers with a fun way to spice up a room's vibe and it’s definitely a fantastic conversation starter!

The Lets Rock Hand Candle is a cast of an actual adult hand using the universally known rock ‘n’ roll gesture (H 21 cm x W 9 cm.) The candle is made from high-quality, non-toxic wax and natural colours, and is odourless. This candle comes in two different finishes: shimmering silver or metallic steel (as pictured above). Also, it has two wicks that add an extra flair. This candle is the perfect gift for any rock 'n' roll lover. This candle is sure to ‘rock out’ in any room you put it in. You can purchase the Lime Lace Lets Rock Hand Candle here for £22.95.

She LDN Candle

Rain or shine, all of us at The Amazing Blog are continually burning candles in the evenings. There is something simple and calming about watching the flickering flame and being surrounded by its seductive fragrance. This is why we're always on the hunt for our next one! Recently, we discovered SHE LDN, an up-and-coming British home fragrance brand. The company is known for their handmade soy-based candles, which are inspired by the modern streets of London. SHE LDN produces all their handmade candles in their London studio. This week we're burning their NO. 1 Tropical Candle, which we think is evocative of forthcoming summer festivals (especially our fav, the Notting Hill Carnival) with its exotic fragrance. Bring on the sunshine, even if it's raining! We just can’t get enough of this uplifting fragrance!

The NO. 1 Tropical Candle also reminds us of Piña Coladas on a warm, sunny beach. The tropical blend of pineapple, banana, and mango is made from high-quality soy-wax and essential and fragrance oils. One of our favourite things about this candle, apart from its fragrance, is the stylish design and packaging. This funky candle comes in a sleek cardboard box and glass container, all printed with a contemporary colourful design of flamingos and palm trees.

The candle has up to a 50 hour burn time, so it'll give you a week or so of summer evening pleasure, even if it is (like now) grey, rainy and miserable! To achieve best results, SHE LDN suggests burning the candle for at maximum 4 hours at a time. They also recommend trimming the wick 1/8 – ¼ of an inch before each use.

You can purchase the NO. 1 Tropical Candle from SHE LDN here for £20.00. 

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.

Anima Mundi Apothacary

Here at The Amazing Blog, we have tried everything from juice cleanses to vitamins to keep our bodies in tip-top shape. however, sometimes we forget about certain organs, that require specific care, such as the liver. The liver has many important functions in supporting the body including making bile, metabolising carbohydrates/proteins/fats, and filtering blood. With all of these crucial tasks at hand, it is essential that you keep your liver healthy. Our latest discovery is Anima Mundi where we found a selection of tasty products that help to make taking care of our liver easier than ever. Anima Mundi's mission is to 'preserve the wisdom of ancient botany'. With roots in Costa Rica, Central and South America, Anima Mundi contain only the finest ingredients found in nature. They support fair trade practices, permacultural outreach in developing small economies, and plant-based remedies that benefit people from all walks of life. All products are handcrafted in NYC with the team is composed of aspiring herbalists, utilising biodynamic standards.

The first product we suggest using is Anima Mundi’s Liver Vitality Daily Jungle Greens. This is a green powder that can be added to any of your favourite beverages. This powder formula is a chockfull of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and many other nutrients that all help to detoxify your liver and gallbladder. The product contains Dandelion Root, Burdock, Moringa, Chlorella, Spirulina, Graviola, Chanca Piedra, Turmeric, and Milk Thistle and is both gluten-free and vegan. We like to use this product when we make green smoothies in the morning for an added vitamin boost at breakfast. 

The second product we suggest is Anima Mundi’s Chanca Piedra which is a tonic that is used to treat kidney and gallbladder stones. Brazilians have been using this plant for many years to treat a wide variety of health problems. You can add this to your favourite juice/smoothies or you can even make tea with it (our personal fave). Chanca Piedra can help with a wide variety of both viral and bacterial infections, diabetes, hypertension, pain relief and a variety of other symptoms. The only ingredient in this powder is the Chanca Piedra, meaning that you are getting the most naturally pure ingredient there is.  

Finally, we suggest trying out the Viridem Cleansing Elixir. This product is full of iron-rich super-foods that help to oxygenate the blood, expel toxic build-up, and detoxify your gallbladder and liver. The product also contains high levels of chlorophyll that digests old fats in the liver, releases bad oils, and reduces inflammation.  To use this product you simply drink 1 tsp of the Viridem Cleansing Elixir 2 times a day 30 min before eating. You can drink this product by itself or you can add it to your favourite beverage.  We think that all these products are perfect for either using in your detox regime or for just giving your liver a bit of an 'uplift'.

You can buy the Liver Vitality Jungle Greens here for £21.04. You can buy the Chanca Piedra Liver Cleanse here for  £16.53 You can buy the Viridem Cleansing Elixer here for £12.02