Donna Marie Free Spirit Face Scrub Review

I received this face scrub as a part of a trial team and it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride!

I should start by saying that on the day it was delivered we were having quite hot weather. I didn't really think about it much when I opened the little pot which had melted so I did spill some. Thankfully not much but it was enough that I was smelling rosemary and frankincense for the rest of the day. It was an unexpectedly strong scent so I was a little concerned about putting it on my skin. I don't have sensitive skin but the scent was so strong that it was concerning all the same. I was also a bit taken aback by the appearance of the scrub. It was an unusual green-grey colour and a little "lumpy" This did improve a lot once it had firmed up again later though.

The instructions on both the jar and the website were "Use on face, wash off with wet cloth". I did feel this could have a bit more explaination with it. I wasn't sure how much to use, how often to use it etc. Also, me being a rebel, I didn't think I'd need a cloth to wash it off. Spoiler alert, I was wrong.

I started by using it in the evenings (in the shower) as it claims to be sedative and relaxing. I found I didn't really need a huge amount, and due to this my little pot is going the distance. I rubbed it into my skin in little circular motions, concentrating particularly on my forehead as I've found lately it was becoming a bit congested and "bumpy". When I went to rinse it off I quickly discovered that one of the ingredients is Organic Coconut Oil, and clearly oil is quite good at repelling water which is where the wet cloth comes in handy. I kept trying to wipe/scrub it off (while being careful not to pull my skin) but didn't seem to really be getting anywhere. I was tempted to use one of my old face washes to remove the oil that was seemingly glued to my skin but decided that for the sake of the trial I'd ride it out and see what happens. That's when the magic really started. Once I got out of the shower and patted my face dry I noticed my skin felt so soft and smooth. My pores were smaller and my moisturiser glided over my skin so easily. I also noticed that my usually oily skin stayed normal for much longer before the oil started, and it didn't get as oily as it usually would.

As I said earlier, the instructions didn't specify how often to use the scrub so I decided to use it daily in place of my usual exfoliator. I haven't noticed any excess build-up from the coconut oil. My skin isn't breaking out, I have less blackheads, and my skin is still nice and smoothe with smaller pores.

Some of the other effects listed on the website include soothing the mind/body/soul, being sedative, helping with anxiety, relaxing, and promoting a rest-full mind. I have to say that I didn't notice any of those effects on me but that's not to say that it wouldn't help anyone else with those issues.

I'd definitely repurchase this face scrub, and would recommend it to others.

Let me begin by saying it is overall, a great product. The scrub is all natural which is a massive winner, and it left my skin feeling really nice and supple. Buuut, the smell was definitely a turn off. Mixture of rotten eggs and seaweed, tough one to move past - seems like there was a hint of something sweet, but that made the stink even more confusing. I liked that the exfoliating particles were tiny chunks of nature, but some where a little too chunky, and caused discomfort. The oil base was a little strange to get used to, i felt like it was a little on the tricky side to wash off, however the leftover residue was obviously the moisturizing aspect. No breakouts, and no sensitive skin reactions - yay! Would be an all around winner if the smell could be improved, but this is a small price to pay for a fully natural product.

My first impression of this face mask was i don't know if i want to use it. So many smells going on and the colour was weird, but i tried it and WOW i loved it. It is an Antioxident and exfoliating product in one. Its like magic in a pottle it seriously does everything. Even with anxiety which i suffer from and I put it on right before bed its so relaxing and eases the mind. I highly recommend it to anyone that suffers with anxiety.

I was super excited about trialing this product but to my disappointment it arrived and was left in the sun by the courier so it melted the contents. I dont know if this tainted the ingredients but the formula gave the most horrid smell, but it could be my nostrils not appreciating the sandalwood/frankincense oil smells. The ingredients are amazing, so natural, which prompted me to still give the scrub a go! The texture is odd, oily yet full of grainy bits and crushed rosemary. It was very oily on the face (would be perfect to remove makeup) and i ended up dropping a lot of the ingredients over the sink. It definitely leaves your face feeling very moisturised, not so much scrubbed though. I am keen to try this as a mask when i get a spare chance (and before the weather gets hotter). Not sure i would repurchase unless i can get used to the scent :)

I am so not sure on this product. It arrived and smelled like my favourite day spa. The scent was from heaven, but opening the jar revealed goop. Green goop with chunky bits. When the room was warm, this product turned to mush and on colder mornings, it was hardened in the pottle.

It definitely exfoliates, but the large seeds in it are really quite off putting and didn't really seem to provide much benefit. When the goop was solid, it was easy to spread across the face, but the warmth from my skin soon made it "melt" and it was running down my face, neck and onto my chest. It made a real mess, not just of my face/neck but also the sink.

The only thing I really loved about this was the scent, but I really dislike the mess and the product (in)consistency. I wouldn't use this as a mask, because I don't believe it stays put long enough to pass off as a mask, and the scrub effect is very, very, very gentle.

This gorgeous face scrub/mask arrived in a small white container, without over branding, or excess packaging, the labelling was kept simple. Easy instructions clear typing, with a list of ingredients on the back. On opening I noticed the contents had moved somewhat but that was ok, that night it was put to the test, after reading the label, I chose to use In the shower, the label washed off due to humidity, (but I had already read it so wasn't to fussed) it felt gritty to begin with and you can really smell the sulphur in it, I examined the scrub saw the seeds, and multiple other natural products and the essential oil smells slowly came through. Washing it off, the product did leave a almost fatty like residue but it came off after a bit more washing. The following week I used as a face mask, and this is where the product shone through, easy to apply easy to relax and let the scent of naturalist take you, face felt cleaner clearer and looked a lot more defined, the scrub has managed to remove impurities within my skin and knowing I'm not putting get loads of chemicals on has been a hit with me. I would like to of known what its base was as that was not printed on the label but otherwise this product seems to live up to its description. Great to see a very natural product o the market

First off, I LOVED the packaging, very cute, love that it seemed hand made, and made in NZ. It was a gentle scrub which was nice, great for sensitive skin or for a daily scrub. I found it VERY emollient, almost too much for my skin, I think it would be great on very dry skin types but with my combo skin, I felt like I really needed to use a cleanser to get all the oils off after. My main issue with it, personally, was the scent. Scent is a very personal thing, so I still recommend trying this scrub if the rest of it sounds like it would be good for you, but the scent was enough to put me off. After a few times using it on my face to get a good feel of how it works, I've switched to just using it on my body as I don't like the scent and can't stand it near my nose.