Hi everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve done a beauty review so I thought I’d share my first impressions of a newer product by Australian company, Sand&Sky, that I’ve recently started incorporating into my routine. With winter in full-swing, here in New Brunswick, my dull, dry skin needs all the extra TLC right now. For these harsh-weather months, I’ve added S&S’s Australian Emu Apple Super Bounce Mask into the mix. I’ve been using this mask twice a week for the last couple of months and it’s been a wonderful complement to my everyday products, giving me that extra line of defence I so desperately need right now!

ABOUT THE COMPANY

As an already-established fan of Sand&Sky, this wasn’t a hard sell for me. I stumbled upon their cult classic pink clay mask and exfoliator a couple of years ago (and love them both dearly!) so taking a chance on this product was a no-brainer. For a company that hasn’t been on the scene that long, they have wasted no time in making a name for themselves in clean skincare (and no time in taking full advantage of their homeland’s bountiful fauna and flora!). Not only are they PETA-approved, but their products contain zero sulphates, silicones, parabens, gluten, phthalates and other nasty ingredients that do little to actually address everyday skin concerns.

PRODUCT DEETS

This mask boasts the tremendous benefits of exotic botanical ingredients like Australian emu apple (hello, antioxidants!) and kakuda plum (the world’s richest source of vitamin C!) that help boost skin’s hydration levels, brighten complexion and combat pigmentation. Emu apple is an incredible powerhouse ingredient that is only just being explored in the beauty industry. Dubbed the “superfood for your skin,” it has a host of nourishing and anti-ageing properties that aid in skin protection, regeneration, hydration, absorption. The list goes on! A quick Google search will surely fascinate you (if skincare is your thing!). This, in combination with their hyaluronic acid blend, makes for a winning combination of ingredients. This mask is suitable for all skin types and is safe for those with rosacea, dry skin and severe acne.

MY THOUGHTS!

The first thing I noticed, was a new application tool! If you’re familiar with their pink clay mask, you know that it comes with a handy little brush. This one comes with an angled silicon applicator. I thought I’d prefer this (silicon = no wasted product) but I actually favour the brush. I feel like I have better control over where the product goes and how much is applied. But I can do without both, to be honest! The mask itself has a jelly-like consistency so using my fingers, instead, is much easier. My reaction after my first application? Surprise! It’s an incredibly cooling mask, like a blast of cold air! Incredibly refreshing, it instantly soothes my irritated skin.

The instructions say to leave the mask on for 10 minutes, but I’ve found that I have to leave it on a bit longer. Once set, douse your face with water, wipe any excess product off with a wet facecloth and marvel at your radiant glow! With consistent use, my skin looks brighter, healthier and feels velvety soft (thanks jojoba oil!). I follow up with S&S’s Dreamy Glow Drops. This serum adds shine without looking greasy and can be mixed with your daily moisturizer or foundation for a healthy, dewy complexion. All in all, S&S’s newest creation makes me look (and feel) as if I’ve just served my skin a big, heaping glass of H2O. It’s like a natural highlighter!

THE VERDICT

My complexion is, by no means, flawless. Skincare is always a work in progress – it takes time to find what works for you (your lifestyle, skin type, skin concerns etc.) – and it’s definitely all about trial and error. I’ve been working on finding the right combination of products for the last year or so, focusing on essentials that wouldn’t break the bank. For me, this was a splurge! But would I purchase again? Absolutely. If I had to guess, I’d say I have at least one more month of use out of the mask and another two for the drops so you definitely get the right amount of bang for your buck! In the end, if you can replace even just two of the products you already use, I’d say it’s well worth it!

Are there any holy grail products you swear by to help combat these harsh winter months? Have you tried this super mask?! What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

K