L’Araboutique® Skincare

Today at the Amazing Blog we’d like to share with you some natural treasures from Arab world. The Middle Eastern cultures have some of the best kept beauty secrets, and we’re going to introduce you to one of them. Meet the natural and organic skincare brand L’Araboutique who have an array of exotic ingredients including: Extra virgin olive oil from Palestine and Syria, mineral-rich Zamzam water from Saudi Arabia, the finest royal green hojari frankincense from Oman, fragrant pink roses from Madina and rich organic sidr honey from Yemen.  And these are just a few of the wonderful pure ingredients found in their products.

L’Araboutique® was created by Dr. Samira Zaidan and Dr. Mona Alyedreessy (a mother and daughter team) and they claim to be the only skincare and haircare brand to make natural products with Zamzam water. These products are handmade in the UK, are organic, chemical-free, cruelty-free, halal, eco-friendly and vegan (apart from those containing camel milk, beeswax and sidr honey) they are also UK and EU tested approved and certified.

They very kindly send us a selection of products to try, and the first products we used were their soaps. The Oat, Sidr Honey & Madina Rose Soap can be used on the skin or hair to soften and hydrate. The combination of oat, sidr honey & Madina roses calm and moisturise the skin. The Arabic Gum & Bay Leaf Soap has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties while simultaneously stimulating the skin’s collagen production. One of our team even noticed that their skin appeared brighter after using this bar. Next we tried the soap Arabic Coffee, Ginger & Cinnamon. Did you know that coffee is the number one natural product to combat cellulite? No neither did we, but we loved how energising this scrub left us feeling.

Then there is The Madina Rose & Saffron Face Cream which dates all the way back to ancient Egypt when Cleopatra discovered the beauty benefits of rose water. This luxurious face cream has three key ingredients: Iranian saffron flowers blossom, mineral-rich Zamzam water infused with fresh Madina rose water and oil. All of which help to reduce hyperpigmentation. This was our Editor Edwina’s favourite. Staying on a rose theme, we also tried their Madina Rose Deodorant  which is a 24-hour deodorant cream made from organic cold-pressed coconut oil that helps to  fights bacteria. It also has turmeric to lighten dark patches and pigmentation on the underarm area and smells divine.

Finally, we come to The Sutanah Face Lift Mask a recipe apparently only shared between Arabian royalty. Made with pomegranates, Moroccan rhassoul clay and aloe vera juice, this mask instantly tightens and lifts the face – this powder you simply mix with water. Best of all, we like how the brand contribute 50p from every sale to a charity that helps to build wells around the world. The Water Project charity provides essential clean water to families and communities where it’s needed the most. 

L’Araboutique® can be purchased here with skincare prices starting from £15. We think they are a wonderful new discovery, where the ancient and modern worlds meet and we can’t wait to try more for this brand.

Zephorium Soul Tonic - Vitamin A Holistic Crystal Skincare Collection

Isn’t there a motto that goes something like: “Happy mind, happy life”? At The Amazing Blog we believe that taking care of our minds is a priority, after all it’s our powerhouse, so if we have a healthy mind, we’ll have a healthy body. We’d like to introduce you a favourite brand Zephorium Soul Tonic with their holistic skincare. As regular readers will know, we’ve previously written about their Zephorium Aura Sprays and Body Oil these are very empowering and are matched to a specific chakra points with an uplifting affirmation.

Zephorium Soul Tonic is a natural beauty and lifestyle brand where their main ingredients help to promote energy, attraction and positivity. Every product is made with aromatherapy blends to not only to help heal your skin, but also your mind. Zephorium was established in 2012 by Sarah Cox who is well-known as a spiritual teacher. She created Zephorium because she was conscious that the stress, rush hour, and pressure of living in the city were burning her out. She decided to launch a range of products that were composed with natural ingredients, mantras and blended with aromatherapy techniques to help us cope with the hustle and bustle of the everyday life.

Zephorium has recently launched a new line of products that we absolutely love. Packaged in bright orange crystal bottles, The Vitamin A Holistic Crystal Skincare range all infused with Carnelian Crystal energy matches its packaging, ingredients and colour to its Sacral Chakra affirmation: “I unleash fun and creativity from within me now.” This range takes you through a 6-step journey for a beautiful skin. Blended with carrot and orange oil and infused with Carnelian Crystal energy, these blends are packed with vitamin A and are there to inspire a spark of joy and creativity within you. While the 6 products serve a different purpose, they are natural and suitable for all skin types.

Let’s begin with the Vitamin A Holistic Deep Cleanser. When we began to use this cleanser, we were impressed it’s gentle yet effective formula. Due to its richness in wild carrot oil (vitamin A), organic orange and palmarosa oils rich in other antioxidants, this cleanser has the power to restore and rejuvenate skin tissue.  Simply apply a little cleanser onto clean damp finger tips gently massaging into the face and then removing it with a cotton pad. We use it in the morning to kick start the day with a clean skin and at night to remove the pollutants, whilst mindfully repeating the mantra to also clear any negativity. Ideally, follow the cleanser by the Vitamin A Holistic Facial Toner by simply using a cotton pad to sweep the toner across your face. 100% organic alcohol-free and infused with key ingredients of organic orange flower water and homeopathic carnelian crystal which is said to bring joy, motivation and creativity into our lives. The toner is ideal for those with hectic schedules since it revitalises and refreshes tired skin by tightening the pores, giving it an anti-ageing effect. This was our favourite from the collection.

The third step of the skincare routine is the Vitamin A Deep Exfoliation Holistic Face Mask. We really like using this clay based mask because it has heavenly effects. This mask has two uses, either as a hard or soft mask. Either way, this mask completely removed our dead skin cells, encouraging collagen growth which helped to make our face look clearer and more radiant. If you want to use it as a hard mask, mix 1 teaspoon of powder with 1-2 teaspoons of warm water until it becomes a paste. Then just massage it onto your skin. As a person with sensitive skin, I recommend you leave it on only for 5 minutes. However, if you have normal or oily skin, they recommend leaving it for up to 20 minutes before washing off. However, if you want to use it as a soft mask, follow the same steps as above but instead of using water as a mixer, apply a body or face oil instead. In the same ratios as suggested for the water above.  Great economy too as with this 120g jar, you can enjoy up to 15 masks. For us that was about once a fortnight.

Onto the Fourth and final steps, these are with the Zephorium Vitamin A Holistic Face Serum , Intense Face Cream and Lip & Eye Cream.  The Face Serum is loaded with vitamins from the organic wild carrot, orange and Frankincense oils, this serum automatically balances and hydrates the skin to the individual needs. For optimal results, we recommend you apply it after the cleanser and the toner to ensure all the potent and nourishing properties are applied to properly cleansed skin in order penetrate the dermis. With only one or two drops you can be economical as  this will have both your face and neck covered. Gently massage it onto your skin and let it sit for about 5 minutes morning and night. Once the serum has been absorbed, we encourage you to then apply their Vitamin A Hydrate Holistic Face Cream and last but not least  their Vitamin A Intense Holistic Lip & Eye Cream both to seal in the effects of the serum. Both these two products contains organic shea and cocoa butter as well as multiple antioxidants which enhance skin rejuvenation and hydrate super delicate areas. To apply them, simply dab evenly the cream on your face (or around lip and eye area for this cream) using your fingertips and use it twice a day to achieve optimal results and witness its full effect. Best of all they are packaged in glass sacral chakra bottles with aluminium tops. No plastic, no cruelty, no waste. 100% recyclable.

Want to have a happy mind and healthy skin? Then boost and nourishing your skin, with this energising Vitamin A Holistic Crystal range here, prices starting at £18.50. However, don’t forget to keep repeating the Sacral Chakra affirmation when applying the products – we promise they’ll work wonders to help lower your stress levels and give you a peaceful mind.

Friday Favourites: Face Masks

There is nothing better for your body and mind than the occasional pamper day. It is utterly imperative to take the time to give your face and body the attention it needs. We at The Amazing Blog follow a strict rule of giving ourselves a full-blown pamper session at least once a month because it helps us take a moment to breathe, reflect and slow down. Today we've featured a wide range of faces masks so whatever you skin type or budget we think we've got it covered!

If you are like us, then you’re in need of some interstellar relaxation, and the only brand that can meet such space-age promises is Spacemasks. We love that each mask has a stylish star-studded cover so you could literally use it anywhere; at home or on the go. Each box contains five masks guaranteed to whisk you to a world of peace. 

These masks are the perfect way to get your well-deserved beauty rest. Scented with jasmine essence, these masks are incredibly soothing. Added bonus? They heat up when opened, which left us feeling warm and cosy. It was a fantastic way to literally melt away all the stress of the day and drift off to a more beautiful world as we slept.  It is so easy to use this product, just open the pouch and unfold the mask. Then gently place it over your eyes and fit the loops over your ears.  The mask will start heating up pretty quickly as the oxygen reacts with the iron particles in the product. Leave it on for 15 minutes as you drift off to a space far away from Earthly stresses. 

For a better night’s sleep, reduce eye strain and relieve tiredness you can purchase your pack of 5 masks here for £15.00.

The second mask for your next pamper day that we would recommend is the Retexturing Radiance Mask from Lucia Magnani Skincare. One of most luxurious range of skincare that we've seen in a while, we all fell in love with this beautiful faux tortoise shell pot. This brand has a fundamental philosophy that helps them develop all of their products. They believe that their products should help bring out everyone's inner beauty to equip you with a natural radiance and a confident glow. 

This mask has a unique formula based on the individual properties found in the waters and mud of Castrocaro Terme in Italy. It is enriched with antioxidants CoQ10, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E. The combination of these ingredients helps the mask to regenerate, strengthen and preserves the skin's structure. The mask works to keep skin looking youthful and radiant. The presence of minerals and other key ingredients with an astringent effect reduces the size of pores, signs of redness and skin irregularities. We found that our skin was looking brighter and more radiant after use, making it the perfect product to lift you when you’re feeling a bit worse for wear. 

The product is the most effective when used 2-4 times a week. Just massage directly onto cleansed skin and leave to dry for around 5-20 minutes before rinsing off. We'd certainly like to try more products from this skincare range. You can purchase the face mask here as part of their 6 part Ben Essere skincare set for £590 which contains all the brands signature products.

The next mask we wanted to introduce you to is the steinEY from Soley.  Containing Wild Icelandic Herbs and Volcanic Ash, this face mask will make you feel Scandi chic in 10 minutes.

The face mask contains minerals that regulate and balance skin, stimulate cellular metabolism and strengthen skin tissues while also reducing the signs of ageing. Packing in an exfoliating effect, the mask will also help to even out skin texture by removing dead skin cells, toxins and other impurities. The rich volcanic clay from Eyjafjallajökull and the Wild Icelandic birch promote the skin’s natural equilibrium, meaning you will be looking like your best self in no time. Mix ½ a teaspoon of the mask with ½ a teaspoon of water and apply evenly to clean skin with fingertips once a week. Leave it on until it dries and turns a light grey, which should take roughly 10 minutes. You can purchase the mask here for £38

Last, but by no means least, we wanted to introduce you to the Chlorella-Algae Mask from one of our favourite brands, ISUN.

This mask is suitable for all skin types and is ideal for people looking for a calming and hydrating gel mask. The mask contains superfood ingredients such as Chlorella-algae and Aloe Vera, which calms, nourishes, soothes and firms the skin. The lavender and rosemary oils in the mask help to enhance the skin-soothing properties and make this a sensory experience as well as a rejuvenating one. We think that this mask is particularly good for those with sensitive skins and the co-owner Tracey Annette suggested: "Chlorella Algae Mask mixed with plain Natural Yoghurt is also excellent for hyper-sensitive skin conditions such as Rosacea." We're already fans for iSuncare skincare and have to say that this mask left our skin feeling more toned and hydrated and we also liked how fresh-faced we felt all day long. You can purchase the ISUN mask here for £52.00

No pampering session is complete without a face mask and we hope you enjoy trying our favourites too. Make your next ‘me time’ all that bit more special.

Hydro Effect Serum and Re-Energising Sleeping Cream from Lavera Naturkosmetik

Pollution is almost inescapable in 2017, and at The Amazing Blog, we know that pollution affects us not only on the inside but also causes problems for our skin. Lavera, an all natural beauty brand understands that pollution is becoming an ever increasing problem, and they want to fight against this. Their new Hydro Effect Serum and Re-Energising Sleeping Cream both contain anti-pollution technology, aiming to protect the skin from the environment as well as providing hydrating and anti-ageing benefits.

Lavera's new Hydro Effect Serum battles against daily pollution exposure using highly effective antioxidants, organic algae and white horehound extract from the mint family. These ingredients not only help with anti-pollution but also hydrate the skin to prevent signs of premature ageing. Apply a few drops of the light weight formula to the skin, let it absorb and then apply moisturiser. Natural hyaluronic acid, organic aloe vera and biosaccharides provide a hydrating, cooling and soothing effect throughout the day.

We also tried the Re-Energising Sleeping Cream which aids the natural skin repairing qualities overnight by targeting damage from pollution during the day. The cream also nourishes tired skin and helps produce a fresh feeling in the morning. The Re-Energising Sleeping Cream contains almond and olive oil to smooth and increase radiance, while organic grape and vitamin E provide anti-ageing properties. Massage gently into the skin after cleansing and toning before bed.

Both the Hydro Effect Serum and the Re-Energising Sleeping Cream and vegan friendly and cruelty free. Purchase the Hydro Effect Serum (30ml) here for £19.90 and the Re-Energising Sleeping Cream (50ml) here for £16.90.

Korres- Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Day/Night Cream

The Amazing Blog is a big fan of the brand Korres, and we have reviewed them multiple times in the past. We love them for two reasons; firstly they are inspired by homeopathy and its “mild yet effective approach to skin needs.” Secondly, we are big supporters of the brand because of their ability to produce high-quality products time and time again. Today we are writing about two of our new favourites from the brand, their Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Day Cream and their Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Night Cream. 

Both the day and night creams are advanced, non-greasy formulas that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. They restore skin to a more youthful state by helping it become firmer and regain its elasticity. Both products are driven by the revolutionary molecule Active HALupeol and Castanea Arcadia (Arcadian Chestnut tree.) These ingredients work to protect the skin’s essential structural elements such as collagen and glycoproteins. Overall, the creams give weaker and older skin suppleness and youthfulness. Our skin was left positively glowing and wonderfully smooth to the touch. 

Not only are the products amazingly effective on skin, but they contain over 90% natural ingredients, making them the perfect products for eco-conscious people trying to avoid nasty parabens. The Day Cream is 93.3% natural and the Night Cream is 96.1% natural. They could not be easier to use, simply massage into skin once in the morning and once in the evening and watch as the effects quickly begin to take effect. 

You can purchase the Day Cream here for around £39.40 and the Night Cream here for roughly £39.40. Although prices are listed in Euros PayPal is available which will allow you to pay in Pounds.