on a rainy afternoon off, whats a girl to do but wander down to Boots to see what little gems she can find!
Now, background to the purchase (for once, there is a reason!) is this: I have been bothered by clogged pores, and general bumpiness on areas of my face (across my forehead mainly) for quite some time, it never really breaks out into spots but those pesky little bumps just wont disappear! Also, with the summer months bringing humidity and heat (more than normal in the UK at least!) my skin has been a lot more oily and temperamental than normal.
So, the basis of the story is this: my skin needed a little pick me up, and thats when i stumbled onto this little treat:
Now, i've never used any of Sanctuary's products before - I have seen them countless times on the shelves of boots, but for some reason I hadn't tried anything.
For those of you who don't know, Sanctuary Spa is a day spa in Covent Garden in London, and this product is part of their line of beauty treatments they have released exclusively for Boots.
In all honesty, it was the name that grabbed me. I was browsing the shelves for something that mentioned microbrasion - as thats what I felt like my skin needed (pity I don't have the budget for the real thing!) Then I will admit, it was the pink and silver packaging that sucked me in.
Reading the details on the packaging, this product claims to be youth boosting! - now at 26, I hardly feel at the stage where I need my youth boosted, but Im not going to complain, best start before the wrinkles set in I say! It then goes on to detail how microdermabrasion combined with intense warming, helps to open pores and stimulate circulation - thus revealing new luscious skin!
... and, I was sold!
I was pleasantly surprised when I took the tube out of the box, it was just as chic and clean looking as the outer packaging, which is always a bonus in my eyes - i'm a sucker for pretty packaging.
At 100mls, its not skimpy either, so I felt I got a decent amount for the £11.99 price tag.
The product was to be applied in small circular motions going upwards and across the face (dry and clean on application) - with special attention being paid to the nose and forehead in my case.
Now, it is hard to demonstrate the consistency of something via a picture - but I tried my best with this shot.
It is thick, sticky and doesn't smell too great. Its not that it smells bad, the only way I can describe it is almost like clay - a typical old fashioned face mask smell. Its not that easy to spread on your skin, and if you like light, lotion-y textures then this definitely wont be to your taste! however, I am actually a fan of a more creamier consistency (it feels like its working more for me) so I didn't mind it too much in this regard.
Overall, application wise - the process wasn't overly enjoying. I wouldn't say that you feel pampered or relaxed by it but it does feel like it is doing something! Which leads me on to the main selling point of this product:
It heats up upon application! and boy it does. Almost immediately after it makes contact with the skin it begins to warm up - reaching a comfortable but significant heat as you move in circular motions across your face. This heat is quite short lived though, as it soon calms down and simply feels like you have a thick layer of moisturiser on. The grains through the paste are small but you certainly feel them 'scrubbing' your skin as you work.
Then after letting the 'heat draw out the impurities' - the final step is to rinse off the product using warm water. This was tougher than it sounded, due to the thick texture of the product, and again this was not an overly enjoyable experience, but the end results was definitely worth it.
My skin was noticeably smoother and much, much softer.
There was no redness or irritation (and I have extremely sensitive skin), and the bumpiness across my forehead was significantly reduced, and it remained this way for the next couple of days.
The packaging details the product should only be used twice a week for the first few weeks, and then once a week for the time remaining. I certainly agree with this advice - I think that it would be too harsh to use everyday, but that if used consistently it does definitely work to smooth and refine skin-tone.
So, if you are willing to brave the thickness of the product, and aren't too fussed about the product smelling brilliant - but do want results - then this is the one for you! Im definitely glad I spied this beaut on my trip to boots that day thats for sure!
Enjoy! Sam xoxo
