Eloise Hall : Optimism Enriching Body Wash

With the return of finer days and summer around the corner, at The Amazing Blog, we’re featuring one of our latest bathroom #amazingfinds with Optimism Enriching Body Wash from the award-winning indie brand Eloise Hall. We love its summery zestiness, balanced with mellow notes of ylang-ylang and the warm citrus spice of coriander - all guaranteed to “refresh the body and reawaken the senses.”

Eloise Hall started her working life as a successful milliner in London. She went on to follow a childhood dream, moving to rural Somerset, surrounded by sheep, cows and an abundance of green pastures. It’s there, from the quiet sanctuary of her studio, that Eloise now crafts beautiful cards, stationery and artwork. Sustainability is at the heart of the brand, cards and envelopes are recyclable, and it’s a priority to always source materials from papermakers that use wood from responsibly managed UK forests. Due to the success of her stationery and artwork, Eloise has since ventured into producing a range of natural lifestyle and well-being products, which is where Eloise turned to the experienced perfumer Richard Howard of Arcania Apothecary. “I love creating fragrance with our master natural perfumer. He’s inspired by one of my artworks and we work closely until we create something incredible!” Together they have created core three natural fragrances ‘Contentment’ with patchouli and rose, ‘Optimism’ with grapefruit and petitgrain, and ‘Pause’ with geranium and lavender. All products are crafted in small batches, are cruelty-free, vegan and, wherever possible, 100% natural. The plastic bottles used are all made from 100% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable, helping divert plastic from oceans and landfills. Eloise went on to say, "We have a lot of plastic in our system, so actually, the 100% recycled is using stuff that is already there… and uses less energy to make."  They are a multi-award-winning brand and recently joint winners of ‘Best Body Wash’ in 2022 The Beauty Shortlist Awards.  The brand continues to go from strength to strength and is now available in over 500 retailers worldwide. They are partnered with the Wild Life Trusts, where £1 is donated from the sale of every bottle, and the Eden Reforestation Project, with every £100 spent on wholesale orders, they plant five trees.

This refreshing and reawakening Optimism Enriching Body Wash won’t disappoint. Described as "The olfactory essence of optimism, hope and joy", it’s free from chemical and artificial ingredients and only contains natural fragrances with pure essential oils.

There are seven essentials oils, starting with grapefruit peel containing alpha-hydroxy acids, which increase the cell renewal rate, helping skin look smoother and younger. Then the ylang-ylang flower, with its sweet, calming scent and regenerative properties and high in antioxidants and sesquiterpenes (soothing properties that support the immune system). The coriander seed has an abundance of antioxidants and vitamin C and is an excellent anti-bacterial and detoxifier. The lavender flower is a mood enhancer and a potent anxiety reliever. The red mandarin peel comes from the fully ripened fruit; its circulatory qualities help to improve blood and lymph. The lemongrass leaf is a natural coolant that soothes and nourishes, relieving skin irritation or discomfort. Finally, the palmarosa leaf, high in concentration of the chemical compound geraniol valued for its scent and is also known for uplifting emotions and clearing muddled thoughts. Apart from these essential oils, there is glycerin and coconut acid to moisturise and natural-based surfactants to cleanse. Most of the surfactants are coconut-derived, and when combined with water, they produce a lather. There’s also sugar alcohol (erythritol) commonly used by soap makers to add light, bubbly suds. All of these are safe and are naturally derived.

The charming label design with its Optimism ‘life & nature’ botanical illustration is just the start of the journey… thanks to all the natural ingredients in this body wash, our skin was left soft, cleansed and uplifted. Unlike a few others we’ve tried, this didn’t leave skin feeling tight or dehydrated. It gently foams, moisturises and leaves a warm and subtle floral scent. Here’s a fun fact, according to Mumsnet, a bottle of 250ml body wash, with daily use, can last up to three months. However, for us, it’s more like a month! To purchase this 250ml Optimism Enriching Body Wash at £16, see here. Or perhaps, as a gift set, which also includes the body lotion and candle, the Optimism Body Gift set is £58, see here. As regular readers will know, we love to support British indie brands, and we can’t wait to see what Eloise Hall launches next.

Claudia Fallah : Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash

Today at The Amazing Blog, we want to share one of our favourite foam cleansers - it’s always our ‘go-to’ cleanser, especially when we get any skin sensitivity; it gently cleanses, calms and soothes any irritated skin. We are talking about Claudia Fallah’s The Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash which won both Best Cleanser, and Best Foam Cleanser in the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Claudia Fallah has a strong background within the cosmetics and skincare industry; she trained as a therapist in Germany with top dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, going on to open her first clinic in Marleybone in 1995. As a highly knowledgeable aesthetics specialist, Claudia saw firsthand how some professional skincare had harmful and damaging ingredients. In 1999, she decided to develop her exclusive skincare range for her clients. Claudia was inspired by Dr Rudolph Steiner, founder of biodynamic, and his theories; “It planted an organic seed in my mind, to create a natural and potent cosmeceutical that will address specific skin concerns gently with fast results, all without any harsh chemicals.” Biodynamics is a sustainable, organic, holistic, and ethical farming method. Crops are grown in rhythm with the powerful moon phases and ocean tides and harvested in their most potent state. Today Claudia has created a natural and organic skincare range that effectively gives her clients the results they want. All products are natural, organic, hypoallergenic, chemical-free, and made in London. Her skincare is also now widely used by dermatologists, therapists, and cosmetic surgeons. In an interview with Mayfair Silk, Claudia said, “It has been an absolute joy to revive and repair our clients’ skin, and so many have continued on their skincare treatments with us, but this time to enhance their skin health and appearance.” As an established aesthetician and skin specialist, she has a strong celebrity following and is often called one of “London’s best-kept secrets” by the press. Claudia’s mantra is, “Give me the worst skin, and I’ll deal with it.” Figures show back in 2014, sensitive skincare claims represented 25% of total skincare claims, compared to 15% in 2009, with 71% of facial skincare users saying they are interested in ultra-gentle products (Mintel). Claudia Fallah is known as one of the UK’s leading experts on sensitive skin and is an advisor for MediSpa, located in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

The Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash is a gentle and hydrating foaming face wash. While facial cleansers can often be harsh on the skin or even sting, this is guaranteed to soothe and leave skin feeling softer. Apart from being a hydrating product, we found the face wash reduced redness and acted as an anti-inflammatory. Perfect for all skin types and ages, we found it ideal for our sensitive skin as It decongests skin to give it a brighter and fresher look, and uses natural ingredients which soothe, protect and balance. The two key active ingredients to talk about are azulene and mango fruit (mangifera indica fruit extract).

Azulene is an organic compound dark blue in colour. It has a long history dating back to the 15th century as the azure-blue chromophore obtained by steam distillation of German chamomile. Every year the blue colour varies depending on the weather conditions, and as azulene with all its healing properties is photosensitive, Claudia uses a protective opaque bottle. Azulene is a strong antioxidant that has the ability to shield the skin from damage caused by free radicals. By neutralising free radicals, azulene helps prevent the cellular damage that causes skin discolouration from sun exposure. Although it cannot prevent the skin from ageing, azulene can help minimalise and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Most importantly for us, it helps to alleviate the redness from blemishes, allowing the complexion to clear up more quickly. It has mild antibacterial properties and is sometimes used in natural medicine as an antiseptic. Primarily it’s an ingredient that is used to help revive stressed, irritated or damaged skin due to its potent anti-inflammatory qualities. Azulene is the star ingredient here with all of its soothing and healing benefits and antimicrobial properties.

The mango extract contains superior levels of vitamins A (beta carotene) and C; mango fruit can stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen, enhancing the elasticity of the skin and aiding in the generation of new skin cell growth and reducing inflammation and redness. Pharmacologically active flavonoid mangiferin (mango) has been increasingly explored as a possible anti-carcinogen. Studies involving mangiferin have produced results that suggest it offers anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antiviral capabilities as well as being a powerful antioxidant. The existing results suggest that mangiferin protects the skin against the damage caused by ultraviolet rays, and will also repair existing sun damage.

Other actives include bergamot helping unclog pores, aloe vera extract for further antioxidants and soothing properties, camphor to relieve skin irritation, and mandarin essential oil to help even out the skin tone.

To date, this is one of the best foaming cleansers that we’ve used. We cannot recommend it highly enough for its gentle, soothing and calming properties. It’s another of our #amazingfinds with the added bonus of effectively removing eye makeup residue - without any stinging. It’s also a natural, light and simple cleanser guaranteed to leave skin glowing and feeling refreshed. To purchase the 100ml Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash for £38 see here. 

Methode Physiodermie : Shot C15 Anti-Aging Serum

We’ve recently written about a variety of award-winning serums, and today Methode Physiodermie is the next of our #amazingfinds on The Amazing Blog. This brand made a great impression at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, winning not one, but six awards on its debut entries. And we can see why - with its researched and scientifically proven ingredients in this innovative Shot C15 Anti-Ageing Serum, which includes 20% from organic farming and 99% from natural origin.

Methode Physiodermie is the flagship concept skincare range of the Swiss company Laboratoire Sintyl. The company was founded in 1974 by Swiss biologist Dr Calato, who dedicated much of his life to researching and developing the formulation of effective skincare, with a complete range of anti-ageing solutions, backed by 40 years of research on skin rejuvenation. Today their CEO, Alexandre Vacher, has had extensive experience in the biotechnology and cosmetics industries; in an interview with South China Morning Post Country Reports, he said, “The fact that all our products are proudly Swiss- made in our Geneva facility ensures that they only get the highest quality ingredients and, therefore, with the highest effectiveness.” The company creates skincare through science at its headquarters in Geneva and dedicates vast amounts of time and resources to research and development before launching its products. Their skincare is scientifically formulated with a range that includes organic ingredients that uses the latest revolutionary and cutting-edge technology called microencapsulation (MEIMA). Through this process, active ingredients are acquired into a liposome capsule and are then protected and delivered to the layer of skin where the cells need them most; it’s a skincare concept that specifically adapts to every type of skin and allows the achievement of visible and lasting results. Methode Physiodermie’s products are available to both consumers and professionals. 20% of the company’s sales go towards further research and development innovation methods, and in another interview conducted by I Feel Good Event, CEO Alexandre Vacher stated, “We are also leading Research and Development activities in the field of functional ingredients, plant extracts and formulation techniques to offer consumers ever more efficient products.” And as a cosmeceutical brand, they only rely on scientifically proven ingredients. Although all their products are produced as professional skincare and distributed in medi-spas and beauty salons - they are also available from the website for consumer use.

With Edwina as one of the judges at The Beauty Shortlist Awards, The Shot C15 Anti-Ageing Serum, certainly got her vote as the Best Serum (age 50+). It is part of Methode Physiodermie’s Clinical Swiss Organics collection, where the range is certified by Ecocert Greenlife according to the COSMOS-standard and is free from fragrance, silicones, parabens, mineral oils, EDTA/BHA/BH; it also went on to win the Best Skincare Brand (age 60+).

The Shot C15 Anti-Ageing Serum is their first certified organic serum with 15% pure vitamin C. The product has an ultra-concentrated formula, which has given the product a very effective anti-ageing effect. It is scientifically proven to firm the skin, visibly reduce brown spots, stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, and protect cells from free radicals. The Shot C15 Anti-Ageing Serum separately includes Pure Vitamin C sachet which needs to be mixed in and when combined must used within one month, as it is only stable within that time frame. If exposed to heat, light, or air, it can also become unstable. Something to note is that stabilised vitamin C is the only effective way to use vitamin C, as when it becomes unstable and oxidises, there is no longer a benefit to its use. 

Let’s look at the ingredients and what they do. Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) fruit water comes from (organically grown) red cranberries. It is rich in antioxidants with vitamin C, to combat free radicals and slow the appearance of the effects of premature ageing. Ascorbic acid is pure vitamin C, again as the primary antioxidant here it’s known to brighten the skin, improve wrinkles, and help fade any skin discolourations. Sodium citrate also has antioxidant properties and helps maintain the pH level in skincare products. Sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid and a potent skin humectant that helps the skin retain water. Salicylic acid is an exfoliating ingredient that helps the skin feel smoother. Glycerin is naturally occurring in the skin and is an ingredient that protects the skin from dryness by helping the skin retain moisture. Xanthan Gum is produced from the fermentation of simple sugars and acts as a thickening ingredient and stabiliser in skincare products. Benzyl alcohol is a preservative and pH adjuster used in skincare. Sorbic acid is another preservative and form of vitamin C; it encourages new collagen to grow and maintains the existing collagen, and is deemed to be a very safe ingredient used in skincare and also prevents the growth of bacteria.

We used this serum morning and night; only a few drops were needed. All you do is add the contents of the Pure Vitamin C sachet into the serum bottle. Then screw the dropper back on and shake vigorously for approx. 10 seconds. Then they recommend letting it stand for a few minutes before use. It’s for the face, neck and décolleté; gently massage to let it absorb and then apply any regular moisturiser or SPF (if applied in the morning). This is another of our #amazingfinds, and we love how it has proven scientific ingredients from the natural origin combined with the organic cranberry fruit water. Don’t be put off by the high percentage of vitamin C. We initially had our reservations, as we thought this serum might be too potent for our sensitive skin type. However, we were very pleasantly surprised at how gentle it was! It has given our complexion back its glow and helped fade some of our more visible pigmentation patches. As an anti-ageing serum, what more could we ask for? To purchase the 27ml Shot C15 Anti-Ageing Serum see here for £64.

EasterMia : Blushing Bride and Top Coat

With the Easter break only moments away - shock horror - at The Amazing Blog, we’ve had no time to get our regular manicure! Thankfully all is not lost, as we have two new nail products from the award-winning Canadian nail brand EasterMia. Perfect for an at-home mani-pedi, we used their Blushing Bride and Top Coat, as all their nail polishes are non-toxic, vegan, and made with cruelty-free formulas. Regular readers may remember we’ve written about their Crisp Apple nail polish and Nail Kit here.

Mia Phan founded EasterMia in 2019 and owns a local nail salon in Burlington, Ontario. Mia had two thoughts while creating her nail brand: self-care and nail health. Her mother, Helen Nguyen, has been in the nail industry for over 30 years, and clients in her salon will often come in talking about juggling work, making dinner, and driving their kids around. Mia also had a first-hand account of seeing hard-working women in action. "Trust me, I know how rare moments of self-care and rest can be. That is why I love to create a relaxing experience for my clients that leave them feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the week's responsibilities." Mindful also of nail health, Mia created her nail formulas alongside a chemist to ensure her products were free-from fragrances and all toxic chemicals. “Seeing people around me working with toxic chemicals and using toxic chemicals on clients. I wanted to make a change in the nail industry so I decided to create EasterMia for all clients that can wear nail polish that is toxic-free.” All EasterMia nail products are safe for everyone, from expecting mothers to people with allergies. They are also a Leaping Bunny approved brand, and recently a global award winner at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, where they won the Best Nail Brand and Editor's Choice for four products, including the Blushing Bride Nail Polish, Top Coat, Base Coat, and Rite on Red Nail Polish.

If, like us, you’re looking for a beautiful pastel pink shade this spring, then this Blushing Bride Nail Polish is for you. The name is fitting, as nudes and pastel pinks are the traditional and popular colours for brides on their big day. This natural shade of pink is highly versatile and will neatly coordinate with almost any outfit. In fact, the Pantone Fashion Colour Trend Report for S/S 2022, has one of the key season’s colours ‘13-2004 Potpourri,’ a light fresh mix of nude and pastel pink - not far off this pink Blushing Bride hue. It’s a colour statement that’s gone from the runways to the high street and is already being used as an accent in many outfits, like bows and stripes. What we like about EasterMia’s Blushing Bride, is that it’s a classic colour that makes everyone’s nails look good. Pastel pink is always a favoured colour as it has greater longevity than brighter colours, and doesn’t show the ‘wear and tear’ quite so quickly! We found Blushing Bride to be richly pigmented, giving complete coverage in a single swipe - making it super-easy for anyone like us on a busy schedule. 

The EasterMia collection is 10-free and doesn’t contain the ten most common harsh chemicals used in ordinary nail polishes. These no-nos include formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, triphenyl phosphate and fragrance. Large amounts of these can cause some serious health problems, from mild irritation to congenital disabilities, or even cancer! Considering nails grow slowly (averaging 3.47 mm a month), you might want to check what’s in the formulas of your regular nail polishes.

Mia recommends using her Top Coat to help make the colour last longer. This clear polish also helps to reflect more light. Top Coat also blocks harmful UV rays and keeps nail polish from yellowing. The average person spends £450 on their nails in the UK. So, in these times of inflation, what better to cut some of the costs than by doing your own nails at home. Top coats, in our view, are essential they add a layer of protection to a basic polish manicure and keep nail polish from chipping and peeling. We recommend for a longer-lasting colour, always top up with their high gloss Top Coat finish. Which, BTW, we’re happy to report both this and Blushing Bride are entirely gloop free. To try these excellent nail polishes click here for the Blushing Bride and here for Top Coat. All nail polishes are 15ml and available for Canadian $16 each (approx £9.66). EasterMia is a brand to watch and we hear whispers that these might be coming into the UK soon…Happy Easter.

Jane Scrivner : Peace, and Revive Blends - Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils

We all know the importance of being mindful, whether focusing on health or taking an hour out to compose oneself during a stressful day. Today on The Amazing Blog we want to talk about a new range of essential oil blends that have helped us to get a feeling of balance and calm. We were delighted to test out these two unique natural aromatherapy blends, Peace and Revive in the Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils collection, from one of our favourite holistic and natural skincare brands Jane Scrivner. Some of our loyal readers may well remember that we wrote about the brand back in 2013 and 2014.

Jane Scriver created her skincare range in 2013. With over thirty years of experience in skincare working as a therapist and an international skincare trainer to top global spas, she discovered local and indigenous raw oils, which inspired her to create her very own range of skincare products. "I then came home to practise in London and used these same oils in my treatments, unblended and pure, and I saw how my clients' skin turned from pale and pasty to nourished and alive."  In addition to her well-known skincare, Jane has now added a home and lifestyle product range of emotion and mood-enhancing diffusers and blended essential oils. The brand commits to sourcing everything ethically by using carefully assessed suppliers for traceability and sustainability. All products are paraben and SLS free; they are also cruelty-free and 100% natural and use certified organic ingredients wherever possible. The ranges are handmade in small batches in the UK, where they are mindful of waste and only use FSC approved packaging. The brand is no stranger to beauty awards as they have already won several Beauty Shortlist Awards and Beauty Bible Awards for their skincare range.

Recently, they received an award at the Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards 2022  for their Peace and Revive  Blend Pure Essential Oils. As we were privileged to be amongst the judges this year, we thought we’d feature these two blends which really impressed us. We used these in a candle diffuser (pictured here) which uses accelerated evaporation by heat with the drops mixed in with water; and in an ultrasonic diffuser with its waves transforming the essential oil mixed with water into a vapour. We also like the suggestion that Jane gives here, “My favourite ways to use these is to either drizzle just a few drops into a bowl of pinecones collected on a walk and to let the aroma gently perfume the room or for my office, if I have a busy 'thinking' day, I drop Blend #29 into an electronic diffuser to stay inspired and creative!" 

The Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil, we found enhanced a sense of calmness. It contains nine soothing ingredients: Bay, benzoin, chamomile Maroc, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, sweet orange, and petitgrain. Bay is woody and spicy scented yet fresh, it’s indigenous to Europe and the Middle East and can grow up to six metres. Bay in aromatherapy practices is used to increase mindfulness and promote focus. Benzoin is sap from Styrax trees, and the extract has a warm scent to it. This blend is used to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. Chamomile Maroc plant from North-West Africa and South Spain. Traditionally, this extract has been used as a muscle relaxant and for anxiety relief helping to relax the mind. Eucalyptus is native to Australia. Although this oil has many external benefits, such as relieving respiratory conditions, eucalyptus oil also eases tension and helps bring a wave of positivity. Frankincense comes from the trunk of a Boswellia tree. Frankincense is one of our favourite oils; it’s used for grounding and connectedness and is one of the key essentials we use for meditation. Lavender is one of the most frequently used plants in essential oils, and for good reasons. Lavender provides a clear and focused mind, emotional stability, and inspiration. Interesting fact, the Egyptians used myrrh for embalming as It slowed the decaying process and left a pleasant scent. In this blend, myrrh is used to uplift moods by removing any negative feelings and keeping minds grounded. When it comes to sweet orange extract, there are many benefits to this citrus ingredient, the extract can help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Lastly, petitgrain oil comes from a bitter orange tree native to southern China. The word petitgrain is French, meaning "little grains". Petitgrain oil has many uses; it soothes nerves protecting the mind from anxiety, shock, and fear. We think this blend is perfect for people who need to take a step back from their stressful lives, for much-needed relaxation. 

The Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil blend is made from seven unique energy-boosting ingredients: Basil, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, lime, patchouli, and peppermint. Basil extract is proven to have many health benefits, including stabilising the nervous system, it’s known to help decrease tension and anxiety. Clary sage is another plant with many physical and mental benefits and significantly helps to reduce stress as it has antidepressant properties. Geranium oil comes from the leaves of a plant called pelargonium graveolens, indigenous to South Africa. Geranium oil is used to treat signs of stress, anxiety, and depression and helps restores confidence. The grapefruit inspires an uplifting and positive mindset needed for motivation in this blend. Lime is also used to uplift one's mood and energy, purify the air, and even help with relaxation after a long day. Patchouli is sweet, spicy, and woody, and in this blend; it helps aid symptoms of depression and stress as it induces a sense of wellbeing. The final ingredient is peppermint, known to help relieve sorrow, or feelings of restlessness and offer a sense of calm. We think that the Revive Blend is best used when you first wake up giving a much-needed burst of energy, it’s also a brilliant blend to help give focus.

We’ve always been big fans of aromatherapy essentials oils ,and these blends are another of our #amazingfinds. Not only do they smell gorgeous, but they’ll make a great addition to anyone's aromatherapy collection. Both blends come in small 10ml glass bottles, and the brand advises adding 2-3 drops of these essential oil blends to any room fragrance device or getting creative and using what you have. Also, to note, depending on the base ingredients, these essential oil blends can smell very different when used in their product than in pure form ‘on the nose’. To purchase the Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend see here for £18 or Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend to Refresh & Awaken here for £16.  Or to purchase the full range of the four Life Essentials Pure Essential oils here for £85.