January 2009

SharonD I am a person who has always put my money in facial products that are suppose to do something, erase lines, brighten, lift or whatever. I ignored the toner or bought a cheaper brand as I figured it was really not the important part of a beauty routine. Sometimes I felt ordinary witch hazel could do the job. In the last couple years I have been buying the better toners and still did not notice any great improvement.

 A couple weeks before Christmas, I went way out east of where I live to a small one stop sign town to find a little store that supposedly sells exceptional organic and therapeutic products and handmade gifts all created by locals. I was pleasantly surprised by the store, but was ecstatic to discover there were items by Joining of Herbs. I had met these ladies last summer at the farmers market when they were just starting their business. Armed with a whole batch of new face and body products they now sell their items at this store to supplement their mail order business. After I gushed over bath salts, bath butters, massage oils, inhaling the therapeutic essential oils, I decided to buy the toner among other items.

At the shop I did not open the toner and when I went to use it that first night, I almost lost my breath. I was not prepared for the strong vinegary, tea tree oil scent. I used it anyway and decided to give this toner a try and see if there was any benefit. Faithfully twice a day after cleansing I put some of this toner on a cotton ball and dabbed my face and neck, let dry and then went with my normal routine of serums and moisturizers. I did get used to the vinegary scent as it reminded me of my mother pouring vinegar over our hair when we were children as a conditioning rinse. After about a week I noticed my face was smooth and exceptionally clean. A few days later, I met a friend for lunch and she asked if I had just had "breakfast in bed" because I looked so radiant. How can a toner do that? As I kept using this product I found other benefits on my skin. My pores look smaller, the telltale blackheads are gone, skin is soft and tightened but not dry, and my turkey neck is less noticeable. I also find that I am using less makeup and can now skip the concealer under my eyes. My makeup also seems to last longer without needing touch ups.

This toner comes in a 4 ounce bottle for under $5.00;