Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask
1/5/14

Happy New Year! I haven't posted in quite a while, and I'm really excited about this new discovery. I've been a fan of Chantecaille for quite some time, and I can't believe I waited so long to try their clay mask. I regularly use and love their Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask and Fruit and Flower Acids Mask. 

I'd been using Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque, and had tried other clay masks like Aēsop's Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque but was disappointed. Sure, the Kiehl's mask worked well. But like most clay masks, it left my face feeling tight and would sometimes cause some redness if left on for too long. I'd avoided Chantecaille's clay mask purely because of the color - black. I knew my expensive, soft washcloths would be stained. I read review after review in global fashion and beauty publications with raves about this product. Alas, I could resist no longer.

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The small jar and somewhat sizable price tag concerned me at first glance. After cleansing my face, I began to apply the mask. I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly and easily it was to apply, and how far such a little amount went. It felt cooling and soothing, and didn't dry like most clay masks. It has a pleasant, spa-like scent of rosemary and other natural ingredients. I expected my face to be charcoal or black, but it actually takes on somewhat of a dark, bluish hue. I waited the instructed 10 minutes before washing it off for the first time. If you've used clay masks, you know how difficult a task it can be to remove them. This mask is completely different. Just a soft washcloth and some warm water, and the mask easily and gently washed off my skin.

About the fourth or fifth use, I realized that 30 minutes had passed and I'd forgotten to wash the mask off. Even though I exceeded the instructed time of 10 minutes, my face wasn't tight whatsoever. None of the usual hard, tight clay mask woes. I believe the honey helps keep the mask from becoming too stiff and uncomfortable. Once again, a little warm water and a soft washcloth was all it took to remove the mask. It really tightens my pores and leaves my skin soft, smooth and glowing. Because it is a purifying or detoxifying mask, any tiny underlying pimples or imperfections immediately come to the surface and are magically gone the following morning. I had certainly never experienced this level of success with any other clay mask. Having both combination and reactive/sensitive skin, this is the ideal purifying mask. Gentle and effective. 

My verdict? The best clay/purifying mask on the market. Totally worth staining one of your best washcloths for. Chantecaille did it again!

Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask with Rosemary and Honey is $78 for a 1.7oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Barneys. 

Kiehl's Creme de Corps

Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish

6/17/13

You thought I was done with scrubs?! Heck no. While we tend to focus on facial skincare, we can't neglect the rest of our skin. As my dermatologist likes to remind me, "it's our body's largest organ!" Being a fair-skinned freckled redhead, I try to protect my pale self as much as possible. While I use body scrub all year, the most critical seasons are summer and winter, when our skin is crying out for extra TLC. 

I've tried at least a dozen body scrubs over the years, and it's amazing how much the products can vary. I used Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish for several years, but didn't like the sloppy application and mess that poor packaging causes. Definitely not travel-friendly, and barely shower-friendly.

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I was introduced to this scrub during a visit to my local Kiehl's. I'm fortunate to have an amazing rep at the Portland store who rarely steers me wrong. I immediately liked the packaging, as it's extremely travel-friendly. The consistency is creamy, with ground Luffa Fruit for exfoliation. It's incredibly gentle even on dry, sensitive, and sunburned skin. The scent is refreshing and relaxing thanks to yummy ingredients like almond oil. I use this scrub on my entire body (except my neck and face), and rinse off without the aid of a washcloth. It rinses off fairly easily, unlike many other body scrubs. I particularly like to exfoliate my legs prior to shaving for extra-soft, silky gams. You'll immediately notice softer skin the moment you step out of the bath or shower. Skin is primed for moisture, and I like to apply Kiehl's Creme de Corps after use for added moisture. 

This product is simple and effective. Use in the bath or shower 2-3 times a week for soft and fresh skin. Ladies, I must reiterate the benefit of using this scrub before shaving your legs. Fewer (if any) nicks and cuts, and your legs will be insanely soft. Also, the scent lingers. :)

My verdict? The best body scrub under $50. I've tried scrubs costing 2-3 times as much that don't work half as well. Unsure? Grab a sample at your local Kiehl's. 

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish is $30 for a 6.8 oz. tube, and $11 for a 2.5 oz. tube (smaller size available in-store and online at Nordstrom). 

Available at: Kiehl's, Nordstrom, & Neiman Marcus.

Clay Masks
5/28/13

While I often have a tendency to break the bank with skincare products, some of my favorites are a total steal- often better than their expensive counterparts. I love masks, and have many for different purposes. Deep cleaning, purifying, hydrating, exfoliating, soothing, nourishing, brightening...it's astounding how many options are available. Today I'm focusing on two clay masks: Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque and Aēsop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque. The goal? Deep pore cleansing and, hopefully, pore tightening! As I'm getting...wiser, I've noticed enlarged pores which of course has me searching for products and treatments to correct and halt this nonsense. I mainly struggle with enlarged pores on my nose and on my cheeks just adjacent to my nose. Fortunately the rest of my T-zone hasn't been plagued with enlarged pores (fingers crossed). 

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque promises to "purify, detoxify, and minimize the appearance of large pores." The mask comes in a generous 5oz tub, and has a smooth and creamy texture that feels cool and soothing on the skin. After cleansing, I apply the mask on damp skin, avoiding my eye area. They say to apply a thin layer, but I slather it on until it's opaque which isn't difficult. The mask dries in about 10-15 minutes, after which I rinse off with warm water and a gentle, high-quality washcloth. Unlike a lot of clay masks I've tried, it's surprisingly easy to rinse off. I then finish with my normal nighttime products. I've absolutely noticed a decrease in the appearance of pores on my cheeks and nose, and am shocked by the bang for the buck with this product. I used it consistently twice a week for a month and the jar is just about half empty. 

Aēsop has been all the rage among beauty bloggers and fashion gurus, so I've slowly been getting my feet wet with their line. The Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque promises to "decongest, refresh, and hydrate, similar to the Kiehl's mask. The glass jar is rather small, and I nearly used the entire jar in three weeks. The texture is vastly different than I expected. I found it to be slightly grainy and it's fairly quick to dry, making for hurried, sloppy application. Instructions indicate leaving the mask on for 15 minutes and rinsing off with warm water. I definitely needed and used a washcloth to aid this process, as it wasn't easy. I used this mask for nearly three weeks and really didn't notice an improvement in pore size. I'll likely use it until I finish the jar, but I don't foresee myself purchasing this product again. That said, I will continue trying other Aēsop products.

My verdict? Kiehl's is the runaway winner, and a new staple in my skincare regimen. 

Kiehl's Rare Earth Cleansing Masque is $23 for 5 oz.
Aēsop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque is $35 for 2.47 oz.

Both available at: Barneys