I haven't reviewed any skincare products for a little while so I thought I'd talk to you about this very popular face mask by Glamglow. Is it as amazing as it claims to be?

Now doesn't the name Glamglow sound fancy and a little pretentious? This brand was founded in 2010 for exclusive use behind-the-scenes in the Hollywood Entertainment, Fashion and Music Industries. It was then made available in 2011for retail and we can now purchase it in Sephora and Space NK among other places. 

This mask was designed as a "facial in a jar" to provide perfectly glowing skin for the camera and I was very curious to see if it was as amazing as it claimed!

Formula

The main ingredient is French Sea Clay which detoxifies and awakens the skin by drawing out impurities. You can see in the pictures how it goes into the pores to take all the gunk out. 

Ivy is supposed to help tone, tighten and lift the skin. 

It contains Teaoxi which is a patented ingredient by them, in essence green tea leaf which is supposed to have an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effect. 

Finally it performs mechanical exfoliation with "Volcanic Rock" although really they're polyethylene beads.

It's important to point out that some of the ingredients such as ivy, comfrey extract, lavender oil and added fragrance can cause irritation on sensitive and acne prone skin. The tingling sensation could be uncomfortable and irritating. 

Use

In the jar it's a grayish-green mud with green leaf-like particles. It feels wet to the touch and is relatively easy to spread on the skin although it's chunky with the particles it contains. I apply a thin layer and leave to dry around 10 minutes. 

At first it feels cooling and refreshing and after a few seconds it starts to tingle a bit. It isn't horribly uncomfortable but I can tolerate pretty much anything. As it dries it goes very tight on the skin, to the point where it gets difficult to speak or move your face, as with other clay masks. 

I then wash it off with a damp warm cloth and although the skin may seem a little reddened after it's only for a little while. 

Effects

I have to say that it really gives an immediately visible effect to the skin. My skin feels really smooth and soft. The clay helps with excess oils and clogged pores whereas the mechanical exfoliation helps to clear dead skin. 

I think it's a great product to have for special occasions when you want extra-smooth skin. I can imagine actors using it to help improve skin which is loaded with makeup daily and deals with travelling and lack of sleep. 

Overall

I have to say I like products which give me an instant change to the skin. I don't think it has anti-aging effects but if your skin can tolerate the tingling and the ingredients it's a great mask to pamper yourself for special occasions. 

I keep mentioning special occasions and not regularly because I do think it's expensive. It costs £50 for 50 ml and they also sell a small size (which is the one pictured) which contains 15 ml for £25. I would recommend trying out the small size to see if you like the product. 

I'd also like to point out that it dries out quickly so make sure you use it regularly or it might dry up before you get the chance to!

This is the sort of mask I like to have for special occasions, I like the way it leaves my skin feeling and it's powerful enough to give me an immediate effect. Unfortunately I won't be using it as a weekly face mask as it's too pricey. 

Have you tried any GlamGlow products?