Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask

OK I know you've seen this picture a hundred times but I'm busy and it serves a purpose. Bear with.

What is it?

A clay mask or in the brand's words:

'This supercharged Goddess Skin Clay Mask is based on an ancient Mediterranean beauty recipe, which combines gentle yet nutrient-rich Spanish clay with Sweet Almond Oil, prized for its nourishing properties.'

Who is it for?

Everyone, but especially lovers of luxurious clay masks.

What’s in it?

Aqua (water), Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum (fragrance), Hexy Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

*all listed on CharlotteTilbury.com - thank you!

What's not in it?

parabens, mineral oil, shea butter

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

fragrance

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

A bit of both. But CT makes no 'green' claims (thank God).

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?

No/No

How does it smell?

Nice, light, subtle - a little floral but not overpowering (to me).

How does it feel on the skin?/Absorption rate?

Feels like a soft cream moisturiser, doesn't really absorb, but then that's the idea. :)

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?

Whenever you feel the need. I don't tend to clay more than once a week but that's because I don't have the energy.

How long before you should see results?

Immediately. When you've used a clay mask your skin should feel fairly smooth, pores should appear more under control and the kin should look a little matte, but not feel dry.

How long did I test it for?

I've had this since it came out and used it probably 5/6 times?

How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?

£45.00 for 75ml. How long it lasts is obviously entirely up to you and how heavy-handed you are. I would expect it to last me over six months, easy.

What’s good about it?

Although it's a complete contradiction in terms of ingredients, they work. Using clay in a glycerin and oil base may seem odd, but I really like this mask. It's extremely comfortable on the skin, and very gentle. Applies beautifully, absorbs to just the right level (the titanium dioxide helps prevent it going deeper), and feels really good. Afterwards my skin is super-soft, my pores look aligned (if that's a suitable word for pores?), and it may just be in my head, but I swear my skin is more even-toned. If you have an oilier skin than I do, you could happily use this a few times a week without it causing further issues. Would reach for this on any day, whether it's a proper full-on Sunday Facial, as in the picture above, or a 'My skin looks like pants, what can I quickly grab?' day.

A good egg.

What’s not so good about it?

Product-wise, it contains fragrance, so avoid if that is an issue for you. The only real problem is with the claims on the product, rather than the product itself. The great thing about Charlotte is the energy and enthusiasm she has for her work and her brand. She is absolutely one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, both inside the industry and out, but sometimes the product claims are a little 'out there'. 

There is no way a clay mask would 'dramatically lift' the skin, without a surgeon and stitches to help it along. It won't 'tighten' pores either - at least not long-term. Clay absolutely absorbs excess sebum (and water) when you use it, leaving the skin looking like your pores have seen the benefit, like I said in the previous section, but it's vital to remember it's a quick fix, not a miracle.

Charlotte Tilbury is a luxury brand so this is an expensive clay product - I have always said that if you are on a tight budget then clay masks are where you absolutely cut costs, but I know there are a lot of you out there that just genuinely love spending your hard-earned cash on skincare *looks in the mirror sheepishly* so this is probably more for you. Like I said, if money is tight, skip this, get a Cattier mask (if you can...) and spend your money on a good serum.

Works well with?

This is actually really good with acid toners. Try it sandwiched between them for lovely, supersoft skin.

What’s the website like?

I love Charlotte's website - and one of my favourite things about it is the video content demo'ing the products. Except this one. It's awkward, with no Charlotte and just a pair of hands applying it to a model from off-camera. Would be lovely to see CT applying it on herself.

Would I purchase/repurchase?

Yes I would.

Similar products?

Lots - all the ones mentioned here for starters.

Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask is £45.00 for 75ml and available from:

UK: 

Selfridges.com

JohnLewis.com

USA:

Nordstrom.com

WORLDWIDE:

CharlotteTilbury.com

This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :) For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis. 

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

Masks - Clay/Mud/Charcoal etc

Clay masks - the easiest way to give your skin a deeper clean without being harsh or spending a fortune. The market is FULL of them but as I have said previously (on numerous occasions), if you are on a tight budget, this is where you can save money.

Cattier are a French brand that make really affordable and really good clay masks - which is great if you live in France but not so great if you don't. They're available in every pharmacy and literally cost a few euros. You can buy them in pink, white, green and yellow clay, and you can buy them ready-made or as a base powder clay that you just add your chosen liquid to. Simple.

In the mid-ranged pricing arena you can find Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask which has been a bestseller for years - and with good reason. Easy to use, light, not too much tingle, and leaves the skin soft, not dried out. Excellent.
Origins Clear Improvement has more 'oompf' and is perhaps better for an oilier skin. Another good choice, particularly if you're oilier.
Pixi's Glow Mud Mask is another easy option for all skin types and is in an aloe vera base making it softer than some, while still having a deep cleansing effect.

If you just love products and don't mind being a little more spendy, there are endless options. Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask is mud, volcanic ash, seaweed and charcoal and works a treat. It's not so good with anything other than a really dark facecloth though - be warned. This is proper, black, goop - 'scaring the kids' territory.

The luxury end, unsurprisingly, makes beautiful products that do the job but are also a pleasure to use. Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask contains pure Hungarian Black Moor Mud that is loaded with calcium and magnesium that very gently cleans the pores with no tightness or drying. Skin is soft and clean afterwards.

May Lindstrom's The Problem Solver is based with Fuller's Earth, a stronger clay, and Red Moroccan Rhassoul Clay and comes in its original powder form, to which you add equal parts liquid, make a mousse and apply, ideally leaving it on for 45 minutes or until its dry. Brilliant.

If you fancy being a bit of a kitchen sink chemist, you could also buy yourself some powdered clay in its most basic form and make your own. It's what beauty students have been doing all over the globe for years. Not as easy as squeezing a tube or opening a ready made pot, but always an option. In the UK, Baldwins have been supplying clay powders to the industry for years, and you should find similar stores local to you wherever you live with a simple google search.

Masks mentioned:
Cattier - I'm not linking to Cattier's website because I think it's corrupted. My screen started opening all sorts of games/spam when I clicked on it - just keep your eyes open in case!
Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask
Origins Clear Improvement
Pixi Glow Mud Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud
Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask
May Lindstrom The Problem Solver
G Baldwin & Co

Happy to answer specific other brand questions in the comments. :)

MASKS - An Overview

There are literally thousands of masks on the market. Endless options for all skin types and all skin conditions. So where to begin?

Masks were traditionally a quick fix or an extra boost, normally used once a week to help possibly fix whatever issue you had.
These days they're much more sophisticated and can be left on overnight, used as a 15 minute quick fix, or used under moisturisers during the day if you so desire.

So what type of mask works best for which skin? More in-depth reviews will follow but for now the briefest of overviews:

Clay
The original and most well-known type of mask, clay is traditionally used for deep cleaning, decongesting, in general it's the one you grab when you feel a bit dirty, like you need a really good clean.
Best for:
oily, combination, blackheads, breakouts, dull
Avoid if:
Check the ingredients for magnesium and avoid if you're sensitive - it can be very stimulating.

Exfoliating
These are either bead-based (I don't recommend microbead masks, I'm talking about silica/jojoba etc), enzyme or acid-based and are used to resurface the skin, slough off dead skin cells, turnover the stratum corneum (15-20 layers of dead, flattened, skin cells) a little quicker to give you smooth skin.
Best for:
dull, flaky, sallow, dry, dehydrated
Avoid if:
sensitive, easily reactive

Moisturising
Moisturising masks are usually used last and add oil-based moisture to the skin. They're the perfect mask to sleep in if you're older and contain things like shea butter and oils.
Best for:
older, premature ageing, mature, dry,
Avoid if:
oily, combination, acne-prone

Anti-ageing
This is more a sub-category but worth a mention as a lot of the hydrating/moisturising masks use 'anti-ageing' as their main focus. These will contain peptides and other trademark name ingredients, some of which you will never have heard of, some of which you will.
Best for:
older, mature skins, skins worried about signs of ageing
Avoid if:
You're 21 (under 30) and just want a quick clay mask. Save your pennies.

Hydrating

These are generally water, glycerin and hyaluronic acid based, amongst others. They work great as a quick boost for all skins but work especially well for:

dehydrated, dry, dull, - basically a one-size fits all mask

Avoid if:

literally anyone can use these masks - when in doubt, buy hydrating

Sheet Masks
Ah sheet masks. Or as you may have come to think of them: bandwagon masks (maybe that's just me). Not since the dawn of face wipes has a trend hit so quickly, and so hard. Everyone is doing a sheet mask. These gained their popularity in the Far East and show no signs of going away.
Best for:
forcing you to sit still/lie down for a while - and the benefits of the ingredients obviously..
Avoid if:
You're very sensitive. Or at least check the ingredients as sheet masks can be heavy on fragrance and alcohol. Not all, but quite a few.

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

What is it?

'This active yet gentle cleanser with 5% glycolic acid exfoliates to reveal a glowing, healthier-looking skintone.'

It's a clay cleanser.

Who is it for?

All skin types except the most sensitive - it does contain glycolic acid.

What’s in it?

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Diatomaceous Earth, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Glycolate, Lauroamphocarboxyglycinate and Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Squalane, Anthemis Nobilis Flower (Chamomile) Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Hexylene Glycol (and) Fructose (and) Glucose (and) Sucrose (and) Urea (and) Dextrin (and) Alanine (and) Glutamic Acid (and) Aspartic Acid (and) Hexyl Nicotinate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance, Chlorphenesin, Guar Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

glycolic acid - although that is rather the point :)

fragrance - essential oil based - non-synthetic

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

Both

Tested on animals/sold in China?

No/No

What's not in it?

mineral oil

SLS

How do you use it?

This is definitely a second PM cleanse or a morning cleanse. OR a less-frequent mask for skins that need a little ooomph.

Either:

Apply a small amount (10p or a quarter for US readers) to dry skin - (the pack says damp skin but I prefer dry), massage in and remove with a warm flannel

Or:

Massage in to dry skin and leave for a few minutes - they clay starts to gently harden and it literally turns into a clay mask - which you then remove with a warm flannel

*A reader just asked me on twitter why you would need this if you have the Glow Mud Mask - the mask is a proper heavy-duty, clay/bentonite mask that is great for impurities and general mask-like duties that does not contain glycolic acid.

The cleanser is a cleanser that contains glycolic acid and clay to give it extra oomph. 

One is a cleanser that you can use as a quick mask. One is a proper mask.

What’s good about it?

This has the potential to be a cult product for Pixi. Think Ceramic Slip, except more clay, not foamy and much more affordable.

It does have a little kick - due to the glycolic, so if you don't like that feeling then it's not for you. It's not however, strong.

I use on those days when you want more of a deeper cleanse, or days when I have breakouts.

What’s not so good about it?

Not much so far - you couldn't use it around the eyes, but then that's pretty obvious.

Where to use in your routine?

AM or second cleanse PM.

Similar products?

Ceramic Slip - Sunday Riley

Glam Glow Super Cleanse

Sizes available and prices?

£18.00 for 135ml available from www.pixibeauty.co.uk/glow-mud-cleanser

REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser - Review

I came across this a couple of months ago and thought it might be suitable for those days where my skin just doesn't know what it wants to do with itself. I always find clay a great neutraliser.

It's a little like restarting the computer for your skin.

I've started using it a few times a week as a second cleanse in the evenings and as a quick refresh cleanse in the mornings and am becoming addicted to it.

What's in it?

Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Water, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Oryzanol, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Zinc Gluconate, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Crataegus Oxyacantha Stem Extract, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol


I have to say from the off that I'm not obsessive about ingredients. My priority is that it functions as it advertises.

REN is genius marketing - the brand is based around being 'clean' - i.e.

and they were doing it long before most. But I will only judge it by its merits. It's all good and well being 'clean' - but it needs to work.

What's good about it?
It works.
The clay content is very evident - which I love. It feels substantial in the palm and on the face. It's more like a creamy clay mask than a milk cleanser.
Clay is the second ingredient - after camomile water. So its calming and substantial at the same time.
It contains sage and lactic acid - ingredients I love.
It kills off the surface bacteria, absorbs oil and tones pores. I love that it says 'tones' pores - rather than the usual BS of 'closing' pores - like they are doors.
Being REN, you can see when you are running out - always helpful.

It's affordable - £18.00 - for 150ml. Massive in comparison to most of its competition. Amazing value for money.

What's bad about it?
Honestly? I haven't found anything yet. And you KNOW I try.

(As an aside, I think the range is getting a little too big. It's like they've said 'ooh we're making money - let's make tons more products!! Now!!' Not necessary. No brand needs 8 cleansers. Get a grip.)
*back to the review*


Although it is aimed at blemish prone skin, I would happily recommend this to any skin type. It would make a really good weekly treatment for someone with really dry skin that was afraid of heavier clay exfoliation.

Love it. 5/5.

Available here.

Product of the Week - balance Me Radiance Face Mask

Right - I realise I should rename Beauty Mouth 'the Wednesday blog' - so apologies for the randomness - again - and thank you for your patience and support. It's never taken for granted and is always appreciated. Best I stop there before I start to sound like I'm accepting a Nobel Peace Prize.

On to this weeks's fabulous Product of the Week.

There is nothing not to love about this product. Firstly - it's made by the girls at balance Me - one of the few who when they say 'natural' they mean NATURAL. They're also lovely, lovely people. And smart. Genuine. No egos. And no - I'm not employed by them in any way. They just are.

So on to the product. I love a clay mask. We used to make them up ourselves in college as part of our training - changing the clay to reflect the client's skin. Clay is the best. Gentle, effective and cheap! Hallelujah!

The balance me Radiance Face Mask is a recent addition to the range - included in their skincare launch this year and adding to the hugely successful bath and body range they initially launched with. It contains kaolin, fruit acids (gentle), crushed walnut shells and rosemary, palma rosa, lavender and chamomile to ensure it smooths and softens while doing the job.

It has a perfect texture, gentle scent and works. No redness or irritation here people. LOVE.

If you fancy trying one for yourself the balance Me team are offering one up to a BM reader. Simply leave your name/twitter ID/email - whichever - in a comment and they'll pick a winner next week.

I told you they were nice.

balance Me Radiance Face Mask is £18.00 and is available here along with further information on the brand.

Fine print.
I paid for my mask.
Yours will be a gift from balance Me.
It's bloody lovely.