Are The GlamGlow Face Masks Really Worth The Hype?

Maybe I'm just getting old, but increasingly I seem to be wearing my cynical hat and wondering when we all got caught up in the hype of 'wonder products' and their extortionate price tags. Although there are some truly wonderful innovations our there that really do make a difference, a lot of the time a product can be over hyped and over praised by those that won't even truly benefit from the ingredients it has to offer. With so many beauty editors and influencers confessing to adore everything going, it's hard to know whether or not the excitement is justified - or if you'd be better off saving your cash for something else entirely. GlamGlow is definitely one of those brands; I remember when it first launched and every beauty enthusiast was desperate to try this ground-breaking mud mask in an effort to revolutionist their skin. At the time I tried it and thought it was pleasant, but distinctively average, but a few years later (and with many more additions to the range) it was time to put Glam's Glow to the test once again. Can these little pots of coloured goo really give you the skin you've always dreamed of?


YOUTH MUD (TO SMOOTH)
Originally designed as a ten minute 'professional facial in a jar' for celebrities about to walk the red carper, this smoothing mask gently exfoliates the surface to leave behind a softer and more glowing complexion. It's not exceptionally abrasive, but it does gently buff the skin to leave it feeling like its had a bit of a work out; but the key here is to use it before a big meeting or night out, rather than as a bathtime pamper. The results aren't groundbreaking, but they are noticeable - however, they're also achievable with your usual facial exfoliator and a good manual massage. (Just saying!)

THIRSTY MUD (TO HYDRATE)  
Apparently this uses 'the most advanced hydration active technologies' (nope, me either!) to hydrate, restore, replenish and calm the skin. First up, it's a lovely balm-like formula that's a pleasure to apply (helped by the fact it smells amazing) and can be used for a 20-minute hit or even overnight for a more intense treatment (when it's £39.00 a pot I'm totally down with not washing it down the drain.) I love a hydrating mask and this is definitely a good one, but you'd get the same impact via a hardworking moisturiser or night cream - this just makes the experience a little more pampering.

FLASH MUD (TO BRIGHTEN) 
Developed to create luminous skin, this treatment contains Betulin, Betulinic Acid and Ellagic Acid to create an improved 'colour balanced' skin tone. It also includes three types of exfoliant to slough away dullness and drive the ingredients deeper into the skin, as well as (wait for it) diamond photoluminescence to increase the reflecting level of the skin and make it appear more radiant. When I tried this is actually made my face bright pink and slightly warm for an hour or so after - and I'm not sure that that was the look they were going for. In all honesty I didn't see or feel much difference at all, so this one was completely lost on me.

POWER MUD (FOR A WEEKLY POWER CLEANSE) 
This was the mask I was most intrigued to try, but also most confused by. Was it a cleanser, a mask, a treatment or combination of all three? Power Mud aims to remove the build-up of cleansing product and excess grime, providing a more intense weekly power cleanse to those of us that use a lot of product; particularly handy for those who suffer with breakouts and dullness, this lightweight mud turns to an oil-balm when mixed with water. You leave it on the skin for ten minutes (presumably so it can 'suck out' all the bits of leftover product) and then wash off; it's a very gentle and pleasant cleanse, but it's also impossible to know if it's really doing anything more than my usual cleanser. 

GRAVITY MUD (TO FIRM & LIFT)
Currently available in a limited edition Sonic Blue shade, this is apparently an 'instant tightening and firming treatment that contains mega-targeted ingredients that work together to help skin’s contours feel firmer and look more defined.' So in a nutshell it's supposed to contour your skin, while tightening those saggy bits. The rather gloopy formula is quite tricky to apply (and gets everywhere FYI - my bathroom plughole is still blue!) but once it's on it's a comfortable way to pass ten or so minutes while it dries; you can either pull it off in one piece or massage away with a warm damp flannel (if you've a lot of facial fuzz I'd recommend the latter.) As for the results, my skin was definitely left smoother and a little plumper, but I can't say there was any contouring or lifting going on. Because of the nature of the formula you get a lot more from this than the other masks, but I'm just not convinced this delivers on its promises.

So there you go; each one of the GlamGlow masks tried and tested for your pleasure. Although each of them are perfectly pleasant to use (and also smell amazing,) for me there wasn't enough of a difference or immediate result to warrant the price tag. Most provide similar results to my usual facial exfoliators, night treatments and anti-ageing skincare - which probably also work out cheaper per use, knowing how much mask you need to slap on. None of them are horrendous, but none of them rock my world either. If you're feeling the need to get spendy then by all means make a purchase, but if you'd rather invest in a great skincare regime you can enjoy every single day, then that's probably a wise decision too.

Have you tried any of the GlamGlow masks? What did you think?


The GlamGlow masks are available online, priced £39.00 each for the 50g pot. (15g sample sizes are also available if you want to test before you invest!)


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