PuraVida Bio

As our readers know, at The Amazing Blog we always veer towards good all-natural products. But, even with all the natural products we use, toxins still find a way to get into our skin through polluted air. We know that we’ll never leave the hustle and bustle of the city, but is the city air messing with our skin? Enter PuraVida Bio with their skin detox line. The Detox Serum, Detox Mask and Anti-age Balm all offer a perfect remedy to polluted skin. Anti-pollution skincare is one of the fastest growing areas in beauty and is something we’re all keen to try more of.

PuraVida Bio is an Italian brand of organic skincare that was started after identifying a need for high quality, innovative skincare products for all age ranges that are also completely safe and effective. We particularly like how they break down the ingredients that they use in each product with a purpose for each one. What makes this brand ‘different’ is that all their products are made with certified natural organic ingredients which are transformed into precious plant Lysates. The ingredients are provided by Alce Nero approved Italian farmers who cultivate under strict guidelines for organic farming. These are then go through a method of biotransformation into certified Lysates through an active process of natural fermentation (called ‘elision’), which strengthens all the antioxidants revitalising all the ingredients used. You can read more about this here.

We were sent three of their key products to test. The first of which was their Detox Serum, which is a concentration of anti-pollution active ingredients. It contains extract of Malvasia grapevines which maintain the correct level of skin microflora and speed up natural detoxification. The serum can be applied alone or before a moisturiser or balm, but we saw the best results when using together with their Anti-age Balm.

The Anti-age Balm we enjoyed using, light in texture, easy to absorb and the fragrance has a delicious powdery sweetness (the beetroot extract?) The extract of beetroot helps bind vitamin D on the skin, essential for toning and hydrating the skin. This is a long lasting formula that goes on working for 24 hours as it’s powerful antioxidants, ceramides and fermented angelica oil protect the skin and keep it toned and uniform. The vitamin C stimulates the renewal of collagen and combats the formation of age spots.

Our favourite of the three products is hands down the Detox Mask. It comes in these perfect single-use travel pods that are so easy to throw in a carry-on bag if you’re traveling. The PuraVida mask is the fastest way to detox your skin. Just apply the mask to the face and neck and leave for 15 minutes, once a week. It’s rich in powerful antioxidants and vitamin D, which is necessary for proper skin hydration.

All products are natural, gluten free, nickel tested no parabens or artificial preservatives and are not tested on animal. They are also approved by ICEA, one of the most important institutes for ethical and environmental certification. If you would like to remove some of the effects of pollution from your skin, the PuraVida Bio Detox products  can all be purchased here. The 50 ml Anti-age Balm is €32. You can purchase the 30 ml Detox Serum for €45 and the pack of 4 (8ml) Detox Masks retails for €22.

Regenovex - ActiFlex and Gel

As most of us at The Amazing Blog are regulars at the gym or do our morning run, we’re no strangers to muscle soreness or the odd joint problem. Tired of having to put off training when suffering from injury or stiffness, we were happy to make the discovery of the brand Regenovex that have produced Regenovex ActiFlex and Regenovex Gel, for aiding joint and muscle pain.

Regenovex products are thoroughly researched by a team of experts who have designed blends and formulas to end your joint issues. Both the Actiflex capsules and the Gel contain their unique patented Bionovex® oil, which is a marine oil with its origins in New Zealand’s Green Lipped Mussels. The Green Lipped Mussels used in Bionovex® Oil are harvested and sourced only from the clean, clear and fresh waters of New Zealand. Both products are also rich in hyaluronic acid, ETA (eicosatetraenoic acid), an Omega-3 fatty acid.

Regenovex Actiflex capsules are suitable for everyone (except those who are either  pregnant or with shellfish allergies). The pack come with 30 capsules that are free from artificial colouring, preservatives and yeast. The composition enhances collagen formation, and supports muscle and bone functions with a lubricant and cushioning effect to restore flexibility. It is recommended to take one capsule a day, or if it’s your first time you can take 2 a day for the first 10 days.

Similarly, Regenovex Gel has a similar effect but is topically applied, and can deliver up to 80 applications in just one small 40ml dispenser. It is ideal for immediate a joints pain relief and has a cooling and soothing effect. We recommend carrying it on your kit-bag to apply after training, massaging the gel into joint areas that hurt. Enhance your muscle and bone performance with the Regenovex ActiFlex capsules here 30 capsules for £25.00, or get your bottle 40ml Regenovex Gel  here for £10.99. Both are also available in Lloyds Pharmacy Stores nationwide.

Ramer Sponges - Wet Shave Towel

It will come as no surprise to regular readers of The Amazing Blog to hear that whenever we get the chance to report on a product which will help the daily ritual of shaving a tad more successful, then we are up for it with our razors primed … add the promise of some serious ‘salonesque’ pampering into the mix, and we cannot hold ourselves back. So, when we heard the whisper that Ramer Sponges were set to launch a new collection targeted at us boys, called Ramer For Men, we kept our eyes peeled for the first offerings. Zeroing in today on the ingenious idea of the Ramer For Men, Wet Shave Towel  - although don’t let that put you off exploring their extensive range for boys, girls, grown-ups and little ones alike.

Those of us lucky enough to enjoy the true expertise of a trained barber, will not only know the intense relaxation afforded when having our skin prepared by a professional before the slicing of the blade commences, but also the vital task all that preparation does in opening up the pores and softening the beard. By lubricating the follicles effectively of course we lessen the chance of the dreaded razor drag which inevitably leads to razor rash and burn which is never a good start to the day! And chaps, we need to make a note of the growing trend of losing the hipster beard trend - 55% of us are now embracing a smoother look according to an online poll, and making the most of that precious half hour spent in the barber’s chair. Which is where Ramer come in and present their wonderful option of enjoying the salon experience every day at home with their Wet Shave Towel.

The process with this Wet Shave Towel could not be easier - simply immerse the towel in hot water, squeeze and apply to the face to soften the beard; the heat and moisture will open up the pores, preparing the skin effectively for the razor onslaught.Then shave as we would normally, removing excess foam when complete, and rinse the towel, but this time in cold water. Re-apply to the face to close up the pores, and moisturise, thereby giving us the luxury of a wet shave barber experience, but in the comfort of our own bathroom. To store, we simply rinse again and allow to dry - each towel is super-soft, hypoallergenic, machine washable at 40º and ideal for sensitive skin.

This Wet Shave Towel comes in 3 colours (black, lime green and ultra violet) with approximate dimensions of this new found favourite, is 360mm x 210mm and retails at just £6.99 available here or from John Lewis and Superdrug.  We think that it will be simply a matter of time before this magic towel becomes as indispensable as the razor itself.

Friday Favourites – Healing Face Mists

Don’t you love it when you wake up, spray your face with a natural, delicate and fresh face mist, both invigorating and uplifting, all to start your day off right. At The Amazing Blog, we’ve always been keen on facial mists, but in our recent search we’ve found that too many high street facial mists are ineffective, watery or filled with chemicals. Today we’re happy to say that we’ve discovered some new and natural healing mist solutions to share with you.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we have.

The first #Amazingfind healing mist we have is from Max and Me, a company dedicated to making you look better but also feeling better.

The brand was founded by Max and Tanja Gruber, who set out to create skincare that they quote that it “Goes beyond mere product performance. Skincare that suffuses you with a most beautiful, vibrant flow of energy.” Max is the entrepreneurial spirit of the pair, and designed the company’s structure so it is as fully ethical as possible particularly regarding ingredient sourcing and sustainability. His partner, Tanja trained in Energetic Healing, Kinesiology, and Aromatherapy for three years at the Austrian Academy of Kinesiology. The couple’s respective backgrounds fused into a line of unique skin care products with an energy-healing basis.

The Intuitive is a botanical facial mist that has a blend of ingredients to ‘elevate skin, soul, and spirit’. One of the main ingredients, palo santo, is an Ecuadorian-sourced plant that heals and increases positive energy around you, which uplifts your mood. On top of this, wild agonis essential oil regulates your circadian rhythm for better sleeping at night, and blue tansy relaxes and calms your mind. These natural ingredients work to balance the flow of energy around you and reduce any negative ions while smelling like the woods after it rains. They are also gentle yet effective for inflamed, dry, or acne-prone skin.

Besides providing much-needed relief to our dry summer skin, what drew us to this product was its healing effects. When we sprayed it, we instantly felt tranquil - and it’s something that we’ve carried with us throughout the day even as we walked through the busy London streets. You can use this facial mist for many purposes, such as a room and pillow spray or mixed with a balm for a face mask, but we preferred using it on freshly cleansed skin to let our moisturiser soak in better. The spray has very fine particles, which evenly distribute the mist onto your face, and is hand-blended into a sturdy glass bottle. You can purchase The Intuitive (100ml) here for 70 €.

The next product we have for you is made specifically for skin hydration by Alexandra Soveral. As regular readers will know, we recently featured her Sweet Orange & Rosemary Shampoo. Soveral founded the brand with her business partner Jori Aleem to form natural products developed using cutting edge science. Before starting her beauty and perfume line, Soveral spent time understanding skin as an aromatherapist and facialist. She also learned how to curate products organically as a cosmetic designer. The company is also dedicated to sustainability and given the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark, which ‘identifies the luxury brands that meet the highest standards of verified innovation, social, and environmental performance’. It uses pure and natural ingredients found in its Floral Rain Hydrating Face Mist.

This face mist combines vitamins and antioxidants with essential oils that hydrate and even your skin, making it optimal to use as a toner to prep your face for oils, serums, or moisturiser. Aloe vera nourishes your skin but doesn’t make the product watery so that you can use it over make up for a midday skin pick-me-up. The orange blossom and rose scent is also refreshing to use on your neck and décolletage. We found that it smells good when sprayed around your surroundings as with just a single spritz of the mist, the fragrance holds its aroma. It is hand-blended in London and packaged in a recyclable plastic bottle. You can buy the Hydrating Face Mist (250ml) here for £45.

Finally, to complete this week’s Friday Favourite’s trio of healing mists, we have the Universal Soul Company’s, 3-in-1 Soul Mist in their signature fragrance STILL. The luxury lifestyle brand was founded by well-known British actress Sara Griffiths to value all five of your senses amid all the media and technology that surrounds us and empower others through positive well-being. The company focuses on the idea of ‘profit for purpose’ and donates a portion of its revenue to different causes as another way to enable others. The Universal Soul Company also has the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark of approval for sustainability.

The name of the Soul Mist comes from its three intended uses: room spray, meditation, and pillow mist. Instead of needing three separate products, only this mist is necessary throughout your day from morning until night. Patchouli and vetiver base notes combine to create a strong musky scent while lavender oil and may chang layered on top of it create a sweet floral fragrance that appears a few moments after spraying the mist. May chang has been proven to relieve fatigue and lethargy, leaving you in a better mood and lavender helps you sleep and relieves body aches. The mist is made with 100 per cent natural essential oils and mineral waters, which break up air molecules and generate negative ions of well-being like being near a waterfall or the ocean. It is alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and has no artificial fragrances, so it is safe for use on your face and around children, animals, and furniture.

The 3-in-1 Soul Mist is Universal’s first brand product, and it does not disappoint. The smell made us feel instantly relaxed and lasted. We found it was particularly helpful in making us feel less stressed when waking up and getting going in the morning. You can purchase the hand-blended product (100ml) here for £37.

These three healing mists prove that creating a relaxed state of mind is not just reserved for a retreat or an exclusive yoga studio. In fact, they teach you how you can build a tranquil zone of your own with just one spray. Using each of these healing mists helped us to feel like we could conquer the day with both an uplifted mood and more radiant looking skin!

Clockface Beauty - Foot & Leg Scrub and Foot & Leg Balm

The Amazing Blog office is always buzzing with activities so much so, that we often forget to take time out to indulge in a bit of pampering (i.e. a relaxing foot massage). That why we love the way The Clockface Beauty, have created a ‘little bit heaven on earth’ with their two Foot & Leg Scrub and Foot & Leg Balm home-spa products.

Clockface Beauty is a mother-daughter luxury skincare brand equipped with organic natural products for guaranteed skincare results. Sarah Thomas, the founder of Clockface Beauty started to become concerned about what she used on her skin as it dramatically changed while she was pregnant with her eldest son. With help from her mother, Karen Horsely, they created a multi-tasking skincare brand that is 100% natural, ethical and proven. Clockface Beauty also prides itself on being sustainable and organic with transparent product labelling.

The Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Scrub is undoubtedly a unique product with its versatility, as it doubles up as a foot scrub and hydrating shaving conditioner. The scrub works quickly and effectively to remove dead skin cells and everyday toxins while tightening, firming, toning, smoothing and adding vitamins to the skin. The scrub has a light pink colour and appears foamy. It has a slightly sweet smell of neroli which is awakening and fresh. Unlike ordinary scrubs, it has fine salt granules which making it safe for exfoliating your legs and feet and the infused butter ensures your skin is not stripped of its oils leaving the skin moisturised after rinsing. Great for massaging onto tired feet to refresh and revive. To use as a conditioning shaving cream, apply before shaving and then rinse off afterwards with warm water. This scrub contains Himalayan pink salt, mango and avocado butter, neroli, ylang ylang essential oils.

As they say two is always better than one! And to accompany the delicious Scrub is the Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Balm, this is unmatched with Its uplifting, revitalising and refreshing treatment. Winner of the 2019 Mama & Baby Awards it is fortified with a range of essential oils, avocado, mango butter and vitamin E this is the ultimate treat for tired feet.  The balm hydrates, soothes, smoothes and moisturises legs and feet. The antioxidants help fight off the signs of ageing and fatty acids heal the skin from within. The balm resembles melted butter in texture and colour although slightly viscous. It has a zesty aroma combined with jasmine, frankincense and may chang.It is not lumpy, greasy or sticky and it simply smoothly glides on the skin giving your legs and feet a hydrated glow. We suggest using this after the Clockface Beauty Foot & Leg Scrub for a calming and soothing double effect. Plus the balm is ideal for softening hard feet because of its excellent moisturising properties.  

Both the Scrub and the Balm are vegan, 100% and suitable for all skin types. NB: Both products state that they are not suitable for people who have a nut allergy. Foot & Leg Scrub is 120ml for £34.00 here and the Foot & Leg Balm is 120ml for £37.00 here.