Bubu Skincare - Ultimate Sheet Mask Pack

Who doesn’t love ‘mask time’?  We love pampering ourselves and giving our skin some TLC! So, when the newest ‘it’ sheet masks arrived at The Amazing Blog, we were very eager to give them a whirl. Not only because in a world where we are constantly pressured to look our best, the philosophy of the brand is breath of fresh air, but also because their products are as effective as they are convenient and simple to use.

The founder of Bubu Skincare is Marianne Morrison, serial beauty entrepreneur, and qualified beauty therapist, so she knows what she is talking about. Right about now, you’re probably wondering why she chose this particular name for her newest brand. Bubu is short for the brand’s philosophy “Be U, Be Unique” which is the core of the brand’s DNA. For Marianne, nothing is more important than to be able to love your body and feel at home in your own skin, (especially) without make-up. The brand specialises in potent sheet skin masks, for every skin type and need. The five sheet masks #Soakmewet, #stripitoff, #feelingdirty, #t-spot, and #youpucker (don’t they sound cheeky?) and all come in five different coloured packs (with more fun descriptions). We think that these will probably become a new favourite, especially for those who want their weekly pampering routine to be simple and easy without a fuss while still being ultra-effective. Although the focus of the brand is not put on being eco-friendly or organic, the fact that they are eco-conscious with their recycled packaging and being completely vegan is a big plus for us.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in with the first sheet mask in the pack of five, called #soakmewet. This one – you guessed it – is meant to give a pure shot of deep hydration and glow to dry or dehydrated skin. It comes in a red metallic packaging that you have to open (carefully) to reveal the two-part sparkly gel mask that makes applying it easy. By the way, you don’t have to worry about the glitter’s bad impact on the environment as it is entirely bio-degradable! This sparkliness is Bubu’s innovative and patented thermogel that stays solid to keep the potent ingredients inside, right up to the moment it touches your skin and then dissolves to infuse its actives. Unlike most masks that are actually soaking wet, dripping, and frankly a mess to put on, this one is quite simple thanks to the two-part conception and solid gel. For this first mask, the hydrogel is packed with a mix of antioxidants and vitamins, as well as the renowned plumping and moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, and liquorice roots that soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Once on the skin, the mask stays in place, allowing you to either keep going with your day or indulge and relax while the moisture kicks in. Keep it on for about 15 minutes, then take it off and massage the leftover product to maximise the benefits. The product is quickly absorbed, leaving skin perfectly primed and radiant, ready for make-up. You can find #soakmewet individually here for the price of £7.00.

The second mask, called #stripitoff, is sensibly different, as it is the only exfoliating mask of the pack. This one comes in an orange metallic packaging and is in one piece, so you do have to be careful when pulling out and unfolding the sheet mask. What is more, the texture is different on this one. The thermo-sensitive gel is not present in this mask. Instead, the texture is a super exfoliating blend of charcoal and kaolin clay to unclog the pores and draw the toxins, and AHAs to get rid of the dead skin cells. This mask literally feels like an at-home spa treatment. Once on the face, the mask sticks well. You can also let this one sit for 15 minutes and work its way to your skin – exfoliating your face does not get easier than that. Then rinse off with warm water. The skin feels completely clean and the pores look smaller. After using, do not forget to apply an SPF if you plan on going out in the sunlight as newly-revealed skin is always more sensitive to sunlight. You can find #stripitoff here for £7.00.

The third mask of the pack is #feelingdirty. This one is another two-part mask that uses the patented hydrogel. It is to be used preferably in the morning, after cleaning your face, as it aims to protect the skin against environmental toxins and pollution, as well as dirt and free radicals, thanks to its advanced biotech complex and sage leaf infused formula. It also stays in place and primes the skin perfectly, leaving a clean and ‘tacky’ surface for make-up, absolutely perfect for the morning rush. #feelingdirty is available individually here for the price of £7.00.

If, like us, with COVID 19 your skin has reached a new level of stress and has adopted ‘maskne’, the perfect sheet mask to tackle this is #t-spot which is the fourth and final full face mask of the pack. This one is also a two-piece mask with a hydrogel that contains niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and allantoin, both effective to treat inflammation and soothe the skin from acne and eczema. The gel also contains pro-vitamin B5 and a secret serum which help restore the skin barrier. In this mask, the oil-control and total anti-blemish action is a however a progressive result: it will not target your acne spots like an anti-blemish balm or rebalance your skin right away, this is not its purpose – but it will make your skin better, reducing the oil production and breakouts in time, but only if used regularly! After use, we found that the skin looked clean and healthy and is also primed ready for make-up. You can purchase the #t-spot sheet mask individually here for £7.00.

Last but not least #puckerup, is not really a face mask, but a lip-mask. Perfect after a day in the sun or for a ski trip this winter, this sheet mask is a lip-shaped gel that delivers deep hydration thanks to the hyaluronic acid that locks the moisture in, and actives that plump-up the lips. Suitable for all skin types, and is even safe to use during pregnancy. This one is a little bit trickier to apply as it is slippery, so we advise you to just sit and relax while the Thermogel works its magic – which, let’s face it, is just another excuse to take some time out. You can buy #puckerup individually here for £5.00. Depending on the season, where you live, your age or even anxiety, fatigue and stress levels, your skin will continue to change. For instance, it may become dryer this time of year, due to alternating between central heating and the cold.  This is why we think it’s worth investing in the full complement of these five masks, with Bubu’s Ultimate Sheet Mask Pack, which is available here for £25.

Orange County: CBD Gummy Buttons

Don’t they look delicious? Having seen a lot of positive reviews on this CBD brand, we were excited to finally get the chance to try these goodies out. Needless to say that with the team here at The Amazing Blog, the jar did not last long! Yes, today we are reviewing Orange County CBD’s Gummy Buttons, and we are telling you all about these sweet treats!

Orange County CBD is an all-American CBD company that produces all sorts of CBD-infused goods, from E-liquids to beauty care products, along with…edibles! All of Orange County CBD’s  products are home-grown, manufactured, and tested in the U.S. The hemp is grown in controlled farms in Colorado, Kentucky, and Northern California, where the company is based, and the manufacturing occurs in a GMP certified lab. Since their beginnings, they have been aiming at producing high-standard quality products, and today they are recognised as one of the companies with the highest-quality CBD oil, which is used to infuse their products. Their distillate is indeed one of the purest on the market, thanks to their extraction method that uses supercritical CO2, a method with low environmental impact and that has been approved by the U.S. FDA. The distillate is broad-spectrum, meaning that it contains mainly CBD as well as a few other phytochemicals (CBDV, CBG, CBC) present in the hemp flower, but no THC. In other words, yes, it will relax you and soothe you, but no, you will not get high with CBD edibles, as CBD is non-intoxicating and has no psychoactive effects. What’s more, all of Orange County CBD's manufactured products are thoroughly tested in a third-party laboratory to ensure that their high standards regarding the accuracy of the cannabinoid profiles are reached. And you can check these yourself before buying (or eating if you purchase online) thanks to the embedded QR codes on each packaging, it doesn’t get any safer than that!

The product that we have received at the office is the CBD Gummy Buttons, in Small size and with 10mg per gummy – which is higher than most gummies on the market. They come in a small plastic jar and are available in three strengths: 10mg, 25mg, and 50mg per sweet, and three sizes: the small grab bag with 8 buttons containing 25mg each (approximately 200mg total), the small jar (which is the one we have) that contains approximately 20 buttons and a large-sized jar at 1250g. When we tasted these, they were not, as we suspected, too sickly sweet and we were surprised how fruity, soft and chewy they were – unlike traditional gummies which are glutinous and have a much firmer bite. No wonder they were won the ‘Best Edible’ Award at the Hemp and CBD Expo 2020, and got so many positive reviews! Usually, CBD edibles have a strong CBD oil taste which leaves a bit of an aftertaste -  not the case with these. They taste sweet and fruity, almost like traditional gummies, and each colour is a different taste. You can taste the berry, orange, lemon, and apple. Also, they have a 2-year ‘best before’ date, so if you can resist having them near you all this time you don't have to worry about a near expiration date. Although they are all vegan and GMO-free, they do contain sugar (no corn syrup or artificial sweeteners here), so if you feel a bit concerned about the presence of sugar, you may want to take them at strategic times during the day, like just after getting up, or just before/after a workout, and avoid eating these at night. If your main concern is insomnia or sleeping at night, you may want to try taking one before going to sleep to beneficiate from the relaxing effect of the hemp. As most of you know, CBD can be a great help to cope with joint, nerve and muscle pains, or anxiety. We think that edibles are perfect for a stressful period at work or to combat the winter blues! Orange County CBD recommends eating 2-4 gummies a day to get your dose of CBD in your system. The perfect dosage varies from a person to another, so we recommend that you experiment step by step, starting with small doses then increase them in case the relaxing effect is not there, especially if CBD is new to you. You can purchase the Small CBD Gummy buttons 10mg here for £16.99. Also thanks to CBD-Produce who sent us these and another CBD food product from their extensive range (visit here ) if trying CBD for the first time, or if you’re an experienced user, we think you’ll find something to tempt you at this this great one-stop shop for all things CBD.

Green Chemistry: Phyto Flora,

In our never-ending search to find new and exciting skincare formulas to introduce you to; today at The Amazing Blog, we’ve found a rather special natural serum from Green Chemistry. This brand is a US-based indie skincare that has a range of wild-sourced clinical and holistic skincare, where they only use food-grade botanicals and have an emphasis on Ayurveda.

Brigitte Tolson is the founder of this brand and began her successful journey in aesthetics as a cosmetic surgery consultant and professional makeup artist in her hometown of Los Angeles. Her interest and passion for natural skincare took on a voyage of discovery with Ayurveda and holistic medicine, which has since grown fuelled by her passion for incorporating these into her own skincare and practice. Her clinical area of expertise is with treating cystic acne, nutrition, advanced peels, holistic skincare, sun damage, anti-ageing and other systemic issues of the skin. After years of research and collaboration, Tolson built Green Chemistry with a mission to provide clinically proven ingredients with a focus on the holistic.  Her mission has been to create products that complement the range of treatments that she already offers her clients and to provide unique formulations that have been lacking in the professional skincare sector. Tolson said: “What initially started as two of the most nutrient-rich serums on the market, has evolved into a line that now makes a scientifically proven toxin-free hyperpigmentation treatment, along with a mask that draws city pollutants from the skin, and a rich anti-ageing night cream that even surpasses my expectations.” Currently, with eight products in the range, they are produced in small batches, using the best local botanicals available from farms and orchards. Green Chemistry also has a ‘give back’ policy to help save the bees, where they contribute $3 from each purchase to the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association. Tolson feels strongly about making this donation as it is these bees that are responsible for pollinating most of the ingredients that Green Chemistry source from locally. 

The product we’re featuring today is the Phyto Flora which is a serum which they say is ideal for dry, sensitive skin with acne or eczema. The key ingredient here is the hemp seed oil which balances the skin and helps to reduce acne scarring, and offers relief from acne, psoriasis, and eczema. The hemp oil also strengthens the skin and enhances its ability to resist viral, fungal, and bacterial infections and has shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria and yet is still intensely hydrating. Next is the Spanish lavender which has been specifically selected over 40 other different species of lavender. This lavender reduces sensitivity, redness and the antibacterial properties here cleanse the pores and work as an anti-inflammatory. The damask rose reduces inflammation by suppressing the growth of certain bacteria and has mild astringent properties. The star jasmine is restorative and known to detoxify the skin. The sea buckthorn oil promotes skin hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration and even helps treat and prevent acne. Sea buckthorn helps to reduce swelling and redness associated with many skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This blend also contains sesame seed and jojoba oils which are both rich in vitamins and fatty acids which can help protect skin cells from the damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, and toxins. The chia seed oil here maintains moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines relieving dryness and peeling. The camellia flower oil is an excellent emollient for keeping skin moist and supple and has properties that will prevent skin breakouts. It is rich in coenzyme Q10, which can help your body produce collagen and elastin, and is rich in cranberry which provides vitamin C. These will improve the skin’s appearance making it look softer and brighter; and then with the addition of tomato seed oil, this will even out the skin tone. Finally, this serum will deeply cleanse thanks to the daikon seed extract.  We used this for both night and day and found the serum’s scent-neutral with only the subtlest trace of jasmine where it meets the lavender. All of which means that it will happily sit under other skincare with no scent conflict. Because this serum is oil-based, a little goes a long way and we found that only a few drops were needed. None of us here have acne breakouts, but some of us do have dry and sensitive skin; and found this to be a Godsend, to protect skin against the yo-yo-ing effects of going between central heating and the chilly outdoors. To purchase the 30ml bottle for $70.00 see  here.

Incensum Fragrance – Sanctifino Perfume Oil

These past few months, the COVID 19 pandemic has forced us all to reconsider our place on this earth. During the lock-down, nature began to take back this place that we call home: Plants were able to finally grow freely and animals started coming out fearlessly to live their happy and simple lives. And while each and every one of us at The Amazing Blog has had time to reflect about the endangered state of our planet Earth, a new fragrance that we’ve received from Incensum has helped to uplift our spirits, and reconnect us back with nature.

Sanctifino is a unisex perfume oil from the LA-based brand Incensum Fragrance, which is created by designer and founder of the brand Jeannine Clark. With its completely vegan, synthetic-free, and hand-crafted formulas, the brand celebrates the origins of perfumery by honouring the reverie that the ancestors avowed to nature. Through its all organic perfume oil, the brand aims to calm the senses, helping the wearer find peace and embark on a spiritual journey to commune with nature and the universe. When talking about their alchemy and olfactory process, they told us: “Both human and non-human creatures are known to communicate their emotional states through the scents they emit. A fragrance may complement or intensify one's own natural pheromones which can evoke subconscious effects.” Intriguing! This may only be their debut perfume oil, and if Sanctifino is anything to go by, we feel sure that their next one will be even more alluring! 

This perfume oil Sanctifino is supernatural – in every sense of the word – an elixir trapped in a luxurious hand-crafted bottle, that reflects the mystical and heavenly ambience that emanates from the bottle. It comes in two sizes 50ml and 5ml, we received the 5ml with a roll-on top, making it the perfect size to fit into even the smallest bag.  With strong top notes of incense and a piquant of very intense green scent from the galbanum green resin fighting for dominance, it oozes autumn.  We think it’s reminiscent of the wafting smoke from sweet autumn leaves left to smoulder. It gently caresses and with its oily finish makes for a longer-lasting scent release on the skin, unlike its cousin Eau de Parfum. When the organic jojoba base oil warms up, the middle notes become more apparent as they liberate softer aromatic and more comforting notes of clary sage, silver fir. The sweet orange here also lingers, helping to create a warmth and sense of wellbeing. If describing it as a smoky scent sound surprising for a fragrance, we want to point out that it is nonetheless deliciously original, and works well with the other essential oils, to create a perfect balance of a smoky-sweet-earthy scent. When we close our eyes and inhale, we can almost imagine being transported to an ancient temple, surrounded by wild plants, where the incense burn and the sunlight cast shadows on the gold-carved statues of gods. We recommend anointing the wrists, rub a little to warm the perfume oil, and then taking deep breaths; it helps to soothe the mind giving you your own little piece of calm throughout the day.  Again, they say that it is a: “Multidimensional experience as well as shedding light into the nature of reality by fusing the mind, body and spirit through aromatic essential oils.” And, we couldn’t have said it better! If we’ve managed to intrigue you with this Sanctifino Perfume Oil, you too can purchase their 5ml here for $35. 

Bean Álainn Naturals Skincare

Are you tired of searching for chemical and toxin-free skincare? Then we at The Amazing Blog have just the brand for you, meet Bean Álainn Naturals. All their products are completely chemical-free, cruelty-free, and utilise 100% organic, cold-pressed oils.

Mother and daughter duo LeAnn C. Riley and Erin L. Sorena are the co-founders of US skincare Bean Álainn Naturals. Their mission is primarily to create pure and organic ingredients with no hidden extras. With their respective backgrounds in molecular biology and wellness, it was the perfect match for creating this brand. The origins of the name Bean Álainn, is from a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘beautiful woman’. Ingredients are sourced from all over the world, although the products are produced in their own private laboratory in California, USA. They all go through a rigorous checklist to ensure purity, potency and minimal processing. To this end, their products are chemical-free, cruelty-free, and use 100% organic cold-pressed oils. We like that the EWG Skin Deep Organization has given them the highest safety rating of zero for being completely non-toxic and that they were also awarded by Cruelty-Free International a Leaping Bunny certification.  They pay meticulous attention to detail, with their skincare being formulated, bottled, and packaged only in small batches. By the way, the packaging and branding have changed since we were sent their products.

We were sent three of the products, and will begin with their hero product, the Master Mix Anti-Ageing Powerhouse Serum. It is a daily face serum for both morning or night. Use alone, or in our case, as a primer under makeup. This serum is in actual fact more of a face oil and contains some potent and luxurious anti-ageing oils. These oils are sourced from all around the globe with argan, jojoba, orange, apricot seed, pomegranate seed, grapeseed, evening primrose, krill and emu oil.  Argan oil, as we all know, helps protect against sun damage with its omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and linoleic acids. Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce redness. Emu oil is rich in vitamin E and has small particles that allow it to penetrate deeper into the dermis to moisturise and prevent skin ageing. When we asked co-founder Erin Sorena, why emu oil? She told us: ”Many oils make these same claims, but studies show that emu oil far outperforms other oils in its class, including olive oil (which does not absorb into the skin as easily and clogs some prone skin). Emu oil is a luxury but comes from emus that are sustainably raised.” The Orange oil helps dry, irritated, acne-prone skin and gives the serum its citrus fragrance. Apricot oil is also anti-ageing and prevents blackheads, softening and soothing the skin. Pomegranate oil regenerates and repairs skin. Grapeseed oil helps the skin be more elastic. Evening primrose oils enhance the textures and elasticity of your skin. Lastly, the krill oil here improves the overall appearance of the skin. It is a very rich serum, so only a few drops are needed. Shake the bottle well, then massage into a damp face and neck. They recommend using it both in the morning and evening to get the best results. The 1oz Master Mix Anti-Ageing Powerhouse Serum is available here.

The Enliven Mist helps brighten the skin. You would typically use it before their Master Mix as a prep or primer. We used this Mist on face and neck after cleansing then followed it with our regular skincare routine. However, some of us spritzed it during the day and found that it offered excellent hydration (particularly now we have the central heating on!) That said it’s not a flower water and leaves a slight dewy residue, which in turn gives the skin more of a glow. The organic green and white tea extracts help with skin-firming.  Whereas the organic liquorice extract is effective in improving an uneven skin tone. Plus, with its glabridin, a potent antioxidant, it’s a skin-soothing ingredient too. Helichrysum oil here is a slightly more unusual ingredient (from the Latin it translates as immortal or everlasting) it’s hydrating and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Cucumber seed extract gives a protective barrier and helps with cell regeneration, while the rosehip oil has lots of fatty acids and has cell-repairing notes. The 4oz Enliven Mist is $35 and available here.

The last, but certainly not the least, is their Transformation Clay Mask. We like that this is formulated with only three ingredients. The seaweed here is full of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and antioxidants. The bentonite clay helps to remove sebum or oil from the skin's surface and has a calming effect on inflamed breakouts. And the organic peppermint oil will detoxify the skin while moisturising and tightening. This mask is designed for a monthly or weekly home facial, we used it weekly and found it easy to mix with equal parts of water (and we even added some of the Enliven Mist). It took about 20-30 minutes to dry then we rinsed it away. This was our favourite product; we loved the simplicity, purity and of course, the results which gave us incredible soft and hydrated skin. At 6oz the Transformation Clay Mask is $40 and available here. To start your chemical-free skincare journey go to Bean Álainn  Naturals here.