Review | Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser

Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser | £23.00 | Link

When it comes to skincare, Origins would have to be one of my favourite brands. I've been seriously impressed by their face masks and moisturisers so when I heard they'd released a new moisturiser named 'GinZing' that promises to energise tierd looking skin, I couldn't wait to give it a try. It went straight on my wish list the day it was released but as I already had other mositurisers I was using at the time, I decided I could wait until Christmas to get it as a gift or with some of my Christmas money. I unwrapped it on Christmas morning from my other half (he's a good en for listening to my beauty rambles) and I've been using it every day since. I'm utterly in love with the stuff.

Before deciding whether I wanted to try this moisturiser, I did a lot of research and read a tonne of other bloggers reviews to see whether it was something that would suit my skin type. The reason I was quite cautious of buying it without doing my research first is because I bought the Gin Zing eye cream on a whim and wasn't blown away by it due to its shimmery finish. I was hoping the moisturiser would have a different formula, depsite the two products having the same name and bright orange packaging. Thankfully the moisturiser contains no shimmer at all and instead its a white lotion that has a gel like texture and almost looks like wobbly jelly in the pot.

One thing I'd read on almost every review of this product is that it smells like fresh Oranges and as I'm mad about citrus scents, I think thats one of the main reasons I originally wanted to try it in the first place. I find citrus scented products so energising (think Sugar Crush from Soap and Glory) and having tried the Origins 'Night-a-mins' moisturiser which also smells like Oranges, I knew it would smell just as delicious. I wasn't wrong and I have to say, it smells bloomin amazing. I actually look forward to putting it on my face each morning as it instantly makes me and my skin feel revitalised! As well as smelling yummy, I also love the lightweight texture and think its the perfect moisturiser for day time wear. The oil-free formula is a bonus too as its perfect for my combination skin and gives me just the right amount of moisture without feeling heavy or making my t-zone look oily. I also find it really brightens up my whole face and gives me a really healthy looking glow. I think that's thanks to ingredients like Ginseng and Coffee Bean which boost the skin and according to Origins, "jumpstart hydration levels". They also describe it as a "skin energy drink" and I'd definitely agree with that statement as it instantly wakes me up after I've just about managed to drag  myself out of bed.

I also think this moisturiser makes a great base for makeup thanks to its radiance boosting benefits and lightweight texture. I don't like to wear anything too heavy beneath my makeup and always opt for something lighter in the morning than I do in the evening so this is perfect for me. However, if you suffer with very dry skin and like to wear something really hydrating morning and night, this probably won't be your cup of tea. I'd say its more suited to normal, oily and combination skin types. 

Overall, I absolutely adore this moisturiser and I can't fault it in any way. At £23.00, its in the slightly more affordable zone than some of Origins other products but the quality remains the same. If you're looking for a lightweight moisturiser that will plump your skin, add a boost of radiance and prep your face for makeup, look no further than Origins GinZing.

 Have you tried the Origins GinZing moisturiser? Do you love it as much as me?

Lots of Love,

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Origins Face Masks

Origins Face Masks | Link

From time to time I love nothing more than having a pamper in the bath and treating my skin to a face mask. They’re a lovely little treat when you’re feeling a bit stressed and need to wind down or if your skin needs some tender loving care. The face masks I tend to reach for on a regular basis are from Origins as I got a set of three of their most popular masks for Christmas. All of them are designed for various skin concerns so I always know I’ll have something on hand when my skin is feeling a bit lack-lustre. I’m going to do a mini review of each of them explaining what they are, how they work and if they work for me. Keep reading to find out more ...

Clear Improvement | £22.00 | Active charcoal mask to clear pores

This would have to be my most used Origins mask as its brilliant at clearing my skin when it feels congested. Clear Improvement is a charcoal based mask and when applied to the skin the active charcoal works like a magnet to draw pore-clogging impurities out of the skin. Although its not the most attractive or comfortable mask to wear (its dark grey and sets like clay on the skin) and you will look like you’ve been rolling around in a pool of mud when you’re wearing it, it does exactly what it says on the bottle, clears the skin. As someone with combination skin, my t-zone is prone to oiliness which can then lead to blocked pores and pimples. However, when I use this mask, my skin looks instantly clear. I know its a bold claim to make but I feel like my pores and any impurities are dramatically reduced after just one use of this mask. If you’ve ever been for a facial, you’ll know how clear your skin looks afterwards – so clear its almost white. Well, this mask has the same effect. If like me you suffer with combination or oily skin, I can’t recommend this mask enough. When used once a week, it really keeps all the grime and dirt that gets under the skin at bay.

Drink Up | £22.00 | 10 minute mask to quench skin's thirst 

Origins most famous mask would have to be the ‘Drink Up Intensive’ that can be applied before bed and left to work wonders while you get some shut eye. I haven’t actually tried that one myself but this ‘Drink Up’ mask is essentially the same thing, just a tad less intensive. Unlike the intensive mask, this one is left on for ten minutes to inject the skin with moisture. I find this one very nice to use in the Autumn/Winter months when my skins feeling dry as my skin really does ‘drink it up’ as the name states. It’s quite a thick mask but it feels very comfortable and doesn’t set hard. I can feel it sinking into my skin straight after application and once I’ve left it on for ten minutes (sometimes longer depending on how dry my skin in) I wipe away any excess and am left with soft, smooth and plump looking skin. It smells like peaches too which I can’t complain about. To conclude, this is a great mask if you suffer with dry skin or if you just fancy injecting your skin with a big fat dose of hydration.

Out of Trouble | £22.00 10 minute mask to rescue problem skin

Of all three Origins masks I own, this is my least used due to the fact I'm quite lucky and don't suffer with problematic or blemish prone skin. However, now and again, a volcanic like zit will erupt on my face so its nice to have this product sat in my bathroom cupboard ready to sort my face out in times of need. The first thing I noticed about this mask was the distinctive smell as I personally think it smells like vicks chest rub but I think thats down to the Zinc Oxide, Sulfur and Camphor ingredients. I can't say its the most pleasent thing to slather all over my face but if it helps keep spots at bay, what the hell. I think this is designed to be used once or twice a week if you suffer with oily skin to prevent unwanted spots appearing. However, as I don't suffer with spots all that often, I tend to use this when one appears to help reduce it and prevent anymore from popping up. I slather it on my face for the recommended ten minutes and although it tingles and sets hard which isn't the most comfortable sensation, I feel like its working. I notice a difference straight after removing this mask and find it helps reduce the size and redness of any beasty spots. I'd recommend this to anyone who suffers with oily, combination and blemish prone skin. It won't give you flawless blemish free skin after one use but it'll certainly help out in the long run.

So there we have it, my thoughts on three Origins face masks. I really like all of them and love the fact they can all be used for a different skin concern. With these three masks sitting in my cupboard, I'll be ready to take on any skin scenario!

Do you like using face masks? Have you tried any of these Origins ones? 

Lots of Love,

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Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins

Hi Ladies! So if you read my 'Christmas Gift Guide' here you might of seen me mention that I've got a few bits and pieces from Origins coming my way this Christmas. I had been lusting after their 'Gin Zing' eye cream for ages so when my lovely mum said I could choose a few presents, I decided to pop over to Origins and see what they had to offer. To my pleasent surprise they were offering free gift wrapping and FOUR free samples with any order over £30 so that gave me the little push I needed to finally order the eye cream I've heard such great things about. I popped it in my basket along with a concealer and picked out the four free mini samples I would like to receive, one of them being the High-Potency Night-A-Mins. I felt very content with my order and got them delivered to my house back in the Lake District as they are Christmas presents after all and my mum wanted to wrap them. However, when I went home to visit a couple of weeks ago, mum said I could use the samples before Christmas as they weren't technically part of my gift.

I have to say I was a bit disappointed I'd only been sent three samples as apposed to the stated four on the website but nevertheless I couldn't wait to give them a try. I was however very happy with the generous 30ml 'Night-A-Mins' sample I was sent. The full-sized product is 50ml so I thought this was an excellent offer and I couldn't wait to start using it.

I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and let me tell you - I am IN LOVE. Firstly, it smells of oranges which I absolutely love and when I first opened the pot I sat sniffing it for a good few minutes like a total weirdo (it really is that amazing!). I also noticed on first glance that it was an extrememly thick, some might say, 'gloopy' cream which worried me as I suffer with an oily t-zone. I'm sure most of you are aware that heavy creams and oily skin are NOT a good combination but being the good little blogger that I am, I of course had to try it out anyway. That night I popped it all over my face which might I add only required the tiniest amount so this 30ml tub will last me a long time and I was quite shocked by how it felt on my skin. It isn't heavy in any way, it instantly sunk in without leaving a horrible residue behind and my skin felt instantly moisturised and nourished. I've been using this every night since I received it (it's found a permanent home on my bedside table) and I would go as far as saying it's the most lovely night cream I have ever used. I find my skin looks so much better in the morning if I use this the night before, it appears more radiant and plumed up with a healthy glow. It certainly lives up to it's description on the Origins website -

'Put dullness to rest. Wake up radiant & refreshed. Now nature's famed night cream is newly fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers plus Vitamins C, E & H, minerals & moisture-rich replenishers. While relaxing aromas lull you to sleep, skin sloughs away dry, dead layers. Helps the appearance of dullness.'

They sample I was sent is the original version which is aimed at those with combination/dry skin but they also offer an oil-free version for those with oily skin. Like I said earlier, my skin is prone to an oily t-zone but the original version has in no way made my skin oilier. However, if that is something that concerns you, the oil-free version is a great alternative. I will certainly be buying the full-size version of this product when this one eventually runs out. It's available on the Origins website here for £33 which is expensive but it will last a long time.

Have you ever tried Origins products? I'm super excited to get the rest of my goodies on Christmas morning now I've dipped my toes into the world of Origins.


Lots of Love,