Monday 10 September 2007

Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Mud Masque



RRP: 99p for 20g sachet

--What does the promo say?--
"Chocolate, yes, it’s chocolate. A guilt free treat! This masque offers a feast of creamy delights – it’s outrageous! This deep cleansing masque helps unblock pores, moisturises and heals for skin that glows with health. It smells incredible – imagine these – Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter – creamy heaven. Enjoy!"

--Packaging--
It's a sachet about the size of my hand. It's easy to rip open so that you can get enough of the mask out without it going everywhere. I can't make up my mind if I like the package design or not - on one hand, it's nice to see something a bit different to the generic pretty girl, big blue eyes, smiling, thin layer of face mask on face, but on the other hand, nobody's going to lie there with the entire mask caked on their face and chocolate slabs over their eyes to boot. However, it does give Montagne Jeunesse a very distinct image that is common to all of their products and makes it stand out on the shelf - which I guess is what you're looking for if you're a marketing executive.

--Application--
Simply rip open the sachet (with fingers or scissors), squeeze out some of the mask onto your fingers, and apply to face. Leave to dry for 10-15 mins and then wash off with a flannel.

--Appearance--
The mask looks thick and creamy from the outset even before application to the face. You can then apply a layer that's as thin or as thick as you like. The colour of the mask is strong and doesn't betray the image on the sachet.

--Texture--
Creamy and soft both on your fingers and on your face. Feels firm rather than runny so it's very easy to apply.

--Scent--
Other mud masques I've used tend to smell of exactly that: mud. But oh my goodness, this actually does smell like Nutella. As a chocoholic I was in complete heaven with this.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Really smooth and sort of 'finished' and refined. You smell of chocolate for a while afterwards as well. However, I wouldn't say your skin feels any better if you apply a really thick layer.

--Drying--
10-15 minutes' drying time is perfect if you only apply a thin layer. However, if you want a thicker layer and thus a more luxurious experience, half an hour's drying time might be more appropriate.

--Product life--
My boyfriend opened the packet, made one application, and then left it open. Exactly a week later, he used some again and it was still in absolutely perfect condition, despite having been left open. It didn't go dry or sticky or crumbly...it was just sheer perfection.

--Value for money--
Montagne Jeunesse is a very low-budget range, but you get an excellent product that makes your skin feel smooth, toned and refined. You get an even better bargain if you buy one of their lucky dip packs from www.montagnejeunesse.com - 10 products for £6 (60p/sachet), 25 sachets for £12 (48p/sachet) or 50 sachets for £18 (36p/sachet), where you get what they've chosen for you. (Other places, such as Amphora Aromatics online store, and Boots, also sell the products, but only the official site has the full range and only they do the lucky dips which enable you to save money.) Not only this, you get more than one application per sachet. My boyfriend applied the mask twice in a very thin layer, I applied it once in quite a thick layer, and there's still some left in the sachet, so I'd say you're getting a minimum of 3 or 4 applications PER SACHET. Bargain.

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