Face masks are great for a bit of pampering or even just as part of your weekly skincare regime. For a bit of pampering I decided to use this Fruit Smoothie mask; listening to music while I let the mask dry into my skin. It is one sure way to relax.

I usually use Superdrugs Mud Therapy mask. This has always been great to my skin, leaving it clear, smooth and radiant. So I am not quick to try anything new anymore. But I received this mask as part of a christmas present and I enjoyed these masks before so it was nice having something new to try.

** The Range **
I am sure most people reading will have come across Montage Jeunesse products. They are the face masks that feature a woman on the front very happy to be using the product and usually a fruit or veg combination on her eyes. They have a wide range of products for all types of skin with an even wider range of 'flavours' for want of a better word. So if one product doesn't suit, its quite possible that you will find another that will.

The masks are also approved by the Vegetarian Society - a huge plus in my book as a vegetarian. Its not tested on animals, doesn't contain any nasty chemicals, they try to be as eco-friendly as possibly and their ingredients are naturally derived. All great pluses, I am sure you will agree!

** The Fruit Smoothie Mask **
This mask is marketed as being deep cleansing, getting deep into your pores. And if the woman on the front is anything to go by, wearing this mask is really fun! Or maybe she smiled when putting the mask on before realising that if she moved her face now its going to crack? Either way, she seems really excited to be wearing it. But does it live up to this expectation?

On the front, the flavour of mask is raspberry and mango but it also contains aloe vera, pomegranate and peach. All combining for what sounds like a great mask (and partly sounds like a great drink!)

** Using the mask **
On opening this packet you are hit with the scent of raspberries initially; lovely fresh raspberries. On closer sniffing inspection the light freshness of the mango seems apparent. But I feel the raspberry overrides the mango by a long shot. The smell reminds me of summer: sitting in the garden, with the sun shining down and eating lots of fruit and fruit-based iced lollies. All that was missing was the scent of sunscreen to complete the picture.

The mask is quite thick and spreads quite easily over the face (avoiding eyes and lips). As you get quite a lot in one sachet you can get quite a good layer on your face with quite a lot of mask left over . This makes it good if you have someone else in the house who may be interested in using it. I'm unsure of how long the mask lasts in the sachet once opened. It does seem like a bit of a waste though.

Once the mask is on the smell is not so apparent, but for 10-15 minutes you get a bit of relaxing time. So sit back with a good book or lie in the bath with candles around you. Though, the mask will dry and you will be left unable to make any facial expressions (or talk!) without cracking the mask. This may please your partner (or they may just try to annoy you to make you smile and crack the mask). The mask also turns white (so if you fancy giving the neighbours a fright if they look through your window...).

Once the mask is dry you can wash it off. I find this is either best done in the shower or through the use of cotton pads (if you dip them in the water I find you can use three to remove the mask off all your face).

After I removed the mask was where the disappointment started for me. Usually on removing a face mask I'd expect my skin to feel smoother. But in this instance it didn't; quite the opposite in fact. Once I was out the shower my skin looked no different and did not feel any different. I'd have been as well just going for a shower as usual and not using a mask on my face. And on inspecting my pores (I have quite oily skin, so they are quite noticeable and can get quite clogged) and saw no difference. Or I could have given my face a real treat by using my usual.

** Price and Availability **
The mask costs about £1 and can be bought from many retailers such as Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and Asda or directly from Montage Jeunesse.

** Conclusion **
I can't say I will be using this mask again. It may smell good and you may get a good amount per packet, but the results were just too disappointing. So I do not recommend it. As I agree with the ethical standpoint of the company I will be checking out others in the range as I remember some of them being quite good. But this one was just a huge disappointment for me.