Review: Botanicals Chamomile Clay Face Mask

I love a good facemask and if I had my way I’d do one every night. I love how they make my skin feel – well, the good ones at least – so I was really eager to try the Botanicals Chamomile Clay Face Mask*. As facemasks go it’s not a bad one, but it’s not as therapeutic as others I’ve tried.

The mask is green in colour and has completely natural and organic ingredients, which is somewhat important to me when it comes to putting products on my face. It applied like a thick paste and only a small amount was needed to cover my whole face. I put on some cucumber eye patches and relaxed on the sofa while The Boy played football, but I couldn’t relax for very long …

The mask is made with natural oils that are solid when cool, but when they warm up they obviously loosen and melt slightly. Now I don’t know if you’ve experienced what it feels like to have a facemask melting on your face, but it’s not exactly pleasant. I couldn’t relax at all. The mask felt like it was dripping off of my face – although in actual fact it wasn’t.

Excuse the awful iPhone picture!

After about 10 minutes I was fed up, totally un-relaxed and ready to wash it off. I usually give my face a thorough rinse after a mask, but this one felt a bit heavy on my oily skin so I used a face wash.

BUT I can’t describe how hydrated my skin felt after this mask. I wanted to hate it, I was sure that the results would reflect the whole experience, but fortunately they didn’t. I’d say that this mask is perfect for people with really dry skin, or for freshening up your skin during the winter months.

Bottom line: if you’re after this …

source

… then this is not the mask for you.
But if you want fresh, hydrated skin then I’d definitely give it a shot.

The Chamomile Clay Mask is available in the Face Care Try Me Set 2 on the Botanicals website for £9.50

---

Review: Botanicals Rose & Camellia Organic Body Oil

About: “We blend organic rosa mosqueta and jojoba oils - to nourish and revitalise the skin - with white tea extract - selected for its powerful anti-oxidant properties. This natural body oil is ideal for revitalising dry and mature skin. Also perfect as after-sun oil. When applied to damp skin, Botanicals body oils are particularly effective in retaining essential moisture and hydrating the skin. Exquisite floral fragrance.” 

 Price: Available in 50ml & 100ml bottles. 50ml/£12.50 – 100ml/£15.95 

 As someone who suffers with very dry skin, I always tend to opt for oils over conventional moisturisers, for the longevity. On my dark skin, dry patches are obvious from a mile away so it’s important that my body oil lasts all day. 

 I’ve found that if I apply products to damp skin, it starts to look dull after a couple of hours. This is why I choose to dry naturally after my shower everyday, so I can rehydrate my skin and lock in the moisture. 

 However, I decided to follow the instructions on the Botanicals Rose & Camellia Organic Body Oil* and applied it to my skin just immediately after my shower. It took slightly longer than usual for my body to dry, which I didn’t mind too much because it gave me plenty of time to do my hair and makeup. A little goes a long way so I only used a small amount on my whole body. 

 Once I was dry I noticed that my skin was soft and smooth, and there was no oily residue left behind. Since I’d applied it to damp skin I honestly didn’t have high hopes for the product even lasting long enough for me to head down to the supermarket, however I was really shocked when six hours later my skin still looked as fresh as it did when I first applied the oil. 

 My biggest issue with the oil is that it smells. Not enough to make me not what to use it, but enough that I could potentially pick up something else instead. The scent isn’t completely unpleasant; it’s quite ‘herby’ – although that’s something to be expected from a product that’s 100% natural. However it’s not a strong smell and doesn’t last long on the skin; a quick spritz of perfume and it’s covered. Also, I don’t like the fact you have to pour the oil, as it can get a little messy. A pump or spray would have been better and there would be less waste. 

 Would I buy it? I’m not sure. I think it’s perfect for taking on holiday (and locking in your tan!) but it’s not something I’d use on a daily basis. 

 Botanicals Rose & Camellia Body Oil* is available from The Botanicals website, prices start at £12.50.