Quick review: Radical Skincare Instant Revitalising Mask

If I ever narrow down my favourite face masks this will be one of them. It is one of those masks that not only leaves your skin feeling more hydrated and looking brighter, but is also extremely fun to use.

Like any other face mask you apply one or two pumps of what looks like a serum to dry skin and spread. As you spread the mask it turns into a white creamy foam and almost immediately starts to foam into little bubbles that burst very gently on the skin. The sensation is similar pop rocks, and you know it is time to wash the mask off when that sensation goes away, which is after about 5 minutes. Although, as strange as this is, I found myself watching it happen in the mirror. After rinsing, it leaves the skin hydrated and smooth and since it has a brightening effect would be a great pick me up on groggy days or before a night out.

The mask comes in a hard plastic bottle, which looks beautiful and has a hygienic twist top system. The downside is that you can't see how much product is left, which is why I don't have any pictures of the bubbling action for you, I was caught short when I went to use the mask only to realise I had run out.

Radical Skincare Instant Revitalising Mask costs £40 and can be purchased from Space NK. Since I have used up my last of this I'm in the market for another mask, bubbling if there are any, so recommendations are welcome.


This mask was given to me to review, but as always all opinions expressed are my own.

Sample session: Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask

You may have noticed that my sample session posts have been lacking. Surprisingly testing samples hasn’t been as much fun as I expected.

I’ve had to stop using Liquid Gold while I’m testing out a new serum and I noticed that my skin wasn’t feeling as smooth as it normally does.

Cue Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask, which works by dissolving dry skin and is meant to keep skin looking fresh, clear and bright. There is no manual exfoliation action here, as you may spot in the ingredients list it is fruit enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids doing the work.

Spray Clay! Pore Refining White Clay Mask

There aren't many times that I come home from an event and immediately want to tear open the product to try. But that's exactly what happened with Clayspray.

Regular blog readers will know that I love face masks, but I also love anything that is novel. When I received the event invite, the image and name had me picturing myself literally spraying a mask onto my face, which thinking about now isn't the best idea anyway — packaging that includes protective eye wear wouldn’t be very cute.

The properties of this clay and it's delivery is what makes it special. Clayspray is made from a pure clay blend with minerals and is 60-65% clay. After blending it is left for 15 days to mature and all the good properties of the clay are maintained.

The mask is the first clay mask that comes in spray format. The air is separated in the canister from the clay so it cannot react, keeping it fresh.

The range has five types of mask for different skin types and concerns and there is even a hair mask! I was given the The Pore Refining Masque mask to try, which was lovely to use but not one I would recommend for dry skin because it does leave your face feeling tight immediately after use. 

So what’s it like to use?

Clayspray recommends that you use their mineral water spray to dampen your face before applying the mask and then use it to soften the clay at the end to remove it.

In my experience you need quite damp skin before applying the mask because it begins to set immediately and you need the water to be able to spread the clay and get a thin layer. I tend to wash my face, not dry it and then spray the mineral water on top before applying the mask.

As with other masks you then lie back and let it set. This masks sets quickly, in under 5 minutes, although I usually leave it on for about 10. At this point is it solid and after softening the mask with the water spray I wipe it away with a  flannel/muslin cloth. But I found that I had to do this at least twice because the mask left a residual layer. 

I've used the mask once a week for a month and overall I can say that my skin is better for it. The day after using the mask my skin was brighter and any small blemishes were reduced. 

I would definitely consider picking up another tube but of a formulation more suited for dry skin. Realistically I wouldn't pay the £18.50 for the mineral water, as much as I am willing to invest in skin care this step seems unnecessary and I don't think you get any better or worse results by not using it. 

The mask costs £41.71 and can be purchased on the Clayspray website. 

So, I’d love to know if there was a spray on mask would you try it?

Sample session: GlamGlow tingling and exfoliating mud mask

Having tried the other mask in the GlamGlow range last week I thought I would give the star product a try. GlamGlow say that their tingling and exfoliating mud mask delivers both instant and cumulative results and leaves your complexion revived and glowing for 3 days after each application.

The benefits include:

• Skin collagen synthesis for a noticeable 3 day glow
• Brighter, radiant skin in minutes
• Leaves skin noticeably soft and smooth
• Multi-level resurfacing exfoliation
• Penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles
• Tightens, tones and lifts the skin
• Relieves dark circles and minimises pores
• Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils
• Suitable for all skin types, ages and for both men and women
• Contains no artificial colours or fragrances

The mask is dark grey/green in colour and has a gritty texture with some larger bits also thrown in.

I applied a thin layer and the mask immediately started to dry, which made the application difficult. The texture is like sand, so rubbing it into my skin I felt a bit concerned that it might be too rough.

After a few minutes the tingling began and this lasted about 5 minutes, at which point the mask had dried completely. The tingling is intense but not uncomfortable to the point that you wonder if you should remove the product.
I left the mask on for 15 minutes in total before removing with a damp face cloth. Again the texture felt like sand but this is the exfoliation step of the treatment.

Immediately after my skin looked bright and clear and felt so smooth. My face did feel tight, but not uncomfortable and this was easily fixed with face oil.

The next day my skin still looked bright and clear and my scars lighter. On day two my skin still looked bright and clear and my pores less noticeable and the same on day three.

A big factor for me when using face masks is the luxury/treat element. I can't say that I enjoyed using this but the results after one use were so impressive that I would be tempted to purchase a full size tub.

Starting at £22.50 for 15ml of product (there is also a 50ml tub), it's not a cheap mask, but a little produces good results and based on the immediately results, I believe that over time my skin the mask would provide the cumulative effects that it promises.

GlamGlow can be found in online and in Space NK and M&S stores. You can also purchase the sample I had for £4.99 from the GlamGlow website so you can try before you buy.

Have you tried GlamGlow? I'm always on the hunt for the ultimate face mask so let me know what your favourite is.
 

Sample session: Glamglow Super-Mud

Glamglow are probably best known for their exfoliating, tingling face mask. However, another product in the range is Super-Mud, a mud clearing treatment designed to target, prevent and heal for poreless skin.

Glamglow say that the Super-Mud has been developed to help fight all common skin concerns including, visible pores, problem skin, blemishes, breakouts, black and white heads, which sounds perfect for me right now since going back to college has reverted my skin to its teenage years!

Glamglow Super-Mud can be used as a full face mask or targeted spot treatment. Glamglow suggest applying approximately 2ml of Super-Mud evenly across the skin, which is a thin layer and exactly the amount in the sample sachet.

The mask has a black/grey colour and contains ‘bits’ of product. To me the product has a scent of liquorice, which I personally really like, but the scent didn’t linger for long.

The mask can be used for shorter or longer treatments, leaving it on for between 5 and 20 minutes. After applying, the mask began to set almost immediately and felt tight on my skin. Personally I prefer masks that do not set especially when leaving it on for anything more than a few minutes, but it was easy to remove using a hot, damp face cloth and didn’t feel too uncomfortable. 

I left the mask on for the maximum time of 20 minutes. At this point the mask had completely set and had a pale grey colour but, particularly around my nose and chin, I had spots of dark grey. Glamglow say that this is because of the activation of the pore-matrix in the mask, which “reveals dots of vacuum extraction, absorption and encapsulation of problematic sebum oils, bacteria and toxins”.

Immediately after use my skin looked brighter and my pores smaller. The next morning, my skin felt smooth and I didn’t have some of the smaller red blemished areas that I have been experiencing over the past few days, but I didn’t notice any difference when it came to larger spots.

A full size tub (34g) of Glamglow Super-Mud costs £39.99 and can be purchased online at FeelUnique and Look Fantastic. One tub is meant to provide 17 full face applications, working out at about £2 a treatment or 1,000 spot treatments.

Even though I'm not wowed by this sample, I would consider purchasing it because I expect that results, if any, will only be seen when used regularly and the ingredients, which include glycolylic and salicyclic acid are things my skin usually loves.

If you've used this mask and seen results of love to hear from you. Also let me know what your favourite mask is for dealing with spots instantly!

First impressions: Elizabeth Arden peel and reveal

It is not often that I make impulse purchases, I like to search for reviews on products (and a cheaper price) before I commit to anything. But when I was told that with this mask it I would peel it off and every blackhead will come out with it and that it is ‘like peeling off layer of skin,’ I was sold.

I’ve used it a few times now and I come to the conclusion that the sales assistant was exaggerating . . .  a lot. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it but I was expecting a drastic and immediate result. At the moment I am mixing and matching it with other facial treatments so before I can decide whether this can actually improve my skin I need to get into the routine of using it regularly.

As the name suggests, Elizabeth Arden’s Intervene Peel and Reveal is a peel off face mask, which is meant to minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines as well as gently exfoliate. It is extremely sticky and comes with a sponge to make application easier. After the mask dries you simply peel it away. How long the mask takes to dry depends on how thickly it was applied to begin with (you only need a line layer) but this is usually between 10 to 15 minutes.

In my opinion peel off masks are the least luxurious to use but if I eventually end up with no blackheads and baby like skin, I won't be complaining.

Montagne Jeunesse, SPArty and fabric clay!

Thanks to the lovely Annabella Skinscrubs, back early in July I was lucky enough to attend the Montagne Jeunesse SPArty for the launch of a new face mask range.

Montagne Jeunesse is a brand I have used since my teens, sneakily slipping sachets into the shopping trolley, so it was great to learn more about the brand — for example, did you know it is British and based in Wales?

The event was amazing, there were fruit-air infused balloons, miracle berries and my favourite part, the opportunity to play beauty scientist and mix up my own face mask!

I also had a chat with Colin, The Beauty Scientist, and although I was disappointed to learn that I probably never will get to be a beauty scientist myself, it was interesting to hear how the products are developed and some tips.

Now onto the reason for the party and the launch of two new masks, fabric, clay infused masks!

Montagne Jeunesse are keen to get everyone using these face masks once a week for a "deep cleansing experience". In the past I have blogged about my love of fabric masks, which are quick and easy to use, these however, these are unique because they are made using bamboo fabric and are infused with clay.

There are two types of mask, glacial clay and dead sea mud. The dead sea mud clay face mask feels very cooling on the skin, which I haven’t experienced with clay based masks before. I did find that my eyes stung very slightly but this wasn’t uncomfortable.

The glacial face mask on the other hand was quite different. Although I didn’t like the smell as much, the experience was much more relaxing and I even drifted off!

As you would with a typical face mask, after cleansing your skin you apply the mask and sit back for 10-15 minutes after which peel off the fabric and massage in the remaining clay before rinsing off any excess.

Apart from the experience of using the mask I didn’t notice any other differences in the way my skin looked and felt. My skin felt soft and looked brighter and clearer immediately after using these and I have already reordered both masks on their website.

These should now be available in stores, but I recommend going straight for an online order because most stockists don’t have the full range of products.

Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask

The intensive nourishing treatment mask by Liz Earle is something that has been a part of my skin care routine for years and a firm favourite.

There are a few reasons I love this mask.

1) It does what it says — it is a moisturising mask and therefore suits my dry skin perfectly.

2) It is easy to use — slap on a generous layer all over the skin leave for 10-15 minutes and wipe off the excess. It doesn’t dry and create clumps that are difficult to remove or stain my cloths so no mess and no fuss.

These are not the most attractive photos I know, but they do show how the mask works. After applying a generous layer all over a clean face and leaving for 15 minutes all the dry areas of skin — which in my case is all of it — soak up the mask. I then wipe away the residue using a muslin cloth, tone and moisturise.

3) You can use it as often as you like — this might not matter to anyone else, but I would use a facemask every day if I could, so the fact that this one can be used as often as needed means that if I just feel like a pamper session this is a good mask to choose.

Preparing to graduate - skin care

I have never been sure how much to share about my life outside the blog, but last Friday was my graduation. After 4 long years the chapter finally closed on my university days with the idea being to celebrate the achievement with family and friends………. call me shallow, but my main concern was having the best looking skin I could for the photos.

This meant the weeks leading up to it were spent with a strict facial routine, exfoliating and using a face mask every other day. From what I have read exfoliating so often is not recommended for dry skin, but I have always found it to be good for keeping my skin clear and getting rid of any marks.

I have been using the "greatest scrub of all" by Soap and Glory, which really lives up to its name. A little goes a long way with this scrub and the 125ml I am sure will last me for a few months even using it so frequently.

The scrub reminds me a lot of the re-surfa-stick I just used up as part of my project 10 pan, with the obvious exception that it isn’t in a solid/stick form. The particles of this scrub feel very similar to the microdermabrasion crystals and do not feel harsh on the skin. You only need to scrub for less than a minute to get really smooth, clean and fresh feeling skin with no dryness experienced at any stage.

I would usually use the scrub in the shower and would immediately after use the Soap and Glory “The fab pore 15 minute facial mask”. The mask is quite thick and a pale pink colour with blue beads which you rub into your skin so that they disappear. I have always left it for the maximum 15 minutes. The mask does tingle initially but this stops quickly. The mask doesn’t dry hard and is easy to wash off. I use a muslin cloth since it adds another mild exfoliation step.

Finally I would moisturise with Re-Gen cream, which I purchased in Asda for around £4. I had read on other blogs that the oil (found in 99p stores!) is a dupe for Bio-oil, which I have used since my teen years. The cream has a nice smell and is a very light, absorbing easily.

Like bio-oil, re-gen is meant to help reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and blemishes as well as be moisturising for dry skin. It certainly helped reduced the appearance of small red spots and they then did not develop into anything larger.  Each morning my skin would also feel very smooth and moisturised and in my opinion the cream can also be considered a bio-oil dupe. The first time I opened the tub I did not realise the cream was so fluid and spilt quite a bit which has been the only negative.

This night skin care combination worked extremely well for me, in a short time-frame my skin was clear, with reduced scarring and very smooth. Since Friday, I haven’t been so strict with the routine and I can see the difference in my skin condition already so I plan on keeping this up and would repurchase all the items mentioned.

Be sure to look out for my next blog post in this series which will be teeth and nails!

Montagne Jeunesse MEGA REVIEW

I was fortunate enough to be sent a load of Montagne Jeunesse products to review. As you may have already seen I have already featured Montagne Jeunesse product reviews for things I purchased myself and have been a fan of the brand for a long time, so I hope all can trust that my review will be fair and be solely my own opinions.

The bundle I was sent actually made me aware of far more products from the brand, such as hair masks and lip products which I have never seen in stores. I would recommend purchasing online, since they offer free postage with only £7.50 worth of products and you have access to the entire range.

I have selected some stand out products for quick reviews.

Tonic Masks
I tried out the Cherry and the Aloe Vera Tonics. Both work in the same way, with each sachet containing one mask soaked in various extracts which you simply place over your face and leave for 5-10 minutes. Both masks have holes cut for the eyes and nose and you have to detach the mouth section (I am not sure why) prior to application. These are so simple and mess free which is a huge advantage.

I was not expecting to find a difference between the two, however I far preferred the aloe vera in terms of scent, experience and result. The cherry scent was very artificial and not as relaxing an aroma. The cherry mask also gave me a tingling sensation for the 10 minute time course which I did not find relaxing, whereas I did not have this with the aloe vera mask. I was surprised with this result since, the aloe vera mask was said to deep cleanse and moisturise, whereas the cherry tonic focussed more on being suitable for dry skin. Both are designed to have the skin feel smooth and hydrated after use, which I certainly did find with both. I would not purchase the cherry mask again as I really did not like the sensation, but I would use the aloe vera tonic many times over!

Hot Miracle hair masque
I spoke about this in a previous blog post, a highly underrated hair masque and the serum which comes with it is great, I hope that Montagne Jeunesse see this and think about having the serum in a bottle!

Peel face masques
When I used the peel face masks years ago I never liked them thinking they didn’t do much in the way of deep cleansing. This time round I really enjoyed using the tropical face masque more so than any of the other traditional face masques. The only downside with this was the artificial smell.

Finally…..
Party shimmer moisturiser
I would recommend opening and sharing this on a night out with girl friends. This is something which would probably be better suited in a tube. It gives a beautiful subtle shimmer.


There were a few products I didn’t love too, such as the apricot scrub, which was mostly down to scent rather than how it worked as a exfoliator, and the smoothie face mask, which dried too quickly for me and became uncomfortable. However, because of the affordability of the range and the fact that you can just try out a masque once and decide if you like it without spending a lot of money or ending up with a tub/tube of something you won’t use again, you have nothing to loose by getting a selection and finding your favourite.

Montagne Jeunesse Sensuous Spice Mask Review

A real-time face mask review (not quite brave enough to take a picture and show you but trust me!). I have used this a number of times now and overall really like it. For me the experience of wearing a face mask can influence my opinion of it a lot. The self heating quality of this mask is what I love, along with the strong smell of cinnamon.

A little information about the mask itself as found on the bottle. 

‘exotic spices of cinnamon and ginger, this sensuous treat gently warms to open pores and draws out impurities to leave your skin radiant and deep cleansed'. 

The warming sensation lasts strongly for less than minute but then after that is far more subtle. I have found with some face masks/scrubs in the past that the warming feeling is uncomfortable but is not at all.

The mask itself is orange in colour and although thick is not the typical consistency you get from clay based masks, even though after a quick check of the ingredients this contains all the typical clay component you would expect, namely kaolin. I am not entirely sure why this is, the colour doesn’t really bother me but I would prefer a more creamy consistency.

Following cleansing you apply for 15-20 minutes, I generally opt for the longer time. Although the warm feeling does pass in the whole time the scent of cinnamon is strong, considering I love the smell, I really like that, but I assume for anyone who doesn’t, it may be a bit overwhelming.

As you can see from the image, the bottle provided is meant to hold about 10 applications. I have used this about 5 times now, however I cannot tell how much is left since the bottle is covered. Trying to judge from the weight however I imagine I will get 10 uses.

I like that Montagne Jeunesse have their masks in tubes now, the pouches are great for one off treats and as testers but typically there is more than one treatment worth and storage just becomes difficult. Overall though I like the pouch format so I wouldn’t want them to get rid of it completely but it is good that the favourites are available to buy as a tube.

Washing off is not difficult with warm water, although you do have to be careful to get it all or you get orange stains on your towels! Not permanent, just a bit unsightly. Where I would usually wipe off face masks with a muslin cloth for the same reason I just stick to rinsing with my hands.

I have dry skin and the mask does not make it feel tight after use. My skin feels fresh and clean (and slightly softer) which is essentially the purpose of a deep cleanse mask so I do not really notice any other additional changes in it.

I have to admit the first time I used this mask it wasn’t an instant favourite, I have used the body shop heating mask which also has a similar scent and really liked that. Although this is different in a lot of ways the outcome is the same and I know my skin benefits from a deep cleanse every so often. The directions do not suggest how often to use but I would say 3 times a week since that seems to be the standard for similar masks.

I feel like I need a summary so, overall;
Smell - 5*
Consistency - you get used to
Use - easy!
Result - as it says on the tube!
Experience - 5*

Soap and Glory Enormous Beauty Bundle First Thoughts

So if you do read my posts regularly you will know I ordered the Soap and Glory bundle from Boots at the weekend. For £40 this is excellent value for money and I was very excited to come home yesterday and find it waiting for me.

These are my first impressions.

First off, Boots, why the enormous box? After getting through that the products were all packaged in a smaller box. The packaging itself is beautiful. All pink and white based, with witty instructions and descriptions for each item. Although some of it is a little cheesy it is nice to see that effort and detail has been put into this. There were 10 products in total, 2 body, 2 cleansing, 3 face and 3

lip products.

The two products I am most excited about ‘No clogs allowed’ super self heated deep pore detox mask and ‘the fab pore’ 15 minute facial peel. I love anything related to unclogging/cleaning pores. I really liked heated masks and what appeals to me about this product is that it only recommends leaving it on for 3-5 minutes which is great for days when you need that deep clean and pick me up but don’t have time for a longer pampering session. ‘The fab pore’ is exactly for that longer pampering time. It contains my two favourite ingredients, koalin and salicylic acid, so helps to draw out impurities with the clay element and the salicylic acid helps the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily, opening clogged pores and also helping with preventing the pores to clog again by constricting them and of course allowing new cell growth.

I’m not going to talk about all the products in the bundle since I would like a chance to try and review them. I was however pleasantly surprised with the lip products. I am undecided as to whether or not I will use the lipgloss since I don’t have an issue with ‘skinny lips’ and I have read reviews and heard from friends that this actually works! The ‘mighty mouth’ lips kit, is what has sparked my interest the most. inside comes a conditioning lip gloss as well as a double-ended lip balm. One end is a standard lip balm, whilst the other contains, smoothing balm (pictured below) which they recommend is used at night ready for smooth lips in the morning. I am really looking forward to trying this out and think it may act as a contender for my blistex intensive lip moisturiser. Unfortunately I have no idea how to use the ‘marvelips’ (also pictured below) and the instructions do not make much sense to me. Equally, online reviews are mixed, so any one with any insight please let me know!)

I can’t wait to try all these goodies out, look out for plenty of reviews in the future.

If you are interested in purchasing a bundle yourself you will need to be quick since they are limited and one selection is already off the website.

Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Microdermabrasion Mask Review

The Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Microdermabrasion Mask is a exfoliating mask designed to give you visibly looking younger skin since it contains a ‘rich complex of natural anti-ageing’ ingredients.

Generally I love face masks (see last post) and exfoliators so as a combination for me this is perfect. The mask comes with two chambers, stage 1 being the exfoliator, containing mild fruit acids and microbeads which you gently massage over your skin for 2 minutes following your usual cleansing. You then leave the masque on for 10-15 minutes (I generally always opt for the longer time). You then rinse off and apply the second chamber, containing a post-perfecting cream.

This is my second purchase of this, each sachet lasts for around 3 uses, and although it recommends 2-3 times a week of usage, generally I only used it once a week. However I love this product and potentially using it as suggested will only give a better result. It has no real smell and the microbeads are not too harsh. When leaving it on your face it does not really harden and is easily washed off. Your skin then feels so smooth and you can visibly see a difference from the first use with your skin appearing brighter, ‘cleaner’ and clearer. I experienced no drying effect after using, and the moisturiser sunk in well to my skin and added to the smooth and soft feel. I think I will always continue to use this product in my routine. I never brought it as an anti-ageing product, more to add with reducing acne scarring and redness of my skin. However, I use multiple products to help with this so I could not say that the benefits I have seen I can attribute to this alone.

Overall I have nothing but praise for this, I think the only negative would be having to be careful with storage after first use since you will not use it all in one go, but that is only because I was searching for something to say!

Face Mask Junkie!! Montagne Jeunesse Haul

I love face masks and doing home facials, nothing for me says ‘chill time’ more than sitting in my room with a face mask on watching tv shows.

Just to show my latest purchases, I love the Microdermabrasion (renew you) exfoliator face mask by Montagne Jeunesse, however it is a bit hit and miss as to whether you find it in the pharmacy or supermarket so I ordered directly from their website along with a few other goodies I wanted to try.

I will do a review of the microdermabrasion mask in a separate post just to keep this short and sweet (I’ll try to put the link here!)

Other than that I ordered, the overnight moisture mask, which has 3 separate applications. I have used this before since I have very dry skin. Simply, you place the entire sachet on your face and leave on overnight where it vanishes away, using every other night.

I also ordered the whitening mask, really just to see if I can find a cheap mario badescu version! Again you apply overnight, rubbing the cream into selected areas. I imagine once you have opened it, the contents will be good for multiple uses (expect a review!).

Finally I ordered the sensuous spice mask, which along with other favourites comes as a 100g tube, advertised as being good for up to 10 applications. I am hoping this will be similar to a mask I love from Body Shop. Both these masks contain cinnamon and warm up on the skin. I saw great effects with the Body Shop version so again I am hoping this will be a cheaper alternative.

Please come back for reviews on all these products and please let me know below if you have tried any, or what your favourite face masks are.

Mario Badescu Whitening Mask Review

Having suffered with years of breakouts and consequently a combination of dry skin and touching my face too much has left me with some scarring and an uneven skin tone. I had always used exfoliators and products containing salicylic acid to help reduce this which had worked fine, although of course this is not a quick solution and requires a lot of patients.

Having watched YouTube videos about reducing acne scarring I came across the Mario Badescu whitening mask, and then after a lot of thought I took the plunge and purchased it for around £20 on beautybay.

The product claims;

Benefits;

This hydrating mask will help brighten uneven skin tones and gently minimise the look of old acne scars and discolouration from the sun. Skin lightening, natural ingredients like Kojic Acid, Licorice and Mulberry make this mask gentle for all skin types. Contains no Alpha Hydroxy Acids making it safe and gentle for acne erupted or very sensitive skin.

The Good You are meant to use it 2-3 times a week for around 15 minutes. Having read around on forums though I started leaving the product on for as long as I could even overnight (just applying to the areas with the worst scarring and pigmentation). The mask has a clay like consistency and I actually liked the smell, it does smell more artificial than natural to me though. As you leave it on your face it hardens and of course once you start moving your face, it cracks and you leave residues of white powder falling off everywhere. I would remove with a wet muslin cloth, pressing it down to my face to dampen the mask before gently wiping away. My logic was that this would act as an exfoliation step too. My face always looked so bright after use and I could see that the mask was helping to reduce the pigmentation. My skin also felt smooth and did not feel dry. I would them just place over my usual moisturiser. The Bad When I first brought the mask I used it every day, or every other day, and only later reduced the use to 2-3 times a week. For the size you do get a lot of applications from the 2oz tub. However, my big problem with the mask is that with at least 2-3 applications worth left it has dried up and become useless. I will try to add warm water and see if this will soften it enough for me to use but otherwise I haven’t managed to get full use out of what is an expensive face mask. I think this problem is just an issue of packaging, had it been in a tube this might not be an issue. I had notice the drying of the product around the edges earlier on so I should have had the foresight to know it was going to happen to all of it eventually and made an effort to use it sooner. Aside from that I do like the mask and would potentially repurchase. In the mean time though I am testing some other whiteners and products with claims to reduce the look of scars. Please let me know your experiences and thank you for reading.

Lush Products Review

I love the philosophy behind Lush and therefore always wanted to try them, so armed with a 10% off voucher I hit my local store. I was more interested in the face products, initially drawn to the fresh face masks and was soon chatting to a very keen employee. She performed an entire facial routine on my hand (following a quick chat about my skin type and concerns (dry, breakouts, blackheads)) consisting of;

1. 9 to 5 orchid oil cleansing lotion,

2. Fresh Farmacy (sic) bar

3. Oatifix Fresh Face Mask

4. Eau-Roma water

5. Full of Grace serum bar

5. Skin’s Shangri La moisturiser

Unfortunately there are no pictures to accompany this post, since I have used all these products for over a month now and they don’t look very presentable

Well after all this I brought all items apart from the toner and moisturiser, as well as buying the shower/emotibomb, in the ‘up you get’ scent.

The cost was still pretty high even with the 10% discount but generally these organic/natural products are, and I have been using most for well over a month and they should still have a few more weeks use.

First off was the shower bomb, which had a lovely scent and I believe that is it’s only purpose, so at £2 a use I can’t imagine I will be repurchasing this too often!

At the store I was told that the 9 to 5 should be used as a pre-cleanser to remove make up and oil before using the fresh farmacy or other soap/cleanser. As a makeup remover I wasn’t too impressed it didn’t remove very much and I had to repeat at least twice before I was happy to move on to the fresh farmacy. The smell of the product isn’t to my liking although it is not offensive. I also didn’t like the feeling on my skin after wiping away, it was almost itchy, so I definitely couldn’t have used this alone without washing my face again after. So I can safely say I will not be repurchasing this one. My sister uses and swears by the Ultrabland cleanser used in a similar way to the 9-5 so I may well be swiping a pot of hers to try that out.

Fresh Farmacy is advertised as an ‘cleansing chamomile and calamine bar for troublesome skin,’ this was given to me since I complained about my monthly breakouts. Also added are rose, tea tree and lavender oils all known for their skin calming properties. Tea tree is also known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. I do like this soap apart from the fact that I find it a bit drying so maybe if my skin wasn’t so dry this would be better. I don’t know if it really has helped with breakouts although I can’t say my skin is worse following its use over the last 2 months.

The fresh face masks are suitable for use if kept in the fridge for 3-4 weeks after purchase, in this time I only ever used it twice mostly because it was such a messy formulation to work with. The result is soft, smooth, hydrated feeling skin, the process of wiping it the mask off acts to gently exfoliate. However, I also had oat particles all over my clothes from initially putting it on my face and then anything which fell off in the 10 minute treatment time which was a big off-putting factor. I didn’t like the smell, but my mum and sister really liked it. I know the other fresh face masks have different consistencies so I will definitely try one of those since I do apply face masks 2-3 times a week but just didn’t get along with this one.

Finally the full of grace serum bar, this is probably my favourite product of all I brought. The smell took some getting used too I think that was the portobello mushrooms used for its antioxidant properties. This serum is designed again for soothing properties, although they do have another which is more suitable for oily skin. You just let the serum bar melt slightly with the heat of your hand and smooth over your face, alternatively, massage into the skin. The lush website suggests that you can use this before a fresh face mask, but I have used this daily since I brought it after cleansing and before moisturising.

I hope this small review was helpful for some. Lush has great customer service and they are very willing to provide samples of products if you ask for one. I think its just going to take me a little longer to find products I love and that are suitable for me. Let me know your experiences either with these products or any other Lush products, I would love an idea of what to try next!