First Impressions: Bio Beaute by NUXE Vitamin-Rich Detox Mask (with Orange Water)

 

YES! YES!

I used a sample sachet of this two nights ago and ever since then, I have been thinking of (obsessing more like it) how I can get a full sized product of this one in the most cost-efficient way. It isn’t available here in Philippines and I don’t want to spend on customs duties (which sometimes get ridiculously exorbitant!). Anyway, will work this out.***

ENJOYABLE TO USE

This mask comes in a form of orange gel.  I didn’t get the feeling of gel though because when spread over the face, it really felt more like thick honey (the thickness you get when honey has been placed in the fridge).  Although it was thick and a bit sticky, it was easy to evenly cover my face with it. The scent of oranges and citrus made it so energizing, refreshing and awakening. It was comfortable to wear—both the texture and the scent. You can carry a conversation with anyone—as opposed to masks that force you to communicate through tight lips or through holes. You can wear your eyeglasses with it.  At least, I did.

The product instructs you to have it on for 5 minutes after which you are to massage it in and rinse off. I wore mine for 30 minutes because after looking at the clock to check the initial time, I actually forgot to check back in. It was that comfortable!  The massaging phase needed a bit of elbow grease, though, because it got stickier at this point. I liked how it rinses off milky white. The gel turns to “milk” when it gets in contact with water so it’s easy to know when you’ve thoroughly washed it off.

EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

When I dried off, I saw the most amazing results ever! I didn’t even know that I could be so bold as to describe my skin as beautiful, smooth and soft when, less than an hour ago, it was a mess! (Had three big hormonal zits, countless blocked pores on my nose; roughness and more pores.) Also, I now know what it means to have radiant skin. I have always ignored the term “radiant skin,” chalking it under empty, meaningless, marketing speak. But man oh man! My skin was unbelievably radiant! Alive and healthy! I could not stop caressing it. I let my husband touch my face. Let my kids see it. Yes, the zits and some pores were still visible. But. But! I don’t know how it managed to do this but my skin looked dewy (but it was dry to the touch), almost all pores smoothened out, my fine lines blurred. I remember getting my hand held mirror just to take a closer look and yes, I had seen right the first time. This is such a miracle worker!

Like I mentioned, my skin wasn’t at its best before use. So I wasn’t expecting anything really, at least nothing over and beyond what I normally would have for a face mask. I mean, I have tried all sorts of masks: clay, cloth, mud, overnight gel masks, egg, tomato, placenta, snail…name the formulation, chances are, yup, I’ve done it.  Am I glad I was curious enough to check out this orange goop!

NOTE TO SELF:

I will try samples ASAP! I will use them before leaving the city I am visiting so the option to purchase is still available! I was given this sachet, together with all the other free samples, when I shopped at a Parapharmacie in Paris 2 years ago. It wasn’t until a couple of days ago that I got around to trying it. 

***

Can’t wait for my sister’s trip to Paris!!! I’m hoping by the end of March, I shall have had a tub of this orange goodness! After all, I still need to see how consistent the results are and how my skin will take to it in the long run.

First Impressions: First Snow by Lush

 I WILL REPURCHASE:

I bought this twinkly, sparkly, fragrant dusting powder in a Lush store in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. I actually saw this first at the Venetian’s Lush store in Macau. I didn’t get to buy it then because I got distracted by the fresh batch of Christmas bath bombs and by their new body conditioner, African Paradise. I was very disappointed when I got back to Manila to find out our local Lush store didn’t have First Snow on their shelves yet. I’m hoping they get this in time for Christmas 2014—this would make perfect gifts!

PRICE and PACKAGING:

First Snow costs HKD 85  (roughly PHP 485 and is listed in the LUSH US Website at USD 8) for 30 grams of powder. It comes in a clear, squeezable plastic bottle with a flip top cap. Dispensing product is easy.

EXPERIENCE:

This is not like your average baby powder. For one, just like all of Lush’s powders, it is moisturizing and leaves a silken feel to your skin. And also, the scent lasts. I don’t know how Lush does it but the staying power of the scents of all their powders is pretty strong. When you take off your clothes at the end of day, the scent is still very much present. Who doesn’t love that?! The smell of First Snow (from Lush’s Christmas collection) I can best describe as light, sweet and citrusy fresh. I find it so refreshing that putting it on makes me feel as if I had just stepped out of the shower. Lush itself has listed the following as some of the ingredients: sweet orange oil, and lime oil.

First Snow sets itself apart from Vanilla Puff and Silky Underwear (both by Lush) because of the sparkle and noticeable twinkle it leaves on your skin. You do not need an enormous amount to spread all over your body to have it sparkling like a star. Really. So, if you are one who frowns upon a bit of glimmer on skin, this product won’t be for you because you’ll definitely see the glitter. I do have to say though that you will not feel the glitter on your skin at all, even when spreading the powder.

Where Lush's Lustre gives you a pearlescent golden sheen, First Snow gives a scattering of teeny tiny silvery twinkly sparkle. (Both are beautiful but let's save Lustre for another post.) The sparkle First Snow gives is most beautiful when sunlight hits your skin. If you’ve seen the movie Twilight, recall the scene where Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) steps into the light—this gives a similar effect. Not your average, daily look but beautiful just the same. Another great thing about this? The sparkle stays long enough until the end of a party.

DOWNSIDE:

The sparkle/glitter transfers to your clothing- but it easily washes off when laundered.  Also, your hands get the bulk of the sparkle that you’re going to have to wash it off if it bothers you or if you don’t want any on your face. Lastly, although it lasts long enough for me, the sparkle does not stay all day-- my solution is to just add some more.

 FAMILY CORNER:

This is my little girls’ new favorite. My girls were immediately taken by the silvery sparkle First Snow gives. They have used this quite a bit since I got this and none of them have developed allergies or rhinitis to it (unlike other baby powders that make my 4 year old’s nose run!). My eldest daughter (10) used this when she danced ballet on stage and the sparkle of the powder kept on catching the light. Soo beautiful!

My husband likes the scent but won’t use it because of the glitter. Understandably so! He is sticking to his favorites, as they are part of his daily ritual: Silky Underwear and T for Toes (both by Lush). 

INGREDIENTS: