![\"Samantha](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lifeabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/img_1452-1.jpg?resize=1124%2C1498\")
Whilst a refreshing Mojito or three may temporarily quench your thirst, it would appear they do nothing for your complexion. Who knew?! (Ok: I knew). Chuck in 35-degree heat, a bout of food poisoning, and bucketloads of chlorine from various swimming pools, and my face was looking a little…well, lived in<\/em>, shall we say? I\u2019ve heard that up to the age of 35 you get the face you want, and after that you get the face you deserve. Unfortunately, that would appear to be true – my face is as creased as the clothes I brought back from my trip. I certainly look like I had a tough paper-round as a teenager.<\/p>\n So when invited to try The Escential Co\u2019s Dead Sea Mud Mask<\/span><\/strong><\/a> recently I jump at the chance to pamper my prune-like face; greeting the Amazon delivery guy like a long-lost relative and tearing open the package with glee as soon as I close the front door.<\/p>\n Being something of a beauty nazi, I scrutinise the ingredients list, looking for baddies \ud83e\uddd0: parabens<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, paraffin<\/span><\/strong><\/a> and petroleum<\/span><\/strong><\/a>-industry by-products in general are skincare no-nos in my book. This product’s list of contents is fine by me, however; it’s packed with skin-nourishing goodies such as mineral-rich sea silt<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, kaolin<\/span> <\/strong><\/a>(natural clay), shea butter,<\/span><\/strong><\/a> natural\u00a0plant oils<\/span><\/strong>, aloe vera<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, tocopherol acetate<\/span><\/strong><\/a> (vitamin E), and sodium hyaluronate<\/span><\/strong><\/a> (a natural skin hydrator).<\/p>\n I whip the jar out of the box for the next test: the fragrance. It\u2019s not a total dealbreaker if the aroma is not my favourite so long as the product delivers on its promises, but this does actually smell good: fresh, clean, earthy, natural.<\/p>\n Happy that it\u2019s ticking the boxes so far, I cleanse my face and slap on a thick layer, avoiding the eyes. You\u2019d think that part was obvious, but having worked in the beauty industry for many years, you\u2019d be amazed what people do with their products:<\/p>\n Customer: \u201cI\u2019d like to return this eye cream, it made my eyes all red and watery.\u201d<\/p>\n Me: \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that Madam, could you please explain how you were using it?\u201d<\/p>\n Customer: \u201cWell, I just put this much on (massive blob) and then rub it all over my eyelids and right under my eyes, close to my lashes, like this.\u201d (Vigorously rubs aforementioned blob practically onto her eyeballs).<\/p>\n Me: \u201cHmmm. I think I can see what the problem is….\u201d (eye cream only goes on the orbital bone, a rice-grain amount patted on using your ring-finger – but I know you know that).<\/p>\n Anyway, I digress. So I scoop out the vitamin-rich mud, which is satisfyingly thick and luxurious, smear it on and relax in the bath with a large Sauvignon (optional; but preferable, I find). The mask feels cool and tingly, and after a while hardens ever so slightly. The thicker the layer, the less it\u2019ll dry, which I prefer. A very thin layer dries more and can crack, feeling a bit uncomfortable.<\/p>\n After 15 minutes, or approximately half a glass of wine, I rinse it off, pat dry, and feel my face with the back of my hand. It\u2019s smooth, glowing and feels plumped, the tingly sensation being the increase in circulation which delivers that much-needed radiance boost. If you have particularly sensitive skin or rosacea you might prefer to focus this product on the t-zone, or leave it on for slightly less time. If you\u2019re prone to reactions, I’d recommend doing a patch test before trying any new product, even those containing natural ingredients like this one.<\/p>\n The clay is great for drawing out impurities (best give me a bucketload of the stuff then!) and the aloe vera soothes and calms. Salicylic acid<\/span><\/strong><\/a> is great for healing spots (spots and<\/em> wrinkles?! Yes, dear reader, sadly I have both), and the plant oils nourish dry skin.<\/p>\n My verdict? It’s a thumbs up emoji from me.<\/p>\n My little piece of heaven is a soak in a bubble bath with a pampering face mask and an episode of First Dates<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, so this little gem will be seeing a lot more bathroom action over the coming weeks, I\u2019m sure. And if I look really<\/em> rough, I could always just leave it on…<\/p>\n So if you can\u2019t squeeze in a trip to the Dead Sea<\/span><\/strong><\/a> in the near future, bring the Dead Sea to your house. Whack this mask on your face (and body, if you like), add some Dead Sea Salts to your bath for extra regenerative salty goodness, close your eyes and let your imagination take you there…<\/p>\n Oh, and did you know that the Dead Sea is not actually a sea at all? It\u2019s a lake. You\u2019re welcome. Enjoy!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lifeabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/img_2633.jpg?resize=1124%2C1500\")
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