The items in this post were provided free of charge, but opinions are 100% mine.
Hi!
It's not often I do a skincare post here, and that's the main reason why I don't always request samples when they're offered to me - I'm not really the type of person who knows a whole lot about various ranges and brands.
When I was asked if I'd like to try some items from organic skincare brand
Ali Mac, I had a look at the website (in truth I sat poring over the ingredients in everything for about an hour) and decided to go for it and try two products - a cleansing melt and a serum. I really like what creator Alison Macintosh stands for - finding an alternative way to look after your skin and stepping away from chemical-laden products.
All the products on the site are made with organic & natural ingredients, are free from parabens, and are not tested on animals. They don't contain any synthetic colourants or fragrances, and are also free from silicones & phtalates.
I wanted to test these over a period of time, and I've been using them for about a month now. I'll go through each one separately for you.
First up, I chose the Camellia Cleansing Melt (
available here).
The packaging is really simple and sturdy, and you can see from the consistency that there are no added colours. The one thing I did not like about this was the scent - I'd never smelled Camellia before and the first time I used it it almost took my breath away, I couldn't get to grips with it for ages and it actually put me off using it. I persevered with it, and it's actually not bad once you get used to it - it's definitely a very natural scent. If it sounds like it's not your cup of tea, there are other scents available, including Chamomile and Rose.
I used a little blob of this at night after taking my makeup off, massaged it into my face and left it for about 10 minutes, then I removed it with a cloth soaked in warm water. It definitely left my skin feeling softer and got rid of the tight feeling I get with some cleansers. It also didn't feel in any way harsh, it felt like I was nourishing my skin every time I used it. I would purchase this again, but I'd probably go for a different scent the next time.
It costs just under €25 for a 50g pot but I'm not even half way down through it yet and as I said, I've been using it for over a month.
On to the serum - I chose the Chamomile Anti-Oxidant Face Serum.
This is available to purchase
here. It's a restorative treatment serum (Nature's Botox, apparently) rich in Chamomile, Rosehip, Jojoba & Avocado. This scent and I got along much better, it's really fresh and clean. I used a couple of drops of this every night after using the cleansing melt and it's an absolute joy to rub it into the skin. I have suffered with dry patches around my nose for years - pregnancy has made no difference - but after a month of using the two products, my skin looks bright and clear in the morning. Even with the recent spell of hot weather, my hair and lips have been looking a bit worse for wear but the skin hasn't dried out on my face at all. While the cleansing balm makes me feel like every bit of muck is off my face, I'm completely crediting the serum with the improvement in my skin in general. A little goes a long way though - I loaded too much on the first time and felt a bit oily. 2-3 drops is plenty.
I love this product, and I'm still using it religiously. It costs just over €40 for 30ml, which is pricey enough, but again - I'm nowhere near a quarter of the way through it after a month of use. It's also available in different variations.
Ali Mac also cater for male skin and babies, their "
New Baby" gift set is something I'd definitely consider buying when the twins come along. There are a wide range of products available on the website, and all the ingredients and benefits are listed on the individual item page.
Ali Mac are so confident in their brand that they also offer a money back guarantee - if you're not happy with your skincare purchases, they will refund your purchase price within 30 days of your order (minus postage).
It's always nice to find another natural brand, and I'm really thankful for the opportunity to try these products. I'll definitely be back.
You can find more info by following Ali Mac on
twitter here or
facebook here.