Lush Face Masks: BB Seaweed v. Oatifix

Yes, I know what you're thinking...another Lush post. But what can I say? I'm a huge fan of their products and I feel there's always something to write about. This is no exception.

I love a good face-mask - they go perfectly with bubble baths, a good read and maybe a cheeky cup of tea (read chocolate biscuit). The ones from Lush just always look divine and almost good enough to eat, so when I picked up Rub Rub Rub I just had to find out more about which mask was best for my skin. 

I was looking for something that would care for my skin, which regularly becomes dry (making any foundation or BB cream hideously flaky) and sometimes blemished. However, I also wanted to be relaxed and pampered. Taking care of your skin should come hand in hand with taking care of your well-being, so naturally I wanted something calming which also smelt delectable.

After a quick browse at the products available, and a chat with one of their lovely employees about what I wanted, I was given two samples to take home and try out.  I thought that this was fantastic - the chance to try before you buy is something which really appeals to me about Lush, as I like to know I'm investing in the right product for me! I always want to make sure I'm buying something which will do me some good.

I was handed two incredibly cute and tiny tubs of face mask, told to store them in the fridge and then come back after I used them. I don't know about you, but isn't everything so much more exciting in miniature?

When I arrived home, I popped them straight into the fridge and waited for the perfect moment to try them out.

I was given a sample of BB Seaweed and Oatifix. I couldn't wait to compare them!

Let the anti-blemish, skin-soothing battle commence.

BB Seaweed

The first mask I tried was BB Seaweed. Made from fresh seaweed, aloe vera, ground almonds, and rose absolute, this mask was born to sooth the skin and to sooth your soul. The moisturising properties of the olive oil and rose absolute guaranteed to soften my dry skin, especially in the T Zone, and the seaweed (harvested locally, no less!) is filled with minerals and vitamins to improve your skin in general. Millet is added to exfoliate, meaning that all of that moisturising can really be felt without the mask's smooth consistency being compromised.

I'll admit, the name didn't fill me with excitement - it's not as tempting as the chocolate face mask, and seaweed is never the first thing you want to touch or smell. However, this really does go to show that you should never judge a beauty product by it's cover (and by that I mean its name and ingredients).

I slathered this all over my face, sank into a warm bubble bath and let it do its work. It was heaven - it smelt gorgeous and was incredibly relaxing - not at all 'seaweedy' as its name might suggest. It was smooth and easy to apply, and dried nicely so that you could tell it was working. My skin afterwards felt amazing too and for the whole week I really felt a difference in my skin. I had no irritation or inflamation and was thoroughly impressed. I instantly wished I had a bigger pot - which is always a good sign!

Oatifix 

I wasn't as apprehensive to try Oatifix  - I'm much more accustomed to oats than seaweed, I think! But after falling in love with BB Seaweed I had very high hopes, and ignored the fact that I felt like I would be rubbing my breakfast all over my face.

Oatifix is a little less exotic; it seemed much more traditional and down to earth - similar to one of those DIY mask recipes you can find on Pinterest. Its main ingredients are bananas, Fair Trade vanilla pods, ground almonds, oatmeal and illipe butter, and it smells quite sweet and a little less strong than BB Seaweed. It did, I admit, smell quite tasty! This is more of an exfoliating mask, which I knew would combat my flaky skin. It wasn't as thick as BB Seaweed, being mainly made up of oaty goodness which seemed to be a little more clumpy.

Unfortunately I chose to try this out when I had a cold; I smoothed it onto my skin and felt in horror that my nose and upper lip were burning. It took a moment to realise that I wasn't allergic, but that I shouldn't have put it on raw, cold-affected skin. Perhaps something to bear in mind in the future! However, again I felt relaxed, and my skin was very happy with the result. It was a bit messier to apply and wash off though, as it was lumpier and therefore a little more prone to just dropping off. It really reminded me of a homemade mask - which is, essentially, what Lush masks are! 

So what's the verdict?

Well, both were lovely. Both times my skin felt smooth, soft and pampered; application was simple (aside from Oatifix's tendency to fall off!) and I really enjoyed using both of them. You certainly don't need to use a lot- these tiny pots covered my face, and they were about the size of a fifty-pence, so when you buy a full pot I can imagine it lasts a long time! Oatifix is a little thinner than BB Seaweed and so the two dry very differently.

I have to admit, however, for me the winner is BB Seaweed. Sorry Oatifix, but you were a little too 'normal' and messy for me. If you like simplicity, and want your skin thoroughly exfoliated, Oatifix is for you. It's a very 'raw' mask and you can tell it's very natural. However, BB Seaweed was something I could not have made in my kitchen. When I visit a restaurant, I always order something I wouldn't make at home, and that's the same with beauty products. BB Seaweed was a little more indulgent. I also have to say that it really, really relaxed me...to the point where I nearly fell asleep in the bath! I was looking for something therapeutic, which could calm my nerves and make me feel better, and BB Seaweed did just that. After using it, I was literally glowing.

I think next time I am in Lush I will be buying a full-sized pot of BB Seaweed to get me through stressful days and to keep my skin looking youthful, glowing and soothed.

I really recommend asking for as much advice as possible if you're not sure what to buy in Lush. Their staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and you'll nearly always come away with something new and delicious which actually works.

Are you a fan of Lush face-masks? What's your favourite?

Jo

xxx