SUPERFACIALIST ANTI BLEMISH

Hello! Today is the day I go back to school... Woop. I'm not best pleased and I think I'm in need of a bit of this product... If you cast your mind back to my little skincare haul then you'll recognize this little bottle of goodness. After putting it to the test for a couple of weeks I've found the best way to use it and had a chance to make up my mind! 

Note: I have combination skin (both dry and oily patches)

The couple of weeks that I've used this I've come to really like it. It wasn't one of those face masks that changed my life after the first use, but I think that it has helped with how my skin has been looking and feeling. Before I used it I thought my skin was beginning to look a bit dry again and that I was getting regular break outs. I picked this mask because of the Salicylic Acid within it which helps to shed and turn over new skin cells quicker, leaving the newest cells which will brighten up your face and help to reduce your dry patches. Because Salacylic Acid also unclogs pores, I find it draws everything out and stops my break outs becoming to aggressive. Yes, they're still kind of there but they're definitely reduced and not as 'angry'. After I use this my skin can feel a bit tight and I just apply my moisturizer if I have applied it in the morning or The Body Shop's Serum in Oil if I do it at night. I find that after I've used the mask my skin drinks up whatever I put on it so I focus on my dry patches the most.

As for how I use this, the directions say 5 minutes which I think is actually a pretty good time. Especially if you don't want to be waiting around and want to get on with your day or evening. If you have less time, you could leave a thin layer on just your dry or problematic patches for 3-4 minutes and if you have more time there is no reason not to leave it on for 10-15 minutes. I find doing this makes my skin more fresh and hydrated. As long as the mask doesn't sting or irritate your skin after this long, there is no reason why not.

I would recommend this mask to anyone unless they have particularly sensitive skin as I think the formula may be too thick or just too much. However, I think that it helps unclog, control oil, reduce break out areas and help out your dry patches!

Have you tried this or anything else from Una Brenan? Are you a fan of Salacylic Acid products?

Oatafix

Hello! Right now I should be in France and I have been told that I won't have Wifi... What a nightmare! But I'm probably having a nice little break with some lovely revision. Brilliant, just brilliant! So, without further delays, has anyone tried Oatafix?

Lush Oatafix Mask, £6.25

After finishing one of Lush's most loved face masks, Cupcake, I decided I would pick one of their other most loved and talked about. Oatafix promises to 'cleanse, soften and moisturize dry skin' which is something I've really been struggling with at the moment. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm hoping it's down to the cold weather rather than being allergic to something... It also claims to 'reduce redness and gently polish' with the almonds and illipe butter which nourishes and restores the skin. Alongside these products is bananas which contain a large amount of antioxidants and vitamin C which aids elasticity and protection of the skin. They're also great for just making a DIY mask in your kitchen (would anyone like to see a recipe?) which is a quick fix if you're in need of some skin TLC.

Oatafix has a waxy and grainy texture down to the oats and almonds within it. As a result of this, the mask is quite hard to spread over the face but I find that with application to a wet face and perhaps a little extra water when working it into the skin makes it a lot easier and less wasteful. The smell (and taste which I discovered by accident) reminds me a lot of flapjacks which smells sooo good and is probably my favourite scent of all lush masks (I find Cupcake lingers a little too much for my liking...) I also love how cooling this mask is, especially as with all Lush masks you have to keep them in the fridge to ensure the natural ingredients last longer.

I find that with Lush face masks that I don't notice the effects until I stop using it and realize how great it was for my face. I haven't got through this whole tub, but I use this about twice a week and every time I use it it nourishes my skin and gently exfoliates, leaving my skin so smooth and moisturized. My make up always goes on so much better the day after I've used this as I find it evens out my skin so that it's ready for my base. It hasn't completely solved my dry skin problem but it's been 2 weeks so I'll give it a chance and perhaps it will come out on top as my new favourite Lush mask and I will see why everyone loves it so much!

I've tried The Sacred Truth, Cupcake and now this, but do you have any suggestions for what I should pick up next?