Dear lewin & reilly organic and wild harvested skin care,
I usually don’t like being proved wrong, but this time I decided to make an exception.
A little birdy told me you were launched online by husband and wife team Andi Reilly and Kim Lewin-Reilly earlier this year. I thought this was pretty cute—who doesn’t love a bit of romance? He then told me that you were inspired by their honeymoon trip to the Cook Islands, and that you can be described as fresh, exotic and uplifting (I’m often described the same way. So flattering, isn’t it?) Then he said that you feature both men’s and women’s facial products, and include moisturiser, cleansing oil, tonic and cleansing cream. Also, he told me that all your products are made with natural botanical ingredients like frangipani, coconut oil and Kakadu plum, and are jam packed with crazy amounts of Vitamin C and other good stuff. What’s more, he said all ingredients are sourced right here in Australia and throughout the islands of the South Pacific, and all products are hand-made by the couple themselves. Then I ran out of birdseed and he flew away.
However despite all this great stuff he told me, when I got my hands on you a few weeks ago, I’ll admit I still had pretty low expectations.
Why, you ask?
Because in my past experiences with natural/organic/ecofriendly skin care products, nothing has ever worked—at all. Yes, my face might have smelled like flowers and sure, the products were kind to the environment, but at the end of every bottle, tube and pot, my face still looked and felt the same, even though I was promised flawless, glowing skin and eternal joy.
So understandably, I couldn’t help but expect the same disappointment from you, as fabulous as you sounded.
Organic? Wild harvested? Pffft.
Despite my doubts, however, I decided to give you a go—and to track any progress, I even kept a journal…
Day 1:
Packaging is cute. And biodegradable. Tick. But what are these strange plants—Kakadu plum and kukui? Nonsense. This smells funny. (Skin does feel hydrated though, and surprisingly not oily.)
Day 2:
Skin is definitely hydrated. This might be OK. Face tonic smells the strangest, but feels nice. Moisturiser warns me that skin may be too lovely for make-up. Ha! We’ll see. I have my doubts.
Day 3:
Still not really sure when to use cleansing oil. Also a little bit reluctant. Spent eighteen years trying to get oil off my face— not sure if I want to put it back on. Hmm. Skin looks noticeably brighter. Complexion may be slightly enhanced. Still need make-up though. Knew it.
Day 4:
Not wearing make-up today. Mostly due to laziness rather than miraculous effects of moisturiser. Really starting to like facial tonic despite it smelling kind of like pepper and potatoes. Face smells like pot roast, feels awesome.
Day 5:
Had mild allergic reaction to cleansing cream last night. Packaging did recommend I patch test prior to use, but ain’t nobody got time for that *sassy finger snap*. Such a shame, because it smells and feels quite lovely, despite it leaving an angry, blotchy rash on my face for about twenty minutes after use. Sigh. Guess I should patch test next time. On the other hand, tonic is beginning to shrink pores. YAY. This is good. Face is also very smooth and kind of glowy. This is also good. Still wearing make-up though. Hm.
Day 6:
Starting to really like cleansing oil. Also getting used to (and starting to like) funny smells. Complexion is definitely enhanced. Too scared to try cleansing cream again, but still loving my pepper and potato toner. Face feels… happy. Still wearing make-up, though requiring less and less everyday. I am very impressed.
Day 7:
Teenage acne scars are fading (slowly). This is seriously groundbreaking. Complexion is becoming even. Skin looks kind of radiant and feels über hydrated. Also smooth as a baby’s bot. Have found that moisturiser works well as a primer and doesn’t make face shiny after twenty-five minutes. This is a first.
Day 14:
Expectations exceeded. Send me 500 bottles of each, please and thank you.
So, lewin & reilly organic and wild harvested skin care, I would like to apologise for doubting you. Thank you for proving me wrong and for making my face pretty.
Love, Anoosha
In all seriousness, lewin & reilly’s range is well and truly changing the game for skin care products. And best of all—they don’t test on animals.
Check them out and see for yourself, and do your face (and the environment) a huge favour.
