Melissa B. Naturally Pumpkin & Coconut Exfoliating Mask Review

I love a good multi-tasking product! Read on to learn more...

Exfoliation is a big part of my skincare routine. It helps to get rid of the dead skin build up on the surface of my skin and also helps my other products work better by allowing them to penetrate deeper into my skin.

I'm a Retin-A user and I find that gentle exfoliators work best for me and they also assist the Retin-A in its job. Because Retin-A works with cell turnover and the exfoliator helps to remove the old skin that has built up on the surface of the skin, in this way, they work hand-in-hand.

I have been using this mask for weeks, and I find this mask rather addicting as its quick and easy and it's 3 steps in one: it works as a cleanser, exfoliator, and a mask! And I love the results that I get - my skin is clearer, brighter, firmer, and more even-toned.

The first time that I used the mask I experienced tingling and some itchiness, yet my skin didn't look irritated or red at all. I spoke to the company about this as I was concerned that maybe I was allergic to one of the ingredients. I was assured by them that this was a very normal reaction to the high concentration of pumpkin enzymes which is a very active ingredient. So, I started out with just leaving the mask on for 5 minutes until my skin became acclimated to it and I can now leave it on for the full 15 minutes.

The consistency on the thinner side, so a little goes a long way. It also has the perfect amount of grit. It's not too abrasive or rough, it's just right. I get the perfect facial every time.

Although this is a cleanser, exfoliator, and mask all in one, if I have the time or inclination for a real pamper session, I will often use another mask afterwards but it's definitely not necessary. Whether I choose to use another mask afterwards or just load on my other skincare product, this exfoliator sets the stage so that the other products will work even better as they will penetrate more deeply into the skin.

I would recommend using this before any event when you want to look fresh faced and bright or anytime you want to give your skin a treat!

This product is both gentle yet effective, which is the perfect combo for me.

Retail Price:
$24 USD / 30 ML

Ingredients:

Water, Kaolin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Ecuadorian Ivory Palm (Phytelephas Aequatoralis) Seeds Powder, Bentonite, Cetyl Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/ Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Allantoin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vegetable Collagen, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Fragrance.

This product is made in the USA, cruelty free, and eco-friendly. 🐰

All Mellisa B. Naturally products are made without harmful chemicals. 

You can read more about this product by visiting Mellisa B. Naturally. 

*This product was provided to Health and Beauty Girl free for review. All opinions are honest and my own. This post is not sponsored and no affiliate links have been used.

Tools for an at Home Sunday Spa Day! #DIY

Sometimes we all need a little pampering and what's better than a little R&R. Sometimes, I find that an at home spa day at the end of a week can give me just what I need after a stressful week or event. We don't all have the time or money to go to an actual spa, it would be nice, but it can be just as nice (if not better) to give yourself a little pampering at home.  Here, I'll share the tools I am using right now for my mini at home spa day (which I happen to be doing today!)

To start, get your favourite scented candle going or a diffuser with your favourite essential oils. Somehow, it always creates a more relaxing atmosphere.

Next, grab your favourite tea or some lemon and water. I like to choose a detox tea or a relaxing one. Some of my favourite teas for relaxation are Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer or Lemon Balm (which I'm currently out of.) If you feel you need a detox, try some lemon in water, it's a good idea to drink this daily anyways- your liver and skin will thank you. Or, choose a detox tea, there are  a lot of good ones. The one pictured is Organic Lemon EveryDay Detox by Traditional Medicinals.

An at home spa day wouldn't be complete without a nice bath. Grab some Epsom Salts for relaxation, your favourite essential oil (I like lavender) and your favourite bubble bath. To make it more detoxifying you can add a few drops of tea tree oil or a box of baking soda (which would also make your skin super soft!)

Our hair can usually use some pampering too, I know mine does. Get out your favourite deep conditioning mask and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Another favourite of mine is to put organic coconut oil on my dry hair before shampooing and leave it on for 10 minutes or so.

Next, you'll want to pamper your skin. Choose an exfoliator to start with and depending on your skins needs, follow up with a detoxifying or hydrating mask. These are my 2 favourites to pamper my skin; Pure and Simple's Sensitive Skin Exfoliant + Face mask followed by Pure and Simple's Rejuvenating Rosehip Mask.

Don't forget your hands and feet! I like to use the Amope electronic foot file on dry feet before I bathe. I was lucky enough to get this for free from ChickAdivor for trial purposes and it really does a great job- because it's rotating it does all the elbow work for you! I also like to use a crystal nail file for my nails as these files seem to last a life time!  Next, choose whatever nail polish colours make you feel joy on this day.

Finally, grab your favourite magazine or book or anything you enjoy to kick-back and relax. Whether it's an audible book, a movie or maybe your favourite TV show. Take this time for yourself and escape for a little while.

What are your favourite things to do to relax and unwind?

ps. Please come join the fun at Fabulous and Fun Life! Lot's of great blogs to check out or join in!

Amy

At Home DIY Facial: nu-pore Cucumber Collagen Essence Korean Sheet Mask

A while ago a friend of mine gave me one of those Korean face masks to try. It's one of those creepy looking one's with the eye and mouth holes cut out. It's been sitting around in a box that I have that's full of samples to try out. With my skin feeling a little dry and itchy lately, I finally decided to break it out and give it a try.  This one is the nu-pore Cucumber Collagen Essence Mask.

Claims: Purifying, soothing and moisturizing. It also says on the pack that it contains vitamin E and collagen. It claims to make your tired skin moistened, elastic, clear and relieves your stress. Use 2-3 times per week.  The package also contains a number of warnings like not to use on blemished, irritated or sunburned skin.

Ingredients: Water, glycerin, butylenes glycol, hydrolyzed collagen, cucumis sativus fruit (cucumber) extract, methylparaben, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, carbomer, sodium hyaluronate, ceteth-20, steareth-20, tocopheryl acetate, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, neopentyl glycol, dicaprate, cetyl ethylhexanoate, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, fragrance, allantoin, panthenol, disodium EDTA

Out of the package comes 1 pre-moistened mask -pictured above. It is very saturated. It says to apply to clean and dried skin and then to soothe your face with a toner before applying, unfold the mask and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Then, peel off the mask and massage the remaining collagen essence into the skin. After that I applied my normal toner and moisturizer.

It's a dark an rainy day here so I tried taking pictures in different lighting but couldn't seem to get rid of the shadowing. Seeing close ups of your own skin isn't much fun (just look at those pores!) But, hopefully you can see that my skin is hydrated after using the mask (I'm wearing a lip balm so my lips look super shiny). I have a lot of sun damage, scarring and imperfections on my skin and I didn't expect this mask to get rid of those problems (I probably need lasers for that!) What I found was this mask really did hydrate and soothe my skin as it claimed and that's just what I was looking for today. This mask was extremely easy to use and there was no mess to clean up afterwards. I would love to use these types of sheet masks but I will definitely be on the hunt for some without parabens in them.

Have you tried any sheet masks? Please let me know, especially if you know of any that are paraben-free and cruelty-free. 

Xo Amy