Face Mask Fridays: Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Mask

Guess what guys? It's Face Mask Friday, and today I've picked a budget friendly one to try - the Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Mask to be precise. (^__^)

And at 99p a sachet it definitely falls into the budget friendly category, but then again so many other bigger name brands are around the same price too, and this one is an own brand one so.. Hmm. Let's see if it stands up against the big boys shall we?

According to the Boots website, it:

'Deep cleans and tightens pores & helps remove blackheads.'

[source]

Well they don't faff about do they? Straight and to the point! No beating around the bush. Something which I like if I'm honest - the only time I like it when companies get all poetic and babble on on the packaging is when it's on shampoo or shower gel bottles, because we all like to read something while we're sat on the loo don't we? :P LOL Don't even deny it, we all do it! Hahaha!

The packaging isn't all that to be honest, it doesn't stand out and isn't very vibrant like the Montagne Jeunnesse ones (am I the only one who has to pull out a packet or google the name for that brand? I can never for the life of me remember how to spell (or say) it!). So it's lacking in that department, but sometimes you can find the shiniest of gems in the blandest of packaging..

.. which unfortunately does not apply to this one. Sorry Boots, but this didn't really work for me. This is the second peel off face mask I've tried, the first being the Passion Peel Off Mask from MJ I reviewed back in February, and whilst this one didn't end in tears like that one, I didn't really end up smiling in joy after using the Boots one either.

I mean, it smelt alright - I've always liked the smell of Tea Tree and Witch Hazel. 

But consistency-wise, it was kind of gloopier than I thought it would be. I thought 10ml would be enough for my face but it was far too much!  I put it on my face until I thought it was enough, but then I saw that there was still a little left in my jar, which I knew I couldn't have used for a full face again so I had to layer it on top of what was already on my face before it set. :/ I don't know how to describe it apart from 'It felt icky' LOL

It took AGES to dry and even when I thought it had fully dried (talking about after half an hour here) the edges of it hadn't dried and after peeling off what I could, I had to go and wash off the random patches of gloop off my face (for example the top of my cheeks, the edge of my forehead.. and just above one eyebrow :S).

My skin didn't feel particularly 'deep cleaned' either, which kind of sucked because my skin has been feeling a bit blargh for a long time now, and I was really hoping it would work - especially after reading all the positive reviews of it on the Boots website. 

You can get it in a tube for £2.99 (50ml) or in a sachet for 99p (10ml). Maybe I should have gotten it in a sachet - I think 10ml is too much for one application for this face mask, which was probably why it didn't dry as fast and completely as it should have! Or maybe I just have a small face? (O.o) I don't know. All I know is I won't be buying it again! have you tried this? ☺

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own. Pinky promise ^^

Related Posts: Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Facemask, DIY Fruity Face Mask: Oily/Combination Skin, Natural Collection Rosemary & Witch Hazel Mask

Mini Boots Haul ft. Benefit ☼

Well hello there you beautiful people! Hope you're all having a lovely week. I thought I'd share with you some of my recent purchases in the form of a mini haul post (^__^)

Nivea Hydro Care lipbalm  - My all time favourite lipbalm. This winter my lips dried out to the point of it being painful, something which has never happened to me before. Whilst my EOS lipbalm was hydrating, it really wasn't moisturising enough for this. I had to go back to my old lipbalm, so I took a trip to Boots on my way home from uni and bought it. My lips are much better now thanks to it, Alhamdulillah ^^

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (Original) - I've seen this around on a few blogs and decided to try them out. Mainly because my nose feels like it really needs to try something like this right now. I've been having such a bad skin month :[  Whilst any spots I may get on my cheeks I can hide with concealer, the stubborn blackheads on my nose are harder to hide. Even exfoliating regularly isn't helping me! *sigh* 

Anyhoo, review is coming soon..I've tried one already but won't give away my verdict just yet!

Benefit Hervana blush - AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I FINALLY GOT IT! *beams* ASOS were having a student discount deal where it was 25% off clothing, shoes, accessories etc and 20% off beauty items for 48 hours the other day, so I decided to take the plunge and order my very first Benefit blush as an after exam treat. 

This has been on my wishlist since it came out and a Benefit makeup artist put it on me - I received so many compliments that day. (>.<) I decided I HAD to have it, because even *I* thought it looked good on me, and you'll never hear me say that! I was so excited when my sister told me my package had arrived, I was literally grinning ear to ear when I got home and opened it. *SQUEEEEEEEE*

Have you been shopping lately? Found any bargains? ^^

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own. But if you read the post you'd know that. :P 

My December 2012 Wishlist ♥

December 2012 Wishlist by themaryfairy 

Now I don't normally post wishlists.. but because a) I'm trying to mix it up with my blogposts, and b) some of my friends are stuck for ideas for a belated birthday gift, I thought I'd make up a little wishlist and kill two birds with one stone and put up what I've been wanting to get these past few months (^__^)

Plus I thought because Christmas is on the way, stuff will be on offer, and Boots are doing those points events thing aren't they? See, I'm so considerate *tweaks halo* hahaha ;D

[clockwise from left]

1. Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel

I've read quite a few rave reviews about this, and have been meaning to pick it up but I don't have an Origins counter near me; and when I do go where there is one, I always seem to forget! I'm a goldfish, I know.

2. Lancome La Vie Est Belle Perfume

As mentioned in my monthly favourites post, I received a sample of this in the post and fell in love with it. I'm going to be really sad when I run out of the sample.. :[ It smells absolutely gorgeous! The one I've linked is the gift set with the EDP (30ml), body lotion (50ml), shower gel (50ml), a mini Hyponse Mascara in black, and a mini Juicy Tube lipgloss! BARGAIN.

3. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Natural

I've been wanting this for a while now, but I haven't bought it because I had so many powders to get through! I kind of went a bit powder mad once I realised I had found something to banish my shiny nose and bought about four and have been working through them ever since LOL. Luckily I only have two left now and I've hit pan on one already! :oD

4. New Look Wide Fit Tan Cuffed Wedge Boots
I think I've tried these boots on ten times now, like every single time I've been into New Look I've tried them on and left them. I don't know why I keep leaving them, but I just do. No wait I think I know why.. it's because it's something I want and not need rofl. I do that a lot.. I satisfy my cravings for something by just looking at it from afar lmao. (hash tag life of a broke uni student -__- hahaha!)

(Also side note - I'm usually a) a size four but in this I'm a size five, and b) I never fit New Look's wide fit shoes, so how on earth do I fit these?! Dya know what I don't even care.. these beauties are just toooooooo comfy! xD)

5. Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer

Eeeeeee I love this stuff! I've never found a primer that works so well for my dry cheeks/oily t zone skin type! The mini version I got in the Benefit Besties set is used when I know my dry/oily areas are more extreme than usual (which has been a lot lately :/ I think it's the weather..) and I get the feeling I'm going to need to replenish it soon.. *hint hint*

6. Benefit Hervana Blush
This has been on my wishlist ever since a Benefit makeup artist put it on my cheeks once day when I went to Trafford Centre, many moons ago. I'm not one to wear blush but OHMYGOSHTHISSOPRETTY (;____;) If I didn't need to buy more important things I would have gotten it there and then - I got quite a few compliments after wearing it that day, it really made me smile :oD hehe

So ladies (and gents if there are any reading this!) have you tried any of these? What's on your wishlist for this month? ☺

Benefit: Tan About Town Review

Now I'm not usually one to impulse buy, but when I saw this at the till at Boots when out shopping with a good friend of mine the other day, my eyes lit up and I literally jumped and squealed 'I WANT THIS!' right in front of the cashier..
And yes.. he did look (and laugh) at me like I was a 5 year old child.
Not that I particularly cared at that moment in time. I mean come on.. just LOOK AT IT!

Mini Benefit stuff! Everything is better mini-sized. EVERYTHING. Seriously. Just looking at it makes me squee. Also, with sample sizes like these, I find it easier to find out if something I want will suit me, without spending too much on something I may not end up even liking.

Anyway, onto the products! The kit includes a mini Benefit BADgal Lash mascara, travel sized Hoola bronzer, a mini Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation in Medium, and a free maker-upper voucher.

Now, I know what you're thinking - she's asian.. why does she want a kit called 'Tan About Town' when she's already naturally tanned? Yeah.. my friend thought that too. :P But the thing is, I've always wanted to try this foundation because it seemed like it was a good match for me..

..and it is! It's colour is actually not unlike my Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder foundation in 'Dream', which is a perfect match for my skin.
That is where the similarities end though, I'm afraid; its consistency is more gel-like than cream, and it is light to medium coverage (as opposed to the medium to full of the UD's). While it is good at concealing redness, it doesn't offer as much coverage as you want from a foundation. It also has a tendency of clinging to dry patches of skin; and for this reason, I would only recommend this to anyone with relatively clear, normal to oily skin.

(As you can see.. I took no time in testing it out :P)

Next up is the Hoola Bronzer; weighing in at 3g, it is dark enough to show up on medium skin.
I have to say that this is incredibly soft and blendable.
I recommend using this lightly with a contour brush in the hollows of your cheeks - it help give just the right amount of definition to your face.

 The only thing I don't like about it is the rather cheap, plastic packaging. It feels kind of flimsy.. and I'm scared the pan will fall out if I'm not careful! 

Next up is the BADgal Lash mascara, which comes in a standard 4g/0.14oz mini tube. 

It's brush is HUGE - similar to the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara and the Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara. 

The formula is not very thick IMHO, and gives a decent, natural curl with a couple of coats. I absolutely love this - I thought it'd give me scary looking lashes like the Revlon one does, but it didn't - it looked like I had naturally thick, curly lashes. ♥

Overall, I think this is good value as it contains some of their best selling, cult products in sample sizes, which means you get to try without spending £60+ on something you might regret! I got this for £9 at Boots - definitely worth it for just the mascara and the bronzer if you ask me. 

I couldn't find the set anywhere online, but you can get the full sizes of the BADgal Lash Mascara here, the Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation here, and the Hoola bronzer here - you even get a free Benefit Cha Cha Tint Mango-Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain Miniature worth £7.00 with any Benefit purchase!

Have you got a favourite Benefit product? 

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Current Skincare Routine: For Oily/Combination Skin

Hi. I'm Mary. And I've suffered from horrible skin problems for over 8 years. I've tried a million things in a row, and I've finally found a skincare routine that works - thank the Lord! 

Now my skin, as you can tell from the title of this post, is oily/combination. It used to be really oily once upon a time, but over the years it has become less oily around the cheeks and I am now left with just a very oily t-zone.

When my skin is feeling particularly oily:

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash by The Body Shop

Tea tree oil - the wonder from down under as I like to call it - originates from Australia, and has been used for centuries for healing. It treats acne, wounds/cuts, burns, even dandruff! It is anti-fungal, antiviral, and antiseptic making it an excellent treatment for acne, as one of the main causes of acne is bacteria typically found on our skin that used the sebum (oil) on our skin as a nutrient for growth.

After I use this face wash using my S&G Mini Mitt, the oil on my skin is greatly reduced, and the little tightness I feel in my skin is gone after I moisturise. I can say that this, hand on heart, has definitely helped my skin become clearer over the years. I may try other cleansers but I will always fall back on this - it is that good!

Dark Angels by Lush

When my t-zone is feeling a bit more oily than usual, I take a little bit of Dark Angels in my palm (about a pea sized amount), add some water to form a paste, and put it across my forehead, nose, and chin. I then wait a couple of minutes before washing it off. This really gets rid of the oiliness! A recent purchase; and to be quite franks, I don't know how I've lived without it!

And when my skin is feeling a tad on the dry side..

Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser by The Body Shop

I use a little of this on my trusty Mini Mitt, giving extra attention to the dry patches on my cheeks. Once I've patted my skin dry, I use a lighter moisturiser - but only out of habit, because you don't really need to after this, as it does not leave the skin tight like the Tea Tree Oil cleanser does.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes from Boots

Although it's not a cleanser, I thought I'd give this an honorary mention. 

We all get lazy sometimes, and when we do we reach for something quick and simple - facial wipes. Now, I've tried a few different make-up remover wipes but none have ever come CLOSE to these! 

My eyes are kind of sensitive, and if I used anything even slightly rough (Nivea wipes.. I'm looking at you!), my eyelids become sore and red and they hurt like mad! 

But these? Never once have my eyes been hurt by them, even when I'm wearing the most stubborn of mascara on my top AND bottom lashes. Nope, not once. Although I don't use them much because I don't get lazy with my skin a lot to be honest, but when I do I've always come back to these babies. 

They really are true to their name!

Anyway, that's enough babble for one post! Do let me know if anyone has any questions about anything :-)

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Soap and Glory Energy Boosting Face Massage Mini Mitt review

After using this little gem for about two weeks now, I thought I had used it enough to write up a little review about it!

It comes in the usual S&G packaging - cute, pink and retro. I adore their packaging - you can tell that they put a lot of effort into it!

Now down to business! The mitt itself is made of the softest silicone; it's absolutely perfect for those with sensitive skin as it is SO gentle! I have never come across anything as gentle and effective as this in my entire life - and believe me, I have tried practically everything on the market (give or take a few). 

You just wet your face, add a dollop of cleanser to the mitt, and massage your face in circular motions for a couple of minutes - it'll get rid of the dead skin cells AND help stimulate blood flow, which reduces the chances of pores becoming clogged and allowing the skin to receive more oxygen  respectively.

It really is like you're giving yourself a mini spa treat first thing in the morning (and night!).
Another cute little detail is that there is a little handle which also doubles as a suction cup - very handy!

Want to know what the best part is? The price - £4 at Boots! Amazing value, especially for something that anyone of any skin type can use. 

Have you tried this? What do you think of it? ☺

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own