Shopping at KZM Facial Care Boutique

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 | Just blogging

Fresh out of the box, from KZM Facial Care Boutique

I have something to confess. I don’t come across as that girly, but I am a skincare product junkie. I have been a sucker for good skincare and lovely packaging since visiting the Caswell-Massey shop at the South Street Seaport in NYC, in high school. I received the Body Shop’s catalog when all it was was a Xerox brochure sent straight from the UK, and Garden Botanika’s when it was just a tri-fold flyer. Seriously, I’ve had a long love affair with this stuff.

What has made it a little difficult and frustrating over the years, is that my skin happens to be picky. It could be from the various cultures that make up my background: Slavic and Russian, Italian, Celtic, a whole lot of western and northern European (Dutch, French, German… see, it just goes on and on). It seems to me each of these nationalities contributes to different traits. My Italian genes crave the sun, but the Celtic can’t take the heat. I know it isn’t that, but it is a fun way of explaining, or accepting, my troubled, reactive skin, especially when I want to play with and dip into all kinds of products.

Point is, I have tried just about everything, from recipes I have whipped up at home, to drugstore brands, department store favorites, to natural foods store finds, and high end luxuries – everything. Whether it’s Avalon, Aveda, Dr. Hauschka, Dr. Brandt, Lancome, or La Prairie, no matter how much I want them to work for me, they rarely do.

Additionally, it would be ideal for me to find a brand that is also environmentally friendly (to the earth and to animals), and socially responsible as well. In many cases, the brands I have tried from natural foods stores, the ones that are most likely to be cruelty-free and socially responsible, contain ingredients that although natural, are in some way irritating to my skin.

What first caught my eye about KZM Facial Boutique were the highly informative descriptions offered in the shop, along with a detailed understanding of what irritates skin, and what helps skin. In these descriptions, Karley – KZM’s owner, demonstrates genuine knowledge and expertise, as well as a sincerely caring attitude. KZM is also eco-conscious. I sent Karley an email, asking if she’d be open to questions, and she replied quickly, saying by all means, ask away! I shared some information about my skin, and asked about a specific ingredient I had previously had some issues with. Her response went above and beyond what I could have expected, or would have received from sales associates at department stores or salons. I placed my first order…

Now, to the goods. I couldn’t decide on a cleanser, so Karley suggested two to try: Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser, and Goat’s Milk Liquid Facial Cleanser. The former is completely fragrance free and does not contain essential oils, for people who want the absolutely gentlest cleanser they can get. The Goat’s Milk contains most of the same ingredients, with some wonderful essential oils that have been shown to provide numerous benefits. It is also an incredibly gentle, soothing cleanser, with only the subtlest hint of scent. I also chose the Ultra Light Facial Fluid, and Karley snuck in a free Lip Lovelies in Pink Lilacs, which was a nice treat, because I go through lip balm like crazy.

All were packaged beautifully (see photo!), as well as smartly (caps securely taped to avoid leaking). The bottles Karley uses greatly appeal to my tastes – especially when considering my early love of the Caswell-Massey style; apothecary-style bottles with metal caps (these bottles are plastic – safer for bathroom use), and cobalt as well, another favorite.

How do they work? Great! The cleansers are liquid, and my skin reacts with redness to the hard well water in my home, so I generally use a piece of cotton or a soft wash cloth to apply the cleanser to skin, then rinse with lukewarm water. The cleansers are free of harsh detergents so they do not create many suds. They cleanse thoroughly, and rinse easily. My skin feels clean and refreshed after, without having been stripped or dried. The Ultra Light Facial Fluid is perfect for my skin – it is moisturizing and nourishing, without being thick or heavy. I use it under a high SPF moisturizer during the day and by itself at night. My skin is feeling and looking soft, velvety, and nicely hydrated, with no irritation or negative reaction to the products.

After a week’s use I can tell these products will last a while, and they are all incredibly well priced, especially when considered in comparison to all of the products I have spent a fortune on over the years. I think I have truly found a new favorite cleanser in the Aloe Vera, and the Goat’s Milk will become a favorite of my daughter’s. Next on my list, a facial mist, perfume oil, and some eye shadow! How’s that for girly?

Please take a moment to visit KZM Facial Care Boutique.

Tags: beauty, facial, kzm, skincare