To Foam or Not to Foam - Omorovicza Cleansing Foam

I am not really sure when or where my love affair with "bubbles" first started. If i had to guess I imagine it has strong roots anchored in my "little girl" years when I had finally become old enough to be allowed to draw and have my own bubble bath. The sickly sweet bubble gum scented liquid with Princess stickers held the magic potion that I lived for and it didnt take long for me to realize that if i dumped half the bottle in the tub, the fluffy bubbles rose up and I could play in the rosy water for a lot longer. Back then I was obviously not worried about the sulfates in that bubble bath and how much drier my skin must have been after all that foamy engagement. Back then that also didnt matter!

Unfortunately my childhood bubble bath addiction somehow rooted the belief deep inside me that there is no way I can be completely clean unless i see some lather or foam in my hands. Completely psychological I know but it was always a feeling I just couldnt shake so even when my skincare obsession led me to the revolutionary cleansing balms, I always followed up with a foaming cleanser on top...you know, just in case! Luckily as the cleansing balms quality increased, my skin felt and looked so good in the mirror that I found myself lapsing on the second foam cleanse and surprisingly my skin didn't rebel, and for the first time in years the dehydrated patches started to disappear. Well I couldnt really argue with the results just because of a "feeling i had" so reluctantly i had to admit that my "bubble spell" was almost completely broken. Skincare fanatics like me rarely have only one of something and that was definitively the case in my bathroom as well but the cleansing balms were preforming beautifully so I had no choice but to retire the many foam cleanser bottles to the cabinet and just move on.
The story really should have ended there but in true Princeza fashion, things were bound to shift eventually and that they did a few months ago!

I am already using a lot of Omorovicza skincare, including their amazing Thermal Cleansing Balm, so when I was gifted their Cleansing Foam, I really had no choice to try it out and in turn rekindle my foamy ways once again. The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam reminded me just how much I loved those bubbles and before I knew it I was pulling out the rest of my foaming cleansers from the back cabinet and stacking them around
the sink...for testing purposes of course :-)
The question remains - How does the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam stack up against my conventional, somewhat drying, foaming cleansers?

Official Description;
A sulphate-free aerated cleansing foam that removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
When mixed with water, this must-have Cleansing Foam lathers up and gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of natural moisture. Copper, a potent antioxidant, supports the natural production of collagen and elastin and gives this product its pale blue color.

Ingredients;
Hungarian Thermal Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.

First let's talk about the how this foamy goodness works!

The Omorovicza Cleansing Foam is indeed very different from any other foaming formula I had ever used! The company's patented mineral delivery system, Hydro Mineral Transference, obviously applies to this cleanser as well, which means that the absorption of minerals is guaranteed to reach deep into the dermis of your facial skin and in turn results in skin that is smoother, plumped and younger looking. It is this unique mineral absorption that supports skin's own natural ability to generate collagen, increase the levels of elastin present, restore key hydration levels, protect skin cells from micro-damage and finally strengthen the defense against free radicals. 

The key ingredients in the Omorovicza  Foam formula include copper gluconate, which regulates oil production and purges any toxicity present in the skin cells; white lupin widely known to energize and apple pectin whose claim to fame is increasing hydration. 

Seeing how I have already had amazing results with Omorovicza Skincare my expectations of the Cleansing Foam were already very high and I am thrilled to say that I wasn't disappointed one bit. Just like everything else Omorovicza makes, this cleanser manages to elevate the simple act of washing one's face to a whole new level and does so with surprising efficiency, mildness and luxury appeal. The whole process just feels a lot more gratifying.   

What makes the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam so enjoyable but still effective is the fact that traditional drying foaming agents such as sulfates are nowhere to be found on the ingredient list. That means that I can enjoy the bubbles without the risk of over-stripping and causing an imbalance of my own skin moisture barrier. The uplifting orange-blossom scent and the lovely baby blue whipped cream only add to my joyful addiction to everything Omorovicza makes.

Even though I am still hopelessly in love with the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm (review here!) I have made room in my skincare routine for the Cleansing Foam ($75 for 5.1 oz) so now each morning my Clarisonic and the baby blue foam meet up on my face and wake up my complexion in the nicest possible way.

You can get more information and purchase the amazing Omorovicza Cleansing Foam at their website, our trusty Sephora, and Amazon

I hope this was helpful

What do you think about foam cleansers?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - REN Purity Cleansing Balm

I know my blog is starting to resemble a REN advertising campaign but rest assured I am in no way connected to the company, all my products were purchased independently, I am not getting paid for reviews nor do they know I am doing this. I doubt they even know of my blog existence.

Nevertheless I am a huge REN fan, so much so that if I was allowed only one brand in my skincare routine for the rest of my life I know I would choose REN and be very happy with my decision.
Everything about their clean skincare approach appeals to me and every single product I have tried from their lineup has been a favorite at some point during my beauty journey.
You can't argue with performance gold stars and REN has definitively earn quite a stash of them.

The REN Purity Cleansing Balm was one of the first cleansing balms I tried and subsequently overcame my fears of  "balmy oil" induced breakouts. The rest, as they say, is history!

Description; 

This rose-infused blam sweeps away impurities, including waterproof mascara and the toughest of complexion products. It leaves skin cleansed, purified, calm, and glowing. It also conditions the lashes and brows. 

Ingredients;

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cetearyl Ethyhexanoate, Glyceryl Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil, Viola Odorata Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Lecithin, Benzyl Alcohol, Oryzanol, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Linalool.

The REN Purity Cleansing Balm was formulated for all skin types and used as a makeup remover or gentle primary cleanser to remove pollution and accumulated dead skin cells. The muslin cloth included is entirely optional as the balm can be used either way but keep in mind that if you use it you are essentially preforming a gentle exfoliation of the skin surface so if you are a member of Sensitive Skin Care Club I would refrain from using other exfoliant solutions on that particular day.

The texture of the Cleansing Balm resembles that of traditional soft shortening but once warmed up in your hands it melts quickly in a silky oil-like solution, which is therefore easily distributed and massaged in to the face. The scent has a strong rose undertone but the fragrance is so balanced,  rejuvenating and luxurious, that it manages to elevate your beauty routine that much more.

The directions indicate to scoop a small amount into the palm of your hand and rub until the balm transforms into a silky oil, which then indicates when to begin the facial massage. I try to do this for at least a few minutes before gradually adding water to the skin surface and thereby emulsifying it into a rich milk tonic that is then either rinsed or polished off with the muslin cloth or a generic warm facecloth. The skin is left soft, smooth, calm, radiant and plumped up right away, with no dryness in sight. Clean and non-stripped of the skins natural oils your complexion responds with a healthy glow and immediate brightening effect. My skin simply feels better after each use and my skincare ritual is definitively enhanced to a bit more of a glamorous level.

Its a little slice of the REN Spa experience and its happening in your very own bathroom.

The REN Purity Cleansing Balm comes in both a traditional tube ($38 for 3.3 fl.oz.) and a tub ($58 for 5.1 fl.oz.) form in case you have a performance. I know a lot of bloggers and other individuals complain and are put-off by jar packaging due to contamination risk which is a legitimate concern but I don't make it an problem since your hands are suppose to be clean when you are about to put something on your face anyways. As an extra precaution I have a tube of hand sanitizer right next to the balm jar so I can use it after the hand wash to lower my contamination chances even more.

The price may seem a little steep for a cleanser however keep in mind that balms last a lot longer than the traditional foaming washes so in the end you break even and get a product that is not only a superstar but its also good for the skin in the long term. REN's Clean Skincare Commitment is something you can always count on and its definitively an incentive for good-for-you skincare splurge.

For more information about the REN Purity Cleansing Balm, their other products and retail information check out their website and as always REN products can be found at our trusty Sephora.


I hope this was helpful!

Have you tried the REN Purity Cleansing Balm? What is your take on cleansing balms - any favorites?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Sensitive Skin Club REN Hydra-Calm Line

Its no secret that I love REN. Its probably one of my top 5 all time favorite brands and I honestly can't say anything bad about them, their amazing customer service or any of their products. There aren't too many companies out there that I can stand behind completely and REN's Clean philosophy is a pretty awesome approach on how everyone should take care of themselves and their surroundings at the same time.

And please don't worry, it might sound like it but this is not a sponsored post in any way! I purchased all of my REN products myself and would gladly repurchase (and have!) again - I have nothing to gain by this review and all my thoughts and conclusions are my own. 

The Hydra-Calm line in the REN magic apothecary is designed and meant for those of us that did not win the genetic skin-care jack pot of normal people skin. What i mean is if your face gets red and blotchy for no apparent reason, if it feels tight and dry in the morning but sometimes magically transforms to weirdly oily by the afternoon, or if you are known to blush equally by looking at cute things and by the sight of plain baby carrots...your skin is not normal, right? Plus if you are completely comfortable with words such as rosacia, dermatitis, psoriasis and dermatitis; then that means you are in the super exclusive Sensitive Skin Club. 

REN describes the Hydra-Calm glory as;

REN's best selling Sensitive Skin range avoids known allergens and detrimental skincare ingredients, protects against environmental aggression pollution and is formulated with a range of bio actives that calm, strengthen and "train" sensitive skin to be less reactive.

With REN, you'll forget you have sensitive skin!

The two products i want to talk about are the REN Hydro-Calm Cleansing Milk and the the REN Hydro-Calm Global Protection Day Cream. I have used both of these for several months and I don't know if my skin is "trained" to be less sensitive but I can definitively say that my skin was a whole lot calmer whenever i stuck to this regiment. 

REN describes this cleanser as;
A gentle, cleansing milk designed to leave more sensitive or delicate skin purified, fresh, calm and soothed. 

When I first started using this cleanser I was once again put off due to my obviously deep-ridden addiction to bubbles. Apparently I cant seem to feel clean unless things foam up and my first impression of this milk was obviously tainted by this. However I was pleasantly surprised by REN (again!) and once i rinsed my face did feel clean and i didn't feel any of the dreaded filmy residue. My face was left soft, hydrated, smooth but still clean, maybe not deep clean but the feeling was definitively very different from what i was expecting. Cleansing milks usually make me feel pampered and girly but never completely clean, which is an issue of course so REN definitively got bonus points on that end.

The regular daily grime melted easily but as usual I would recommend a double cleanse on makeup days just to make sure that everything is properly removed. The last thing we want is congested skin due to to something we sensitive skin girls can actually control. The texture of this really helped as well since its thicker than traditional cleansing milks and feels almost like a a facial cream when its massaged in. The scent exudes freshness albeit its very mild, almost non-existent so if that's an issue you don't need to worry. There isn't even a trace of greasiness, which was important to me since i am kind of a stickler when it comes to needing my cleansers to be easy to rinse-off and even though its not required I actually liked using a muslin cloth with it it to help things along even more. I was even able to use it with my Clarisonic Mia 2.

Ultimately I liked the way my face felt afterwards so even though there were no bubbles I was comfortable enough in feeling that i was cleaning my face sufficiently without stripping it like usual. Therefore I would happily recommend this to any members of the Sensitive Skin Club or anyone looking for a great, gentle non-foaming cleanser.

This is what REN has to say;
A moisturizer formulated to leave more sensitive skin optimally hydrated, calmed, soothed, protected and looking beautifully healthy. 

This Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream lived up to everything REN promised and more. Honestly if this had SPF protection built in I would say it was 100% perfect. I have used this on and off for about a year and my over-reactive skin feels great each and every time i smooth this on. The texture is thick, creamy, fresh and luxurious to say the least, it smooths on easily, absorbs quickly without any greasy residue and almost seems to soothe the redness on my cheeks. After a few minutes my entire face feels moisturized, soothed, smooth and yes CALM.
Along with the fact that my skin is annoyingly sensitive, its also dry which is why I can vouch for the Hydra-Calm cream performance in dry-skin hell - Canadian Winters. I am happy to say that REN worked wonders during the daytime under a good makeup base or tinted moisturizer but fell a bit short at night, when I needed something a little richer, with a bit more hydration to avoid the tight parched feeling the next day. I was able to fix that by adding the Rose O¹² Moisture Defence Serum underneath so I guess you could say REN still worked, I just needed to do a bit of customizing which is something I love the most about skincare in the first place.

The conclusion is quite easy for me - I loved the Hydro-Calm picks and I love REN so I would recommend it to the Sensitive Skin Club wholeheartedly but also to anyone looking for a no-nonsense, no-frills, full performance moisturizer.


Ren Hydra-Calm can be purchased at their site here or at Sephora here


I hope someone finds this helpful!

Have you tried REN before? Any favorite skincare products?


XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm *The Mud You Should Play In!

I will admit it - I am a skin care fiend! I am always looking for that miracle product, I have a hard time finishing products because I am always sure that "the new thing" I got is somehow going to be so much more amazing than "the old things" already littering my vanity and sink. Well that almost never-ever happens! Until now, that is!

Omorovicza is a luxury skin-care spa company coming to us all the way from Hungary (close to my beloved Yugoslavia) so that alone made my heart beat a little faster. I am very nostalgic and mushy about that kind of stuff. Anyways moving on! Omorovicza is pure luxury in every sense of the word - it uses top-notch ingredients, adds "secret" mud & healing waters that have been used for centuries to treat many different things, the packaging screams expensive & impeccable, the scents is intoxicating and of course the price tag gives you a certain level of high expectation. The girly girl in me got very excited about the tiny spatula that came with the balm too!

Now i know as much as the next girl that having a big price tag doesn't guarantee you that you will get a great product, come to think of it its usually the opposite, contrived mostly by my own unrealistic expectations that somehow paying that much must mean that my face will be transformed after a single use...I know, I need help!

Back to Omorovicza and the magic mud in the beautiful glass jar! Despite the fact that washing my face didn't turn me into a beauty queen I am happily conceding that I am a convert and that I would love to wash my face with its thermal blackness for all time.

Don't get me wrong washing with a mud balm was pretty strange even for someone like me who is very experienced in the world of cleansing balms. However as soon as the soft, dark muddy substance emulsified on my face I got over any hesitations that may have been hovering around - I could feel the detoxifying effect, my face tingled a bit (in a good way!), there was a cooling sensation that indicated that deep cleansing action and the scent was very much like an aromatherapy treatment. The directions instruct that the cleanser needs to be removed with a warm washcloth or their own specially designed cleansing mitt, making the balm a breeze to remove. The best thing about this rich thermal balm is that even though I can feel that my skin is deeply cleansed and even feels less congested, it doesn't feel stripped, dry or thirsty right a way. On the contrary my face feels hydrated, plumped, smooth, supple and oh-so soft!

I don't normally use the Omorovicza balm for makeup removal since it almost feels wasteful to use it like that. However the few occasions i did use it for that purpose, it preformed beautifully - removing every last trace of makeup, including waterproof mascara without any irritation. I would however warn anyone using any kind of makeup remover to be very careful around the eye area - the key being around the eye NOT in the eye!

So to all my fellow beauty addicts I would like to say - give it a try! I know the price is high and the cleanser might look a little different than what you are used to but for me investing in great quality skincare just makes perfect sense. Instead of buying five sub par low price products I buy one that may cost more initially but actually makes a difference on my face.

If you need even more incentive to give Omorovicza a try then I suggest you check out the current special offer they are running right now for the "Summer Detox Pair", which includes a full size Thermal Cleansing Balm and the equally amazing Deep Cleansing Mask for just $180.  To check it out and get more information just click here.
They even have a great loyalty program, Pengo Points, which are earned through purchases, friend referrals, reviews and more. The points can then be redeemed towards future purchases.

I just placed a huge Omorovicza order through their own website and I can't wait to share it with you all!

Ingredients; 
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sweet Almond Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Silt (Hungarian Mud), Jojoba Oil, Squalane, Beeswax, Polysorbate 20, Plum Seed Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum (Natural Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acerola Fruit Extract, Vitamin E, Aqua, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium aspartate, Copper Gluconate.

I hope that was helpful! Have you tried Omorovicza? 

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Cleanser Hall of Fame - Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream

The only reason i am not giving this product the full 5 stars is the fact that this may not work for some as a stand-alone cleanser.
Myself, i use it as a gentle exfoliator following my regular cleanser in the evenings or if i use it in the morning then it works fine on its own.

When i first got this i will admit i was pretty sceptical and almost hesitant to try it, mostly due to a previous bad experience with the rhythmic conditioner (disaster!) but i am happy to say i was pleasantly surprised :) The verdict after a month of use is I LOVE IT!!! It took some getting used to since it doesn't feel like a "conventional" cleanser but once i got used to the texture of the mild granules i was hooked. The look of the brown paste and the "natural herby" scent may put off a lot of people but i am weird - to me the smell was almost comforting...It reminds me of something but i cant quite figure out what, all i know is that i always look forward to it :)

Dr.Hauschka advises us to use their signature "press and roll" technique with this cleanser, which might be cumbersome if you are not used to it but i feel even gentle circular motions would work perfectly. My method is a combination of both just because i don't feel like I've cleansed properly if i just "press and roll" but i am trying to make it work it (getting better every day!).

The best part about using this cleanser is the way your skin feels after rinsing it off (splash of cold water at the end!). Any cleanser can make you feel clean (and usually tight) and most scrubs will give you that immediate softness BUT this cleansing cream will leave you feeling clean, soft and plump all at once! The glow of radiance is visible almost right away and for me everything i put on top afterwards seems to absorb and feel better. Brilliant - a definite repurchase :)

Ingredients;
Water (Aqua), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Alcohol, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Algin *Component of natural essential oils

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream ($26.95) and other skincare can be purchased directly from their official site here


I hope someone finds this helpful

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Cleanser Hall of Fame - Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

First of all - Philosophy and me have never been able to get along! Pretty much every single product I tried by them caused some kind of a problem so eventually i gave up on the brand and purposely avoided everything they made...even the yummy smelling stuff!


Enter the Microdelivery wash! I received my first bottle as a Christmas stocking stuffer a few years ago - grateful and gracious as always I thanked my Mom and proceeded to push this way-way back in the bathroom cabinet. During clear-out time I stumbled on the bottle again and decided it to pass it on to a cousin who was eager to try anything beauty-related (ahhh to be 15 again!). I don't know what possessed me to try this but I am very happy I did - I liked it so much that its now a staple cleanser, used almost daily and luckily Clarisonic compatible.

For reference my skin is combination dry, clog-prone and has some rosacea in the cheek/nose area. So for me this worked like a charm - cleanses beautifully, lightly exfoliates, soothes, plumps, does not dry out, does not cause breakouts, reduces blackheads and best of all rinses of very easily (i have a weird thing about rinsing!). Its so gentle that i can use it with the Clarisonic or alone on a daily basis and has never caused any irritation or additional redness.


I suspect the low ratings (Makeupalley, Sephora etc.) on this are related to expectations one may have of this based on the name itself. If you expect dramatic results overnight then this is not for you - this will exfoliate and refine your skin but it does take some time to appreciate. Its not a peel or a strong chemical exfoliant so it wont blow your socks (or your face) off with a single use but if you treat it as a refining daily cleanser then it will deliver everything it promises. Give it a week or 2 - results will surely follow!

I am so happy with it that my Philosophy ban is relaxing a bit - although i would never give Purity or Hope in a Jar a try again, i might be open to trying the Vitamin C peel...or the Banana Nut Body
Wash (yum)

Ingredients;
Water, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Diatomaceous Earth, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocotrienols, Panthenol, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Tetrasodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash ($31.00 for 8oz) and other Philosophy products can be purchased at Sephora here and directly from the brand website too!


What do you guys think about Philosophy skincare?


XOXO

ANJA

My Skin Care Jackpot LUSH Buche de Noel

I've decided that since skincare seems to be on my mind a lot more than makeup these days, I would start a "My Skin Care Jackpot" series and feature a product or a brand that has made it into my "staples" beauty cabinet.

In order to qualify for the coveted spot in this feature the product/brand must meet the following criteria;

1. Product has been in the beauty routine for minimum of 30 days or has shown significant-visible results in a very short time period.
2. I am 100% comfortable recommending a product to family/friends/readers
3. Product has been either repurchased or will be repurchased shortly
4. Product does not contain "dangerous" ingredients (like phenol/parabens)
5. Product or brand is not ridiculously overpriced and is relatively accessible
*Exceptions may happen but only for very special cases!

The first episode of the Jackpot products features LUSH's Buche de Noel Seasonal Cleanser

I know what you are thinking - first product in the Skincare feature and she is already breaking the guidelines she is suppose to follow! It might seem that way but I will do my best to argue my way into the "exceptions list" and hopefully change your perception :-)

1. Buche de Noel is a cleanser released by the LUSH chain usually around the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays and is available for purchase both in-store and online (albeit for a limited time period). Personally i always purchase 2 pots of this since i am always paranoid that it will sell out quickly. One black pot lasts a lot longer than 30 days and if i ration this yummy paste I have been known to make it last all the way to February. The amazing LUSH staff is very helpful and it was through one of them that i discovered that Buche de Noel can be be preserved in the freezer for many months after purchase (l opened my 2nd pot in June!)

2. LUSH cleansers have been used in our household quite regularly and I would be more than comfortable to recommend it to everyone - young and old.The available ingrediant list is very straight forward so potential allergy reactions can be prevented by scanning the short list on the pot

3. I have repurchased this cleanser for at least 2-3 years now and I will definitively be buying it again this Christmas.

4. LUSH makes handmade skincare for both face and body, using premium natural ingredients that the whole family can be comfortable using!

Quantitative Ingredients;
Ground Almonds, Kaolin, Glycerine, Fresh Satsumas, Dried Cranberries, Cocoa Butter, Brandy, Almond Essential Oil, Vetivert Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Linalool, Cinnamal, Perfume, Nori Seaweed, Candy Pine Tree

5. Buche de Noel is actually one of the lower priced cleansers LUSH has to offer - the average being around $8-9 in Canada and even though its not available for purchase year round, extras can be preserved in the freezer and used much-much later on

I distinctly remember this being a complete impulse purchase, spurred no doubt by the holiday excitement, yummy comforting scent and the fact that I was really-really hungry.

Most people compare this to Angels on Bare Skin and i will agree that they are definitively related but i think at best they may be cousins...The texture is similar of course but the Buche de Noel is definitively more gritty and smells so-so-so much better. Just like ABS this cleanser is kind of messy to use but practice helps so after a few tries i am becoming a pro. A pinch in the palm of my hand, mixed with a few drops of warm water combines to create an oatmeal like paste which can be applied directly on the face and massaged in with gentle circular motion. I love how easy it is to rinse off - after only a few splashes of water, my skin is left feeling clean, smooth, plumped and radiant. Buche de Noel does have light exfoliating properties due to texture however in my opinion its not a replacement for a facial scrub especially since its meant to be used daily.
Bonus points for this LUSH formula is that it reminds me of another staple in my skin care cabinet - Dr.Hauschka's Cleansing Cream! I like the scent of both but LUSH is the clear winner.

LUSH products can be purchased here!

Now its your turn! What has your experience been with LUSH skin care?
What do you think - should LUSH make this a permanent year-round product?

XOXO

ANJA