Get Silky Smooth Skin with Lush Ocean Salt Cleanser
LUSH Ocean Salt Cleanser
($18.55 for 4.2 oz.) is an exfoliator that uses both fine and coarse sea salt to exfoliate the skin. It also contains vodka and lime as well as avocado butter. This scrub leaves skin feeling incredibly clean and smooth. It smells kind of like a margarita to me, a little sour.
While the sea salt can be coarse, the best part about the product is you can always add a little more water to dilute the scrub and make it better for your skin. I didn’t find I needed to do more than wet my face prior to using the scrub. Do make sure you mix-up the scrub when you get it, though, as all of the salt mixture lies on top when you initially purchase the product.
For me, I feel like my skin looks and feels smoother, but it doesn’t feel like it’s been dried out either. It’s soft, hydrated, and looks and feels smooth. No breakouts or reactions, nor irritated skin in the least bit. One pot of this stuff will last you quite awhile (I’d probably opt for the smaller size), because a little goes a long way.
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 7/10
Recommendation: If you have normal skin and are in the market for a new exfoliating product, look into Lush’s Ocean Salt. I think the grit of the sea salt might be a bit too harsh for more sensitive skin, though adding more water will help to dilute it.
Availability: LUSH Cosmetics
Have you tried Lush’s Ocean Salt before? What did you think?
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LUSH A Crash Course in Skincare Fresh Face Mask ($7.95 for 2.6 oz.) is the best mask for a general purpose, make-your-skin-feel-fabulous mask. It is ideal for all skin types. It contains such ingredients as organic avocado, kaolin, organic yoghurt, glycerin, organic lemon juice, sandalwood oil, lavender oil, and chamomile oil. It has a lemon-y herbal scent, which is pleasing and not overly aromatic.
I find this mask feels creamy, applies well (not too thick, not too thin – very easy to spread), and I always feel wonderful after using it. My skin looks and feels better — softer, smoother, and almost glow-y. I love using this early in the morning or before bed time. Makeup applies even better when I’ve used this in the morning (I imagine it has to do with my skin feeling smoother). When I’ve used it the night before, it seems like my skin is a bit clearer and still has some of the results of the previous night’s mask treatment.
I’m just about done trying all of the Fresh Face Masks I’m interested in (I’m passing on anything that’s anti-aging for now), and so far, I think my go-to duo will be A Crash Course in Skincare and Cupcake. I’ll probably switch it up occasoinally and go for Catastrophe Cosmetic and Brazened Honey. I kind of have a soft spot for all of the ones I’ve tried (even smelly Cosmetic Warrior), so it’ll be tough to pick and choose. I think I’m going to go through them again, but this time, I’m going to try and see which one really works best for my skin type.
(The following is a regurgitation from previous Fresh Face Masks reviews, for those unfamiliar with them.)
Just a reminder, Fresh Face Masks, at least in the U.S., are only available in-store and not online or via mail order (I believe UK Lush will ship within the UK), and they have a shelf life of approximately three weeks, and they must be stored in the refrigerator. They’re exactly what they’re called — fresh — so don’t expect to use them much longer than three weeks, because of potential bacteria and mold growth (gross, right?).
Even using a generous amount per mask, I get at least eight masks out of each tub. For $8 a tub, it’s definitely a price I like. I usually pick up two pots — one mask that is exfoliating and another that is just a general, soothing/cleansing/refreshing one. When I reach the end of the life of them, any extra, I slather everywhere – from face to neck to chest to hands. Plus, for every five black pots you turn into Lush, you get a free Fresh Face Mask!
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LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask ($7.95 for 2.6 oz.) is a calming, cleansing mask for all types of skin. It contains such ingredients as calamine powder, talc, irish moss gel, fresh blueberries, glycerin, almond oil, and chamomile oil. It smells rather like blueberries, though I find the scent very subtle. This is an excellent mask to keep in the refrigerator just because.
It is amazing at making skin look and feel more even in tone, while giving it a really thorough, deep clean feeling (without the tightness). I bought this to accompany one of the exfoliating masks, so I can switch between the two during the three weeks they last. I find this to be a pretty gentle mask, so my skin has no issues using it more frequently. I’ve used this product before, and I swear it used to be a reddish/violet shade, but mine wasn’t colored at all.
I recommend this mask to anyone who wants a little treat for their face, and especially to anyone who would like something to help calm down any redness!
(The following is a regurgitation from previous Fresh Face Masks reviews, for those unfamiliar with them.)
Just a reminder, Fresh Face Masks, at least in the U.S., are only available in-store and not online or via mail order (I believe UK Lush will ship within the UK), and they have a shelf life of approximately three weeks, and they must be stored in the refrigerator. They’re exactly what they’re called — fresh — so don’t expect to use them much longer than three weeks, because of potential bacteria and mold growth (gross, right?).
Even using a generous amount per mask, I get at least eight masks out of each tub. For $8 a tub, it’s definitely a price I like. I usually pick up two pots — one mask that is exfoliating and another that is just a general, soothing/cleansing/refreshing one. When I reach the end of the life of them, any extra, I slather everywhere – from face to neck to chest to hands. Plus, for every five black pots you turn into Lush, you get a free Fresh Face Mask!
See inside! Continue reading →
LUSH Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask ($7.95 for 2.6 oz.) is an exfoliating face mask designed for all skin types, though I feel it is better on normal to oily skin. It’s primary ingredients are kaolin, talc, organic lime juice, sage, rosemary, and juniper berry, eggs, honey, glycerin, fresh fennel, ground almond shells, almond oil, ginger root, parsley, ground turmeric, and a few other ingredients make up this mask concoction. It does smell like honey with a bit of spice.
This was the third Fresh Face Mask I tried, and I fell in love with it. It made my skin feel so smooth and fresh. I just loved it right off the bat, and I actually ended up getting a second tub as soon as I ran out of the first one. (Usually, I get something different/new, since I’m working my way through their masks!) I do feel like I prefer this exfoliating mask over Love Lettuce, just because I feel like it is just a smidgen gentler. However, Love Lettuce gives me more hydration post-rinse than Brazened Honey does. Overall, I find Brazened Honey to be a good detoxifying mask that also exfoliates. My skin always feels really clean and soft without any tightness after I’ve rinsed this off.
(The following is a regurgitation from previous Fresh Face Masks reviews, for those unfamiliar with them.)
Just a reminder, Fresh Face Masks, at least in the U.S., are only available in-store and not online or via mail order (I believe UK Lush will ship within the UK), and they have a shelf life of approximately three weeks, and they must be stored in the refrigerator. They’re exactly what they’re called — fresh — so don’t expect to use them much longer than three weeks, because of potential bacteria and mold growth (gross, right?).
Even using a generous amount per mask, I get at least eight masks out of each tub. For $8 a tub, it’s definitely a price I like. I usually pick up two pots — one mask that is exfoliating and another that is just a general, soothing/cleansing/refreshing one. When I reach the end of the life of them, any extra, I slather everywhere – from face to neck to chest to hands. Plus, for every five black pots you turn into Lush, you get a free Fresh Face Mask!
See inside! Continue reading →
LUSH Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask ($7.95 for 2.6 oz.) is an exfoliating face mask designed for normal to oily skin. As the label states, it is supposed to give “skin a softened, smoothed, and radiant glow.” Ingredients include agar agar seaweed, fuller’s earth, kaolin, honey, glycerin, almond oil, ground almost shells, ground almonds, and lavender oil, to name the major ones.
It’s one of the stronger exfoliating masks I’ve tried, so this is definitely not a product I’d recommend using more than once or twice a week. It smells kind of like an earthy lavender to me–it’s not at all offensive like Cosmetic Warrior and its garlic-tea-tree goodness (which, by the way, no longer bothers me, after using it for two weeks). While it exfoliates, it also hydrates from the seaweed and almond oil, which is a nice treat after you’ve rinsed off the mask.
With summer approaching, these masks are even more of a treat than they were during the winter/spring — because they’re chilled, so they are extremely refreshing! I really liked Love Lettuce, because it did make my skin feel incredibly smooth and soft to the touch, but since it is a bit harsher as an exfoliator, I found it best to use it less frequently. I teter between this and Brazened Honey, since I like to switch up every time I pick up new Fresh Face Masks.
Just a reminder, Fresh Face Masks, at least in the U.S., are only available in-store and not online or via mail order (I believe UK Lush will ship within the UK), and they have a shelf life of approximately three weeks, and they must be stored in the refrigerator. They’re exactly what they’re called — fresh — so don’t expect to use them much longer than three weeks, because of potential bacteria and mold growth (gross, right?).
Even using a generous amount per mask, I get at least eight masks out of each tub. For $8 a tub, it’s definitely a price I like. I usually pick up two pots — one mask that is exfoliating and another that is just a general, soothing/cleansing/refreshing one. When I reach the end of the life of them, any extra, I slather everywhere – from face to neck to chest to hands. Plus, for every five black pots you turn into Lush, you get a free Fresh Face Mask!
See inside! Continue reading →
MAC Cleanse Off Oil ($21.00 for 150ml) is my new best friend. When I heard my favorite MAC girls gushing and I mean, GUSHING!, over Cleanse Off Oil via Twitter all during Fashion Week, I knew I had to try it for myself. Despite being a huge MAC fan and collector, I must admit I tend to overlook their skincare, though I’ve been pretty happy with the skincare products I’ve tried by them (hello, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator!).
The description off of MAC’s website lists Cleanse Off Oil as, “An industry-strength oil-based makeup remover that’s gentle on the skin. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed and absolutely 100% mineral-oil free. Massages onto the skin to loosen all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water: rinses off easily, no tissues required—and no residue! Protects with vitamin E. Skin softening and conditioning.”
Nick Gavrelis, VP of Product Development for MAC, tells us that Cleanse Off Oil was originally developed for their Asian Markets as a quick, makeup removing oil that “quickly and thoroughly dissolves all traces of make-up, cleanses and conditions skin and can be emulsified in contact with water then rinsed off completely.” He tell us the best way to apply it is to massage it to “blend well” with your makeup. Then, simply rinse off with lukewarm, as “emulsifying” the oil with water.
Cleanse Off Oil is designed remove all makeup, including waterproof mascaras. It contains several different oils (including jojoba, rose hip, olive, and evening primrose), while being mineral oil-free, all working together to really break down your makeup. I have to tell you that I think Cleanse Off Oil might actually be one of the reasons my skin is on the up and up lately. It really does clean and break down makeup, whether it’s fluidline or foundation, and it rinses away with water.
I’ve tried the Oil Cleansing Method using a mixture of olive oil and another oil (I’m blanking on which one), but I didn’t love the way it felt on my face. It was just too thick, too oily–it felt like it even when I had rinsed it off. Cleanse Off Oil feels like a very thin oil when you initially massage it into your face, but any oiliness goes away as soon as you rinse it away. My skin felt clean and soft, but it didn’t have that stripped feel that some cleansers can leave. It is SUPERB in removing makeup from eyes to lashes to lips — it’s better than my go-to eye makeup remover Bi-Facil. I recommend everyone check this product out! Try it with Liquid Last Liner to be truly amazed 
When I asked MAC Senior Artist Tiffany Johnston why she can’t get enough of the Cleanse Off Oil, this is what she said:
“I LOVE this product! I use it to breakdown and remove all my makeup (including airbrush and waterproof makeup), I also use it on my bodypainting brushes. It brings my dual fibre brushes back to white! I also use it to shave my legs!”
So now I am off to see if I can get some of my slightly-stained white-bristled brushes back to their original state! Wish me luck!
Who else knows the joys of Cleanse Off Oil? (Anyone not impressed by it?)
