Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel

I was introduced to Elemis after receiving a free facial about 12 months ago. Well, it wasn`t exactly free, but I paid for it with Nectar points so it was as good as free. The products used were Elemis which suited my skin. After finding out how expensive Elemis skincare products are, I went for a splurge on Ebay and bought loads. I have since stopped using Elemis, they are very good, but I use other products that are good but a fraction of the price. ...
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Elemis began as a Company in 1990 and provide a lifestyle brand of aromatherapy products to suit each individual. They cater for men and women and whilst they sell all the usual moisturisers, they offer a lot of anti-ageing products and specialise in spa, massage and essential oils. The plants used in their products are selected for their premium medical grade, high therapeutic value and they take only the first extraction after ... more

I was introduced to Elemis after receiving a free facial about 12 months ago. Well, it wasn`t exactly free, but I paid for it with Nectar points so it was as good as free. The products used were Elemis which suited my skin. After finding out how expensive Elemis skincare products are, I went for a splurge on Ebay and bought loads. I have since stopped using Elemis, they are very good, but I use other products that are good but a fraction of the price. Anyway, left in my cabinet was some Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel, it must have been a bargain. I was left wondering why I had bought it as it had been given very little use.

Elemis.
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Elemis began as a Company in 1990 and provide a lifestyle brand of aromatherapy products to suit each individual. They cater for men and women and whilst they sell all the usual moisturisers, they offer a lot of anti-ageing products and specialise in spa, massage and essential oils. The plants used in their products are selected for their premium medical grade, high therapeutic value and they take only the first extraction after drying. This apparantly sets the company aside from others due to the quality.

Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel.
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Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel is a multi functional gel which instantly revitalises tired legs and muscle tension. It can also be used for soreness and water retention. It can apparently be applied over pantyhose as it is so light, which I think is this country are tights! I can`t see any reason to want to do this though. The directions state that you can gently massage on your forehead in circular motion or temples. The gel is a powerful synergy combining soothing extracts of arnica, birch,camphor and menthol.

It costs £25 in most places for 150ml. I have only seen it on line or at beauty salons (not that I visit many). There are lots of websites that stock it, but the Elemis website which tells you all about Elemis products can be viewed on www.elems.com., you then select your country.

My experience of the Gel.
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Every now and again I would apply it to my forehead and temples as recommended to de-stress my pressure points. It provides quite a pleasant sensation but I didn`t utelise it very often. When I apply products to my skin, I am more interested in therapeutic values like moisturising or cleansing. The gel, though it is mostly absorbed quite quickly, does leave a slight residue on the skin.

Last night I used it for the first time for sore muscles. My son was given a birthday present called bopit, which entails using the hands to twist, pull and bop the corresponding handles and lights. It is addictive. I spent a long time on it and as a result, my arms were stiff. I was a bit suprised to say the least. Serves me right I guess, especially, as my sister pointed out, she bought it for him, not me. Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to put the Elemis Refreshing Gel to the test.

Let me set the scene. I went to bed, my husband was at work until midnight. My arms were aching, I really fancied just relaxing and unwinding in bed. I had been wondering if I was coming down with a cold or flu during the day due to the aching, but I came to the conclusion that I was just stiff. I was really looking forward to bed. I put on my Lumie Bodyclock on the sunset setting starting off from dim, for a relaxing glow. The good thing about this is that it automatically `sunsets` so that the light eventually goes out completely. It doesn`t matter if you fall asleep. I was prepared to pamper myself with the end result of a deep, comfortable sleep.

I got ready for bed and lay down under the quilt. First I applied the gel to my temples in a gentle circular motion. Next I ligthly rubbed it on to my forehead. I could feel the pleasant sensation almost immediately, which would correspond with the name, instant refreshing gel. It really is difficult to explain the sensation, to ascertain whether it is hot or cold, it certainly isn`t warm. It really is weird, one second it feels slightly hot, a bit like a gentle version of deep heat, the next second it feels cooling and refreshing, probably due to the cooling properties of the menthol. I lay back and enjoyed this sensation whislt trying to establish exactly how it felt.

Next I applied it liberally to my arms, mainly the lower arms. I sat back and waited, nothing. I applied some more, to the upper arms also and the insides of my lower arms. I still did not feel an immediate effect. It must have only taken a minute approximately, but then I felt the gel begining to work. It felt nice and soothing. I kept making the comparison to deep heat. As already explained, I couldn`t differentiate between heat and cool. I think it would have felt hotter but the menthol content had a nice cooling effect. It really did soothe my aching muscles, I kept moving them around as they felt so good, at the same time as remaining comfortable and falling asleep.

The aroma is quite nice, it does have a menthol tinge to it. When I apply it to my forehead I can`t really smell it. When I rubbed it into my arms, I could smell it on my arms, I think it was the birch that I could smell predominately. It was not a paticularly nice smell but not unpleasant either. It smells nice, almost medicinal straight from the tube, it is strange how different it smells on the skin. Also, it didn`t seem to leave a residue on the skin on the arms.

I think the difference in timing of feeling the INSTANT refreshing gel, was due to the difference in thickness of the skin!

My verdict.
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I think Elemis Intstant Refreshing Gel may be interesting to someone who practices aromatherapy. It would also be beneficial for people who suffer from sore muscles regularly as it does help. I probably won`t buy it again, whilst quite pleasant, it is expensive for something that you may or may not need. Once mine has run out, I won`t replace it, until I need something for sore muscles and then I will buy something cheaper.  

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