Origins 'Calm to Your Senses' stress-relieving mask

Origins Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving mask

When I get wind of a new Origins product launch, I certainly don't need telling twice, the arrival of their Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving face mask had me racing straight for my nearest counter in a desperate bid to get my hands on a tube. I feel like I've referred to this a lot lately, but I'm a worrier by nature, and I often get myself far too worked up over things that I probably won't even remember a month down the line. I also have trouble with sleeping - I usually drop off all too easily, but I regularly wake up in the night and am unable to drift off again for a good couple of hours, which leaves me feeling tired and drained the following day in spite of having gone to bed nice and early. As a result, I'm forever on the lookout for products which serve to aid relaxation, and there is nothing I love more than a good pamper session and a long wind-down before I climb under the bed covers. Of course, it's rarely possible to go the whole hog during the week, as the evenings pass quickly and most of us will go to bed earlier, so the ideal is to have something on hand that will do the work for you.

Enter, Origins Calm to Your Senses.

A rich, creamy face mask containing buckbean and St. Paul's Wort extract to target tense, stressed-looking skin, it is not dissimilar to the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, in that you massage in a generous amount prior to bedtime and leave it to do its work overnight. Barrier-building plant butters help to replenish the skin's moisture reserves while you sleep, leaving it plump, soft and hydrated upon awakening, while a relaxing blend of lavender and chamomile soothe and calm the senses helping you to drift off more easily.

I'm not the biggest fan of lavender, but I do find it very calming when I'm ready to go to bed. I often reach for the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, which is very helpful, and definitely speeds up the time it takes me to get to sleep when I get into bed with my mind still racing. That said, the Calm to Your Senses mask doesn't have a strong lavender scent at all, and in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it smelled like oranges (much like the brand's High Potency Night-A-Mins). It's a pleasure to apply, and sinks easily into the skin - I find that while it is rich, it is lighter than the Drink Up Intensive mask, so if that one was too heavy for you then don't be put off.

In the morning, there is no residue left on my skin, but thanks to its plumping, hydrating effects, I often find myself reaching for it regardless of whether I'm worried about sleeping or not. As to whether or not it helps me to drift off, the jury is still out - as I mentioned, it's rare that I have trouble in that department anyway, but it definitely does make me feel relaxed when I get into bed with it on. I love that it takes just a few short seconds to apply and doesn't have to be washed off, as this makes it a real time-saver that be can used anytime, anywhere.

I'll be doing a round-up of some of my favourite products for relaxation soon, as I seem to have built up quite the collection. Do you have any favourites?

xx

Review: Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Facial oils are a key player when it comes to soft, bright and radiant skin, and  I've become accustomed to using them in my evening skincare routine in place of a night cream or other moisturiser. The latest addition to my routine is the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil*, the first product I've managed to get my hands on from the much-coveted brand, which has only recently become available in the UK via QVC.

Maracuja - or passion fruit - is packed with vitamin C and essential fatty acids, which are vital for healthy skin cells and something which the body cannot produce on its own. Without them, skin can appear dry and age prematurely, so it's really no laughing matter.

Known as "The Pure Miracle", this rare Amazonian fruit is delicately and sustainably harvested, piece by piece. The nutrient-rich, seeded pulp is extracted from each individual fruit, then hand-pressed without heat, in order to preserve the nutritious vitamins and essential fatty acids, ensuring that the maximum possible make it into the end product.

The Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil* is exactly as it says on the tin - 100% pure, with no parabens, sulphates or other chemical nasties to contend with. A potent anti-ageing elixir, this little gem will infuse life back into your skin, however sorry a state it is in.

The oil comes with a user-friendly glass dropper, eliminating any worries about unnecessarily wasting product. A couple of drops on the finger tips will suffice - I usually press the oil into my skin with my fingertips, massaging in any residue.

The oil aims to infuse thirsty and dehydrated skin with a shot of much-needed moisture,  delivering harmony and resulting in firmer, smoother and brighter looking skin. The essential fatty acids recharge and replenish, rejuvenating skin and resulting in a more even-toned appearance.

My skin certainly does feel soft and hydrated the morning after use, and I'm more than satisfied with the radiant glow that comes with it. Unfortunately for me, despite oils being of great benefit to all skin types, I have always found that no matter what kind of oil I'm using, I always come out in a spot or two after a few days' use, and this is no exception. 

I haven't let it put me off, however. 

The answer? I reserve it for bi-weekly use. Applied this way, my skin seems to reap the benefits, and is bright, plump and smooth.

If you're a fan of facial oils, then this one is a must-try. It's definitely up there with the best of them, and has to be my favourite oil to date. 

If you've yet to take the plunge, then I urge you to do so. Don't shy away if your skin is already bordering on oil-slick territory, as the right oils can have a balancing effect. Often, those with oily skin will reach for gels and foaming products, but actually, these can have a detrimental effect, stripping your skin of every last bit of moisture. The result? Over-compensation - or, in other words, over-production of sebum. Nourish and hydrate your skin with the right oils, and this will no longer be such an issue.

Do you use facial oils? What is your favourite?

If not, why not?

xx

The Skincare Tag

It's been a long while since I last did a tag post here on the blog, but being the skincare junkie that I am, I couldn't resist giving these questions the once over when I saw them over on the lovely Jess's blog
(Just Jess). I'm not going to specifically tag anyone to do the same, but if you would like to then please feel free, and be sure to leave me the link in the comments below, as I love reading about what other people include in their skincare routine.

1. Describe your skincare routine in five words.

Pamper. Masks. Exfoliating toner. AHAs.

2. What is your skin type?

I've always had perfectly normal skin, but since the year began it has become quite blemish-prone on my chin and jawline area, and my t-zone is somewhat oilier than it used to be, which has been really bothersome and quite distressing. I'm fairly sure this has been down to the contraceptive injection I had been taking on a monthly basis for the past couple of years, and have just changed back over to the pill this week - fingers crossed it might finally be the answer! (I hope that's not too much info, but that's just the way things are!)

3. What's your favourite skincare product?

I don't think there could be a more difficult question! There are just so many skincare treats that I have come to love and rely upon, but the one that has made the biggest impact on my skin in recent times has got to be the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner. I use this on a nightly basis, and as well as evening out my skintone no end, it has also kicked congestion in to touch and vastly improved my problem areas.

Other favourites of mine include the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel and Facial Detox Mask, and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask - weekly treats I just couldn't be without.

4. Top blemish zappers:

Lots of fish oil supplements (I take about 4g a day) and the afore-mentioned Clarins toner. Chemical exfoliants work far better for me than any manual scrub I've ever tried, and making sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs on the inside is key to overall skin health. Again, I like the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox mask for taking down active blemishes, and sometimes leave it on over night if I've got any particularly tough customers on the go. It's the best clarifying mask I've tried.

As for treatments such as La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole any more.

In my experience, they often take a minor skincare issue and make it into something worse, and more long term. Saying that, they do work brilliantly for some people, so I think it's just a case of trial and error, and getting to know your own skin.

5. Face wipes: yay or nay?

Hell to the no, my face wipe days are well and truly behind me. It makes me shudder when I look back upon the years I spent using face wipes, and NOTHING BUT face wipes. WHAT WAS I THINKING!? Nowadays, only a proper skincare routine will do, and I wouldn't dream of going to bed with my makeup on, either.

6. Toner: yay or nay?

Most definitely - in fact, you've probably gathered that this is an absolute must for me from my previous answers. As well as an exfoliating toner, I also tend to use a nice hydrating spritz too, and my favourite is the Suti Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner.

7. High-end skincare or high-end makeup?

High-end skincare all the way, if I had to choose. I do love a luxurious makeup purchase, but at the end of the day there are plenty of fantastic high-street/drugstore products out there that will do the job - in fact, I think such brands have really come into their own over the past couple of years and are producing some fantastic products.

When it comes to skincare though, I think it's worth investing in some really good quality products, as you only get one chance to get things right with your face. Plus, if your skin doesn't look good then what use is expensive makeup? You can plaster it over the top, but it will never look as good as it could. I  have to say though, there is a small part of me that does regret ever getting into the skincare brands that I love now, as it's taken me from spending minimal money on products to spending a lot more than I would like to!

Saying that, they do make a huge difference to my skin, and that is why I now hold them in such high esteem.

8. What's the most unusual skincare product you've ever tried?

This would have to be the Heaven Bee Venom Mask. Slightly scary plastering bee venom all over your face not knowing whether or not you are allergic! At the time I suffered from quite bad anxiety, so I was whipping it off again in seconds, but I have just rediscovered it in my skincare cupboard and am planning on giving it another go this week - watch this space!

9. You're in a French pharmacy and can only pick one item. What is it?

Another tough question. At the moment is probably the La Roche Posay Serozinc, as I am itching to give that a try. But otherwise, I'm not really a fan of their products, so I'd go for one of the many wonderful Caudalie products I've already tried.

10. Tell us your top skincare tip.

Drink lots of water, and take Omega 3 supplements (if you are struggling with blemishes then make sure to go for just the Omega 3s and not one that combines all the various different types, as breakouts can often be a result of a high Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio. So that means you might need less 6s and more 3s. Worked for me.). I'd also recommend using an exfoliating toner on a daily basis, whatever your skin type, and making sure to keep your skin nourished at all times. Don't assume that if you have blemishes, you need to let them dry out, as often the opposite is true.

Another tip is to cut back on your dairy and sugar if you are suffering from a particularly nasty breakout, as they can aggravate them further.

So that's it. I hope you enjoyed having a little delve into the things I like to use to pamper and protect my skin. I'm going to be filming an updated skincare routine video very soon, as while I used to chop and change a fair bit I am quite happy with what I'm using at the moment and am planning to stick with it, give or take a new treatment here and there - so if skincare is your thing then do keep an eye out for that.

Don't forget to link me up if you decide to do this tag - I'd love to read your posts.

xx