I used to think that facials were utterly overrated. Why would I pay someone to wash my face and pop on a face mask? I can do that myself! Oh, how wrong I was. Much like rubbing your own shoulders, doing your own facial simply isn't as good as turning to a professional.
I made my way to Brighton's Origins Counter where I was greeted by the lovely manager Holly. I have been a fan of origins for years but, for most of us, its a bit of an investment to our skin care routine and they offer SO MANY products - I was a little overwhelming.
This time around things were different. Holly spent the time to learn my skin woes and wonders in a few short questions and talked through which products she would be using throughout the 20 minute Feel Good Mini Facial (which also includes a little hand rub while the mask does its thing). Unlike beauty shopping the whole experience used a total of 11 products. Lets be realistic, I am not going to be investing in and using 11 products as part of my daily/weekly beauty routine because, quite frankly, if I had that much down time I'd be a very Zen woman!
What the Feel Good Mini Facial does offer is 20 minutes of 'brain off' relaxation and a chance to try a collections of products to suit you; mine were across all collections so don't expect to stick to one only. Below are the products that we used and what they are setting out to achieve.
The Products
CHECKS AND BALANCES™ FROTHY FACE WASH (RRP: £17.50)
A freshing and 'squeaky clean' face wash that doesn't dry or strip the skin of its natural oils.
MODERN FRICTION™ NATURE'S GENTLE DERMABRASION (RRP: £25)
A gentle scrub you can use a few times a week on your face, neck, décolletage and hands. Brightens the skin while dealing with early signs of skin damage and pigmentation.
MASKIMIZER™ SKIN-OPTIMIZING MASK PRIMER (RRP: £19.50)
This spray hydrates and softens the skin, allowing the mask that follows to penetrate the skin more fully and optimise its benefits.
GLOW-CO-NUTS™ HYDRATING COCONUT MOISTURE MASK (RRP: £26.50)
New product that smells of rich coconut/aka holidays from the 90s - focuses on hydration. Leave on for 20 mins.
PLANTSCRIPTION™ POWERFUL LIFTING CONCENTRATE (RRP: £52)
Created to boost skins texture by plumping and sculpting the skin.
PLANTSCRIPTION™ ANTI-AGING POWER EYE CREAM (RRP: £38)
Super hydrating and stated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles within 2 weeks.
MEGA-MUSHROOM RELIEF & RESILIENCE TREATMENT LOTION (RRP: £30)
A best seller with a light woody smell (not mushroomy!), and nutrient rich. This water-like product refreshes and rebalances the skins after cleanser and before serum and moisturiser.
MEGA-BRIGHT DARK SPOT CORRECTING SERUM (RRP: £56)
A highly concentrated serum to brighten and even skin tone, including dark spots.
GINGER SOUFFLE™ WHIPPED BODY CREAM (RRP: £28)
Suitable for all skin types, I'm a big lover of the freshness and 'zing' of the ginger collection. The body cream was used on my hands, was quickly absorbed and remained gorgeous soft well into the next day.
PEACE OF MIND® ON-THE-SPOT RELIEF (RRP: £15)
A very strong (peppermint) and cooling formula. Excellent for relaxing and revitalising the mind. Applied being my neck, earlobes and temples. This may well become a handbag staple for my tension headaches.
GINZING™ SPF 40 ENERGY-BOOSTING TINTED MOISTURIZER (RRP: £30)
Origins answer to a BB cream, though not as much coverage as other BB creams I have tried. Available in 1 colour that actively darkens to your skin tone. A healthy luminous finish.
Final Thoughts & Feelings
I loved how my skin felt after. It was smoother, firmer and my face was just generally more relaxed. Maybe it was the GINZING™ SPF 40 ENERGY-BOOSTING TINTED MOISTURIZER but I felt like I glowed. All I was wearing was a little mascara.
The next morning my skin still felt fresh and soft. I'm already booked in for my next one; I can see how people get a bit addicted to these!
Its hard to pick out my top products as it was the combination of everything that gave my skin the kick it so deserved. That said, I'm going back to pick up the CHECKS AND BALANCES™ FROTHY FACE WASH and MODERN FRICTION™ NATURE'S GENTLE DERMABRASION. I may just be working my way down the list!
