All Natural, All Minerals: My AHAVA Favorites

All natural, all minerals from two extremes; this is the ambience that I transport myself to every time I apply a load of AHAVA Hand Cream in Mud (which is at least five times a day). I am so fond of my sample that it’s already half empty by the time this post is up. (It’s that good.)

AHAVA is an all natural and all minerals brand that takes pride in being the Dead Sea cosmetic brand, owing many years of research and discoveries in discovering the purity and natural richness of the Dead Sea region. But why the Dead Sea of all places? It is a basin of the greatest concentration of moisturizing minerals and age-delaying algae that helps to soothe the skin-all these grow in the driest of desert conditions. Who would have known that there is life in what we normally overlook?

I received these AHAVA products from the #Inspire bag from Sample Room except for the Dead Sea Osmoter Concentrate which came from my Sampler Buffet from Beauty Selection earlier this year. Even with just samples, I've already made up my mind about this brand.

The Eye Makeup Remover came in full size. It's just perfect timing for me to receive this because my makeup remover is about to go empty. I like that it's sheer and very lightweight and it's very helpful to have during late night events (every woman who's crazy about makeup should have a remover nearby). However, the stopper is just too wide, and it's enough to soak a whole round cotton pad, it could leave the face looking drenched in something so oily. But it effectively cleans eye makeup, there's no traces of makeup whatsoever, it's even safe to use on the whole face and even on the neck (might as well maximize a drenched cotton pad, yeah?)

The only regret I have about the Body Exfoliator is that the sample is only good for a single use. The other sample was Dead Sea Water and it was as good as empty in one of my weekend showers, but I don't regret it at all. Exfoliate, it did and I was wondering, how about if there was a body lotion to go with it, hmm? I felt like having an exfoliating experience in a high-end spa and it was a lightening experience. Perhaps I'd be sad to see this Dead Sea Mud Body Exfoliator go.

 Between these two, I'd have to say that the Hand Cream has got to be my favorite. It sits on my desk and I lather on every time I reach for it. It has a calming, soothing scent and the cream is quick absorbing and moisturizes the back of my hands and palms. I have calloused fingers because I grip pencils and write like there is no tomorrow on my notepad. I even have conditions of skin peeling in between fingers. But the hand cream was able to relieve the uber noticeable peeling skin. If anything, my hands look plumper though.

The comforting cream is a little magical worker. It's a handy partner (because of its size and wonders) in soothing sunburned and slightly tanned faces. One way to find out if the face really was overexposed is when there is an itchy feeling and reddish marks on the skin's surface. But this one helps to cool that burning, itchy feeling. It's not only good for sunburns, it also soothes allergies. Lately, I've had rashes appear on my arms and thighs, this little tube sure saved the day for me. Even if the rashes didn't disappear immediately, at least the itchiness disappeared. 

 

Lastly, I have to admit that I don't come close to knowing what an Osmoter really does. But that's nothing Google can't solve. According to AHAVA's official site, it's an "exclusive concentrated extract of mineral-rich Dead Sea water that helps restore the skin's vitality and enhances its natural ability to retain moisture".-so in short, this is a moisturizer. 

I use this after my cleansing, toning routine in the evening, and it's pretty quick-absorbing. When I get up in the morning, I can feel the concentration of the moisturizer still there even after nine hours of sleep. Just one pump of the osmoter and it covers my hyperpigmented forehead, then a portion goes on my cheeks and all over the face. I'll be sad when this will be empty, which it is nearing because it's just a sample size after all, and it's due because it has a subtle feel-good scent about it that I really like.

My absolute favorites among all of these products has to be the Hand Cream. I put it in my bag and pull it out when I feel like I need some hydration every time I look at my dry hands (which is often) and there I am- ridiculously happy gal.

I'm still dying to try their makeup and body lotion as well as body wash. Have you tried AHAVA? What are your recommendations?

You can still join my giveaway here with Christine's Books and Baubles. Good luck!

What’s In My Sample Room #Inspire Bag?

My dad handed me the package that arrived here and he was also curious to find out what could be inside, so he stood there while I pushed all the contents of the bag on my bed and he was pretty impressed. How’s that for a supportive father? He even suggested getting me a side table for all my cosmetics to be situated in my room. He likes the fact that I’m spending time bonding with him here at home because I’m taking a break from work. 

Fun fact about my Dad: he is an avid user of the Physiogel moisturizer also from #sampleroom.

This is Sample Room’s second goodie bag with the theme Inspire. Do the contents inspire? You will find out. 

The tools included in this bag are the ReveN Natural Cleansing Sponge for the face which I’m really pleased with. It should be great for cleansing in the evenings. There’s also the Charm Pro Flat Liner Brush, I was hoping to get something similar to an eyeshadow blending brush but this will do. I’ve felt the bristles and they’re really soft. The only downside is that the ferrules were disattached from the wand when I tried to realign it, but that’s something a little super glue can just handle.

Sample Room has been all about discovering new beauty products and I like that it’s all natural. Could you believe that I haven’t heard of AHAVA and probably would not have paid attention to it? But because of Sample Room including this set in my goodie bag, I’m learning to love this brand. It looks all so high-end, and I like that the Comforting Cream is really intense with its moisturizing properties. The Hand Cream has a subtle scent which I am fond of. Just the other day I was worried that I would be running out of Eye Makeup Remover, having shared the rest with my Mom and I’m really glad I got another from my loot. There are a couple of Gentle Body Exfoliators in sample sizes so I’m going to test it out against my local body scrub brand. 

I’ve reviewed the Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream some time ago, and now I have a travel size bottle with me! Hurray! I’m not so fond of brightening masks but this one from Shisheido just says “try me”. And so I will.

As for cosmetics, I have a ZA Perfect Action Mascara; the tube is a little too bulky but it’s still manageable. There’s also a lipstick from Collection Cosmetics in Sweet Tarte that has a sweet scent and comes in an intense pink color. The NYX Butter Gloss is very convenient and comes in a Cherry Cheesecake label though it looks like an orange-coral shade that’s just perfect for the summer. 

Lastly, here’s another one for an On: Fragrances post for Raisie Speaks.This has got to be a sweet treat. I was meaning to keep my eye on United Colors of Benetton's Let's Love Woman when it hit availability on Sample Room but it required so many points. I'm just happy that it's included here in the bag. 

 

I didn't take photos of the printed brochures included in the bag. 

I would say that the contents are pretty inspiring, not to mention, the loot bag has a good selection and mixture of skin care products, cosmetics, tools and fragrances. It's a good to start to inspiring someone who needs some much needed boost. 

Diolch Yn Fawr Sample Room!

That's thank you in Welsh. =)