Afterglow Candles: We Create

At  The Amazing Blog  we’re huge fans of scented candles. We love the ambience they give, and when lighting a solo candle under the stars, it always adds to mystical evening glow. Now that alfresco dining has finally arrived we wanted to try this wild fig and blackcurrant candle We Create from Afterglow Candles and it didn’t disappoint.

Afterglow Candles are a UK luxury black-owned and eco-friendly home brand founded by Alex Bertie and her partner and co-founder Darrell. Alex is a doctor, and Darrell is a barber. The idea came when they were gifted a simple candle making kit and where they soon got creative. Since then, they have built up the business finally launching Afterglow in September 2020. Their mission is to provide luxury candles that are affordable and safe for the environment. Alex said: "Afterglow has been a labour of love and a steep learning curve, which has completely exceeded our expectations. We've met some great people along the way and can't wait to see what the future holds!" These artisan, hand-poured, and unisex candles are made in East London; the designs are simple, chic and minimalist made to suit every gender, age and social group. Where the stylised monochrome designs express luxury and affordability all at the same time. Afterglow candles are eco-friendly, with waxes that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic. The metal tin cases, that house the candles, are all made from recycled sources and can also be recycled and reused – we think it would make a great pen holder! Most of the ingredients are sourced from the UK in order to support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint. Finally, Alex and Darrell wanted to have a charitable element in their business. So, they donate £1 from every sale to charities supporting adults and children living with sickle cell disease, as Darrell suffers from the disease. And in the forthcoming months, Afterglow Candles is also working with a charity called Crescent Kids  who provide support services to children and families impacted by Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

We chose the 'We Create' a wild fig and blackcurrant candle from the Empowerment Collection. As mentioned above, all the candles come in a metal tin, together with unbleached cotton and linen wicks. Their range of candles are made using a blend of natural coconut and soy wax with high-quality essential oils and fragrances. Both waxes are a great alternative to paraffin as they are more sustainable and don’t have any nasty fumes or black smoke when burnt. Coconut wax is harvested from coconut crops that are sustainable and high in yield. It is also a great diffuser of scents and has a low impact on the environment, whereas the soy wax here is made from soybeans which are renewable and biodegradable, and helps to provide a clean burn. The fragrance combination in We Create has the top notes of cassis (blackcurrant), raspberry and sweet cherry. The heart notes are raspberry leaf and fig, and the base notes are sandalwood and cedarwood. This is uplifting and refreshing; we’d even go as far as to say inspirational, where it brings together all these summer fruits which, when lit, linger beautifully in the evening air… We think it’s one to burn to when you want to make the most of these balmy summer evenings. Also thanks to coconut and soy wax, the candle can burn for approximately 40 hours making it very cost-effective. Afterglow Candles offers nine different scented candles and a few accessories like bags, a wick trimmer and snuffer and even a USB lighter. By the way, for each candle you buy, you'll get a mini tin opener plus £1 will be donated to their appointed charity, You can buy the 250ml 'We Create' candle here for £22.

Spruce: Multi-Purpose Starter Kit

The world of cleaning products is at last changing, and thankfully there is now a choice of natural cleaners with plant-based ingredients to make our homes sparkle.  For too long, products with harsh chemicals, leaving toxic residue on our counters, floors and even on our hands, has dominated. Although these natural products aren’t cheap, at The Amazing Blog we think that when it comes to buying safe, eco-friendly and non-toxic household cleaning items, these are a wise investment. Today we take a look at a Multi-Purpose Start Kit from Spruce.

Spruce, is a British cleaning brand recently founded by Mahira Kalim. They have launched with two products made from non-toxic ingredients and without any single-use plastics. After suffering from health issues, possibly due of the toxins in household products, Mahira realised that the market was filled with cleaning products that use single-use plastic bottles with 90% water, toxic chemicals, artificial dyes and fragrances. So, she decided to create a brand that offered safe, natural, and eco-friendly choices for consumers; “without compromising on convenience, effectiveness or aesthetics”. Having launched Spruce in the midst of the pandemic, Mahira has “put people and the planet over profit”. Therefore, she has developed her products to be entirely cruelty-free, vegan, and safe for pregnant women, children, and pets. Their product packaging, including the reusable aluminium bottles and the refill sachets, are all plastic-free, recyclable, FSC-certified, and printed with biodegradable ink.  Sustainability is at the heart of the brand. With the one-time buy of the aluminium bottle, it’s the world's most recycled material with 80% of the aluminium in use today which is recycled.  Their lightweight refill sachets have a concentrated powder and only weighs 4 grams, which is 140 times less than a typical cleaning bottle that weighs 560 grams, plus these are completely biodegradable!  Refills fit through a letterbox and get delivered with a significantly low carbon footprint. They also offer a flexible subscription which can be changed or cancel anytime.

The Multi-Purpose Starter Kit  is one of Spruce’s best-seller. The brand has already gained consumer recognition having been shortlisted by Dezeen Awards for their Sustainable Design and an Eco Lifestyle Winner at 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards. We initially found Spruce at its inception on Instagram and have been itching to try their cleaners ever since. The Kit comes with a lightweight aluminium Spruce bottle and a plastic-free Multi-Purpose cleaner refill sachet. The refill sachet is made of plant-based or food-grade powder ingredients highly rated for their environmental and human safety on Environmental Working Group (EWG) and by the  European Chemical Agency (ECHA). The plant-based ingredients include sodium coco-sulfate (a surfactant derived from coconut) and alkyl polyglycosides (sugars). Whereas the food-grade ingredients include citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and sodium bicarbonate. Plus, there are locally sourced essential oils which contain antimicrobial properties. They are quick to point out that their surfactants work differently from toxic antibacterial agents (pesticides) that kill the bacteria. Also, a point to remember is that antibacterials are effective against bacteria, not viruses. Anyway, we couldn’t find any nasties here! We found it is gentle on the nose, where it left only the slightest residue of a mild spa-like geranium fragrance. Happily it also made swift work of removing lingering food stains and greasy marks from kitchen and bathroom worktops. To turn this Kit into a cleaning solution, you simply add the refill sachet into the bottle and fill it slowly with tap water- easy! This Multi-Purpose Kit has won us over as being not only good for the planet, but also great for our pocket; it lasted over a month, with regular use, which for us makes economic sense when this one product can replace at least three of our current others. You can purchase the multi-purpose starter kit here for £12.00 and refills at £9.99 each.

Fiini Naturally: Balm To Cleanser - Gentle Oat, Oat & Bilberry Powder Face Mask and Oat Sea Buckthorn Oil Serum

How come so many of us have sensitive skins at the moment? At The Amazing Blog, we've noticed that with this type of skin, there's always something that triggers it - whether it's stress, strong sunlight, city pollution or cold weather. We recently discovered Fiini Naturally, a Finnish organic brand immersed in natural and raw ingredients, who are environment-friendly with products for beauty and home - all are aimed specifically at helping sensitive skins. Let’s tell you more about them…

Fiini Naturally was founded by two longstanding friends Heidi and Essi from northern Finland, who share the same interests and are linked by their appreciation of well-being and nature. Unable to find suitable natural everyday products in their local stores, either for themselves or their pets. This spurred Heidi on to start producing natural formulas for her pets; whereas Essi focused on developing skincare formulas for extra sensitive skins. When the first large-scale trial of their first product the Oat and Honey Cream was successful, this inspired them to explore more regional raw materials and formulas. Eventually, they came up with more product aimed at treating the diverse skin ailments for their friends and family. For the brand, honesty is as important as the ethics. This is why all formulas are kept simple, cruelty-free and with organic ingredients which are mostly INCI certified (marked with an INCI star). Being respectful of the environment, this means no chemical preservatives, additives and all formulas come in large sizes with recyclable packaging. This genuine interest in preserving the environment and responsible business practice has made them a member of the Finnish Eko Entrepreneurs Association, which certifies their environmentally-friendly working methods and processing. They kindly send us three of their products to try, all of which contain their special hero ingredient of Finnish oat oil. 

The first product to talk about is the Balm to Milk Cleanser – Gentle Oat. This is a moisturising and balancing balm and the perfect cleanser for all skin types, it cleanses all impurities, pollution and make-up. In this gentle fragrance-free formula, it’s full of antioxidants, vitamin E, fatty acids, amino acids and beta-glucans. All of which are present in the oat oil to help nourish, protect and relieve the skin and boost its elasticity - while the jojoba oil here works its magic to balance the skin. To use, simply massage gently on dry face, then add water and continue massaging where you will see it transform from the balm consistency to a milky one, and then rinse off. We found it excellent for removing everyday makeup (no eye stinging!) and also for perking up skin first thing in the morning. This 156ml jar of Balm to Milk Cleanser – Gentle Oat was our favourite out of the trio we tried. It’s available here for €38.90.

The Oat & Bilberry Powder Face Mask  is the second product sent. This raw powder face mask was recently a bronze winner at the Global Green Beauty Awards 2020. Again, perfectly suitable for sensitive or atopic skins, it’s more of a treatment where it hydrates and gently cleanses, making the skin feel softer with a more even skin tone. Like the Balm to Milk Cleanser – Gentle Oat, this mask powder contains the same bundle of organic ingredients – the Finnish oat oil moisturises and boosts the circulation and collagen production. This Powder Face Mask is also enriched with ground rice which helps the skin renew its pigment, and the vitamin E here nourishes. The pink clay is here to minimise couperose, and the freeze-dried Finnish bilberries soothe and calm the skin thanks to their anti-inflammatory action. To use, we mixed 2 teaspoons of powder mask with a teaspoon organic yoghurt (or you can use water), plus a few drops of serum to give an extra smooth skin. Mix together until it becomes pasty, then we applied this on to a dry face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, rinsing off with warm water. We used only once or twice a week, which refreshed and brightened our skin. Again, this comes in a 156ml glass jar and is available for €22.90 here.

And last but not least, the Oat-Sea Buckthorn Oil Serum the third product. In this oil serum, the oat oil once again features helping to moisturise and revitalise. It also stimulates the skin’s metabolism, increasing elasticity, and the production of collagen. This serum contains jojoba and vitamin E, as well as Finnish sea buckthorn oil to ensure maximum cellar renewal. It’s a potent antioxidant that offers a soothing action and reduces inflammation for those with sensitive skins. We enjoyed experimenting with mixing this serum with the Powder Face Mask and also with our regular day and night cream which boosted their antioxidant and vitamin content. This comes in a 30ml tinted glass bottle and is available for purchase at €34.90 here. Initially developed for skins that face harsh everyday conditions, we think Fiini Naturally  will soon become your go-to for all things eco and sensitive skin-friendly orientated. Plus see all their home care products on the website here - we can’t wait to try these next!

B Loved - Hormonal Bath & Body Oil

With the winter season in full swing, soaking in a hot bath is just what we long for at The Amazing Blog. So let us introduce you to one of our favourite aromatherapy brands B Loved, where we’ve previously reviewed one their Naturally Scented Candles, The Balancer here. Today we want to talk about their Hormonal Bath & Body Oil which we think is the perfect way to soothe away the day. 

After going through professional and personal challenges in 2016, Elizabeth Burchill started to make her products as a source of therapy. She loved essential oils and their aroma, which prompted her to pursue a diploma in aromatherapy and essential oil science while also taking product making courses to perfect it. She is now a clinical aromatherapist accredited by the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. Fast forward three years and she now has a wellbeing brand that creates aromatherapy candles and bath and body products, all of which are natural, sustainable, cruelty-free and vegan friendly. B Loved also sources their ingredients from UK suppliers who are members of the ATC. Products in the range include pulse point oils, body lotions, body scrubs and their hormonal bath & body oil.

This Hormonal Bath & Body Oil comes in a reusable glass bottle and pipette. In times of emotional stress or hormonal tension, this product help to alleviate these symptoms. You can use this product in two different ways, either by adding a few drops into your bath to fully relax and ease tension or directly massaging into the skin. It is packed full of numerous oils, the key being rosehip which is full of anti-inflammatory fatty acids to firm and moisturise the skin. The argan oil here contains oleic and linoleic acids which absorb quickly and hydrate. Apricot kernel oil also has moisturising properties, but can also gently exfoliate the skin and relieve inflammatory conditions. There are also key essential oils here: The grapefruit has soothing effects by balancing the cortisol levels to help ease stress. Whereas Clary sage is known to reduce premenstrual tension, periods pains, and anxiety. Finally, the patchouli oil treats skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, dry and cracked skin; it can also aid relaxation, easing anxiety. As some of us who don’t have a bath to soak in, we particularly like that this formula is also gentle enough to use as a body oil. So, for those of you who do, before hopping in to destress after a long day, week and even year, we highly recommend purchasing your Hormonal Bath & Body Oil here for £35 - it also smells divine!

Essential Drops Bathroom Aromatics - Pomegranate & Lychee

Do you need to take your bathroom fragrance from drab to fab? Finding a natural scent to put down the loo is something of a rarity. In our search in the office bathroom looking for a product to cover up the delicate issue of ‘nasty smells’ at best, all we could find was some rather unpleasant cheap air freshener that filled the place with fumes, that when you accidentally breathed them in, they almost made us choke! At The Amazing Blog we were thrilled to be given a natural aromatic deodoriser that delivers botanical freshness and neutralised unwanted pongs - leaving the bathroom smelling sweet. We often talk about essential oils; however, this one from Essential Drops Bathroom Aromatics is specifically designed for one purpose – the loo!

Essential Drops Bathroom Aromatics is a British brand that is formulated by Bruce Green who is also known for his skincare brand SOS Serum Skincare which we have reviewed here. Green specialises in skincare and is a chartered scientist, a chartered chemist, and a fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry. He is a man with great expertise and has contributed to the formulations of many cosmetic brands in the UK & North America, and he also sits on several EU advisory committees. This brand is his first foray into the world of bathroom fragrance. These Essential Drops are excellent for eliminating unwanted and unpleasant smells, helping to maintain a fresh sweet fragranced bathroom by only using natural essential oils. This means that there are no artificial ingredients, they’re cruelty-free, vegan and locally produced. By sourcing their ingredients from reputable local suppliers, they can deliver high-quality products every time. We also like that their glass bottles are recyclable. They currently have a range of three different scent combinations: Grapefruit & Kumquat, Ginger & Black Pepper and Pomegranate & Lychee (which we are featuring today). 

The Pomegranate & Lychee comes in a frosted recyclable 50 ml glass bottle with a pipette top. Each bottle can last around 50-100 uses depending on the frequency and amount you use. You can either drop one full pipette or 3-4 drops directly from the bottle into the bowl before or after flushing. If you want to make your bathroom smell more like an at-home spa, you could use the Essential Drops in both your loo and hand basin, bringing an uplifting fragrance to the entire room. These drops create an almost like a film-like surface (which flushes away) allowing the water to trap the unpleasant odours whilst releasing the good ones! We love that there are only three ingredients here in total, with the essential fruit oils of pomegranate and lychee in a grapeseed oil base. To get rid of those lingering bathroom whiffs and start your lockdown spa day at home, purchase your Essential Drops Bathroom Aromatics in Pomegranate & Lychee here for £18.00 or £50 for the full collection of all three here.