"Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm. Lisa: That’s specious reasoning, Dad. Homer: Thank you, honey. Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away. Homer: Oh, how does it work? Lisa: It doesn’t work. Homer: Uh-huh. Lisa: It’s just a stupid rock. Homer: Uh-huh. Lisa: But I don’t see any tigers around here, do you? Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock." The Simpsons, Season 7, Episode 23 (Much Apu About Nothing)
I, like many other men and women, use anti-ageing products, chiefly around my eyes and on my neck and hands. However, I rarely review anti-ageing products on my blog, principally because of the above analogy, which states that if something is not there, how can you tell if a product is really helping to prevent its existence, or whether the thing you want to avoid in question is just not there due to luck. This is especially true of young anti-ageing product users such as myself (if we read 'young' in this instance as being under 35).
I have rarely reviewed any anti-ageing product in the capacity for which it was intended, preferring instead to concentrate on other qualities, such as hydration. This is usually because I cannot ever see any effect on existing lines, and this therefore implies one of two results. One is that such products do not work at all. Another option is that the anti-ageing creams serve as prevention rather than cure. The paradox of this is that rather like Homer and Lisa's rock, for it to show that it works, nothing has to happen. No visible improvement, and no obvious degeneration - just a maintenance of current skin conditions.
So what would the skincare companies like us to believe? The most evident best-case scenario for them is that we believe that such creams actively reduce existing wrinkles. My own experience tells me that this is not the case. The next best-case scenario would be the tiger-repellent rock analogy detailed above by Lisa and Homer. This is probably what keeps people buying the lotions and potions more than anything else: people would rather believe that they can at least prevent further wrinkles, even if they can't diminish those that are already there; and they would rather believe that they can prevent future wrinkles than that they can do nothing at all. Skincare companies therefore arguably capitalise on the human desire for control over themselves, meaning that despite all the expensive advertising and sponsors, they actually ultimately have to do very little to persuade the buying masses - even if the buying masses know that all they are getting is 'just a stupid rock'.
Lots of news this month...and not all of it good... Estée Lauder to shut down Prescriptives This is probably the worst cosmetics and beauty news that I've heard this year - if, indeed, ever. They've essentially decided to concentrate on more profitable Estée Lauder companies, and they're winding up sales of Prescriptives as of now (once stocks are gone they presumably won't be renewed), with sales expected to cease entirely in January or February. While I'm sad (it's a great brand that provides something really unique to consumers), I'm also baffled by the brand managers' general stupidity: does marketing mean nothing to these people? Not only does the brand never advertise, they also don't really sell in mainstream outlets (the principal one is probably House of Fraser), so not everyone is even able to get to a counter. If they just upped the ante with their advertising, and started selling in Debenhams, maybe they would be able to save the brand - but they're probably not going to. Sad times :(
Bare Escentuals opens first UK store In better news, popular mineral makeup brand Bare Escentuals has just opened its first stand-alone boutique (having traded up to now only at department store counters and via QVC). Allowing prospective buyers to test products and seek advice from beauty consultants, this is arguably a key moment for the mineral makeup industry: many only retail as franchises or online, rather than having their own store. Sounds to me like a great way to move forward. The shop is located at 40 Neal Street, London WC2H 9PS.
On the quest for best-price beautyThis month, Bright Light Station is launching Beauty Quest - the first ever comparison site dedicated to health and beauty. This is great news for bargain hunters like me - I'm always trying to get the latest limited-edition compact at the best possible price. The site will also contain makeup and beauty tips, video tutorials, an online community, a news section and a special offers section. I am so there when this goes live. Makeup artist Tricia Woolston has also unveiled her new website at www.triciawoolston.com - a site which looks extremely professional, slick and easy to use, as well as featuring some gorgeous photography.
Bourjois makes skincare debut On a more affordable level, Bourjois is now finally taking its skincare range across the Channel and into Britain. Having been available on the continent for some time, the Bourjois skincare range includes cleansing wipes for when you're on the go as well as normal cleansing and makeup-removing products. All products are priced at under £5 each, too, and are available now - just in time for half-term travels.
Natural help for feet this Christmas After all the Christmas shopping and partying, your tired, worn and suffering feet are sure to be in need of a little TLC. The limited edition Pampermint gift set from Arbonne is the perfect gift or self indulgence and will cool and repair feet and relax and reinvigorate you. You can start with the fresh foot work foot scrub, and finish off with creamy solemate foot cream and delightful cosy socks. You’ll have your toes back in shape in no time. Beautifully packaged gift sets are a cool £31 each, and can be ordered via www.arbonneinternational.co.uk.
Losing our breaths The celebrity fragrance market is quite obviously already gearing up for the Christmas rush, and for those who don't fancy some of the fragrance industry's other new arrivals, such as YSL's Parisienne and La Perla's J'aime La Nuit, Beyoncé is bringing out her first scent in association with Coty. There aren't really many details yet (she had wanted to call it Sasha Fierce, but was promptly threatened with legal action by Abercrombie, who want to protect their Fierce fragrance), but I bet she'll be trying her best to outdo J-Lo's hugely successful Glow. “For me, fragrance reflects a woman’s attitude and unique sense of style,” said Beyoncé. “While I love various perfumes, I haven’t found a scent that truly personifies me as a woman. Working with Coty, I was able to turn my ideal fragrance into a reality by creating an alluring and sophisticated fragrance; one that’s reflective of my inner power. It’s a true privilege to be working with Coty and I can’t wait to share this personal side of me with fans all across the world.”
NuBo launches first men's skincare range The men's skincare market just keeps growing and growing, and now that NuBo wants a piece of the action, it seems that it's getting more and more luxurious too. Exclusive to Harrods, the brand has just brought out three new men's products: an SPF20 moisturiser intended for after shaving, a serum called The Essence, and Perfectionist (to mattify skin; basically a cooler-looking version of the women's product without the foundation additive). And DAMN does that packaging look fine. Sadly, the price tag also matches it, with prices starting at £80 and soaring as high as £200. Do not fear, though: men who want to come back down to earth and still take care of their skin can also content themselves with Molton Brown's range for men, which has just relaunched.
From girl power to berry power Harnessing the power of all those superfoods that Gillian McKeith always talks about, you can rub goji berries, acai berries, bilberries and blueberries directly into your skin with Neal's Yard's new Power Berry range. Prices start at just £13, and you can take your pick from face washes, face masks, and moisturisers. Sounds delicious to me.
This is not just any beauty range...this is a Tess Daly beauty range Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is launching her first beauty range in Marks and Spencer this October. With the Daly Body range including shimmering body lotions and bath soaks that contain jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood scents, and with a makeup range to follow, it's sure to be a heady hit this Christmas. Available from October 19th.
Mama Mio Boob Tube supports Breast Cancer Awareness Mama Mio's bust firming cream not only promises to do what it says on the tin, but also offers an even more valuable service - women are encouraged during use to examine their breasts, allowing them to detect any changes more quickly. And, especially for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, £1 from every tube sold at www.mamamio.com will go to a cancer research charity. Containing evening primrose oil and shea butter, it already boasts celebrity fans such as Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba, and is priced at £28.50.
Stand up for science - stand up for research On September 26th, L'Oreal launched their new Young Scientist Centre in London so that state school pupils could make their science lessons more hands-on and get more interested in scientific research. Students will participate in activities such as making their own shampoo and extracting their DNA, and if this serves to make science more interesting and relevant to them, and brings the world more scientific researchers, this can only be a good thing.
All things bright and beautiful TotalBeauty has recently launched a new application to bring beauty to the interested at all times of day via Yahoo's new homepage. All Things Beauty will enable users to identify the latest and best beauty samples and deals available, discover the most buzzed beauty products that everyone’s talking about, and get beauty tips and how-tos. The All Things Beauty app can be found at http://my.yahoo.com/atm?yapid=q7FleV32.
Win an A-list weekend Genuinely. Thanks to John Frieda, we all have a chance to win a weekend of pampering, including a haircut from Nicola Clarke, dinner at a Michelin star restaurant, accommodation in a five-star London hotel, two hours of shopping with a personal stylist (and £1000 to blow to boot), and after all of that shopping, afternoon tea at another exclusive hotel. I'm already otherwise engaged on the weekend of the prize (October 24th-25th), so there's not much point in me entering (sob), but that doesn't mean you can't. Sit back, relax, enter your details at www.johnfriedacompetition.co.uk, and watch this lovely video :) Enjoy!
--What does the promo say?-- "New Sheer Blonde® go blonder shampoo and conditioner, with citrus, chamomile and no harsh chemicals, gradually lightens hair to achieve a magical sun-kissed sparkle all year round."
--Packaging-- A bright yellow fades to white on both bottles, which are made of plastic and have a flip-top lid. The bottle stands easily on the lid in the shower and the lids close securely too.
--Usage-- As usual - massage shampoo through wet hair, rinse out, apply conditioner, and leave to rest for a few minutes before rinsing. Repeat if desired.
--Scent-- Subtle and natural, and slightly reminiscent of that 'salon' smell, which gives great confidence that the product will be of salon quality too.
--Appearance-- Delicious lemon-yellow lotion, with the conditioner having a bit more of a 'sheen' to it.
--Texture/consistency-- Not lumpy or sticky; extremely pleasant to use and easy to wash out.
--How does your hair feel afterwards?-- Smooth and manageable with added volume.
--How does your hair look afterwards?-- In immediate terms, as mentioned above, hair is definitely more voluminous and seems to have gained added lightness. Long-term, though, I suspect patience is required: I've been using this set now for a couple of weeks and haven't noticed any difference in the colour of my hair. You'll definitely need to wait longer for results than you would with a commercial, chemical hair dye.
--Value for money-- The bottles are substantial and do provide high quality results in terms of general hair condition. However, this probably isn't the product for you if colour is your number one concern.
RRP: £7 retails at: www.poshbrats.com (for UK buyers). The Villainess website, www.villainess.net, also ships worldwide.
--What does the promo say?-- "Teasing touches of revitalising mints - spearmint, cornmint, peppermint - grounded with a rich base note of black tea, and barely sweetened with soft vanilla."
--About the brand-- "Our catchphrase is "redefining bad." We're also taking significant steps to redefine the way skincare is formulated, manufactured and marketed. We love gentle, environmentally conscious, and animal-friendly components as much as anyone. But we're not interested in helping perpetuate false dichotomies or marketing ploys. A few premises:
*Ease of pronunciation is not a quality of a skincare component. We will not condescend to our customers by assuming they lack dictionary access or basic linguistic skills. *Technically, all substances are chemicals and all materials originate from nature. The word "chemical" has been loaded with connotations that are not necessarily warranted. We refuse to exploit legitimate fears of the unknown by using emotionally charged language. *Even some "natural" components have been processed and compromised; extracted with solvents, grown with pesticides, over-processed at high temperatures, homogenized, hydrogenated and several-steps removed from the "natural" materials they're derived from. These processes aren't always unnecessary, but they should be acknowledge as such and not sanitized with the "natural" label. *Companies that do not animal test often use components which were animal tested. Most animal testing takes place long before body-care components are made available to small-formulators. Small-formulators don't usually have the budgets for the "ground-breaking new developments in skincare" where most testing is deemed necessary.
We approach things a little differently at Villainess. Our customers are educated regarding their skincare needs, and informed about the issues. Rather than sell the latest market-trends, we're meeting them on equal ground and frankly discussing the challenges we face."
--Packaging-- Love, love, love. This is old apothecary style meeting Pirates of the Carribean. It's the sort of thing that wouldn't be out of place lying around the sets of Thunder Mountain and the Indiana Jones rides at Disneyland. The body scrub is a simple screw-top plastic pot. It does take in some water, but not much, and the lid and label seem durable.
--Application-- Scrub all over body during your shower or bath, and then rinse off.
--Appearance-- While the website promises a mint green colour in this body scrub (Scintillating!), I found mine to be more of a mucus yellow. However, this can often occur due to natural colour variations that are a normal fallout of using natural ingredients, so I wasn't too bothered by it. The sugar crystals are clearly visible. On the skin, afterwards, it is not detectable by the eye.
--Texture/consistency-- Satisfyingly scrubby - you feel like it's really working. After use, a light and slightly oily sheen is left, but this sinks into skin quickly and is very moisturising. While this part of the proceedings is reminiscent of Lush's Buffy, UNLIKE Buffy it is not gritty and does not leave bits of beach all over your shower floor.
--Scent-- Blindingly correlative with the information given. It's incredibly satisfying when a product ticks all of the boxes that it claims to. Minty freshness? Check. Vanilla? Check. Black tea? It's there too. The resulting fragrance is really unique and is fresh enough to wake you up in the morning while still leaving a sophisticated perfume on your body. Beautiful. Although I do wish that Villainess wouldn't follow Philosophy's path and have 'fragrance' as one of the ingredients on its label. Yes, but WHICH fragrance? Keep your consumers informed.
--Effects on skin-- As well as the surprisingly moisturising element after use, it also does a good job of getting rid of dry skin all over your body, including on my usually persistently dry feet (although the dryness does return if you stop using the product).
--Value for money-- This range strikes me as being an excellent, affordable, unusual Christmas gift - not just for any fan of piratey stuff, but also for anyone who wants something that's just a bit different. Beyond that, it's also effective and pleasant to use. What more could you ask for?
perfect partners Scintillating Soap, £4 from Posh Brats Scintillating Whipped! Body Lotion, £7 from Posh Brats Scintillating Mud Mask, £7 from Posh Brats Scintillating Perfume Oil, £10 from Posh Brats Scintillating Kaboom! Bath Bomb, $8.50 from Villainess
--What does the promo say?-- "This aptly named mask will impress the multi-tasking mum who never has time for treatments as much as the Skin Perfectionist, who has regular treatments and expects real performance from her products. Natural milk AHAs and mandarin extract actively exfoliate while red ginseng stimulates circulation for visibly radiant, smooth skin. For all skins; contains no parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, mineral oil or silicones."
--Packaging-- Really unique - a pale purple, rectangular prism shape, whose lid comes off neatly to reveal a pump top. It works well, looks sophisticated, and the lid closes securely.
--Application-- The website counsels as follows: "Apply a thin layer to a clean face, avoiding eyes. Skin may tingle as the treatment works. After 5 minutes, remove thoroughly with water. Use twice weekly." Pretty simple stuff.
--Scent-- It's practically scentless. The red ginseng is perhaps slightly detectable if you really sniff hard, but you have to work at it.
--Appearance-- A vibrant, but not artificial-looking, mandarin-orange gel. It goes onto the face clear and no visible residue is left after rinsing.
--Texture/consistency-- A smooth, slightly runny gel. On the face it glides comfortably and there are no problems with rinsing off the mask.
--How does your skin look afterwards?-- While it doesn't quite have the wow-factor of Crème de le Mer's Refining Facial, skin still appears visibly brighter, smoother, retextured, more even in tone, and more refined. For someone with acneic skin it's probably one of the best results I've seen yet.
--How does your skin feel afterwards?-- There is no irritation, and I didn't experience the tingling that was talked about in the promotional material. Skin feels smooth and nourished after use.
--Value for money-- I have to admit that I wasn't expecting it to be quite this expensive; I was probably expecting it to be about £10 cheaper. However, I'd definitely stick it on my Christmas/birthday wishlist, and since other items in Nude Skincare's catalogue seem to be more competitively priced (the toners, for instance), I would undoubtedly consider trying more of their products.
--What does the promo say?-- "Sunscreen is the key to great skin care success at every age. Tinosorb is the highly effective ingredient in Protect & Repair, working in four ways: micro fine particles reflect and scatter the light; photo-stable organic molecules absorb the UV and minimise the risk of radiation damage in the skin; Vitamin E offers excellent anti-oxidant properties; and lupine extract and thermus thermophilis prevent sunburn, dehydration and ageing. Use the power of science to protect yourself from the sun with this sophisticated anti-ageing product.
* Anti-Ageing * Reduces wrinkles * Tones and hydrates * Boosts collagen production * Suitable for all skin types"
--Packaging-- There is a nice contrast between the predominantly black box (with silver decoration) and the white tube (with black decoration). The screw top is easy enough to operate and the semi-rigidity of the tube makes dispensation of the product easy to control; the only flaw, perhapd, is the slight ridge running around the edge of the tube opening, meaning that some product collects there and is wasted.
--Application-- After moisturising, smear this onto your face every day (even in winter). More is needed than it might initially appear, so don't be afraid to be liberal with it.
--Scent-- Lemony. Nothing like the traditional suncream smell at all.
--Texture/consistency-- Reminiscent of egg whites that have been beaten for a very long time, this stiff white lotion is not too sticky, absorbs extremely well, and is definitely not greasy. No residue is detectable on the skin after application.
--Appearance-- The white lotion rubs in clear, and while there is some shine effect after application, it is not as pronounced as it is with some suncreams.
--Effects on the skin-- It doesn't clog pores or cause breakouts, which is always a plus for a sunscreen. For this reason alone, I'd be happy to use it all year round, and the high SPF provides more than ample protection for hotter summer weather too. So I get the 'protect' pârt. As for the "repair"...I'm not really sure what this product is meant to repair. It's well-known that you can't get rid of already-existing wrinkles (you can only prevent future ones). Tones and hydrates? Possible. Boosts collagen production? You'd presumably need to use it for a really long time (many years) to be sure of this.
--Value for money-- While this is a nice enough sunscreen that protects your skin from damage by UV rays and which doesn't cause breakouts of leave you looking too shiny, I'm still not sure that I would pay £35 for it - the concept of protecting AND repairing is just a little too vague and unsubstantiated for me.
perfect partners
Crystal Clear Wipe Away The Years, £27 Crystal Clear Revitalising Tonic, from £20 Crystal Clear Polish, £32
--What does the promo say?-- "Just relax. Lemongrass essential oil enhances clarity. Cardamom essential Oil helps soothe the mind. This nourishing body wash contains green tea extract to help keep skin looking younger and healthier."
--Packaging-- A nice contrast from the Lemongrass Cardamom Body Lotion, but still visibly part of the Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy range, the shower gel uses a similar style of label, but this time on a clear rather than a green plastic bottle, to create a sophisticated and useable result.
--Usage-- Very easy - just lather up whenever you're in the shower or bath, massage over body, and then rinse off.
--Appearance-- A transparent, slightly yellowy gel.
--Scent-- The citrus element comes through even more strongly than with the body lotion in the range, but it's not lemon - it definitely has something more sophisticated to it. Lemongrass definitely a good choice, but I still wished that I could smell the cardamom more.
--Texture/consistency-- That of your average shower gel: gloopy and viscous, but not sticky. It lathers well, though, creating a light film of bubbles that is easy to wash off.
--Effects on skin-- Makes skin soft, but the scent barely lingers - a couple of hours after showering, it's gone.
--Value for money-- While it's nice enough, for this money I prefer the body lotion, and for other shower gels in this price bracket, I'd prefer one by Caudalie, Escada, or, ironically, Crabtree & Evelyn.
perfect partners Lemongrass Cardamom Body Lotion, $13 Lemongrass Cardamom Body Mist, $15 Lemongrass Cardamom Pillow Mist, $10
--What does the promo say?-- "Just relax. Lemongrass essential oil enhances clarity. Cardamom essential oil helps soothe the mind. This ultra-creamy body lotion contains natural soybean oil to nourish and moisturize skin and glycerin to attract moisture to skin."
--Packaging-- A translucent green pump-action bottle, evoking the colour of cardamom pods. The label is classy and understated, and is reminiscent of Crabtree and Evelyn packaging. A class act all the way.
--Application-- Massage into arms, legs, stomach and chest area after bathing.
--Appearance-- Although it is not really visible through the bottle, the lotion is a simple creamy white, and leaves no discernible residue on the skin when rubbed in.
--Scent-- While the cardamom is less detectable than the lemongrass, the two combine expertly to create a pleasant scent. It is a subtle and sophisticated scent that is perceivable but not overpowering.
--Texture/consistency-- Not too runny or sticky, though perhaps I would prefer it to be slightly more creamy and luxurious. However, it rubs in very easily and smoothens skin effectively.
--Effects on the skin-- Helps to maintain a good overall skin condition, balancing out any irritation or dryness.
--Value for money-- For a mere $13, you just can't miss out. Stock up whenever you're Stateside.
perfect partners Lemongrass Cardamom Body Wash and Foam Bath, $13 Lemongrass Cardamom Body Mist, $15 Lemongrass Cardamom Pillow Mist, $10
RRP: £8.80 # of shades available: 2 (brown & black)
--What does the promo say?-- "In yet another mascara first, L'Oréal Paris introduces Telescopic Explosion Mascara, the first mascara at mass with a spherical brush and smooth formula to lengthen and separate every little lash. This breakthrough mascara revolutionises the mascara application process, making it possible to apply from every angle to reach every last lash for a completely fanned-out explosive effect. Truly, size does matter: this small brush yields big lashes! Contains paraffin, jojoba oil, palm oil, and vitamin B5 for lash conditioning. Outstanding consumer test results show no clumping, flaking or smudging; ophthalmologically tested, it is sensitive for sensitive eyes and for contact lens wearers."
--Packaging-- Mascara manufacturers have become more daring with their packaging concepts in recent years in order for the tubes to stand out on the shelf: Maybelline's Great Lash was probably the first, but recent others include Rimmel's Sexy Curves and some Barry M and Bourjois mascaras, as well as Maybelline's Define-A-Lash. L'Oréal's Telescopic Explosion continues to buck the trend with its bold red and black ensemble, and the spiky globular brush is pretty snazzy too. However, it's wrong of L'Oréal to claim in their PR that they're the first to do this: Givenchy was the first brand to pioneer this type of brush over a year ago. Nevertheless, I don't blame them for latching onto Givenchy's technology. Having had a good experience with Givenchy's version (Phenomen'Eyes), I was keen from the moment Telescopic Explosion came out to try it and see how it compared. I just hope that the main part of the wand, which is much longer than Givenchy's, is strong enough that the ball part doesn't ever break off in the tube.
--Application-- Application is easier than you might think, but anybody who has experienced Givenchy's version will already be a pro at this. Carefully stroke the balled brush over the lashes, and don't be hesitant to go for tinier lashes at the corners of the eyes. Perhaps don't try this while in motion (e.g. on public transport) unless you're feeling especially confident, though.
--Appearance-- A professional and defined appearance. Perhaps not completely perfect (a few tiny clumps were present on application), but nevertheless much more detailed and far better than many other mascaras in the same price bracket.
--Texture-- Can't argue with this: the texture is smooth and luxurious.
--Longevity-- I took a shower without removing my makeup (and without having needed to retouch my mascara even once throughout the day) and it didn't even smudge. Score.
--Value for money-- This is an excellent, affordable alternative to Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes, combining quality with innovation (even if it isn't theirs) and with value for money. And with such eye-catching packaging, it's hardly any wonder that it's already flying off the shelves in Europe and the UK.
perfect partners L'Oréal Paris Color Minerals Eyeshadow, £7.82 L'Oréal Paris Kohl Minerals Eyeliner, £7.82 L'Oréal Paris Colour Appeal Star Secrets Trios Eyeshadow, £7.82
--What does the promo say?-- "A relaxing, softening and highly absorbent mask that cleanses the surface of the skin gently yet thoroughly. The extraordinary absorption capacity of a special blend of Clays, combined with plant extracts (Licorice, Matricaria and Rose hips) and essential oils, gives this mask gentle deep-cleansing benefits to eliminate the impurities which dull the complexion. In five minutes at the most, your skin feels fresh, clean and toned, your complexion looks matte, luminous and more even, your face appears rested and regains spectacular radiance."
--Packaging-- Having only tried this on a sample basis, I can't really say, but it looks like a fairly basic twist-top tube. The pink of the tube is a nice touch in the world of face masks (where most packages are white or green) and it just bears the information that you need to know.
--Application-- Apply a generous layer to clean skin on face and neck. After 3-5 minutes, remove with lukewarm water and follow with toner. No problems here - though I usually follow my masks with moisturiser, not with toner, otherwise surely you're wiping away all the good stuff you've just put in?
--Appearance-- A nacreous pink lotion that looks beautiful. Looks more chalky once applied to the face, and leaves no visible residue on the face after use.
--Texture/consistency-- Very smooth and quite runny (not so watery that any would be wasted on its exit from the tube, though), although perhaps begins to feel slightly 'heavier' and more intense during use as the essential oils do their work.
--Scent-- Quite heavily perfumed, but that's bound to be the case given how packed full of essential oils and fruit extracts this is.
--How does your skin feel afterwards?-- Very definitely 'treated' - as if you've just been for a facial. Very smooth and soft.
--How does your skin look afterwards?-- Sadly, I saw no difference at all (in fact, it was possibly even slightly redder due to the concentration of the oils that it contains) and for this price, I would have expected to.
--Value for money-- This is pretty expensive, and for this price I am pretty much expecting miracles, and this mask just didn't provide (I'd especially warn those with sensitive skin to avoid it). If you're going to spend in this price range, push the boat out another £6 and get Crème de La Mer's Refining Facial, which really does deliver awe-inspiring results. If your budget is lower, however, there are plenty of masks with similar ingredients that just contain fewer essential oils. Kaolin (or clay) is probably the most important ingredient here, and there are oodles of clay masks on the market that won't leave quite such a big hole in your pocket.
