Face oils

 At first my appreciation for Sunday Riley products began as a fondness, but now I am a full on Sunday Riley convert and LOVER. Each and every product I try from her is better than the last and while I know there are mixed reviews on every new launch she puts out, all of them have consistently worked for my skin. Including her newest one – the U.F.O. Clarifying Oil and Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner.

 1. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil – After first falling in love with this oil from Sunday Riley and then experiencing the magic that is this one, I wasn’t sure she could make one that would impress me even more. BUT SHE DID. As someone that suffers from breakouts and stubborn acne on the occasion, I was immediately drawn to this U.F.O. oil because it contains salicylic acid (which my skin responds very well to) and has clarifying properties. I prefer using it at night either alone or with a light hydrating moisturizer on top (currently liking this one and this one). Initially I began applying the oil every other night just to ensure my skin could handle it and wouldn’t flake up, become irritated or have any other unforeseen issues arise. Once I began to see that my skin could tolerate it, I moved to every night. Every now and then my forehead will begin to break out in tiny little bumps and within a few days of using this – they were gone. Though this is an oil, it is one of the least oiliest ones in my collection. It soaks into my skin immediately, leaving my skin hydrated and fresh looking rather than greasy and shiny. And when I wake up the next morning – my pores appear smaller, there is little to no shine on my face and breakouts are minimized, if not gone completely. Like with any new product, I would recommend either getting a sample if you can or testing on a small patch of the face for a few days to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.

 2. Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner – I wasn’t sure what to think of this toner when I first saw it’s texture. I am used to toners being more of a clear watery liquid, so I sat with this on my hand for a minute or so just looking at it. However when I massaged it in, it instantly transformed into a water and felt amazing on the skin. I prefer using this in the morning rather than at night because it helps mattify my skin and leaves it smooth and even so that my makeup is easily applied on top. After cleansing, I apply the Martian toner, an essence if my skin is feeling extra dehyrated and then follow with my serum and moisturizer (currently using this and this in the morning). I noticed how much less shiny my skin was throughout the entire day and as a result, I was able to wear a more glowy makeup on days that I use this toner! While this toner is designed for all skin types, I feel that it would be most effective with more oily skin types – though I always suggest getting a sample if you are interested in trying.

Though I don’t use all natural skincare products exclusively, I have discovered more and more brands that I really enjoy and have put into regular rotation in my routine. Oskia (love this cleanser and mask), Tata Harper (this is a holy grail cleanser) and MV Organic Skincare (this is perfect for dry or dehydrated skin) are a few of the brands that have impressed me and I can now add Herbivore Botanicals to that list. I had the chance to test out 3 of their products recently and here are my thoughts on each:

1. Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist – I should first mention before anything else that the packaging was one of the first things to hit me about this brand. All the bottles and jars are glass so they feel quite weighty in my hand, and the simplistic label and font mixed with the colorful product formulas feels so fresh and modern. This Rose Hydrating Mist gives quite a strong mist when sprayed so be prepared, which is why I prefer to use it during my skincare routine rather than over my makeup. From first spritz, it instantly refreshes the skin while helping calm and soothe it at the same time. It’s great for any and all skin types and the scent is pleasant without being overwhelming. After cleansing, I give my skin two sprays and pat it in to the skin. Immediately I can feel a boost of moisture and though this step may seem small, it makes such a huge difference in my skincare routine. Every last bit of hydration I can get is worth it!

2. Orchid Facial Oil -Who knew that as an oily skinned gal, I would come to love face oils so much, but it’s true! They are so wonderful for helping keep my skin balanced yet moisturized. This Orchid Facial Oil is designed to help hydrate, nourish and protect the skin using a wide range of  vitamins and fatty acids such at Vitamin E, Camellia Oil and Orchid Extract. I find that this oil falls in the medium thickness range – it’s not too runny nor too heavy. I prefer using it at night, rather than the morning but if you have drier skin, I think this would be a beautiful oil to use under makeup. It absorbs nicely, but I only need one drop to cover my entire face. My skin looks glowy and fresh the next morning and much less oily. As with all the Herbivore products that I tried, the scent is prominent though not overwhelming.

3. Brighten Instant Glow Mask – Out of all the 3 Herbivore products that I tried, this mask was by far my favorite. I do love an exfoliating mask in general, but there are so many ways the process can go. Is the mask too strong? Too weak? Grainy in texture? Does it irritate my skin? Is the exfoliation more chemical or manual? I always gravitate towards chemical exfoliants either from acids or natural elements, and in this mask is pineapple enzymes. As with the Orchid Face Oil, I felt that the strength of this mask feel in the middle of the spectrum. There was a slight cooling/tingling sensation but nothing too strong and the results were visible, though I found they were more significant after using the mask a few times in a week. After 10-15 minutes (or 20 if I forget I had it on – whoops!), I rinse it off with warm water, however I find that using a wash cloth was the best way to remove. It came off much easier than simply using my hands. For those that have sensitive skin or have trouble finding exfoliating masks that don’t irritate their skin, I think this would be a wonderful option. 

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