Haircare products by Routes Hair Extensions

Those who have hair extensions will know that their hair goes through an incredible amount of wear and tear, from hot straighteners, curling irons, and harsh hairspray. Let's not forget about sweat, spilt drinks, and pulled hair. While out on the town, I think it's fair to say that we’ve all been in the way of a spilt drink at least once!

We at The Amazing Blog are happy to report that we’ve found reliable premium hair products by Routes Hair Extensions, to protect and clean our natural hair and extensions. As one of the leading brands in the UK and USA, Routes Hair Extensions have extensive knowledge of the top professional human hair from around the globe. The hair has been sourced ethically, ensuring the hair has been fairly paid for, measured by length, weight and quality. Their products are guaranteed to be vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. For Routes Hair Extensions, it is essential that there is no illegal and unfair practice and that synthetics are not used. All of their extensions are 100% human Remy hair (cuticle correct). They source luxurious Indian Remy hair and use bonds from Italian keratin, to ensure they last.

Routes Hair Extensions very kindly sent us their collection of haircare products to try. Natural hair has a direct source of nutrients and moisture, whereas hair extensions don’t. Therefore, it's crucial to use the correct products to protect the extensions from everyday damage. Their Shampoo and Conditioner were easy to use, and both have a glorious delicate rose/floral fragrance. We would highly recommend these to everyone (hair extensions or not), as with regular use we certainly noticed their cuticle smoothing properties.  The Protein Therapy is a daily hair treatment which replenishes moisture and shine. There is a significant amount of B5, which moisturises and protects the hair surface, alongside wheat germ (vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, essential fatty acids, thiamine) and wheat proteins which repair the hair and prevent static. Together, all these ingredients create a protective spray which is suitable for all hair types. Our favourite product has to be the Extension Boost. This a wonderful treat for both extension and natural hair, particularly if you have fine hair that tangles easily. Routes recommend this non-greasy formula, to be used bi-weekly; perfect to help you achieve an easy comb through, with a soft and sleek texture and an added bonus of colour enhancement. Et voila! Purchase Routes Hair Extensions' products here: Shampoo 250ml can be purchased for £12.00; Conditioner 250ml for £12.00; Protein Therapy 250ml  for £12.00; Extension Boost 100ml tub for £12.00. 

Hoogly Tea

Perhaps it is the expansive range of delicious concoctions from Hoogly that initially drew us in at The Amazing Blog. Alternatively, perhaps it was their very name which demands attention. Whichever it may be, attention should definitely be made to this fantastic range of delectable and 100% natural ingredient teas.

The name of the brand Hoogly is the correct pronunciation of the Danish term ‘hyggelig’ which is the adjective of the Danish concept of ‘hygge’. Hygge is “an experience; a year-round feeling of warmth, wellbeing and cosiness”, and so they tell us, is the reason why the Danes are such a happy nation. When you think about it, it does all fit, but that is quite a claim when referring to a humble cup of tea. Are we being a touch British about it all? They are blended and packed in the South East of England, and more importantly for us, they are ethically sourced and fairly traded.

There’s only one way to find out, so we chose to try the variety of loose teas. These compromise of Around the Fire Black (Oolong) Tea, Classic Green Tea, Sparkling White Tea and  Chill Out Mint Herbal Infusion Tea. They are all at opposite ends of the warmth spectrum if you will; and both ends, we can report, gave us warm and fuzzy smiles, leaving us very happy. The lesson here is certainly that if you need a major pep-you-up, then try some ‘hygge’ in a cup - it’s enormously satisfying.

You can order your own dose of the Danish lifestyle from the Hoogly website here, with a choice of both loose leaves and bags, at £5.50 each for a 50g pack or £19.50 for a 200g tub. From the extraordinary range of 18 infusions available - we will definitely be whiling away some more hours honing our ‘happy’, and finding our zen!

Friday Favourites - Anti-Ageing Skincare

The skincare market is so saturated with up-and-coming luxurious products, that it never hurts to have a little help to navigate the choices. We at The Amazing Blog have narrowed down three high-end products that are guaranteed to help your face feel fresh and radiant.

Ageing and its effects on the body is something we should never be ashamed of. However, we believe it’s possible to age with grace while maintaining healthy, fresh, and glowing skin. There are countless anti-ageing products on the market, so it can be overwhelming when faced with the decision of which one to buy. We’ve found that Elizabeth Grant carries a light face cream worth your attention.

Elizabeth Grant International Inc., a sixty-year-old Canadian company, focuses on advancing their luxurious skincare products, highlighting their powerful patented anti-ageing ingredient. Elizabeth Grant started her beauty empire in the UK in the 1950’s, at a time when women owning businesses was extremely unusual (go Elizabeth!) Now, the company is run by Elizabeth, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. This company is truly meant for women, by women.

The Torricelumn Age Interception Face Cream, when applied, is light to the touch, non-greasy, and has a lovely cooling effect. Another point we can check off on our list is how quickly it absorbs. The wait time is minimal, plus it has a faint floral scent. This fantastic face cream uses Elizabeth Grant Skin Care’s exclusive BioLumaEssence Technology, meaning that it assists the skin in its repair and helps it to recover from harmful effects caused by day-to-day aggressors.

Our skin goes through a lot. Gently massage the Torricelumn Age Interception Face Cream into your face, to fight its tired, and sometimes lacklustre appearance. This cream benefits all skin types and addresses signs of ageing (lines, wrinkles), dryness, uneven skin tone, dullness, and sagging skin.

Elizabeth Grant Torricelumn Age Interception Face Cream 50ml is available here for £39.99.

Everyone’s goal is to have clear skin. We will admit that our secret weapon to a glowing complexion, is that of a trusty exfoliant. Even after we’ve removed our make-up, there are often traces of foundation, dirt, and gunk that get stuck in our pores. Most of the time, make-up wipes and the average face wash don’t suffice. This is why we include an exfoliant, like the Krisana Vigus Gentle Exfoliant, into our routine; it also ensures our skin is soft, clean and ready for the day.

Founder Krisana Vigus has built a name for herself in the fashion world with D&K Fashion LLC, which she launched in 2014. However, she didn’t want to stop there; she began her own skincare line with the philosophy of “…emphasising our honest natural belief policy.”

The Gentle Exfoliant mildly foams to cleanse the skin. The exfoliation power comes from the use of jojoba beads, which are natural exfoliants that unlike other exfoliants, do not leave microscopic tears in the skin. They are gentle, yet effective and natural. Three words we always like to hear. This helps to decongest the skin and minimise those pesky pores.

Of course, the list of skin-loving ingredients doesn’t stop there. This bottle is chock-full of naturally beneficial ingredients like Mukurossi: a natural cleanser that has anti-microbial properties to help reduce inflammation and provides oil control. It is also important to replace moisture in the skin to maintain a healthy balance. The use of Natural Betain does the trick. This raw material is derived from sugar beet molasses, and conditions the skin wonderfully.

The blend of aromatherapy oils makes it perfect for morning or night use. The lovely infusion of lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, and sweet orange are incredibly calming and are known to reduce stress, both mentally and on the skin.

The Kirsana Vigus Gentle Exfoliant 150ml is available for purchase here for $42.

We are back to discuss another product by Babor, a brand we have previously written about. Babor is an outstanding German skincare brand that has been established since 1956. We at The Amazing Blog are huge fans of natural products, so Babor is the perfect skincare brand for us. They’ve also been cruelty-free since the company was founded – yet another reason to love them!

Babor does their scientific research in their headquarters in Germany, where renowned scientists work to find new, innovative and active ingredients to incorporate into skincare products. Babor’s Dual Face Lift Serum is part of their Lifting Cellular range, which comprises of highly concentrated products, working against the signs of ageing. These products reduce signs of wrinkles and provide the skin with elasticity and strength.

The Dual Face Lift Serum is split into two tubes, each containing a serum to tackle specific areas of the face. Apply the V-Shape Serum to your neck, chin and jawline to help firm your skin, and lift your facial contours. The Re-Fill Serum was designed to be used on the forehead and high cheek areas to improve skin density. Babor’s Dual Face Lift Serum is the perfect product if you are looking to keep a youthful V-shape to your face.

So if you want to enjoy your own mini-facelift without any injections, buy the Dual Face Lift Serum here for £139.

GREK Teas

For those of us who deserve a bit of luxury every now and then, this incredibly delicious infusion has to be a clear front-runner. If like us at TheAmazingBlog, you are used to the delicate flakes of more usual tea leaves, then prepare for a wonderful surprise when opening GREK’s monochromatic, but very stylish boxes. GREK even won an award at the Best of British Awards 2018 for their bespoke packaging design.

Grek are a young British company, specialising in 100% organically certified Greek teas. They ensure that no chemicals, pesticides or harsh substances are used – only nature’s goodness. The whole leaves and flowers are then shipped from Greece to the UK where they are thoroughly inspected, before being stored in climate controlled units, so they maintain their flavour and freshness, ready for further processing.

Whether it’s their Greek Loose-leaf Mountain Tea Whole Flowers or Peppermint Tea Pyramid Bags; you can rest safe in the knowledge that the leaves and flowers are as ‘fresh as a daisy’. GREK enlightened us that the leaves and flowers are picked at the crack of dawn each day, as the temperature is cooler, and thus better for drying bunches of flora in airy barns. Drinking GREK's tea, you can relax and be transported to the serenity of Greece, whilst savouring the notes of leaves, fruits and earthy tones, with a light floral element.

If you like your tea as pure as it can be, then these two delicious teas will be a hit. Our tip would be to avoid hurrying the process, instead steep the loose tea or pyramid bags for a good six minutes, which ensures you’ll get the desired, rounded and smooth taste. Kick back and enjoy some much-deserved pampering in a cup. The brand is suitable for vegetarians, with no artificial flavours, or preservatives. Being naturally caffeine free, and from a company that follows strict ethical production values, GREK tea equates to a cup of all-around wholesome goodness. Proof that we really can just sit back and relax!

I completely loved the Peppermint Tea (boxes of 20 bags for £8.95) and have to say next to fresh mint leaves, this is the best peppermint tea that I've ever had! I even used the bags twice as the flavours were still as piquant, zesty and vibrant as the very first cup. Although £9.95 for 25g of the Greek Mountain Tea Whole Flowers might sound pricey, it needn't just be saved for special occasions. Even for a 'generously sized mug', it only takes 2 teaspoons of these flowers to produce the magic, we can confirm that they were utterly delicious.

It's no surprise that GREK have collected a number of awards in recent months. Their achievements include a silver award at the Best of British Awards 2018 and a gold award at the Food and Beverage Awards 2018, for bespoke packaging design. More globally, they were also awarded a Merit in the ADC 9th Annual Awards, New York! We are certainly won over by this wonderful brand and can’t wait to try even more teas from their fantastic range. We urge you to ‘buy and try’ GREK teas, see here for the full collection.

Sass+Co - Volcanic Sea Salt & Coconut Scrub

Body positivity is crucial, and one we should all take steps in embracing with acceptance and love. Sass+Co’s philosophy is one to live by – 'respect for others and respect for oneself.' It’s as simple as that. In the digital age, it’s hard not to get caught up in comparisons between one another, as many of us have  witnessed the dreadful public celebrity body shaming! We support wholeheartedly Sass+Co’s mantra that 'beauty has no limitations'. The Amazing Blog applauds this company’s dedication to building confident women through this body care product.

Inspired by the earth goddess Pachamama (revered by the indigenous people of the Andes), Sass+Co's natural Volcanic Sea Salt + Coconut Scrub is the perfect bathroom treat for everyone. This Australian brand invites the unconventional and creates products aligned with their mission: Raw and honest. The product is vegan, cruelty-free, contains zero palm oil and nanoparticles, and even has sustainable packaging.

The vital earthy fragrance of the scrub is both light and natural and aids relaxation at the end of a busy day. The sea salt crystals add a gritty consistency to exfoliate, while stimulating blood flow and detoxing the outer body. Additionally, its properties also help heal psoriasis and eczema. The lemon peel essential oil improves circulation and brightens dull skin, and the coconut husk and hemp seed oil moisturise any dry and rough areas. The scrub also reduces cellulite and is anti-ageing. What can't this product do? To learn more about the scrub’s ingredients, and the associated benefits, click here. After using this product, our body felt invigorated and noticeably softer. We think that this could easily become an essential part of our body care routine.

You can purchase a 250g tub from their website for $35, or alternatively, you can purchase the product in a handy 70g resealable pouch for $12 here. For UK customers, there is also an option to pay via PayPal. Happy shopping!