CinnaBunnie Loves: LUSH Dark Angels Cleanser

LUSH Dark Angels Cleanser

This is a small sample of LUSH Dark Angels Cleanser that I got with my LUSH purchase in February. LATE! I know...I am a noob that likes to procrastinate xD. This sample lasted me around 7 uses which means that a full size of 100g will last you for quite a while.

I lightened the photo so that you can see its texture better

Claims: Dark and tough, this one doesn't mess about. It's a black, squidgy scrub made with charcoal to absorb oils and exfoliate you skin. Nutritious avocado oils softens, glycerine keeps the moisture in and black sugar scrubs away. Dark Angels is a hardcore cleanser with a little bit of surfactant mixed in to remove dirt and grease.

This is the amount I use (approx 1/4 tsp)

Texture & formulation: In its solid form, it is very crumbly. Dark Angels forms a gritty paste when mixed with water. Dark Angels Cleanser is more like a scrub but it isn't too abrasive. Sometimes there are larger, jagged particles in there. I'm guessing it's the black sugar or something crystallized. The paste spreads easily but unevenly onto the skin. Make sure you don't add too much water or it will become too watery and messy.

Ingredients (source: http://www.lushusa.com/)

I like to add 3-4 drops of water for a thick consistency

Scent & colour: Once you open a the container, a sharp smell of lavender and volcanic ash hits your nostrils. Or it hit mine hard....with a vengeance :P I'm not exactly a fan of the scent but I can tolerate it. You either love it or hate it. Dark Angels remind me of MAC's Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask in terms of colour and scent. The colour is a really dark gray or charcoal (surprise, surprise).

The finished product

Application & usage: The paste is pliable and easy to spread although it doesn't go on even like peanut butter. Dark Angels can be a little rough for daily use, so I think it is best for every 2 to 3 days. You must be careful when using this as it gets really messy and leaves gray spots on the sink. Hence, I prefer to use it in the shower. Like I said before, 1 teaspoon is a lot and a little goes a long way. Just add a few drops of water, mix, and massage onto wet skin.

Not scary at all

Effects: This cleanser does what it claims in terms of absorbing oil, exfoliating, removing dirt, and locking in moisture. Just after one use, my whole face is a lot smoother. My pores become smaller as there are less oil and sebum. I think it will do wonders for clogged pores when you use this in conjunction with a nose strip. It sort of does a funny thing: after washing my face with it, my dirty pores and whiteheads seem to be highlighted in gray. They are closer to the surface too! As for removing makeup, it doesn't do anything. I still sparkle like Edward. Dark Angels doesn't hydrate the skin, but it doesn't strip the skin of moisture. Thanks glycerine!

A closer look

Price & availability: Like all of LUSH's cleansers that come in a roll,  they have to chop it up. Dark Angels cost $11.50CAD for 100g. It is available in any LUSH store or online. I believe there is no expiry date so the cleanser will still be fine after a couple of months. I would use it as soon as I buy it so it's as "fresh" as it could be.

Overall: LUSH Dark Angels is great for those with oily and combination skin. It does a great job with removing surface oils while retaining moisture and it makes the skin smooth after use. It does get messy so be careful while using it. I love it for doing it what it claims, but I will not repurchase it as it doesn't suit my skincare needs. 8/10