SOS Serum

Alas, skin problems affect everyone at some stage, and at The Amazing Blog we’re definitely not fans of any unexpected inflammation or itchiness. That is why today’s #amazingfinds is a product that has a special formula to cool, heal and repair - meet the all-on-one rescuer, SOS Serum.  

Founder Bruce Green, is a chartered scientist, a chartered chemist, and a fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry. He is a man with great expertise who understood the need for such a product as one skin issue still dominates – that is sensitivity. After many years of working in the industry, Bruce noted that from children to pensioners, everyone at some stage experiences skin dryness and itchiness. That is why he developed this unique advanced formulation that brings relief to most conditions. It can also be used to help eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, bites, wind-chapped and sun-damaged skin or allergic flare-ups.

The SOS Serum consists of only 12 active ingredients – rich in wasabi and burdock leaf extracts, these plant extracts are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Hyaluronic acid alleviates dry skin and speeds up wound healing, whereas peppermint provides soothing and cooling abilities that freshen and leave that pleasant ‘ice cube’ sensation to the skin. There are also two other products in the SOS range – SOS H2O Day Serum with anti-ageing properties and SOS SPF 50 skin protection. All three products are vegan, cruelty-free, with no parabens, SLS, mineral oil or fragrance and are proudly manufactured here in the UK.

We think the SOS Serum is a must-have it’s so gentle and even suitable for babies over one-month-old. Regular application of a small amount of gel-textured skincare will treat the skin issue swiftly. We found that the recyclable airless pump dispenser is easy to use and perfect in size for keeping in a handbag for regular application. The retail price of the SOS Serum is £15 for 50ml and can be purchased here.

Elm Rd - Amira Studio Reed Diffuser

This week’s post comes to you hotfoot from the striking opulence and intricate palatial architecture of the Middle East, and the arid desert landscapes … at The Amazing Blog are immersing ourselves in the sultry, smoky enclaves of heat, perhaps with some billowing linen providing a breath of air in the background, amidst all the grandeur, both faded and vibrant, but always intoxicating. Are we going overboard with the visuals here, or are we simply buying into the founding ethos behind Elm Rd.’s   fragrance range of candles and reed diffusers wholeheartedly? 

Elm Road is a company with their manufacturing base in Kent, and is the brainchild of Miguel Ángel, who had been living the corporate life of imbalance whilst working as a shoe designer when he had a moment of clarity in a San Franciscan park. Exhausted from the rigours of his busy schedule, the aromas of the eucalyptus, pine and cypress trees enveloped him and transported him to another time and place - one where memories and reminiscences helped to restore and heal, ultimately enabling him to make the huge decision to overhaul his life completely. Happily for Miguel - and indeed for us all - this turning point marked the beginning of Elm Rd, and his new venture of creating extraordinarily effective triggers to help us all slowdown and indulge a slower pace for however long we can all allow ourselves to escape.

We are focusing on Elm Rd.’s Amira Studio Reed Diffuser here, but there are a whole host of similarly indulgent concoctions to check out too. Amira Studio though is a heady blend of pure essential oils of mandarin, oud and geranium, conjuring up the ambiance of Arabian Night-like tales of romance and intrigue; combining the sumptuous aromas of frankincense with citrus and floral undertones. Whilst this fragrance has a strength to it from those base notes, it is not overpowering, but the ensuing subtle botanical aroma is just enough to sustain our journey of recollection back.

This stylish Amira Studio reed diffuser comes in 100ml, which is priced at £38 from here. All the ingredients are plant-based, paraben-free, and vegan-friendly with an eco-friendly diffuser base. The 100ml option should last between 3 and 4 months depending on the season and of course room temperature. Go on spoil yourself and be transported to more exotic climes with this intoxicating aroma.

PARA’KITO®

There’s really nothing quite like a run around the pond in Hyde Park or an evening stroll after work around the boating lake in Battersea Park, refreshing, energising and invigorating. However, at The Amazing Blog, we’re all only too aware of the dreaded mosquito bites that come with the territory of being near still water. We may get a great workout but then return home covered in itchy bites. This is when we discovered PARA’KITO® to help solve the problem.

According to PARA’KITO®, the world is a wonderful place full of exciting adventures. They want you to embrace this world, go travel and explore - all free from the nuisance of mosquitoes! Hence, the brand has created a new generation of topical repellents to combat mosquitoes and ticks. Cleverly they have achieved the feat of combining a mosquito repellent with extremely effective natural formulations for optimal protection that you can trust.

After several years of research and development with a team of determined biochemists, the brand has created some unique formulations. While traditional mosquito repellents tend to resort to alcohol and chemical surfactants as binders, PARA’KITO®, has incorporated patented technologies with only natural formulations in water-based or dry oil formulas.

The brand has released two key ranges of products.  The first being a repellent for tropical areas and the second is a repellent for regions in Europe. These come as a roll-on and spray product, these include cellulose and clay (ClayCell technology) allowing PARA’KITO® to avoid the toxic impacts of active ingredients through the skin and potentially into the bloodstream. It uses a mineral (clay) and vegetal extract (cellulose) as binders, with no alcohol or synthetic surfactants. These are able to reduce the repellent actives’ penetration into the epidermis, enhancing product efficacy. Furthermore, PARA’KITO® also uses Citrepel which contains PMD in its products, thus setting the company apart from traditional repellent brands. Citrepel is a natural derivative of citronella Java essential oil. It has the highest and most stable concentration of PMD (p-menthane-diol), a repellent very effective on a wide variety of insects, especially mosquitoes and ticks. PMD is the only natural repellent that provides the most protection against mosquitoes. It acts on the sensory receptors of mosquitoes with a level of efficacy similar to the 3 other active ingredients which are synthetic chemicals (DEET, IR3535 and Icaridin). That’s all the technical stuff!

PARA’KITO® have quite a few different types of repellents, one is a Pellet filled with natural essential oils which is worn as a wrist or ankle band. Made of comfy neoprene and comes with two refills that diffuse as a unique cocktail of natural essential oils that effectively mask our olfactory signals. These pellets last up to 15 days and include ingredients of citronella, rosemary geranium mint, clove and peppermint essential oils.

The products we tried were five from the range (see above photo). Let’s start with the Family Spray and Roll On in the green range, which is for Europe. They provide complete protection for the whole family for 8 hours against tiger mosquitoes and 5 hours against ticks.  Whereas The Tropical Spray and Roll On is a stronger formula for up to 10 hours protection against tiger mosquitoes and up to 6 hours against the Anopheles (malaria vector) as well as 7 hours against ticks.  Both ranges come with a wristband too – best for full protection - see here both the Roll-Ons and Sprays start from £14.95 ea. They feel gentle on the skin and smell deliciously of citronella without a trace of anything chemical (i.e. DEET!) Each helps safeguard you against mosquitoes depending on the geographical region that you’re in. What sets these products apart is that they don’t use any artificial chemicals and serve as a brilliant alternative to chemical repellents.

They also have a mosquito and tick repellent in the form of a water-resistant Dry Oil. It has a 6 hour proven efficacy and can be used as a skin moisturiser or after-sun care. This product uses coconut oil extracts, vitamin E and organic vegetal oils, as these moisturising lipophilic compounds have an affinity with the epidermis. The unique HydraActive™ technology boosts the active’s repellence by achieving, at a lower concentration, with optimal and prolonged efficacy. The Dry Oil product is renowned for its moisturising and nourishing properties as well as with highly concentrated of  Citrepel® and extracts of shea butter and liquorice to smooth and repair the skin, priced at £14.95 for a 75ml bottle.  Our favourite from this range? The Dry Oil wins hands down! Head over to their official website here to buy the full range, and protect yourself against these horrible blood-sucking beasties!

Friday Favourites – Lash Serums

With the weekend approaching, it’s time to get our high heels out, we’re getting ready to paint the town red! However, we’re well aware that no outfit is complete without long, voluminous and beautiful lashes that flutter like butterflies... That is why, today at The Amazing Blog we’re ready to bring to you all the necessary products that you need to ensure you look like a million dollars not just over the weekend, but every single day!

We’re going to begin with the dynamic duo sold by Avante. Their Dynamic Lash Serum and Dynamic Effect Mascara will leave your lashes looking thick and rich completing your Friday night going into your Saturday morning! Avante’s philosophy and the aim is to use scientifically proven ingredients for maximum results in combination with ingredients that provide nutritional benefits. This brand hails from New Zealand and is created by a multidisciplinary team of leading aestheticians, trichologists and pharmacists.

The  Dynamic Lash Serum is an effective and deep conditioning serum that maximises hydration, helps reduce breakage and improves the overall texture of lashes making sure your blinking butterflies can give the Great Wall of China a run for its money! This is to be applied once a day and provides up to three months of conditioning solution in this compact 2ml tube. NB: It’s free-from prostaglandin, petroleum-based ingredients like mineral oil or petroleum jelly, parabens, animal products, artificial colours or fragrances. Made with vitamin E and C, hyaluronic acid and liquorice root extract, the serum delivers unbelievable results.

Additionally, the Dynamic Effect Mascara is just as effective. It is smudge-proof and perfectly lengthens, volumises and strengthens the lashes too. Created with nourishing castor oil, jojoba seed oil, liquorice extract and naturally scented with rose flower water. This mascara with its curved wand for uplift will surely give you the best lashes ever. Hop on over to their official website, to give your lashes the gift they very well deserve for £48 for the Dynamic Lash Serum here and £30 for the Dynamic Effect Mascara (in Jet Black or Chocolate) here.

Up next we have another two game-changing products by Lashfactor. The brand has created the world’s very first eyelash and eyebrow enhancer that incorporates a ground-breaking serums free nano-molecular growth technology that promises longer, fuller and darker eyelashes and eyebrows in just 4 weeks. Lashfactor realises that eyes are one of the most precious organs of your body. The gift of sight through eyes is a miracle of nature that should be truly appreciated. Therefore, Lashfactor has developed TWO products: an Eyelash Enhancing Serum as well as a Lash + Brows Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum. So, what’s the difference between the two? They say that the Lash + Brows Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum is the higher strength out of the two. It’s a serum-free nano-molecular polymeric solution with a patented sterile micro bristle dip-in applicator; not only does it give long, fuller and darker eyelashes but it’s also strong enough to considerably enhance the eyebrows too. Thus ideal for everyone to boost their lashes in a natural way without the use of fake extensions. 

Their semi-viscous formula containing bimatoprost ophthalmic solution with a unique volume building nano polymers which gently coats the roots of the hair follicles. The brand recommends applying it once every night along with the roots of the eyelashes and the eyebrows. Lash Factors hopes to eliminate fake lashes and further, enrich and thicken your natural lashes to look just as long and luscious as extensions.  You can purchase both these products as a gift set on their official website for an affordable £50 here for both the 2ml serums and if you put in the code AMPR10 in the checkout, you will get 10% off your purchase.

Last but most certainly not the least, is one of our favourite brands Lavera, with their Lavera’s Lash Care Serum. This is very different to the other two brands, it’s chemical-free with the key ingredient of organic coffee (caffeine) developed for stronger and more revitalised lashes. Lavera prides itself on using natural and sustainable ingredients in all its products. When used at night this serum is highly effective in strengthening your lashes and making them look healthier and thicker. The brand is organic, vegan, makes 100% certified natural cosmetics and is also engaged in animal protection thus allowing you to use their beautiful products without the pounding sense of guilt in your heart. This overnight clear serum holds the lashes in place conditioning them whilst also making them soft and hydrated. You can purchase Lavera’s Lash Care Serum 9ml for £12.90 here.

Kaneh - Cleansing Bar & Skin Purifier, Glossy Lip Recover

As the world is migrating towards more natural and organic products, especially in the world of beauty and cosmetics, here at The Amazing Blog, we are always thrilled to try out new products with different or unique compositions and formulas. CBD infused beauty products are now slowly but surely making their mark here in the UK. We recently discovered a new brand called Kaneh that creates CBD infused products which when used, reap enormous benefits.

Co-founders Julie and Fam are both passionate about creating new and improved products. They believe that taking the best skincare ingredients and combining them with the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD will result in long-lasting skin rejuvenation. Using this belief and converting it to an actual formula, they now have a whole range of effective products to offer. Since its very inception, Kaneh identified the need for the next generation of skincare appealing to cross-gender millennial trends. Kaneh believes that amalgamation of nature and science has the power and ability to enhance lives for the better. Numerous studies have proved that CBD does, in fact, have anti-inflammatory properties when applied on the skin and thus can be used to fight a number of skin problems such as acne or even eczema with its soothing and calming actives. CBD oil also works brilliantly as an anti-ageing substance. CBD oil has antioxidant properties and when used topically, it can effectively reduce signs of visible ageing. By counteracting free-radical damage and reducing the look of inflammation, CBD anti-ageing creams visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin dullness, or a ruddy skin tone and have numerous benefits when applied topically.

Additionally, as a brand that focuses on offering natural products, they are also extremely conscious of the environment. This is apparent in their packaging since they use glass and bamboo lids, as well as package their soaps in aluminium tins which can be frequently re-used. Another factor that makes Kaneh extremely attractive to us is the fact that it is a female-led team that is proud to promote and empower women throughout their entire production line. Businesswomen have been featured heavily in their journey and have been crucial in aiding the development of their products. 

We were kindly sent their Kaneh Cleansing Bar and Skin Purifier which is a salicylic acid-based facial soap that provides skin-clearing benefits while also soothing and calming red and inflamed skin with whole-plant hemp extract. It contains full-spectrum CBD of 50mg which means that the product contains all the cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant in nature, rather than just CBD (Cannabidiol). The soap also uses activated charcoal that has been treated with oxygen thus giving it the ability to act as a magnet for toxins and impurities. The appeal of skin-perfecting clay gently exfoliates and deep cleans without over-drying, calming redness and giving a healthy glow ensuring you look radiant and beautiful at all times.

Next is the Kaneh Glossy Lip Recover, this Lip Recover comes in three flavours: Neutral, Strawberry and Mango. We tried this is Strawberry and were absolutely smitten. The advanced formula moisturises and nourishes the lips giving them a silky smoothness. Enriched with rich fruit extracts, beeswax as well as oils and butter, this lip balm gives dry lips the necessary moisture while beautifies and revitalises the lips. This Lip Recover also has full-spectrum CBD of a 100mg and has less than 0.02% THC. This addition of full-spectrum cannabinoids with their antioxidant effect to the formula provides a soothing effect to the highly moisturising texture. Both the products can easily be purchased on their official website and are sold for an affordable £11.99 for the Cleansing Bar and Skin Purifier here and £14.00 for the Glossy Lip Recovery here respectively.