Sephora's Instant Moisture Mask

Skincare products tend to fall into one of two categories with me.  Either super good stuff that I've taken a great deal of care with selecting and promises to keep my skin youthful (some of you may know I have an obsession with ageing).  Or totally and utterly quirky and bizarrely fantastic.  The product I'm about to tell you about actually falls into both categories.  When perusing Sephora in France, back in April, I decided that I would only purchase something that I couldn't get in the UK, as otherwise I was paying a similar price, if not more, for standard goods that I could get from Selfridges.  I came across the Instant Moisture Mask and I'm not going to lie, the initial purchase was based on it looking like this...

Skincare in a smoothie flask!  How cool is that?! 

Once I got over the initial excitement I actually came to learn that it looked like a pretty reputable product too.

This fun flask contains four sachets of powder which should be used once a week across a four week period.  After doing this for the first application I discovered that actually it created way too much product.  In fact I did my face, neck and hands, along with my sisters and my mothers and there was still some left over.  You should also note that we did apply quite substantially too, so honestly one sachet is way too much for one application.  It says not to store the product and the same goes for the powder either but I have been using less powder each application and folding the end over on the sachet and keeping it shut in the flask until Sunday appears again.  I haven't died yet and seems to be business as usual after using the product so I think you're safe to assume that actually you can get two months worth of use out of this, a total of eight applications.

There is a black line quite low down on the side of the flask, which you should fill water to.  Only fill it to that line if you intend to use the whole sachet though, otherwise fill it halfway to the mark.  Add half or all of the sachet, depending on your requirements.  Place the lid back on the flask and begin to shake vigorously.  FYI this is like an insane workout for your arm.  Basically you have to shake until the product no longer makes a sound.  The powder reacts with the water to create, guess what, a smoothie like consistency.  This takes about 4 minutes I'd say.  You are recommended to apply the mixture to your face, neck and back of your hands and leave for 5-10 minutes.

The mask looks like a clear gel and has a really nice aftershave-esque scent to it which I love but I guess may not be for everybody.  It's cooling on the skin and feels incredibly refreshing.  The aim is to intensively hydrate the skin, offering it a boost when it's looking and feeling a little dull.  It considers itself to be suitable for sensitive skin due to it not using parabens or preservatives and the act of you creating the product yourself means that, and I quote "active ingredients are preserved and the formula is more effective".

I really rate this mask a, because it does exactly what it says on the tin.  I found that my skin did look smoother, more rested and glowing and b, because what cool packaging!

I trialled this every week as recommended and ditched my mid week mask that I would usually do as well to see if the results carried me through the week, which they pretty much did.  I also decided not to use this as part of my DIY Facial routine I do on some Sundays and instead used it alone across the month so I could really gauge the results.  

According to the website it's Limited Edition, I hope they get a good response from it and decide to implement it as a regular product as I've already re-purchased and hope to purchase again next time I'm abroad.

Instant Moisture Mask is available from Sephora for $15 or 8 Euro's 90(where the hell is the euro sign on my keyboard?!)

*Image taken from www.sephora.com 

Something For The Weekend...

This year I have treated myself to two spa breaks.  Next year I plan to do the same.  I am a true believer in regular facials, however, until I've made my millions, I shall simply only stretch for a professional facial when attending Champneys.

If you follow me on twitter you will be very familiar with my "DIY facial" tweets.  If you do not follow me on twitter, then why the hell not, get yourself on over to here and make it happen!

I have an incredibly hectic schedule at the moment, so as soon as I wrapped teaching yesterday, I decided to just completely chill out.  So, for all those of you planning to do the same, here's my Something for the Weekend post featuring the DIY facial.

You Will Need:

Cleanser

Facial Scrub

Face Mask

Rosemary

Cotton Pads

Flannel

My personal choice of products are Neals Yard's Orange Flower Water as my cleanser (not quite a cleanser I realise but I swear by it), Dark Angels facial scrub from Lush and Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask, also from Lush.

Firstly I place the cleanser into my fridge to cool.  The face mask, if using one from Lush, should always be kept in the fridge to keep the ingredients fresh, in order for them to perform their best. 

1.  Once the cleanser has cooled, using cotton pads, remove all makeup and any residue from the day.

2.  When confident that the face is completely clean, take a coin size of the Dark Angel scrub and mix with water to form a paste.  Now use the scrub across all of your face, concentrating on your t-zone.  I like to rub vigorously but you will know what is best for your own skin.

3.  Run the flannel under warm tap water to saturate and then squeeze to keep it damp.  Be careful to make sure you remove all the scrub. (Dark Angel contains rhassoul mud and charcoal, is completely black and can get very messy but is well worth it!)

4.  Because this is so messy, I like to cleanse my face again, to make sure every last part of the scrub is removed.

5.  Boil a kettle.  Once this is done take it to your bathroom sink, along with your rosemary.  Fill the sink with the boiled water and empty a large amount of the rosemary into it.  Using a towel, place over your head and sink to steam your face.  Do so for 5-10 minutes. (Also great to ward off any colds now we've reached this icy weather)

6.  Pat dry your face with a clean towel and apply your face mask.  This should have a cooling effect after the harshness of the scrub and the heat.  Leave your face mask on, as long as prescribed.

7.  With the opposite side of the flannel remove the face mask.  Then apply your moisturiser as normal. (This is very important as a facial, although leaves your skin feeling smooth, can actually dry it out also.)

This whole process is so beneficial to me, as after several weeks, my forehead begins to become bumpy from, I assume, a mixture of pollution, oily t-zone and moisturiser.  After my DIY facial, my skin always feels healthier, smoother and generally blemish free, as if by magic!

I plan to do my facial today, whilst partaking in my new obsession, watching Kelly Cutrone's reality show Kell on Earth (she's my hero), on the website Bunny With Fangs.  It's addictive, check it out.

Have a fabulous rest of the weekend guys!

Lush Products from Lush

Head to toe in glitter and smudged paint adorning both my clothes and face, I dragged my tired feet through London Victoria Station, excited at the thought of eventually being able to crash and burn on my sofa.  I tried to shake off the judgemental looks and convince myself that I didn't look as though I hadn't seen a shower for a week but I just couldn't obtain the energy to do so.  Four long days of being on my feet handing out premixed alcoholic drinks in Paddington Station and battling with fidgety children whilst attempting to create an artistic masterpiece on their face, had somewhat taken it's toll.  Then, as if a sign from God, as I breezed from platform 15, beauty chain Lush appeared before me.  It's pungent smell and cheery disposition was beckoning my name in a rather seductive tone and with a mind of their own my feet guided me to it's mothership.  My brain was running a mantra "You are just looking.  You are just looking.  You are just looking." But my face paint ridden fingernails, weary feet and lacklustre skin were singing a slightly different tune.

For those of you that are not familiar with Lush, it is important to note that it is of rather an acquired taste.  We have a marmite case on our hands, as you either love them or hate them due to their overwhelming aroma, which has been known to create headaches for some.  If I'm honest, I'm not a regular Lush consumer.  But who's a loyal consumer to anybody in these current times?  I did however discover why I enjoy indulging in their products from time to time and a lovely spin that I'm sure their marketing department have already addressed but figured I'd bring it to their attention anyway.  These products are perfect impulse purchases that serve an immediate purpose and most definitely get the job done.  With the majority of the brand offering indiviual bath bombs or face masks that last a mere few applications, longevity is not the key here. Instead of this being a downfall this works completely in their advantage, much like a unique selling point.  Much better than purchasing a glorious bubble bath that you grow tired of weeks and weeks down the line, Lush can address your current issue and mood, match a product and zap it away!  This is the exact process that I followed earlier in the week when purchasing ......

Catastrophe Cosmetic, French Kiss, Stepping Stone and Dorothy

Catastrophe Cosmetic: Face Mask

I've tried their Cupcake Face Mask (mmmm!) and their BB Seaweed Face Mask (yuck! Makes me feel like I've got Cornish rock pools on my face!)  So upon entering the store I made it very clear that I was looking for something new to take care of my recently troubled skin, most notably my oily T-Zone and a mask that wasn't going to mean I would have to hold my breath for 10 mins.  Catastrophe Cosmetic was the answer to my prayers, apparently, due to it being rich in antioxidants thanks to it being packed with blueberries and easy on the sinuses.

The texture was of a creamy nature, which I loved and the smell, although fragrant was subtle.  The pieces of, what I can only imagine were blueberries, that dotted their way across my face, made me feel even more excited about the product, as how could something not work with real blueberries squidged all over your skin!  I left the mask on far past the recommended application time but either which way I was thoroughly pleased with the results.  My problem area was immediately attended to, my skin tone was miraculously even and I managed to look younger, when considering I'm still only 25, is a feat!

Dorothy: Bubble Bar

This really was an impulse purchase as I had already picked out a product for my much needed bath.  This was chosen for little more than it's tender smell of sunscreen. Once I picked this up I couldn't put it back, constantly sniffing as I meandered about the rest of the store, to the point that I'm certain I left with a blue nose.

The Bubble Bar isn't your usual Lush Bath Bomb.  With this you break off some of the bar and place under the powerful tap which dissolves the product and creates a superb amount of bubbles.

 

Initially it did look like it wouldn't dissolve, as she had demonstrated in store, as there were lots of chunky pieces at the bottom of the bath and for a while I did frantically try to crush them but soon gave up and upon entering it they had disappeared. I resurfaced feeling incredibly clean and my skin was the kind of soft that is virtually impossible to achieve without moisturiser.  It is important to note you can get two uses out of this, I wouldn't recommend trying to stretch it out any further as that would just compromise the indulgence of your bath.

French Kiss: Bubble Bar

I fail to believe that anybody could resist this gorgeous looking Bubble Bar.  With the mixture of purple and white teamed with a sprig of lavender sprouting from the top it's difficult not to feel the need to purchase them just to decorate your bathroom!  This was chosen for a multitude of reasons, it's indulgent look, it's luxurious smell of lavender, again fragrant but not overwhelming and I had been having trouble sleeping so was certain this would do the trick.

It works in exactly the same way as the Dorothy  with the added excitement of turning your bath water a lavender colour also.  It left my skin smelling perfectly like the product and I became incredibly lethargic once removing myself from the bath which was exactly the sensation I was requiring.  The only downfall would be that it didn't leave my skin feeling silky smooth as per the Dorothy but I suppose that wasn't the necessity with the French Kiss so maybe I'll just let that go.

Stepping Stone: Lemongrass and Pumice Scrub

My feet were tired and achey so what better way to re-energise them than with this darling foot shaped scrub.  It had a punchy smell that you associate with most foot scrubs and the girl insisted that it was a wonderful product.  She explained to me how to use it, although if I'm honest by the time I actually got around to use it I could barely recall what she said.

After trying to remember how to use the product (do you wet your feet or the scrub?) the product application got off to a fairly messy start.  As soon as water made contact with it, there was an almighty fizz all across my bathroom.  Green splodges were dropping on white bath mats, towels, in the sink and eventually after a quick dash, into the bath.  My feet did feel softer but I wanted them to feel re-invigorated and that wasn't really the case.  I only used half, as per the instruction from the girl (I remembered that bit) so I'm leaving the jury out on this product until I get to try it again

You can purchase Lush products in the UK from here

Or from the USA here

My basket total came to £14.35, which considering the amount I took home with me, is more than reasonable.

Lush products I'm coveting since my trip...

Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar

Too Drunk Emotibomb

Dark Angels Cleanser