Packaging
Grown. From the moment I saw your cool, unisex, apothecary-style, cream aluminum tube I was in love. You are a typographers dream. Font nerds will sleep with you next to their pillow. But for me, I just proudly sit you on my bathroom shelf, in the spotlight, a classic beauty. Your aluminum tube is hardened and non-leaching, and I felt such joy when I pressed your lid into the tube tip to break the metal seal. Class all the way.
You came housed in a stone-grey, cardboard box, with metallic gold writing, completely made from post-consumer waste, which makes me love you even more.
Product
I was nervous to give you a try. Surely, I thought, such outer beauty would belie a somewhat mediocre product. Cynical as ever, I squeezed out a pea-sized gem of white lotion and smoothed you over my face and throat.
But what was this? Such spreadability! Such absorption! I could only guess that you have an exceptional formulation based in aloe vera and I was right. But you didn’t leave me feeling tight and dry, but moisturised, nourished, and…wait for it…completely matte! Shine free! Even after four hours helping my mother-in-law landscape her gnome-garden my face was matte, matte, matte.
Curious as to why you seemed to actually deliver your promises, I snuck a look and went through your ingredients list. Essential Fatty Acids and antioxidants (acai berry) help with signs of ageing. Lycopein (tomato) invigorates skin while offering free-radical protection, polyphenols (sesame seed) help to regulate sebum production and reduce shine, while gamma-tocotrienols (from cranberry seed oil) protect and restore collagen. You have snuck in some Ceteareth-20, which I am not too happy about, but with this in mind you have no less than 25 natural active ingredients, as well as including certified organic ingredients AND not testing on animals. Bravo. What a feat! What a formulation!
My cynical nature does prevail, though, and I think, well, you are all great now, making me look and feel fantastic, but what about summer, hmm? When those muggy, long summer days set in and I find my face resembling the oiled bicep of a Mr. Universe contestant, where will you be then? Will you live up to your promise of a shine-free existence? I look at your ingredients again, and I truly believe you will.
Cost / Usage
At AU $59 for 40ml, most people would back off palms in the air, but not me. I sometimes pay for my lattes in 5c coins, and I still seriously consider you one of the best products I have found for my oily skin. And a pea-sized amount is all you need, no more. Well worth the dollar spent for such an incredible formulation.
From: Australia
Size: 40ml
RRP: $59
www.grown.net.au
Well I am not one to use anything on my skin, generally because I can never make the time. And I work with skin care products.
Having said all that Mels review makes me want to try this, the product sounds really good and her review style captured me.
Wow, I really love the way you write your review here! I’ve been looking for reviews for Grown and this has to be the best I’ve read! =)