GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment pack review

For some months now, I have, like many other beauty bloggers, been hearing the name "GlamGlow" being uttered with reverence in the blogosphere, as a 10-minute miracle worker. And, given the colossal hype surrounding many beauty products that do not work for me, I had dismissed it as another of those beauty-crazes that struck people all of a sudden.
That was when I received a sample packet of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment from my friend Shivani. She always sends me the most amazing products to try out and is responsible for my buying many full-sized Holy Grails afterwards.
She had sent me enough for five uses, which is sufficient to make up one's mind about a product.

Here is my review of the GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment.

Packaging of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment pack

I received a sachet - not foil, but a decent 5gm, so I can't tell you about the full-sized product. I de-sacheted the product into a little eye cream pot and had this much left after I scraped out the rest of the sachet for my first application.

Formula of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment pack

GlamGlow is a professional 10-minute "facial in a jar" which is used behind the scenes in the fashion and film worlds. The winner of the ELLE Beauty Award 2014, this product claims to give instantly glowing, smoother, softer, camera-ready and more youthful skin, exfoliate, absorb impurities, protect from damage, minimise pores and promote collagen synthesis.
GlamGlow products are paraben-free and the YouthMud Mask contains Green Tea Leaf, Volcanic Pumice Rock and French Sea Clay.

The YouthMud Mask is grey and creamy, though it contains fine grits. It is thick and paste-like and there is a faint smell of tea. You need to be very careful about not leaving the jar open as the product dries out quickly.

Use and results of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment pack

The GlamGlow YouthMud pack dries out off-white - I have not wasted the precious product by swatching it, so you can see what it looks like on me.

What you do is, apply a thin layer after washing your face - a little dampness on the face helps spread out the product better. Just a little less than a pea-sized amount does it for me. Immediately, there is a nice, tingling sensation which goes away as the mask dries - the drying process happens very quickly and you don't have to wait for ages. The sensation is not uncomfortable or painful, but definitely there. The skin feels tighter as the mask dries - again, nothing painful.
Once the mask dries, it needs to be removed with water. The grits do a great job at exfoliating when you rinse off the mask in circular motions.

Immediately afterwards, my pores are smaller and my face actually glows and is super-soft. It is definitely "firmer" and makeup goes on smoothly afterwards - I find I need less primer and foundation after I use this mask. The best part of this mask, for me, is that it removed all the flaky skin from the sides of the face (developed during drier months). I cannot stress the glowing part enough - I can see why this is a quick backstage product before makeup!

I have not had any breakouts after five uses, but Shivani says it broke her out badly and she had to give hers to a cousin, proving that what suits one may not suit another person, so please, please, always try before you buy. My review is only meant to share my experience, to introduce products that you may not have tried, and, maybe, to recommend products to try. I also read that GlamGlow YouthMud works better as a quick-fix than it does when used once or twice a week as part of regular skincare. I use it as a quick pick-me-up before wearing makeup on evenings out, or to improve the skin dramatically after a rough night, and I have had plenty of those so far this year :( A huge thank-you to Shivani for introducing me to this!
Bottom Line
You know I am not afraid to call a product a complete dud. I ABSOLUTELY mean every word of the praise I have lavished on the amazing GlamGlow YouthMud pack. Yes, it is expensive, but if it is saving on primer and foundation and improving the skin, then I will not think twice. You do not have to use this pack all the time, but it is an amazing pick-me-up just before an important event or night out.
One sentence sums it up: the hype IS worth it. At least, for me. I have heard that GlamGlow has a similar eye pack which is amazing, and I have asked my sister to get it for me from Sephora Middle East. The price is worth it in my book - $21 for 0.5oz. or $69 for 1.7oz. I have no idea how much she needs to pay in Dubai, but I'll let you know once I find out. I think GlamGlow is also available from Feelunique.com, who ship worldwide - do check their website to find out if they ship it out to your country.
I have also heard that the Supermud Clearing Treatment mask is even better, so I have asked for a sample to try out.
Click here to check out my international giveaway, ending in 20 days.