Showing posts with label Mask. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mask. Show all posts

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Beauty and the Bees Oatmeal, Honey & Herb Scrub (or Mask)

Hello my huggable hippie friends! I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. I sure am! Why? Because I get to tell you about this great new product that I'm super excited about!

Beauty and the Bees Honey and Herb Polishing ScrubBeauty and the Bees is on a mission to truly understand sensitive skin (thank you!) by using high quality natural products like herbs, honey, and oils. They are still one of the few companies that still does things from scratch which is impressive and it makes me want to give them a big ole hug!

They also do not use artificial chemicals! You may have been hearing some talk about palm oil-- no fear! Beauty and the Bees is 100% non RSPO palm oil free! They also make a point to be 100% cruelty free and earth friendly as possible (they use glass or recycled paper-- no plastic!) which I really, really, really love.

I admit that I was really excited when I found Beauty and the Bees product line, and I kind of ordered one or two (or five) items to try out. Later, I contacted the company to ask a question about their shampoo bars and they offered to send me some extra gifts to tell you about!! YAY!! {jumps up and down in excitement} Expect more Beauty and the Bees posts soon! But today, I'm really happy to show off this great little product that I think you'll love!
Click to read more

Friday, September 27, 2013

Clarifying Bentonite Clay Facial Mask

Do you have a skin goal? Maybe enlarged pores? Wrinkles? Would you like to have tighter skin? Of course, everyone does! Well, you're lucky because I have a fantastic solution for you!!


I have found that bentonite clay is a fabulous natural way to my improve skin! Now, you may think, "What a minute-- isn't that dirt?!" Sort of. It's super special dirt from God. Bentonite clay is pretty much His gift to us!

So please, don't go outside and just smear mud on your face. It has to be quality bentonite clay!

I buy loose clay and add water (or rose water) to make a fantastic mask, and I've bought a pre-packaged facial mask like this one from Redmond Clay. It's literally just clay and water, no chemicals no preservatives!

The Facial Mud claims to do the following:
  • Clarify your skin
  • Remove excess oil
  • Shrink appearance of pores
  • Draw out toxins
  • Tone skin
  • Remove impurities
  • Deep cleanse your skin. 
It is safe for all skin types and it's so simple to use.

Essential Oils For Added Benefits
If you want added benefit you can even add a couple of drops of essential oils such as lavender to help combat bumps and smooth scars. Personally I love Frankincense because of it's ability to support healthy skin.

Make sure you know which essential oils to use because some may cause thicker hair growth or increase hair growth and I don't think you want that on your face!

If you'd like to join my Natural Living Support Group on Facebook please fill out this form!

How To Use It
If you are using powdered clay, use 3-4 tsp, add 2-3 drops of essential oil (optional) and enough water (or rose water) to make it like a paste. If you are using the Facial Mud, then just add 2-3 drops to the clay.

Apply the wet clay and let it dry for any time between 10-25 minutes (the more sensitive your skin- the less time is recommended).

Clay Masks are great for decreasing pore sizeYou may experience some redness after the mask simply because of the process to draw out the impurities (aka pore gunk). I washed the clay off my face at the 15 minute mark and the first thing I noticed was how tight my skin felt. It wasn't uncomfortably tight, but rather pleasantly firm as if gravity has been reversed. Yay!!

The second thing I noticed was how soft my skin felt to the touch. I couldn't stop touching it! 

My skin is a little red after the mask, but I have very sensitive skin so I'm happy with that. It fades pretty quickly!

The first time I did this I noticed that my old facial scars were a bit more visible than usual, but slowly it faded and my skin looked back to normal. If you're worried about that, then you can always do it before bed! However, it really does make a difference in the long run! For me I've seen smaller pore sizes, tighter skin, less blemishes, and reduced wrinkles. 

If you're interested in the Facial Mud you can buy it here: Facial Mud Hydrated Clay 4 Ounces or the Powdered Clay: Redmond Clay
Rose Water: Eau de Rose du Maroc Distillate Water
Essential Oils: I recommend this brand 

If you've tried clay before I'd love to hear your experiences!

Questions? 
If you'd like to join my Natural Living Support Group on Facebook please fill out this form or you can read DIY Beauty Basics 101


Disclaimer: Redmond clay provided the clay for this review, but it is only because I told them how much I loooovvvee their products and I wanted to write a bunch of posts. So, yeah, I loved them before they gave me free stuff. Now I love them more. 

The links for products are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from anything purchased which I recommend. I am a Young Living distributor so I earn a commission from products sold. If you are interested in getting 24% off your order-- please email me. There is a gimmick, but it's actually a cool gimmick. I swear.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Zakia's Morocco The Perfect Skin Rejuvinator Face and Body Mask – Review

The first and one of the chief ingredients in this mask is Moroccon clay which is also known as Ghassoul -- a natural mineral clay mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Apart from rejuvenating the skin, the mask intends to target oily zones on the face and deep clean the pores. Keep reading to know if it works for me.

The Perfect Skin Rejuvinator Face and Body Mask

Help tone and refresh your face and body.  Using 7 specially chosen exotic plant extracts this clay mask will do wonders.  It is our newest addition to a long line of pure, natural and traditional skin care products.

The Ghassoul or Moroccan clay is a pure and natural argile saponifère extract from the Atlas mountains. Known the world over it has been used by Moroccan women for their entire bathing rituals, both body and hair.  Indeed, "Ghassoul" translated from Arabic is actually "the matter that cleanses".

Directions:
Use as a mask from head to toe helping to tone and soften your skin. It rejuvinates and regenerates the skin by removing dead skin cells that accumulates over time, removes black heads and rough patches and tightens the pores. It is also an excellent fortifier for the scalp and hair by reducing the secretion of sébum. 

No Parabens, No Pegs, No silicon, No mineral oil - just pure, organic  goodness for you face and body. 250 ml / 8.45 fl. oz

Zakia's Morocco The Perfect Skin Rejuvinator Face and Body Mask
Zakia's Morocco The Perfect Skin Rejuvinator Face and Body Mask

My thoughts
After going through the ingredients, I can tell that everything it has is natural. There are no preservatives, silicones or parabens; if you’re someone who digs organic products then you should definitely checkout this brand. You can find more details about the ingredients here.

To be honest, I have only used it two or three times and not as much as my sister has (who has an oily skin) because she’s quite impressed. I, on the other hand find it very drying for my combination skin if I use it very often. From both of our experiences, we find this mask very effective at clarifying the skin and deep cleaning pores with an added bonus of shrinking their appearance. Yes, it visibly reduces the pore size which is amazing!

The clay comes in a huge jar which is gonna last you a long time. As you can see in the photo above, the product is very finely milled. You just have to pour little water/rose water (which ever you prefer) on a tea spoon amount in a bowl and make a luscious paste. The scent is moderately strong but not in a bad way; it smells of herbs and plants to be precise. If you have used Henna, it pretty much smells like that because it has Lawsonia inermis (henna) in it but it doesn't stain my skin in case you are wondering.

The best part about it is that it feels very soothing on the skin. There is a slight minty sensation which is absolutely relaxing to cool you off on a hot summer day. As the mask dries, it tightens greatly so I would suggest applying a thin layer instead of a thick one which could feel a bit uncomfortable.  While rinsing off, I massage my skin for up to two to three minutes to buff away the dead skin cells. My skin definitely feels squeaky clean and smooth every time I use it. Since it could be drying, do not forget to moisturize. I personally haven't used it as a body mask because I prefer using a scrub but you can try that too.

Overall, I think it’s a good mask for combination to oily skin types. It's a quick fix for open pores and helps keep sebum in control.

You might like it if...
  • You have combination to oily skin type
  • It reduces the appearance of pores
  • It's all natural. No parabens, silicones or pegs
  • Your skin feels clean and smooth with its use
  • You are happy with the quantity
You might not like it if...
  • You have dry to normal skin type
  • The minty/tingling sensation bothers you
  • You have a sensitive skin
  • You are not fond of herbal scents
My rating
3.5/5

Zakia's Morocco The Perfect Skin Rejuvinator Face and Body Mask costs $19.99 and can be purchased from ZakiasMorocco.com. Catch Zakia's Morocco on Facebook to stay updated!


What do you think about clay masks? Which one's your favorite?


PR sample(s) sent for review. This however has not affected my opinion at all. My loyalty is to my readers and being honest is my utmost responsibility. I have given my sincere opinion about the product(s) mentioned in the post. For more details, please go through my Disclosure Policy.

If you have any questions, you can have a look at FAQ or email me on info@sarahassansblog.com.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque – Review


Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque needs no introduction. It’s one of the most raved products out there. After hearing so many good things about it, which only further sparked my curiosity, I thought it was time to try it myself.

Mint Julep Masque
Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment to help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your clean face and neck. As it firms and hardens within minutes, it draws out impurities from your pores. After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth. Even for individuals who are fortunate to be free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relax tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
My thoughts
Before we go into the details, I just want to say that I’ve always enjoyed using clay masks. I feel that a clay mask really pulls out the impurities from the pores and leaves your skin looking fresh and clean. It also helps get rid of the excess oil on your face which can potentially block pores and cause breakouts. Previously I was using Freeman Facial Clay Mask Avocado & Oatmeal and St. Ives Mineral Clay Firming Mask and I liked them both but if I’ve to pick one out of them, it’s going to be Mint Julep. This mask has really blown me away!

As you can see, it’s a green paste that comes in a slender squeeze tube. The consistency is a bit thicker compared to others that I’ve tried. The thickness may come across as rather annoying if you don’t keep the tube upright and the clay settles to the bottom and it would take time to dispense the mask out. So make sure it’s kept standing where ever you put it. I apply an even layer on my damp face and let it dry. A thin layer is all you need to get the job done. Not to mention, there is a refreshing minty scent to it and along with that it gives a slight tingly sensation which is very soothing. In case you’re wondering, the cool feeling is short-term and doesn’t burn so I assume it wouldn’t irritate if you have a sensitive skin type.

I keep in on for at least half an hour after which it’s completely dried and feels stiff. The reason why I’d choose it over other clay masks is because I can actually view the oil being sucked out from the pore which is something I’ve never experienced from a clay mask before. I see tiny damp spots particularly in my T-zone which makes me believe that it really cleanses the pores like a magnet. After massaging gently, I wash it off it with warm water and pat dry. The results? I wouldn’t say it rinses away deep blackheads on my nose but the small ones are gone for good and it does shrink the pores around my nose visibly. I’ve also noticed that it dries up those nasty zits with continuous use. Since it has a drying effect, don't forget to moisturize afterwards.

Overall, I believe Mint Julep is a top-notch mask for combination/oily skin and it’s a definite repurchase for me. I know the price is a bit steep but I’m happy with the amount.

You might like it if...
  • You expect it to clear up superficial blackheads
  • You expect it to dry up tiny zits
  • You fancy minty scent/tingling sensation
  • You expect it to draw out dirt leaving your skin clean, fresh & smooth
  • You find the squeeze tube packaging hygienic
You might not like it if...
  • You think it's expensive
  • The tingling sensation bothers you
  • It dries out your skin (moisturize!)
My rating
4.5/5

You can purchase Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque for PKR 1199 from BeautyInBudget4u. You can also buy online from Just4girls.pk, Drugstore.com, Ulta and SallyBeauty.com.

What do you think about this mask? Have you tried it yet?