Pumpkin Passion

Name: Pure Simplicity Pumpkin Purifying Face Mask
Purchased At: Bath & Body Works
Price: $18.00
Availability: Year Round

I first heard of this product on the Oprah Winfrey Show during her 2003 Favorite Things episode. I rarely watch the show because . . . . I have a job but in the Winter of 2003, I did not. For those who don’t know, or maybe just to state the obvious, Oprah’s Favorite Things is a show that she’s had since 1999 to highlight products that she (does she really?) uses and gives them out to her audience as gifts. The show is supposed to give upper-middle class women Christmas shopping ideas. Typically, it’s some kind of food, beauty, clothing, or electronic item.

When describing the product she mentioned that people are always compliment her on the perfume she’s wearing but she doesn’t wear perfume; it’s a combination of the beauty products she uses. Pure Simplicity Pumpkin Purifying Face Mask is one of those products. After that show, Bath & Body Works couldn’t seem to keep it in stock and I didn’t find it until the following Christmas.

I’ve used this mask for over 3 years now. This stuff is truly pumpkiny. I wish Bath & Body Works would make all of their pumpkin products smell exactly like this mask does. It’s defiantly reminiscent of good ole pumpkin pie, only without the cinnamon. I’ve never been tempted to taste it, mostly out of fear that I’ll develop a tummy ache, but if someone else did, I wouldn’t think they were crazy.

Besides the amazing pumpkin smell, it does the job I expect of it; it makes my face feel clean and not overly oily or dry. My face can be moderately sensitive and this mask has never made my face burn, tingle, or turn red. It also doesn’t turn your face a funny color while you’re wearing it. You could actually answer the door while wearing this mask and not have your neighbor die while laughing at you. It also washes off easily and completely.

The specialness of pumpkin as an ingredient is because it’s high in Vitamin A (for skin healing), Vitamin C (an antioxidant), and Zinc (helps to repair the skin’s top layer and control acne). Good stuff! There are, however, plenty of recipes for homemade pumpkin face masks to be found on the internet. At $18.00 per jar, the Pure Simplicity Pumpkin Mask is not too pricey but it’s not exactly cheap. Once I finish my current jar, I’ll try out some of the homemade masks and let you know how it goes.

The draw backs are that it always goes on extremely cold which can be a little shocking when applied in cold weather and it also takes longer than other mask to dry, about 25 minutes. Perhaps the most disappointing part of the pumpkin mask is that while Oprah claims it keeps her smelling good, I can’t smell it once it’s washed off.

I wish Pure Simplicity would expand their pumpkin line of products. Other scents have face moisturizer, eye cream, shower gel, hand cream, and more. The only other Pure Simplicity pumpkin product is the body butter (review to come later). Give me more!!!

Rating: 9 out of 10
It would be a perfect 10 if the scent lasted a little longer.