CODE Lip Intense Plumper and CODE SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner

Full lips are one of those make-up trends that never really go out of fashion. So when we at The Amazing Blog received the Lip Intense Plumper and the Soft Smooth Lip Liner from CODE Beautiful, we loved the idea of trying these products to help make our lips look fuller and feel smoother. This boutique brand is all about creating go-to handbag essentials, so it's no surprise that both of these lip essentials were also awarded Editor's Choice for The 2018 Beauty Shortlist Awards. 

The first step to a perfect pout is to apply the Lip Intense Plumper. We must admit this treatment slowly becomes addictive each time we apply it. We’ve all tried our fair share of plumping products that actually end up leaving your lips with an irritating burning sensation. However, this treatment gives you a gentle tingly, cooling sensation and of course, fuller and more nourished lips. The blend of coconut, almond and castor oil moisturises your lips, while the magical combination of Hyaluronic acid, Tripeptide-1, Dimethicone and the star ingredient, Hilurlip, to redefine and sculpt your lips. 

Once your lips are feeling plumper, the next step is to define them helping to create a long-lasting, youthful pout with the Soft Smooth Lip Liner. We think that this liner will soon become your essential product for an instantly defined lip. Brilliant to use for preventing our favourite lipsticks from feathering and also applied it on its own for a great natural look. It comes in the perfect Nude Blush shade that will give you an all-round even colour. The added bonus of this lip liner is the self-sharpening tool that automatically leaves the liner sharp for a precise application every time, all with just a quick twist of the cap. Both of these products are paraben-free and not tested on animals. You can purchase the CODE SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner here for £18 and the Lip Intense Plumper here for £20.

Eat and Drink Festival 2018

Self-professed foodie or not, The Eat and Drink Festival has a little something to satisfy every taste bud. We here at The Amazing Blog have to admit that we can never turn down an event that brings together mouth-watering cuisines from around the world all into one place, so when we found out that the festival was returning for its second year at Olympia London; we had to let everyone know.

Now we all love going to the outdoor market to get lunch or a snack on a regular basis, but what makes The Eat and Drink Festival a unique experience that’s worth your while has to be The Foodie Stage; a live cooking demonstration from renowned chefs and food experts. Get ready to up your own skill set as they let you in on their own culinary secrets and their top tips to impress at your next dinner party.

Their Late Night Thursdays boast the country’s top street food vendors and music from up and coming local musicians until 9pm, so you can dance a bit before indulging on more delicious treats. The irresistible aromas from each vendor will make it hard to resist going back for seconds or thirds. Of course every good meal needs a drink to compliment it, so head on over next to The Drinks Station to find your signature cocktail, while you pick up some tips on how to pair a meal with the perfect drink. You can also take home some fresh produce and handmade products at their Artisan Producers’ Market to try your hand at crafting a food masterpiece of your own. 

 The Eat and Drink Festival comes back to London from the 17th of March to the 2nd of April, so don’t miss out! They’re open daily from 10am to 6pm (except on Late Night Thursdays). Tickets are available here starting as little as £14 for adults on weekdays, with free admittance for children 15 and under. 

Baxter of California’s Clay Effect Style Spray

Baxter of California are justly proud of their extensive range of men’s grooming products, and their Clay Effect Style Spray is a great example of their unpretentious but effective line in both hair and skin care. The Styling Spray has the essence of all that is California, with a subtle scent and whilst this spray seems quite light in itself, it actually packs quite the punch in it’s hold - trust us, we have ruffled and tousled The Amazing Blog’s resident male bouffant to test it thoroughly.

With extract of both green tea and bamboo leaf, mixed with jojoba oil, providing nutrients and vitamins for every hair type it is a heady mix - every pun intended. It can be used first thing in the morning or throughout the day to pep up the style at any point. It even provides humidity resistance and heat-styling protection… what’s not to love? Baxters of California is available through the UK distributor here for £27. You can also check out the full hair and skincare range on the US website baxterofcalifornia.com.

SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm

Keeping our lips moisturised becomes a 24/7 job in the long winter months, especially when it's bitter and snowy day like today. So we here at The Amazing Blog have found the perfect solution to all your lip care needs. SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm in Candy Floss will leave your lips soft and nourished with a touch of sweetness. This is a new brand of skincare, make-up and activewear created with all types of active women in mind. What makes this range different are their long-lasting formulas that are sweat-proof, won’t clog the pores allowing the skin to breathe. Best of all, every product is paraben free, packed with vitamins and enriched with SPF to protect the skin from environmental damage.

We have two must-haves on our lip balm checklist: it must leave our lips soft and seriously hydrated and it needs to have a delectable flavour that keeps us going back for another application. So when our lip balm smells as sweet as Candy Floss, we never forget to apply it. This balm is formulated with a rich blend of natural oils, shea butter, and vitamin complex C, E & F, which melts right into your lips.

Even if the sun doesn’t make much of an appearance this time of year, it’s still important to keep your lips protected from harsh UV rays that can cause damage, which is why we like that this balm contains SPF15. Like the rest of the skincare and make up range it is also paraben free and dermatologically tested, so we know your lips will thank you for that little bit of daily TLC. We like the Candy Floss flavour.  This range of SportFX Moisturising Lip Balms also come in five other favours: Raspberry Rhubarb, Birthday Cake, Candy Cane and Strawberries and Cream. Great to carry in your handbag to switch up from day-to-day according to your mood.

This lip balm will give you the feeling that you’ve just indulged in Candy Floss from the fair; however, without the sugar rush or the calories! You can purchase the SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm here for £4.99.

Merumaya Skincare

We at The Amazing Blog are made up of ladies of a certain age (ahem) which means that we’re forever searching for the key to eternal youth. From super-foods to miracle eye-creams, the market is saturated with products that guarantee younger looking skin in an instant, most of which we’ve tried.

Until recently, we were pretty unimpressed with the results of such endeavours, however, having recently stumbled across Merumaya, such unfulfilled promises may now be a thing of the past. Having spent three decades working at the helm of leading cosmetic brands, Maleka Dattu has recently launched Merumaya Integrative Effective Skincare, made here in the UK. Full of active ingredients that deliver the very best results, the impressive range of products are the very best at anti-ageing. Each product addresses a number of anti-ageing issues, from skin-tone to firmness through to tight circles and minimising pores, and the velvety texture and subtle fragrance means that they’re sure to become staple items on the dressing tables of women nationwide.

We tried the Iconic Youth Serum which contains no less than ten active ingredients to diminish the signs of ageing. Promising to restore both youthful luminosity and radiance, after having used it for a week, there was certainly a noticeable difference. My skin felt much brighter than it usually does; which is quite a feat, particularly given the time of year. So whether you’re looking for prevention or cure give Merumaya’s fabulous range of products a try. Available here.