Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum (30ml for $54)
Basically, bakuchiol has a retinoic effect without the dryness of retinol. It allegedly also exfoliates using PHAs. Now, yes, surprisingly, this product did not leave me angry or upset. It is gentle -- great for people who are starting with anti-aging. But please be aware: it takes time to see results (I have been using it for almost 3 months now -- the bottle is almost empty). .
Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist (120ml for £28; 60ml bottle available for £14)
Roses are red, the candle lamp is blue, Herbivore mist -- I don't like you. Okay, I am not being fully fair. I don't like parts of the product. I don't like the strong smell of roses, because that smell reminds me of a toilet air freshener. I don't like how the mist comes out as if someone accidentally threw a bucket of water at you. But I do like that it is hydrating. It has Aloe, Rose and Witch Hazel waters; and some extracts. I also like that it's not too expensive, and that you can get a 60ml travel size to try. Overall, it really depends on what you like.
Herbivore Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask (full size 68ml for £38)
Imagine me not complaining about @herbivorebotanicals for once. Yes, it's possible. Don't get me wrong, this mask isn't the cheapest, and if you would rather stick to TO Red Peel, that's absolutely fine, but I actually enjoyed using this mask. And yes, it not only exfoliates but also brightens my face immediately. Formulated with papaya and pineapple fruit extracts (AHAs), and Brazilian White Tourmaline Gemstone, this mask does sting upon application but the effect weakens after a few minutes. One only needs a thin layer (hence why the full size will last you a long time). The mask does dry down and also has a tightening effect. Expensive but good.
Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask (full size 60ml for $48)
I am not going to beat around the bush here and will keep it short. The Ordinary's Blood Peel is 30ml, and if you double it, the price then comes to $14.40 (for 2 bottles--60ml). Herbivore does "their" version for $48. I understand, Herbivore's mask features "natural" AHA and BHA and a nice glass jar with "Herbivore" written on it. Personally, I don't think this mask is as strong as the Blood Peel, so maybe it's better for those with more sensitive skin? (Although you should probably avoid it all together if your skin is sensitive). Yes, it leaves my skin smoother and softer on touch, but hey, you can't really impress me with that, especially for this price! Yes, its blue-green colour looks great in photographs, but hey, so does the blood peel, in all fairness. So, to sum up, stop paying for the "brand", and start paying for the actual product.
Herbivore Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish (200ml for $44)
I have seen the advertisement for this polish months ago, and I knew I had to have it. After all, I am born in March, and amethyst is "my" stone (that's an absolutely good reason to buy the product, sarcasm totally intended). This product contains Amethyst powder and Epsom salt. Of course, Virgin Coconut Oil was added to it as well to help your skin feel nourished and loved. Amethyst is known for its "revitalising energy", and it allegedly exfoliates without micro-tearing. Epsom salt is mineral rich, and offers tension relief. Oh, the polish also has sugar (which actually is its first ingredient). Do not worry-- if you think that this polish is made out of Amethyst-- Amethyst powder comes in 10th place. At first, I took a teaspoon full of product for half the leg-- that was not enough. The blood on my legs after the razor was clearly saying "not enough exfoliation". Then, I took 2 teaspoon fulls for the other half leg, and that was enough. So, you actually will need quite a bit of product if you want to exfoliate your skin properly. Did I tell you that this product comes in the heaviest of glass jars? Like, the total of the product is probably around a kilo-- which is ridiculous (when it is only 200g of actual product). Oh, and a glass jar in the bathroom-- what a great idea (sarcasm). Overall, Herbivore was really trying to create a luxury product, and possibly failed miserably at that. The price, the ingredients, the packaging-- everything pretty average (that Amethyst powder is probably not even necessary for scrubbing your body). Sorry, Herbivore-- I really can't justify the existence of this product and why we would need it. But Amethyst is "my" month stone, so...
Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner (full size 120ml for $39)
This toner is designed for combination to oily skins-- perfect, since my face has been like that lately. According to Herbivore, this is what the key components should do: "Tone and reduce oiliness with green tea, witch hazel, and aloe vera; fight blemishes with clarifying white willow bark rich in naturally occurring salicylic acid; calm redness with ginger root; and soothe the sense with small-batch, organic and luxurious jasmine flower water". All sounds nice, right? Right. The spray works wonderfully too. 3 sprays and you are fully covered. The toner did not break me out-- yay. However, let us be real: this toner is beyond over-priced. It is good, but by no means justifies the price (not even close). The glass bottle makes it hard to travel with. The worst part, by a mile, is the smell: it is very jasmine-scented. And not in the nice way. In the toilet refresher kind of way. And I really don't enjoy spraying such things on my face.