Luxury Oils & Balms

My love, admiration and respect for oils and lush balms is known to every shred of living organism on planet earth. Generally the variety and choices of these lush treatments vary between high, mid and low end. Below are my chosen indulgences and absolute treats for my skin. The price points are insane, however the one off feeling they provide is irreplaceable with instant gratification.

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon would come as no surprise to absolutely any skincare lover. Before trying this product, I heard umpteen number of rave reviews but always held slight skpeticism. Eventually I folded and indulged and much to my surprise (and secret high expctations) all claims, rave reviews, gushes, & hypes stood true.

The balm is a treat for the skin. It smell insanely divine and melts away all the stresses. It helps calm my skin down from any inflammation, irritation, redness, or dryness ($160 50ml – $3.2 per ml).

Mahalo The Rare Indigo Balm is my joy ride. As soon as I open the jar I find myself sniffing the pot like K9 unit at the airport. I take forver doing my routine with this bad boy, because I spend more time sticking my snout in the pot than actual application on skin. Very easily carried away, but a little goes a long way. The texture and consistency of this balm is what make it sooooo unique and delectable ($110 30ml – $3.67 per ml).

Darphin 8 Flower Nectar is a walk in a garden. Slightly different texture to regular oils but good heavens this oil is Flowery Dreaminess… Glorified! Darphin also have individual flower facial elixirs like Chamomile, Rose, Jasmine, Niaouli, Tangerine, and Orange Blossom. Now imagine a congregation of all these lovely florals coming together for an orgasmic union. I reserve this oil for when I truly need a pick me up, when I feel world is crashing down on me (yes hormones I’m referring to you) or when my skin has behaved so darn well it deserves an incredibly euphoric treat ($150 15ml – $10 per ml).

Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Oil was a complete surprise in a 12ml bottle. Picked up with zero expectations and it surpassed everything else. Ingredient wise, possibly the most unique on this list (refer to my review, you’ll know what I mean) and has a certain richness about it. This brand came at my forefront because of this oil and I can unbashedly admit it was “the discovery” of 2015 for me (INR 1,890 Rs157.50 per ml, USD $53 12ml – $4.4 per ml).

MV Organic Skincare Rose Plus Booster Oil is an oldie but always a Goodie!! I’m an old lady at heart and soul and I’m obsessed with anything Rose. But we know rose scents are so awfully plagarised in the market and we’ve all come across hideous, synthetic, nauseating, vile versions of rose. All that….until you come across this unsuspecting bottle of rose heaven. Blended with Camellia, Jojoba, Rosehip, Rose Damascena Oil, Geranium, Rosemary, basically a pinnacle of perfection. Top marks for its versatility in use with a cleanser, mask, oils and creams. Skin is calm, stable and “sensible” the following morning (USD$120 $3.42 per ml, AUD$99 $2.8 per ml, GBP £72.00 35ml -£2.05 per ml).

Hope you’ve enjoyed this read, tell me what are fave oil indulgences? I would love to expand this palette.

HHW.com

xx

Advertisement

The Rare Indigo Balm by Mahalo Care

Mahalo Care was introduced into my life at the ‘A Night for Green Beauty’ event earlier in August 2015. I met beautiful Maryna and she shared her introductory kit with me. I experienced the Mahalo Magic (as I like to call it) with Pele Mask (face mask), Vitality Elixir (face oil), Vacation Glow (body oil) and Mahalo Balm (multi purpose balm).

The packaging, scent, textures and more importantly the performance of these products set me in the right frame for wanting more. This post is not a review on each of those products but a review on The Rare Indigo Balm (recent release).

WHAT is it? The Rare Indigo Balm site says:

This radically-different soothing renewal treatment is bursting with formidable anti-inflammatory phytonutrient infusion, collagen-fostering vitamin C ester, high-content of antioxidants and replenishing essential fatty-acids  to lower oxidation damage in stressed tissue, allowing the skin to be hydrated, nourished and youthful. The Rare Indigo® beauty balm is supercharged with clinically-tested rare extract of the indigo plant and potent anti-inflammatory, chamazulene-rich actives, making this skin-renewing balm an opulent skin treat.

Packaging: Housed in a classic Mahalo bamboo jar (twist open), which is relatively light weight and great for travel. Once I twist open the jar, it mesmerizes me, holds me captive and whisks me away in another world. I really really really wish Mahalo would release a perfume in this scent, and I will be the first to get it.

Aroma: Suave, crisp with vanilla-sweet undertones, highlighted with refined florals of rose otto, ambrette (hibiscus), helichrysum, ylang ylang and iris. 

I couldn’t have described it better, its exactly every word spelled out. When I take a whiff, these are the words that come to you: crisp, night floral developing to sweet vanilla at back end. Yeah I’m very raw at describing scents.

Mahalo also adds, It swirls around your nose like a refreshing night-air, only to dissipate, leaving you relaxed, and renewed – Yessss without a shadow of doubt!

This balm can be used by anyone especially with dry, dehydrated, stressed, inflamed, irritated skin would make a perfect candidate. Although if you dislike or are sensitive to scents, fragrances or essentials oils please proceed with caution or consult with Mahalo.

I tend to use this after toning, OR after serum instead of my usual face oil or moisturizer. On days with a bitter wind chill factor (-25C), I like to use this under makeup (keeps skin hydrated and makeup sits better), this is a treat and pamper for skin to be enjoyed.

 

Rare Indigo balm the tiniest bit goes a long way. The texture and consistency is the one factor that baffles me the most and leaves with a loss of words. Here’s why:

Texture – solid balm (especially during cooler months) but it almost feels like ‘gel oil balm’. If you’ve used this, please help me with describing texture. I don’t know how Mahalo achieved that since the consistency is that of a balm. Once spread on skin, it possesses the texture of an oil. No greasy feel on skin, instantly absorbs, the aroma lingers on the skin for a bit (so I keep sniffing myself).

So you ask when can this product be used? Well anytime, but especially delighful in a Spa routine after an intense peel or microderm, OR long haul flights (yes my flight time from Chicago – Melbourne kills my skin) OR Wine tasting trips, OR Desert safari (seriously!) OR sitting in a Heated environment all day!

The situations I have described are quite dramatic but, this balm is incredible for hydrating and plumping my skin. From a Raisin to a Grape. Plus it has helped me soothe irritation and slight inflammation. It’s just a fabulous treat, I find myself walking past my skincare drawer and I open this jar only to inhale the heavenly aroma.

As with any balm the versatility is excellent. Ideally used on face, but like any other balm I perceive it to be multi purpose and multi tasking. Cuticles, hands, lips, under eyes. Personally I’ll stick with my face.

HOW does it compare to its sibling aka Mahalo Balm?

Just like siblings – they’re related and nurtured by same mother, although they have different qualities, ingredients, colour and personality.

Maryna mentioned on her Instagram post that she has poured her heart in each of these lush bamboo pots and when you’d use this balm you will completely feel it and fall head over heels.

$110 for 30ml

HHW.com

xx