GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Review

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment
RRP: AUD75
Packaging: 4.5 out of 5
Review: I cannot stress how hyped up this product has been, particularly over at Youtube land. I've been swept along with the hysteria of cult products before and coming out disappointed or underwhelmed. And yet, I still find myself wanting to try this product. I mentioned that I have a problem with blackheads here. This mask is one of the several purchases that I've made in an attempt to tackle that problem.

This mask comes in a luxurious plastic and glass jar. At least I believe it is the case from the feel of it. I gave it a 4.5 for packaging because beauty products are easily contaminated in jars. Otherwise, I think the quality is excellent. The "mud" is a dark grey with chunks in it. As it dries on your face, it turns into a lighter shade of grey. This is an expensive mask. To get more mileage out of it, I only apply it to my problem areas, essentially my T-zone. All you need is one layer and it takes 15-20 minutes to work its magic.

Now comes the answer to the most important question. Does it work? It depends on what you're after. If you want something that clears out your blackheads then this is the mask for you. Mind you, it only rids you of black heads temporarily. My pores are usually replaced with fresh blackheads by the end of the day. My skin definitely feels cleaner and looks clearer immediately after using this product. However, it is not effective at busting pimples or acne.

Overall, I do think that this is by far the best mask I've tried. It's unfortunate that it's not the magical solution that some reviewers imply it to be. Perhaps my expectations were raised a little too high from all the hype. It is still more efficacious than other masks that I've used. At this point, I'm not sure if I'd repurchase it. But I do know that until I find something even better, this is the top go-to mask on my beauty shelf.

Have you ever tried GlamGlow? Do you have a favourite mask? 

Review: Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask 
Claims: "leaves the skin clean and purified. The self-heating mask helps to open up the pores so the charcoal and kaolin clay can help draw out impurities from deep within the skin. As well as purifying, the mask will rebalance the skin’s oil levels to clarify, cleanse and give soft skin."
RRP: AUD19.99
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Review: This is my first thermal product I've tried. I must admit that I struggled a bit the first couple of times I used it. I am notorious for using products without reading the instructions first. But this time I did. I followed the directions a little too literally, or at least I misinterpreted it. It says to "Cleanse face..., leave skin damp". Okay, so I cleansed my face, it's wet... so that means "damp" right? I apply it. The product heated up immediately, right on my fingers before I could even transfer it to my face. There was a few seconds of intense heat, then nothing. And the instruction says to leave it on for 5 minutes. I thought to myself, "Well, the heat was short-lived." But I persisted, I kept trying the mask.

One fine day, it finally clicked in my thick skull. I patted my face dry after cleansing and applied this mask. It was like magic. It warmed up and stayed warm for a minute or two. "That's more like it!" I told myself in my reflection. I wash off the mask and my skin feels clean and soft. I secretly wished it would extract all my pimples but I guess I was being unrealistic. However, out of all the masks I've tried this is one of the better ones. Some masks make me feel like I merely cleansed my face a second time with it. This one doesn't. It does not strip my skin of oils.

I use this mask one to two times a week. Now, I mainly apply it to my problem areas: chin, around the nose, and forehead. I can see why Chloe Morello has enjoyed this mask. I requested for this product to trial because of her recommendation. I'd be interested to compare this to other thermal masks, perhaps a high-end one (i.e. Dermalogica) and see how it fares. But for now, I'm contented to keep this product in my regimen. I recommend it if you're after a low budget mask that does what it says.


Have you tried thermal masks before? What's your experience?

Michael Todd True Organics Review

Michael Todd True Organics Normal/Combination Skin Discovery Kit

Claims: "Achieve an organically radiant glow for your normal to combination skin."; "Rejuvenate and restore your skin while improving skin texture and tone and stimulating cell turnover." 

RRP: USD36*
Packaging: 4.5 out of 5

I've been trying these products for two months now. Here are my thoughts. I've written a mini review on each individual product instead of a whole regimen overall. Hope you find this helpful! 

 *I think Michael Todd has bumped up their prices. I recall paying only USD19 (excluding shipping) at the time I bought this set. 

Honey and Oat Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser 
Claims: "Gently removes dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities without residue or irritation"
Review: This cleanser smells similar to honey but it's "not fragrant". It might be because of the oats. I don't mind it but at the same time, I don't love it. This product is very gentle yet thorough. I noticed that my pores were significantly cleaner after I started using it. How do I know this? My blackheads faded/disappeared. This does not mean that they are permanently removed. They will reappear and this cleanser will remove them as long as you use it consistently.

The packaging of this product is not perfect. They did not seal it so the cleanser was leaking in the plastic bag when I received the kit. You have to screw it really tight if you want to throw it into your makeup bag and travel with it. The product also starts oozing out if you stand the bottle upside down.


Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner
Claims: "Highly moisturising; anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial; aids in treatment and prevention of acne."
Review: This is the first toner I've properly trialled. It is not harsh or dehydrating, although I would not go as far as to say that it is "highly moisturising". I really like that it is antibacterial. I noticed that my pimples became less red and aggressive. They also were more susceptible to my acne treatment product, so I was able to get rid of them more quickly. This however did not prevent any future pimples. They kept popping up as usual but they were definitely less prominent and less painful. Lastly, I absolutely love the scent of this product. It reminds me of oregano except sweeter? Sorry, I'm bad at describing scents.


Citrus Cream Moisturiser with DMAE and Hyaluronic acid 
Claims: "Firms, lifts and moisturises." 
Review: Okay, I can't really vouch for its claims of firming and lifting the skin. I can however, say that it is very moisturising. It has kept my skin soft and supple. It absorbs into my skin quite quickly, by the time my face touches my pillow, there's no sticky residue! I have noticed a couple of freckles on my face recently. My face has become sensitive to the sun and I believe that this product (or the Vitamin C it contains) may have been the culprit.

Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub
Claims: "Removes dead skin, impurities and toxins"
Review: I know that Tanya Burr loves this scrub and said that she saw it made a difference to her skin. Unfortunately, I can't say the same thing. It's an effective scrub but I feel that my Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant does the same, if not better. I do like the fact that despite being a "microbead scrub", it does not feel abrasive against my skin at all. I definitely would not bag this as a bad product. It works but I just did not see any huge difference to my skin. How do I know this? I've stopped using it for a couple of weeks now and sure enough, no difference observed.

Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask 
Claims: "Moisturises and nourishes"
Review: If I had to pick a "least favourite" product out of the lot, this would be it. First off, I am not the biggest fan of pumpkin and the scent is a little bit unpleasant for me. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy pumpkin soup and roasted pumpkin. But this one had a different kind of pumpkin smell... Anyway! Enough about pumpkins! Fleur from FleurDeForce loves this product and calls it "food for the face". I can't concede that I feel the same way. It's a very ordinary facial mask. Your skin just feels extra clean after washing it off, just like every other facial mask. And the benefits stop there. My skin does not feel moisturised afterwards. I still feel like I need to apply moisturiser because there's a slight feeling of tightness, as though moisture has been stripped off.  This product also increases the skins sensitivity towards the sun, which I am not super keen on.


Overall: I think these products have made my skin look a bit better than usual. But don't expect to get a radiant glow just from using these. All that has to be achieved through positive lifestyle changes. Ultimately, they are good products. I love the fact that they are organic (or mostly for certain products). Which of these products would I ever repurchase? I think it'll have to be the cleanser and the toner. But I think that they aren't my holy grail skin care products yet. I am going to continue with my search.


What do you think of these products? Do you think it's another phase/hype?

Triple S: Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask Review

I'm a fan of Alpha-H products (recall from this review of 3 of their products). Their Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask is no exception. Here are my thoughts on this product after having tried it for a few months now.

 Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask
Claims: Eliminates dryness while absorbing excess oil. Designed to visibly improve all skin conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, sun-damage, clogged pores, blemishes, acne and acne scarring, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
RRP: AUD63 for 100g 

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: Many praises have been sung for this mask. I had high expectations when I received this products. I desperately wanted it to be the magic bullet for flawless glowing skin. But let's be realistic. No such product exists; and even if it does, it comes in something called Photoshop. However, I am happy to report that this skincare product is worth having in your arsenal. This mask leaves my skin feeling softer and more supple. It helps to dry up any pimples/acne that I have. The glycolic acid takes off all of my dead skin cells, giving me a slightly brighter complexion. My skin also feels fresher and more awake after washing the mask away.

 This product has a very soft and slightly creamy texture. It glides on the skin very easily. However, if you want to skimp like me; use very little product to cover your entire face, you will have to "work the product" until you get an even spread all over. Really, you don't need a lot. And if you get the mask in full size, it will last you a very long time. In the photo below, I have the mask on. It becomes transparent a minute within application. That's why you can't really see the mask on my face. So I guess if you unexpectedly need to answer the door, no one will be able to tell you have product all over your mug!

The first time I apply this mask it stung. It's because of the glycolic acid. But the stinging sensation disappeared after a minute. The "stinging time" lessened as I used this mask more. Now it only stings the tinest bit upon application and is gone within a second or two. This product comes in a convenient squeezable tube and I cannot find any fault with the packaging. Hence the 5 out of 5. So, this mask does not make my skin flawless (no product can instantly remove pimples/scars) but it does make my skin glow. And that's more than good enough for me! 

Have you tried this mask before? What's your go-to product for glowing skin?

Wicked Wednesday: Skinvitals Hydraflex Eyes Review + Demo

Hey everyone! Hope you're having a good week so far. I have another review for you today.

Skinvitals Hydraflex Eyes  
Claims: Soothing eye mask that targets the entire eye area to reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags under your eyes. Replenish and rejuvenate the skin, as well as even out the skin tone and restore clarity.
RRP: AUD$14.99

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: Although this is the only eye mask I've tried and I can't make any comparisons, I have to say that I really like it. The instructions for applying this product are easy to comprehend and carry out. There is no rinsing or washing required afterwards. I found that after using this mask, my eye area feel soft smooth and hydrated. The dark circles under my eyes became less prominent. My whole eye area looks a bit brighter and more awake. Perhaps the slight cooling sensation is a factor. It just made me feel freshened up. 

This product is a little bit expensive (approx. $5 per cloth mask) but I have to say that they do give you your money's worth. They pack each mask with loads of serum (explained in the next paragraph). Also, the packaging is appealing and I can't find any fault with it, hence the 5 out of 5. To sum it up, I think this is a really nice eye mask. If you're like me and you've been lazy with routinely applying eye creams, this is how we can cheat our way to bright eyes for the day/night! 

Now on with the demo! 

Each mask comes in their own little packet. As you can see, it says 8mL. My guess is they are referring to the amount of serum that the cloth mask is holding, which is a lot! The mask was soaking with serum when I removed it from the packaging (they're really generous with it!). Application instructions are found both at the back of the box and the back of the packets. 

So there I am relaxing with this eye mask on. It covers a very large area of my face so I was essentially giving my eye area and the top of my cheeks a bit of a treat. After 15 minutes, I remove and throw the mask into the bin. It seems like a waste but I guess you can choose to put the mask on a little longer if you like. 

  
Then, I grabbed a tissue and patted away the excess serum. You may choose to massage and push more serum into your skin if you like. However, I felt that there was so much serum on my skin that there was no way my skin was going to absorb all of it! Please excuse my uneven eyelids in this photo.

And there you have it: bright eyes! And for the record, the "bags" under my eyes are from me smiling. For more products and stockist, you can check out their website here. 

Have you tried any of Skinvitals masks? Which one(s) do you like or would like to try? Please do share in the comments below!

Triple S: Formula 10.0.6 No Time To Shine Review

 I have been trying this oil-absorbing mud mask for quite a while now and I really like it! So I thought it'd do a review and a bit of a demo. Here it goes!

Formula 10.0.6 No Time to Shine  
Claims: Draws out impurities and eliminates excess oil, purifying and conditioning to balance and tone skin. Has cleansing, astringent, healing, soothing, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties
RRP: AUD$1.99/AUD$8.99 for 9.4mL/100mL

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: I have combination skin. I'm oily, but not extremely, on my T-zone (my forehead, nose and chin). The rest of my face is normal skin. This product is really easy to apply. It is creamy and slightly mousse-like. It comes in a plastic squeenzable tube that makes dispensing the product really easy. The product has a slightly greenish tinge and can stain your fingers but don't worry, it comes off after a couple of washes with water and soap. And no it does not stain your face green at all.  I find that my skin feels fresh and oil-free (not dry), after using this mask. However, I always follow up with moisturiser; to put some moisture back into our skin. Otherwise, my skin will go into hyperdrive and produce even more oils to compensate for the loss of moisture. My whole face is then "normal" for the entire day before any oils start seeping out again. 

Now on with the demo! 

Before

 Here's a Before photo. As you can see, my forehead and nose is a bit shiny from the oil on my skin.
 

I applied the mask all over my face, avoiding my eyes and lips. I concentrated the product on my T-zone to absorb all the oil.

When I'm done applying, I usually set my timer to 15 minutes. While I wait for the mask to dry up, I usually read a book or a magazine or watch Youtube videos. The mask has a cooling effect initially.

15 minutes later

You will feel your skin tighten as the mask dries up. At the end of the 15 minutes, I could barely lift my cheeks to smile.

I then washed the mask off with warm water and pat my skin dry with a towel.

After

 Ta-da! Naturally matte skin; less oily, less shiny. Man, I sound like an ad. Sorry! 

After

I'm quite happy with this mask. I'm already eyeing the other masks by Formula 10.0.6. The next one I am keen to try is the Keep Your Cool Breakout Calming Mask! 

Do you suffer from oily skin? Have you ever tried oil-absorbing masks before?