Honestly, there’s really NO excuse – not only has there been no post since October – OCTOBER I tell you..but in our supreme busy-ness over Christmas we forgot to:

• Wish you a Merry Christmas (tut-tut)
• Wish you a Happy New Year (really?)
• Tell you about our 1st EVER SPECIAL OFFER available to EVERYONE!

To try to make up for all of the above we’ve extended the SPECIAL OFFER we were originally running just over Christmas and yes – this time, we HAVE remembered to actually tell you about it. So RIGHT NOW there’s a very merry 20% OFF ALL Facial Mask/Eye & Lip Mask Assorted Deluxe Packs and Ultimate Packs over at the Moor Mask Orders Section.  PLUS if you haven’t done so already, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter and get a FURTHER 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE FIRST ORDER.  (Your discount code can be found in your final confirmation email following subscription and can be applied during checkout at the time of order).  So, while you’re bemoaning the Xmas excess, dusting off the gym subscriptions and subjecting yourselves to the torture of New Year detox spare a thought for your skin and…get some Moor Mask in!

Independent Moor Mask Review YouTube Video

We just found this review of our facial masks on Youtube:) The review itself is really comprehensive and LetsReviewIt gave us an overrall rating of ‘…18 thumbs up and I love this product’. We’re rather pleased with ourselves:) Check out the full video review and if you go to our Moor Mask Facebook ‘Welcome’ page  and click on the ‘Like’ button, refresh the page, you’ll access a none too shabby 20% DISCOUNT on the entire Moor Mask range for a very limited time for all our Facebook fans when you enter the code at checkout via http://orders.mooormask.com  …enjoy!

Facial mask or Eye & Lip mask – THAT is the question? Forgive us peeps for we have sinned…it’s been 2 months since our last post which is naughty…Naughty…NAUGHTY and while it may have been quiet on the blog front it’s been anything but in every other area.  Despite the continuing gloomy economic climate we’re enjoying our busiest year yet, whilst juggling wholesale orders and rooting out bugs in the new website.  There are so many ways to go on this post it’s hard to pick one BUT me thinks it’s time to address the Face & Body Mask vs. Eye & Lip Mask debate as we regularly receive emails on this subject so to clarify:

Firstly, the 3 photo’s from the Eye & Lip article on the BEFORE & AFTER PICS page. These results were achieved using the Eye & Lip version of the mask.  Although we call it Eye & Lip (as these are 2 areas that are difficult to treat) – this version can be used ANYWHERE on the skin in particular areas of concern e.g stubborn spots or red patches,  where faster results are required and/or where you don’t want to be masking as often as you would with the Face & Body.

The Eye & Lip Mask AND the Face & Body mask contain 100% organic moor mud.  So “what’s the difference” – especially considering that the Eye & Lip Mask is more expensive?  Well, while the moor mud in both our regular and Eye & Lip versions comes from the same source of European medicinal mud and whilst it looks the same, the properties between the two DO vary.

This is actually due to 2 main factors, the mud used in Moor Mask is actually extracted in ‘layers’ – with the different layers being used for different purposes as the deeper the mud is extracted from, the purer it is. The regular mask is taken from the 3^rd layer and the Eye & Lip from the 4^th – layer which is approximately 3-3.5 metres deep.  We don’t use or sell the mud from the 2^nd layer  at all although some other brands/retailers of moor mud do.   (More on this in a forthcoming post when we’ll advise on comparing ‘like for like’ when looking at prices of moor mud on the web).  The deeper extraction means that the mud taken from this layer is purer and has higher levels of some active ingredients.

The Eye & Lip version of the mud then undergoes a further refining process which results in smaller particles allowing for faster and deeper penetration into the skin which produces quicker, more superior results compared to the regular mask.  The process of both deeper ETHICAL extraction from the earth AND the additional refining process are expensive – resulting in a higher priced product for us and you.  It can be argued though that over the long-term, if used regularly, the Eye & Lip mask actually works out cheaper as you don’t have to use it as often as the regular version to achieve similar results.  We actually have ardent devotees of both versions (with the majority preferring the Face & Body) and some customers like to use both – the regular mask on their face, neck, body and hair and the Eye & Lip on the eyes and lips and any stubborn areas they want to treat more intensively.

As to which version we would recommend – it is really a matter of personal taste.  If you have a variety of problems you wish to treat,
your condition is quite serious or you would prefer to use the mask less often, then ‘Eye & Lip’ might be a better choice?  Some first time users
order one of the Moor Mask Deluxe packs (which you can find at:   http://orders.moormask.com/DELUXE_PACKS/cat547679_496853.aspx ) so
they can try out BOTH versions to see which one is better for them and with the savings these packs offer they work out at good value.

Get 15% OFF the entire Moor Mask Clear Skin Care system when you subscribe to the monthly newsletter!  You can sign-up via the form in the sidebar on the right hand side of the blog and recieve your Moor Mask money off coupon in the final sign-up confirmation email to use against any order at http://orders.moormask.com for a LIMITED TIME ONLY! (Your details are NEVER shared or sold and you can unsubscribe easily at any time)…Get busy peeps:)

Dark, seductive, fabulously ‘gooey’ and very effective, these little beauties could perhaps more accurately be called ‘treatment bars’ but hey..no airs and graces here, so just plain old ‘soap’ will do.   Dynamite to acne, aging, dry, mature, problem and sensitive skin, they have already proved a massive hit with testers and some of you who have received trial sizes as a ’freebie’ in recent orders.

Although they can be used on their own, they aren’t a substitute for actual mask treatments and are instead designed for use as a supplement to your Moor Mask Clear Skin regime and we recommend using them twice a day, morning and evening on days when you aren’t ‘masking’, when travelling and it isn’t convenient to apply a full treatment and before a full mask application to cleanse and prepare the skin.  Unscented and packed with as much of our best-selling face and body mask as we could possibly cram into them without them falling apart, they are  100% natural, handmade and contain 100% organic oils. 

Presently, they’re available in 100g/3.5oz in two ‘flavours’ – regular suitable for normal, dry, mature and sensitive skin and problem with added sun dried sea salt and clay powder for acne, blemished, oily and problem skin. Additionally, we’ve priced them to sell at £12.99 per 100g/3.5oz  bar (before any discounts are applied).  For similar soaps already on the market, current prices are approximately £12/$20 for a single 25g/1oz bar (Royale Moor and Eumora) and £24/$40 for a 6oz Erno Lazlo Mud Soap.

They can be used on your face or body in the bath or shower and full details on how to use them and the ingredients list for each one can be found via the following links:

Moor mud soap for Acne, Blemished, Oily, Problem Skin

Moor mud soap for Aging, Dry, Normal, Mature, Sensitive Skin

Our 20% discount offer for fans of our Facebook page has just finished (although anyone who still has the discount coupon has another 48 hours to use it) and we’re taking a breather after the huge response.  If you want to be among the first to hear about the next one then please sign up for the monthly newsletter using the form in the right hand sidebar or from the main site.

20% OFF – ONLY AVAILABLE TO FANS OF THE MOOR MASK  Facebook Page NOW!

As promised in our last month’s newsletter we will be offering fans of our Facebook page exclusive discounts.  This month, as a big ‘thank you’ to all of you who have already ‘liked’ the new page – we are offering our BIGGEST ever discount of 20% on the entire Moor Mask® range. All you have to do is click on the ‘Find us on Facebook’ button in the right hand sidebar or on any of the text links contained in this post and login to your Facebook account at which point you should be able to see the discount code at the top of the Facebook page – just under the tabbed browser.

If you haven’t had chance to check out the Facebook page yet or haven’t ‘liked’ it already (naughty) don’t worry.  Simply use the same links to get to our page – hit the ‘like’ button, say ‘abracadabra’ (optional) whilst refreshing/reloading the page and magically, the discount code should now appear.

The coupon can be used as normal on the orders section (don’t forget to click on the ‘+’ sign to the right of the coupon code box in order for your discount to be applied automatically).  This is a LIMITED TIME offer so don’t delay…

Should you experience any difficulty in ordering or applying your discount code please email directly giving a brief description of the problem using the Moor Mask contact form on the main site.

I meant to get around to this post months ago as we’re asked about using Moor Mask® in the bath a LOT!

As our regulars will already know Moor Mask® consists of over a 1000 herbs and plants which have undergone geological, biological, chemical and physical processes.  These processes have rendered our mud jam packed full of organic sulphur, humic acid, vitamins, minerals, lipids, amino acids and all manner of other skin feeding goodies.

Moor mud had been used therapeutically in clinics and spas for a long time, the process even has it’s own name – balneotherapy, which to us non-scientists is perhaps better described as therapeutic bathing. Moor mud has been used in Europe for medicinal baths and wraps for the past 200 years for rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis, gynecological disorders, sciatica, skin diseases, trauma and other afflictions and ailments.  And you thought it was ‘just’ good for your skin…?

Anyway, whether you want fabulous looking skin or need to alleviate a more serious skin condition, such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis or body acne  a Moor Mask® mud bath is a great alternative to an all-over body mask – you don’t need to invite a friend to help out, unless you want too of course – you use less mask, you can forego spa treatment prices and it is a truely blissful way to end a long day.

To bathe in Moor Mask – use the Face & Body (regular) version of our Moor mud which can be found at: http://orders.moormask.com/FACE_AND_BODY_MASK_JARS/cat547679_496830.aspx

1. The best time to take a Moor mud bath is immediately before bedtime. Make sure the bathroom is warm and run a deep bath, pour in the Moor mud – the amount to add will vary on the depth and size of your bath and personal preference but as a general rule at least 3 cups per bath is recommended.  You can add up to 6-8 cups if your condition is severe or you’re feeling decadent however you won’t be washing off the particles of mud when you exit the bath so you may want to keep this in mind.  A ‘cup’ in this instance is based on the American use of a cup as a measure, however you can use a small teacup (not a mug) as an alternative if you don’t have one of these.
2.  The water should be hot enough to be comfortable and open the pores.  Mix the mud thoroughly in the water to ensure you don’t have floating ‘globules’. Put some warm towels close to the bath for when you come out.
3. Lie back and soak in the bath for 20-30 minutes. Close your eyes and splash the water over your face as well. You can wash your hair in it if you wish, especially if you have dry hair. Just relax in the bath, listen to music or just meditate. When are ready to get out you can pat yourself dry but don’t rub – although ‘air-drying’ or simply stepping into a fluffy bathrobe is preferable. The idea is to leave as much mud residue as possible on your skin.  Any temporary discolouration of the bath can easily be removed with a soft cloth, warm water and your usual cleaning agent – as a natural product the mud is perfectly safe to use even if you have a sceptic waste tank and it will not block pipes or drains.
4. Do not use ANY other products on your skin overnight.  Upon arising you can shower in the usual way to remove any remaining mud particules.  If your bedlinen, towels or robe have any mud on them, this will simply wash out.

To find out more about balneotherapy and how it can be used to treat specific conditions wikipedia has a good definition and links to examples here.  If you would like to order Moor Mask® the orders section can be found at:  http://orders.moormask.com/ or the main site at: http://www.moormask.com/  Happy bathing!

Until 12th April, 2011 you can get 15% off ANY Moor Mask® order when you sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Subscribing entitles you to access to the VIP area, occasional free products and special exclusive discounts.  You’ll also be the first to hear about any new products or developments (and there are a few of these in the pipeline at the moment).  With British summertime officially upon us as of NOW, there’s no better way to get your skin into shape after the LOOOOOOOOG hibernation of a particularly harsh winter and we’ve come over all generous with the promise of warmer weather by throwing  a sample freebie into every parcel!  Sign up via the form on the right hand sidebar, the main Moor Mask® site or our brandee new Moor Mask® Facebook Page

**Your discount code will be sent to you in the final sign up confirmation email so be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you can’t see the email from us.  The code can then be used during checkout (ensure you click on the ‘+’ button to the right of the discount code box for your saving to be applied).**

It’s been a long time coming and weeks and weeks and weeks of hair pulling, teeth gnashing and forehead banging, but our Facebook page has FINALLY landed!  It looks a lot different from the original blueprint which you can see from the pic above due to various workarounds we had to implement in order to be Facebook compatible and Facebook changing the size of the page area to a mere 520px when we were half way through implementing changes.  In the end we succumbed to a 3rd party application so we could add all the features we wanted AND retain our sanity!  Facebook is possibly the worst platform ever for the non-techie and we are definitely in that category.    

The FAQ’s page is still under construction, however everything else is up and running including our NEW Facebook mini-store which means you can now order your favourite products without ever having to leave Facebook. 

You can even order via your mobile/cell phone at: http://moormask.ecwid.com/ (more on this in another post coming soon).

Anyway, you can see the finished article for yourselves either by clicking on the ‘FIND US ON FACEBOOK‘ button in the right hand sidebar or directly at:  http://www.facebook.com/moormask.skincare?v=app_196876217003570

Quite a few of you have already found us but for those of you who haven’t yet don’t forget to ‘LIKE‘  the page once you’re there as we’ll be offering exclusive special offers to all Facebook fans over the coming months…watch that space:)

Celebrity Big Brother winner Chantelle Houghton has declared her support for BUAV’s No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end animal testing for toiletries and cosmetic products sold in the EU!

She joins former Pussycat Doll and You Can Dance judge Kimberly Wyatt, Jodie Kidd, Jenny Seagrove, and celebrity designer Meg Mathews, who have all come out in support of the BUAV’s Europe wide campaign.

Despite a UK and EU ban on the use of animals to test cosmetics and toiletries and contrary to popular belief, cosmetic companies are still allowed to sell products within the EU that have been tested on animals in other parts of the world. An import and sales ban on animal tested products in the EU is due to come into effect in 2013.

However, the BUAV and European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) have launched the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign in response to concerns of a delay to this ban. If delayed, hundreds of thousands of animals will continue to die in cruel cosmetics tests for beauty products sold in the EU.

Over 19,000 people across the EU have already signed the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign petition, including Chantelle Houghton, which will be sent to the European Parliament.  Join them and sign the petition here.

Whatever you think about her music there’s no denying that Madonna looks very, very good for her age and we were delighted to hear recently that she’s been a moor mud fan for some time!  That would explain it then…

Some quick internet research threw up an OK magazine article dated 2008 regarding mud therepies and lists Madonna as a black moor mud devotee.  Intrigued we “dug” (excuse the pun) a little deeper and found an article from The Guardian newspaper dated waaay back in 2000, which suggests Madonna discovered the benefits of mud therapy whilst pregnant with Rocco and was photographed whilst heavily pregnant cavorting in a natural volcanic mud pool on an island near Sicily.

Might we suggest that when she hasn’t got the time or the inclination to get back there she frolics in a bath of  Moor Mask® and that for the rest of us, next time we’re applying a Moor Mask® treatment we refer to it reverently as “doing a Madonna”:) Oh yeah!

If you wanna check out the articles yourself – here’s the info:

• OK  moor mud therapy and Madonna therapy article from 2008
• The Guardian’s ”Mud in Your Eye” article. 

Eye & Lip Mask is available from the Moor Mask site NOW!

Our brand new Eye & Lip mask produces amazingly clear skin very quickly and is great for stubborn lines, wrinkles, acne, aging skin, undereye bags and dark circles. It also promotes lash growth, plumps out lips and tightens the skin in delicate areas. The super refining process means smaller particles of this natural skin care mask penetrate the skin to a deeper level giving you even quicker, superior results in fewer treatments when compared to using our regular facial mask.  This also makes the Eye & Lip mask ideal for stubborn, troublesome areas of skin and in the longer term excellent value for money.

These Before & After pics are just in and you can read all about it or view larger before and after pics of both our regular facial mask  and Eye & Lip mask pics here.  

Available to buy in either small or medium sizes, the  Small Size Moor Mask® Eye & Lip Mask contains enough mask for approximately 18-21 FULL applications to the undereye and orbital eye areas plus lips or for approximately 6 months of daily treatments if you are using it solely to promote lash growth.

The Medium Size Moor Mask® Eye & Lip Mask  jar works out at great value and provides enough mask to use for larger “stubborn” areas on either the face or body.  The Eye & Lip mask can either be used on it’s own or in conjuction with the regular face and body Moor Mask®. When using the mask on the eyes or lips, it should be applied with a small brush following the same application instructions as for our facial masks except you will be applying it all around the eye area (think a sideways figure of 8, or a “Lone Ranger” style mask, to the lips and any “stubborn” areas that you want to “zap”).

For more info or to order please go to: http://orders.moormask.com
CLAIM YOUR FREE SMALL SIZE REGULAR MASK WITH ANY EYE & LIP PURCHASE WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER|!

Our FREE jar offer was the most popular promotion we ran last year and we are expecting demand to be high.  Until the 1st March 2011, if you sign up for our monthly newsletter,  you can claim a FREE SMALL/TRIAL SIZE JAR  of regular Face & Body Moor Mask® (worth £19.99) with ANY purchase of an Eye & Lip mask (includes individual Eye & Lip Mask  jars, Eye & Lip Starter Kits or Deluxe Packs).

You will receive a code during your sign-up confirmation which you can enter during checkout, and although it won’t change your checkout total,  the code will appear when your order is sent to us and we will include your free gift automatically.

**Please do NOT add a small/trial size jar as your free jar to your order at checkout otherwise the order system will charge you for it!**

What on earth (I hear you cry) have Mary Louise Parker, Kings of Leon, HRT and Jax from “Sons” got to do with natural skin care?  Well I’m glad you asked and possibly the most honest and straight forward answer is “nowt” (English  colloquialism for “nada/nothing/etc.) but if you stick with me I promise all will become clear and you’ll maybe gain an insight into a deluded mind by the time you finish reading. 

My story starts on Friday.  I’d been up until 3am and 2am respectively,  struggling to try and get the multi-billion pound platform that is Facebook to recognise that our blog feed IS indeed valid and should be imported into our Facebook pages.  Despite countless hours researching suggested workarounds on the web I had been spectactularly unsuccessful. 

I left the PC bleary eyed and hugely frustrated running late for a much needed  family get-together with Sunday roast courtesy of mum.  I  left the house ”au natural” (i.e without make-up, having merely threatened my face with a flannel)  bundled up in a 2 year old fleece , woolly pom pom hat and faded too short jeans which had the remains of last nights dinner on them. 

Despite 160gb of music of my Ipod,  I toggled through the 30 albums that I actually listen to  and settled on the always reliable Kings of Leon – Live at Maida Vale Studios.  

Completely gratuitous pic of Charlie in his Jax togs

Against the backdrop of the Kings soundtrack within minutes I had morphed into a Nancy Botwin-esque vixen, enjoying a madly torrid affair with Jax (aka Charlie Hunnam from ”Sons of Anarchy”).  So taken was I with my delusional “woman of mayhem” fantasy that I deliberately jumped a red light at nearby roadworks where I usually sit for hours nurturing anarchistic thoughts and plotting dastardly deeds.  

Seriously - is there no end to my villainy – somebody STOP me!   

By the time I reached my destination the stresses of the weekend had been replaced by a huge grin and the  unshakeable conviction that I had shed 10 years and was perfectly capable of all kinds of bedroom athletics with said Mr Hunnam despite bad circulation and a dodgy digestive system.  Unfortunately – and you’re just gonna have to trust me on this – I look nothing like Mary Louise Parker (even if she hadn’t washed her face and was wearing yesterday’s clothes)  although I was sorely tempted to photoshop my face onto her bod in the photo at the top.  Fortunately I am blessed with a very active imagination.  Ms Botwin and I may share very little in common in reality except a love of large and regular coffees and although not worlds apart in age, my attempt at Nancy Botwin is rather more homely and possibly closer to this photo:

Me as Nancy Botwin

 (which is completely unretouched and un-photoshop-ed btw).   The 30 minute drive passed by in no time and what can I say to the Kings, Nancy and Jax ’cept..the time we shared it was precious to me and all the while I was dreaming of revelry.  Kings of Leon – I salute you!

P.S.  No prizes for guessing which TV shows I am currently re-visiting.

Moor Mask® natural clear skin care system is 100% organic and treats acne, aging skin, dermatitis, ezcema, psoriasis and sun-damage. The ultimate all-in-one acne treatment, blackhead remover, oily face normaliser and dry skin care weapon, each jar contains an incredibly potent cocktail of over 1000 herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, lipids and organic sulphur. All the ingredients are naturally occuring making them suitable for even the most sensitive or problematic skin as well as male skin. Truely, Mother Natures first aid for the skin – this body and facial mask is not only one of the best natural acne treatments and clear skin anti aging products out there but it is also highly effective at treating dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

We’ve put together an unbeatable deal for you on our NEW deluxe packs and you can save an incredible £25 on the medium size pack compared to buying each item separately.  Not only that but if you subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter you can currently save an additional 15% across the entire  Moor Mask® Clear Skin Care Range. 

Our  brand new Moor Mask® duluxe pack contains a jar of both our best-selling Face and Body mask, our new Eye and Lip mask and all the accessories you’ll need for your clear skin treatments. 

The deluxe packs are presently available in 2 sizes – small or medium.  For full details or to order please go to the orders section at: http://orders.moormask.com
 

The medium pack contains:
 
1 x Medium Size 225ml/8 fl oz.Eye Mask/Lip Mask
1 x Large Size 500ml/17 fl.oz Face Mask/Body Mask
1 x Eyeliner Style Brush
1 x General Purpose Brush
1 x Misting Atomiser

Our new Eye & Lip mask produces amazing results on stubborn lines, wrinkles, undereye bags and dark circles. It also promotes lash growth, plumps out lips and tightens the skin in delicate areas. The super refining process means smaller particles of mask penetrate the skin to a deeper level giving you even quicker, superior results.

For full details of Moor Mask® natural skin care products, the conditions they can alleviate and full usage instructions and tutorials please go to the clear skin page on the main site.