Origins Ginger Skincare Review

I have had the Origins Ginger bath products for awhile but just recently started using them....and I am in LOVE!

The Origins Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash is so delicious and fresh smelling! It has a ginger scent but it is not overpowering. It does not smell like the ginger you cook with or like candied ginger. It smells like ginger mixed with a clean, crisp, fresh scent...yeah I know that sounds confusing but it's hard to describe! This lathers extremely well and leaves my skin feeling silky soft. The ginger fragrance lingers slightly, but does not interfere with any other fragrance you layer on afterwards.

The Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream is also very luxurious. The scent is a lot stronger and longer-lasting than the body wash, so if you aren't keen on the smell this isn't for you. The texture is a bit thick and very moisturizing, which is why I haven't used nearly as much as I have of the body wash. This is better suited for the winter when I need a thicker moisturizer.

Overall, I love both but am most excited about the body wash. I know it is pricier than drugstore body washes but  it feels so good when I use it that I feel it is worth the splurge.

Have you tried either of these ginger products?

Will This Eye Cream Benefit Your Dark Circles? Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream Review

I was perusing the cosmetic counters a few weeks ago when the Benefit sales associate started telling me about the Benefit skincare line that was released last year. I had heard good things but hadn't tried anything. Until that day. So how did she manage to impress me? By telling me that Benefit is owned by Louis Vuitton, and you know LV is gonna spend the money to do research and put out a great product. 

I've never owned anything by LV, but it sounded pretty good to me. I played around with the eye cream in-store, and then decided to try it out.

Aside from the cute packaging, the cream itself is creamy and light. It feels nice on the skin and is a good base for concealer...I didn't experience any creasing when I wore this under my eyes with concealer on top. In terms of the effects, this did start to decrease the darkness of my under-eye circles, but (yes there is a but) it was not moisturizing enough for me. My skin is dry, and since the under-eye skin is naturally thin and dry that area needs extra moisture. My opinion is that this eye cream would be most effective for someone in their late teens and early 20s....those who don't need the extra moisture that is required with age, but just want to start taking care of their under-eye area and perhaps need help with dark circles.

Since this didn't work out for me I am on the search for a different moisturizing eye cream. Any suggestions?

The Body Shop Wise Woman Vitality Serum Review

I know, I know, I haven't been the best blogger this past week. Life was just super busy and although I snapped a bunch of pics in hopes of writing some posts, I kept getting sidetracked. But this week will be better!

I always use a serum before my moisturizer, both in the morning and evening, and since they long discontinued my favorite Lancome Cell Defense, I have been forced to search the market for something just as effective and suitable. That search led me to The Body Shop Wise Vitality Serum. 

The reason I picked this up is because it is not that expensive, $36 for 1oz. However, since The Body Shop always has sales you can often get this for an even better price. The online reviews were pretty good, and since this seemed good for mature skin I thought it would be good since for me (since mature skin is inherently dry skin and I have very dry skin, especially during winter).

The serum itself is clear and very fluid-like. It absorbs quickly without feeling sticky or leaving behind any residue. Although this felt good on the skin, it didn't do anything positive for me. I used up the whole thing, which lasted about 2 months which 2x/day use. Even though I knew I wouldn't see any dramatic change, like wrinkles going away, most good serums at the very least give my skin some luminosity and brightness. I really saw no improvement in my skin whatsoever, not even in terms of moisture retention. I will definitely not re-purchase this.

So back to the drawing board. Do you have any good serum recommendations?

Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream Review

A lot of beauty bloggers have raved about Mario Badescu's acne control skin care, and I have always been intrigued with the brand because it seems effective yet affordable. I recently had my first encounter when trying out a sample of the Seaweed Night Cream. 

This is touted to be a non-greasy, oil-free moisturizer that provides heavy duty moisture with ingredients like seaweed, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. It says it is for skin types C (combination), O (oily), and S (sensitive). However, I felt this moisturizer was in fact a bit greasy and would be best suited for dry skin. In fact, I really liked how well this moisturized my super dry winter skin. 

Don't let the green color deter you. This stuff is pretty good...if you have dry skin. A few days ago I had some dry patches on my skin and I used this all over my face and within 2 days the dry patches were completely healed! That being said, this creamy is VERY thick and it is a bit greasy so it takes time to absorb in to the skin. This is not for everyone but I think it would work well for those with super dry skin, especially in the cold winter months. 

Have you tried anything from Mario Badescu? 

Testing IO Beauty Skincare

I have been very mean to my face lately. Between trying to use up different moisturizers and the sudden change in weather from summer to winter, my skin has taken a beating. Two weeks ago I started using my ol' faithful MAC Lightful Deep Ultramoisture Creme. Within 3 days of using this moisturizer I noticed a HUGE difference in my skin...it was hydrated, the sallowness had faded, my skin with brighter, and it felt super soft and smooth. This stuff is the only moisturizer that really moisturizes my skin without feeling greasy, absorbs quicly, and brings life back in to my skin. At any moment in time, I ALWAYS have a jar of this moisturizer on my dresser.

So that lasted a week.

Until, I was sent a moisturizer and booster product from IO Beauty, a new skincare line from Beauty Expert Sue Devitt and Nutrition Expert Tanya Zuckerbrot. They have a 4 product regimen they are promoting, which includes a treatment concentrate serum, moisturizer and eye cream, and a Beauty Booster concentrate that you apply to your skin AND ingest. Basically, this system is supposed to provide good skin care from the inside and outside.

Is a $35 Face Mask Really Better Than a $2 Face Mask?

Remember how the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask was all the rage last year? I actually bought it, used it once, and then it sat in my medicine cabinet. Since I finished up my Aura Science mask, I brought it out of hiding in order to do a little review and comparison for you.



This is a peel of face mask that is supposed to draw out dirt, oil, and other impurities and also brighten the skin. It would make for a great Halloween mask because it really is black and ugly:



I decided to compare this to the Bath and Body Works (B&BW) Fresh and Flawless Face Mask with Purifying Clay.



Many moons ago B&BW had a skin care line and they had really nice clay face masks so I was hoping this would be similar. This is also on clearance right now because it was part of the summer collection...one more incentive to try it out. This is a non-peel off mask that requires washing with water.



So what were my thoughts?

Boscia

• $34 for 2.8 oz


• Have to use a really thick layer in order for it to peel off (6-10 uses per tube depending on how thick you apply it)


• REALLY HARD to peel off, ends up leaving lots of black spots you have to scrub using water


• No noticeable difference in skin texture or luminosity


• Since product has to be layered thickly, it takes a lot more than 20 minutes to dry

Bath and Body Works

• $1.75 for 2 oz (it is actually $7 but on clearance right now for 75% off)


• A thin layer is effective...will last MANY more than 10 uses


• Very creamy in consistency....feels great on the skin


• Smells delicious


• Doesn't make skin feel stiff, while mask is on and after mask is washed off


• Dries in about 10-15 minutes


• Easy to wash off


• Leaves skin super smooth, soft, and hydrated

Overall, I prefer the B&BW mask 100%! I really like the fragrance (even the hubby came close to me and said it smelled good, and that RARELY happens), it made my skin super soft, and most importantly it was easy to wash off. The Boscia mask was a nightmare to remove. No matter how thick it was, there were some areas that just wouldn't peel off. After peeling as much as I could, I had at least 7-8 black splotches on my face that I had to scrub harshly using water. That just made the whole experience extremely frustrating and irritated my skin. Any relaxation that I got from having the mask on was immediately gone because I had to spend a good 15 minutes getting all the black crap off. Now I remember why the Boscia mask was hidden away for the past few months.

Finished!

As mentioned previously, I am on a kick to finish up my half-used products, and I was successful at finishing 3 things last month:

1. Aura Science Phase One Withdraw Mask - This is a clay mask I picked up a few years ago from Victoria's Secret. I heard that they only sell the Aura Science line in a few states in the US. Personally, I have not seen it in California or Pennsylvania in recent years. I kind of wish they would bring it back because I really liked this mask. A thin layer all over my face and neck really helped shrink my pores and tighten my skin. It was non-drying, but the pore-shrinking effect made me believe it did deep clean all the gunk in my pores. This mask also left my skin super-smooth and soft. Oh well, I will have to find another one....any recommendations?



2. Fresh Soy Face Serum - I had heard great things about the Fresh Soy line, so when I needed a new face serum, I decided to see if it was worth the buzz. OMG, this product smells like rotten cucumbers! I can't believe I actually used up this whole bottle. Really speaking, I would have returned it but I couldn't find the receipt, and couldn't bear throwing it out, so I just used it in the morning when I knew I would be wearing makeup after my skin care so the smell would get covered up. Aside from the smell, I don't think this serum did anything great for my skin. It didn't reduce the size of my pores, and I didn't notice any brightening effects. I don't think it hydrated my skin very much, and I definitely didn't notice any anti-aging effects. My skin was softer with this serum, but that is about it. I highly recommend that you stay away from this product and the whole Soy line.

3. MAC Select SPF Moistureblend Foundation - This is another product that is now discontinued. This foundation was replaced by the Mineralize Foundation SPF 15 that comes in a compact. I really liked the Moistureblend formula so I had a couple back-ups and the one I just used up was the last of my stock. I used it sparingly, mostly when traveling, but I loved it because it was so easy to use and blended in with my skin flawlessly. It looked like I wasn't wearing makeup at all, and it was very hydrating. I guess now I will have to venture out and try the newer Mineralize version.

Have you used any of these products? Have you finished anything recently?

Battle of the Setting Sprays: MAC Fix+ vs Urban Decay All Nighter

I have been using makeup setting sprays regularly for about 3-4 months now. The two that I have been going back and forth with are the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray and MAC Fix+. Both setting sprays are effective but when it comes time to repurchase, I definitely have a preference.

Features of the Urban Decay All Nighter:

• Helps makeup last all day


• Spray nozzle is concentrated, and sprays quickly and exactly where you want it to spray


• Once sprayed, the product settles on the skin and doesn't get lost in the air


• Fragrance free

Features of the MAC Fix + (Pictured is the rose fragranced version from A Rose Romance collection circa 2009):

• Helps makeup last all day AND it gives skin a natural look, removing all cakiness


• Feels refreshing on the skin, especially if you refrigerate it during the summer


• The product is very misty and stays in the air for a few seconds before settling on the skin, but this also allows for more of a misty feel


• Smells refreshing and clean (or fragranced if you get a fragranced version like the rose one I have)


• Spray nozzle has a locking mechanism that comes in handy for travel

If you couldn't already guess, I much prefer the Fix+. I love how it feels on my skin and how it takes away the cakiness of foundation. Also, I think that the All Nighter makes foundation oxidize quicker, so whenever I use it I always feel like my foundation looks half a shade darker.

What do you think? Have you tried any setting sprays?

August Favorites

Here are the products that I kept reaching for in August:

1. MAC Fix+ - This was unexpected. I have never really used Fix+ on myself, but after trying out the Urban Decay All Nighter finishing spray and not liking it, I decided to see if Fix+ would make a difference in my daily makeup routine....and it did! What I like the most about this product is that it takes away that cakey makeup look so your skin looks like skin. Of course, it helps that this feels so nice when misted on the face and it helps set makeup so it lasts all day. I have been using up the rose fragrance one that I had picked up during the Rose Romance collection.

2. Korres Body Milk in Jasmine - I love Korres body butters in the winter and the body milk moisturizers are PERFECT for summertime. They moisturize the skin very well, are lightweight, non-greasy, and absorb in the skin immediately. I like the fragrance of Jasmine so this one suits me well, without being too overbearing. 

3. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 26 - The Rouge Artist Intense formula is amazing. These lipsticks are opaque in just a single swipe! No need to keep applying to get a rich color. There is an amazing shade selection, but I really like this one because it is neutral and goes with everything. I highly recommend these, especially because they are long wearing and at $19 bucks, they wont break the bank.

 4. MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Faux Gold - I normally don't go for MAC's mineralize shadows, but this was just too pretty! I have been using it a lot this past month on my lid with nothing else. It looks great on its own, works for both day and night looks, and is just one of those easy shades that goes with everything. See this shadow in action here. 

What products did you reach for in August?

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum Review

I have finished 3 MAC products in the past week.....YAY for 3 more items that I can Back to MAC! One of the items I finished was the Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum:

I had heard from several MAC artists that this is good for application in the morning and helps to even out dry patches on the skin and with prolonged use it helps even out the skin tone. It has an abundance of great natural ingredients in it that improve the texture of the skin tone. Before I get to my thoughts on the product itself, I really like the locking mechanism on the pump, making it great for travel.

The serum itself is like a cloudy white liquid. It is very thin in consistency, so you need very little to cover the entire face. When blended, it has a natural finish to it.

Top: Serum pumped out on skin

Bottom: Serum blended

Overall, I think this serum is just ok. I like that the scent is fresh, natural, and clean, and I am particularly fond of the fact that the fragrance isn't overbearing. I have finished using the entire bottle and I did like it. My skin is very dry and I do think this helped keep my skin hydrated, but not in a greasy way. This would be suitable for any kind of skin tone to help maintain moisture and suppleness. This also made my skin tone more even and I do feel like it helped fade dark spots and acne scars. That being said, one of my primary skin care concerns is aging, so I prefer serums that have some anti-aging benefits. Honestly, though, this serum might help with aging, but it is not marketed so and I wouldn't really know unless I used this for 10 years and saw that I had no wrinkles. Then again, I have no proof that serums targeted for aging really do work, but at least the claims influence my decision on what to purchase. 

One thing I did not like about the packaging is that when you remove the pump top, you can't unscrew the nozzle, so if there is any serum left over that won't pump out, you can't get to that serum because the part pictured above won't come off. 

In any case, I liked this serum for its skin evening and scar lightening properties, but since I prefer serums with anti-aging benefits I probably won't repurchase this.

June Favorites

Here are my favorites from the past month:

1. Kirkland Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes - These are so effective at removing makeup and cleansing my skin, and they are SUPER affordable! I switch it up between these and MAC wipes, but this was a coupon item at Costco during the last coupon book period so I couldn't help but purchase them again. I LOVE them! My full review is here.

2. Origins GinZing Eye Cream - This eye cream has been a lifesaver the past month. Life has been super busy recently and this magical cream makes it look like I have been relaxing on vacation! It reduces puffiness, helps brighten the under eye area, and helps my concealer from settling in to the fine lines around my eyes. I love this little jar and will be doing a full review soon.

3. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer - So after taking care of the skin around my eyes, I have been using this concealer to conceal my dark circles. This stuff is amazing and I already said everything I love about it in my original review. 

4. MAC Technakohl Liner in Smoothblue - This is one of my summer must-haves. I love using this to line my upper lash line and then add mascara. It is such a quick and easy eye look and adds a pop of color for the summer. Even my hubby loves when I wear this "blue stuff" on my eyes. 

5. Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - I have mentioned this in the past, but this truly is one of the best eye primers out there. It prevents shadow from creasing and fading, and it is invisible on the skin so you can use it under any color shadow. This is especially great for summertime when it is hot and eyelids tend to be oilier than normal.

What products have you been loving recently'?

Ayesha!! Not the Song, the Lush Fresh Face Mask!!!

Do you remember that song "ay-ee-ee-shah, you are the girl the I never kissed, and I'd like to get to know you better..."from the early 90s?

I was totally singing that to myself recently when I tried out Lush's Ayesha Face Mask. Only, it turns out that Another Bad Creation's hit is spelled "Iesha." But who cares about spelling when a girl's got green goop on her face and is rockin' out to 90s music?

I love Lush's fresh face masks, and Ayesha is pretty similar to my fave mask The Sacred Truth. Ayesha is a bit chunkier than The Sacred Truth, but both contain ingredients to help with anti-aging and both masks leave my skin baby soft. I liked the texture of The Sacred Truth better because it was a bit smoother, and it felt a little fresher and mintier, whereas Ayesha has somewhat of a more neutral smell, and is not floral at all.

Like all of the brand's fresh face masks, although the pot seems small, it easily contains 7-8 applications. Not bad for the $5.95 price tag! All the masks I have tried leave my skin soft and moisturized...and even my hubby likes how my face feels afterwards (though he hates looking at me with green goop on my face...hehe). Overall, I would repurchas again e this as it is my second favorite fresh mash I have tried from Lush. Have you tried any of Lush's masks? Which is your fave?

April Favorites

I didn't discover anything new and lovely during April, so my favorites are all oldies but goodies, with the exception of one hair product.

1. Lush Sweet Lips Lip Scrub - This delicious chocolatey-vanilla lip scrub is sooooo tasty it makes me want to lick it off instead of scrub it in! It is a relatively simple sugar scrub that I could probably mix together in my kitchen, but I rarely have time for that, especially if I am trying to smoothen my lips before wearing lipstick for an evening out. I have been using this all winter and have barely made a dent in the pot, so I love that it not only leaves my lips soft and smooth, but it will last forever. 

2. MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque - This was the first shade of Paint Pot that I ever got and years later, it is still my favorite. The peachiness is subtle enough that I can use it as a base for any eye color, but it is interesting enough that I can wear it by itself with a swipe of mascara and be good to go. 

3. MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar - My absolute FAVORITE gloss!! It is a subtle peach color with flecks of gold shimmer, and it looks good on top of ANY lipstick. I've gone through several tubes of this because when in doubt, I always reach for this gloss. 

4. MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator - Originally released with the MAC Style Black collection in the Fall of 2009, this facial scrub was a big seller and I know why. It works!!! This exfoliator removes dead skin cells, helps clarify the skin, makes the skin softer and smoother, and is gentle enough that it can be used everyday....and for awhile I actually did use it everyday! Until I realized I used all my backup tubes and opened my last one. I am crossing my fingers that MAC releases this product again this year or makes it permanent. It's just that awesome. 

5. HANAair Professional Hair Dryer. I haven't touched my drugstore hair dryer since I got this pro gadget. It dries my hair super fast, helps to eliminate frizz, and I feel like it doesn't burn my hair like most drugstore hair dryers do....it's definitely worth the price! My full review is here. 

Do you like/use any of the products I mentioned above?

Is Going Natural Really Worth Smelling El Naturale?

Put yo' hands up! Put yo' hands up! Put yo' hands up if you like smelling like rotten cucumbers!!

If your hands are waving through the air, you might like Fresh's popular Soy Face Cream:

Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you how effective this is because I couldn't wear it more than once! This stuff smells like rotten cucumbers that need to get chucked, not smeared on your face. Now, no offense to Fresh, because I do like some of their other products (hello Brown Sugar Scrub!), but I expected a brand that makes some great scented products to be able to take the smell out of a cream that is going to be rubbed on your face, including the upper lip, where you are exposed to the putrid smell allll...daaaayy....looong. 

What I did notice is that this moisturizer is creamy and very moisturizing, and probably better for dryer skin, or all skin types in the dry winter months. I know this line has a huge following, and they use a lot of natural ingredients in their products, so it probably has some good benefits, but I couldn't stick to it long enough to find out.

Have you tried anything from the Fresh Soy line?

New Fave Website and Win Two $25 Giftcards for Skincare!!

Hey lovelies!! I want to tell you about this new site I discovered, Apothica, which has tons of cosmetics from many brands all in one site!! The cool thing about this site is that they are partnered with SkinCareRX, which has just about every skin care brand you’d want and is currently (until Dec 1) having a 25% off Friends and Family discount with code FF25 (better than the Sephora discount, eh?) and they are also partnered with my personal favorite, Skin Botanica, which carries natural and organic beauty products, and is currently running a 20% off sale…just click on the Skin Botanica link. How great to shop from 3 stores and get everything in 1 shipment!! 

I know many of you are like me and like products from a variety of brands, and I love that you can order say, one Bobbi Brown shadow, your fave Michael Kors fragrance that is running out, and whatever else you need (they also carry skin care, candles, body care, and hair care) in one order, for one shipment (did I mention free shipping over $49?), and not have to mess with other sites and multiple shipping fees!

Some of the cool brands featured on Apothica are DuWop and the popular Moroccon Oil, and one of my faves Japonesque! For awhile now I have been wanting to try their lashes and instant eyeshadow...yes instant eyeshadow...honestly I think it sort of takes the fun out of applying shadow but it’s so unique I just have to try it! Their products are pretty affordable too. Have you tried anything from them?

Smoky Eye Instant Eyeshadow

Now for the fun part:  Apothica has been gracious enough to give away a $25 giftcard to one of the fabulous Kajal Couture readers!! And if you are lucky, you can win an extra $25 giftcard for a friend!! I’m secretly jealous because I could totally use that to try those instant eyeshadows. Anyways, back to the giveaway. Here’s how you can enter:

1.     One entry for becoming a follower by clicking on the "Follow" button on the right hand toolbar

2.     One entry for following me on Twitter at @kajalcouture

3.     One entry for following Apothica on Twitter at @Apothica

4.     One entry is you "Like" me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kajalcouture)

5.     One entry if you become a fan of Apothica on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Apothica)

6.     Two entries if you tweet about this giveaway

7.     Two entries if you comment about Apothica and/or Japonesque in the comment section of this post

8.     Two entries for signing up for the Apothica Newsletter (found at the bottom of the Apothica website)

9.     Seven (yes 7) entries if you blog about this giveaway on your blog (your post must have a minimum of 100 words and include the word Japonesque and have it linked to http://makeup.apothica.com/Japonesque.html)

10.  IMPORTANT – If you do any of the above, make sure you comment on this post and let me know which entries you have completed.

In the spirit of the holidays, wouldn’t you love to be able to give a friend a $25 Apothica too? Well, if you do #9 above and blog about this giveaway and you win, you will win an extra $25 Apothica giftcard for a friend!!!

This giveaway starts today, Monday, November 22, 2010, and runs until midnight, EST, on Friday, December 10, 2010. http://apothica.com

Will Lush's The Sacred Truth Reveal Your Truth?

Don't you just love it when someone guesses your age as younger than you really are? You feel a sense of giddiness and pride....like you really could be that age they guessed!

In today's world we all want to look younger, firmer, and tighter...and what better way to achieve results than naturally? That's where Lush's The Sacred Truth Fresh Face Mask comes in:

This mask is supposed to brighten the skin and help fight the signs of aging, with ingredients like wheatgrass, ginseng, green tea to fight free radicals, coconut butter and evening primrose to keep skin soft and flexible. 

I'm not sure if it is making me look younger, as I don't have bad wrinkles yet, but this definitely makes my skin look noticeably brighter and feel super soft. The texture is a bit smoother than some of Lush's other fresh face masks, but has a few small chunks of the greens that are in the mask. 

I can't believe I just posted that pic for the world to see, but I wanted to show you how it looks on the skin. =)

Overall I love how this makes my skin feel, not dry and not oily, just perfectly smooth and soft, and I love that it makes my skin bright and supple. I will definitely be purchasing this again in the future.

Kajal Couture Rating: A

Have you tried any of Lush's masks? What's your favorite?

RareMinerals™ Renew & Reveal Facial Cleanser Review

Since I was getting married, I didn't take any risks with my skin and stopped trying out new skin care and face makeup products several months before the big day. Now that all the wedding celebrations are over and I don't have any photographs to worry about, I can work my way through the packages of skin care samples stashed in what the hubby calls "the fufu closet."

The last few days I have been trying out the RareMinerals™ Renew & Reveal Facial Cleanser:

According to Sephora, it is considered a "natural" product because it doesn't have a lot of those chemical ingredients that are bad for the skin. RareMinerals™ is the skin care line that is part of the Bare Escentuals (BE) family. BE has not done too much to impress me so I usually pass, but this cleanser intrigued me.

The main reason I wanted to try this was because the cleanser is a powder and you mix it into wet hands to make a milky cleanser. The directions say to wet face and hands, then take a small amount of the powder cleanser into wet hands, rub together to form a lather, then massage on to face. The cleanser should then be thoroughly rinsed off with water.

This is what it looks like out of the package:

When mixed with water, it becomes a milky paste:

The verdict? It works pretty well!! It is not lathery or foamy, but that is due to the lack of sulfates, and I will happily give up the foam factor if that means not putting sulfates on my skin. My skin was very clean and fresh after using this, and the cleanser even removed all my face makeup. I found that after I cleansed, if I went over my face with a makeup wipe, there were no traces of makeup left behind. However, you do need to use a separate eye makeup remover beforehand to make sure that mascara, liner, and other eye makeup is completely gone. I also liked that the cleanser has tiny exfoliating granules mixed in to the powder that exfoliate the skin so gently that it removes dead skin cells while leaving the skin super soft. The exfoliants are not harsh at all so you can use the cleanser everyday.

The only negatives? It has a funky smell...sort of like clay...which I am sure I could get used to, and it really isn't that bad. Also, it can be a bit messy. When you mix the powder with water, the milky paste starts to spread and gets all over your fingers. I have nothing bad to say about the effectiveness of the cleanser. =)

Kajal Couture Overall Rating: A-

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: This product gets props for ingenuity,  having lots of natural ingredients, and for performance. I gave it a minus for the smell. If you are searching for a new cleanser, check this one out...if you are a believer of BE products, you might really like this!

Have you tried any RareMinerals™ products? Your thoughts?