little white truths

It's the first day of February today but I do have another bunch of empties that I finished during January so I wanted to quickly get this post up today.

Indeed, I have a third bunch of empties that I haven't edited the photos for yet, but I'll hang on to that one for now because I have too many other posts to get done sooner rather than later. The empties can wait. 

In no particular order...

EmerginC Pomegranate Toner

Full review here. This is a good product and I recommend it. After about two weeks of using this, the break-outs along my chin cleared up - and while my HG Alpha-H Liquid Gold deals with break-outs faster, at least we can say that this eventually does too. 

What I love about this is that it feels like it's clearing the gunk from my face, and the makeup pad always comes away dirty when I use it. After use my skin is left looking brighter and feeling smoother, and I also think it clears the path for my skincare to absorb better, because it has a resurfacing effect so it's removing the dead skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

This product works. I could tell that from the first time I used it. That is, it's actually removing dead skin from my face so it's my skin that's balling up and not the product itself - unlike similar products I've tried before this one, which didn't work. Full review here.

When I use this, it feels like the dead skin is lifting off my face, and my skin also feels very smooth, soft and refined after use. It's just a great product and I recommend it. It does what it says it will do: it removes dead skin very gently without the use of harsh chemicals or exfoliating grains, and it's a great one to try if you have sensitive skin. Plus you get a lot of product in the bottle and you can find it for less than $30 AUD if you shop around. Repurchase? Yes.

Korres Pomegranate Toning Lotion

Full review here. This product is ok but it's not great and I personally wouldn't recommend it. What I notice is that it doesn't feel like it's doing much when I use it. Indeed, it feels like plain old water on the skin and I need to apply a reasonable amount in order to get that last layer of grime from my face, which of course meant that I got through the bottle quickly.

It also doesn't cut through grime well and although some dirt comes off on the pad, it's not as effective as other toners I've used (including much cheaper ones) so I wouldn't go back to it. Plus my skin doesn't feel toned or refined after use, and while I agree that the product isn't drying, I don't think it's hydrating either. For me, it just feels like plain old water on the skin. Repurchase? No.

Olay Total Effects Foaming Cleanser

I don't recommend this cleanser and I'm not the first person to have said that it strips the skin (whether you're oily or dry), so I would steer clear of it and I ended up getting through it by using it as a body wash. Full review here.

It foams up very well and the foam it creates is quite lovely - soft, creamy and velvety - but despite how nice it feels on the face, my skin has that stripped, squeaky clean feel after I've used this and I can tell that it's not doing good things for my face. Plus it dries out my skin. Boo. Purchase? No.

Dr Lewinn's Private Formula Vitamin Infused Micellar Cleansing Wipes 25pk

I included these in one of my 'fun new things' posts in December last year, and I do need to update that post with mini reviews but I'm not quite there yet because I have a mascara to review before I do so.

As you may know, I'm not a huge fan of makeup wipes these days and I never buy them (these came in a Priceline GWP bag). What I found was that they weren't wet enough so I always had to wet them before I used them, and while they were ok at removing makeup, they weren't the best I've used and I don't like the feel of makeup wipes on my skin anyway. They feel like they're a bit harsh for me or something. Purchase? No.

Soap & Glory Hand Food, Hydrating Hand Cream

This is an excellent hand cream and it's probably the first Soap & Glory product I've tried that I would buy again. While it mightn't be my HG because I've used other hand creams I prefer, this is the cheapest so it blows the others out of the park. I've reviewed it here.

What I like about this is that it's hydrating enough to keep my dry hands comfortable (even in winter), but it's not so heavy that it weighs them down or leaves them feeling slippery - so I don't need to wipe my hands down before I keep using my computer. It's also worth mentioning that I have young kids (so I'm always washing my hands after changing nappies etc) and naturally dry skin, so if this hand cream is enough for me, then it should be enough for most people. Repurchase? Yes.

La Roche-Posay Toleraine Sensitive

Full review here. This is a lightweight moisturiser that's more like a lotion or a cream/gel hybrid in texture. It applies and spreads well so you don't need much each time, although whenever I apply this, I'm left with quite a tacky finish on my face and my skin still feels rather dry beneath the product, so I'm not sure that all of it is absorbing and delivering moisture where I need it most.

Still, it's been an ok product for summer when my skin isn't as dry as usual, and I like that it's very gentle and fragrance free, so it should suit those with sensitive skin who need something soothing and lightweight for all year round. Nevertheless it's one of the few La Roche-Posay products that I don't love so I wouldn't buy it. Purchase? No.

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum

I love this stuff. It made my skin look so much better that other people even noticed the difference. That's saying something! I've reviewed it here.

It's a fluid serum that offers some pretty amazing results. Not only does it spread and absorb well, but it also has a brightening effect so it boosts radiance. On top of that, it plumps fine lines and wrinkles so it makes my skin look smoother, and it has an effect on how firm and toned my face feels as well. 

This is one of the few serums that I've given an HG tag. Must buy another one! Repurchase? Yes.

Soak Hair Revive Shampoo & Conditioner

These were hotel samples, although you can buy them online and I've also seen this brand show up in subscription boxes, so initially I'd planned to review them but I decided not to because I didn't use them enough to do so (they didn't work well enough for me to continue using them).

The shampoo wasn't great and I needed to do three washes with it in order to clean my hair, and when I used it on the kids, I had the same issue: it wasn't concentrated enough and I needed to use heaps each time.

As for the conditioner, this too wasn't concentrated enough so I needed to use a lot per application (both on my own hair and also on my kids' hair), and unfortunately it wasn't hydrating enough for my dry hair so I was left with knotty, dull locks after use. It didn't do much for my kids' hair either and I found their hair harder to brush while we were using these.

Not for me. Purchase? No.

In sum

That's all from me. I'm glad to have another empties post done and I'm looking forward to seeing how many items I can finish in February.

The best items in this lot were the Lancome serum, the EmerginC toner, the Cure exfoliant and the Soap & Glory hand cream. Everything else I can take or leave.

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

I received this product in a Priceline goodies bag last year, and I was pleased to do so because Andalou is so far a brand that works well for me.

What I found with this product, though, is that it doesn't suit my skin. It's a little astringent for me personally and it leaves my skin feeling sensitised after use - perhaps in part because it contains peppermint oil, an ingredient that I can't tolerate too well. More on that below.

Andalou claims/product details:

• For oily and overactive skin
• Fruit stem cell complex with argan stem cells, kombucha probiotics and aloe vera polysaccharides instantly hydrates 
• With skin calming nutrients to soothe and gently balance pH
• Willow bark purifies pores for a clear, refreshed complexion
• To use: AM and PM, after cleansing, saturate cotton pad and gently sweep over face and neck
• RRP $19.99 AUD for 178ml, but do shop around (it's currently retailing for half-price at Priceline)

Do note that I've seen mixed reviews of this product: some people love it while others like me find it to be too harsh.

I think that whether you like it or not will very much depend on your skin-type: if you're oily, it will likely work for you; if you're not, it will probably be too much.

Verdict

While I don't hate this product, I don't like it either and it irritates my skin so I would avoid this if you have sensitive skin.

It's a standard toner that comes in a blue bottle and it smells like peppermint. From the moment I first used it, I knew that it wasn't for me because it felt irritating straight away and also left my skin with that cool, slightly sensitised feeling that I've come to associate with peppermint oil.

While my skin is dry and sometimes sensitive, it's not too bad at the moment because it's summer - so this product isn't causing huge problems, but I can imagine that it might if it were winter and my skin was in worse condition. It also has a tightening effect (not in a good way) and it feels like it strips my skin.

Yes it's definitely good at removing dirt and makeup from my face, but I feel like it's removing necessary oil from my face too and also upsetting my skin's natural protective barrier. For this reason I'm only using it once a day (rather than twice) and I'm alternating it with another, more gentle toner because I feel like my skin can't handle more frequent use.

On the claims: no it doesn't hydrate (quite the opposite: it's drying on me); no it doesn't soothe (again, quite the opposite: it leaves my skin feeling sensitised); no I don't think it balances my skin; and while I agree that it purifies pores, it does so too much and I feel like it's removing things from my face (like oil) that I actually need.

Overall I don't like this product and I don't recommend it for dry or sensitive skin. If you have super oily skin then this product may work wonders for you, but if you don't, then I would avoid this because it may be too much for you too.

Not for me.

Hello and welcome to another round of Project Dent!

I've decided to dent this Hourglass face palette next because I've recently worked on the other two Hourglass palettes I own, and doing things in groups helps me remember to use everything.

Do note that this palette is my back-up (I bought two Surreal Light palettes), so the one pictured in the photos directly above and below is my old one - which I've since panned. However the below progress shots of the pan depict my newer palette.

If you're interested, my review of this palette is here. 

Essentially I love it and there's a reason why I bought two of them. All the shades work for me and the highlighter in particular is one I always want to have in my collection: it's just a beautiful gold.

Anyhoo! Here's how my palette is looking today, 31 January 2019 (yep, I haven't used it yet):

Enhanced for clarity:

So I'm obviously not going to get very far with a brand-new product in only two weeks, but my aim will be to at least try to change the surface patterns in a couple of the powders.

Funnily enough I'm still looking forward to using this palette, even though I panned my first one last year: that should tell you how much I love it.

That's all from me. Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x

Hello and welcome to another Project Dent update post.

I've now been using this palette for two weeks, and despite how much I've enjoyed using it, it's time to send it back to the makeup shelves and bring something else into circulation. I'll likely choose my Hourglass Surreal Glow Edit next, so stay tuned for that if you're interested.

If you're interested, my Project Dent intro post for this product is here.

And I've reviewed this palette here if you'd like to see that. Essentially I love it and I recommend it if you want something that's a bit special. Yes it's expensive, but I feel it's worth every penny and I even considered buying a back-up because I love the colours so much. I won't because I have enough makeup, but that tells you how much I enjoy it.

Now for progress shots.

Here's how my palette looked two weeks ago, when I introduced it to Project Dent:

And here's how it's looking now, after two weeks' daily use:

Below I've enhanced the above two shots for clarity.

Two weeks ago:

Today:

As you can see, I've barely made any visible progress so we can't see how much I've used it - at least in photos. In real life, however, I can see a good dip in the highlighter and the bronzer has been flattened a little (so have both the setting powders). The blushes of course are another story: they're the hardest to pan.

While it hasn't been my most successful round of Project Dent in terms of visible progress, I'm still happy that I've used this product consistently for two weeks - and it may be that we see more progress next time I dent it. Note, though, that these Hourglass powders don't show movement very easily (especially when, like this one, they don't contain swirls of colour), so it may be a while before we can tell that I've used it.

That's all from me. Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x

Hello and welcome to another Mecca Beauty Loop unboxing post!

I actually received this box last week, it's just taken me a while to get the photos taken and edited because we've had a lot going on.

Here's what I received:

Above you'll see:

Let's have a quick look at each item in turn.

Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid EDP (RRP $38 AUD for 10ml or $109 AUD for 50ml)

This is described as a vanilla fragrance that blends creamy vanilla beans, blossom, cassis, citrus and just-plucked jasmine for a bold and fresh scent. It also includes bamboo, sandalwood, patchouli fraction and red orchid.

I've tried this a couple of times and I don't like it because it's too sweet. It also smells rather musky and I'm not a fan of those heady fragrances so we can say that it's not for me.

Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto (RRP $40 AUD for 0.58g)

This eyeliner apparently delivers long-lasting, budge-proof colour in an easy-to-use soft crayon. Each liner comes in a rich creamy shade that glides on smoothly. The product can be used on the eyelids as well as the waterline, and claims to offer twelve-hour wear.

I don't wear black eyeliner so I won't be keeping this. While I did think of reviewing it, I reckon I'm better off gifting it to someone who'll actually use it. Note the reviews of this product aren't consistent so it obviously works well for some but not for others.

This firming and smoothing super eye serum with Retinol 8 complex is a light and refreshing serum designed for the sensitive eye area. It helps to increase the skin’s natural production of collagen, reversing the visible signs of ageing. It's formulated with specific amino acids that will diminish the look of eye puffiness, dark circles and lines. 

I haven't tried a lot from Verso but I'm looking forward to using this because I'm yet to find my HG eye product. Yes this one's expensive, but at least you get double the amount that you would get in a standard 15ml eye cream so perhaps it makes up its value that way. It depends how much you need to apply each time. Looking forward to finding out!

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream & B Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum (RRP $113 AUD for 30ml and $80 AUD for 50ml respectively)

The retinol product is described as a cutting-edge treatment that combines 1.0% vegan retinol with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients to dramatically diminish the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles and sun damage. It should reveal a vibrant, younger-looking complexion, restore bounce and resilience, and help even out the skin's tone and texture.

Hello and welcome to another NYX Butter Gloss review! As you may know, these glosses are my absolute favourites and I always plan to have a few in my collection. They're hydrating and they're cheap: I love them.

And although this shade in Strawberry Parfait isn't one I would have chosen for myself because pink generally doesn't suit me, it came in a set along with two purples I really wanted so I thought I may as well use it since it does a good job of warming up said purples so they don't look too grey on my lips.

NYX claims/product details:

• Buttery soft and silky smooth 
• This scrumptious gloss tastes as sweet as a sugar cookie - and makes your lips look downright luscious
• Swipe it on alone or over your favourite lipstick for a creamy, sheer-to-medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky 
• Leaves your lips soft, supple and kissable
• RRP $9.95 AUD for 8ml, but do shop around (I always buy mine at half-price)

There's the applicator:

 Light and heavy swatches, weak sunlight:

Strong sunlight:

My bare lips for reference:

 Natural light:

Verdict

I absolutely love this formula and I've given it an HG tag, as I have all the other shades I've tried so far.

It's a standard gloss that comes in a plastic tube with a doe-foot applicator. It has a sweet, sugary scent that's not overpowering - so it's a good, balanced kind of scent for a product like this.

The gloss feels very comfortable to wear and it's hydrating enough for my dry lips that I can rely on it for hydration during the day. For this reason I always carry one in my handbag, because I can layer it underneath or over the top of less hydrating products to keep my lips feeling comfortable.

The formula isn't sticky but it does have a tackiness to it that helps it stay put. Sure, it's not a super long-lasting product (I wouldn't expect it to be), but it does stay longer than other glosses so that's a plus.

What I like about this formula is that you can apply a very fine layer (eg, over a lipstick or liner) and just add a bit of shine, or you can add more to get a medium coverage and wear the gloss by itself. Not all glosses are opaque enough to give good colour, but all the shades I've tried so far of these ones are. Tick.

Strawberry Parfait is a hot pink shade that looks as though it's going to be a lot brighter than it is, but once applied there's not heaps of pigment so it tends to blend into my natural lip colour while still adding a soft flush. I really like this about it - and not just because pink doesn't suit me. I like it because I can wear it with just about anything. 

I also like that this shade doesn't settle into lip lines, which is my only gripe with some of the other shades in this range. Yes it might be settling in a little bit, but you can't tell because the colour is so close to my natural lip colour once applied.

It's also a very flattering gloss and it plumps the lips up a little and reduces the look of lines. This makes it perfect for those of us who are over 30 and need something with a smoothing effect.

Overall I love this formula and I recommend it: as mentioned above, it's the nicest gloss formula I've found so far - whether budget or high-end. You can't beat a great gloss that you can grab for a fiver on special, that's for sure.

Love.

I've been using this product for ages - to the point that I'm about to cut open the tube and finish it - so it's high time I reviewed it.

While I haven't had a huge amount of luck with Trilogy products to date, I'm pleased to report that this one works well for me and I would buy it again. It's just a great, gentle exfoliant that does the job without breaking the bank. More on that below.

Trilogy claims/product details:

• Smooth, polished and refined radiance with rosehip, jojoba and camellia
• Removes surface debris and improves skin clarity 
• Formulated with natural, biodegradable and non-abrasive jojoba wax spheres, this exfoliant gently polishes the complexion, refining its texture without irritation or compromising the skin’s natural barrier function
• Ensures dead skin cells are sloughed away to make room for the fresh, glowing new skin cells underneath
• Increases skin smoothness without irritating or scratching your face
• RRP $38.95 AUD for 75ml, but do shop around (I bought mine at half price)

Verdict

As mentioned above, I haven't had a lot of luck with Trilogy products in the past but I do enjoy this one and I recommend it.

It's a cream product that reminds me very much of the Trilogy Cream Cleanser (reviewed here), it's just that it has exfoliating particles in the formula. It has a light, herbal scent that isn't overpowering and I enjoy how it smells and also how it feels on the skin.

It's quite a rich cream in texture and I think that helps ensure that my skin never feels dry or irritated after I've used it. Instead my face feels soft, clean and gently resurfaced, and lightly hydrated to boot.

The exfoliating particles this contains are incredibly fine so this product should suit those who don't like harsh exfoliants. But despite how fine they are, they work well because there's a lot of them and they slough off dead skin nicely without leaving my face feeling raw.

Indeed, this is the kind of product that you could use often if you wanted to because it's so gentle. I use mine twice or thrice weekly, and that's enough to keep my face feeling fresh and smooth - without feeling irritated or sensitised.

On the claims: yes this smooths, polishes and refines the face; yes it removes surface debris and improves skin clarity; yes it sloughs off dead skin cells; and yes it works without irritating or scratching my face.

Overall I think this is an excellent product and I recommend it. It works and it does so without irritating my dry, sometimes sensitive skin - plus you can often find it heavily discounted so it won't break the bank.

Worth trying.

• A high-performance, nighttime anti-wrinkle serum that's specifically designed for peri and post-menopausal skin 
• Features a combination of powerful age-fighting ingredients to plump, firm and sculpt your complexion
• Repairs, restructures and regenerates mature, ageing skin
• Minimises open pores, acne scarring, pigmentation and age spots
• Plumps fine lines and wrinkles
• Contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, fighting further cellular damage
• Lightens pigmentation and inhibits melanin production to reduce further discolouration
• Skintone becomes visibly brighter, clearer and more radiant
• RRP $99 AUD for 50ml, but do shop around

As you may know, I haven't had a lot of luck with haircare lately and most of the products I've tried over the past 18 months haven't worked for me at all. Perhaps I'm just unlucky.

However I'm pleased to say this one does work, and my hair has been enjoying it. The product was given to me for Christmas in 2017 but I only started using it around six months ago. Since then I've been using it once a fortnight as a treat, because I don't want to finish it too quickly.

Do note that I haven't used much Nak haircare in my time but I have used some and I also received a Nak kit for Christmas 2017 along with this product.

I still need to do my unboxing post for the kit, but I've been using two of the three products it contains for a while now - and I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to review them. Must get my act together and put that unboxing post up sooner rather than later.

Nak claims/product details:

• The perfect in-shower intense moisturising treatment
• The days of standing around freezing with the shower off so your hair mask can penetrate your hair is over
• Deeply nourishes and repairs hair in just 60 seconds
• Use as a hair mask every third or fourth time you wash your hair, or swap out your conditioner for this treatment if you have exceptionally dry or damaged hair
• Leaves hair feeling more soft and smooth instantly, with an obvious increased shine
• With regular use, this treatment will bring tired hair back to life
• Smooths, repairs, moisturises and rebuilds
• Designed for dry, damaged, colour treated hair
• Key ingredients: argan oil, keratin and silk amino acids
• Sulphate and paraben free
• RRP $22.95 AUD for 150ml, but do shop around

Verdict

I love this product and it's one of the best hair masks I've tried. While I still do love my HG OGX mask (reviewed here), this one delivers similar results - and although the OGX mask works a little better, you only need to leave this Nak product on for one minute so it doesn't take as long to use. A huge plus!

It's a white cream with a perfume-like scent that I don't love, but I'm only aware of it when I first squeeze the product out so it doesn't bother me. 

It's a medium-thick cream and I recommend starting with a small amount and working it through the hair to the ends. If you're like me and are used to slathering on enough product to hydrate your dry hair, I wouldn't do that with this: try a smaller amount first (even if it doesn't feel like enough) and then use more next time if it doesn't offer your desired results.

On that, be sure to wash all the product out! I've missed a patch a couple of times and it's left my hair looking dull and greasy in that spot - dry hair can 'cling' to products like this so it's essential to do a really good rinse.

What I love about this product is that it leaves my dry, frizzy hair super shiny, soft, manageable and hydrated. It also targets my frizz and helps with detangling too - and while it doesn't do these two things as successfully as my OGX mask, it still does enough that I notice a difference.

On the claims: yes this intensively moisturises; yes it works in one minute; yes it nourishes and repairs; yes it's good for dry, damaged and colour-treated hair; and yes it makes my hair feel softer and smoother, and it also adds shine.

Overall I think this product generally meets its claims and I recommend it. Plus I love that you only have to leave it on for one minute, and it works well for my dry, frizzy, long and temperamental hair.

Worth trying.

I used this eye cream for three months last year, then gave it a break for six weeks while I tested other products, and since then I've been using it for another month or so - just to see how my skin responded to stopping it and starting it again.

I'm pleased to say that I do really like it, and I definitely recommend it. That's a good thing because I haven't had much luck with Alpha-H eye creams before (they haven't done enough for me), but this one's different and I would buy it again. More on that below.

Alpha-H claims/product details:

• This unique anti-ageing eye cream creates a 'soft-focus' effect that illuminates the eye while reducing shadows and discolouration
• Quadruple peptide technology, combined with lime pearl AHAs, works to relax expression lines, reduce the depth of wrinkles and tighten eyelids
• Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, to help smooth and brighten uneven skintone, while reducing puffiness under eyes
• Your skin will go back in time to reveal youthful, bright eyes
• Anti-wrinkle, anti-pigmentation, anti-sagging, anti-fatigue 
• This jam-packed formula combats a myriad of eye concerns to help reveal bright, radiant, youthful eyes
• Cooling applicator helps to reduce puffiness
• RRP $99 AUD for 15ml, but do shop around

There's the applicator below. 

Do note that I like the idea of these applicators in theory, but I never use mine and instead opt for my fingers. I find that my fingers apply creams the best and I also like to see exactly how much I'm using. Still, I have tried this one and it feels nice on the skin.

Verdict

I'm really enjoying this eye cream and I recommend it. Yes it's expensive, but I was able to buy mine for around $60 (the price is reduced on various online websites and I also had a discount code), so you can buy it more cheaply and I would suggest waiting for specials because you don't need to pay full price.

It’s very lightweight but also very hydrating, and it has kept my dry skin feeling comfortable for the time I've been using it. It also spreads and applies well, and a little goes a long way so the tube is lasting me ages.

Indeed, when I apply this, I only need the tiniest amount each time (perhaps half the amount of other eye creams) so I think it’s a good investment because the tube will last longer than most. This makes it better value than you might first think when you see the price-tag.

Plus it keeps my dry skin feeling soft and nourished but not weighed down so I can use it both morning and night, and it makes my eye area look brighter and more awake when I apply it. I do love an eye cream that suits both the day and evening spots, so that's a plus and the product sits well under makeup. 

On the claims: no it doesn't reduce shadows or discolouration; no it doesn't reduce the depth of wrinkles or tighten eyelids, but I do think it relaxes expressions lines for a few hours after application;  yes it does smooth and brighten my eyes, but it does nothing for my eye puff; and yes it does have a slight firming and exfoliating effect, and it's beautifully hydrating to boot.

Overall I recommend this eye cream and I would buy it again. It's hydrating while still being lightweight, it keeps my dry eyes feeling comfortable and looking a little brighter, and a little goes a long way so I think it's reasonable value if you can find it on special.

Worth trying.

I've had this mask for a while and it's been on my Project Pan list since the beginning of the year because it doesn't do anything for me and I want to get through it.

While it's had some good reviews, I'm very picky with my face masks because they take longer to use than other skincare items, and if they're not amazing then I don't want to waste time on them. The same applies to this one, and I'm looking forward to finishing it because I have other masks waiting in the cupboard that I'm desperate to open and start using. Life's too short.

Keisha & Co claims/product details:

• With pure Australian clays, this mask will tighten pores, brighten skin and eradicate acne
• Mix it with water or Skin Saviour Oil to nourish dry, stressed skin naturally - without chemicals and parabens
• As with all our products, it's vegan, natural and cruelty-free
• Ingredients include white kaolin clay, Australian pink clay and sodium bicarbonate
• RRP $19.95 AUD for 100g, but do shop around (it's currently retailing for $12 on Keisha's website)

There it is below:

Verdict

This mask doesn't do anything for me and it's more fiddly to use than most masks because it's a powder that you need to mix before application, so I wouldn't recommend it and I'm looking forward to finishing it.

It's a pinkish brown powder that you mix with water or some kind of carrier to form a paste so you can apply it. It's messy to use and I always get stuff all over the bathroom sink (and sometimes on the floor) when I use it, so it's a bigger hassle to use than most masks and that's reason enough for me to avoid it.

You apply it to your face and then wait until it dries down before you wash it off. I like that it doesn't feel uncomfortable as it dries down (many mud masks can on my dry skin) and I also like that it doesn't take too long to dry, so I can wash it off after ten minutes and not spend too much time on the whole process.

Unfortunately, though, that's where the good stuff ends. This mask doesn't do anything for me, and my skin feels exactly the same after I've used it - plus I haven't noticed any cumulative effects over time (I've been using it twice weekly over the past couple of months).

While this mask claims to tighten pores, brighten skin and eradicate acne while also nourishing dry, stressed skin, it hasn't done any of those things for me so there's no real point in me using it. It's just an extra step in my already detailed skincare routine that doesn't yield results, so it's a waste of time for me personally.

Overall I don't like this mask and I can't recommend it. While it's had some good reviews (see eg Keisha's website), it doesn't work for me and I'm looking forward to finishing mine so I can move on to something else. Perhaps it just doesn't gel with my skin.

Not for me.