Hey there,
Shortly after my ‘Current’ Skincare Routine post, I found myself going a little Origins crazy. As I became indulged with samples and travel size products, eager to find new skincare treats. You most definitely need to get comfy for this one, and maybe even have a snack at the ready, (Chocolate hobnobs if it was up to me).
I think it is safe to say, Origins is one of my most loved brands, I’ve already posted about their amazing Night-A-Mins, and Drink Up Mask, as well as their Ginzing day cream and eye cream, which are all firm favourites of mine (It’s like a Origins takeover on my blog).
I was in Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, and with the intention to get my hands on another Ginzing eye cream, and have a little taster of the new Ginzing launches, (Cleanser & Mask), I made my way to the Origins John Lewis counter for a well deserved, and much needed facial, (4 Years in Cardiff and I didn’t know Origins had a beauty room, probably a good thing for my student bank balance). It’s been a while since I have properly pampered my face, (Unless you count the mini express ones I do in about 5 minutes at home) so I took full advantage of being on that couch, taking in every single gorgeous scent of the Origins products, and fell in to a state of delirious relaxation, (You know the one I mean).
The facial was performed by Abi the counter manager, who used a couple of products I love, as well as a few new ones, including the Ginzing cleanser. To start with she double cleansed using the Checks and Balances face wash, and the Ginzing cleanser, exfoliated with modern friction, and applied the drink up intensive mask, (Let’s face it, my skin adores this one) finishing with a moisturiser which I can’t remember, (It smelt good though). All I kept thinking throughout the facial was how amazing the products smelt, the scent is so incredible, and so natural.
Afterwards my face had such a fresh glow to it, one I struggle to achieve at home. Since then I have been trying out a few products at home, which I of course had to review for all my lovely followers, so enjoy.
Can I have them all?
Take me back to that state of relaxation now!
Checks and Balances Face Wash £18.50
This face wash feels luxurious on my skin, it really lathers up a lovely creamy consistency on the face, one that achieves that ‘squeeky clean’ feel I adore so much. It has a really natural, earthy smell to it, with a slight hint of mint which really wakens the skin. This face wash is literally meant to check and balance your skin at the same time, soaking up any excess oil, while digging out the dirt. Perfect for combination skin like mine. The only problem I have with this face wash, and funnily enough with the scrub to,(Which I don’t think is the products fault) is that my eyes always sting, no matter what I do to avoid my eye area, they react as if I have just squirted a load directly in to my eye. I’m blaming it on my stupid hayfever *grumpy face* as my eyes are itchy, and seem to be playing up all day at the moment. It’s really annoying as the product itself is so nice.
Modern Friction £33.00
As I said above, I am a little frustrated that my eyes are being so over sensitive, as I love the product, (I’m still going to use it to be honest, just be extra extra careful). It has a strong smell to it, similar to Checks and Balances, with out the mint and a little more citrus (OK, maybe not similar at all). I always look for a gentle exfoliator for my skin, none of this scratching the first layer of skin off stuff. I used to get clients saying to me that they didn’t like to exfoliate because it would make their skin red and sore, I would always respond with,’what the hell are you using on your skin?’. I prefer a cream based formula with small but a lot of exfoliating beads, in this case rice starch, this way you get rid of the dead skin cells, the dirt, and it actually reveals brighter looking skin, not painful red skin. I also like the fact that Modern Friction contains lemon oil, my regular readers will know how I feel about Vitamin C as an ingredient.
** I wouldn’t be put of by my stinging eyes, like I said they have been playing up in general anyway, all day every day. I would suggest maybe getting a sample first if you do find your eyes are little over sensitive like mine sometimes.
Ginzing Mask £23.00
Well, I think the whole Beauty blogging world has been excited by the launch of the two new Ginzing products. I for one was absolutely ecstatic to find out there was more to the range than my beloved eye cream and moisturiser, (OK, I sound a little sad here). And of course my first impressions of the mask, (Baring in mind I only have a sample size), are that it has the potential to be pretty damn good, just as good as the rest of the Ginzing gang. I found my face felt refreshed, and awake straight after using it, I think the gel formula, along with the cooling cucumber is what really awakens my skin. I would love to feel the benefits of using the whole range in one facial, (Would be perfect for a hangover day cover up?). The mask also contains coffee beans, and hoelen mushrooms to soothe. The only downfall is it doesn’t smell as good as the moisturiser.
Mega Mushroom Skin Relief – Soothing Treatment Lotion £27.50
My face can be pretty sensitive at times, so it was nice to try a more soothing range from Origins. As soon as my mom spotted the Mega Mushroom samples, she told me how amazing they were, and you know what I say when my mom says a products good, ‘she’s always right’, (Mother knows everything when it comes to good skincare as far as I am concerned). I have been using this after cleansing, and it feels absolutely divine on my skin, no stinging, or dryness, just gentle and soothing. The solution literally comes out like water, so you could say I’ve wasted half the sample. It’s got a very strong scent, which probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, (It’s not exactly vanilla extract or roses), but I love it. I think its got quite a relaxing aroma to it.
Mega Mushroom Skin Relief – Advanced Face Serum £60.00
I have been using the face serum before my day and night moisturisers, and its feels incredible on my skin, a lovely silky soft feeling as it absorbs in to the skin. It has the exact same smell as the lotion, but its consistency is more of liquid cream. The Mega mushroom range gives my skin exactly what it needs at the moment, it has helped keep the stress impact on my skin at bay, (Unfortunately it doesn’t work on my mindset). In the past couple of weeks I have been leaving one job, starting another, putting huge pressure on myself in other aspects of my life, and making a few changes, (Where I have had many sleepless nights), and my skin, for once, isn’t showing the emotions. Its omega rich, (No wonder my mums a fan), has skin repairing Reishi and soothing Chaga and Cordyceps, (If that means anything to you, as it doesn’t to me). But overall, over these past two weeks that I have been using these products, I have been rather impressed, (As if I ever doubted Origins) I just wish I had more product to continue with.
What is your favorite Origins Product? Will you be trying out the new Ginzing products?
Hope you enjoyed my post, and your pack of hobnobs.
Lots of Love,
KBxx
P.S Guess what, my mums trying out Origins Plantscription as we speak, so don’t forget to follow my blog, so you don’t miss out on my mums thoughts on some skincare products, (I’m even thinking about making her a feature on here).
