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.

Montagne Jeunesse Tottles

When I heard about the Montagne Jeunesse masks in "Tottles" form I was really keen to give them a try. I've been picking up their masks in Boots and Superdrug for a long time. If I remember rightly I even added some to the Christmas Beauty boxes I gave to family members last year. I think they're a nice and affordable way to have a little pamper of an evening. It can be a little messy getting the masks out of the sachet so the squeezy tube/bottle idea is a good one.

I received four of the masks to try: Sensuous Spice, Tropical Peel Off, Dark Chocolate and Damask Rose. I know you've probably read lots of reviews already but I wanted to try them all out before writing a review and with my skin having a little freak out I needed to space them out.

I tried Damask Rose first of all and I really like it. I picked this one first as it was at the peak of my bad skin and as it's supposed to be an ultra deep cleansing mask I thought it would be a good choice. It really helped dry up the outbreak on my chin. It was very relaxing and I rather like the smell. It reminds me of the old Immac scent before it became Veet. In a good way of course! It's a clay mask so it goes on wet and dries on the skin. It contains kaolin, natural clay and Mediterranean clay for a full on purifying experience.
 
Next up was the Tropical Peel Off mask. This smells really nice and goes on easily. I was too stingy with my application though and couldn't peel it off in one go (I was very disappointed, peeling is so satisfying). My recommendation is that you apply liberally to ensure you get good peel action.

I tried the Sensuous Spice mask a few days later. This is a self warming mask and although the colour is a little strange, I loved the warming sensation. It has a very nice, almost Christmassy spiced scent to it. The heat is really relaxing too.

I saved the Dark Chocolate till last. This mask has such an amazing chocolate orange scent which filled my bathroom and set off a few cravings. This was another clay mask and whilst it was relaxing, I was pleased to know it was working on my blemishes. This is one best used when you're not going to be disturbed though. I was caught out whilst wearing this by both baby and husband. Baby cried and husband laughed! Take care when washing it off too as the dark colour means it's quite prone to staining.

I would happily recommend all of these. At £4.99 I think they're an affordable treat. I like the new Tottles packaging too. These are available in Superdrug and also from www.montagnejeunesse.com.


Disclosure: PR sample.