Fresh · Vitamin Nectar Mask & Waterlily Soap

Face masks are definitely having their ‘moment’ and thankfully consumers have a vast array to choose from. One that I’ve been really loving lately is the new Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask from Fresh; with its strong citrusy presence, it engages almost all of your senses at once — along with making your skin look great. The new Zodiac Oval Soap Collection created in collaboration with internationally known astrologer, Susan Miller, features a bar for each sign and each is as gorgeous to behold as to use (not to mention what an awesome personalized gift it’ll make. Just saying).

Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask (CAN $80.00) | Created with 50 percent real crushed fruit including oranges, lemons, and clementines — all containing natural AHA acids to gently refine and smooth the skin. This proprietary fruit complex uses a paste from lemons of the Mediterranean region to provide a double exfoliation while the AHA acid content offers a mild chemical peeling effect, leaving skin glowing and even-toned. Made without any parabens, sulfates or phthalates, and good for all skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination & sensitive.

The first thing you’ll notice upon opening this jar, is an uncanny resemblance to orange marmalade (both in smell & look — just don’t eat it, although I’m thinking it’s probably edible too, given the high levels of real fruit in the mix), followed by a wonderfully yummy citrus fragrance. To use, I recommend 2 important tips: do apply the mask while standing over a sink, as some of the its particles will certainly fall, and use a muslin-type cloth for removal which will not only make the job so much easier, but further the exfoliating effect begun with the mask itself. After having used Vitamin Nectar regularly for several weeks now, I’ve noticed that my skin is definitely brighter and more even toned, with the bonus effect of my pores appearing less noticeable and fine lines diminished. In fact, I saw an improvement the very first use, and experienced absolutely no irritation.

Fresh · Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask swatches

Waterlily Soap – Zodiac Oval Soap Collection, Cancer (CAN $18.00) | This vegetable-based oval shaped soap celebrates the water sign Cancer (me!!) and comes infused with a fresh ‘floral aquatic’ fragrance. Wrapped in a gorgeous aqua coloured paper, it’s also embellished with a small stone at the centre of the wire tie — I’m such a sucker for details like this. There is a soap for each sign of the zodiac, divided into their four groups (air, water, earth & fire) and a specific scent for each group.

As someone who ‘masks’ on the regular, I couldn’t have been more excited to try Vitamin Nectar and even though it ranks up there as of the messier masks I’ve used, it’s totally worth it for the clarity of tone it imparts to skin. Bonus points scored for it being THE best-smelling mask out there. As to the Waterlily soap, it’s absolutely gorgeous – no denying, but unfortunately the fragrance turns out to be a touch too strong for my sensitive nose. That said, I have found a new use for it in my linen closet (and my towels and linens have seriously never smelled better), and wouldn’t any one of these soaps make the perfect hostess gift for that special someone on your holiday circuit list?