Skincare

Orphica Timeless

At The Amazing Blog we like to search out new brands for you our loyal readers, where we constantly strive to find natural and science-based products that actually perform. Orphica is one of these. This is a new European brand, that we've recently locked on to. Not too long ago we featured their Pure Advanced Eye Serum and Up Mascara here. Today we're one of the first reviewers to feature their latest TIMELESS anti-ageing skincare range.

The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Face Mask is the first of the three products from this range. It is made with a unique Deep-Restore Complex™ formula that helps the mask to be both nourishing and hydrating. The combination of active ingredients such as Iris, Gingko, Kudzu, Sage extracts as well as Aloe Vera pulp, Caviar extracts and Vitamin A promote a younger looking and healthier complexion. Vitamin A, Iris and Gingko and Caviar extract fight against signs of ageing by stimulating collagen production, accelerating cell regeneration and improving skin microcirculation. After a few applications of this mask (combined with a regime using the Day and Night Creams) our skin looked plumped up and replenished.

An effective anti-ageing moisturiser is always tough to find, so we were very eager to try their new The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Day Cream. This moisturiser is enriched with the brand's unique Pro-Lift Complex™ and has been created to help tackle the first signs of ageing. More than just a moisturiser the cream boosts skin elasticity, collagen production and works to help create a more even complexion. This anti-ageing cream effectively plumps up the skin, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and we also noticed that it helped to fade away hyperpigmentation, giving a brighter skin. Another great plus point is that this moisturiser also works as a great 'primer' as we found that our foundation just glided on leaving a dewy finish.

Last but certainly not least, is our little favourite from the range: The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Night Cream. Applied before bedtime, the innovative Cell-Fortifying Complex™  works as a hydrating, firming, and replenishing ingredient that promotes a smoother and fresher look. In addition to this key component, other active ingredients have been added to help boost collagen production, smooth lines and quench skin with deep hydration. It has a very subtle fragrance making it also a big hit with our partners (who continuously complain about strong fragranced skincare at night time!) In the morning we looked rested and our skin felt almost satin-like to the touch. 

We would certainly recommend these products to anyone looking to try a new anti-ageing skincare. They say a change is as good as a rest... and our complexions generally benefit from a change in our regular regime. If you are looking for a more youthful and smoother complexion, then this science-based TIMELESS skincare range will be for you. To purchase the set of four Face Masks for £60, see here; the Day Cream for £45 here and the Night Cream for £55 here 

‘Gameface’ Moisturiser by Triumph and Disaster

Who likes dry skin? Not us! We boys here at The Amazing Blog understand the importance of keeping skin moisturised at all times.  Thanks to our friends at Triumph & Disaster we have found this a real 'game changer' in the moisturiser world. There is a great story behind this brand with its sporting roots. Triumph & Disaster was founded in 2011 by Dion Nash, a former New Zealand international cricketer, who realised the toll sun, wind and sweat were having on his skin. This inspired Dion to create a naturally based skincare brand specifically for us boys, which not only protects our complexions from the environment but also utilises the latest technologies in green science. Previously we tried out Triumph & Disaster’s No Dice Sunscreen, and this product set the bar high for the rest of their products.

We are happy to report that Triumph & Disaster has done it again, and lived up to our expectations. We requested their latest Beauty Shortlist 2018 award-winning Gameface’  Moisturiser to try. Three of the star ingredients in this moisturiser are ponga fern, horopito oil and jojoba extract. Ponga is fern found in New Zealand, it works to tighten skin making us look younger upon application to the face. Horopito is an antioxidant-rich plant that is also from New Zealand which conditions skin and leaves it with a healthy-looking appearance. Jojoba is a botanical extract that comes from the seed of the jojoba tree which is very similar to the oil that our skin naturally produces. This helps to balance your skin's oil production creating a more balanced skin.

When applied this moisturiser has the subtlest of woody fragrance undertones that are almost undetectable. What we love about this product is that it effortlessly melts into the skin absolutely leaving no residue and yet leaves the skin feeling soft and nurtured. Triumph & Disaster is known for combining science and nature to create the most effective products on the market and we were certainly 'bowled over' with this little gem. You can purchase the ‘Gameface’ Moisturiser by Triumph & Disaster here for £36.

La Sultane de Saba – Hammam Rituals Kit

Here at The Amazing Blog, we try to make time for relaxation - this is one of your top priorities; and recently we've been taking this routine to the next level, thanks to the luxurious spa brand La Sultane de Saba. This natural artisan French spa brand has established itself as spa and wellness experts, bringing unique globally inspired treatments to their 4 Parisian flagship spas and also to over 2,500 international spas. They pride themselves on developing products from the proven beauty traditions of past generations. Their products and treatments work on a holistic level and they understand how important it is for us all to find time for relaxation and downtime in our busy modern schedules. This amazing Moroccan inspired Hammam Rituals Kit is a home spa treatment and it's certainly helped us to let our stresses and strains fade away...

The Hammam Ritual Kit comes in an elegantly designed rich brown zippered pouch, it contains natural Rassoul Lava Clay, Black Soap, Shea Butter, a Kessa Glove and a spatula. The three products provide your hair, body and face with a variety of benefits that we'll go into more detail about below. You can use the included Kessa Glove with any of these three products to give skin a deep scrub that gets rid of dead skin cells. The included spatula allows you to use every last bit of these products.

First, we have the Rassoul Lava Clay which can be used on hair, body and face.  When applied to the hair this formula works to add volume and reduce oil. When used on the skin this spread is highly cleansing and works wonders for those with back acne. The star ingredients in this treatment are lava clay, rose and salicylic acid. The lava clay comes from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and works to purify. The rose works to calm, sooth and tone. The Salicylic Acid helps to improve cellular growth, create a more even skin texture, and is highly cleansing.

Next, we have the Black Soap which is a face and body cleanser for all skin types. The soap cleanser contains organic black and green olives, eucalyptus and olive fruit oil.  The organic black and green olives work together to hydrate skin, leaving a refreshed feeling. The eucalyptus provides an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and decongesting effect.  And lastly, the olive fruit oil helps to regenerate and replenish skin. This Black Soap has made a great addition to our shower routine.  

Last but certainly not least, we have the Shea Butter. This body butter contains Shea which is nourishing, balancing, and healing. Shea naturally contains vitamins A, E & F providing skin with a variety of health benefits. The added orange blossom provides skin with a calm, soothing effect. In addition to being a body butter (which is our favourite use for the product), this product can be used to prevent/reduce stretch marks, fix chapped lips, as a moisturiser, massage balm or even as a hair mask.  You can purchase the Hammam Rituals Kit here for £52.95. We would also like to mention that The Spa at Dolphin Square in London uses La Sultane de Saba products, so if you are looking for an authentic full-on Hammam experience, we recommend booking in here.

Feather & Down – Best Before Bedtime Set and Soothing Body Oil

Getting a relaxing night’s sleep is not always that easy, we've all experienced being physically tired but our brain is still racing. Getting a full night's rest helps to reduce stress, improve memory, boost energy and keep your heart healthy. These are just a few of the countless benefits of getting enough sleep. Here at The Amazing Blog we love our beauty sleep, so imagine how happy we were to be sent Feather and Down’s 'Sleep Matters' products that help encourage relaxation and improve our sleep habits.  Feather and Down is a UK brand dedicated to providing products that promote a restful night's sleep. These range from body and bath to home fragrance, all with the key ingredients of lavender & chamomile essential oils, which are known to encourage a deeper slumber.

Feather and Down’s ‘Best Before Bedtime Set’ contains a range of products which allow you to unwind and drift off to sleep. The set consists of the brand's Pillow Spray, Melting Shower Cream and one chamomile tea bag. Both the Pillow Spray and the Melting Shower Cream contain lavender and chamomile essential oils. These essential oils promote a calming environment making a good night’s sleep more achievable. The chamomile tea bag is an added bonus in the bedtime set as chamomile tea is known to help you fall asleep faster. One team member was just so impressed with their performance, that they immediately purchased this set in order to gift to a friend.

We also tried the Feather and Down’s Soothing Body Oil as part of our night-time routine. It is commonly known that by massaging lavender and chamomile body oils into the skin muscle tension are alleviated, providing the body with incredible feelings of relaxation. The carrier oil here is a combination of sunflower, almond, jojoba, moringa and argan oils with the key essential of lavender and chamomile. All these help to lock in moisture, provide a soothing scent and prepare your body for a peaceful night's sleep.

Feather and Down's products have certainly been helping to improve our bedtime regime. If you want to purchase a ‘Best Before Bedtime Set’ that includes a Pillow Spray, a Melting Shower Cream and one Chamomile Tea Bag you can here for £5.00. You can also purchase Feather and Down’s Soothing Body Oil here for £8.00.

Babor – Multi Vitamin & Oxygen Plus Ampoule Concentrates FP

Here at The Amazing Blog, we understand how important it is to maintain the correct balance of nourishment for our skin. A lack of vitamins can cause our skin to suffer and appear tired and stressed. What we particularly like about Babor's Multi Vitamin and Oxygen Plus is that they offer two different ampoule concentrates that can help to rejuvenate your skin. In the past, we wrote about Babor's Enzyme Cleanser; so of course, we had high expectations in trying out these ampoule concentrates... And we're happy to report that they didn't disappoint! 

Since 1956, Babor has been working to use scientific research in Germany to create products with the highest active ingredient performance rates. Babor is a family company that is committed to protecting the environment. They only use natural energy, ship their products in a carbon neutral manner and they only print on FSC-certified paper

One of our team used Babor's Multi Vitamin, this ampoule of fluid contains vitamin A, pro vitamin B5, vitamin E encapsulated in liposomes, and biotin. These different vitamins perk up the skin for the day ahead. It offers a wide array of benefits that are sure to bring a fresh and healthy look to dry or stressed skin, we think it's ideal for city living. This product can be used in the morning and/or at night depending on your own preferences and skincare needs. 

We also tried the Oxygen Plus in our regime. This ampoule is designed to wake up and refresh tired looking skin. The fluid contains encapsulated oxygen that provides skin cells with high energy levels leaving the skin feeling fresh.The product also contains vitamin E that protects the skin from free radicals and premature signs of ageing on the skin. An added bonus to some of you is that it is vegan! 

The two products are both very simple to use. After washing your face, you pour one 2 ml container of liquid into the palm of your hand and then apply it evenly to your face and neck. After using you can apply your regular moisturiser/night cream or if in the morning your favourite SPF cream ready to take on the day!. These two Babor products are available to purchase online in sets of 7 x 2ml glass ampoules. You can purchase your own Babor Multi Vitamin here for £20.00; or you can purchase your own Oxygen Plus here for £35.00.