Hello, lovely readers!
I've been on a mission to switch to natural skincare for almost two years now, and I'm determined to find products with safe ingredient lists. I always check the ingredient list when shopping, but unfortunately, many products don't exactly inspire confidence. When I'm browsing through a product's ingredient list, I want to see natural ingredients that I can trust.
I couldn't resist the recent hype around hyaluronic acid, and I've been excited to try out different products. Since I discovered Olesya Mustaeva's natural skincare brand, I've ordered quite a few of their products. They've got a great selection of natural products that I can trust.
This is my second time buying a hyaluronic acid product from them. The first one was the lavender water, and now I've got the rosewater. I've been really impressed with their products so far.
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Volume - 150 ml
Price - 390 rubles
Shelf life - 24 months (until 06.2018)
Country of origin - Russia
Time of use - 6 months
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1. Packaging.
Bulgarian Rosewater by Olesya MustaevaBulgarian Rosewater by Olesya MustaevaBulgarian Rosewater by Olesya MustaevaJust like its sister, the lavender water, today's hero comes in a black plastic bottle with white and pink labels. This packaging keeps the rosewater fresh for longer, protected from sunlight. I love the design of the bottle - it's sleek and modern.
I love the spritzer - it disperses tiny droplets evenly without any splashing. To cover my entire face, I need just 3-4 spritzes, but I usually do 6. The spritzer is really convenient to use.
Bulgarian Rosewater by Olesya MustaevaThe spritzer has a clear cap to prevent dust and dirt from settling on it. I'd give the packaging a perfect score. It's really well-designed.2. Consistency and color.
Bulgarian Rosewater by Olesya MustaevaIt looks exactly like regular water to me. The consistency is perfect - it's not too thick or too thin.
3. Aroma.
I've got to say, the scent of this hydrolat is one of the things I've fallen in love with. It really does smell like a rose. Now, the scent is more rich and velvety than fresh, but I'm totally on board with that. In fact, when I think back to the smell of overripe hay that the lavender water or the pungent aroma of rosemary hydrolat used to give me, I didn't expect to pick up on the scent of a real rose from this rose hydrolat, but it's exactly what I got. The aroma is really nice and subtle.
4. Ingredients.
Distilled rose petals from Bulgarian roses (Rosa Damascena)
So, this is a 100% natural product with no preservatives or additives. That means I need to store it in the fridge, which I do. If stored properly, the shelf life of this rose water is 24 months. Mine's only been out for a year so far. I love that it's made from natural ingredients.
First, let me tell you what a hydrolat is (in this case, rose water). I'm pretty sure there are still people out there who, like I was not too long ago, have no idea what it is.
Hydrolat— is a product of steam distillation. Flowers, leaves, aromatic herbs, and other materials are used as the raw material. While preserving the properties of essential oils, hydrolats are safe to use on sensitive skin areas and skin prone to inflammation. The main advantage of using hydrolats compared to concentrated essential oils is their gentler impact on the skin, mucous membranes, and so on. Unlike regular essential oils, hydrolats softly affect the skin, causing no burns or irritation, and can be used in larger concentrations.
As it's a natural product made from rose petals, it can trigger an allergic reaction in people with rose allergies. I've been careful to use it in moderation and patch test it before using it on my skin.
So, what can you expect from it?
Rose Hydrolat, or Rosewater, tackles skin irritations, inflammation, and breakouts, giving skin a healthy glow and a matte finish, reducing fine lines and puffiness. It tackles dryness, flakiness, and that tight, stretched feeling, redness, and inflammation. It softens and boosts skin elasticity, making it feel smooth, silky, and velvety. It restores the water-lipid balance. Gentle antiseptic (heals without burning the skin), it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and a mild astringent effect. It helps preserve youthful-looking skin. Rose hydrolat strengthens blood vessels and capillaries, which is why it's often used in anti-cellulite cosmetics. It helps alleviate scalp itchiness and adds shine to hair.
Alright, let's give it a shot!
5. Manufacturer's promises and my experience with using it.
Rosewater by Masterclass by Olesya Mustaeva "Bulgarian"I bought it mainly for my skin, and if it works, maybe I'll use it for my hair too. My face skin is super oily and prone to inflammation and acne, so any product that claims to reduce oiliness and even out inflammation is a winner in my book. I've been using it as a toner to help balance my skin.
My scalp is also oily, and I'm always on the lookout for products that can keep my hair clean for longer.
Honestly, I didn't expect much from rosewater, as I mainly needed it to tone my skin after washing. I'm drawn to natural ingredients and the fact that it's harmless. I love that it's a natural product.
There aren't many promises on the bottle, so let's break down what was described in the previous point.
1). I've gotta say, using rose hydrolat didn't make my acne or breakouts any worse, but it didn't improve them either. That being said, my skin did look super matte right after application, even if it was only temporary. What I've found is that the best results come from applying it to a cotton pad and gently wiping it on, rather than spraying it directly on my face.
2). I don't have too many fine lines yet, but I didn't notice any real impact on them. Since I don't have puffiness, I couldn't say whether the hydrolat helps with that either.
3). If I just wash my face and then use rose water without moisturizer, I do get some flakiness and dryness, but it's not as bad as it would be without the water. On the other hand, the skin-tightening effect is definitely there. Bottom line: moisturizer is a must.
4) I couldn't test the claims about preserving youthful skin, restoring the water-lipid balance, or strengthening capillaries, so I couldn't form an opinion on those points. I don't have rosacea.
5). Because of a sudden hormonal imbalance, I've been dealing with itchy scalp for ages. Unfortunately, rose water didn't help with that, and it didn't affect the oiliness of my scalp either.
What I can say is that my skin feels pretty plump and looks more toned after using rose water – my pores are less noticeable, and my skin looks less dull.
It also leaves my skin feeling refreshed and looking like I just got a good night's sleep.
I didn't experience any allergic reactions, but it's still worth noting that this product is recommended for sensitive skin, so those with allergies should be cautious and do a patch test.
From my review, you might think I'm crazy for giving this a top rating, but the thing is – it's amazing as a toner, especially for my sensitive skin. By using it, I reduce the risk of breaking out due to skin reactions or undiagnosed allergies, and it leaves my skin looking fresh and healthy.
6. Value for money.
I used it for almost six months, but that's with barely using it on my hair and scalp.
7. Pros and Cons.
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+ completely natural product
+ great sprayer
+ pleasant scent
+ tones the skin, gets rid of sagging, makes it more elastic
+ gives the skin a fresh and rested look
+ briefly, but still, it mattifies the skin
+ suitable for sensitive skin
+ didn't cause any allergic reactions
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- doesn't affect facial skin oiliness, the mattifying effect is too short-lived
- after using it, dryness and flakiness might occur (resolved by using a face cream)
- didn't help with scalp itchiness
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8. Conclusion.
I'd definitely recommend this rosewater because it's a natural product that, although it doesn't solve all skin and hair problems, still tones and refreshes the skin nicely and is suitable for sensitive skin, which is something many people struggle with these days. Plus, it smells nice, unlike many other hydrolats. I've been really happy with the results.
However, I wouldn't recommend it as a standalone solution for skin issues unless you're using it as a complement to other, more potent products.
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Links that might interest you:
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Rosemary Hydrolat by Krasnopolyanskaya Cosmetics: What is Hydrolat and Why Do You Need It?
Lavender Hydrolat by Olesya Mustaeva's Studio: What is Hydrolat and What's It Good For?
Ecolab Toner: A Deep Cleanser for Problematic and Oily Skin
MayTan Balancing Toner: A Gentle, Non-Irritating Toner for Sensitive Skin
Now, let's talk about the return policy. I was a bit skeptical at first, but the process was actually pretty smooth. I contacted their customer support via email and got a response within a few hours. They provided me with a return shipping label and walked me through the steps. The whole process took about a week, and I received my refund promptly. I was impressed with how hassle-free it was. I'd say the return policy is definitely one of the highlights of this product.