HÆR: SUSINUM Luxuriant Hair Oil

It’s been a while since The Amazing Blog has featured a hair oil, and as our regular readers will know, ones that don’t leave an oily residue on the hair are few and far between! That’s why we want to share another of our #amazingfinds with the non-greasy SUSINUM Luxuriant Hair Oil,  by HÆR which is good for even damaged or coloured hair.

HÆR is a British brand and newly launched by Rámon Taitz. It’s a new luxury haircare brand that offers this their award-winning SUSINUM Luxuriant Hair Oil. And what a product! Rámon worked in the hairdressing sector for over 20 years before deciding to take a leap of faith and create his own brand. His inspiration came from wanting to find products that didn’t contain artificial silicones or petroleum-based ingredients. The natural and organic hair products that he did find, were generally too oily for styling. Hence, he devoted five years to studying the origins of Egyptian and other ancient hair care ingredients to find his formula. Rámon said: “It became my wish to fuse these two life-paths and create hair care that combines the natural botanical medical wisdom of our ancestors with sustainable modern scientific practice, to create 100% naturally-derived, ethical haircare for today.” HÆR hair care is cruelty-free, vegan (registered with the Vegan Society), GMO-free and certified organic. It is also made with natural and sustainable ingredients which are biodegradable, renewable and kind to the environment.

HÆR’s firstborn (as they call it) and hero product is the SUSINUM Luxuriant Hair Oil which has recently been awarded with an Editor’s Choice in the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards. This has been created by adapting, modernising, and naturally enhancing a formula, documented nearly 2000 years ago, which had ingredients like: One thousand blue Egyptian water lilies (aka blue lotus), steeped in antique balanos oil and perfumed with several aromatic botanicals such as cinnamon, myrrh, saffron and cardamom. However, this has now been modified by HÆR to make it light in texture, non-greasy and has the addition of 18 botanical ingredients. These key ingredients include: Egyptian blue lotus extract to help increase the volume, body and elasticity of brittle hair. Rich in palmitic acid, an emollient fatty acid, it prevents moisture loss and increases natural shine. Black seed oil, for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moringa seed oil, also full of antioxidants, with the addition of bio-actives with vitamin B, C, and minerals to revive the hair. There is watermelon seed oil, an ultra-light oil with an abundance of antioxidants to help boost scalp circulation, and pomegranate seed oil, rich in nutrients to revitalise dry and damaged hair. There’s also squalene, frankincense, myrrh, cardamon, cinnamon, black cumin, cedarwood, vetiver, geranium, linden blossom, ylang-ylang and hazelnut - what a list! This formula is completely without synthetics or chemicals and designed to leave hair nourished, glossy and easy to style. We initially used this on clean damp hair, rubbing a few drops in the palm of our hands then gently massaging it into the scalp before running it through from the hair shaft to the ends. It felt more like a hair tonic than an oil as, there’s no greasy residue left on hands or hair. The scent is divine and exotic, where we detected a very subtle and fragrant fusion of ylang-ylang, cardamom and vetiver.  The scent and performance were outstanding; we also used it on dry hair for styling, and loved how it instantly smoothed down any annoying flyaway strands. This is now one of our ‘empties’, and we’ll certainly be buying more. You too can purchase HÆR: SUSINUM Luxuriant Hair Oil here for £39 - deliver within the UK only. 

Comme Ça Skincare - Le Youth Sérum

From living in a city, we get prolonged exposure to general environmental pollutants and solar radiation. This is why at The Amazing Blog we find our skin sometimes becomes dry and sensitive and in need of a vitamin-enriched serum to both protect and repair. Having heard so much about Comme Ca Skincare we wanted to try Le Youth Sérum for ourselves.

Comme Ça Skincare  is a Dutch company with French roots - just like its founder, Charlotte Seijerlin. Disappointed by the fact that many of the skincare products she used were made with synthetic ingredients, Seijerlin decided to pursue a degree in Natural Skincare Formulation and bring her own natural products to market. After two years of hard work, she founded Comme Ça Skincare in 2019, dedicated to: “Offering the most gentle, natural and high-performance skincare products that bring visible results, and that leaves the skin with that ultimate youthful glow.” To ensure high quality and effectiveness, Seijerlin has created a skincare range of three products concentrated with anti-ageing and nourishing ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, plant extracts, and minerals. Their products are also entirely  plant-based and free from parabens, SLS, artificial colours, fragrances, and any other synthetic ingredients. Instead, all of the ingredients are either organic or wild-harvested and sustainably procured. The products are made in small batches in the laboratory at Rebel-Nature in Amsterdam.

This Le Youth Sérum  was the product that we wanted to try. Suitable for all skin types, it contains many active ingredients, including multiple plant extracts and oils such as: Camellia seed oil, acmella oleracea extract, sunflower seed oil and algae extract. Combined together these can help protect the skin from the damage of free radicals, reduce the visibility of fine lines, and restore skin elasticity. The algae extract here, is packed with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids; and together with the addition of coconut oil derivative and vitamin E help to keep skin nourished and moisturised. At the same time, the kukui oil is here to soothing and softening the skin without leaving a greasy film and is particularly beneficial for eczema and psoriasis. Finally, the vanilla fruit extract in the formula has a superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, making it perfect for sensitive or mature skin. This serum is designed to have a skin-firming effect and also leaves skin looking healthier and more youthful. Although this serum is designed for the skin, a few drops can also be added to the length and ends of the hair, making this a hair serum as well as a primer for the face. We like how this is a brilliant two-in-one product, and with its delicious blend of fragrances from the exotic kukui nut and vanilla extract make it exceptionally moreish. Applied either by itself or a few drops mixed in with a moisturiser, we found with the fusion of these luxurious oils, only a few drops were needed to help get, as they say, a ‘luminous glow’. You can buy the 30ml Le Youth Sérum here for €74.95. 

Nume-Lab: Resurfacing Night Peel Serum

Today, at The Amazing Blog, we’re back with Nume-Lab, a new Swiss biotech skincare brand, which offers at-home professional style skincare. This time, it's with their Resurfacing Night Peel Serum, which is a cell-regenerating serum that helps to exfoliate away dead skin cells, and offer smoother skin. You may remember we recently reviewed their two other products, Deep Exfoliating Cleanser and Advanced Renewal Face Cream here.

The idea of Nume-Lab  is a Swiss brand that started three years ago, when Paulina Kostrzycka and her co-founder, realised most of their expensive skincare products were gathering dust. They noticed that these multiple products with their ingredients had been overlapping in use and potency. That was when they decided to create a skincare brand that offered products that are highly effective, with a conscious and ethical approach for long-lasting results. This is where they have designed a line of clean, sustainable, and affordable skincare products that not only promote environmentally friendly products, packaging and business practices but also empower people, especially women. Kostrzycka said: “Giving freedom of choice to women and men who follow different lifestyles and have different needs was important to me. Nume-Lab goes beyond skincare. It is a bridge between different cultures and a promotion of diversity.” After years of hard work, in 2020, they finally launched Nume-Lab in Switzerland. The brand is  Halal certified, where all products have the highest ethical manufacturing process required, including being cruelty-free with no animal testing and using sustainably sourced ingredients. This meant banning alcohol, other toxic chemicals and mineral oils from formulas. There are a trio products, designed to work together which are aimed at the age-defying market with the Resurfacing Night Peel, Deep Exfoliating Cleanser, Advanced Renewal Face Cream and Resurfacing Night Peel Serum. Recently the brand has committed to donating 10% of its profits to support the Pediatric Burn Center at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center across the USA and Canada.

The Resurfacing Night Peel Serum, is an anti-ageing exfoliating serum for all skin types. The key ingredient that the brand uses is snail mucus. The mucus production is highly regulated and conforms to the cruelty-free standards set by the Halal certification. The snails are kept in good conditions and are put in a bumpy environment that helps them produce the filtrate. As an ingredient that Korean brands have used for centuries, it swiftly regenerates, protects and nourishes the skin effectively, it’s naturally rich in glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants. It was also used in ancient times to cure wounds, burns, inflammation and other skin issues. This Regenerating Night Serum promises to reduce blemishes, fine lines, and other impurities like blackheads by exfoliating and stimulating regeneration.  Here we have a high concentration of AHAs, snail mucin extract, niacinamide (B3), pantheon (B5), tocopherol (vitamin E) and betaine, a mighty amino acid and humectant that helps the skin stay hydrated, plump, and youthful. These come together to help refine skin texture and allow the Advanced Renewal Face Cream to penetrate faster. The presence of shea butter and aloe vera together with the snail mucus are here to hydrate and soothe. In contrast, the apricot kernel and walnut shell powders give gentle and natural exfoliation. This formula’s primary function is to stimulate cell regeneration by deeply exfoliating old and dead cells from the upper layers of the skin. The Night Serum is a clear viscous fluid and neutral and fragrance-free - they describe this as an ‘at home peel’. Despite the high concentration of AHA’s here, we found this surprisingly gentle. We applied as directed, keeping away from eyes and lips, and only using once or twice a week over a period of 2 months. This we massaged (in order to lift and sweep away dead skin cells), and left on our skin for 10-15 minutes, then wiped away with a warm damp washcloth. Used in conjunction with the two other Nume-Lab products, we can happily report back that we definitely noticed a reduction in pigmentation, less blemishes and a brighter skin texture. However, a few words of caution, if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test - as due to AHA’s it can leave skin red and tingly. Also, when using this Resurfacing Night Peel Serum, it is advisable to use an SPF 50+ during the day, as it will make skin super-sensitive to sunlight. As we all know, using any AHAs can cause the skin to burn when exposed to UV light up to 24 hours after the last application. To purchase Nume-Lab's Resurfacing Night Peel Serum in 30ml for CHF 79, see here. 

GLOWWA™ - Hair Food

We can’t believe how long our hair is with #lockdown and no hairdresser appointments! They say that hair is a woman’s crowning glory, and some of us here at The Amazing Blog have noticed a growth spurt of at least 4” in the past few months. The upside, is all the different hairstyles to play with ponytails, French braids, updos, curls etc. The downside, is it urgently needs cutting and colouring. However, something we do realise is that we need to give it some TLC and maintenance, ideally feeding the roots to keep it strong and healthy.  This is where the Hair Food a supplement from GLOWWA™ comes in with its unique vegan-based vitamins for promoting healthy hair growth. 

GLOWWA™  recently launched as a brand specialising in hair and beauty supplements to help women feel their best. As mentioned GLOWWA™ is 100% vegan, they are also passionate about being a clean, cruelty-free and plastic-free brand working towards a plastic-free planet. Plus, there is no gluten, dairy, wheat, sugar or artificial flavourings/colourings to be found in any of their capsules. As they say, healthy hair starts from the inside out, together with food, lifestyle and stress which all contribute to the rate of growth and quality of the hair. With the recent Editor’s Choice win in the 2021 The Beauty Shortlist Awards, the Hair Food is fast gaining well-deserved recognition. With every order placed, GLOWWA™ commits to planting a tree in an area that need support in mitigating climate change, or damaged ecosystems. We like how they want to make a difference.

We were kindly sent a month’s supply with the 60 Capsule Hair Food  which provides daily nutritional support for thicker, healthier hair, adding improved conditioning, and shine. This supplement contains no GMO’s or bulking agents. Instead, they have high strength biotin, vitamins C and B3, B5, B6,B12; MSM and zinc citrate. The main ingredient here is biotin, also known as vitamin H, which plays an essential role in growing our hair, skin, and nails. Vitamins B5, B6 and B12 help strengthen and condition the hair. Zinc citrate plays a vital role in hair growth and repair to help us avoid hair loss! Most importantly, MSM is a sulphur-rich compound with anti-inflammatory properties which influences hair growth and retention. GLOWWA™ recommends taking two capsules daily for a minimum of 90 days for best results. We tried GLOWWA™ hair food for a month, we did notice a slight difference with nail strength and some new downy hair that appeared on our hairline. However, we’d recommend trying the full 90-day course here, as this needs to be continued on for the 90 day period to see more evident results. GLOWWA™ hair food is delivered in a stylish recyclable blush pink cylindrical container. It can be purchased, click here for £34.99 for 60 capsules or a 12 week course at £94.99 click here.

David Jourquin Paris: Cuir Mandarine Eau de Parfum

We think that a scent can immediately change your mood, bringing good memories back or creating new and exciting ones. Finding that one and only fragrance that encompasses your style, personality and suits each season - is a case of trial and error. This is why at The Amazing Blog we love exploring new olfactory experiences. Meet David Jourquin with and his inventive range of fragrance, today we are reviewing the delicious Cuir Mandarine.

David Jourquin created his fragrance company in 2011  after a lifetime of being surrounded by all sorts of olfactory inspiration. His mother always went to work wearing her famous leather coat and loved sprinkling tiny drops of perfume on the cushion pillows. His father smoked cigars and took David to the market in Pointe-à-Pitre,Guadeloupe, where he revelled in all the spices’ sweet, robust aromas. For David, these memories have shaped who he is today, and inspired him to recreate them in the form of his unique fragrances. Motivated by intense passion, each of his fragrances expresses a different facet of his intimate universe. Inspired by seasons and places he has created a core collection with Vendômen offering seven different Eau de Parfum where these scents are characterised by their personality and emotional impact. The Opéra collection are the refill flacons ready to be slipped into the leather coverings of the Vendôme Collection, or left bare, according to one’s desires and budget. For Jourquin, fragrances are emotional touchstones: "They speak the truth in a language that is invisible yet essential, intimate yet universal. My greatest joy is to share these fragrances with you, to create secret paths that bring us closer to ourselves so that in turn, we can get closer to others." We were excited to experience this magic.

We couldn’t wait to try one of his first launch fragrances with the much talked about  Cuir Mandarine which was a recent Gold winner with Best New Premium Fragrance at the 2020 Pure Beauty Awards.  it emits a very soft and slightly sweet unique mix of mandarin and leather. The square bottle itself is clad in hand-stitched calfskin with a solid wood grain top to accentuate its masculinity. The vibrant top notes of mandarin, pepper and lavender are very evident and immediately greet you. However, what makes this so unusual is the middle notes of leather and patchouli. The five different varieties of patchouli used originate from the mint family and are cultivated in tropical Asia. Here the patchouli has subtle musk that enhances the other fragrance notes. The base notes are the rich blond Virginian tobacco and amber which add a dimension to the sweet and earthy notes, holding everything in balance. Although Cuir Mandarin luxurious fragrance that is aimed at the male market with its timeless and classic scent and modern twist; we loved the sensual, rich, warm and sweet aroma which conjured up the change of seasons, taking us swiftly from autumn to winter.  It ‘s certainly a scent we’d recommend spritzing to uplift spirits and transport you to warmer climes even on a grey and wet English day! You can purchase Cuir Mandarin in 100 ml for €230 in 5 ml for €8.90 here.