amaiaa - atma oil secrets of the soul & morning radiance facial elixir

The skin is the largest organ in our body and our face is what gives the first impression of us. Therefore, at The Amazing Blog being number one fans of natural products, we like to know exactly what the ingredients are, that we’re about to put on our faces. As winners of 2019 Beauty Shortlist Award amaiaa, a natural skincare brand with Indian methodology, caught our eye, they have everything that we value with their ethos and quality botanical ingredients.

amaiaa brand is based in the USA but was born in the Himalayan Mountains of India. Ashu the founder of amaiaa, who took on a soul-searching journey that drove her to her native land, India. Inspired by her mother and grandmother as well as the culture and history of the country, she began developing what we know today as amaiaa. The brand is known for two products, atma and saya facial oils. Atma, Ashu’s grandmother’s name meaning ‘soul’, embodies her grandmother’s knowledge as an alchemist to provide skincare through natural products. Both products are primarily composed with jasmine, rose and sandalwood which boost rejuvenation and restore your skin. With every ingredient carefully picked and blended, amaiaa’s products make you want to travel all the way to India to explore the mysteries of Mother Nature.

We tried their atma Oil which we think will soon become your new best friend. With ingredients like Argan oil known as liquid gold, it offers amazing source of hydration. There is also apricot kernel oil which has a natural anti-ageing properties, rich in vitamin C and E which enhance collagen production and skin elasticity. The jojoba oil here is packed with vitamin E and other antioxidants that boost cell regeneration. The avocado and jasmine oils remove blemishes; and finally the sandalwood oil a natural illuminator of the skin. atma oil’s formula will undoubtedly help to encourage great results for all skin types. We mustn’t forget to also mention the vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5, all of which treat rosacea, acne, sun-damage and ageing with its cell regeneration properties that aid redness and inflammations.

We applied it in the morning as a face oil or serum, this oil absorbs easily which means you can follow it quickly with your regular skincare routine, if you so wish. atma is cruelty, fragrance, paraben, sulphate, alcohol, toxin, additive and gluten-free. It’s vegan, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, making it perfectly suitable whether you have dry, oily, combined or hypersensitive skin. What we particularly admire about amaiaa is their giving-back policy, with a mission to empower women and young girls to lead a life of dignity, the association with the Animedh Charitable Trust ACT, through a series of a projects, which stays true to their core ethics of sustainability. This trust helps Indian girls get an education – so by buying amaiaa’s award-winning atma morning radiance facial oil, you’re helping, too.

Why not pamper yourself and get your Atma Oil here for $75.00 (worldwide shipping) for a 30ml bottle which will give you nurtured skin for around 3 months, a little goes a long way. Also, enjoy a 15% discount off your first order using the code WELCOME15.

Urban Cordial

As the temperature rises, our taste buds are craving something refreshing to cool us down, and the array of choice in the soft drinks sector is greater than ever before. However, with our awareness primed these days to know exactly what we are drinking, the challenge now is to source the perfect taste, but without all those sugary additives which are going to send our glucose levels rocketing. Fortunately, we at  The Amazing Blog only have to look as far as  Urban Cordial who have brought their delicious concoctions to market with a mouth-watering array of pairings. How do Strawberry & Sage , Pear & Ginger, Blackberry & Lavender or Apple, Lemon & Fennel  sound as an introduction to the range? Pretty impressive, when further investigation revealed that these tantalising flavours are just the tip of the iceberg - or should that be ice cube?

Now, a cordial may conjure up images of Grandma’s pantry, but these colourful offerings pack quite a punch in the zing department - both in each bottle’s contents, and also outside on each brightly illustrated label. All of course are alcohol free, and made from the best ingredients, although Urban Cordial are justly proud of bringing these to us with a laudable mission of sourcing their fruit on quality of taste and nutrients, rather than how they may be shaped! In a bid to incorporate a solution to the serious global problem of food surplus, Urban Cordial do not discriminate on appearance and is to be congratulated on saving over 30 tonnes of fruit from landfill.

Each bottle costs £5.50 plus £4.99 p&p, and the complete range is available for the bargain bulk price of £44.00 and with p&p free on orders over £40 here everyone’s a winner! However, some small independent grocery stores and also one or two of the larger high street names are taking up the option to supply, so getting our hands on these wonderful libations, is thankfully, becoming easier for all of us.

Friday Favourites - Flavoured Gins

Sometimes dear reader, TheAmazingBlog office turns into the toughest gig in town … and today’s Friday Favourite post, is a case in point. For we are entering into the world of ‘flavoured gins’ - yes that is correct THE WORLD of flavoured gins. The taste buds are being flexed just for you, and let us tell you with the plethora of options to tempt those thirsty buds, it is just as well we have got a few months (well years if truth be told) of dedicated precision training under our belt!

But before we even get the stopper out of the bottle, it is worth noting that no longer is a G&T simply a tipple to enjoy as the sun goes down - far from it. As an example, take The Gincredible Dipper, which was sent to us from the lovely team at  Smith & Sinclair  - you don’t even need a glass for this one, or tonic for that matter … it is literally a cocktail in a rather handy pouch with its own lollipop for mixing. Now, of course we aren’t talking heavy strong liquor here - at 10% the measure is a mild one, but delicious nonetheless, and like all good cocktails - very satisfying especially at the affordable price of £15 per pouch. As we go to press S&S have had a run on these gems (unsurprisingly), but you can also try here  where the price is just £9.99 .

For those of us who enjoy our gin in a more traditional format, then a galaxy of celestial flavours await us, from all sorts of wonderful independent distilleries who have succumbed to the charms of this fine beverage, mixing and matching different flavour combinations to tempt us with. One such company are a dynamic duo who went on a glamping holiday only to fall under the spell that North Yorkshire effortlessly weaves, and ended up moving lock, stock and the proverbial barrel to begin their new and very exciting venture of Harrogate Tipple! Now the proud home to Harrogate Gin and Harrogate Rum, we also find all sorts of other goodies surrounding their favourite subject, from miniatures to glassware and even their own flavoured candles. All with the attractive emblem of their otter Donnie, proudly emblazoned on each product.

Founders Steve, Sally, plus three children and not forgetting Rex the dog are clearly revelling in their new life in Yorkshire on the Ripley Castle Estate where the new distillery is situated, and a Gin School will be opened using botanicals from the estate’s gardens and Victorian hot houses. As a starter, we recommend trying their Blueberry Harrogate Gin (£30 for 50cl) which they very kindly sent to us. It has a refreshingly clean taste and a very gentle sweetness.What we love about this particular gin is it’s full of local hand-picked blueberries which are distilled with delicate botanicals including lavender and cornflower petals this gives the Blueberry Harrogate Gin its gorgeous blue hue. Unlike most distilleries, when their sprits have been distilled, they’re diluted with 100% Harrogate Spring Water and nothing else. This dilution process is called the reduction stage and it’s where the final perfect ABV is created. their gins being 43%.

From the delights of Yorkshire, we head south to the Garden of England, to a line of hills which surrounds the Weald of Kent and Sussex to be exact, where the orchards, hedgerows and nutteries offer up their produce in abundance to enjoy. Here we find a micro-distillery Greensand Ridge named after after the hills that surround the Weald. With Greensand Ridge founder and distiller, Will Edge at the helm, he came up with the idea to utilise the surplus produce or byproducts from local farmers to mitigate their waste. Thus by making this into fruit spirits with their Apple Brandy containing sweet juicy Gala and Golden Delicious apples, fermented in aged in bourbon casks to help develop complex vanilla and caramel flavours; and the Raspberry Ghost which is a delicious Eau de Vie that captures the aroma of late summer Kentish raspberries. They have a Spirit Miniatures Box for £39.95 here where you can sample six different spirits (or mix and match) perfect for testing out a few of these delicious tipples or perhaps sending to someone as a gift.

They’re also proud to be the UK’s first carbon-neutral distillery and therefore passionate about producing fine and distinctive spirits. They pay huge attention to detail, and great patience to allow the fermenting process to create its own magic at its very own individual pace. Here, we find a truly unique range, and reaching highly on our wish list is the sublime PX Cask Gin (£39.90 for 50cl). The first thing to notice is obviously the rich amber colour from those long months left to mature in the larger Pedro-Ximenez Sherry casks, but of course it is the rhapsody which is played out on the tongue which commands due respect. Honey sweetness and warm woody spice is accentuated with flashes of orange citrus, all the while continuously smooth and fulfilling. Clearly a versatile addition to many a cocktail, but we do suggest allowing this one to take centre stage on its own merits, unadulterated over some ice and a twist of orange zest. Utter bliss!

The Fynoderee Distillery  is another gem of a discovery awaiting your attention, and this time we get to pop over to the Isle of Man, where some seriously detailed research has been thoroughly undertaken, resulting in another fantastic opportunity to sample the local Manx botanicals. Here, we meet founders Paul and Tiffany Kerruish, who along with Master Distiller Gerard Macluskey pooled their expertise and talents to form Fynoderee, and bring us ‘The Fyn Story’. They tell us “The name Fynoderee is from an ancient folklore tale, based in the north of the Island in a region where the last Manx juniper tree was reputed to grow and where juniper is now being introduced, and an area where we all live, work and play.”

With a nod to their desire to use locally sourced ingredients, you can now choose a gin according to the season, and if deciding whether to opt for Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter; sounds a tough call to make, rest assured they have that covered too in the handy Four Seasons Gift Set  priced at £40. 

However, if there is one flavour that simply has to be tried, it is the Kerala Chai Edition Gin at (£36 for 70cl) and 43% ABV, this is very special indeed. Created to pair particularly with Indian and Asian cuisine, the recipe features Indian botanicals which are wild foraged with Himalaya junipers and single estate Assam tea blended, and Keralan chai masala spices. It was conceived in collaborations with 3rd generation Keralan spice merchant and Isle of Man chef, Kumar Menon of Leela’s Kitchen.  This spicy concoction gives a warm glowing finale, having taken you on a majestic mystery workout of those taste buds … and now after such a strenuous training session, who is up for a gin?

Albiva - ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum

Everyone knows that the weather conditions here in the UK are wildly unpredictable. One minute it’s rain, the next sun, and who knows what the following day might be doing - snowing?! All these temperature changes effect our skin with varying degrees of dryness or break-outs. Which prompted our mission at The Amazing Blog to look for a natural skincare to protect and nourish it rain or shine. This is where we’d like to introduce you to Albiva (who we met at the CEW Awards showcase) a new natural skincare where science meets nature, and they kindly sent us their ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum to try out.

Ivana Iesini founder of Albiva, was diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 28, where she was having to combine so many conventional medicines, that it started to make her feel worse. During her months of recuperation, she thought about her grandmother, Albina who was a herbalist. She remembered the natural remedies that she was introduced to from an early age, and the power of all these botanicals used to help heal and regenerate the body. Her journey into launching Albiva had begun. The name is a portmanteau combining the name of Ivana’s grandmother and her own. Ivana combined her knowledge of these natural remedies, her studies in biomedical sciences together with embracing an organic way of life, and bingo! From this, Albiva skincare gradually took shape combining her knowledge of science and natural compounds, all collated from sustainable sources. Another thing that sets this brand apart is their use of ‘gemmotherapy’ (an advanced branch of phytotherapy, which isolates the active ingredients from the embryonic tissues of plants). They also remove plain water from their formulations, where Albiva prides itself on replacing the plain water with COSMOS certified organic Raspberry water, this in itself is an active ingredient renowned for firming, lifting and smoothing properties. There are skin-identical and cell communicating ingredients, all designed to stimulate cell regeneration using the skin’s own cell biology. Let’s not forget to mention the ultra-hydrating blend of botanical extracts, powerful antioxidants, collagen supporting ingredients, peptides, ceramides, compound of oligo-elements, phyto-stimulins, nucleid acids, marine algae extracts, essential fatty acids and many more. Now you know why this brand is so very special!

The ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum (ECM means extra cellular matrix) combats hyperpigmentation (age spots) and equalises the skin texture providing natural minerals and vitamins that the skin might be lacking. This serum rejuvenates and restores damaged skin by combining an array of natural botanicals: Mallow, Peppermint, Cowslip, Lady’s Mantle, Speedwell, Melissa, and Yarrow together with Swiss Garden Cress extract; all to enhance the complexion protecting it from environmental damage. It is vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested, contains 77% of certified organic ingredients and 92% of natural ingredients. We like that it’s light in texture, absorbs quickly (no oiliness), with the subtlest of fragrance and left our skin feeling hydrated and looking brighter. We used it under our regular moisturiser and SPF primer, and were pleased to note that it complemented these other products. This serum is suitable for all skin types, so whether you are combating age spots or the effects of the erratic UK summer weather, the ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum is going to be your perfect ally. This is one brand to keep an eye on, as we’ll predict they’ll being going places…. To get your very own special serum, go to Albiva’s website here 30ml for £195.00.

Nailpad

I think you could say that we all love to paint our nails, not just to look pretty, but also to protect them from all the chores that we do. As we’re always in a rush, invariably it’s a bit of a balancing act with painting our nails on the go. You know the story, grab a magazine, hand down, open nail polish and then it slides …whoops it’s a full-on nail polish spillage alert!  That’s where the clever handbag-friendly Nailpad comes into play as it ideal with those awkward speedy manicure moments. And we at The Amazing Blog are always suckers for a new gadget!

The Nailpad concept was created by two time-poor twins Tori and Carrie, who both saw a niche in the market for a stable, portable, foldaway manicure base with a nifty holder for nail polish. The purpose of Nailpad is to make home manicures (or pedicures) easier, steadier and less stressful. Not only this but it can also be adapted for placing on knees, whether on the sofa or bed, on the floor (for toes) or flat on a table. We were pleasantly surprised by how light and comfortable the Nailpad was to use. It's also small and neat just perfect for your handbag, and yes we’ve even tested it out on the tube to work!

What we particularly like is the ease of using the Nailpad on the go. The Nailpad comes in two colours, bright pink (easy to find in a handbag) and shiny black (less obvious when on the go). You too can discover the NailPad for £12.95 each on the website here.