Sunday 8 September 2013

Review | Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

A picture of Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask

A picture of Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask

Yesterday afternoon I had my bridal makeup and hair trial (post coming soon!) which was so much fun and a seriously pampering experience! It's made me want to really kick my butt into gear and get my skin as sorted as possible for my wedding in January, and using a face mask twice a week is one of my beauty targets! I'm also going to pop to the doctor's and have them check out my chin/jawline as apparently acne here is hormonal and I'd like to make sure I don't have any underlying health issues before embarking on my clear skin routine. 

Alongside skincare I'm starting Blogilates tomorrow! It's a series of daily pilates workouts delivered online via Youtube and I'm seriously pumped to be embarking on the Beginner's Calendar tomorrow morning. Here's hoping I can handle a mere half an hour of exercise...! Don't laugh, PE was never my strong point!

Anyhoo, with skincare in mind I decided to make use of another Lush goodie this morning, Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask (£5.95, 75g) which I picked up in a haul a few weeks ago. I used this once last week and had a few reservations as a result but thought I'd give it another go and see how it fared a second time around. Unfortunately this isn't a glowing review as I've found the mask to be rather drying, which is a real shame. 

Lush market Catastrophe Cosmetic as 'a deep cleansing mask... designed for regular maintenance to keep the skin clean and clear'. Over time 'regular deep cleaning can avoid spots occurring and keep skin in top condition' (is it me or should that say 'can prevent spots occurring  Hmm. Maybe I'm being pedantic!) Packed full of soothing ingredients such as calaminerose absolute and chamomile essential oils, softening Irish moss gel and almond oil, Catastrophe Cosmetic seems like a gentle option for sensitive skin, as recommended to me by a Lush Sales Assistant upon hearing my combination/sensitive skin woes. The main ingredient, fresh blueberries, are chock full of antioxidants designed to help rid the skin of impurities, and talc is included to draw out skin clogging nasties. 

Sounds good, right? Want to see what it looks like on?! 

A picture of Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask

Yep, super attractive photo alert! This is certainly a far cry from the gorgeous makeup I was sporting yesterday afternoon! As you can see, Catastrophe Cosmetic is a rather sludgy looking grey blue colour, with chunks of blueberry skin visible in the pot and on the face. It smells pleasantly fruity and 'natural'. Lush masks generally have to be kept in the fridge, meaning they go on super cold which I love! I guess if you're a little sensitive to the cold you could take it out of the fridge fifteen minutes or so early and leave it to warm up a little. I sort of feel like the blast of cold could help boot my skin into action but who knows?!

The mask goes on quick thick and you could easily get at least four of five generous applications from the one little tub. I like to layer on masks quite thickly so I can be sure my skin is properly covered, and with Catastrophe Cosmetic you leave it on for about ten minutes to work it's supposed magic... It soon starts to dry and after the ten minutes is up I found that most of the mask removed itself simply as a result of me making funny facial expressions! Anyone else do this when wearing a face mask?! It flaked off in clumps (sounds lovely!) and then I dabbed at the remainder with a warm muslin cloth before splashing my face with lukewarm water and drying with a towel. 

The first thing I noticed was that my skin looked a little blotchy and red in places, which I'd noticed the first time but wondered if it was because my skin was going through a really bad patch at the time. Today, however,  I noticed it was definitely blotchy and I also noticed that my chin (acne prone area) in particular felt tight and looked dry. It felt sort of scaly and dehydrated rather than soothed, which wasn't really what I was hoping for. A little corner of sensitive skin next to my left eye felt quite sore and looked noticeable redder than usual, and I had to apply two layers of moisturiser all over my face to rehydrate my skin. After using it last week blemishes didn't feel soothed and they didn't appear particularly calmer either on the day or on the days afterwards. 

I really tend to stay away from masks that leaving any sort of drying effect on my skin as the last thing I need is for my skin to over compensate with bucket loads of extra oil. Having used this last week I didn't see a reduction in the severity of existing spots and it did make my skin feel quite uncomfortable on both occasions, unfortunately. Perhaps it's the inclusion of talc? I'm sure I've heard that talc can be quite drying. 

I'm quite dismayed, especially as the Sales Assistant in Lush was convinced that this would be the right mask for me as it aims to soothe skin while fighting blemishes, but alas, it just isn't right for me after all. I've read lots of great reviews from fellow sensitive skin bloggers so maybe I'm just unlucky in my experiences. 

It hasn't put me off trying other Lush masks as I've used and loved Mask of Magnaminty regularly in the past and found it excellent at tackling troublesome spots and blemishes, although it's a little too harsh for the rest of my face. I'd really like to try Oatifix for dry skin and Cosmetic Warrior for acne prone areas. I just won't be repurchasing Catastrophe Cosmetic as it seems to be doing a more harm than good. 

Have you tried Lush face masks? Which one is your favourite? Or perhaps you have a favourite mask from a different brand? I'd love some recommendations!

Baci e abbracci,

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10 comments :

  1. Great review. I used love lettuce face mask and it burnt half my face ! Was so sore ! This was a good few years back but it's out me off using lush face masks !

    Mel (shadowandpolish.blogspot.co.uk)

    xx

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    1. Oh no that sounds awful! I think that would put me off too! From now on I'm going to do little patch tests and just apply masks to certain areas rather than all over. I hate it when my face is left sore and tight :( xx

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  2. I had a similar experience in that I thought Cosmetic Warrior was going to be the one for me, but it was average and a little underwhelming.

    Having said that I actually love the the chocolate one they do (I can't remember the name!) and despite it sounding hugely unhealthy it works quite well on my blemishes.

    Girl Reviews Things xx

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    Replies
    1. Ooh I've seen the chocolate one and wondered what it would be like, I will have to swatch it next time I'm in store! I bet it smells fabulous! xx

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  3. What a shame it didn't work as well as you thought it would, quite refreshing to see a blogger give a bad review though!
    Just started checking out your blog and I've subscribed to you on bloglovin - especially love your tarot page. Fab little blog!
    Michelle xo - @shelleymagpie
    www.shelleymagpie.wordpress.com

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    Replies
    1. I enjoy reading posts that show a different perspective to popular products, and unfortunately this mask really didn't work for me :( So glad you're enjoying the tarot page, I'm about to type up this week's Weekly Draw so keep an eye out! xx

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  4. I still haven't used a fresh face mask from LUSH! I am dying to! I've just found you on #bbloggers on twitter, going to add you to my Bloglovin' reading list now :) Xx

    Kate
    themintedbeauty.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks hun, welcome to the Bluebird & the Robin! I'm definitely going to check out the other masks on offer, surely there must be one that's perfect for my crazy skin?!xx

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  5. I absolutely love Lush cosmetics. Definitely try more from the range if you can! I'm just annoyed I haven't got a bath to be able to try their amazing bath bombs haha.

    I love your blog. Started following on GFC and bloglovin.
    I'm having a giveaway on my blog, would love it if you had a look ;) xx

    http://glamourtricks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/pink-giveaway.html


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    1. Oh no, no bath bomb opportunities! I guess you can make it your mission to collect all of their shower products?! My Lush wishlist keeps growing, I sense a new haul coming on soon! Will head on over and take a peek at your blog :) xx

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by! I read and reply to every comment and would love to hear what you think x