natural

Ruskha's Travel Try-Me Kit

We are always on the go at The Amazing Blog, so when we find 100% natural and vegan products that are also travel-sized our eyes light up.  Ruskha’s Travel Try-Me Kit contains two products; the Skin Awakening Cleanser and the Concentrated Youth Elixir. Ruskha is Bulgarian cosmetics brand founded by Rossy Antonova. They pride themselves on creating products with 100% natural plant ingredients, without using any fillers or synthetic/toxic substances. They also hand make their products in small quantities so that you always receive the highest quality.

First, the travel kit includes The Skin Awakening Cleanser, which works to remove dead skin cells and clean pores. We like this product because it gets the tough job done without drying out our skin. The cleanser contains French pink clay, thermal muds, white willow bark, liquorice, sandalwood, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and soapnut. These all-star ingredients have a variety of benefits, including extracting toxins from the skin and soothing + cleansing. This cleanser comes as a powder, but all it takes to activate it is a couple drops of water. This cleanser has taken our skincare routine to the next level.

Secondly, we have The Concentrated Youth Elixir, a Pure Beauty Awards 2018 Finalist. It is wonderful for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This powerful elixir has the skin looking rejuvenated and radiant. This product contains 18 powerful ingredients some of which include: French lavender extract, Salicornia extract, mastic gum extract, Argan oil, and frankincense oil. This mixture gives the skin a healthy glow, as well as making the skin look younger and more hydrated. All it takes is 1-4 pumps of the elixir applied to a clean face in the morning and evening.  

You can purchase Ruskha’s Travel Try-Me Kit that includes a 10ml bottle of Concentrated Youth Elixir and a 100ml bottle of Skin Awakening Cleanser, here for €59.

Utopia Skincare

As our readers of The Amazing Blog will know we're always striving for perfection - well, perhaps only in our dreams! So when we heard about ‘Utopia Skincare’ we wanted to see if the products really lived up to their name... Made in the UK, Utopia Skincare was created by Chris Smith, an award-winning skincare formulation scientist who invented the patented anti-ageing antioxidant complex used in the renowned Boots’ No7 Protect and Perfect Serum. It has been specifically designed for women with mature skin, to help prevent signs of premature ageing before, during and after menopause. What make this range unique is cutting edge 'Adaptive Skincare Technology' which uses ingredients that literally adapt to the skin’s particular needs. The range also contain a pollution defence formula which claims to protect the skin from 'harmful environmental aggressors' that speed up the ageing process.  What makes Utopia’s product line stand out for us, is their Derma Complex which is a combination of eight ingredients that work together to create a more youthful looking complexion. This complex is able to penetrate down to the lower levels of the dermis and restore collagen and elastin fibres, thus reducing and preventing the appearance of wrinkles. All of Utopia’s products are collagen boosting, pore refining, paraben free, and silicone free. They are also suitable for vegans and vegetarians

The first of the three products that we were sent was their Hydrating Day Cream. This advanced formula  contains retinol, SPF 30 and UVA protection to help prevent sun damage and other pollutants. Our skin definitely felt more hydrated throughout the day, but what really appealed to us was that it contains a lot of ceramides, sterols and other skin lipids; also the SPF in the cream which gives extra protection under make-up. It is easy to use, simply apply a pea-sized amount to your face and neck each morning. It also works well as a primer and lets the foundation just glide smoothly on.

The second product was their Nourishing Night Cream; this cream works to restore the skin to its optimum hydration level overnight and also removes dead skin cells. When applied to the face, the cream is instantly soothing, giving improve firmness and elasticity, we also liked the texture and smell. It works deep down at the dermal-epidermal and has three star ingredients; these are exopolysaccharide, vitamin E and ceramide-rich oat oil. Exopolysaccharide helps to rebuild skin, vitamin E absorbs toxic free radicals, and ceramide-rich oil brings hydrates the skin.

The final one of our trio is the Instant Firming Eye Serum it treats the under eye area, which is probably one of the most challenging areas of the face to repair. Utopia Skincare has formulated this Serum to help reduce dark circles, crows feet and puffiness. It contains pepha-tight to immediately reduce under eye bagsneodermyl which combined offers the best of the latest anti-ageing technologies. Utopia claims that when used over the course of two weeks, it has the same wrinkle reducing effect as that of a collagen injection! We can't vouch for this, but it did leave the eye area of our Exec Ed's plumped up and smoother.

You can purchase a 50ml tub of Utopia’s Hydrating Day Cream here for £34. A 50 ml tub of Utopia’s Nourishing Night Cream here for £34, and a 15 ml tube of Utopi­­­a’s Inst­­­­ant Firming Eye Serum here for £27.

Orphica Timeless

At The Amazing Blog we like to search out new brands for you our loyal readers, where we constantly strive to find natural and science-based products that actually perform. Orphica is one of these. This is a new European brand, that we've recently locked on to. Not too long ago we featured their Pure Advanced Eye Serum and Up Mascara here. Today we're one of the first reviewers to feature their latest TIMELESS anti-ageing skincare range.

The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Face Mask is the first of the three products from this range. It is made with a unique Deep-Restore Complex™ formula that helps the mask to be both nourishing and hydrating. The combination of active ingredients such as Iris, Gingko, Kudzu, Sage extracts as well as Aloe Vera pulp, Caviar extracts and Vitamin A promote a younger looking and healthier complexion. Vitamin A, Iris and Gingko and Caviar extract fight against signs of ageing by stimulating collagen production, accelerating cell regeneration and improving skin microcirculation. After a few applications of this mask (combined with a regime using the Day and Night Creams) our skin looked plumped up and replenished.

An effective anti-ageing moisturiser is always tough to find, so we were very eager to try their new The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Day Cream. This moisturiser is enriched with the brand's unique Pro-Lift Complex™ and has been created to help tackle the first signs of ageing. More than just a moisturiser the cream boosts skin elasticity, collagen production and works to help create a more even complexion. This anti-ageing cream effectively plumps up the skin, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and we also noticed that it helped to fade away hyperpigmentation, giving a brighter skin. Another great plus point is that this moisturiser also works as a great 'primer' as we found that our foundation just glided on leaving a dewy finish.

Last but certainly not least, is our little favourite from the range: The TIMELESS Anti-Ageing Night Cream. Applied before bedtime, the innovative Cell-Fortifying Complex™  works as a hydrating, firming, and replenishing ingredient that promotes a smoother and fresher look. In addition to this key component, other active ingredients have been added to help boost collagen production, smooth lines and quench skin with deep hydration. It has a very subtle fragrance making it also a big hit with our partners (who continuously complain about strong fragranced skincare at night time!) In the morning we looked rested and our skin felt almost satin-like to the touch. 

We would certainly recommend these products to anyone looking to try a new anti-ageing skincare. They say a change is as good as a rest... and our complexions generally benefit from a change in our regular regime. If you are looking for a more youthful and smoother complexion, then this science-based TIMELESS skincare range will be for you. To purchase the set of four Face Masks for £60, see here; the Day Cream for £45 here and the Night Cream for £55 here 

Golden Greens Organic – Organic Prebiotic Inulin Fibre

A little while ago here on The Amazing Blog, we wrote about one of our favourite supplements the Organic Golden Turmeric from Golden Greens and recently, we also featured their Expert Collagen Complex. We like to keep a watchful eye for new product launches from our friends at  Golden Greens as we particularly like their ethos, and as our regular readers will know, we also like to support SME brands. This organic company was founded by two individuals, who noticed the incredible benefits adding more super-foods to their diets had. Today we're happy to share another great product from Golden Greens range, their Golden Green’s Organic Prebiotic Inulin Fibre. This is a slightly sweet powder, that is rich in fibre and can be mixed into water/smoothies or sprinkled over food. The powder can help to add a lot of flavour and nutrients to your diet.

The Organic Prebiotic Inulin Fibre found it's way into our morning smoothies getting the day off to a good start! Fibre, the star ingredient in this powder, is known to improve digestive health. It also helps to prevent heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and weight gain. The Prebiotic Inulin Fibre is perfect for people of all dietary needs; as it is gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, non-GMO, 100% natural, and certified organic by the Soil Association.

In addition, to adding the  Golden Green’s Organic Prebiotic Inulin Fibre to a morning smoothie it can also be taken before bedtime, to promote a healthier and more sound night's sleep. We suggest taking the fibre 90 minutes before you plan on going to sleep. You can simply add the powder to a glass of water or warm milk.  This Prebiotic Inulin Fibre is a fantastically easy and delicious way to make sure that you get your daily dose of fibre. Each packet contains 250g of powder or 50 servings. Golden Greens Organic Prebiotic Inulin Fibre is available here for £12.99.

Lovegrove - Lavender & Clary Sage Massage Balm

We love multi-tasking products, particularly as we here at The Amazing Blog have learnt to our cost, that shopping for all our pampering products, can certainly add up! So when we heard that Lovegrove’s Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm had multiple uses, we knew we had to try it. This massage balm can be used for manicures, pedicures, reflexology, massages, or you can add it to your bath for some extra muscle relaxation; how perfect is that? Lovegrove Essentials is a UK artisan brand that has been developed over the past six years. It was created by a mother and daughter duo Hannah and Hayley, whose combined knowledge and experience as respective holistic practioner and make up artist, certainly sets them apart. They have created specific blends of essential oils in their natural skincare range, which are not just for a topical effect they are also there to help individuals on a more holistic level for the mind and body

Lovegrove’s Massage Balm is made from 100% natural ingredients and it is vegan (made from a rice wax instead of bees wax). One of our favourite things about this balm is that moisturises the skin without leaving any unwanted greasiness. The main ingredients in the product are lavender and clary sage essential oils. Firstly, lavender essential oil has a mild analgesic properties which is especially good for treating muscular pains and a variety skin conditions. Secondly, clary sage essential oil creates a feeling of well-being and calmness it relieves stresses and is ideal for those suffering from insomnia or anxiety. The blend of lavender and clary sage essential oils in this balm provides the skin with an unbeatable combination that soothes skin and uplifts the spirits; and we think it smells incredible!

In addition to this Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm, Lovegrove offers massage balms in two other fragrances; spike lavender, ginger & marjoram and black pepper & rosemary. All of Lovegrove's massage balms are vegan and 100% natural. We think can think of endless reasons to use these balms. You can purchase your own 100g tub of Lovegrove’s Lavender and Clary Sage Massage Balm here for £19.00.