Thursday, 17 September 2015

Moss Clear Resolution Balancing Facial Oil, For Clearer, Healthier Skin

Moss: Modern Organic Sacred Skincare are a luxury organic skincare brand specifically focused on providing natural solutions to acne, congested and blemish prone skin types. As my skin type is oily, I am regularly burdened with large, inflamed blemishes along my neck and jawline. Moss Clear Resolution Balancing Facial Oil has featured heavily around my jaw these past three months, and I've got to say, I am so glad we crossed paths.
I'd never even considered the possibility before, that blemish control products could be carried as an oil. Sign me up! Championing the ingredients list is Guava Seed Oil, which helps to supply a healthy dose of Vitamin C. Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa) Seed Oil helps to reduce inflammation and soothe fussy skin. Followed by Ginger, Jasmine and Rose to help heal and nourish.

This super little mixture has helped my jawline to feel wonderfully nourished and moisturised. Forgetting the blemish fighting powers for a moment, this little wonder-bottle has helped to nurture and regenerate my skin, transforming into a gorgeous, supple and clear neckline.

The concept of nurturing skin to help sooth and calm is very welcome indeed. The serum helps to carefully heal the skin, without any need for harsh or astringent chemicals. Instead, it very gently takes my face in both hands and coddles it back to good health. My neck blemishes have now been banished. I saw immediate effects in reducing redness and inflammation, followed by prevention of any further outbreaks. My jawline is now clear and blemish-free! 

This is a very thick oil, yet surprisingly manages to disappear seamlessly. The serum is quite warm and friendly to touch, it's a very welcome and pleasant product. It is somewhat orange-green in colour and can stain the skin if not blended carefully, so make sure to double-check - I have been caught out a few times by that. The scent is pleasantly powerful, somewhat earthy, yet in a way quite tart, but almost certainly therapeutic.

Miraculously, this little bottle seems to break the Bekenstein Limit. How it managed to last three months, I'm clueless, as I applied a several drops both morning and night, daily. I loved that instantaneous nourishment I felt upon applying this serum. I immediately felt hydrated and revitalised, a sensation which, to date, has gone unmatched.

The anti-inflammatory and blemish prevention abilities of the Moss Clear Resolution Balancing Facial Oil are absolute. By marring ingredients with both blemish control and nourishing properties, this oil manages to excel against other harsher treatments, a true testament to the power of nature. Effective, repurchase.

Moss Clear Resolution Balancing Facial Oil can be purchased from Moss for $65.00 / 20ML.

Unfortunately, Moss are only based in the US, meaning you'll have to fork out for international delivery costs ($22.00) and potentially face customs charges.
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Sunday, 13 September 2015

#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?
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.
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.
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. 
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. 
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Thursday, 10 September 2015

Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil

Balm Balm are a brand I've been introduced to through subscribing to the LoveLula Monthly Beauty Box. Without this introduction, I'm not sure whether I would have ever even thought to try Balm Balm. Since my subscription - which I have been subscribed to since June - I have had the pleasure of trying the Balm Balm Fragrance Free Organic Face Balm (£6.99 / 30ML), the Balm Balm Tea Tree Organic Lip Balm (£3.50 / 7ML) and the Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil (£7.99 / 10ML). All of which, I have thoroughly enjoyed, the lip balm especially so. As my routine goes, this is a brand I want to feature heavily, as their products are wonderfully nourishing, minimal and perfectly effective.

As one of the oilier skin types, whenever I hear the words 'light facial oil', I swoon. The Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil is a super light, yet very moisturising, facial oil, which helps to maintain optimum hydration levels throughout the day. It's a relatively thin oil that quickly and fully absorbs into skin, leaving a soft, hydrated complexion. 

Frankincense Oil (INCI: Boswelia Neglecta Oil) is listed 5 out of the 6 essential oils found in this product. So, what properties have you got Frankincense that deserve to put your name on the bottle? Frankincense has incredible rejuvenate effects, helping to improve and revitalise skin's condition. It has helped to refresh my skin, give me a brighter and more balanced complexion, while supporting skin's hydration levels.
Due to this oil being lightweight and absorbent, I use this it as a day-time moisturiser. My skin is wonderfully nourished throughout the day and my complexion is even and aglow. By helping maintain hydration, my skin's oil production is significantly reduced. While I still need to use a primer to help support oil control, the Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil moisturising properties are not something to bat an eyelid at. 

This is wonderful for improving skin's condition. I do find my skin to be rejuvenated and revitalised, giving me much healthier skin and a brighter complexion. It has a faint yellowish tinge, which doesn't stain skin as it quickly sinks away. The smell is utterly divine. A very rich and deep scent, its aromatic properties helping to calm and relax.

The Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil expertly keeps skin hydrated, refreshed and balanced. This delicate little thing is easily absorbed and something that will definitely be featuring in my routine in future. Effective, repurchase.

Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil can be purchased from LoveLula for £7.99 / 10ML. Alternatively, a larger value size can be purchase for £13.50 / 30ML here.
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Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash: The Ultimate Cleanser for De-Gunking Pores

There are two words, which, without fail, always make my skin crawl. 'Face Wash'. There, did you feel it, too? 'Wash' often implies sulphates, surfactants, chemicals and all manner of harsh foaming agents designed to strip my skin of all its natural oily goodness.  But, with a 98.7% natural formula, Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash manages to create a gentle and moisturising lather which effectively clears skin without over-stripping. 
In order to create that lather, the Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash contains decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside (both natural sugar-based co-surfactants), which are both derived from coconut and fruit sugars, used for their foaming and conditioning properties. The way this cleanser foams is unlike any other, as it is bound inside the lovely moisturising gum, which aids in the retention of skin's moisture.

When I say foam or froth here, I'm not talking about bubbles and suds, I'm talking about a gentle creamy lather that leaves a gum-based residue. The cleanser has a sticky gelatinous quality to it (a parallelism to which, I'm not going to draw out loud), but when it is activated on skin it becomes soft and slick, like a nice thick mousse. The gummy consistency leaves skin supple, instead of the usual tight and stripped sensation given from other foaming cleansers.

Now, this is where Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash really comes into its element. This cleanser is absolutely bloody brilliant at de-gunking pores. My pores literally transition from grey and clogged before use, to clear and empty after use. Any build-up or grime that is trapped in my pores is instantaneously and gently whisked away effortlessly, leaving me with the ultimate clear complexion. This is the most effective face wash I have ever used, bar none.

When it comes to removal, the cleanser is partially water resistant, meaning water appears to just slip off. So, this is another job for our friend, the trusty flannel. I have used this product around eyes, but they were closed tightly. It is recommended on the tube to keep eyes firmly shut when using. Those are explicit instructions. You've been warned.

The scent of this product is fairly chemical. It has a somewhat acidic, burnt fragrance to it that is fairly unpleasant. Not unpleasant enough to stop me from using it, but it's definitely something to be aware of. However, when you weigh up a few fleeting moments of a disagreeable scent, versus utterly unclogged skin, there's only one clear winner here.

As you might have guessed, this is definitely something I want in my routine. It's clearing, moisturising, cleansing and the most effective product I've found for unclogging pores. Essential.

The Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash can be purchased from Balance Me at £11.00 / 50ML. Alternatively, a value size is available at £16.00 / 125ML here, and a sample size at £3.50 / 15ML here.
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Sunday, 6 September 2015

#MissionEmpties Week 02: Halfway Checkpoint

We're halfway through the #MissionEmpties Challenge and I have been storming through my empties. Admittedly, the majority of products here were part-way used, trail versions, or virtually empty to begin with, but that's still one less product cluttering my shelves. 
For the most part, the products listed here were just wonderful, and I'm glad to have given myself the opportunity to finish them off. However, there are one or two featured that I felt were a little pointless, so I'm honestly glad to see the back of them.
Mádara Brightening AHA Peel Mask £20.00 / 60ML (Sample Available: £5.50 / 12.5ML here)
This product was featured in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, giving me the opportunity to try my hand at my very first peel, and you know what, this is not half bad. I was frightened at first, believe me, mask-based acid exfoliation was always something I figured my skin would be far too sensitive for. Actually, this product is super gentle. I literally couldn't feel it on my skin. It caused no tingling, no redness and no irritation. It is a very thin peel, once dried, leaves behind a thinly layered film to be removed. It has a very cooling and refreshing sensation; it's very soothing to wear. With 99% natural ingredients, it offers a brighter complexion, providing that lovely glow for when my skin is behaving dull and lacklustre. This is definitely something I will be trying again full size. Effective, repurchase.
Skin & Tonic London Steam Clean £27.00 / 50G (Sample Available: £11.00 . 15G here)
Also featured in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, the Skin & Tonic London Steam Clean is perhaps my favourite cleansing balm of all time. It is silky smooth, gliding onto skin in the most nurturing way. It melts away just divine, turning into a thick, yet breathable, oil that effectively dissolves make-up and removes grime. It needs to be removed with a cleansing cloth, thankfully it comes supplied with an Organic Cotton Cloth (£3.90 / 1 PIECE), which does a wonderfully good job of removing the product and gently exfoliating. Spearmint and thistle are definitely the strongest scents of the 6 organic ingredients listed here, giving a lovely fresh and renewing sensation. As it's a balm, it's very hydrating and moisturising, leaving skin undisturbed but effectively cleansed. Will I be picking up a full size? You bet'cha! Effective, repurchase.
Still in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, the Green People Fruit Scrub Exfoliator is a delightful little scrub that can be used on either face or body. Free from microbeads, this 88% organic scrub effectively exfoliates and softens skin, creating a glowing complexion while helping to retain skin's moisture. The natural granules are neither too harsh or too weak, they effectively exfoliate skin without causing any irritation. The cream is super spreadable, helping to carry the scrub, and has a somewhat fruity yet somehow bitter fragrance. Effective, don't repurchase.
Lanolips are most certainly one of my all-time favourite brands. I have loved each and every one of their products, and this has to be my most favourite of them all. Featuring natural lanolin (the wax from a sheep's wool), this forms a protective barrier around skin, allowing it to retain moisture and repair. This balm is just so wonderfully hydrating; my dry skin is instantly relieved. While buttery in colour, it blends in lovely, making skin feels suppler and softer. The smell is just so gorgeous, I can't get enough. Absolute Essential.
This oil is intended for combination and oily skins to help balance oil. Unfortunately, I find the scent just too overbearing and pungent that it is not something I can justify keeping on my face. Instead, I use it has a body oil. Waste not, want not. It's a very thick and heavily oil, but it manages to absorb into skin effectively, leaving behind a wonderfully natural glow. It's actually fairly dry in that respect, it isn't in the slightest bit sticky and it doesn't transfer onto clothes. However, as the facial oil goes, I have to score it Ineffective. 
I received this product as part of the August drop of the LoveLula Monthly Beauty Box. This box is usually always a big hit with me, but unfortunately, having to blanket match such varying skin types, the products aren't always suitable. This is one of those occasions. At 23, I don't need anti-ageing skincare, but I tried it anyway. YOLO. This serum has a very liquid-y gel-like consistency that spreads effectively, but has a slight stickiness to it. It has an ever-so-slight tingle to it, with no visible skin changes other than leaving a fresh sensation. I am dismissing this review as it is Not Suitable for my current age category.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil £21.50 / 200ML (Sample Available £4.50 / 30ML here)
This is one of the first oils to get me on the oil cleansing and double cleansing bandwagons (full review here) and it still has a solid place in my heart. This wonderful bottle of golden liquid features a pump-based mechanism, making it super easy to control and use. The oil is incredible for removing dirt, oils and heavy make-up without any real effort. It does not irritate eyes and it is super easy to remove with water alone. It leaves no residue and skin remains hydrated after use. Effective, don't repurchase.
This is a product I thought I loved. At the time, I did (full review here), but having used so many better face masks since, I find I just don't have a liking for this any more. It's a white powder that needs to be mixed with water to form a paste and then applied to the parts of skin that are affected by blackheads and sebacious filaments. It then extracts any gunk from your pores, with a pulling power similar to that of a clay mask. However, when the paste dries, it turns back into a powder, littering your home with little bits of white dust. It's messy to use and the results just don't compare to other similar products (see TruSelf Organics Detoxifying Mask if you are looking for a much better alternative). Ineffective. 
Herbacín Wuta Kamille + Glycerine Hand Cream £3.60 / 100ML (Sample Available: £1.00 / 20ML here)
This little product took me by surprise. I have exceptionally dry hands which can easily be irritated through over washing, pot washing, sulphates, etc. and it's especially difficult to find a hand cream that is caring and protective without leaving a white cast. Cue Herbacín, a super hydrating hand cream that leaves skin silky and supple without that sticky or slippy after cast. Perfect for keeping my hands protected and well moisturised. The only drawback is the fragrance of this product is a little over perfumed. Without wanting to cause offence, it reminds me of the elderly. But, I really like it, so it stays! Effective, repurchase.
I only ever describe this product as cake for your face (full review here), as it is super spongy, yet gritty, and smells truly delicious. At 99.6% natural, you'll find no microbeads here, yet the scrub itself feels delightful to use, effectively exfoliating and clarifying the skin. After use, I have a brighter complexion with a more radiant skin tone. Effective, don't repurchase.
Primers are my ultimate tool for helping me to control oil. This is a luxuriously silky primer that has a velvet-like finish when applied to skin. Its pore blurring effects are minor, and its oil controlling abilities range from 2-8 hours cover. I liked this product, I honestly did (full review here), but it was recently pointed out to me that Benefit DO test on animals. That's a red-flag from me and I'm opting out. Avoid.
I suffer with extraordinarily dry hair. Extra-strength conditioners, leave-in conditioners, hair refreshers, you name it, I use it and I still can't combat the frizziness and dryness. This hair moisturiser is a leave-in cream that effectively moisturises hair without making it lank or sticky. It helps to control any fly-aways without leaving a trace as it seamlessly blends in. Unfortunately, the scent doesn't sit right with me. It has that typical clinical 'fresh' fragrance of a hairdresser's salon and it something that keeps with me all day long. Effective, don't repurchase.
My empties collection is now starting to dwindle. Of the 12 products listed here 10 are from my original pledge, making the current standings at 28 products left to empty.

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