. M - Of - The

M OF THE FACE

About Us: Excerpts from some US Mags & Websites

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BUST (05/23/2005) — Excerpt from page 36

Dori
“There is no downside to this muddy dream. It tightened my skin, shrunk my giant pores, and complimented my brown eyes quite nicely.”

Emily
“Nothing makes you feel more like a real girl than putting on an awesome mud mask. It’s a little scary when it starts to tighten up like an Egyptian death mask, but that’s just part of the scientific de-aging process.”

Sarah
“Mud + Sarah + BFF. This is the best thing I’ve ever put on my face. It even does that thing where your skin hurts so good from getting so toned.”

EAST WEST WOMEN (Vol. 2 - Issue 7) — Excerpt from page 28

“For homespun treat, pick up a tub of powered bentonite or French green clay at your local health-food store and mix up a batch of you own. Or try M Of The Face, an all-natural mud mined from the European Alps that exfoliates, purifies and boosts circulation.”

THE FLOWER REPORT (www.Emakeup.com)

Christina, on 31st Jan 07
“I had never heard of this brand before going to my facialist last year. She was the one who recommended using this mud mask and the Yonka moisturizer that has turned into my holy grail. Thank goodness for her, I was at my wit's end with my skin and the combination of the two products (the mask and the moisturizer) have worked really well for my skin.

Mud masks always remind me of the movies where the lady is sitting there with a greenish-brown face and cucumbers over her eyes. As funny as I may look walking around my room with this mask on, it�s well worth it. I have other masks - DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask and a Kiehl's Rare Earth Mud Mask, but the DDF Sulfur is more of a spot treatment for me, it seems to dry out my skin too much if I use it all over my face. Plus, I'm not too fond of the sulfur smell (but no pain, no gain, right?)

Here is what the website says about the mask:

M Of The Face is made of pure, natural mineral saline mud which is obtained during the extraction process from the salt and clay rock at Berchtesgaden salt mine with the addition of the natural salt water only. M Of The Face contains no other additives or preservatives.

The source of this mineral salt water is several hundred meters below ground level and is thus absolutely safe from adverse environmental effects.

The mask obtained from the mineral water and the mineral clay rock is a homogeneous material with a soft, pliable, paste-like consistency, similar to marine mud or fango.

The product is used as a face mask for thorough cleansing and cosmetic care.

I use this mask once a week, maybe once every two weeks � when I feel like my skin is starting to get a little clogged or I feel like I am starting to breakout. I apply the mask, leave it on for about 10-15 minutes (they recommend 5-10 minutes, but I usually forget and leave it on longer) and then rinse it off with warm water. They say you can use it in the morning or at night, but frankly, who has extra time in the morning to be applying a mud mask? I usually do it at night before going to bed. The mask has a slight smell (from the salt and the mud), but it is not offensive. When I first put it on, I feel a tingling (which is completely normal and not painful) and then as the mask dries, I can feel it tighten on my face. It starts off as a army color and as it dries it turns into a greenish-brown color.

The website says that the salt concentration is 6-8 times higher than that of marine salt water. There is no specific hydrating or dehydrating properties and can be used for all skin types. You may ask, so if there is no hydrating or dehydrating properties, am I just slathering useless mud on my face? The mask acts more of an exfoliator, removing dead skin cells. It says that on oily / combination skins, it helps refine the skin's texture and that on normal / dry skin, it helps boost circulation. Long-term results are supposed to strengthen the natural regulation mechanism so that your skin produces less oil on its own. The mask also helps remove impurities and helps with breakouts.

I have found that after I wash off my mask, my skin is super soft � like baby's skin � somehow behind all that makeup and dry skin, there really does lie smooth skin. My face does not feel dry or tight, but it doesn't feel very hydrated either (the mask does not tout that it will hydrate). Once I apply my moisturizer (I use the Yonka Cr�me 93), it feels moisturized and soft. I think it also helps the moisturizer absorb better into the skin. The next morning when I wake up, my skin is also very soft and feels great.

I really love this mask � whenever my skin starts to feel like it needs some extra pampering or starts to feel like it is going to breakout, I always apply this. This mask is gentle enough and non-drying that you can apply it 2-4 times a week (it says this on the website), but I think once a week is plenty. I've had my jar for about 1 year (granted I use this maybe 2-3 times a month), but I still have half a jar left. You can purchase this at select spas or online at http://www.paul-cosmetics-labs.com � it retails for $35 for 5.23 oz. The website is very informative and answers a lot of questions about what types of skin types this is suited towards and about the ingredients. Instead of writing a review short of a novel, if you are interested in this product, you can check out the website. You can also request a free sample on the website if you are interested in trying this product. I think this is gentle enough that almost any skin-type can use it. My skin is combination (dry on the cheeks and forehead) but slightly oily in other parts. Since I�ve started to use this mask regularly and moisturize every night, I have found that my skin has started to regulate itself and produce less oil. I'd definitely recommend this mask � I haven't found a mask or exfoliator that makes my skin so soft (I prefer this to a scrub because scrubs tend to be more abrasive and harsh on my skin).

5 flowers for a great mud mask � at $35 for a jar that will last for a long time, I think it is definitely worth it. Or at least try a free sample, you may like it :) I certainly do � I would definitely repurchase when I run out. I'm definitely pleased with the results. ”

reviewed by Christina