Skin Pampering Favourites

On Sunday, I tweeted about a trusted few products that helped perk up my skin and I thought I would share this here too. The majority of these are products that I have been using for a while, they are from a mixture of brands but the combination is a good one and guaranteed to make my skin look better immediately.

I started off with a thorough facial massage with Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm* (if you haven't read Face Goop's recent review, you really should). There's something about the texture and scent of this balm which encourages me to take more time over cleansing that I normally would. To remove the balm, I used a hot flannel which I left on my skin for a moment before wiping everything off. Rinse and repeat.

I followed up my cleanse with a spritz of Live Native Essential Mist MSM Toner*. I've been using this twice a day for a few months now and it's an absolute pleasure to use. It's refreshing, hydrating and smells beautiful. I find the Live Native concept of using raw ingredient in their skincare absolutely fascinating and it makes a lot of sense from a scientific perspective. There are some skincare ingredients that I assume are biological inactive (or unavailable, like collagen) once they hit your skin but oddly I'd never considered the impact of heat during the manufacturing process. It's certainly more food for thought.

With my skin still slightly damp from the Essential Mist toner, I applied a pump of Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator*. I still really rate this and find it does a good job of softening my fine lines, although the fishy smell does limit its popularity. I have to confess that last month I made a terrible mistake whilst using it. In a sleep bleary state I slapped it on moisturiser style, taking it down my neck and decolletage. Later that day, the skin on my chest was covered in fairly large bumps which took over a week to disappear. There's no doubting that the active ingredients in the Activator really are active!

My skin felt really good after using the EH Cleansing Balm, Live Native Essential Mist and Face Firming Activator and I consider these three to be a golden combination for my skin. Alongside the massage and the hot flannel, of course. Although my skin felt well hydrated at this point, I finished off with a moisturiser out of habit. I've just started using the Antipodes Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream so I will refrain from my making any comments but I will say that its scent did an excellent job of masking the post-Perricone smell. I also used the Zelens Triple-Action eye cream* which I previously reviewed here. Job done!

Do you have any trusted face favourites?

* PR Samples

Själ, So Good

My 'me' time has been very limited recently and this has the effect of making me more grumpy than normal. I have hit upon a new technique for making sure I do find time to pamper my face. I know it isn't novel and I'm probably the last person to catch on, but I've taken to slapping face masks whilst I do the cleaning. It's Mum multi-tasking at its very best.

The products that I have been pampering myself with for the last couple of weeks are from the Själ Skincare line. This premium, mineral based skincare brand contains some rather interesting and expensive ingredients. This is my way of preparing you for the prices. You may want to start buttering up your Sugar Daddy now!

The Själ Holiday Essentials set that I was sent to try contains both the Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask and Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask (it also contains their Balans Deep Pore Cleanser). I tend to apply these masks one after the other: I apply the exfoliating mask first to a freshly cleansed face, followed by the perfecting mask. It is recommended that you leave both masks on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

The Pearl Enzyme exfoliating mask is my favourite of the two in terms of results. It has a similar feel and effect to the Dr Darren McKeown mask that I have reviewed previously, however the grains are more refined and less scratchy than the Dr Darren version. The Pearl Enzyme mask also dries down on the skin a little too. The exfoliating mask does have a bit of a strange and not entirely pleasant odour. I've tried and failed to pinpoint exactly what it is but it is worth putting up with the smell for the super smooth skin it reveals once rinsed off with a damp cloth.

The Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask is a thing of beauty. It looks and smells divine, it also contains some rather impressive ingredients. According to the blurb on the packaging, it contains 'Chinese herbs, silk proteins and blue lotus to protect, soften, calm & tone while increasing oxygen uptake. Gold, platinum & GABA amino acid for firming; sapphire and bio-tissue salts for cell regeneration & pore minimization'. Although it promises much, I think most of these benefits are pretty hard to judge on a personal level. Certainly, the improvements to my skin aren't as easy to see and feel as the Pearl Enzyme.

The two other items from Själ that I have been using are not new to me. As I mentioned above, the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser is included in the Holiday Essentials set and I have been reunited with my old favourite, Mineral Källa Energy Tonic. The Mineral Tonic has been reformulated and it's still as good as ever. The refreshing and hydrating feel of this mist is just as I remember. I'm not a big toner fan generally but this is definitely the mayonnaise in my chicken sandwich (analogy shamelessly stolen from the Beauty Mouth).

Although no one has said so, I suspect that the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser has also been reformulated. I find this formula doesn't foam at all and it has lost that chilly menthol after-zing. I haven't used this as much as the other Själ products as I had anticipated the cleanser would be too 'strong' for my skin based on previous experience. As this seems to be a more gentle formulation, I will continue to use this and report back.

I don't necessarily think you need to be going on holiday to appreciate the items in the Holiday Essentials set, of course, combining it with housework is strictly optional too. I can't find this set online but individually the items cost: £124 for the Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask, £128 for the Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask and £47 for the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser. My favourite Själ product remains the Mineral Källa Energy Tonic (£47) and it's something I would feel happy replacing when I run out. Previous experience tells me that it lasts months. As nice as the masks are, I really struggle once prices go above my £50/60 threshold for skincare items.

Själ is available from Zuneta and Harvey Nichols in the UK. You can find details of other stockist Worldwide on the Själ website.

Disclosure: These items were sent to me without cost for review purposes.

Pampering Time: Face Masks

I slipped off to bed early last night as I was really shattered. Although I rarely fall asleep early, I do like to spend this time cosying up in my bedroom and enjoying a bit of time to myself. Something I often do on nights like this is put on a face mask and I have a few old faithfuls as well as a couple of new finds that I will pick from depending on how my skin is behaving.

For smooth skin: Naked Truth Face Renewal Mask (currently on sale for £11.99 - I think!)*
When my skin is feeling bumpy and looking a little grey, I reach for this one. It has quite a soothing, whipped texture but the large gritty lumps may not be everyone's cup of tea. It does a good job of exfoliating my skin and when I remove it my skin looks brighter and feels plump and smooth. This is a nice choice if you're in the mood for a mask than doesn't set.

As I went to look up the price, I spotted that the brand seems to have re-launched and ditched the Naked Truth name. I have a feeling that this Tri-Mineral microdermabrasion mask is the new name for the Face Renewal Mask.

For pore cleansing: Montagne Jeunesse Damask Rose Deep Cleansing Mask (£4.99)*
Although this was a PR sample, I have been using Montagne Jeunesse masks for years. I like to use a clay based mask whenever my skin is feeling congested or I can feel spots brewing. I like the Rose scent of this mask too. I also like the price!

To shave a couple of years off: REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (£30)*
I've had the REN Glycolactic peel mask for over a year now. It has a strange texture for a mask; it's quite thick and gooey and can feel a little sticky on the skin (I know, I'm really selling it here). This mask does tingle a little whilst it is on but nothing too uncomfortable. It is a little tricky to wash it off because of the sticky texture but it does leave my skin feeling nice and refreshed. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I do think it makes my fine lines a little less obvious. The peel mask costs £30.

To shave a few more off! Heaven Bee Venom Mask (£65)*
The Heaven skincare line was created by Deborah Mitchell and the Bee Venom mask already has quite a name for itself. Deborah Mitchell's celebrity clients include Danni Minogue, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham. The mask has a creamy texture and has a slightly sweet scent which I presume is from the manuka honey and essentials oils. It doesn't set but it does make the skin prickle a little as you might expect from a treatment that contains bee sting. I definitely feel that it plumps my skin and improves the overall texture. The Bee Venom mask is available from Nutribeautyproducts.com

Personally, I wouldn't use either the REN or the Bee Venom mask before an event. They can make my skin look a little flushed immediately afterwards and I tend to see the greatest improvements to my skin the morning after.

For hydrating: Lancome Vivéclat
I suspect this is a long discontinued item. It's similar to Clarins Flash Balm in that you can apply a thin layer or apply more liberally as a mask. I don't find it has a tightening effect but it's very good at rehydrating my skin when moisturiser alone won't cut it. I suppose I will eventually get around to working out what this was replaced with when I run out!

The one I don't like: Soap & Glory Fab Pore Facial Peel (£8)
I know that Soap & Glory is a really popular brand but I have to admit I'm not a big fan. This mask is mostly inoffensive but it doesn't really seem to do anything for my skin either. It's somewhere between a clay mask and an exfoliator. I haven't noticed a peeling effect particularly and it leaves my face feeling a little tight after use. 

Do you have a favourite mask or pampering treatment?


*PR Samples