Origins Original Skin Retexturising Mask With Rose Clay Really Does Retexture Skin To Its Original Smooth And Flawless Condition

What a concept! To retexture skin to its original flawless texture. For someone with congested skin, oversized pores, blemishes and irregularities, it's the kind of thing I'd roll my eyes at and ask to pull the other one. So can you imagine the spit take when I discover a mask that delivers smoother, supplier and retextured skin? The Origins Original Skin Retexturising Mask With Rose Clay manages to be both a face mask and an exfoliatior; an expert resurfacing combination that really does achieve that flawless skin.

Origins' latest mask is a gorgeous pink little number contains active rose clay, Canadian willowherb and jojoba seeds to help provide that flawless look. Rose clay is a gentle way to extract impurities. This soft, sticky clay barely hardens, it remains gorgeously wet and hydrating when left for the 10-20 minute treatment. A little unusual for your typical clay mask, this mask manages to draw out impurities through its sticky texture, as opposed to the hardening and drying of clay. As a bonus, I use a cleaning cloth to remove (as I said, this mask can be a bit of a tough cookie), as a little boost to the exfoliation factor.

The added (and plentiful at that) jojoba beads helps to aid exfoliation on, ensuring that pores are unclogged, skin texture is resurfaced and any impurities are removed. The delicate jojoba beads are soft and natural circular seeds that gently move along the skin's surface aiding renewal. Everything about this mask is delicate and nurturing, transforming even my sensitive skin into a healthy complexion.

Original Skin is perfectly descriptive of what this mask achieves. Offering that youthful skin texture, skin is smoother, supple and healthy. Impurities are removed, skin is decongested and pores are emptied, creating a true silky smooth surface. My skin is left clearer, clarified, balanced, calmed and flawless. 

The floral scent of the rose clay is subtly sweet. It's a fragrance that endures, so for the 10-20 minutes during the treatment I can continue to experience this relaxing and calming scent. The clay is cool and wet when first applied, then begins to warm - in quite a comforting way - without any of the tingling that comes with a typical clay mask.

Origins Original Skin Retexturising Mask With Rose Clay has been an expert skin treatment to keep my skin soft and supple. Whenever I feel congested, Original Skin is what I reach for, whenever my pores are clogged, Original Skin is my first port of call, whenever I what clearer, more clarified and balanced skin, Original Skin is always there in my hour of need. This mask really has become my saving grace, providing me with such well-conditioned skin that I never imagined my face could attain.

Origins Original Skin Retexturising Mask With Rose Clay can be purchased from Origins for £23.00 / 100ML.

The #QuarterLifeCrisis; Do I Really Want To Be Anti-Ageing In My Early Twenties?

I have a very critical, and occasionally cynical, part to my mind that refuses to see the world for black and white. Nothing is ever what it is advertised to us as. A few months back, when Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum hit the shop floors, my feed was flooded with claims that any age-fearing human in their mid-twenties needed to add pre-anti-ageing anti-ageing into their routines. Red flag; my natural scepticism kicked straight in.

This isn't to say this product doesn't work, but really, would we ever know otherwise?

It's brilliant, really. A market that never existed before, has now been created. The product created for that marked has positively unmeasurable results. How do I possibly ever quantify whether pre-anti-ageing products work? I don't. I just close my eyes, continue to fork over the £32.00 bi-monthly and hope for the best. 

Without any possible way to measure whether this product will take any visible effect on my skin, lets talk about the immediate changes, the effects I can see happening now. And you know what, contrary to my thought on this scheme, this serum does actually have some merit.

Taking 1-2 pumps of this light mauve-pink serum into my palms - which is more than spreadable enough to cover the entire face - its silky thick cream-like consistency, feels almost velvety on skin. There is an instant pore-blurring effect, combined with the pinkish tint, it makes for the perfect skin smoother.

My skin condition has significantly improved. I have a much smoother skin, with the depth of pores minimised and any scarring or permanent blemishes drastically reduced in visibility. My skin feels so wonderfully supple and delicate and the only way it could possibly described as, is... youthful. There it is. They did it.

While I can't vouch for the anti-ageing effects, the potential is there and the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum does have immediate skin improving qualities. However, the claim to delete skin dullness and enhance skin's glow are weak at best. In fact, my skin feels almost a little duller when using this. But glow can be added through other products as skin smoothing effects like this are difficult to come by.

So, where do I stand on pre-anti-ageing? I don't. I don't stand anywhere on it. It is just too impossible to quantify the results. By the time I show signs of ageing, I have no measurable way to say whether the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum suspended the ageing process, accelerated it, or did utterly nothing at all. Maybe I'll come back in 20 years with some answers for you.

But for now, the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum is a delicate thick serum which helps to blur pores and smooth skin. It gives skin a youthful-esque delicacy, applied in a gorgeously velvety formula with a petite, fruity scent. Effective, repurchase.

As early-twenties anti-ageing goes, I'm still sceptical on you.

Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum is available from Origins for £32.00 for 30ML (full size). Alternatively, you can pick up the 15ML (miniature size) for £15.00. Which, if you by 2 of, actually works out cheaper for you. Go figure. 

#MissionEmpties Week 03: Over the Hump

Week after week, I find myself increasingly satisfied with the sheer volume of products I am able to eliminate from my collection. While the countless emptied bottles, tubes and jars all speak for themselves, I can't give myself total credit. These featured products were already partially empty when I begun #MissionEmpties, ranging anywhere between 1 days use, to 4 weeks remaining, the majority of which, falling into the lower end of that scale. Because, let's be honest, nobody gets through 3 toners in a month.

This week has been an interesting rollercoaster of finding dreamy products I have fallen in love with, countered by a myriad of products I've found dull, useless, or just outright hated. Yes, this week has been tough. Let's go from best to worst, shall we?

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Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash £11.00 / 50ML

I just could not love this cleanser more (full review here). While it creates a small lather, it is in no way stripping, instead, it's really quite moisturising. Its ability to unclog pores is unmatched. I have the clearest, cleanest skin imaginable after use. This product has become an absolute staple for me, degunking pores in the most comfortable fashion. Essential.

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Skin & Tonic London Brit Beauty Oil £28.00 / 30ML

Through encouraging cellular function, this oil hugely improves skin condition, creating a healthier and plumper complexion (full review here). My skin looks fuller and nourished, given the optimum level of hydration. While a slightly heavier oil, it's perfect for use as a night-time moisturiser. Effective, repurchase.

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Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil £7.99 / 10ML

This delicately light oil helps to improve skin's condition while regulating oil production (full review here). Skin is expertly hydrated, while revitalised through the rejuvenating properties of frankincense. My skin appears much healthier, offering a brighter complexion, the perfect substitue for a day-time moisturiser. Effective, repurchase. 

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PureChimp Super Body Cream £12.95 / 120ML

I'm a big advocate for PureChimp, their simple natural formulas are, in essence, super foods for the skin. Their PureChimp Super Body Cream is a buttery little number, with an almost bubbly, whipped texture, which, once applied, melts into a rather thick oil. While it is fairly greasy, it is in no way sticky. Follow that up with a wonderfully banana-y scent, and you've got yourself the perfect creamy mix to keep skin supple and moisturised. Effective, repurchase. 

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The Oxford Honey Company Beeswax Foot Cream £6.00 / 40G

As someone who is always on their feet and always participating in sports or exercise, my feet are often left neglected, when really, they need the utmost care. I suffer with dry feet, blisters, cracking, you name it, I continue to put my feet through it. Beeswax has been the perfect solution for helping to moisturise and heal my poor bruised tootsies. The beeswax helps to create a thick protective barrier that moisturises and cures any damage. My feet are now super supple and soft. It's wax after all, so it's a little tough to spread, but it's wonderfully moisturising, perfect for evening use. Effective, repurchase.

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LUSH Curly Wurly Coconut Shampoo £10.25 / 220G

My hair has always been dry and frizzy, and I've found one of the best ways to counter that is to cleanse my hair with moisturising shampoos without any over-stripping sulphates. The LUSH Curly Wurly Coconut Shampoo is very nourishing and caring, helping to leave my hair and scalp wonderfully hydrated, without making it heavy, greasy or lank. It contains desiccated coconut, which becomes tangled in hair, even after rinsing, as it's tricky to remove. I find it in my bathtub, on my floors, in my bed, stuck in my hair. It's very, very messy. Effective, don't repurchase.

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The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream £12.00 / 50ML

While oily, my skin often does become dehydrated or in need of some TLC. For those times, I'll pick up and intensive moisturiser to help sooth and rehydrate my skin. The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream is very cooling to touch, helping to instantly sooth and calm. It is a very loose, spreadable liquid that quickly absorbs, offering an instant boost of hydration. The smell is just divine, very natural and pretty. Effective, don't repurchase. 

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John Masters Organics Geranium and Grapefruit Body Wash £6.00 / 2OZ.

During my initial pledge, my other half said he would help me get through my products. This is the one and only product he used... and you guessed it, his comments on it are dry at best. "Yes it smells good and yes it does good.": in response to my questioning. But, well, that's not useful to anybody, so I used this body wash myself (even though I'm an self-proclaimed soap lover). Geranium is one of my all time favourite scents, and combined with grapefruit creates the ultimate complimentary blend. The wash is wonderfully moisturising and effectively cleans. If I were a body wash user, you can bet I'd repurchase this. But sadly, I'm not. Not Suitable.

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Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off £11.70 / 100G

As a face mask with a consistency similar to a treacle syrup, it manages to be both moisturising and exfoliating, turning skin into a much smoother and balanced canvas. This mask continues to stay wet, not drying on skin, meaning skin continues to feel hydrated and cherished. My skin feels very supple and soft after use, as, upon removal, the sugar granules create a nice gritty method of exfoliation. My complexion is balanced, meaning any redness or inflammation is significantly reduced. However, the smell somehow manages to be both sickly sweet and powerfully chemical, not nearly as delicious as it initally sounds. Effective, don't repurchase.

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Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Blackhead Cleansing Sugar Scrub £8.90 / 30ML

This product is the face scrub equivalent to the Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off (as seen above). Once again, it uses sugar to exfoliate, leaving behind much smoother skin. As sugar very readily dissolves in water, the scrub begins fairly gritty and once the granules begin to dissolve, becomes quite soft and gentle. It's bound inside a thick, sugary syrup which has a very fake an synthetic scent. Effective, don't repurchase.

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Origins United State Balancing Tonic £18.50 / 150ML

I'll admit, I was a little dubious about this product, as I assumed it was going to be astringent. Instead, I found it to be really quite gentle. But this is where my praise ends. This tonic is utterly useless. It does nothing in the way of balancing, calming, toning or refreshing skin. While my skin does feel comfortable after use, the lack of any other redeeming properties make it really quite pointless. Ineffective.

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Innisfree Jeji Volcanic Blackhead Out Balm £3.97 / 30ML

This has to be one of the most pointless and ineffective products I have used of late. Supposedly, this product melts away blackheads after you message the soft-scoop balm into skin for around 3-5 minutes. It does nothing of the sort. The soft balm, melts into a very thin milk-like texture and disappears. There is no sensation while massaging and no visible after effects. It clogs pores horrendously; I can see the product trapped in my skin, so have to cleanse and exfoliate immediately after. Ineffective.

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LUSH Tea Tree Water £4.25 / 100G

Since becoming enamoured with toning mists and sprays over the past few months, I figured this was a blanket truth for me, but after using LUSH Tea Tree Water, I quickly learned how wrong I was. This is not something you want to spray directly onto your face, ever. As it's a toning water, it's far thicker and heavier than your typical mist. It fires out of the bottle with such vigour, and leaves a very, very wet mess behind. It doesn't absorb, so bring out the welcome mat for the cotton pads. Spray directly onto your face, or apply via the cotton pad. Either way, keep this thing away from your eyes as it stings without mercy. As a tea tree toner, the fragrance is subtle and its antibacterial properties seem absent. Its only real redeeming quality is that it is very refreshing. Skin feels extremely fresh and clean after use, and nothing more. Ineffective.

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Yes to Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream £11.99 / 15ML

I'll be honest, I found this utterly useless. Sadly, we just didn't click. This eye cream is of an extremely light consistency that manages to spread too far, too much. You have to be extremely sparing with your portion size, as the cream seems to slip and slide around skin, getting everywhere without ever actually absorbing. You are going to have to dedicate some real time to get this product to blend in. Besides the hassle, that's also the part where this cream doesn't work. My eye area is not brighter, or revived, nor am I hydrated. In fact, my eyes are often left feeling tight and exposed. Whatever you do, do not get this product in your eyes. It stings horribly and will leave irritation for at least 30 minutes afterwards. I don't need to tell you, Avoid.

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The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover £9.00 / 150ML

As my cleansing routine is dominated by oils, I struggle just justify ever needing a dedicated make-up remover. When I consider that this is just specific for eyes and lips and requires a cotton pad to apply, it just seems too wasteful. When we also consider that this product is to be used specifically on the eyes, the very least we can expect is that it doesn't actually sting the eyes on contact, right? Well, enter The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover the most irritating product I have ever used. My eyes sting, weep and itch after use. To top that off, it just isn't effective, or nearly as efficient as an oil. While it does remove make-up, it takes such a huge amount of product to do a proper job. Avoid.

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Andrea Garland Rose and Ginseng Revitalising Toner £12.50 / 100ML
This. Oh, my goodness. With only three organic ingredients, I would imagine you'd be very hard pressed to go wrong. Sadly, this is the most pointless, useless and ineffectual product I have ever used. Taking a small amount onto a cotton pad, and wiping it along skin, the initial scent is unpleasant, but not unbearable. After several moments the scent seems to sour and, quite honestly, smells like urine. It's powerful and unmasked. The grotesque scent sits with me all day. There are no toning, balancing or purifying effect here, only horrific smells. Avoid.

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On that note, yes, I'm looking forward to returning to my usually routine. It has been tough, biting my tongue and getting through some of these products. I hate the thought of being wasteful, which I why I need to become far more savvy and responsible with my buying.

Of the 16 products listed here, 11 are from my original pledge, making the current standings at 17 left to empty.

To catch up on my initial pledge and rules about the self-directed #MissionEmpties Challenge, read the #MissionEmpties MASTER POST.

#MissionEmpties Week 01: Getting the Ball Rolling

To mark the inauguration of the #MissionEmpties Challenge, I figured it important to reflect (and/or keep tabs) on the products I've emptied into digestible weekly chunks. Following it up with some unflattering photography of empty jars, pots, tubes, bottles and the like. Just how do you make used up product look good, especially the ones I hacked away at with scissors? You don't. 

In part, this first week has been a little easy. A lot of the products listed here were very much nearly finished up. I just had a few drops and a few uses of each left. This is all my own hoarder fault.

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Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm £12.95 / 55ML

This little wonder product is an expert multi-tasker and I've put it to the test in every possible way. It's a thick, soft balm that melts into a lovely, silky oil when heated slightly. I primarily use it as a cleansing balm as it's very gentle and non-irritating on eyes, while effectively removing make-up. I also use it as a moisturiser, its thick balm-texture creates a barrier on the skin to retain moisture. Finally, I use it as a face mask when I need an extra boost of hydration. This product delivers, and it delivers out of the park. Essential.

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Human+Kind Hair Conditioner for Dry Hair (Orange) £7.50 / 200ML 

I suffer with some insufferable frizz. My hair needs moisture from every angle it can get, the most effective of which being conditioner. This is such a nourishing conditioner, it provides my hair with all the essential moisture it needs without weighing it down or becoming lank. The orange scent is so very faint, but lovely all the same. Essential? You betcha! 

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Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil £16.50 / 20ML

I reviewed this very recently here and decided to finish off the few remaining drops I've been coveting. Yes, I still think it's just divine. This oil is great for offering nourishment and moisture while controlling oil. It's extremely lightweight, so it effectively absorbs, while helping to maintain my skin's balance. Effective, repurchase.

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Our Tiny Bees Über Balm £7.95 / 45G

Admittedly, a solid favourite of mine. I'm now on my 4th tin of this little delight, and my psoriasis has never been better. It's an all-natural balm made be our hard working bees. It sinks straight into sink, while supplying me with essential, long-lasting moisture. For years I have been using prescribed medications for my psoriasis, more of which were effective, but had a god-awful scent. The Über Balm smells of sweet, delicious honey. Truly scrumptious. Essential.

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Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser Travel Size £4.95 / 30ML

I fell in love with this product some time ago (full review here), and that love is still going strong. I received a trail version of the cleanser free with the Bee Good Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator (review here), and 30ML is the perfect size for travelling, and due to this being a thick, read cream, it lasts bloody ages. The scent it beautiful, and the results are great. I'm left really clean and fresh and very well moisturised. Hat's off, once more. Effective, repurchase.

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Makuka Doctor Normalising Facial Oil £19.99 / 30ML
This is a facial oil that I didn't initially get along with (full review here), and still don't entirely get along with. It's truly wonderfully at oil control and balancing/normalising the overproduction of oil. Just a few drop in the evening will do the trick to see you through the following day. However, this thing smells something horrid. I can't get past that. The results are fantastic, sure, but I've really struggled to use this oil up. Effective, don't repurchase.

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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] £15.50 / 40ML
Perfect for reducing the signs of scarring, imperfections, blemishes: I'm on my second batch of this and it has yet to disappoint (full review here). It has a very light, spreadable texture, which doesn't entirely absorb, so I now reseve it for evening use. It has help reduce the appearance of raised marks I have on my forehead and cheeks. Effective, repurchase.

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The Body Shop Vitamin E Body Lotion £8.00 / 250ML

For the longest time, this was my go-to skin saviour for my psoriasis. But it just wasn't enough to see me through the entire day. While its primary use isn't actually to combat skin conditions, its ability to hydrate and moisturise was perfect for my dry skin. It quickly absorbs, so doesn't leave any transfer onto my clothes, and it smells so fresh and divine. Effective, don't repurchase. 

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The Natural Deodorant Co. Clean Deodorant Balm £10.00 / 60ML
Featured here is only a 5ML sample I received this week as part of my order from the Peace & Beauty London Samples Mini Box for £5.00. This is now, very unsurprisingly, completely sold old. It's an all-natural deodorant wet balm, that is scooped up and massaged into your skin. It dries near instantly and has a powdery finish. It smells wonderfully fresh, while keeping my body wonderfully fresh all through the day. It is very super effective and I have already purchased the full size. Effective, repurchase. 

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Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover £19.00 / 125ML

This is actually a 30ML trail version I received free with purchase of the Cleansing Vanity for Combination to Oily Skin value kit. I'm glad I didn't part real money with this because this thing stings. It stings hard. For a make-up remover specific to the eyes, I was expecting it to be very gentle and sensitivity-concious. Nope. It hurts. Instead, I used it to remove eyebrow make-up only, avoiding the actual eye area entirely. Avoid.

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Origins Super Spot Remover £15.00 / 10ML

Given that, I didn't originally consider this product to be tops (full review here), I went back and purchased it anyway. Hello contrary! It is the fastest product I can find for reducing the appearance of blemishes. It tackles redness and inflammation like a boss, and definitely deserves some credit for that. However, the price tag makes me do an audible gulp every time I see it. I just cannot justify this purchase. Effective, don't repurchase.

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I must admit that I am already starting to feel the withdrawal symptoms of my usual skincare routine. My skin has become very out of sync, so I have purchased Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing Facial Tonic (£7.99 / 30ML) and Botanicals Organic Hydrating Mist (£15.00 / 100ML) to help boost hydration and help rebalance my skin. 

Of the 11 products listed here, 9 are of the original pledge. Only 38 more to go...

To catch up on my initial pledge list and rules about the self-directed #MissionEmpties Challenge, read the #MissionEmpties MASTER POST.

Hey Bright Thing: Origins GinZing™ Energy-boosting Moisturiser

This is a product that I never expected to ever try. A hydrating moisturiser designed to boost radiance on a face that pumps out oil every waking moment? No thanks! Actually, you... yes please! This provides my face with everything it needs to be healthy and nourished. While it might be oil-free, it does not keep my face oil-free. Cue sad face. But it does offer me a brighter, more lovelier complexion.

Okay, let's get one thing straight before continuing with this review, as I will continue to insist that the smell of a product does in no way effect whether I like it or not. But goodness, does this product smell tops. Well yes, maybe, just maybe, it does this makes me fall in love with it just a teensy bit more. But it already has super amazing benefits. This moisturiser smells just like oranges. Sweet, delicious oranges. And it last all day. Dee-lish.

This is all about radiance. This is all about it, and it delivers it, in a punch-packing way, Oily skin usually comes synonymously with dull skin. Complexion that is lacklustre, flat and almost a little desaturated. This is exactly what my face suffers from and it is one of those things that is definitely difficult to recognise or diagnose without experiencing your face with or without radiance. As I understand it now, I have always had dull skin, and now I've gone radiant, thanks to Origins GinZing Energy-boosting Moisturiser, there's no turning back.

Simply put, if I want any kind of colour or life to my face, I'll turn to this moisturiser.

This product spreads like a dream. I take a very small amount, dab it on my nose, cheeks, forehead, chin and neck then massage the product in, moving outwards from the nose. Like I said, I get a lot of mileage. It does leave me with, what I feel like is a greasy film across my face afterwards, something that my oily skin would grab at with both hands if I left it at that. So I always, always have to use a primer/mattifying balm over the top of this. My current favourites are The Body Shop's All-in-One Instablur Universal (£14.00 / 25ML), which is a very thick balm that actually delivers on its 12hr shine-control promise, and TONYMOLY's Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm ($13.22 / 20G), which is a silky smooth balm to both control shine (8hrs+) and blur pores. 

Due to it's energising properties, this moisturiser delivers on preventing dehydration, big time. Yes, your skin can be both oily and dehydrated. With hydration comes colour. It really does provide instant hydration and radiance to the face, in a way I've never experienced before. This product is absolutely essential. It honestly feeds my face. While it's a shame about the oily thing, that's nothing a trusty primer can't fix.

Origins GinZing Energy-boosting Moisturiser can by purchased online from Origins for £23.00 / 50ML. Alternatively, the larger value size £25.00 / 75ML is also available from Origins here. 

Eliminating What I Thought Were Blackheads Once and For All: Mario Badescu Silver Powder and Origins Modern Friction

Let's talk about blackheads, and what they apparently aren't. I thought I suffered with blackheads through all of my teenage years, right up to present day. Actually, I haven't. Instead, I have suffered with sebaceous filaments. These are blackheads in disguise. They don't look too dissimilar to blackheads, in that they are dark, clogged pores. When you squeeze them they excrete a translucent/white gunk, yet they never seem to be cleared. Alternatively, blackheads are actually much darker, and can raise the surrounding skin. When you get rid of a blackhead, it's gone for good... Unless it comes back. 

It was while reading Really Ree's post Is it a Blackhead? And How to Treat it! that the whole thing really hit home with me. "Yes, my blackheads never stay gone!" I exclaimed out loud, in my mind. And everything came into perspective, I was treating them all wrong. 

I actually accidentally discovered the answer to my face. While it's far from perfect, I am in love with my unclogged de-gunked pores right now.  Thank you Mario Badescu's Silver Powder and thank you Origin's Modern Friction for giving me the answers I never knew I always needed. 

The routine is simple. Silver Powder is a face mask that is activated with water. This is applied first then rinsed away with the help of Modern Friction; an exfoliating gel.

Mario Badescu Silver Powder

When I first purchased Mario Badescu's Silver Powder, I was rightfully confused. What even is Silver Powder? Well, it is just that. Except it's white instead. 

Supposedly, you dip a wet cotton pad into the powder and blot it onto your face. But when I did this, I found that it was difficult to evenly distribute and the cotton often transferred. Ideally, this powder needs to be mixed with water to form a paste, and then applied to the face like you would a conventional mask. The thing is, the  powder absolutely disappears in water. Like, some serious dissolving right there. So mix your water sparingly. A few drops, even. Apply the paste to all problem areas of your face and let it sit for 10 minutes. 

You'll find that as the mask starts to dry up on your face, it will turn back into powder (thank you). Meaning it will begin to fall off even when you think you're not moving, getting it all over your clothes and house. Problem. Big problem. But not big enough to make me hate it, given the results.

I saw results from this product instantaneously. After the first use, literally. And I hate that, I know, it's corny and untrustworthy, but after the first use I saw a massive reduction in clogged pores. And I continue to see results week after week. 

Essentially, the product seems to take all those real tricky articles in pores and remove them. That's what a lot of clay masks claim to do, but this one actually does it. This doesn't mean my pores are invisible. It means my pores are cleared. My pore size is still large, unfortunately. But they are far less noticeable because they aren't filled with any dark matter. Instead, they are now just fleshy coloured, and I really can't get enough of seeing that. 

When you rinse off the powder it then turns back into a paste. It's a lot of powder-to-paste-to-powder-to-paste with this process, and while it's messy, it's worth it. This powder is very light on skin. You will not feel it drying and hardening. In fact, you won't feel it on your face or doing anything to your face at all. But it is. 

Origin's Modern Friction

Origin's Modern Friction is an exfoliator, and it's a strange one at that, but a great one. 

It's fairly unconventional. Most exfoliators I've encountered have contained microbeads or have been a chemical fussed gel. Instead, this is like a thick, creamy gel, that, when smoothed into damp skin, turns into a thin, silky cream. It also contains rice starch, which are really soft clumps that roll around your face. It's odd at first, but instantly refreshing. It feels very comforting and it effortlessly helps remove the sticky Silver Powder.

WARNING: NEVER LEAVE THIS PRODUCT ON YOUR SKIN FOR ANY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

I have moderately sensitive skin and I let this product sit on my face for ~30 seconds. Never do that. My skin became very raw, red and sensitised. But don't let that be a deterrent. This product work perfectly when removed instantly. Use it to scrub, then wash away.

This product will last a long time. You only need a very small, 2 pea sized amount to cover your entire face as it spreads like a dream. Always apply to damp skin. Not only does this help the product spread further, but it also reduces irritation.

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Both of these products are extremely powerful and successful. But they are also extremely drying. I find that after using these products it is always best to follow it up with either an extremely hydrating moisturiser, or an oil. I always use PureChimp's Super One (Natural Face Oil) as it prevents any dehydration or dryness.

I do this combination 2-3 times a week. After the first use, I saw results from the Silver Powder. Small results, but results nonetheless. After a month of use, the pores of my forehead were completely cleared and colourless. I am still trying to combat my cheeks and nose. These are far more stubborn areas of skin. But I still continue to use the products on the no-longer-congested-areas to prevent a comeback tour. 

They aren't perfect. Both of these products have some pretty major faults. But when used together, their results are so successful that I can't help but look past all that. They have become an absolutely essential part of my skin care routine.

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Mario Badescu's Silver Powder can be purchased from Beauty Bay for £10.25 / 1OZ (UK Retailer). For the brand listing, visit Mario Badescu. 

Origin's Modern Friction can be purchased from Origins for £33.00 / 125ML. Alternatively, a smaller 50ML version for £12.50 can be purchased from John Lewis. 

Origins: Spot Remover and Super Spot Remover

I sincerely think I missed the hype-train here. Why all the fuss? These products seem to be severely overpriced. Sure, they might effective, but... so what? 

Now, I like Origins, their products feel nourishing, caring and and oh-so good for you. But they are a premium brand. And we all know premium is synonymous with price (£££) and size. The former being way larger than we'd ever like and the latter being something that actually does matter. 

I heard a lot of claims about how small the Super Spot Remover Gel was. And yes, they were all right. This thing is super miniature. A really disappointing kind of miniature. 

A dinky soft plastic tube with a twist cap. The small hole in the top allows you some control over how much product is released. But as always, gravity and applied pressure work their magic. As you sink lower into the tube, you'll really need to turn it upside down to get any product out. While it's a squeezable tube, it still becomes quite difficult to remove the desired amount. I've often over-squeezed and with a product like this, you literally can't afford to do that.

You apply a small amount of the Super Spot Remover Gel to your blemish - just enough to cover. Depending on which part of my face I applied it to, I would often get a stinging/tingling sensation. Usually around the forehead and cheeks - the jawline and neck suffered no such nonsense.  

The gel will dry on skin after several minutes, after which, it forms a translucent, yet shiny, film around the applied area. This can be a little noticeable. Especially if worn under face make-up. I tried liquid, compact and loose powder foundations on top of the skin and found that the shine penetrated through and clogged make-up around these areas. 

It definitely is effective. It's more than efficient at reducing redness and inflammation, taking as little as several hours to get to work. For sizing down, this thing's got your back. But for actually clearing skin, I didn't notice any particular improvements. While a blemish may appear smaller, it wasn't removed any faster than it would have naturally. 

Generally, the gel tended to turn larger red blemishes into whiteheads, which has literally never happened to me before - referring to blemishes on neck. Which I was then able to remove the good old-fashioned between-two-fingernails way. *squeems*

The Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads come in the most over-sized jumbo container ever. When compared to the Super Spot Remover Gel, it's almost comedic. The joke being that this thing doesn't work. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Inside this large - and very tacky feeling - cylinder, are 60 pads, to be used once in the morning and then in the evening. Simply wipe away your blemishes! I'm not really sure why I trusted that wiping my face with a damp piece of cloth was ever a good way to truly benefit from the active ingredient? Blemishes be gone! Or not. 

I really didn't notice any change in my skin. Using one pad both morning and then evening, which are really just not large enough to make sure you cover the entire face without reusing the same section, I felt no change in the behaviour or the appearance of my skin. 

This product doesn't leave any kind of feeling or residue on skin. However, the pads do remain drenched in whatever that not-so-special formula is, right to the very end. Every cloud.

Super Spot Remover Gel Scored Effective, don't repurchase. While the gel is effective at reducing the appearance of redness and inflammation, it has no special results that warrant such an ungodly price tag. 

Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads Scored Ineffective. There were no quantifiable or noticeable results from using this product.   

Super Spot Remover Gel can be purchased from Origins' in-store and online for £15.00 / 10ML. Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads can be purchased from Origin's in-store and online for £24.00 / 60 PADS.