My First Facial

Back in January I was looking for another cleanser for my skin. For years, many years, i have used Liz Earle's cleanse and polish creamy cleanser. Yes the one that promises much cleansing with it's muslin cloth. I'd never really questioned it until i was speaking to a colleague who'd tried it and mentioned it made her 'normal' skin completely dry. *alarm bell*. I've always thought of my skin as dry but started to question whether or not the Liz Earle was also contributing to this. I decided I'd try a new one since on reflection the cleanser has never ever ever taken away the blackheads on my nose (despite many years of use). That is one of it's main promises... Anyway...

Whilst reading a few beauty blogs i came across oil cleansers and thought this might be better for my dry skin. An oil cleanser! Yes. I know. I didn't think there was such a thing but turns out there's loads and lo and behold they're meant to be really good for your skin. So I jumped in and ordered one from Origins. The Clean Energy oil. It's a 200ml bottle (£19) and I've only just finished the bottle now (from February). Pretty good value. I think I've talked about it before on here and i love the sensation of giving yourself a mini facial with this oil. It's also excellent at taking my eye make up off. With a splash of water it turns a little bit milky and you can rinse off. I do have to say it does not remove blackheads, not for me at least. I have yet to find a cleanser that will do that for me. If you know of any let me know.

About 2 months ago our local Debenhams was renovated and made more modern looking. This brought a host of new beauty counters: Elemis, Clarins spa, Urban Decay and eventually a little Origins counter. Whilst browsing the assistant came along and asked if she could help. I told her i was just browsing but was on the lookout for a new cleanser or something to help a red patch on my left cheek. Before I knew it was sat down and she was pushing the Dr Weil range of products for my red patch. The Dr Weil range being that little bit more expensive than Origins itself. I ummed and aahed and told her I'd think about it. I eventually left with an appointment for a free facial in a few weeks time. Of course, it wouldn't be completely free, for now i was under her grasp and i wasn't really gonna leave that facial without buying any products, was i?

I've used a few Origins products before this. The cleanser and toner as I mentioned. I got a sample of the Ginzing eye cream. I did like it but then it started to make my eyes run after a few hours wear. I tried it for about 2 weeks but couldn't take that irritated feeling around my eyes in the afternoon so i stopped. Not sure why it does it. I also have the Drink Up Intensive moisturising mask. I apply a layer at night and leave it overnight. Smells gorgeous and my dry skin really benefits from it. I gave in and bought the little blue bottle of spot lotion. I have to say I don't think it did much for me other than dry out a huge spot on my chin, but then any other spot lotion or tea tree oil might've done that too. It's a handy little bottle but not sure I'd buy it again.

So I had my first facial on Friday. now, I'm really picky about my skin and what i put on it. I've spent the last 10 years using products that aren't exactly cheap along with some high street brands. I was a bit nervous and had visions of me walking away from that chair with a face resembling that of a ripe tomato. I sat back and she did her thing after carefully assembling the products beside me.

She started off with the cleanser that i use. Nice. Next was the Make a Difference skin rejuvenation lotion (a toner). Fab smell - I have a sample size of this already and had already decided this would be purchased (it being the cheapest thing!). Next was an exfoliator. Argh. I never use gritty exfoliators. they just aggravate my dry sensitive skin. Oh, I should've mentioned that before. My skin is dry, mega dry in the winter and quite sensitive to over fragranced facial products. The exfoliator wasn't too bad. But I wouldn't be buying his. After a wipe down she brushed on a mask. A Dr Weil mask. It felt nice being brushed on, it was a bit smelly, and after a few minutes it started to burn round my mouth and my cheeks. I told her this and she removed it sooner rather than later. Another Dr Weil product was applied, a serum. Serums: read, much more expensive than a moisturiser. I told her I've got a serum for night time, am Estee Lauder one which cost a small fortune and i honestly don't know what it does for my skin. Honestly. Lastly she applied a moisturiser, the Have a Nice Day. It had an SPF 15 in it. Bonus. I am on the look out for a moisturiser with an SPF in it. I'm using a bog standard fragrance free non SPF on just now. It's sorted my skin out but i don't imagine it's protecting me much. The smell of this moisturiser was lush. I'd buy this.

I sat up and had a look in the mirror. Result. Face did not resemble a tomato. She said it was glowing. I'm never sure what that means. Are you? It was rather plumped looking but that could be the massage you get whilst all of the products are being applied. Anyway, I'd reserve judgement for now. I'd wait until a few hours later and see if the eye serum began to sting or the moisturiser made me oily.

Next came the question. Are there any products you'd like to buy? It depends on the price, i replied. The Dr Weil products were out of the question. I bought the Make a Difference lotion and the Have A Nice Day moisturiser. £50 for a free facial eh....

A few days on and my skin is really nice. I really like the moisturiser and the lotion is a good addition to my face care routine. This will be my routine for a good few months until they run out, barring any major skin irritations.

Overall i quite enjoyed the facial, even although it was just me sat behind a fabric screen in a pretty busy department store. I'm really not sure I'd actually go out and buy myself a facial at a beauty shop though. You know, sometimes they charge upwards of £55! A nice treat though.

Angela x

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