Myrto Natural Cosmetic's Summer Face Oil and Argan Eye Serum

We're almost at the end of February, and if we're honest, our New Years Resolution to make a better effort with skincare has slightly fallen slightly to the wayside. That’s why we have turned to Myrto Natural Cosmetics, and their all-natural, vegan, alcohol-free and perfume-free products. Made by hand in small production, we were quickly encouraged to up our skincare game after discovering their richly laden ingredients. Having tried their Argan Eye Serum and Summer Face Oil - we couldn't wait to share our new found secret for healthier skin on The Amazing Blog.

Founded by Eva Silvana Kruck (who has over 20 years of research and experience in natural cosmetic skincare) and Professor Dr Peter Kruck (the technology driver of the company) - this brand aims to produce premium quality products that are free from preservatives, conventional additives and emulsifiers. In a less technical sense, their products do not contain chemicals and processed ingredients.

Firstly, having noticed ever increasing dark circles (thank you cold weather and deadlines) we were keen to try Myrto's Bio Argan Eye Serum Roll On. Promising to firm the under eye area, with the use of specific ingredients which promote regeneration and hydration, this serum contains organic and hand-pressed Argan oil, to regenerate vitamin C; and hyaluronic acid, added to improve hydration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The formula also contains powerhouse ingredients such as pomegranate extract, sea buckthorn fruit oil and rose water - all of which are organic, working simultaneously to hydrate, counteracting pesky dark circles and premature ageing. Packaged in a sleek glass roll-on-bottle, this is best applied twice a day to reap the full benefits. We found the bottle lasted well and were thankful for the floral fragrance. To purchase this little bottle of magic for yourself, click here, where it is available for £24.50.

Secondly, we noticed that many of our go-to facial oils are great at hydrating our skin, but not so great at protecting it. We were therefore pleased to discover the Bio Summer Day Oil , an effective anti-ageing oil that also contains herbal sunscreen. Despite the summer feeling oh so far away, we try our best to protect our skin on a daily basis, so a 2-in-1 face oil and sunscreen which entirely ticks the box. Designed mainly for blemish-prone combination skin, this day oil moisturises without a greasy finish. Bio Summer Day Oil contains powerful ingredients: organic grapeseed oil for strengthening properties, organic seabuckthorn pulp oil to delay UV damage and schizandra berry extract for anti-inflammatory results. However, the star ingredient has to be avellana oil, a natural sunscreen with factor 10 to reduce skin ageing. This oil has helped to not only hydrate our problem skin but also to protect it against daily UV rays. To try this multi-tasking product for yourself, visit the Myrto Natural Cosmetics website here, where it is available for £29.90.

Multi-Active Accelerator & Multi-Active Peptide Matrixyl Serum - Treat The Skin You're In

Here at the Amazing Blog, we admire brands that are passionate about developing new and innovative skincare products that really do the trick. Treat The Skin You're In is a company that provides high quality anti-ageing products. Their extensive range means that they have products that can suit a variety of concerns or needs.

We were kindly sent two products to try from Treat The Skin You're In's NCN Pro Skin Care Range. The first was the Multi-Active Peptide Matrixyl Serum - an all-in-one treatment to reverse the signs of ageing and revitalise the skin. The serum is a concentrated blend of effective ingredients designed to deliver results quickly. The product claims to increase collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase hydration levels and reduce dark circles. The serum contains 25% Matrixyl - an active ingredient that stimulates the growth of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which aids in refilling wrinkles naturally. The product is easily absorbed when applied after cleansing and is suitable for all skin types. 

The second product we tried was the Multi-Active Accelerator Cream, a daily moisturiser that provides excellent anti-ageing properties. The cream contains a multitude of active ingredients such as Matrixyl, Pearl Powder and Carrot Seed Oil. This transformative moisturiser improves redness, firms the skin, promotes cell growth and diminishes scars. This product is extremely nourishing and works best for normal to dry skin.

Try Treat The Skin You're In's Anti-Aging treatments - you can purchase the Multi-Active Accelerator Cream here for £49.99, and the Multi-Active Peptide Matrixyl Serum here for £72.99.

Kitchen Extras - Friday Favourites

While cooking can be therapeutic and fun, for a lot of us finding the time to create delicious meals can be really tough! Whether we are tired after work or are lacking inspiration, it's not always possible to create a delicious and well-balanced meal every day. However, not ones to compromise on the quality of our meals, all of us here at the Amazing Blog have rounded up our favourite cooking additions that are guaranteed to liven up any dish any day of the week!

Our first pick is Holy Lama's Spice Drops. The founders of Holy Lama wanted to create a range of products that were natural, ethical, and delicious. According to the brand, Spice Drops are the only thing you need to add spice and flavour to your cooking, and we could not agree more! These drops add a depth of flavour that would normally take hours of marinating to achieve. The wide range of drops are made from raw herbs and spices, all blended with oil to create authentic and tasty flavours.

Aside from their great taste, we really love Spice Drops because of their versatility! They are straightforward and convenient to use that they can be added to any dish at any stage of cooking. We were impressed with their broad range of flavours, from garlic and ginger to garam masala and turmeric. There are over 30 flavours. Moreover, Holy Lama has created unique Collection Boxes, meaning they make the perfect gifts for your wannabe gourmet chef friends. 

With their network of suppliers providing natural ingredients of the finest quality, we can always trust Spice Drops to add some zing to any meal. Try them yourself here from £4.00.

Moving over to the sweeter side of things, we have Big Tree Farms and their delicious and organic Coconut Nectars. If you are looking for an alternative to sweeteners, honey or syrups, you need to try this Coconut Nectar. The sweetener is a healthier alternative to many of the refined sugar versions out there and what's more the taste is unparalleled.

Coconut Nectar is formulated from pure coconut flower blossom nectar. The product is organic, certified fair trade, vegan, GMO and gluten-free, meaning everyone can enjoy this natural sweetener. The nectar is one of the lowest glycemic sweeteners out there, and it is high in nutrients and unrefined sugars, making it a delicious and healthy alternative.

The product comes in two flavours, Amber and Blonde. We were pleasantly surprised that the Amber was very close in taste to maple syrup, and the Blonde was closer to agave syrup. The product is multi-functional, and is able to dissolve in drinks, making it the perfect cure to bland breakfasts as it makes a fabulous addition to hot drinks, smoothies, porridge, pancakes and more!

Try Coconut Nectar from Big Tree Farms here for £9.12.

Cooking sauces are probably the most convenient and helpful kitchen helpers you can have when you're strapped for time! The problem, though, is that so often store-bought sauces are bland and laden with sugar and salt. This is not the case with Capsicana though, who have changed the game with their vibrant Cook Sauces inspired by Latin-American flavours.

With four fantastic flavours hailing from Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, these sauces are sure to tantalise your taste buds. We loved that the products range from mild to hot, so there is something everybody can enjoy. Our favourite flavours were Chilli and Coconut and Chilli and Honey.  From stir-fry to chicken dishes, you can be as creative as you like with these tasty packets, wowing friends and family with your cooking skills.

The packs come with suggested unique and exciting recipes and the products don't contain any artificial colourings or flavourings, making them a convenient and healthy addition to your meals. Meaning while you save on time you're not compromising on healthiness.

Try something new with Capsicana's Latin Cook Sauces, available here for £1.49.

From Latin America to Spain now with Delicioso, a passionate Spanish food company. They sell a range of food products from charcuterie to vegetables, but what really caught our eyes were their brilliant range of nut oils.

Unlike most flavoured oils on the market which are infusions, Delicioso's oils are created by cold-pressing Arbequina olives from Catalunya together with other ingredients. This produces an intense depth of flavour and additionally is more efficient in retaining its minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

We loved this little set of 5 nut oils that Delicioso is offering, presented neatly in a box. What we love is that you can by a set of 5 smaller bottles, meaning you can try a variety of great flavours to to find your favourite one. The smart packaging makes this a great gift, and it includes Hazelnut Oil from Tarragona, Almond Oil from Mallorca, Walnut oil from Aragon, Peanut, and Pumpkin Seed Oil. It is a brilliant and useful set, and you can try it on a variety of dishes; drizzle on pizzas and pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, meats and or as a base for a  stir-fryto add an extra layer to the flavour.

Try some authentic Spanish oils with Delicioso's Set of Five Nut Oils here for £11.75.

Diamond Aromatherapy Diffuser - Essence of Arcadia

Here at the Amazing Blog, we find it really helps to work and live in spaces that are scented with lovely soft fragrances, relaxing the body and mind. There are many products that offer home fragrance and we find that oil diffusers offer the most complex and long-lasting scents. Therefore we were thrilled to receive Essence of Arcadia's Diamond Aromatherapy Diffuser set to try.  

Essence of Arcadia was a brand founded to celebrate aromatherapy and essential oils. They truly believe in the practise's capabilities to enhance well-being and treat the body and soul. Essence of Arcadia have a large collection of products tailored towards creating therapeutic experiences, including oils, diffusers, and blending kits. They specialise in small diffusers which look elegant and discreet in the home.

The Diamond Aromatherapy Diffuser we received was packaged in a gorgeous black gift box which contained the diffuser and three essential oils to try: Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, and Lavender. We loved the design of the diffuser. It has a beautiful golden finish with a glass outer coating that we think would be a fabulous addition to any home. The diffuser is electronic which means that you can vary how much mist you would like to produce, making the experience tailored to each individual.

Aromatherapy utilises naturally extracted fragrances from plants in order to promote the health of the body, mind, and spirit. Essence of Arcadia have a vast collection of essential oils that all boast their own benefits, from Cinnamon's purifying effects to Frankincense's anti-inflammatory nature. The set also contains a brilliant guide to effectively use and blend the oils. We particularly loved the 'Fatigue Fighter' recipe which blended Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Peppermint.

If you want to try an elegant and high quality method of aromatherapy, try Essence of Arcadia's Diamond Aromatherapy Diffuser here for £39.99.

Eyelash Feature - Friday Favourites

At the Amazing Blog, we all agree that the one makeup staple that gives us the biggest transformation is mascara. The products we can use on our lashes can make a huge difference in how our eyes and overall makeup looks. We decided to gather our favourite products that can make our eyes pop and stand out from the crowd.

First up is Foltène’s Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatment. This little wonder is a treatment which is designed to strengthen and restructure fragile and damaged lashes. Regular use of makeup, external aggressors, and stress can all contribute to a weakening of eyelashes. Foltène created this treatment using their patented active ingredient Tricossacaride, which has growth stimulating and strengthening properties that help to provide hydration and elasticity to unhappy lashes.

There are no parabens, mineral oil, silicones or paraffin wax, which is a huge bonus for us. Additionally, the Eyelash & Eyebrow Treatment is ideal for sensitive eyes and for those wearing contact lenses, as it has been ophthalmologically tested.

The product is simple to use, you need to apply the treatment to the lashes in the morning and evening at the end of your routine. Take care to use it on the thinnest and smallest lashes that are hard to reach, as these are the ones that need the most assistance. Another brilliant aspect of this product is that you can also use it on your brows, resulting in healthier and fuller eyebrows. This treatment from Foltène will leave you with longer, stronger, and more beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows.

If your eyelashes have been damaged by products in the past then this is the ideal treatment to get those beautiful fluttery lashes back. Buy Foltène’s Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatment here for £14.95.

Up next is Eye of Horus’ newest product, the Bio Lash Lifting Mascara. We were excited to try this new offering from the brand, as it boasts to be 100% vegan and 98% organic. We were initially skeptical about how effective such a natural product could be but the results are fantastic. The formula is made with botanicals such as marine algae and plant-derived collagen. The mascara also contains Omega 9, Vitamin E, and Castor Seed Oil, resulting in healthy and nourished lashes. The natural ingredients mean that this product is suitable for the most sensitive eyes and can be enjoyed by all.

This mascara from Eye of Horus has been designed to add length, volume, and nourishment to lashes – the ultimate trio for great looking lashes. The double-sided comb brush is easy to use and combs with ease through the lashes, providing lift and volume.

If you are looking for a new mascara made with organic and vegan ingredients, but won’t compromise on quality then try Eye of Horus’ Bio Mascara. You can buy it here for £19.00

False lashes taking too much time in your beauty routine? We at The Amazing Blog know the struggle, which is why we were so excited to try the Nuvega Lash Revitalisation Serum.

Eyelash revitalising serums have been around for a while, however most use controversial ingredients which are not vegan or environmentally friendly. Nuvega is a German company that uses vegan ingredients, combining the science behind lash growth with vegan and natural production, allowing the vegan market to try this new beauty revolution. 
 
The product claims to stimulate the eyelash hair follicles as well as nourishing the hair follicles at the same time. When we tried the serum we were impressed with how easy it is to apply. We used the thin wand within the package to sweep the serum over like an eyeliner. Only a thin amount is needed, and the product should be applied over all the hairs on both the top and bottom lashes. The product is easy enough to add into a daily beauty routine, and we found the price is reasonable due to its high quality and solid results. The box has clear instructions on how to use the product, making the whole process very easy and fool-proof.
 
Grow your lashes and banish the need for falsies - the Nuvega Lash Revitalising Serum can be purchased online here for £71.75.

No eyelash feature would be complete without adding some fake eyelashes. These are a sure-fire way to add some glamour and oomph to any look. We love the selection from Pinky Goat - they are a unique brand with a large range of false lashes for both makeup artists and anyone with a love for voluminous eyes. Don’t just take it from us – Pure Beauty voted them Best New Brand of the Year.

We tried many different and exciting falsies from the brand, however our favourites were from the Deluxe 3D Silk Collection. The lashes in this collection are cruelty free and light-weight, with a thin cotton band for a luxurious feel. These lashes add intense volume and lengthen the look of your eyelashes, and can last an amazing 15 uses. You can use Pinky Goat’s exclusive GLUEME Lash Adhesive and Gold Lash Applicator as well for perfect results.

This range alone has 9 styles to choose from, so there are many options for whatever look you’re going for. We loved Mayar from the collection, the lashes were voluminous but understated enough to look elegant and life-like.

To take your lashes to the next level, try Pinky Goat’s 3D Silk Collection False Lashes. You can purchase them here for £21.00.