Chantecaille's Detox Clay Mask

I've had a sample of this for a while now and seeing as it was quite overcast yesterday and I was working from home I thought "perfect excuse to try it out". (For the ten minutes I had it on I was secretly hoping the doorbell would ring so I could scare the bejeezus out of someone... but alas, no one called ;)

Should I use a mask?
Masks are one of those things facialists bang on about (and with good reason) but which seem like an absolute faff. Even though I'm a makeup artist and naturally predisposed to thinking and reading about makeup and skincare all the time, I still have to remind myself it's probably time to do a mask.

Occasionally, I'll try a mask and be so impressed with it that I'll vow to get better at remembering to use it. Chantecaille's Detox Clay Mask is no exception.

The Power Of Plants
At 91% natural this mask must have one of the highest concentrations of botanicals of any mask.

Kaolin - a healing clay - removes excess oil without dryness or irritation whilst rosemary (a natural antibacterial) purifies and honey calms.

How does it work?
The mask works by drawing out impurities from the skin (I have to say I love the idea of this, particularly right now, having spent the past 3 or so months covered in sunscreen).

The first thing you'll notice is that, unlike other clay masks, this one doesn't dry over time so there is no tightness or 'cracking' to put up with.

What you will need:
- a bathroom hair band (mine's Muji)
- some cotton pads (to remove the mask)
- a cotton flannel (to get the last of the mask off - it will stain so use an old flannel if poss)
- a deep sink! (be very careful when you wash this mask off as it can go everywhere)

Takes 15 mins max.

It's on! Yes, I know I look unbelievably marvellous ;)

Freshly applied...starting to tingle a little. I can smell orange (that'll be the 
sweet orange peel essential oil working its magic).

Ten minutes later. Not tight at all.

Rinsed off. My skin feels wonderfully clean (I'm not wearing a scrap of
makeup in this shot by the way).

Well into my 30s and still getting spots, wahey!

I noticed the pores around my nose and on my cheeks were 
significantly smaller after using the mask.

Who's it for?
Great for all skin types, including those with dry and sensitive skins. I'd say it's a wonder product for skins prone to regular or occasional breakouts (I've got dry/occasional break out skin so it's perfect for me).

As with all Chantecaille products the Detox Clay Mask is made with a healing base of pure rosewater (brightening and calming) as well as narcissus, jasmine and mimosa (all anti-inflammatory).

Can we pause a second and admire housemate Sal's new wall clock?!

Chantecaille's Detox Clay Mask costs £70 for 50ml and is available from Space NK, Liberty, Harrods, Fenwick and Harvey Nichols. At a guess I'd say there are a good 20+ masks per pot which equates to just £3.50 per mask. Not bad when you think how pure the ingredients are.

Other masks I love:

For suppleness:
- Dermalogica Age Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask (£28.99 for 75ml, currently on offer at zestbeauty.com) - this amazing-smelling, orange coloured mask infuses the skin with vitamins A, C, E and F increasing elasticity. I love the way my skin feels after this. Great before a boozy night out :)

For hydration:
- Origins Drink Up Intensive ( £23 for 100ml) - an overnight mask best for dehydrated skin.

Do you have a favourite mask? I'd love to know what it is.

Sudocrem: My Little Skin Warrior

This is me with nappy cream on my face.

Why? Because nappy cream - and more specifically well-known baby brand Sudocrem - is impressively brilliant at reducing scarring from spots.

If you're like me (and...*cough*....I'm talking to the over thirties among us☺), then you may have noticed that any spots that come your way...well, they don't seem to fade as well as they used to. They leave red marks. Annoying marks, which you probably feel obliged to cover up lest anyone think you've got The Plague.

This is where Sudocrem has become my absolute saviour.

Not just for babies bottoms 

Having had pretty good skin throughout my teens, my early thirties heralded an onset of mild adult acne, or 'stress spots'.

Aside from taking an honest look at my diet and trying to find ways to reduce my stress levels (haha) I decided to treat the problem 'head on' (ahem).

For me, the most effective topical treatments included:
- Origins Super Spot Remover Treatment Gel (£14)
- Duac cream (GP prescribed)
- ...and good old fashioned toothpaste (try it!)

It was great to see the spots begin to disappear but the marks they left behind started to get me down. Not being one to go in for laser, I decided it was time to give the bottom cream a whirl (well why not?!)

I also come in a handy tube.

I can't remember who or what it was that first prompted me to try Sudocrem but it appears to have since become a bit of an urban legend amongst acne sufferers. 

What you may not know is its active ingredient: 'zinc oxide' (commonly found in sunscreen but not in such high quantities), helps to regulate the activity of the oil glands and accelerates the renewal of skin cells.

And having used it for many years now I can verify that it really does:
a) calm the redness down 
b) speeds up the healing process

2 QUICK TIPS:
1. Reach for the Sudocrem only after the spot has been squeezed (gross). Applying it to a new spot won't really do anything and you want whatever gunk is in there to come out naturally.

2. Apply a little, dabbing it onto the area/s you wish to heal. Use it over 3 or 4 consecutive nights or until you're happy it's started to work its magic.

Image source: Sheknows.tv

I don't know about you but I quite like going bare faced every now and then. There's something about clean skin, curled lashes and a swoosh of soft blush that makes me feel...well, girlie and zingy. (Add to that 'a bit sexy too'...)

So thanks Sudocrem for being my little skin warrior.

Do you have a skin warrior? What is it? I'd love to know...