Strangelove – Fallintostars Eau de Parfum

Change of season always means a change of fragrance for us at The Amazing Blog. Which is where we look for a scent that makes us feel unique, i.e. a signature. Today we have discovered a very special fragrance that resonates well with the autumn, with it’s delicious wafts of oud, meet the Eau de Parfum Fallintostars by Strangelove.

Strangelove is a fragrance brand that wishes to provoke a passion amongst all those who have the olfactory experience. Founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Gaynes, who took her inspiration from the three years she lived in Italy before moving to New York. In Italy, she discovered oud and fell in love with its history and richness; thus this brand’s success story began. Besides being friends, she works closely with Helena Christensen, the famous supermodel and creative director of the brand. Where Christensen is influential in developing the narratives of each fragrance with the collection and the presentation of the brand.  Onboard also is the master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel who has been instrumental in creating Strangelove’s distinctive collection. Gaynes is also co-founder of GaiaOne, a company changing the way raw materials are sourced for fragrances with sustainable practices for essential oils, and it was through this work that she first discovered oud that has become integral for the brand. Oud is sourced from a rare aromatic wood resin and harvested from the agarwood of the Aquilaria tree. This is a fast-growing evergreen tree found in Southeast Asia. Agarwood is among the most expensive timber in the world. Strangelove only ever uses genuine oud from sustainable suppliers; where every batch undergoes strict quality control. The success of Strangelove is echoed in a plethora of countries such as Canada, USA, England, Qatar. The blend of sensual pure perfume oils combined with the splendour of the majestic oud and other precious and sustainably sourced ingredients give these coveted fragrances their originality and a cult following.

Today we’re going to be talking about Fallingintostars which first launched in 2019, Gaynes explained “With fall​intos​tars, I wanted to bring the wonder of the universe to the wearer. fall​into​stars is a meditation on the universe itself: dark, mysterious, yet leaving a trail of powerful illuminations. The scent contains a core of pure oud, which gives fall​into​stars a deep, primal quality, emphasised with amber and labdanum notes. It’s complemented by ingredients like pink peppercorn and rosewood, which make the scent dreamlike and ethereal.” Let’s start with the base notes of this fragrance. First and foremost is the oud. It is at the heart of all of the Strangelove Eau de Parfum collection. When first applied, we could instantly sense the woody nuance of the oud adding a richness and dimension, then came the leathery notes that immediately melted into honey, amber and peppercorns. Oud has no parallel in the western world, and this is what makes the fragrance unique and luxurious.  The Indian oud is mixed with amber, warm and musky, adding depth and sweetness, making it perfect for autumn. The cooler fresh air of this season with its hint of earthy aromas marries so well with the warmth that this fragrance provides. The mixture also includes a delicate sweetness, almost majestic with light touches of woods and cinnamon found in the Peru balsam which is also bright and clean smelling. Another scent in the base note is the Siam benzoin. It’s a milky, vanilla-like smell, reminiscent of brown vanilla beans that are often used in the making of fine fragrances. Finally, for the base notes is the Labdanum which gives a leathery scent elevating it and giving it even more warmth. Moving on to the middle notes, with henna flower. The sweet, green and persistent smell of the henna feels almost narcotic. In contrast, the addition of rose here adds a floral lightness to the blend. The last middle note is the rosewood which adds peppery aroma on top of the sweet floral scent. Now the top notes, these are the ones that are instantly evident when the fragrance is applied. Pink peppercorn which has an aroma that is fresh, very intense, diffusive, warm with sweet-spice and a faint floral note and a dry woody slightly smoky undertone. The saffron here has a unique and unexplainable soft sweet earthy musk. The ginger is warm, peppery and sometimes with a camphoraceous or lemon note. Finally, the bergamot has a bright, sweet aroma with notes of tartness and acidity. However, its unique floral, spicy edge distinguishes it from other citrus scents making its addition here extremely unique. 

What is it really like? The bottom line for me is that Fallingintostars is quite inexplicable moreish – it’s probably one of the more extraordinary fragrances that I have recently worn, and will continue to wear. I always know when I have found something special, as I get stopped in the street and asked what fragrance am I wearing and Fallingintostars is that scent. Tempted? Fallingintostars can be purchase here for £105.

Fuishena Skincare - Divine Ambrosia Serum with 8% VitaNova™

At The Amazing Blog, we can't resist luxurious skincare not just with the branding but for the ingredients too. As regular readers will know, discovering new formulas is our passion, and today we have an Australian skincare that has a new ingredient that we want to introduce.

Fuishena Skincare comes all the way from beautiful Byron Bay. Founded by two sisters Fiona and Lucia Berwein. They took their inspiration from their parents, who asked them to join them in their supplement and lifestyle business. The two sisters have taken the leading role in creating a new brand and developing the existing formula into a super antioxidant skincare line in collaboration with Canadian and Australian laboratories. They teamed up with formulators who helped them with proven clinical trials as the effectiveness of their advanced formula VitaNova™ This super-antioxidant ingredient interacts with the skin on a cellular level. There are two lines of skincare Divine Ambrosia and Divine Nektar. Divine Nektar, is designed for brightening dull complexions and ideal for those with sensitive, oily/ combination skin, who live in warmer climes.  The Divine Ambrosia is for normal to dry skin, again it's also for those with sensitive skin but who live in a colder climate and have fine lines and wrinkles. Fuishena is a skincare where science meets nature and wherever possible, they only use organically grown products from the region. It claims to have remarkable anti-ageing properties with this patented VitaNova™ antioxidant, which is designed to return skin back to its natural, glowing beauty. They are cruelty-free brand, have packaging without plastic and support recycling with their glass bottles..

 We were sent the Divine Ambrosia Serum with 8% VitaNova™. This serum is a rejuvenating, anti-ageing serum which nourishes and regenerates helping to counteract the ageing process. This looks and feels luxurious, presented in an elegant frosted recyclable glass bottle with a dropper;  we love the branding with its white faux leather embossed pouch (to store this serum out of sunlight). They are the first Australian brand to utilise the VitaNova™ ingredient, which was originally introduced into Asian skincare over ten years ago. It is made up of a carbon allotrope called fullerene, where its antioxidant power is unlocked by emulsifying with a blend of amino acids and vitamins. They produce their products in small batches, in darkness, to ensure all ingredients are kept fresh and active. The VitaNova™ has excellent versatility and can detox, brighten, moisturise and be used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-ageing formula. How does it work? VitaNova™ is a super antioxidant that can find, bind and remove free radicals and other toxins from your skin. It is over 100 times more potent than vitamin C. It rejuvenates the skin by converting free radicals into water and oxygen. Its anti-inflammatory properties deal with redness, irritation and impurities, which is especially helpful after laser or other invasive treatment. The antimicrobial function eradicates infected areas and helps to reduce noticeable pores size. This serum has the highest concentration of VitaNova that will make it a firm but also be a gentle rejuvenator. The other ingredients here are vitamin E, which can also block free radicals, and replenish lipids and in turn slows down the signs of skin ageing. The sweet almond oil improves your skin's overall appearance and luminosity. It also contains some vitamin A, also known as retinol, which evens out skin tone and texture, brightening the complexion. Vitamin C promotes collagen production as well as prevents premature ageing. It also has properties that suppress aggressive melanin production in the skin, which can cause skin discolouration, dark spots or hyperpigmentation. The aloe vera will act as another antioxidant; it contains enzymes and vitamins, aiding inflammation, acne or dry skin. The avocado and pomegranate oils will shield and offer protection from UV damage. Finally, the white tea extract has further antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress on the skin’s surface. I used this serum for two weeks and loved how it was hydrating enough, to use alone. The honey-coloured liquid has a soft floral/white tea scent. The serum's velvety texture glides evenly with its abundance of active ingredients that left a delicate and protective layer on my skin. I did notice my complexion was less dehydrated and fine lines were plumped up too, although I would need to use the serum for a longer period of time, to give a proper conclusion. Yes, I would buy more… to purchase your  30ml Divine Ambrosia Serum for £79.00 see here.

IGNITE CBD - Skincare

As regular readers will know, we’re always on the lookout for new CBD brands particularly those with sublingual’s or skincare. Today, at The Amazing Blog, we’re bringing you an international CBD brand with their newly launched range of skincare. They very kindly sent us a wide selection of products from face creams, muscle rubs to body oil and bath bombs.   

Launched in the USA in September 2018, IGNITE is a global and premium CBD brand. The inspiration for the IGNITE came from its CEO, Dan Bilzerian, where IGNITE has positioned itself as the gold standard and industry expert in cannabis and CBD, supported with a premium apparel line, beverages, and now a skincare range - all for inspiring an active lifestyle. Their CEO is also best known for his extravagant parties and very public social media lifestyle.  Saying that, IGNITE is keen to be seen as a socially responsible company. It is committed to using its marketing and brand power as a positive catalyst for a healthy lifestyle. Their branding, as you would expect is slick and sexy with stylish unisex black and silver packaging. All their skincare products have no THC, as the CBD here is sourced from CBD isolate only. This means that they have a refined crystalline form CBD which is thought to be the purest and most potent form of CBD and is both tasteless and odourless. Mainly extracted from hemp, the isolate is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant including other cannabinoids isolating the CBD.  Therefore, making these products ideal for athletes to use, without the fear of THC, if they’re randomly drug tested. The CBD isolate helps treat pain and reduces inflammation and has no psychoactive effects. All IGNITE products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, with no pesticides, THC free and thoroughly tested.

As big CBD fans, we were thrilled to receive this bumper gift box with ten skincare products to review. Let’s start with the 100mg CBD Bath Bombs (Energise and Relax). The CBD level in both bath bombs is less to 0.2% (100mg). Here is shea butter, known for soothing your skin and giving a velvety texture but also treat your inflammations. The oils found here are coconut known for having antibacterial and moisturising properties, golden Argan which calms the skin, peach kernel that will give your skin a great glow. And lastly avocado rich in vitamins and fatty acids such as vitamin A, D and E and proteins, that provide the skin with protection from UV rays damage. Then the essential oils, of rosehip act as an anti-ageing ingredient whereas the pomegranate oil is a has potent anti-inflammatory.  Of course, we mustn’t forget the crucial key ingredient for Energise, is the citrus and orange oil which leaves a sense of freshness and lifts the mood. Whereas Relax, has lavender oil to help ease muscles and joint pain after a hard day’s training in the gym. IGNITE advises using one of their bath bomb every day, leaving it to fully dissolve in the bathtub before getting in, then soaking in this great mix of aromas and CBD for 30 minutes to get the best results. Both retail here at £8 each.

The IGNITE 500 mg CBD Body Oil, certainly piqued our interest. This CBD Body Oil is blended with five oils designed to fight dry skin and nourish the body. The CBD here is the healer and rejuvenator of skin cells. Mixed with grapeseed oil a powerful antioxidant, sweet almond oil for treating dry skin like eczema and psoriasis; the lavender oil known for killing bacteria and preventing acne breakouts, it also unclogs pores and reduces inflammation. This vanilla and floral-scented body oil also has the nut oil tamanu oil promotes collagen and helps to slow ageing. The fifth oil in this blend is the evening primrose oil which provides hydration and elasticity. This Madagascan Vanilla & Lavender 100ml Body Oil smells divine and applies easily. To get the best results, gently massage it into dry skin to stimulate circulation and blood flow. Apply at least once a day for £25.00 here. 

Because tattoos can hold significant meaning to those that have them, it’s essential to take care of your skin before, during and after having the procedure. Here IGNITE has launched a pot of  500g CBD Tattoo Balm. For preparation, procedure and aftercare this is the balm to have. The chamomile oil with its anti-inflammatory properties, the lavender oil reduces inflammation and redness, and the miraculous tea tree oil will ease swelling and speed up healing. The CBD isolates here also act as a healer and protector. You can find a 50ml pot here for £25.00. That brings us on to the 500mg CBD Footcare Cream, rich and silky this footcare will help soften the hard skin on your feet. The sea buckthorn oil promotes hydration, elasticity and cell regeneration. The shea butter here will hold the moisture and heal dry skin; the jojoba oil is used as a deep cleanser and moisturiser for the skin. This cream has a thick whipped consistency guaranteeing an intense foot treatment, see here for £25.00. Moving on, IGNITE also has  500 mg CBD Joint Cream and a Muscle Rub Gel both have been created to ease joint and muscle pain, particularly after exercise. The CBD here, as previously mentioned, holds anti-inflammatory properties and helps increase mobility. Theses blends are mixed with natural oils such as olive and avocado oil both of which help to speed up healing. They also contain coconut oil which is antimicrobial and reduces inflammation while keeping the skin moisturised and shea butter is an excellent skin conditioner. Plus, the camphor and menthol relieve skin irritation and gives a cooling sensation. The Muscle Rub Gel is as it says a gel, and has the addition of aloe vera which provides pain relief, it also penetrates the dermis to help lubricates the joints thanks to the hyaluronic acid. The lavender oil extract will help ease muscles boosting blood circulation and helping to reduce any stiffness or muscle discomfort at night.  The 50ml Joint Cream is here for £25.00. The 50ml Muscle Rub Gel can be found here for £25.00

Finally, we have the three skincare products for the face. The first step is the orange and grapefruit 500mg CBD Hydrating Face Serum. This formula is infused with natural oils and contains CBD isolates (which we have discussed). The grapefruit oil will detox and brighten your skin, the orange peel oil gives a healthy complexion thanks to the vitamin C. It is blended with avocado oil, great for shielding your skin against UV rays. There is retinol, a pure source of vitamin A, making this serum a rejuvenator as it will stimulate the collagen in the skin. The aloe vera leaf powder here is for hydration and skin healing;  argan, jojoba and rosehip oils will balance the skin and sebum production; and the green tea extract is full of antioxidant properties. And finally, the passion fruit extract will help with fine lines. IGNITE suggests gently dabbing this product onto cleansed skin, then after applying tap the face with fingertips to encourage the serum to penetrate to the deepest layers of the skin. You can find this refreshing anti-ageing serum here for £25.00. The second step is the 500 mg CBD Moisture Day Cream.  The key ingredients are the blackberry and ylang-ylang which will renew the skin cells and balance the pH of the skin helping to prevent any extreme dryness. The sunflower oil is rich in vitamin A, C, D and E and acts as an antioxidant. It contains shea butter which softens the skin helping to rid it of dark spots. Also rich in olive oil, hydraulic acid and green tea all known for reducing sebum oil in the skin, rejuvenating and repairing it make the skin look younger and glowing. CBD Moisture Day cream will also tighten the pores, use it every day on your face and neck for good daily hydration. Find it here for £25.00. Last but not least, in the face care range, we have the 500mg CBD Hydro Night Cream.  On top of the significant CBD effect on the skin, it contains avocado oil, shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil, rosehip oil, and, lavender oil. This night cream complements the day cream where the skin feels hydrated in the morning, with the new skin cells being regenerated overnight. It also contains coconut oil which will heal the redness of your skin; oat silk which mattifies and brightens the skin, it removes greasiness and excess oil, all without drying. This night cream Is also ideal for sensitive complexions. This mildly lavender-scented, the night cream won’t clog the pores and penetrates the deeper layers of the dermis, providing long-lasting hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can find it here for £25.00.  

NB: For those new to CBD skincare, these products contain 500mg of CBD isolates which translates into 0.5% except for the bath bombs which are 0.2%. This percentage is enough to act effectively and add an extra boost to a skincare routine. Due to the antioxidants present, it will help acne-prone skin and is also suitable for those with sensitive skin as it has deeply soothing properties. If you’re unsure of the percentages, you can check here with A Beginner Guide to CBD Dosing.

PUCA Pure & Care -EGF Peptide Serum & Face Mist

As we now embark on a post-furlough and (hopefully) a post-COVID 19 time, ‘economy’ is the new watchword. And to this end, we’ve been being asked by our readers where can they find luxury skincare at affordable prices… Today, we’ve listened and here at The Amazing Blog we’d like to introduce you to a luxurious, innovative and affordable skincare that is also recognised as a personalised skincare and go-to brand in salons and spas, meet PUCA Pure & Care.

PUCA Pure & Care is a Danish brand founded in 2014 by Vivian Dynesen, with her goal, of paying particular attention to hydration and care for the face and body with the PUCO range (which is a portmanteau of Pure & Care).  They are members of the CTPA (Cosmetics and Hygiene industry Trade Association) and have developed and designed the brand to conform with strict regulatory and industry standards. Their products have been tested clinically, and are used by both the salon professional and consumer. They set out to provide their customers with effective and solution-based skincare, all at an affordable price. Their core brand values are beauty, freedom, innovation and surprise; and in some of the products, they also have of some more unusual ingredients such as silk extract and snail secretion filtrate. This is where nature meets science, with the natural oils, plant extracts and actives. Each of the skincare formulas are tried and tested to ensure their effectiveness on all skin types, including hypersensitive skin. This means that everyone can benefit from using PUCA – Pure & Care. 

First, we tried the EGF Peptide Serum This is one of twelve PUCA serums offered, where each one is targeted for a specific skincare solution. This peptide-based serum helps restore the natural structure of your skin; it is alcohol-free and doesn’t contain water or silicone. With regular use, we found that the skin's health was optimised, giving a smoother and more even appearance. It includes one of our favourite ingredients hyaluronic acid, which is known to have the ability to boost moisture levels, counter inflammation and retain moisture. This serum blend also includes beta-glucan, which is used here for anti-ageing to firm up and plump fine lines and wrinkles. It is similar to our immune-enhancing capabilities; the beta-glucans use these macrophages to speed up wound healing. The key ingredient of the serum is EGF, this has many benefits including hydration and hyperpigmentation prevention. The process by which EGF works is by encouraging cell growth, stimulating keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which then synthesise fibrous proteins to improve skin elasticity with collagen and elastin. The mixture is also rich in morus alba root extract (aka white mulberry root) which has antioxidant properties, and the potential to rid the skin of hyperpigmentation and unevenness with the flavonoids. This plant extract helps calm stressed skin, which in turn reduces signs of environmental damage and fosters a brighter, more radiant skin tone. The chamomilla recutita flower extract also has numerous benefits; it is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory agent and provides antioxidant protection to soothe, moisturise and inhibit the growth of bacteria. Finally, the oligopeptide-1 and 2,  can promote cell growth to improve cell activity and repair, making it ideal to use as after-sun skincare or on couperose skin. The oligopeptide 5 stimulates the metabolism of epithelial cells, improves the stratum corneum (outer skin layer), increasing the thickness. This serum is a transparent liquid that is almost fragrance-free, quick to absorb; we found it non-greasy and easy to mix n match under our regular moisturiser, SPF or night cream. Having used this night and day for the past month, I noticed some of my hyperpigmentation has faded and my skin tone is looking more even - which is a big plus! PUCA suggests using this before a Derma Roller treatment which will then help the serum to penetrate deeper. We think that long term use of this serum will boost the skin and keeping it hydrated without breaking your bank balance. You can purchase the 30ml EGF Peptide Serum here for only €10.00. 

The second product we tried was the Face Mist which is a Danish Beauty Award-Winner.  This light facial mist delivers a cooling boost of hydration. Its ingredients include green tea which provides powerful antioxidant protection, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and revitalised. The cucumber extract is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and skin-conditioning agent often used in cosmetics and personal care products. The antioxidants found in cucumber extract are ascorbic acid, beta carotene and caffeic acid. These extracts are often used as an anti-ageing ingredient where the antioxidants limit oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It contains a mint extract that delivers freshness and will soothe the skin. The aloe vera in the serum has been clinically proven to heal burns, wounds and scars. When applied, the compound aloin in aloe vera also blocks up to 30% of the UV rays and protects the skin from sun damage. The aloe vera plant contains numerous vitamins, as well as choline and folic acid. These nutrients promote skin health and protect the skin from free radicals and premature ageing. It also includes beta-glucan (see the EGF Serum above). Then there is chamomile and rose flower extracts both of which are very beneficial helping to calm irritated skin, reduce wrinkles and help heal bruising. The sodium hyaluronate is a combination of macromolecular hyaluronic acid and small molecule hyaluronic acid. Small-weight hyaluronan molecules penetrate deeper into the skin's structure, providing maximum below-the-surface hydration and in turn rehydrating skin cells over time. This Face Mist, again, is almost fragrance-free, so it won’t conflict with other skincare or cosmetics and gives makeup a wonderful dewy finish. You can spritz this on a makeup brush or sponge before blending in foundation or concealer. This product is ideal to use on the face, neck or hair as needed. Use for extra hydration before or after applying moisturiser, as a pick-me-up on the go, or after makeup. PUCA advises for an extra refreshing and cooling boost, to store the bottle in the fridge (which we did during the heatwave in August). This marvellous multi-use Facial Mist can be found here for €7.50. Why not explore more from this brand with their face creams, body oils, scalp serums and masks. We can’t wait to try more!

Inspira Cosmetics - Mykonos Blue Eau de Toilette

We bet you like us at The Amazing Blog you wish right now, that you were luxuriating on a Greek island – rather than sitting behind your desk! Well, we can’t exactly take you there - but we can ‘virtually’ transport you to the island of Mykonos with another one of #amazingfinds from Inspira Cosmetics with their new Eau de Toilette: Mykonos Blue.

Inspira Cosmetics is based in Aachen, Germany, and is known for its solution-based skincare. Their motto is ‘maximum effect, but as natural as possible’ where they have cutting edge technology, combined with natural and active ingredients. We think that they’re a true leader in their field, and this brand never ceases to amaze us with their latest products. We have previously introduced Inspira Cosmetics where we have reviewed some of their ranges here. We’ve even spoken about their other products from their Mykonos Blue skincare range see here. Inspira Cosmetics are innovators who create skincare and cosmetics for both the professional and consumer market and have their own R&D with their leading cosmetic laboratory.

Mykonos Blue is inspired by the legendary island, with its Grecian deep blue sea, white houses and blue-painted rooftops. The first impressions of this Eau de Toilette are that it’s fresh, fruity with a touch of lemon zest, giving us a relaxing vibe that made us feel as though we were in paradise….  Its weighty and elegant rectangular glass bottle contains this blue elixir. The fruity top notes of lemon blackcurrant, peach, and mandarin transported us back to summer holidays, wandering through the lemon groves to a beach where it meets the warm salty foaming sea. This deliciously citrusy scent then develops into floral heart notes with lily of the valley, jasmine rose and freesia. Finally, it deepens with its base notes of cedarwood, amber, white musk, and sandalwood adding a lasting depth the other fruity and floral notes. We think that this is an ideal fragrance to refresh and lighten the mood. A little spray on the pulse points or spritzed like a halo, truly does leave you feeling uplifted; almost as if you are enjoying some time out on your favourite Greek Island. You can purchase the 100ml Mykonos Blue Eau De Toilette here for €24.32.