Earl Grey and Green Tea - Hope and Glory Tea

Fancy a cup of tea? Here at The Amazing Blog, the answer to that question is always yes. Today we are drinking Hope & Glory tea and savouring every sip. From the robust flavours in the Maharaja signature range to the softer more delicate herbal tisanes in the Rani range, Hope and Glory tea will lift your spirits. Certified, organic and completely free trade, this tea is hand-picked from countries all over the world and is curated with the British palate in mind.  

Their teas are split into four collections, each with a name as royal as the tea itself. There is the robust and strong Maharajah collection, the nurturing and natural Maharani collection, the unique Rajah collection and of course the delicate Rani range. Hope & Glory offers their products as either loose leaf sachets or as pyramid tea bags with differing quantity options for each. 

We were fortunate enough to sample Hope and Glory’s Earl Grey Tea and Green Tea which are both from the Rani collection. The Earl Grey has a light and aromatic flavour. Infused with natural Bergamot oil this tea has a hint of sweet lime and delectable and refreshing citrus notes. Take it with milk or without, this Earl Grey is delicious and is the perfect way to start your morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up. The Green Tea is mellow and bright and, we think, the ideal way to unwind after a long day at the office and a stressful commute home – after all, as Hope and Glory say, “where there is tea there is hope.” 

You can purchase these moreish teas here, and prices range from £11.00 - £25.00 depeding on the style of tea and the quantity you desire. 
 

The London Original Print Fair - Friday Favourite

We, here at The Amazing Blog, are always on the hunt for fabulous, unique and special events around the capital for you to enjoy and this week is no different. For four days only (!) The Royal Academy of Arts is hosting the London Original Print Fair, London’s longest-running art fair. It is full of beautiful, whimsical and thought-provoking prints that you won’t be able to tear your eyes away.

This fair offers a remarkable opportunity to experience and appreciate works from every period of printmaking. From the earliest woodcuts of Dürer to the silk screens of modern contemporaries, this fair gives insight into the evolution and changing fashions of the print world. Allowing, the seasoned enthusiast, curious viewer or budding collector to all share an experience and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of this artistic method.

The exhibition is an eclectic mix of styles and artists, as renowned pieces are placed alongside new names. The variety in this print fair is breath-taking and if you don’t believe us or want to have a sneak peek then just check out their exhibitors. What's more, if you love fall in love with one of the prints, then you may even be able to purchase it for yourself! So whether you want to add to your art collection, are thinking of starting one or just want to go for a look, you will love this exhibition. With it closing on Sunday you can purchase tickets here! They are free for Friends of the RA, £12 for adults and free for under 16s!

Rosehip Oil, Rosehip Oil with Vitamin C and cellular radiance serum - [A'kin]

The idea of 'pure' ingredients may not seem like something you’ve thought about, or if you have, it might sound like a fanciful dream, but we here at The Amazing Blog have found the reality. [A’kin] is a brand which defines itself by its dedication to “the power of purity.” Their products undertake a unique process to ensure that their ingredients are: properly researched for their health and beauty benefits, extracted in their purest and most beneficial form, and selected and tested for synergy and skin compatibility. As such we had high hopes and expectations for the two oils and one serum we tried.

Both of the [A’kin] Oils we tried used Rosehip as the basis of the products, but both achieved different results. Rosehip is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids which help to give skin a youthful and healthy glow. Rosehip is also full of Omega 3, 6, and 9 which help to restore moisture as well as nurturing and rejuvenating the appearance of skin. The first Rosehip based oil we tried was the Brightening Rosehip Oil with Vitamin C, and we can honestly say it did everything it said and more! Our skin felt brighter and clearer, as the Vitamin C in the oil acts as a powerful reviving antioxidant helping to neutralise free radicals, clear up the skin, all the while keeping it hydrated and fed! While the Brightening Rosehip Oil with vitamin C is suitable for all skin, the Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil is better suited for dry and or sensitive skin types. This oil left our skin feeling smooth and deeply hydrated. The oil is enriched with pure active botanicals and contains only two ingredients: rosa canina seed (rosehip) extract and rosemary leaf extract. [A'kin] Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil has a concentration of Omega essential fatty acids that is no less than 80%!! This award winning Rosehip oil helps to restore moisture and helps reduce the visible signs of aging. The result is vibrant, glowing and healthy radiant looking skin.

The [A’kin] Revitalising Cellular Radiance Serum was a fantastic anti-aging serum that completely rejuvenated our skin, restoring youthfulness. The powerful serum combines 6 organic and certified extracts: pomegranate amaranth, seabuckthorn, rosehip, calendula, and chamomile. All of which help to moisturise skin, while firming it up. It’s no wonder, therefore, that in a recent study on 32 women aged 50 and over, the serum was shown to improve skin texture by 84%, skin radiance by 69% and reduce wrinkles by 22% over a three month period. What more could you want from an all natural anti-aging serum!

You can purchase [A'kin]'s revitalising cellular radiance serum here for £26.00 their brightening rosehip oil with vitamin C here for £24.00 and their pure radiance rosehip oil here for £18.00

nügg Intense Lip Boosting Mask

With summer firmly in sight, there are no more excuses for weather-induced chapped lips.  Here at The Amazing Blog, we've got the solution for those of you that suffer all year round from dry or flaky lips. Say hello to nügg with their stylish little pot of Intensive Lip Boosting Mask.

The Intensive Lip Boosting Mask is contained in an elegant golden spherical orb and accompanied with a reusable white linen beauty cloth. What we particularly like about this product, is that the lip mask is vegan, 100% natural and made with Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Licorice Root Complex. The product worked well as an intensive lip mask, helping to hydrate, soften and condition our lips, it also has a fresh minty flavour. We think this makes the perfect revitalising beauty product to take on holiday.  Our Exec Editor took this lip mask on a long haul trip and has hailed it as her new travel must-have.  After her long flight, she applied it for twenty minutes, before gently removing with the reusable linen beauty cloth. She was delighted with how quickly the mask took effect, rejuvenating and restoring the moisture waving goodbye to her dehydrated lips. The effect is long-lasting and this lip mask is surprisingly economical as a little goes a long way.  You can purchase this stylish 7g pot of nügg's Intensive Lip Boosting Mask here for £10.00.

Moist & Clean Foam, Organic Algae Detox Body Mask, and Anti-Eye Bags Gel - GMT

At The Amazing Blog, we know that as we power through our busy and hectic lifestyles time is not always on our side. So any product that combines noticeable effects and garners quick results is more than ok with us. It’s precisely because of these reasons that we love GMT and their Natura Collection. Having tried GMT Beauty before we know that the company is of a professional grade quality with each product being dermatologically tested and containing carefully chosen ingredients. We were lucky enough to be sent a bundle of the products in the collection including the Moist and Clean Foam, the Organic Algae Detox Body Mask the Anti Eye-Bags Gel, and the Triple Action Body Scrub. Made with natural ingredients, each product worked quickly and efficiently.

GMT’s Moist and Clean Foam acts as both a cleanser and moisturizer while maintaining skin health. It removed makeup effectively and left our skin feeling fresh and looking radiant. With a refreshing and citrus scent, this foam was the perfect way to start our day. The product is filled with delightful and natural goodies such as soapbark tree extract, lactic acid, grapefruit oil, hydrolysed wheat protein powder and lemon grass. The carefully selected formula helps to prevent skin from drying out and losing its naturally soft texture. To use, apply to dry skin twice a day, in the morning and evening before rinsing off with warm water.

We began to see and feel the effects of GMT’s Anti Eye-Bags Gel almost immediately. Any darkness and puffiness around our eyes were reduced, and the elasticity of our skin seemed noticeably firmer. This product is full of wonderful natural ingredients that will leave your skin looking brighter and more even. It consists of Lemon grass oil, grapefruit oil, olive oil extract, green tea extract, ginkgo biloba extract, lemon peel and  Ivy peel extract. Our skin looked more youthful than it did before, and this product has fast become a firm favourite of ours as it is so convenient to use. Just massage a small amount under the eyes until absorbed.

The Organic Algae Detox Mask provides cleansing, lipolytic and powerful draining effects. By combining algae, marine salt, and green tea, this brilliant mask can successfully remove cellulite. The ingredients guarantee a detoxification effect that stimulates metabolic processes helping to remove excess fluid while inducing the metabolism of fat.

Last, but by no means least, is the Triple Action Body Scrub. Due to its natural ingredients and perfectly balanced pH, this scrub is able to cleanse, moisturise and boost skin's vibrancy, vigour and health. Apply twice a week on either dry or damp skin or massage in for 2-3 minutes before washing off.

Each product is paraben free, mineral oil free, propylene glycol free, silicone free and are naturally scented; so you know what you’re putting on your skin is safe and natural. If you want to purchase any of these products they are available on the GMTBeauty Website. Unfortunately, the prices are all listed in Euros as the company is based in Latvia, but all products can be purchased through PayPal. The, the foam is available here for about £31.00 and the eye gel available here for around £31.00. The Body Mask can be purchased here for roughly £43.00 and the Triple Action Body Scrub here for £31.00.