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Hi ladies, thought I'd share a review with you! I got the opportunity to sample some products from a company called Zen Society through MakeupTalk. Kaitlyn, from Zen Society reached out to MUT to see if any staffers would be interested in sampling and giving feedback on some products from their line and I couldn't resist. I Googled to find more info and happened upon their website. Here's a little background info...
The company is founded by a Master Herbalist and has a holistic approach to beauty and skincare, using a wide variety of natural plants and vegetative properties to produce organic products that are USDA Certified Organic, 100% Eco-Friendly, and cruelty/vegan free! I like their slogan/motto: "Live Simply. Live Naturally. Live Beautifully." I think this brand will call to the organic and natural beauties out there, with their branding and ingredients, as well as beauties who are just looking for interesting products. Now...onto the review!
To be honest, I've only recently considered and implemented using products that are more natural or organic, free of parabens, sulphates and other chemical compounds we often find in beauty/skincare products. So this was exciting for me to try some natural and "good for you" skincare products. I was sent the Zen Society Elder Berry Toner and Replenishing Macadamia Body Oil. I was excited to receive these and found the sizes generous and packaging simple, but not boring.
Let's start off with the Elder Berry Toner. I'm familiar with toner, having sampled many through various beauty subs and purchasing several over the years. I confess, I don't always use toner, as my skin tends to lean more on the dry side. But I've noticed in the last two years, I'm getting some larger pores and want to get them under control.
Price: $18 for 8 Fl oz/236 ml
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate*, Lavandula Vera Flower Water*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate)*, Sambucus Nigra(Elderberry)* *USDA Certified Organic (100% of the ingredients used in this product are USDA Certified Organic.)
Number one thing I like about the toner is that it's alcohol free! My skin is still combo/dry, with some acne and alcohol based products just make my skin gnarly and worse. Instead, the Elder Berry Toner relies on witch hazel, a natural astringent to help with pore shrinkage and even acne; lavender water, which the company website states originates from Bulgaria and fresh wild crafted elderberry. Both ingredients are known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, gentle enough for sensitive skin and hardy enough to help cleanse skin. Per the website, the essential oils used are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Common vitamins with different benefits in skincare.
I've been using the Elder Berry Toner for two weeks, give or take a few days, and am enjoying it so far. I can't say that my pores have disappeared, but that's okay. I have yet to find a product to do that and I didn't expect it from using this. It does have a smell reminiscent of a medicinal tincture or something very herbally, but I don't find it offensive or noxious. A couple of squirts on a cotton round and run it over my T-Zone and I'm left with clean, fresh feeling skin. It doesn't leave my skin too tight or dry feeling after use, earning it another point.
On a 0-5 scale, with 5 being the best, I'd probably rate this around a 3. I would recommend trying this product as it does what it says, tone your skin, but it doesn't stand out as amazing and totally dramatic compared to other products I've used. I couldn't use this and not moisturize my skin afterward, but maybe someone with more oily skin could.
Now for the Replenishing Macadamia Body Oil.
Price: $22 for 4 Fl oz/118ml
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Macadamia Ternifolia
Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*
*USDA Certified Organic(100% of the ingredients used in this product are USDA Certified Organic)
The website and label on the bottle states this product is a fast and quick absorbing oil blend that helps to treat dry, damaged and aging skin. Other benefits listed on the website include eczema relief, nourishing and skin softening, and helps to relieve dryness, itchiness, rashes, sores, and burns. I don't suffer any of those maladies, but nice to know I could still use it in those circumstances.
My take.... I love this oil! It feels rich and smooth, warms up in my hands nicely, and it only takes a few pumps to cover an arm. I use this after getting out of the shower or bath and again on my hands before bed. I haven't used my regular body lotion because this is moisturizing enough, which is a major plus. It does absorb quickly into my skin, without that leaving that greasy feeling. I love that it smells of macadamia initially as I'm applying it, but fades away gently and doesn't compete with other perfumes I use and think might not be compatible in layering. I'll be repurchasing this and can't wait to see how it performs in the winter months, which can really take a toll and zap my skin of moisture.
I would rate this 4 out of 5, only because I'm not sure if a spray nozzle would be better. I might just be a little clumsy, though. I dropped this once or twice and got the dispenser turned around during use, since my hands were slathered in product lol. Not a deterrent, though. I really like this product and am totally happy with it.
Thanks to Kaitlyn, Zen Society, and MUT for the opportunity to try these products and review!
The company is founded by a Master Herbalist and has a holistic approach to beauty and skincare, using a wide variety of natural plants and vegetative properties to produce organic products that are USDA Certified Organic, 100% Eco-Friendly, and cruelty/vegan free! I like their slogan/motto: "Live Simply. Live Naturally. Live Beautifully." I think this brand will call to the organic and natural beauties out there, with their branding and ingredients, as well as beauties who are just looking for interesting products. Now...onto the review!
To be honest, I've only recently considered and implemented using products that are more natural or organic, free of parabens, sulphates and other chemical compounds we often find in beauty/skincare products. So this was exciting for me to try some natural and "good for you" skincare products. I was sent the Zen Society Elder Berry Toner and Replenishing Macadamia Body Oil. I was excited to receive these and found the sizes generous and packaging simple, but not boring.
Let's start off with the Elder Berry Toner. I'm familiar with toner, having sampled many through various beauty subs and purchasing several over the years. I confess, I don't always use toner, as my skin tends to lean more on the dry side. But I've noticed in the last two years, I'm getting some larger pores and want to get them under control.
Price: $18 for 8 Fl oz/236 ml
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate*, Lavandula Vera Flower Water*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate)*, Sambucus Nigra(Elderberry)* *USDA Certified Organic (100% of the ingredients used in this product are USDA Certified Organic.)
Number one thing I like about the toner is that it's alcohol free! My skin is still combo/dry, with some acne and alcohol based products just make my skin gnarly and worse. Instead, the Elder Berry Toner relies on witch hazel, a natural astringent to help with pore shrinkage and even acne; lavender water, which the company website states originates from Bulgaria and fresh wild crafted elderberry. Both ingredients are known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, gentle enough for sensitive skin and hardy enough to help cleanse skin. Per the website, the essential oils used are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Common vitamins with different benefits in skincare.
I've been using the Elder Berry Toner for two weeks, give or take a few days, and am enjoying it so far. I can't say that my pores have disappeared, but that's okay. I have yet to find a product to do that and I didn't expect it from using this. It does have a smell reminiscent of a medicinal tincture or something very herbally, but I don't find it offensive or noxious. A couple of squirts on a cotton round and run it over my T-Zone and I'm left with clean, fresh feeling skin. It doesn't leave my skin too tight or dry feeling after use, earning it another point.
On a 0-5 scale, with 5 being the best, I'd probably rate this around a 3. I would recommend trying this product as it does what it says, tone your skin, but it doesn't stand out as amazing and totally dramatic compared to other products I've used. I couldn't use this and not moisturize my skin afterward, but maybe someone with more oily skin could.
Now for the Replenishing Macadamia Body Oil.
Price: $22 for 4 Fl oz/118ml
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Macadamia Ternifolia
Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*
*USDA Certified Organic(100% of the ingredients used in this product are USDA Certified Organic)
The website and label on the bottle states this product is a fast and quick absorbing oil blend that helps to treat dry, damaged and aging skin. Other benefits listed on the website include eczema relief, nourishing and skin softening, and helps to relieve dryness, itchiness, rashes, sores, and burns. I don't suffer any of those maladies, but nice to know I could still use it in those circumstances.
My take.... I love this oil! It feels rich and smooth, warms up in my hands nicely, and it only takes a few pumps to cover an arm. I use this after getting out of the shower or bath and again on my hands before bed. I haven't used my regular body lotion because this is moisturizing enough, which is a major plus. It does absorb quickly into my skin, without that leaving that greasy feeling. I love that it smells of macadamia initially as I'm applying it, but fades away gently and doesn't compete with other perfumes I use and think might not be compatible in layering. I'll be repurchasing this and can't wait to see how it performs in the winter months, which can really take a toll and zap my skin of moisture.
I would rate this 4 out of 5, only because I'm not sure if a spray nozzle would be better. I might just be a little clumsy, though. I dropped this once or twice and got the dispenser turned around during use, since my hands were slathered in product lol. Not a deterrent, though. I really like this product and am totally happy with it.
Thanks to Kaitlyn, Zen Society, and MUT for the opportunity to try these products and review!
/emoticons/
