Lara's Christmas Wish List

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re still sorting out your Christmas shopping, fear not, as I have a few suggestions sure to please over the festive season. From perfume to chocolate, we here at The Amazing Blog have a few ideas for everyone.

Perfume is such a thoughtful gift for friends or family, and I really love those fresh, universal scents that suit any personality. One that I’d be thrilled to see in my stocking is St Kitts Herbery’s new Bergamot Perfume. The musky scent contains base notes of patchouli and amber, as well as orange and, of course, bergamot. The beautiful fragrance actually makes a great unisex aroma, one that I’d happily gift to someone special, whether male or female. The perfume is available to buy here for £24.95.

It’s also the time of year to immerse yourself in gift sets, and Korres offer some great selections. In particular, their Wild Rose Brightening Collection is a great introduction to the brand, and a wonderful present for any budding skincare enthusiasts. Consisting of the brand’s signature Wild Rose 24H Moisturising & Brightening Cream, and the new Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial, this limited edition set smells divine, and is great for keeping your face moisturised during the colder months. The set is available to buy here for only £10, making it a fantastic stocking filler.

Of course, everyone loves tasty treats, and InSpiral have just the thing to keep your friends and family happy this Christmas. Their Goji & Purple Corn Raw Superfood Truffles are absolutely delicious, with their melt in the mouth texture being just like a decadent chocolate brownie, only with a lot more health benefits. The raw vegan treats contain cashews and are coated in wonderful coconut flakes, ideal for sharing with your loved ones, although I found it difficult not to eat the lot myself! You can buy them in packs of 4 here for £3.95. We only wish they came in a bigger size!

There's nothing better than curling up and keeping warm after a long day. And Christmas is the perfect time to sit around family and friends, sipping on a hot drink or two. The East India Company offer a wonderful selection of winter beverages, perfect for buying to share this Christmas, or for gifting to someone who loves a good cuppa. The brand offers a wide selection of Christmas drinks, including Spiced Chai Drinking Chocolate and Christmas Tea. My personal favourite was Christmas Coffee; a delicious blend of hazelnut, chocolate and cinnamon, I'd be happy to sip on this seasonal delight all year round. The Christmas Coffee is available to buy here for £12.95, as well as the rest of the brand's festive infusions.

Hopefully, you'll find something to suit all in this festive gift guide. Happy shopping, and Merry Christmas.

Blue Labelle - Biologique Face Oils

It's always important to have a great moisturiser in your arsenal, especially now that the days are drawing in and the cold winter air is poised to wreak havoc on our complexions. We at The Amazing Blog love to opt for rich and nourishing face oils during the chilly months, and this year, we've discovered a gem in Blue Labelle’s Biologique 100% Organic Face Oils. Each oil caters to a different type of skin, so you're sure to find something that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.

If sensitive skin is your issue, then Blue Labelle recommend their Marula & Amaranth Oil, designed with sensitivity in mind. With the ability to protect and nourish the face, the mixture of CO2 and cold-pressed oils evenly tones sensitive skin and allows the face to maintain the proper moisture levels it needs to remain soft and feel fantastic.

Sought after ingredient, Moringa Oil makes an appearance in the Moringa & Raspberry Seed Oil Perfect for treating both oily or dry skin, the blend of Moringa & Raspberry is unique in its universal suitability. These ingredients are filled with phytonutrients which makes it easy for the skin to absorb. If you are looking for that beautiful glow, this is the oil for you.

Our personal favourite, however, was Blue Labelle's anti-ageing offering. Argan & Sea Buckthorn Oil is rich in Omega 7, which is a crucial ingredient in any anti-ageing product and assists in overall skin protection. With the ability to treat the effects of ageing and replenish the skin, what more could we ask for? We'll certainly be using this great oil to keep our skin looking young and feeling soft throughout the winter months.

Blue Labelle's Biologique Face Oils contain a combination of natural nut and seed oils and are all completely vegan. Crafted individually for special skin types, these products are sure to please. Visit the Blue Labelle website to pick up the Argan & Sea Buckthorn Oil for £24, or to choose the face oil that is perfect for you and your skin.

Skin Design London - Sleeping Beauty

Wish you could sleep forever and wake up looking like Sleeping Beauty did? Now you can with Skin Design London’s NEW Sleeping Beauty. We here at The Amazing Blog absolutely love it!

Skin Design London has introduced an innovative range of skin potions designed to specifically target ageing flaws. The Sleeping Beauty is an overnight mask treatment designed to boost collagen, reduce hyper pigmentation, thicken skin and enhance elasticity, hydration and vibrancy all while you sleep. Infused with Fruit Oil, Jojoba, White Tea, Acai Berry and Vitamins A and C, the moisturiser works to smooth and reduce the depth of wrinkles and fine lines and act as a powerful anti-oxidant to lighten skin tone for a fresher and more youthful glow. It also retextures and improves imperfection.

Because of my oily skin, I get nervous about switching up my moisturisers, but I absolutely love Sleeping Beauty. I like its subtle scent and the way the cream sinks into my skin. When I wake up the next morning, my skin feels completely hydrated and I am ready to begin my day! 

After cleansing and toning, apply a thin layer over the face and neck before sleeping. You can also use it as a 15-minute mask for a quick boost to the skin and then rinse with warm water.

Ready to feel like a princess? Go online and purchase Sleeping Beauty at £85.00 for 50ml.

Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Skincare Set

In case you missed breast cancer awareness month, we at The Amazing Blog have found a way for you to still contribute to the cause. Bodhi & Birch's Special Edition Rosa Rosa Skincare Set with Rosa Rosa Clarifying Cleanser, Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner and Rosa Rosa Daily Moisturiser is a product that takes pride in both lending a helping hand and treating your skin. 

The Rosa Rosa Clarifying Cleanser melts away impurities and make-up with a gentle foaming cream cleanser infused with Rosehip Oil, Damask Rose, Orange Blossom and Camomile. The ingredients work to deeply cleanse, balance, tone and revive your skin.

The Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner is also infused with Damask Rose, Orange Blossom and Camomile, boosting hydration and calming the skin. The soothing blend of pure floral water leaves the skin feeling fresh and is best used as a facial spritz.

Enriched with Rose Otto and Neroli, Rosa Rosa Daily Moisturiser nourishes and protects the skin while renewing its vitality and radiance. It is a rich cream high in antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins, boosting skin cell regeneration and keeping your complexion looking youthful.

All of these products are for normal to dry skin, especially sensitive skin and give off a delicate floral scent. All of your money goes to supporting those affected by breast cancer, so why not give this product a try? Go online and make a difference with your purchase of £80.00. 

Obey Your Body - Bio Magnetic Facial Mask

Everyone’s heard of the Dead Sea, but do we really know what’s in it? The Dead Sea is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water, making it too harsh an environment for animals. However, besides all of that salt, the Dead Sea actually produces minerals that are great for the body. Obey Your Body is one of the many companies that uses dead sea minerals in its products and we here at The Amazing Blog decided to give its Bio Magnetic Facial Mask a try.

Enriched with Tetrapeptide Decorinyl, the facial mask gives skin an instant firming lift. Containing energizing mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea and nourishing and moisture-balancing plant oils, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter, the facial mask acts as both a facial cleanser and conditioner.

Although the mask is a little pricey, it lasts for a very long time. My only issue would be the amount of oil in the product. I was expecting it to turn hard the longer it was on my face, but it just remained oily. However, my skin did feel soft afterwards. I think this product would be best for people with dry skin because I just have too much oil on my face already!

For the best results, apply the mask gently to clean and dry skin with the enclosed spatula. Make sure you do not apply to broken, irritated, or problem skin. Leave the mask on the skin for 3-5 minutes and then take the comb, wrapped in tissue or paper towel, and remove the mask from the centre of the face outward. Only use it 1-2 times a week with an interval of no less than 3 days in between applications

You can purchase the Facial Mask here for £253.