Now don't get me wrong, I love Lush just as much as the next person but I wouldn't consider myself a lush "junkie." I've spent a good deal of money there but nothing that would be considered unhealthy. I choose to do that MAC, but anywho. The other day while I was visiting our local lush I was browsing the facial cleansers. I already have Angels on Bare Skin but I've been having a little bit of trouble with oil recently because of the crazy Las Vegas weather we've been having. So I was looking at the Dark Angel scrub when one of the sales people came up and started to tell me that Dark Angel is made for people with REALLY oily skin, and unless I have super oily skin it's gonna dry me out and do more damage than good. Afterwards she pointed out Coal Face, which is made for people with oily to normal skin. Now I have combination skin, so I don't have a very oily face but what she said next is what sold me. She explained that she has combination skin and she'll wash her face with the Coalface and then Angels on Bare Skin. The oil absorbing effects of the Coalface keep the oil at bay, while the Angels on Bare Skin moisturize and heal the other damages, so it seems like a perfect mix. And when things seem perfect, get them. So here's what I think.
What they say:
Who would have thought charcoal and liquorice could get along? One is tough and gritty, the other sweet and syrupy. But charcoal and liquorice could just be the odd couple of skin care, teaming up to fight oily, troubled skin in our Coalface cleanser. Powdered charcoal removes impurities and mildly exfoliates while liquorice heals naturally. Sandalwood oil tones the skin (and mediates should charcoal and liquorice disagree about anything). (via: Lushusa.com)
Ingredients:
Liquorice Root Decoction (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Rosewood Oil (Aniba rosaeordora), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Powdered Charcoal, Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album), Glycerine, Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, *Linalool, Perfume, Silver Edible Lustre (Potassium aluminum silicate, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides and hydroxides).
*Naturally occurs in essential oils (via: Lushusa.com)
How to Use the Product:
Moisten the cleansing bar with water and rub in your hands to create a lather. Apply to your face in a gentle, circular motion, rinse thoroughly, pat dry.(via: Lushusa.com)
Packaging: N/A
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Would I buy again? Yes
Where to buy: Lush.com, Lush Stores
Price: $51.80 per pound
-A squeaky clean feeling after rinse
-Minimized pores
-Balanced oily skin
-Nondrying
CONS:
-The run off is black which makes a mess
-"Melts" easily, so it needs to keep dry.
-Expensive
Overall?
Over all I do like this product, it's expensive though. Also it seems for some people it has the exact opposite effect that it's suppose to give. For some I've hear it's overly drying and and causes them to break out. I haven't had that problem yet, but all in all I seem to have very good skin. Also to counteract the drying, which is the oil being absorbed I wash my face with Angels on Bare Skin as well. Which is very moisturizing. I suggest though you do use a excellent moisturizer if you're planning on using this wash as your primary cleanser.
For the price, it's a luxury not something that is a necessity. While I did see an improvement in my skin, its not enough for me not to cringe at the price. For 51 dollars want to be scrubbing my face with gold, not coal. But I give props to Lush, I'll buy it again. And they can laugh all the way to the bank. But it's an excellent face wash. I'd recommend it to a friend
