Today I will be doing a review of a beauty product from LUSH called Ultrabland, a facial cleanser with rosewater and honey to even out your skin tone, while other natural ingredients prevent breakouts and reduce acne. (Disclaimer: I am in no way being sponsored by LUSH for this review.)
This is a product that I just stumbled upon by chance. Normally, I don’t shop at LUSH (okay, more like I’d never actually shopped there), but I decided to step into their store a month ago and I’m not regretting my decision. Known for their all-natural ingredients, LUSH’s products are all extremely effective without using strange chemicals you can’t pronounce which will ultimately go on your body. After using so many products from different brand names who are known for their “acne treatment” or “oily skin control” formulas, nothing has topped this facial cleanser for me.
“A hugely popular cult product, Ultrabland is a thick, rich emulsion of essential oils, honey and beeswax to take off any make up or residue that has built up on your face throughout the day. Unlike most make up removers, Ultrabland leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished, thanks to soothing rosewater and iris flower extract. Suitable for all skin types, Ultrabland is a classic LUSH cleanser coveted by staff and customers alike for it’s effectiveness. Not so bland after all, is it?”
Ingredients: Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Rose Water (Rosa centifolia), Beeswax (Cera alba), Honey (Mel), Fresh Iris Extract (Iris florentina), Glycerine , Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Tincture of Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) , Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Price: ♔♔♔♔
For the 100g tub (which is the one I bought), it came to around $30 with tax. At first I thought it was a bit pricey, but then I realized how cost-effective it actually is. Each time I wash my face with this product, I use no more than the amount needed to fill a water bottle cap. It’s been over a month that I’ve been using Ultrabland, and I haven’t even made a dent in it. Overall, it’s more cost-effective than the 45g tub, but if you want something cheap you won’t use every single day (which will be hard because this product’s effects are irresistible), then the $17 (45g) tub may be more suitable for you.
Smell: ♔♔
Since this is a beauty product, and I am all about smell when it comes to anything, I decided that smell was an important factor to review. As you can tell by the rating, I didn’t put it too high since it does have a strange, indescribable smell to it. One of the ingredients is beeswax, and I can tell there are some hints of that mixed with honey. Otherwise, the smell isn’t too pleasant, but you don’t have to have it on your face for more than five minutes. It also does not leave any fragrance on the skin, so you don’t have to worry about it lingering. I do wish it smelled more like roses, though. That would be nice.
Application: ♔♔♔♔♔
I have no complaints with the application of this product, since it is a thick and creamy formula which you can massage right into your face. Some people like using this product at night since it does remove makeup (I can testify), but I use it in the morning when I wake up. I gather a bit of product on the tip of my finger then massage into my entire face. I leave it on while I brush my teeth, and once I’m done I wipe it off with a damp face towel (you can also use a cotton pad). To follow up I use another product by LUSH called Tea Tree Water (find my review for it here).
Effectiveness: ♔♔♔♔♔
Any time I buy a product, I have to be skeptical of it’s effectiveness. Many times, a product is advertised as extremely effective, but what they don’t tell you is how the product works. Certain chemicals have different reactions with our skin, and it’s really hard (and a waste of money) to try out 100 different products before finding a solution which works for you. Using products from LUSH, there is no dilemma since all (most of) their ingredients are natural. Your skin is left to repair itself on its own accords, while the natural compounds guide your skin along. Within two weeks of using Ultrabland, there were visibly less red patches on my face and I also have no broken out since I began my use (around 5 weeks ago). As advertised, it did even out my skin tone and has been keeping my face hydrated despite Calgary’s abysmal weather.
Overall: ♔♔♔♔♔
Despite the other categories, the sheer amazingness of this product outweighs the price and strange smell. I have recommended this product to two other people who have both come back to me with thanks. It is definitely a product I will be using for a very long time!
All photos taken by me.