Scurl® Fine Grooming: Beard Wash, Oil & Balm

As always those resourceful girls at The Amazing Blog have been on the hunt to find me some beard grooming products (this lockdown has played havoc with my whiskers!) And lo and behold they’ve found me yet another new grooming brand to add to my repertoire. This time it’s a brand that’s a resounding success across the pond. Meet the rather sleek looking Fine Grooming range from Scurl®.

Scurl® is the newest addition to the product line from the Luster Products family. Luster was established in 1957 by the late Fred Luster, Sr a successful barber in Chicago, Illinois, and has grown from a modest shopfront into a multi-million-dollar global enterprise. It all began with Fred Lustre Sr saw a gap in the market to develop a line of hair care products specifically catering for the African American market. Today Luster is available worldwide and has an extensive stable of over fifteen hair and grooming product ranges for both salon professionals and consumer use. We love that they also have a philanthropic arm and non-profit charitable foundation My Neighbor's Keeper (MNK) which is an employee outreach programme, under the umbrella of the Luster Product Black Heritage Foundation. Which to date has contributed more than $1million to other non-profit organisations such as the American Cancer Society, Habilitative Systems, Lawndale Community School and The Rising Star. This Scurl ® range has a diversified range of men’s hair care products which includes sprays, relaxers, texturisers and beard grooming.

Although this Scurl ® range has been primarily created for men of colour, these Fine Grooming of products are suitable for all hair types. We were sent a trio of products and I’m going to start with their gentle Beard Wash, it’s a 4-in-1 instant cleanse and condition. Easy to use morning and evening but I liked using this at the end of the day, ridding myself of the hideous London grime and pollution. It lathers up nicely and leaves a lingering fragrance that is fresh and almost cologne-like, and of course, it’s always good to know that there are no nasties as it’s sulphate-free. Extra goodies here include shea butter (moisturising) aloe vera (soothing) and olive oil (nourishing). Next, we turn to conditioning; I used the Beard Balm, it’s 100% natural and left a delicious smelling cocoa butter residue on my beard. Key ingredients are olive oil, cocoa butter and shea butter; and it comes with a plethora of coconut, argan jojoba, soya bean oils – all beautifully blended into a waxy finish. I found this better to use in the morning working into my beard for styling and smoothing effect. Then last (but not least) I used the Beard Oil, which is not only good for encouraging beard growth but also ideal for hydrating the hidden skin under my whiskers! I loved the subtle scent which is a hybrid combo of coconut + shea butter. Again, this too is brimming with natural ingredients from grape seed, soya bean, jojoba, coconut, shea butter to marula. I loved how this mix of oils softened and detangled – oh, and did I mention how long my lockdown beard is getting? To purchase these any of these products, go to their website for international sellers here or for the UK here; all three products retail at £4.99 each.

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.

Bee's Wrap - Sustainable Food Storage

Here at The Amazing Blog we are always looking for healthy, natural products when it comes to beauty, but we're always pleased when we can take this ethos into the kitchen. Plastic clingfilm is a firm staple in most homes, but the all-natural Bee’s Wrap is set to change that. No one knows what harm the chemicals plastic wraps contain can do, and so we were excited to find a natural alternative to keep our food fresh.

The design of the Bee’s Wrap is such a thoughtful idea. The wax coating the cloth softens and moulds around the food or bowl, keeping it airtight - there’s even a cute wooden toggle and string to add extra security. The wrap itself is made from totally organic muslin cloth, and then steeped in Beeswax, Jojoba Oil and Tree Resin. Although this may sound like an odd concoction, it ensures the wrap is malleable, water resistant, airtight, anti-bacterial and reusable. There is no denying the effectiveness and usefulness of this product; lunchboxes will never be the same again.

The wrap is decorated with a honeycomb print, and the toggle is stamped with an image of a bee, to keep in line with the ingredients used to make it. It holds quite a potent scent which fades over time, but we loved that it had a hint of honey. It gave us a satisfied feeling that we were using something natural and chemical free. Every little helps in our opinion. The wraps are available in three different sizes, as well as specialised sandwich and bread wraps. Join those of us who have ditched the clingfilm for a natural alternative, get your Bee’s Wrap here for £14.95 (Assorted sizes), £11.95 (Bread) and £8.95 (Sandwich). 

Botanicals Face Balm

Here at The Amazing Blog, we often feel that our skin deserves some rejuvenation as winter chapping starts to set in. Botanicals have created our go-to product to give our face some extra TLC, the Nourishing Face Balm is a luxurious, indulgent and multi-purpose treatment.

The award-winning balm is designed to enhance skin’s texture, in order words you should wake up in the morning with baby soft skin. This is the perfect burst of hydration for dry skin and would even work as an after-sun. The key ingredients of this handmade treatment are shea butter, jojoba oil, wild rose and green tea extracts to name a few. All of which provide a deep conditioning with a beautiful rose infused scent, we loved lathering the balm on at night as the fragrance soothed us into a relaxed sleep. The natural oils balance even oily skin and work with the natural processes of skin rejuvenation rather than against it.

We can’t get enough of our super soft skin! A little goes a long way, one pot will keep you refreshed and radiant for a good while. Reveal the English Rose in you with this UK Handmade face balm, available here for £27.95.