Face Mask Friday: Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask

I bought this mask back in January from HQhair.com and have been using it on around a weekly basis since then - and really like it. 

I bought this without checking out reviews first - so I didn't really know what to expect. For some reason I thought the mask would be more gel-like than it is, due to the 'collagen' thing. But it's actually fairly similar to a normal mud mask - a green paste that when spread over the skin it dries and is washed off.

The main difference is that I don't find it dries my skin out - and that's why I really like it. It's a lovely balance of deep cleansing and moisturising at the same time - not an easy balance to strike. But when I wash the mask off, my skin doesn't feel at all tight. Although I do always follow with a moisturiser. 

I also really like the smell of this mask, it's fresh and clean without being medicinal.

I don't really have anything bad to say about this mask at all - if you have combination skin then really recommend it. Would buy again - although it looks like it's no longer stocked on HQhair.com, but it is on Beautybay.com (currently out of stock, but is sold there). This has also made me really keen to try out more from the Mario Badescu range.

Have you tried anything from the Mario Badescu range, if so - what do you recommend?

Bought by me.

Philip Kingsley Scalp Mask: Review

As mentioned in my HQhair.com review post I recently stocked up on these wonderful little tubes of scalp-goodness. If you have a bit of a problem scalp, like me then I highly recommend these. They are a once-a-week exfoliating treatment designed especially for the scalp. According to the blurb on the Philip Kingsley website the mask... 


"Contains exfoliating and anti inflammatory agents to sooth and help control flaking and itching. Stimulating your scalp to improve hair texture. Fragrance free and suitable for all hair types."

I've now used two tubes of this (one that was given to me as a PR sample and a second that I bought myself) and can confidently say the product will be a consistent feature in my hair care routine. 


After one use my scalp felt far healthier than it has in a long time, particularly around my hairline where it often looks dry - any evidence of dry/flakiness was gone. All over my scalp felt clean and refreshed, which also made my hair feel really healthy too - like it had also had a deep clean.


The mask itself is quite a thick cream, that you apply to your scalp and leave for 20mins (ideally with a plastic shower cap on over the hair) before washing out. The instructions say to apply to wet hair/scalp which I have tried, but I also liked it when applied to my scalp when it was dry. I felt that using a whole tube was probably a bit too much, but would perhaps suggest that a whole tube is best for first use but then for further weekly treatments you could use half (helps to stretch out the cost..!) but this will mostly come down to personal preference.


No, this mask isn't a permanent cure for difficult scalps but it is a good way to manage it. I've also been trying out the Philip Kingsley Scalp Tonic, which can help manage the condition of the scalp and it certainly does help but I'm just rubbish at remembering to apply it every day after washing my hair. So much prefer the weekly mask approach.


Of course, one of the best ways to keep your scalp healthy is to find hair care products that don't irritate it and keep it consistent but life as a beauty junkie makes that difficult - I can't help but want to change products constantly!


The Philip Kingsley Scalp Mask costs around £3.95 a tube (one tube per treatment) and is available in various online beauty stores (salon skincare and feel unique are two that I found, feel unique is also offering free delivery)


**The Small Print**
I recieved one of these masks as a PR sample and have since purchased 4x myself.

Facemask Friday: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Mask

I love a good face mask, but I find them a bit difficult to review. Because of this I have build up quite a backlog of masks I have been trying out over the last few months, so decided to start a semi-regular post on here of 'facemask fridays'. This is partly because I love alliteration and partly because Friday has become my unofficial pampering day (as long as I'm not out after work) - you know the routine, bath, scrub, de-fuzz, face mask, deep condition - then fake tan and nails if I'm going all out.




So to start off with I thought I'd review quite an unusual face mask that I have been using a few times a month for a while now: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Mask.

This mask is based on the well known Bliss Oxygen Facial that they offer in salons and promises to be a 'super-quick-fix for dull, tired skin'. I'd have to agree with that - it's a fantastic quick fix. Although I talked about the whole Friday-pampering thing a moment ago, this isn't a mask I would use for that - it's one that I use in the morning (even on a week day) as a five minute treatment if my skin is looking dull and rubbish. It's so fast to do that I don't have any issue using it whilst I get ready for work - especially good on those days feeling a bit worse for wear...




About the mask, it's an unusual texture when first dispensed - a lightweight orange gel (as you can see in the pic above). Then when massaged into damp skin (I prefer using it on slightly drier skin as find the effect 'clings' a bit better) it foams/fizzes up to create a layer of bubbles. I find that the wetter the skin the larger the bubbles, but the quicker they disappear, so I think it works best on either dry or very almost dry skin (as in not wet rather than skin type).

Whilst on the face I can feel a slightly tingly, fizzing sensation as the bubbles burst. After five minutes you rinse it off and follow with toner and moisturiser. I have to agree about the need for toner as it can sometimes feel like there is residue left behind.

Post-use my skin feels fresh and like the circulation has been pepped up a notch. It tends to look a little pinker, but in a 'circulation boost' way, rather than 'irritated skin' way. It also always feels soft and not at all dried out. This isn't a deep cleansing mask, but it is good if your skin is dry/dull and you want a quick fix. Good for pre-nights out or as a skin hangover cure (I will be using this one quite a lot through the festive period!)

The Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Mask costs around £38 (for 100ml which will last AGES) and is available from Boots.com and other stores - just google the name (can get it for around £34/35 on some sites apparently)


**The Small Print**
PR sample for review.

Montagne Jeunesse Apricot Kernel Exfoliator

Last night I had a bit of an at-home pampering session (basically a bubble bath with a DIY facial). I pulled out this sachet face mask from Montagne Jeunesse - I have a selection of these to try out at the moment and this was the first I chose to give a test run. I chose the Apricot Kernel Exfoliator as it promised deep cleansing and exfoliation.

I applied this by massaging a thick layer onto my skin, so the face was covered in a mask. I then left it for around 10-15 mins before rinsing off and splashing the skin with cool water.

I followed with Dermalogica's Active Moist Cream to make sure my skin wasn't left sucked of moisture.

Straight after this DIY facial my skin felt amazingly soft and thoroughly scrubbed. It was a little red as the exfoliating beads in this are quite harsh - so I would suggest being careful if you have sensitive skin. Morning after - my skin still feels fantastically soft and smooth - very happy with it.

My overall view of this mask - great if you want a thorough scrubbing, but not if you have sensitive skin as this will be too harsh so be careful and make sure you have some sort of soothing/gentle moisturiser to apply after use as even the hardiest of skins need a bit of TLC when subjected to hardcore exfoliation.

Montagne Jeunesse masks can be bought online for 99p each HERE  (free delivery on orders over £7.50) or in Boots and Superdrug.


**The Small Print**
PR sample sent for review.