little white truths

Five weeks ago I wrote an unboxing post for this little set (see here), because I was going through all my sample and travel-sized items in an effort to get through them.

I've now finished everything in this set so it's time to give you my thoughts on each item. Overall it's not a bad little kit but I wouldn't go out and buy it: while I loved one of the cleansers and enjoyed the other, the toner and moisturiser didn't work for me and I wouldn't recommend them. 

We received the set via Maslow & Co as our Maven Gift one month (see unboxing post here) and I was looking forward to using it because it just looks special - but I do think the products are pricey for what they are and only the Lactic Gel Cleanser is one that I might seek out in future.

Worth noting is that these products are mostly made from certified organic ingredients (between 85 and 98%, depending on the product) and are 100% naturally derived/contain plant-based ingredients. Plus they're cruelty free, vegan, gluten free and Australian made.

'The Divine Woman Miniature Series features our core Certified Organic skincare products so that you may tailor a ritual that is customised to your skin.

Perfect for trial or travel, the miniature series provides enough goodness to enrich your skin for up to one week.'

Divine Woman Hydrating Cream Cleanser (RRP $54.95 AUD for 100ml)

This is described as a luxurious cream cleanser that gently dissolves makeup and dirt from the surface of the skin, leaving it cleansed while retaining hydration. It's apparently rich in powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and help prevent premature skin-ageing.

I must say, I really enjoyed this: it smelled good and felt lovely and soothing on the skin. It wasn't the best for makeup removal but I've certainly used worse, and I preferred to use it in the morning anyway. What I'd do is whack it on and leave it for twenty minutes while I changed nappies and what have you, and it kept my skin feeling comfortable until I could wash it off.

I wouldn't buy it because it's expensive for what it is, but I did enjoy it.

Divine Woman Daily Renewal Lactic Gel Cleanser (RRP $54.95 AUD for 100ml)

This is apparently a gentle foaming cleanser that's infused with skin-refining, botanically sourced lactic gel to support the skin's resurfacing process - revealing younger looking, renewed skin. Regular use should dramatically improve skin texture and brightness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's suitable for daily use on oily/combination skin or as a gentle occasional peel on all skin types.

I used this both as a cleanser and as a peel (eg by leaving it on for ten to twenty minutes), and I really enjoyed it both ways. I think it did more for my skin if I left it on for a while before washing it off, but it was certainly nothing to sneeze at if you wanted to use it for cleansing only.

I liked the thin, gel texture and I could tell as soon as I used it that it was a good product. It definitely left my skin looking brighter and renewed, plus it had an exfoliating effect: my face felt smoother and makeup went on beautifully after I used it.

Indeed, this is the one product of the four that I might consider buying. I've been comparing it to a similar product from Skinstitut (they're both lactic acid based) and I reckon this is the better product.

Divine Woman Illuminating Day Cream (RRP $59.95 AUD for 50ml)

For a daily hydration ritual that provides protection from unforgiving elements, this cream should deeply moisturise the skin and give you a dewy, youthful complexion. Supporting collagen production through the infusion of powerful active ingredients, regular use should reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle-depth to promote optimum skin elasticity.

I didn't love this. My issue was that it didn't hydrate my dry skin that well: it was one of those moisturisers that seemed to sit on top of the skin, rather than delivering nourishment where I need it most. It also left a bit of a weird finish (it was borderline powdery) and my primer sometimes balled up over the top, so I preferred to use it on my neck and chest. It did smell nice and lemony though, so it wasn't all bad.

Divine Woman Soothing Rose Toner (RRP $44.95 AUD for 50ml)

Preparing the skin for maximum moisture retention, this toner claims to hydrate the skin, leaving it dewy and soft. It's also described as a refreshing mist with astringent properties that mirror the natural pH levels of skin to balance the delicate surface environment. It can also be used as a face mist to set makeup any time during the day, or as a refreshing body mist for an instant pick-me-up.

This was the product I liked least: it wasn't awful but it did nothing for me. I didn't feel that it toned well, nor did it remove that last layer of gunk from my face as well as other toners do. Plus it smelled weird: yes I could smell the rose, but it smelled a bit pungent and off. The other problem with the sample is that it was too small and I finished it long before the other products.

In sum

I hope these mini reviews were useful! I'd be interested in hearing what you think of these products, if you've tried them.

As mentioned above, the best item in the set was definitely the lactic acid cleanser but the cream cleanser was quite nice too. The toner and moisturiser weren't awful but they're not for me.

Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x