Meukvrij Monique on La Twist
I'm a busy bee. And because of that, I very often -> too often -> run myself ragged, which often leads me to exceed my own limits. I find it very difficult to let go of my work -> my passion -> even for a little while. I struggle to put myself in a state of complete relaxation, so my body is more or less always 'on'. I also call my body "New York". Because it actually never sleeps, although luckily I can sleep well. But as soon as I open my eyes again, my body is just still 'on'. I can manage it perfectly well by now, but sometimes I get overwhelmed.
Mainly mentally, physically I can fortunately handle a lot. But if you're not doing well mentally, everything automatically works less smoothly, at least, that's how it works for me.
I can relax, but a TOTAL relaxation... that's less easy for me. I can't let anything go, not even for a moment. If I want to plop down on the couch with a cup of tea and a book, after 5 minutes I think "oh yeah, the plants still need watering..." and my book lies open on the couch and my tea gets cold. I've just accepted it about myself; I seemed to have been "like that" as a child, so it probably has to do with character and nature.
But sometimes... sometimes I break, and I yearn so much to really "turn myself off" for a moment, and completely surrender. Those moments, I can count them. It really takes a gigantic effort, however strange that may sound. So IF I am suddenly completely overwhelmed by SOMEONE who does manage to make me completely surrender... then I can really almost cry about it.
That someone is ELSA. I met her last year when she spontaneously sent me a message on Instagram, telling me about her special salon. She works holistically, which truly means as purely as possible. Not only does she use only pure products, but she also uses her hands instead of machines and devices.
By now, I am a regular at Elsa’s. When I feel “stuck” again, I quickly make another appointment. I literally and figuratively return home feeling reborn after a visit to Elsa’s. It immensely helps me to keep everything going. I now allow myself these outings to Elsa’s, which is quite something.
Elsa is a beautiful person, inside and out. I very rarely encounter such gems of people, and I am genuinely grateful that she came into my life. We are very similar in many things, including her love and passion for her work. Last year, Elsa told me that she was working on her very own skincare line, which goes a few steps further than standard norms. Elsa has enormous knowledge and expertise, and she has managed to use it for her own skincare line, which was finally launched recently. And yes, everything is simply made in the Netherlands! I was one of the first to try these products, a review!
WHAT IS IT?
Elsa has worked on it for a very long time, but the result is truly something to behold. THREE products have been released:
- a HERBAL GODDESS cleanser
- a WILD FLORA mist
- a SUN TO MOON serum
These three products are best used as a trio, for that truly ultimate complete skincare. Starting with cleansing, so the cleanser. All products are, as expected, 100% pure and organic. But they also contain truly unique components like CO2 extracts. Elsa has also considered the circular aspect. For example, she used apple seed oil, which comes directly from apple juice production and is thus upcycled. If you find these kinds of details as important as I do, then you can certainly be very happy with this trio.
Because Elsa worked so incredibly hard on it and, just like me, found it difficult to let things go, these products, in my opinion, have surpassed perfection. Everything is perfect, down to the last detail. From bottle to packaging, from content to effect.
Let's dive deeper into the three bottles.
THE HERBAL GODDESS CLEANSER
This is a cleansing oil based on herbs. The ingredients are carefully balanced so that the oil is suitable for every skin type. It cleanses very thoroughly while nourishing and caring for the skin, and repairing it where necessary. Castor oil and hazelnut oil, for example, restore the skin barrier, and the upcycled apple seed oil has a calming effect. Chamomile and Echinacea oil provide soothing conditions. Furthermore, the oil contains sweet almond oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil.
To experience the true sensation, Elsa advises inhaling the oil through your hands first, before applying it to your skin. To remove eye makeup, use a moistened cotton pad with a few drops. After massaging, cleanse your face with a damp cloth. Then it's time for the next step…
THE WILD FLORA MIST
Well... a face mist... then you've got me! I find nothing more pleasant, refreshing, and better for my face. So when Elsa came out with her WILD FLORA mist, that was immediately the first thing I tried... I was immediately in a kind of ecstasy, and no, I'm not exaggerating, seriously not. This is not only a gift for your skin, but also for all your senses and your mood. I'm already overflowing, as you notice... ???? ... let me first properly introduce the mist. It is a so-called LEAVE ON face mist, a mist that you do not need to rinse off. Here too, Elsa has carefully considered the functionality and made it suitable for every skin type. This mist is specifically designed to hydrate, soothe, and protect your skin against the signs of aging. As a nearly 56-year-old, it fits perfectly with my needs. The mist is based on pure orange blossom water, jasmine, lemon verbena, frankincense, and calendula, and these are truly all great personal favorites of mine. They are made from the so-called FUCOCERT; also fermentation obtained from raw plant-based plants.
You can mist this on your face any time, any place. For example, if you could use some fresh cooling on a hot summer day, or if your skin seems a bit thirsty. But also after cleansing.
SUN TO MOON SERUM
It's called a serum because it truly has a very powerful effect, but you can use it daily. The serum is oil-based and completely geared towards nourishment, repair, hydration, and care. It contains quite a few unique and special ingredients. Such as avenaplex, an innovative oat complex with ceramides, which acts as a protective shield that locks in moisture and improves the absorption of active ingredients. It smooths the skin's surface, prevents moisture loss, and stimulates natural production. Additionally, it contains bakuchiol, organic sea buckthorn, moringa, acai berries, rice bran, hemp, and rosemary. A special extraction method without heat is used, ensuring all nutrients remain intact. The oil is suitable for all skin types. Do you have dry skin? Then use a little more serum and a little more mist, and if you have oily skin, reverse this.
MY EXPERIENCE
I was truly genuinely curious how this trio would work on my skin in the long run. As you know, my skin is even more delicate than the most tender baby skin; sometimes a touch is enough to irritate it. I always have to be very careful about what I put on my skin, and this applies not only to my face but to my entire body. I do best with 100% pure ingredients, so I wasn't really afraid that this trio would disappoint me. I rarely encounter so much purity.
I immediately started spraying the mist when I got it, and I already hinted that it really does something to me. It stimulates my senses, truly bringing me a small moment of peace. But the mist also works bizarrely well on my skin. The scent, the effect, everything about this mist is just RIGHT. I've become a bit addicted to it by now... I love to use it as a setting spray, for which it is also wonderfully suitable.
The herbal goddess cleansing oil also did not disappoint me, especially because it smells absolutely divine. This makes daily cleansing much more pleasant. It removes makeup like crazy, and my skin really loves it. It causes no irritation and leaves no oily residue. I always know it cleanses deeply because of the brief red discoloration of my skin. This subsides after about 15 minutes. Yes, truly a unique cleanser that genuinely makes me happy! I use a slightly damp cotton pad with two pumps of product, which cleanses my face.
The serum... oh my, what more can I say about it? I'm simply speechless. Everything, absolutely EVERYTHING about this serum is perfect. The effect, the scent, the experience... My skin truly loves it and soaks it up like a sponge. WOW. I can't say more than that... I did have to get used to the scent the first few times, as it's quite prominent. But right after the first three times I used this serum, my skin became truly beautiful. My complexion improved, and my skin feels so incredibly supple. I am genuinely impressed.
ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES?
Of course, I always look critically. The only point of "criticism" - which can't really be called that - I find to be the selling prices. For the average consumer, these are higher than, for example, a Kruidvat or a Douglas. I personally consider it well worth it, because I find many aspects that this trio fulfills important, such as respect for people/animals and the environment, circularity, and 100% purity. But what is also very important to mention is that these products are very economical to use. This makes the cost a little less steep. I think it comes down to what you find important and what you are willing to spend on good skincare. That's up to you. For me, it is important, important enough to want to spend more money on it. As long as I am 100% sure that I get the best in return. As for this LA TWIST series, that is certainly more than well.