The thigh's the limit (Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Anti-Cellulite Body Masque)

Member Name: ms_memory

Product:	Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Anti-Cellulite Body Masque
Date:	19/08/09 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Err.. it's cheap and a nice, bright yellow

Disadvantages: Doesn't work, smells horrible

I received this body masque treatment as a stocking filler last Christmas, from someone close enough that I didn't feel offended that they thought my legs needed a bit of TLC. With summer well and truly upon us (if not 'barbecue weather') I decide to put the masque to the test.


*** The promises ***

The packaging blurb claims this product will "re-define" my thighs i.e. leave them "looking slimmer and more toned" and "divinely slender", the skin "smoother with improved elasticity" . It does this by removing dead skin cells thanks to jojoba beads and moisturising the underlying tissue with a host of natural-sounding ingredients such as butcherbroom, carrot, guarana and lemon, which are also supposed to have anti-ageing properties. Intriguingly, these extracts are alleged to "target the four main causes of cellulite production". What, it stops you smoking, boozing, lazing around and eating junk? Ok - I decided to suspend my disbelief for a while and give it a go.


*** The packaging ***

The sachet is flat but contains a good amount of product (30ml) and has a quite nondescript lumpy-shaped outline - is this supposed to represent a typical user's thighs?! I find it easy to rip open and it didn't immediately spill everywhere. The masque is a clear yellow gel, with a consistency a little runnier than hair gel, and is infused with tiny, bright yellow specks - the jojoba beans. After doing the 5-min sensitivity test on my upper arm (no reddening occurs) I'm ready to go.


*** Application ***

Following the instruction, I apply half the sachet to my left "thigh area" and massage it in for a few moments, using circular movements. It's not as harsh as a proper body scrub. The beads are very soft and the massage almost tickles. It feels pleasant enough, but I'm immediately struck by the strong chemical smell which seems to get right up the back of my nose and makes me feel slightly queasy. Still, you have to suffer for beauty - or so they say - so I leave it on for 12 mins as per the instructions (by which time it's gone sticky) then rinse it off with warm water. For scientific reasons I am only doing the one thigh so I can compare the treated limb with the untreated.


*** Effects ***

There is certainly a striking difference between my two thighs, namely, the left one looks as though it's been in the sun too long. I can see exactly where I put the product; the whole area that I treated is a bright pink and feels warm to the touch. This side-effect is not mentioned on the packaging so I can only assume it must be some kind of allergic reaction. Thankfully it doesn't itch or swell and the redness goes down after a few hours.

Undeterred, I give it another try the next day, using the remaining half of the sachet, and the same effect occurs - my thigh looks half roasted. As far as the other promised effects are concerned, I notice nothing. The thigh I used the masque on doesn't feel any smoother or look any younger (!) than the untreated thigh. It's worth mentioning that, like most ladies, I have a little cellulite there and don't exfoliate as much as I could, so I did expect at least a superficial result, such as softer skin. I'm disappointed.


*** Would I use it again? ***

No. The smell really puts me off - even when the sachet is empty I can still smell it from a metre away and it makes me feel sick. The product looks nice and fresh, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about it. Perhaps there would be a noticeable effect with regular use, but if so you'd think this would be mentioned on the packaging, and that it would come in a decent-sized tube rather than a sachet.


*** Conclusion ***

A product that didn't work on me and had annoying side-effects. I think a good massage in the shower with a loofah and some shower gel would be more effective at smoothing and renewing the skin, and it's cheaper too. As for cellulite, I believe that's something that - unfortunately - can only really be reduced by lifestyle changes.


*** Retail info ***

Just in case I've not deterred you: the masque costs around 99p and is available at Superdrug and Asda.

http://www.montagnejeunesse.com

Summary: Don't bother