Purepotions - Skin Salving Bath and Body Oil

Here at The Amazing Blog we are extremely fortunate to be testing lots of different beauty and lifestyle products on a daily basis. However, as one of us in the office has particularly sensitive skin, we tend to veer towards natural and organic products. One of our trusted go-to skincare brands is Purepotions. In fact, you can read our recent reviews on their Intensive Moisturising Ointment and Daily Moisturising Cream here; and their Hair & Scalp Natural Shampoo & Conditioner here.

Today we are reviewing their great little multitasker, the Bath and Body Emollient Oil . Already an award winner with Natural Health for Best Eczema Range in 2017, it doesn’t only work as a Skin Salving Bath and Body Oil but combines different benefits all in one. This completely natural emollient oil is made from a unique and gentle blend of nutritious botanicals, and can be used anywhere and on anyone. It is suitable for all skin types and ages, and the naturally versatile blend can be used as a massage or shaving oil, and as a moisturising oil after showering, to hydrate our skin. If that isn’t enough, then it can also be used as a facial cleanser.

The wonderful part about this 100% natural product, apart from the obvious, is that it is free from parabens, preservatives or perfumes, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Furthermore, it nourishes deeply due to essential vitamins that are blended into its unique formulas. It contains organic calendula, with its soothing abilities, and both lavender & camomile essential oils which calm and protect. There is also the use of organic hemp seed oil which keeps the cell membranes flexible, and retains moisture. As it is the dehydrated cells which cause the skin to be irritated, we are thankful for this product - itchy skin doesn’t stand a chance against this powerful moisturising oil!

All products from Purepotions are handmade using natural ingredients in order to heal our bodies and our planet at the same time. Purepotions is also so natural, that it can be used on pets. However, they do not recommend Rescue Salves, as they have a high concentration of tea tree and lavender essential oils which are not good for cats and dogs. We think that this Bath and Body Oil would work as a great travel companion, so if you can only pack one body/bath/massage/shaving product - make it this one. This Skin Salving Bath and Body oil is available here for £12.99 per 200ml or £19.00 per 300 ml.

The Lakes Distillery Gin

In recent years, the gin market has boomed, emerging a plethora of different tipples that we certainly enjoy exploring at The Amazing Blog. Recently, we were introduced to The Lakes Distillery's offerings, and I suppose you could say that our Friday afternoons have become much more interesting in the name of research!

From Cumbria myself, I was thrilled to introduce The Lakes Distillery to my colleagues. The company is based near Keswick, in the heart of the North Lakes, where co-founder Paul Currie and his team operate their distillery. The team compromises of multiple industry experts; production is overseen by whisky expert Alan Rutherford and distilling by Scottish expert Chris Anderson. You can therefore be safe in the knowledge that the Lakes Distillery's spirits are produced to the highest standard. Equally, the distillery is environmentally conscious - only fuel from sustainable sources is used, and barley waste from their whisky production is fed to local cattle. The considerations even go as far as to bear in mind the transport routes, choosing to refurbish an old barn on the main bus route to and from Keswick, encouraging staff and visitors alike to minimise the use of cars.

We tried The Lakes Gin, part of the Lakes Distillery’s core range, including 'The One Whisky' and 'The Lakes Vodka'. This gin is a special one; it is the only gin with true Cumbria provenance, made from local Cumbrian juniper, as well as a multitude of other specially selected botanicals, such as bilberry, heather and hawthorn. These are steeped overnight in both wheat spirit and Cumbrian water (sourced from the River Derwent), creating a truly Cumbrian outcome. Once steeped, the gin is distilled for up to 8 hours in a traditional and handmade copper pot, creating a smooth and refreshing taste. We found this gin pleasantly fruity in taste, with a citrusy zing that makes this tipple particularly fresh. The packaging is also sleek and elegant, the perfect addition to any spirit cabinet. I like to chill this gin and drink it neatly over ice. However, if you're feeling less adventurous, then it is equally delicious when mixed with a good quality tonic, and garnished with pink grapefruit.

We were also fortunate to try The Lakes Rhubarb and Rosehip Gin Liqueur, a liqueur with a fruity and floral taste that is delicious when mixed with apple presse. It can also be mixed with prosecco, for a sophisticated twist. As with the traditional The Lakes Gin, this liqueur is made with Cumbrian juniper and 13 other native Lake District National Park botanicals. We're sure this is one of the reasons that this gin was a Silver award winner in The Global Travel Retail Spirits awards this year. We must also point out the pretty packaging of this product, characteristically pink in colour; it is both enticing and aesthetically pleasing. This liqueur could easily be added to a vast array of cocktails or is particularly refreshing when mixed with ginger ale.

If you would like to try these Cumbrian delights for yourself, then you can purchase The Lakes Gin here or the Rhubarb and Rosehip Gin Liqueur here, both for £15.00 (20cl). They are great as a present for Christmas (if we're allowed to mention that yet) or simply to treat yourself as the cold weather creeps in!

Mr Smith's Balancing Shampoo

When The Amazing Blog were asked to come up with Australia’s best exports, shampoo was not our most obvious answer. Heaven knows there are a huge range of Aussie brands on offer here in the UK, from beachwear to popstars; beers to soap operas, and everything in between. However, a haircare company which has proved to be incredibly popular is now happily making waves over here, in the elegant form of Mr Smith - a gender neutral, high performance range of haircare products. We have happily welcomed them to our shores.

Mr Smith’s hair care products are beautifully presented in the most stylistically monochromatic packaging. It is clear where the makers want us to focus our attentions, and that is within the pristine white containers of nourishment, designed for tending to our luscious locks. And it is Mr. Smith’s Balancing Shampoo which immediately caught our attention, as the fragrance created a therapeutic massage of the nostrils - and that was before it had even been applied to the scalp! With rose geranium, patchouli, jasmine and mandarin in the mix, such a result is probably not a surprise. The addition of shea butter, avocado and lime oil makes for a sublime sense of clean too. Mr. Smith have clearly been painstaking in the research and development of this range, and with the shampoo in particular, nourishment and enrichment of the hair follicle is key, and has certainly come through in just one blissful wash!

As with many coveted brands, sourcing gems such as the Mr. Smith Collection may prove a little on the challenging side, but they have just recently launched in the UK, so here’s hoping they get to spread their magic more widely soon. We managed to track down the delights of the Balancing Shampoo here. At £25 for a 300ml bottle, the price reflects the effort that has been lavished not only on the shampoo, but also the entire range. This includes conditioners and styling options; all of which are sulphate and paraben free and PETA certified. What’s not to love?

UPDATE 2023: From our reader's feedback, this product is no longer available in the UK. We suggest trying portals like eBay or Amazon to see if you can purchase it there.

Les Rêves De Revuelesque: Burlesque Showcase

It is time to treat ourselves to some sizzling entertainment, flashing lights and beautifully manufactured costumes. You heard right; we at The Amazing Blog, are returning to the Clapham Grand this November for the City Academy’s premier burlesque show - RevueLesque.

This show combines cabaret with can-can, with a cast of 23 powerful women performing a range of mind-blowing dances from traditional to modern burlesque. The artists are business professionals during the day that seek to inspire their audiences at night, offering a new perspective on burlesque and female freedom of expression. We have no doubt that your senses will be enlightened. With its 5th show right around the corner, the revival of the burlesque is hard to unsee. The City Academy is known for its adult creative and performing arts courses across London, including two burlesque companies.

Suzy Molnar, founder of RevueLesque and Head of Commercial and World Dance, tells us “We return to Clapham Grand for a second time- with brand new content that we’ve been working hard on all year. I believe this will be our best show yet.”

If this sounds as promising to you as it does to us, you can join the show on Tuesday 13th of November at 19:30 at Clapham Grand, 21-25 St John’s Hill, London SW11 1 TT.

Tickets are available for £19.50, click here to purchase your own from the City Academy website. If you can’t wait to see the girls in action, you can also click here for a little sneak-peak of their latest work.

The Great British Porridge Company

We all have the same problem, we’re running late, the meeting is in half an hour, and there is absolutely no time for breakfast. Tut tut, naughty us, the start to our day at The Amazing Blog should be fuelled with nutritious food to give us the energy to kick start our day. However, we are not alone, a recent survey revealed that a great deal of the British population decide to skip breakfast, as they regard it as time-consuming and unnecessary. This can now all change…with the rise of 100% instant, and naturally sweet porridge, made by The Great British Porridge Company.

Full of delicious ingredients like fruits, nuts and seeds, a bowl will provide you with all the energy you need. Packed with the best of British, and containing completely natural, gluten free and wholegrain oats, the porridge is free from added sugars, high in fibre and contains 10+% protein. If that isn't enough, then these porridges are also vegan. The brand says goodbye to boring breakfasts, and welcomes a new era, with the addition of protein and fibres, all of which are dairy free (just add hot water). And there you have it - porridge in just 60 seconds!

The Great British Porridge Company offer three different flavours, each in a 385g pack. The Goji Berry and Pumpkin Seed porridge is made from gluten free wholegrain oats, dates, coconut milk, pumpkin seeds, goji berries and chia seeds; and tastes delicious with a sprinkling of extra goji berries (and pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch). For the banana lovers amongst us, the Blueberry and Banana porridge proved to be a winner. It contains the same base ingredients as above, but with the additional zing of blueberry and banana. This was a popular choice in the office, and made a delicious overnight oats base for those of us who like to spend a little less time making breakfast in the morning. Finally, and the firm favourite in the office, the Strawberry and Peanut Butter porridge is a scrumptious way to add a bit of sweetness to a cold morning. Simply top with fresh strawberries - or frozen if you’re feeling exotic - and enjoy a filling and wholesome breakfast.

The 100% naturally sourced ingredients, including the wonderfully delicious oats, make up these tasty bowls of porridge, all of which are handmade in small batches in Sussex. They are available online, on their website for either £4.99 a pack or as part of a monthly subscription. Yummy!