O.Moi Fresh Kick Cooling Cream

The Danes appear to have it all, don’t you think? Tall, handsome, erudite and always it would appear with the perfect complexion … could they be hiding the elixir of beauty amongst their glorious fjords? Well, perhaps not so much hiding it, because fortunately for us at The Amazing Blog there’s a whole host of goodies for both us boys and girls, care of O.Moi. The face behind this delicious brand is Kristèle Sun, originally from Mauritius where her passion for skincare was ignited and she is now based in Denmark. Sun originally sought to find a solution for a mild eczema problem, which led her to the creation of a superb range which is produced in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. This is an award-winning brand, that we originally spotted when it won Best Men’s Shaving Product at The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2018.  You'll see that we have rather a soft spot for this special organic Danish skincare, where you can also read about their All-in-One Multi Purpose Balm (Fragrance-Free) here.

'Fresh' is certainly what this product is all about, as this incredible lightweight Fresh Kick Cooling Cream will testify to. Alongside a thoroughly holistic approach, they have no parabens, silicones, mineral oils or synthetic fragrances. It literally feels like applying the cleanest air to your face, which after slaughtering one’s beard with the razor, is a jolly welcome relief. The scent is light and full of zesty lemon, rosemary and a hint of peppermint oil. However, it is the incredibly soothing sensation, which immediately calmed my razor burn as I complete my regime and won me over. It contains hemp oil which has similar molecular structure as the fats in our skin, this also means it absorbs quickly giving no greasy residue. Plus the vitamins A and E which gives protection to the skin against the first signs of ageing and the damaging effects of free radicals.  This Fresh Kick Cooling made my skin feel as soft as a baby's bottom! For a 50ml bottle, we're looking at £46 available from here and the complete skincare range for both him (and her) is available online too.

Neighbourhood Botanicals – Facial Oil and Lip Balm

Mainstream skin and body care products can be costly, and we at The Amazing Blog never want to forfeit the quality of the regular skincare that we use, just for cheaper products that don't use the same top ingredients. Micaela Nisbet, the founder of Neighbourhood Botanicals, agrees with us here too. After moving from Australia to London to pursue a music career, Micaela found herself spending a large chunk of her paycheck on such products. This inspired Micaela to follow her love for the magic of natural oils and blend her own skincare. The result was the formation of Neighbourhood Botanicals, a reliable natural oil-based skin care line made in the UK.

We were happy to try out the Neighbourhood Botanicals’ Dream Dream Dream Facial Oil. This facial oil is a blend of Moringa seed oil, rosehip fruit oil, apricot kernel oil, geranium oil, ylang-ylang flower oil, vitamin E, blackcurrant seed oil, lavender oil, and is wonderful for all complexions. Since its non-irritant, all natural, and hypoallergenic it is suited to everyone's skin type. In the morning, our skin felt soft and replenished. The contents of the Dream Dream Dream Facial Oil contain essential fatty acids and vitamins, to renew the skin while we sleep. Plus, we reaped the benefits from the phytosterols and vitamin C, which stimulate skin elasticity and collagen regeneration. The floral fragrance left us feeling calm and pampered for bedtime. This 100% cruelty-free and vegan facial oil can also be used during the day on top of a moisturiser, or with foundation. Neighbourhood Botanicals’ Dream Dream Dream Facial Oil 30ml can be purchased here for £28.00.

We also mustn't forget to mention their cute ‘Mon Amour’ by Rejjie Snow lip balm, which is in collaboration with Neighbourhood Botanicals. This wonderful tiny pocket-sized lip balm is also made in the UK. ‘Mon Amour’ lip balm is 100% natural (yay) and applies easily, keeping our lips well-conditioned. It is made from sweet almond oil, shea butter, beeswax, cocoa, white clay to cut the shine, vegetable glycerin, organic honey and vanilla flavours. Our favourite part of this lip balm is its cocoa scent! You can purchase the Mon Amour’ by Rejjie Snow lip balm here for £5.00.

PH7 Skincare Collection

As the autumnal equinox approaches, we at The Amazing Blog are starting to think about implementing a new season skincare regimen. We wanted to find a simple trio that would take us through the forthcoming transitory months with ease, and the natural skincare from pH 7’s Skincare Collection: Natural.Clean.Skin offered us just that. Our morning routine has now started with their thoughtfully formulated skincare products, their signature: Foaming Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser. pH 7 Natural.Clean.Skin is formulated by US toxicologist Dr. Erika Weaver, PhD, who is committed to designing natural and toxin-free skin care products. During her schooling, Weaver learned about the effects of chemicals and the impact it has on our lifestyle and the environment, and wanted to make a change... 

Our favourite of the trio is their Foaming Cleanser. It nourishes and restores all skin types, it made our skin feel 'squeaky clean' without leaving a hint of tightness. Key ingredients are rose water, witch hazel, honeysuckle, apricot kernel, rosehip, frankincense and sandalwood oils. So easy to apply, simply splash warm water onto the face, then pump 2-3 pumps and massage it in using circular motions. After rinsing thoroughly, and patting dry with a linen face cloth - you'll feel fresh awakened! Next, we used their Toner as a refreshing elixir to hydrate the skin. Key ingredients here include kombucha tea, aloe vera gel, vitamins E and C. Before applying, shake the bottle well and blot it onto a cotton ball. Remember to store this product at room temperature. As you let the skin absorb the toner, apply a small amount of Moisturizer,  which has some of our favourite ingredients such as coconut, sandalwood, frankincense and almond oils, all of which offer a great way to maintain hydration and protection.  You can buy each of the these separately, the Foaming Cleanser here for $14, or the Toner here for $10 and the Moisturizer here for $14. However, this trio can also be bought together here for $36.00.

Friday Favourites: Organic Tanning Products

As our regular readers will know at The Amazing Blog, we're big fans of natural and organic products, and today we are talking about sun care. We've included a couple of new brands that have just launched in the UK, as well as a favourite, trusted British brand. These will all help you to enhance your colour and protect your skin naturally. So be sure to take note, and make your friends envious of your effortless glow and sun-kissed complexion. 

There are few things in life that can make us feel better than sporting a healthy and glowing tan. It gives us newfound confidence and a revitalisation. And what could be better than if it can all be done in a safe and controlled manner? We turn first to Rosenserien, an award-winning brand, to help us achieve a safe natural tan. This isn’t the first time we’ve reviewed Rosenserien, and certainly won't be the last. We have rather a soft spot for this established Swedish organic skincare company. Rosenserien only ever uses natural ingredients, of which over 75% are actually organic. The formula in the Self Tan consists of mainly sugar beet extract for long-lasting results and natural colour. NB: It’s recommended to exfoliate and moisturise the skin before using the self-tanner in order to get an even colour. Depending on your preference, apply up to two layers of the lotion for a deeper tan. Within 4-10 hours of application, your skin will be the perfect shade of tan for 3-5 days. We tried this on the face and loved it, very good results with no blotchiness. The product comes in a 100ml tube and can be purchased here for £22.00.

Sun protection should always be an essential part of your daily routine. Although you may not always be lying out on a beach, your skin still comes into daily contact with the damaging UVA/UVB rays even during your daily commute. A fabulous addition to our sun care collection is Eco Cosmetics' Sun Milk with SPF50. The lotion is moisturising, and allows for full coverage – it must be said that a little does go a long way with this product. It is comprised of certified natural ingredients most of which are sourced from organic farming in Germany. This German sun care line is water resistant, vegan, cruelty-free and coral reef friendly. Due to the formulated titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the sunscreen protects instantly. Supplemental benefits of the product include improved hydration levels, elasticity and suppleness. If you still want a tan naturally and soak up the sun without harming your skin, then we recommend this 75ml product found here for £22.95.

Our third choice this summer is The Organic Pharmacy’s Self-Tan product.  Margo Marrone, a leading pharmacist and homoeopath, founded the company in 2002 and has been working ever since to improve skincare through the combination of nature and science. Each product is formulated naturally without toxins and is created to meet the highest standards. Similar to Rosenserien’s product, The Organic Pharmacy’s self-tan derives from sugar beet. The British made lotion is light and soft, and best for sensitive skin. First, exfoliate your body before slathering on the lotion. While applying, make sure to cover every crevice and to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. We preferred using this on our bodies rather than our the faces - it was lighter and more absorbent. Your tan will develop after three hours when you will notice a uniformed tan, free of streaks. Enjoy your natural glow by purchasing the 100ml bottle here for £38.00. As they say, don't forget to: 'Slip, slap, slop', and we've certainly you covered for the Bank Holiday weekend, enjoy the sunshine.

Bare Faced Skin – Face Revival Cream

We know from experience how sensitive skin can be, especially on the face. This is why we were happy to discover Bare Faced Skin, a high-performance, luxury skincare brand, with a range made from organic botanical ingredients. Bare Faced Skin was created by Helen Taylor, who has sensitive skin and has suffered from eczema herself. Helen's brand statement is: "The range was designed to create skin you'll be confident in; skin you want to be seen.” At The Amazing Blog we're all about finding and inspiring self-confidence. Having a clear complexion is a magnificent start and a boost for anyone. What we love is that Bare Faced Skin do not test on animals, and that the products have no hidden ingredients. It seems we're not the only ones impressed by the brand, as Bare Faced Skin were nominated in both the Face Care (Take Off) and Bodycare (Leave On) categories at the 2018 Free From Skincare Awards. To see a full breakdown of their ingredients, click here.

We’ve found that their Balance Shea & Thistle Face Revival Cream is excellent for normal to combination skin due to the hyaluronic acid and lupine peptides it contains. Together, they help to protect, while leaving you with a bright complexion. This winner of a 2018 Beauty Shortlist Award for Editor’s Choice contains shea butter, thistle seed oil, lavender oil, blood orange peel oil, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, pomegranate seed oil, black seed oil, and sea buckthorn. This combination results in a sweet floral fragrance, highlighted by the lavender and blood orange oils. Palmarosa essential oil is also added to balance the T-Zone. The Face Revival Cream is light on the skin and absorbs quickly to work its hydrating magic. You can purchase Bare Faced Skin’s Balance Shea & Thistle Face Revival Cream 50ml for £48.00 here.

We also had the opportunity to try Bare Faced Skin’s 15ml travel sized creams. This is a premium brand, so it’s nice to be able to try their face and body lotions in their affordable travel sizes. The big plus is that they can fit into any plastic carry-on bag. The Hydrate Sea & Macadamia Face Revival Cream is lightweight and lovely for skin that is lacking moisture and nourishment. The list of ingredients is as follows: shea butter, white poppy oil, rosehip fruit oil, black seed oil, blood orange peel oil, mandarin oil, and sea buckthorn oil.

Fantastic for refining and mattifying the complexion, the Mattify Sea & White Poppy Face Revival Cream moisturises and nourishes the skin. This face cream contains thistle, shea butter, white poppy seed oil, grapefruit peel oil, cardamom seed oil, sweet almond oil, and sea buckthorn fruit extract. The Lift Pumpkin & Borage Body Lotion contains borage oil to protect the skin from external elements, while the pumpkin seed oil soothes. It's excellent for tired-looking skin. This body lotion also contains sweet almond oil, shea butter, sea buckthorn fruit extract, thistle seed oil, and pomegranate seed oil. Enticed by the lovely ingredients? Each of these lovely travel sized creams can be purchased for £14.50 here.