I kept my beauty routine to the bare minimum before I started writing for xoVain. My hair wasalways changing, but my face stayed the exact same. Although I lusted overmany a good-smelling skin care product, I never actually bought anything beyondcleanser and moisturizer.
But reading about all the neat things my fellow XOwriters use on their face got me thinking: Could my skin be better? Should I bedoing more?
When I found Province Apothecary a few weeks ago, I really wanted to try everything in the line. The products are so beautiful,mostly vegan (one contains organic honey), and they're handmade only blocks awayfrom my house by Julie, the nicest aromatherapy expert ever. I resolved to push myself out of the skincarebubble I have comfortably resided in my entire life; instead of reaching forcleanser and moisturizer, I chose the Regenerating + Stimulating Exfoliatorwith lavender and green tea, and the Detoxifying + Clarifying Clay Mask withglacial clay and maple syrup.
I have never in my life owned an exfoliator or a clay mask, butthese things seemed like a good investment to help me slough away my impending annual post-Christmas blues. I figured making a weekly pampering date couldn'tbe a bad thing, right? It would probably feel good to give myself some extralove.
I started with the exfoliatior, a dry powder you mix in yourhand with some water and scrub all over your face.
Province Apothecary
Regenerating and Stimulator Exfoliator$38.00
It smelled incredible dry,like a freshly brewed cup of green tea with a handful of lavender buds thrownin, but took on a much more oatmeal-y scent when I added water. It felt reallygood on my sensitive skin--nice and gentle--and when I rinsed it away after afew moments of circular scrubbing I was pretty impressed with the results.
My skin was really glowing and soft. As someone who had neverused an exfoliator before (like, ever), it was quite the revelation.
Province Apothecary
Detoxifying and Clarifying Clay Mask$58.00
Next I applied the clay mask. I mixed a tablespoon of thepowder in a bowl with a tablespoon of warm water (though in retrospect, Iprobably could've used less water). You can also mix this formula with yogurtor cream, but I went the vegan route.
As instructed, I applied an even layer of the grey paste to myface and waited 15 minutes. At first, it was cooling and relaxing to haveit on, but as it dried it became a bit itchy and tight.
When I rinsed off the mask with warm water, I was shocked atthe difference it had made. My pores looked smaller and unclogged, especiallyon my nose, and all of my blemishes were no longer red. My skin tone was evenand smooth, and my face was softer to the touch. It felt super-good, like I hadpulled out all of the gunk that had been building up in my face over the courseof my mask-less life.
Overall, I'd call the whole experience a wonderful success. Turnsout it feels good to have some fancy me time.