I'm From Mugwort Mask

Facemasking is one of my favourite downtime activities, I know that once the facemask of choice has been applied, then I am giving myself some time out to relax and unwind.  I have just finished using this tube of I'm From Mugwort Mask, which I got from Tonic15 and I absolutely love it.

The I'm From brand is one I am a little familiar with, I shared the brands Rice Toner on my blog earlier this year.  This mask is described as being a gentle wash-off mask that helps calm and soothe irritated, sensitive and troubled skin, this mask is formulated with Mugwort which has been harvested from Ganghwa County in Korea.

Admittedly, I had no idea what Mugwort was until I started using this mask, but I am told it is a natural herb which is really rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which help and work to restore, soothe, and detoxify the skin.

I really like the texture of this mask, it is thick and goopy and for me, I apply it using a spatula from another product to ensure I get an even coverage, but it applies really smoothly onto the skin. As with any mask, this one should be used on freshly cleansed skin, the mask, which doesn't dry hard, needs just 5-10 minutes on the skin before you wash it off with warm water. 

This mask doesn't have a sweet or strong floral smell, it is actually much more earthy and because there are bits of Mugwort within the mask itself, so on the skin, it is visible, but its how the skin feels afterwards which is important.  For me, whilst I don't dislike or love the scent, what I love is how smooth and clean my skin feels after using and with no irritations too, which is always a bonus.

This tube costs just £8 here and I managed to get 6 uses out of it for my face which is quit something.  There are also other sized options available and it comes in a glass pot.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

SELFRIDGES The Ultimate Mask collection 2020

If like me, you love a good face mask then the Selfridges Ultimate Mask Collection* will be one to add to your list and it is packed full of amazing brands and the masks they have to offer.

Priced at £60, this Facemask collection is worth £155 making it incredible value for money and a definite must-have item for any lover of sheets masks. Presented in a beautiful presentation gift box, it fans out to reveal a whole host of masks, think of it like a sheet mask library.

2020 is the year of the mask, yep, but we’re not just talking for the face. Inside The Ultimate Mask collection we’ve packed together 16 of the most-loved masks for the face and body. Think Dr.Jart+’s Vital Hydra Solution sheet mask, HUDA Beauty’s WISHFUL Chin Lift sculpting mask, the Dragons Blood jelly eye patches from Rodial and Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis 3D moisture infusion hydrating mask. Expect hydration by the bucketload and a bunch of rejuvenating, refreshing and nourishing delights.

Multi-branded, inside there is 16 sheet masks for the face and body and if you are itching to find out what is included then I have listed the entire contents below.

Contents

• The Oozoo Hydro Lift Face-in-Shot mask 27ml, 
• Rodial Dragons Blood jelly eye patches 1 pair, 
• Petite Amie Skincare eye mask 10ml, 
• Tony Moly Green Tea eye patch 1 pair, 
• Rodial Vitamin C energising face mask 20ml, 
• Sarah Chapman Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion hydrating mask 25ml, 
• Patchology soothe mask 21ml, 
• Timeless Truth Nourish mask 30ml, 
• Starskin The Gold mask 30ml, 
• 111SKIN bio-cellulose facial mask 23ml, 
• Boost hydrogel face mask 28g, 
• Dr.Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution sheet mask 25g, 
• HUDA Beauty WISHFUL Chin Lift sculpting sheet mask 11.5g, 
• 111SKIN Black Diamond lifting and firming skin treatment mask 31ml, 
• Benton Snail Bee mask 20g, 
• Seoulista Beauty rosy glow primer mask 25ml

What I love is how everything is so neatly presented and how the masks have their very own pocket to sit in, it is also something you can continually re-use to house your masks in, if like me, you have quite the collection already!

I love that there are eye masks as well as face masks and the inclusion of treatment masks too. What you get is an insight into the world of sheet masks and how each one can be and is different to another. From the brands I have used who feature you will find a whole different lot of textures and finishes.

This would make a great addition to anyone Christmas Gift List and it would also be one to share with your Bestie for a pamper night in when you can both choose a facemask, stick on the Disney Channel and relax.

You can find the Selfridges Ultimate Mask Collection* here on sale now and I am told it is one which sells out pretty quickly, so it is one to grab now if you love the sound of it.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask

When moving from one season to the next, or indeed with the Great British weather, one day to the next, my skin can often decide it is having one of those off days where it can be greasy, dry, flaky and just look generally dull and grey. It is at this point that I know my skin need a good exfoliation and a lot of hydration. When the Bamboo Waterlock Mask from Erborian landed on my doorstep, I couldn't wait to give it a try and given the colour of the packaging, it isn't a product that you are going to miss spotting within your stash!

I am a huge fan of Erborian skincare, anything that is a French/Korean hybrid is always going to wow me and something that promises to instantly and deeply hydrate, give an instant plumping effect and a feeling of freshness upon application is just something I need right now.

The tube within which The Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask sits is sturdy enough and designed so you can put it down on any surface, once the lid is off, you can scoop out a little of the gel mask and apply without dropping it, dripping it or knocking it over. The mask is referred to as a hydro-gel mask, put simply, that means it is water based facial product that has a gel crossed with a jelly like texture, something quite a few brands are now using, so it isn't overly runny, but it isn't too thick either, it is sort of bouncy under your fingertips when you prod it. Once applied to the skin, there is an instant cooling feeling which I find quite refreshing, more so if it has been in the fridge and it is so incredibly lightweight, you cannot even feel it as it absorbs. The main ingredient used is the Bamboo both in sap which contain minerals and amino acids to help hydrate the skin, while the Bamboo fibers contain proteins and lipids to help maintain skin's natural moisture retention, something you need when your skin just feels in need of hydration. There is also Disospyros kaki, which you might know better as Sharon Fruit, is also an ingredient which is known for its astringent and illuminating properties, helping to keep skin supple and toned with its pore tightening effect.

This Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask can be used two ways. If you are wanted a quick fix then you simply apply a light layer to clean cleansed skin and leave for up to 10 minutes and rinse off or you can apply a layer and leave for as long as it takes for your skin to fully absorb the mask, which depending on how dry and thirsty your skin is, could be anything from ten minutes to half an hour. Whenever I use this mask, my skin literally sucks it up almost immediately and I am currently using it twice a week - once over the weekend and once mid-week.

The Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask retails at £44 for a 100ml and as far as I am concerned, it is well worth investing in, particularly right now when the weather is hard to predict and your skin is in need of some extra TLC

Nip + Fab Skin Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask

Nip + Fab Skin Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask is described as being an intensely hydrating gel mask combining multiple skin perfecting complexes to plump the look of wrinkles + refine the skin's appearance for a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion. Well this is something I am definitely in need of and I couldn't wait to give it a go.

My fascination with products that are a little kooky is really taken to the limit with this Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask. Naturally it doesn't contain any dragon's blood but it does have an ingredient which is created from the resin of the Croton Lechleri Tree which is also known as the ‘Dragon’ Tree. The resin in question is red hence the term Dragon's Blood and it forms protective film on skin to protect against environmental aggressors. Add to that the use of Salicylic acid to cleanses pores +and aid exfoliation, Hyaluronic acid an ingredient my skin absolutely loves to help hydrate and refine the skins texture,Glycerin which draws water to outer layer of the skin keeping it moisturised whilst helping to restore skin suppleness and finally TEGO Cosmo C 250 which brightens skin and fades age spots. 

To use the mask, Nip + Fab recommend that you apply a thick layer to the skin and leave for ten minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. If you need something a little more intense for your skin, you can or you can leave it on overnight and rinse off in the morning.  Once it has been applied to the skin the mask itself is quite a wet formula, so it is easy to apply and it doesn't feel at all sticky, it also disappears and absorbs itself into the skin, so that when you come to rinse your skin, there is very little product left.  Once on the skin, it has quite a soothing effect, especially if like me, you pop it into the fridge for an hour before using.  As you count down those ten minutes, you can feel the mask tightening the skin and really getting down to work.  After washing off the skin, the effects are immediate.  Soft smooth and incredibly moisturised skin which looks plump and radiant, not to mention clean.  

My skin has been really suffering from being quite dehydrated recently and this mask has been an absolute dream to use, so much so, even the Mr has taken to giving it ago because I have raved about it so much.

If you haven't tried this Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask then it is something I would really recommend.  It is available from a range of stores both online and on the highstreet and retails for around £14.95 for 50ml.

MasqueBar

MasqueBar is a Korean brand that has just launched at Boots. As the Korean beauty trend seems to have well and truly kicked off here in the UK, I was really interested to see what MasqueBar had to offer.

There are four masks within the range and they are; Anti-Blemish Mud Mask, Brightening Sheet Mask, Pore Refining Creme Mask and Anti- Wrinkle sheet mask. So a little something for everyone.  If you don't like sheets masks, you can use the cream/clay mask and vice versa.

What I love is the bright coloured edges around each mask sachet to denote which one it is, I love little things like this and I love that they are easy to open, yes even with wet hands and if like me you are stingy, you can get a good 2-3 masks out of each sachet, obviously not the sheets ones, but there is plenty inside.

So what do they do?

Pore-refining creme mask - said to minimise the appearance of pores for a more refined even complexion. Using a gentle blend of Coenzyme Q-10 and anti-oxidants to leave your skin feeling balanced and looking radiant.  The key ingrediants for this mask are Raspberry extract to soothe and calm the skin, Lemon Fruit extract to detoxify and clean blemishes caused by excess oil production whilst also brightening dull skin and lightening the pigmentation of acne scars and Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental pollution and repair damaged skin!

Anti-Wrinkle sheet mask - A collagen-infused facial sheet mask which contours your face to help reduce wrinkles as well as hydrating your skin, leaving it feeling soft and looking refreshed.  The key ingredients here are Green Tea extract which reduced the UV damage to the skin and prevents collagen breakdown and Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental pollution and repair damaged skin!

Brightening Sheet Mask - Helps minimise the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation for a more even complexion. This facial sheet is effective on all tones, leaving the skin noticeably more radiant.  Key ingredients are Vitamin C to reduce inflammation and promote collagen production and Liquorice Root to encourage a more even distribution of melanin to naturally brighten the skin.

Anti-Blemish Mud Mask - This mask is said to soothe irritated skin whilst helping to control excess oil. This mask is a non-drying formula which purifies and balances the complexion, leaving skin feeling calm and looking clearer.  Key ingredients afe Tea Tree to calm irritations and breakouts, Kaolin to increase the skins circulation, helping to stimulate healing and reduce irritation and Vitamin A to stimulate the turnover of skin cells and increase collagen production.

I have used the pore refining mask and after thoroughly cleanses my face with warm water, you apply the mask using your fingertips, or a brush if you prefer, ensuring you cover the whole of your face (except the obvious) and neck. Then lay back and relax for between 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. 

As I applied the mask to my face, it was quite a thick texture, so it is a case of a little going a very long way. White in colour as it is a creme mask, once applied to the skin it does begin to dry quite quickly, so if you want to remove after those initial 15 minutes it will be dry, but I decided to wait for the full 20 minutes.

After removing the mask did it live up to its claims? Well I don't have large pores so I didn't notice any difference but I do have combination skin which leans to an oily t-zone for me and I did notice that for a few days after using, my shiny head and nose had almost disappeared, so that for me was quite impressive and did my skin look brighter, well it felt much more refreshed and definitely much cleaner, so the answer for me is yes it did.

I am really looking forward to trying the rest of the masques which I was kindly given and put them to the test.  They will be sold in boxes of three at £9.99.

Do you use any Korean skincare products?  Do you think you will try these masques?

Super Facialist by Una Brennan - Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask

Super Facialist By Una Brennan is a brand I have never personally encountered before, I have only seen and read about it on other peoples blogs.  I am a huge fan of facemasks, I tend to use one or two a week depending on how much TLC my skin needs.  Then the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask came into being and I adored it from the very first use.

Designed for all skin types, including the most sensitive. Said to be thirst quenching, this mask uses White Willow Extract which is known to enhance skin cell turnover, Vitamin E and Urea with soothing Marshmellow which work together to effectively hydrate, plump and replenish skin.  The one thing however which stands out is the fresh scent of roses, the kind of scent you get when you are wondering around a flower shop, park or open space which is full of roses, not the bitter synthetic scent you often get in candles.

The directions of use are to use it once or twice weekly and to apply a generous and even layer to a thoroughly cleansed face and neck and leave  on for 5 minutes which helps to maximise the hydrating benefits.  As you apply the cream to your face, it is of a similar texture to the Origins overnight mask in that it isn't too thick and it isn't too thin, but you do need to be careful how much pressure you put onto the tube when squeezing because a little too much pressure and you will have enough to cover the faces of your entire street!  Then once on the skin, lay back, relax and allow the magic to happen.  My skin loves this mask, as soon as it is applied, it literally drinks it.  Rather than staying wet on the face, it dries slightly to leave a thin layer of white mask on the face, so to remove you need some warm water and a flannel/cloth and then pat the skin dry.

After using, my skin is so soft and smooth to the touch it feels amazing.  The following morning, after a good nights sleep, my skin feels just as soft as it did the night before.  This is  a brilliant facemask and if you haven't tried it, I urge you to do so because it is that good, I love it.

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Moisture Intensive Mask RRP: £8.99 and can be found in Boots.
Have you tried any of the Una Brennan range?

GlamGlow Youth Mud

It is a well known fact that I love facemasks, you only need to search for the term on my blog to find endless reviews and one of the products I had been lusting after was GlamGlow Youth mud which I got in a You Beauty Discovery Box as you can see HERE.

Described as follows "the ultimate at-home  mud treatment for immediate camera-ready super radiant skin. For when you need great skin and a glowing complexion in just 10 minutes. It delivers both instant and cumulative results and leaves your complexion revived and glowing, whatever your skin type" and it makes a huge number of claims, such as:

• 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.
• Helps protect against everyday environmental aggressors. 

As well as

• Suitable for all skin types, all ages and for both women and men.
• Contains no artificial colours or fragrances.
• 100% paraben-free, cruelty-free, and suitable for vegans.

So yes I got my hands on a small and cute little tube which contains 15g of GlamGlow mud and with its black tube body and silver lid it certainly stands out in the bathroom amongst many Lush products which are all brightly coloured.  

As soon as I had washed and cleansed my face, to make sure there was no dirt, grime and other nasties lurking on the surface, I opened the tube and began to apply the mud, now as an exfoliating mask you have to expect some 'bits' to be it to exfoliate the skin, only these bits were a little bigger than I expected and having them stuck to my face wasn't a very attractive look. Now it does state that you should begin to feel a bit of a tingling sensation, well you certainly do and as the mask dries onto your face the tingling sensation intensifies, in a nice way and it is good to know it is actually doing something. 

Having dried within a matter of what felt like minutes, I grabbed by Washi cloth which was sitting in some warm water and began to massage the now dried mask on my face in circles so that I get a really good exfoliation of the face and then once complete and my face had been splashed with some clean warm water to ensure i had removed every trace of the mask, I patted my skin dry.

Afterwards? Well what can I say, my skin looked and felt amazing, smooth to the touch rather than dry and dehydrated.  No dry skin anywhere on my face at all and given the weather has changed a lot recently I had begun to notice the dryness on the cheeks sneaking back and now it had been dealt with.  As for the effects lasting 3 days, well actually yes I think they did, no dry skin whatsoever and the soft smooth and hydrated skin was still there, obviously I continued to moisturise as I usually would.

I had secretly hoped i wouldn't like this treatment so much, but truth is I absolutely love it and am thankful I have another 2-3 maybe 4 uses in this tube (assuming the mister doesn't try it out) and I am even considering buying a full sized tub.

Have you used GlamGlow? Are you a fan?

Nuxe Pamper Hamper - My Entry!

When I was emailed and told that Nuxe had launched their first UK blogger competition and would I be interested in entering to win a luxury hamper worth £250, I thought why not? The prize contains so many products that I would love to try and there are also prizes for two runners up.

All I needed to do to enter was create a spring inspired wishlist post using products from Nuxe and create a post on my blog. further details on how to enter can be found below if you fancy having a go yourself. But this is my entry and I would love to know your thoughts.

Rêve de Miel Lip Balm - I have read SO many reviews on this product that I am begining to wonder why I don't actually own it. As a self-confessed lip balm addict everytime I read about it, i feel as though I need to add it to my collection because I am missing out. Described as "A repairing, nourishing lip balm with a rich, delicious texture to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips" and apparently one is sold every 28 seconds somewhere throughout the world!

Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Rose Petals - with the weather ever changing from being windy, to raining back to windy not to mention very cold, my skin is always in need of some TLC and a facial exfoliator is a product I use a lot of in the colder in the months.  I love the sound of this which is described as follows "A gel texture with gentle exfoliating granules to give the skin a refined appearance. Skin is purified, soft and smooth, and more radiant than ever".

Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Mask - I am a lover of face masks and try to ensure that at least once a week I have a pamper evening and use a face mask on my skin.  As with above, the weather playing havoc with my skin means that after exfoliating I also want to nourish and add moistuise to my skin and I always find a facemask does just the job for me and this one sounds amazing - "A fresh moisturising mask and source of well being to hydrate and soothe the skin reducing instantly any discomforts (tingling, redness, burning sensations, etc.)".

Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals - I am yet to board the Micellar water bandwagon and it is a product I really want to try and this is one I have not read much about but intrigues me quite a lot.  Described as "In a single step, this alcohol-free Micellar Cleansing Water cleanses, removes make-up and eliminates all the impurities from your face, eyes and lips." all of which sounds wonderful and amazing but the fact it is made with Rose Petals is what draws me to it, the same as the exfoliating gel I can only imagine how wonderful this must smell.

Nuxe 24 hour body moisturising lotion - said to give a satin feel and leave your skin feeling soft, I am yet to find a body lotion that I like enough to continue using, makes a difference and smells amazing. This I like the sound of because of this description "This body lotion provides immediate and long-lasting moisturization (Wheat Extracts and Wood) and corrects skin dryness (Sweet Almond and Sunflower Oils). The skin is soothed and soft (Almond and Orange Flower Petals)" and I have no doubt it would smell amazing with those ingredients.

So, if you like the look of my wishlist but want to do your own, all you have to do is complete the steps below:

1) Create a spring inspired wishlist style post using products from uk.nuxe.com on your blog

2) Tweet the link to your post to @NuxeUK along with the hashtag #NuxePamperHamper

3) If you don’t have twitter you can send your entry link to us at onlinepr@nuxe.com

The competition closes 10th March 2014 but please let me know if you have entered or when you do enter by leaving a comment below so I can come and see your entry.

A detox for tired and dull skin

As well as looking after my hands, feet and body with numerous Lush products filling the bathroom shelves, I tend more often than not to use a Lush face mask every few weeks or so. Why? Well I do have really sensitive skin and find it difficult to find a product which doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or raw after using - except with Lush products which do not irritate my skin.

The one good thing about Lush is that you can always 'try before you buy' which is exactly what I do with new products and this is what I did with 'Brazened Honey'. The one thing I like about Lush is their ability to give all of their products intriguing names which draw me to them.

'Brazened Honey' is a detoxifying face mask which you apparently use when you are utterly ashamed by the look of your skin. With all the changes in the weather recently I have to say my face has come to resemble that of Freddy Kruger on a bad day with dry skin flaking off everywhere, however, all it seems was not lost because I have this new face mask to try out. 

Lush's ‘Brazened Honey’ comes in a large pot for the bargain price of £5.95 (and for that £5.95 you get 4 uses of the product), with the usual simple Lush packaging found on and around many of their products. All of Lush’s face masks are made with fresh ingredients which means they contain absolutely no synthetic preservatives and because the ingredients are so fresh, Lush will only deliver them to the United Kingdom. 

There are seven ayurvedic herbs main ingredients. Ayurvedic after some research means “The best known form of traditional Indian medicine is Ayurveda (from ayus, meaning 'life' and veda, meaning 'knowledge').” All of which can be found on any website if you type in 'Ayurveda'. So, for this product some of those seven herbs are Fresh Coriander, Sage, Rosemary and Parsley mixed in with fresh Lime juice, fresh free range eggs, ground almond shells, honey and Ginger oil, but still the list of ingredients goes on and can be found on the Lush Website. 

By putting all of these ingredients together Lush claim that they all work together to cleanse your skin deeply. The honey is used to soothe, smooth and calm troubled skin whilst at the same time allowing the herbs to detoxify your skin and the ingredients to do that are Sage, Juniper and Rosemary alongside the lime juice and then the use of Parsley, Ginger and Coriander are used to boost the skins circulation. If you look into any of these ingredients on health websites, they do quantify the statements made by Lush as to what these ingredients actually do.

Texture wise this honey coloured slop as I refer it as is slightly thick but easily spreadable and the first thing to noticed apart from the strong honey smell was a slight tingling sensation as the mask was applied and started working. 

So after a long hard stressful day at the office, one of the best ways to relax and chill out is for me in the bathroom and with a bath full of bubbles from yet another Lush Product, usually a glass of wine in my hand and a good book. Then I grab my pot of ‘Brazened honey’.

To use this mask you must ensure that you have washed your face prior to using it because this will remove any dirt and grime on the surface of your skin. You then should apply to your skin avoiding the eyes (and it does sting if you get some in your eyes) and leave on your skin for five to ten minutes, depending on how bad you think your skin actually is and this face mask does harden on your skin, so it is worth laying totally still (possibly in the bath) once it has hardened because it does loosen and crumble when removing. 

Once those five to ten minutes are up and the aroma’s of the lime juice and ginger, which for me was the most predominant two smells, have got your senses throbbing, you simply rinse of using warm water and then use a clean towel to pat your skin dry. 

Now, most Lush face masks have a shelf life of about 3 months from the date of manufacturing and the best way to preserve your mask is to keep it in the fridge to keep the ingredients fresh. You will know when the face mask is beyond use because the colouring and smell fade quite dramatically and also because there will be a sticker on your pot with the date of expire on it. 

The end results? Yes my face did feel amazing immediately afterwards and unlike ‘Mask of Magnaminty’, I didn’t feel the need to moisturise afterwards because my skin was so smooth and blemish free but I did moisturize and my skin stayed lovely and soft for the next few days as well as the smells of Lime and Ginger lingeringly slightly.

Do I recommend it? Without a doubt I certainly do. This is one Lush product that I will be buying more often than not.

Lush Moon and Sun Steamer Tab

Within the Lush range that I am quite taken with are the toner and steamer tabs which can be found in the 'face' section on the website or in my local Lush shop, they can be found next to the moisturising creams. 

Toner tabs

A toner tab is designed to give the skin on your face a little more TLC and when the weather is this cold and this icy, my skin definitely needs a little something extra to keep it in tip top condition, more so when I am have just got over a really bad cold and I feel like my skin is very dull and lifeless and in need of something extra and instead of using a facemask, I decided to use the Moon and Sun steamer tab which I purchased online with a few other bits.

The Moon and Sun steamer Tab, although not an exciting name by Lush standards is smaller than a 10p in size and is a bright white coloured tablet with some lavender flowers placed on the top. Each Tab you buy is £2.50 and for that you get a 7g tab which you only get one use out of. The last time I bought a product from this range it cost 75p so there has been a bit of a price increase for these products, that said the price didn't put me off.

Lush Moon and Sun Tab

So what exactly is a steamer tab and more to the point what does it do? When I purchased my first ever tab I was slightly perplexed as to what to do with it and had to look online for a bit of help. This tab is sold as being "A blend of oils for both mind and skin, skilfully presented in an easy to use tab. Steam clean your face whilst you inhale the mood-adjusting essential oils" which is exactly what I feel I need. Although I cleanse and moisturise my skin every day and use a mask at least once a week, I live in London and commute every day too and from work using either a bus or the tube, that mean pollution and it can leave your skin feeling dry, dirty and every now and again really horrible, so I try and do all I can to ensure that no dirt and grime has the chance to cause any damage to my skin. 

Old Skooling it

For anyone who has ever had a cold, I am sure you will have put a teaspoon of Vicks Vapour-rub into a hot steaming bowl of water from your table, thrown a towel over your head and inhaled until your eyes were stinging right? Well it is sort of like doing that with this product.

So to use this tab, you simply drop it into a bowl of steaming hot water and the two things that are a must - the water has to be steaming hot from the kettle, so take extra care with your bowl and you will also need a fairly large towel to go over your head. The water needs to be steaming hot because through the steam the essential oils are released and are able to work their magic. Once you place the Tab into the water, it mimics the actions of a Bath Ballistic in that it fizzes around in the water and this once again is due to Sodium Bicarbonate which helps to soften the water, which for me is helpful as I live in a hard water area, making the products kinder to your skin.

Lush showing how it is done

For me, one of the good things about these tabs is that you don't need a lot of water to make them work, if you use too much water you are at risk of drowning out the fragrance. So, taking the advice I was given, I used a pint and a half of steaming hot water from my kettle and put it into my bowl and not the bowl that I use to wash up with I might add, then dropping in the tab and letting it whiz about for all of 30 seconds, put the towel over my head to keep the steam in one place and then I put my head over the bowl and allowed the steam to give my face a sauna. Now because the steam and the contents within the bowl are hot, you might need to give yourself a break after about 5 minutes and ensure that the bowl is on a hard surface and not resting on your lap. After about 15 minutes I felt I had had enough and I did have a break and then after a few minutes I repeated the process again which you can keep on doing until you feel the fragrance is no longer there.  As I haven't uploaded a video to youtube, there is one from Lush which you can see HERE and it shows you all you need to know.

Once you have finished with your facial sauna, it is suggested that you need a cotton wool ball or pad to draw up some water from the bowl which will act as a toner whilst at the same time remove any bits of grime and dirt which have been pushed to the surface of your skin from the facial sauna, as you wipe your face with said cotton wool you might be surprised at how dirty it turns with dirt, I certainly was especially as I cleanse and moisturise daily. So for me this is another reason why I am quite fond of these tabs, you have two different products in one tiny tablet. 

The Lush explanation of usage

Bit smelly?

The Moon and Sun Steamer Tab smells of lavender, a fragrance which I really like and it is fresh smelling lavender that you will find, as though you have just walked through some lavender fields. Lavender which is soothing for the skin is also soothing and calming on the nerves, helps by relieving tension, helps with depression and irritability and in general it is effective for headaches, migraines and for those people who suffer from insomnia. Neroli Oil comes next and it hosts similar properties to Lavender in that it is soothing, calming and helps relieve stress and tension when used in this way. Finally comes Geraniol which is an uplifting essential oil which again helps to relieve stress, tension, anxiety and tension. It is also kind to the skin in that it helps to create a balance between oily and dry skin ensuring that excess oil is removed but the skin remains moisturised.

All of these ingredients together also promote a calming effect leaving you feeling at ease and stress free. For further ingredients contained within this product you will find them available on the Lush Website. 

Afterwards...

After using this product I was left feeling refreshed and de-stressed and as your face cools down from the hot steam, your skin initially begins to tighten and is soft to the touch. My skin was definitely moisturised and felt much fresher and cleaner than it had done in a very long time, despite using cleansers and toners on a daily basis, I was quite shocked at how much dirt was removed from deep within my pores when I wiped my skin with a cotton wool pad using the water from the bowl. Once you have patted your skin dry there is definitely no need to add any moisturising cream like you would need to with a face mask for example, because your skin is soft and smooth to the touch and it was noted that the floral smell I mentioned earlier was still evident a few hours after use.

So would I recommend this product? Yes I definitely do because it is absolutely brilliant, I loved using it and it was easy to use. I am someone who likes to pamper herself and this is definitely a product which allows me to do just that with minimal effort and fuss.

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