#TMTurns1 Giveaway: Herbline Essentials

It's no secret that Herbline Essentials is one of my favourite brands for skincare - they are part of my nighttime skincare routine as well as one of my favourite face masks.

There are so many natural brands in the market but what I love about HE is that their products are quite reasonably priced, they have ranges for all kinds of skin types and they work! So, if you are looking to try out some of their products, this would be a great time as they have some amazing bundle offers on their website for a limited time and they offer free delivery across the UAE!

But if you're looking to try your luck, I've teamed up with Herbline Essentials to give away products worth AED 500 to one lucky winner! (I almost wanted to keep this for myself)

The products included for this giveaway are:

- Neem and Brahmi Facewash
- Aloevera and Honey Under Eye Gel
- Apricot and Honey Face Scrub
- Aloevera and Liquorice Skin Protection and Healing Cream

Below are all the deets on how to win these lovely products:

The entries for this giveaway will close on 30 September 2015 and the winner will announced shortly after. The competition is open to GCC residents only. Good luck!

Mona xo

Current Favorite Face Masks

When it comes to face masks, I love that they serve a lot of purposes - they unclog your pores, clear out your face, help maintain healthy skin and the best part, it's a wonderful relaxing 20 minutes. And once they come off, it almost feels like you just shed skin, like you just got a new face - so clean and fresh!

My kind of masks are the ones with natural ingredients, like the DIY ones. But as I'm rubbish at DIY, I've managed to find the closest alternatives to those. So without further jibber jabber, here are some of my current favorite natural face masks! This list is constantly evolving as are all lists beauty related, amirite?

Balanced Guru - Spiced Up Berries Antioxidant Masque

What: Spiced Berries Antioxidant Masque by Balanced Guru. All their products are organic and 100% natural!

Has: Acai, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, amla, vitamin C and more goodies

How:  It comes in a powder form, so I recommend mixing it with yoghurt for a cooling effect (especially in this heat). You can expect a slight tingling sensation right when you put it on but it goes away after a few minutes.

Post-mask: Reduced redness, brighter skin

Bonus: Smells ah-mazing! Puts you straight into spa mode.

Where: The Farmers Garden, Greenheart Organic Farms and online at Youmah

Pharmaclay - Clayspray Red Clay

What: Clayspray Red Clay by Pharmaclay. It's a face mask in a can! Basically, it's emulsified clay that comes in a can which keeps it incredibly fresh and clean. This range has clay masks for all different skin types and is paraben-free among other wonderful things.

Has: Red Clay, Cacao

How: While I was totally up for spraying myself in the face with clay, that's not how this works. It's surprisingly fuss-free - there is a neat little pump which gives out a sizeable portion of fresh clay which has a mousse-like texture and is wonderfully easy to apply. It dries quite quickly once you have squeezed it out, so make sure to apply it onto your face quickly. It dries out almost as quickly on your face as well but it's recommended you leave it on for 15 minutes before you wash it off.

Warning: the clay does look (and sorta smells) like chocolate mousse so cravings might be activated.

Post-mask: Less sebum/oil, reduced breakouts and super soft skin

Bonus: So travel-friendly, no worries about explosions and all that.

Where: Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

What: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This little guy is no secret despite the title. The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is almost a cult favorite by now, I would think! If you looking to spring clean your face, then this is the mask you have been looking for. The back of this box says.. feel your face pulsate. Need I say more?

Has: Bentonite Clay. That's it - so it literally takes dirt to suck out all the dirt out of your pores.

How: This comes in a powder form and for mixing this, make sure to use only plastic/rubber utensils - no metals. I recommend mixing this with apple cider vinegar for best results. Once you have this on and it starts drying, your face will start 'pulsating' and tightening quite a bit but don't worry, it's not an unpleasant sensation. I usually put this on before I take a shower so that I can get my face completely wet before I slowly scrub it off, I've found that it's slightly painful doing it otherwise.

Warning: Don't plan to talk or eat during this time because it's actually not possible (I tried and failed miserably) 

Post-mask: You might experience some redness after but not for long. Apart from that, this will be one of those times that you wash off your mask and you have a new face - SO clean. Smaller pores and fading of acne scars/blemishes is what you can expect.

Bonus: Pocket friendly!

Where: Online at Souq

Herbline Essentials - Apricot and Honey Face Scrub

What: Apricot & Honey Face Scrub by Herbline Essentials. I know what you're thinking - this is a face scrub. But what you don't know is that this product works just as wonderfully as a face mask as well. This one is my go-to mask for when my face needs a pick-me-up.

Has: Apricot, maize, honey, walnut shell and some more things that sound edible

How: It's got a nice paste-like texture and so it's quite easy to apply it onto your face. Once it's, it has a lovely cooling effect. This is most relaxing of the four masks and it helps rejuvenate tired skin.

Post-mask: It's one of those masks where you can see a difference as you soon as you wash off - smooth, radiant skin. It has done wonders with evening out my skin tone as well as reducing my pigmentation.

Bonus: As you already know, it doubles as a scrub!

Where: All pharmacies across UAE and online at Herbline Essentials


Aaaand I'm done. Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments below as always!

Mona xo

Nighttime Skincare Routine

I've been getting quite a few compliments on my skin lately and those are just the best kind of compliments, am I right? Tell anyone their skin looks great and you're in!

I've been painstakingly following a strict skincare routine over the last few months, so it's good to know that it's paying off. My skin was acting up in all sorts of ways and these products have been helping me nurse it back to health.

It's pretty basic stuff, I have kept it short and simple because that's the only way I can make sure I do it every night and not laze out of it. Keep in mind, I have combination skin which is quite prone to acne and pigmentation.

So here goes: presenting my current nighttime skincare routine! 

Step 1 - Cleanser

I start off my trusty Bioderma Sensibio H20 Cleanser. What timing - I just finished my previous bottle a few days ago and this landed up in my Bioderma Glambox this month! 

I like this cleanser a lot - it's good with sensitive skin, does a great job with makeup removal and the big plus is that it's not at all sticky. My only qualm with this product is that sometimes if you're wearing heavy eye makeup, it takes a little longer to get everything off completely but it gets the job done!

Available in all pharmacies across the UAE. AED 35 for 100 ml.

I also found it online here.

Step 2 - Toner

I follow that up with Herbline Essentials Cucumber and Rose Water Skin Tonic. Doesn't the product already just sound so wonderful? I'm in love with quite a few of their products but let's talk about this one for now.

This tonic is so soothing, it's like a mini-spa for your face at the end of the day. It's 100% natural, smells delicious and cools down your skin beautifully. Love, love, love.

Available in all pharmacies across the UAE. AED 105 for 120 ml.

I also found in online here.

Step 3 - Serum

Step 3 is the one and only Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I know I'm probably way late to this party but seriously.. what is this magical elixir? I put a few drops of this on my face at night and I wake up with my skin in a good mood. This serum is super hydrating and so thus I usually skip the moisturizing step (if you noticed)

It has solved so many of my problems - pigmentation, scars, dullness - you name it. It's a one stop shop for for anyone looking to repair their skin. I have the 50ml bottle at the mo which will easily last me five months as you really to use only a few drops every night. So if you're a little iffy about the price tag, remember that it's going to last you A WHILE.

Available in Kiehl's stores in Dubai Mall & Mercato, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. 

AED 321 for 50 ml.

Step 4 - Eye cream

So, until recently, I didn't understand what the big deal was behind using an eye cream. Doesn't your moisturizer cover your under-eye needs or whatever? But as always, you read one too many beauty blogs (story of my life) and there I was buying the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

And of course, it works! The cream is quite thick with a slight green tinge (owing to the avocado) and it takes a while for it to absorb into the skin. So, allot absorption time if you plan to wear this during the day. 

You feel a burst of coolness under your eyes the minute you put it on which is a welcome surprise and overall, the skin under my eyes is now nicely hydrated and also brightened up, thanks to this one. Note that it is recommended for younger age groups as it doesn't have any anti-aging properties. 

Available in Kiehl's stores in Dubai Mall & Mercato, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. 

AED 150 for 28 ml.

And then I go to sleep! Let me know your night time routine and if there are any other awesome products you recommend.

Mona xo