MINE ISN'T A MOUSSE CONSISTENCY, WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

Deep breaths - first know that you really can't mess it up as the ingredients will work their magic one way or another. There are simply some tips to enhance your experience and results.

It is important with The Problem Solver to be generous in your portioning - using a measuring spoon, blend one full Tablespoon of the powder formula with just shy of equal parts water with our treatment brush or a flat foundation brush to bring to a soft mousse consistency. A little thin? Sprinkle on a bit more power. Too pasty? Add a few drops water. I promise in time, this becomes intuitive. If you aggressively stir, you might be pushing the air out, which takes away from the "mousse" quality but is in no way reducing the result you will achieve. Play and explore textures, but don't stress if it's not "perfect."

I'VE HEARD THAT THE PROBLEM SOLVER CAN GET HOT, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Variations on how you feel the warming experience of this special formula is perfectly normal. For some of our clients, this is experienced as a mild tingle; in others, it's more of a cooling sensation (even cold!) or neutral. For some, it is intensely hot to the degree they need to breathe through it. This is similar to how two individuals may respond to the very same spicy meal - having entirely different impressions of the heat factor.

Note also that this can vary depending on the state of your skin on this particular day, what other products are being used, where you are in your hormonal cycle, if you are healthy or feeling unwell, if you exfoliated beforehand or were in a hot bath, having a glass of wine, etc. Whether you are at a heat level one or ten, the process is intentional - embrace the flow of fresh blood and oxygen to your cells and the natural healing process that is being stimulated truly from the inside out. This is where serious results are born and what makes this formula so very special and effective. Breathe deep and enjoy your unique process.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME "RECIPES" OF ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM SOLVER? I HEARD THERE ARE ADAPTATIONS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES.

There are sooooo many ways to play! Below are my favorites, broken down in detail.

The Problem Solver - the traditional method:

Blend one tablespoon powder with just shy of one tablespoon water with our brush to form a soft mousse - or more for extra coverage. I absolutely love to treat my full back and shoulders! It is vital not to skimp on powder with this formula - there is a reason I packaged this beauty in a jar 5x bigger than standard! :) Be sure to watch the video to see the rich texture you are aiming for.

For some of our most sensitive clients (and even for those who aren't, since this is so delicious!), we recommend blending The Problem Solver with The Honey Mud to form a rich, pudding-like treatment - this may be my favorite of all time! The addition of nourishing Honey Mud to powerhouse Problem Solver allows for all the power and results you crave, but in a much cushier package that more delicate complexions can easily embrace. My sensitive (but also acne-prone) skin loves this duo and I tend to enjoy The Problem Solver twice a week - once at full potency, with a second treatment as a blend.

The Problem Solver + The Honey Mud:

Start with a full teaspoon of each, and about a half teaspoon of water, blending with our brush to achieve a soft mousse texture. If I'm feeling sensitive or dehydrated, I increase The Honey Mud. More inflamed, broken out or in need of a serious detox? Up the Problem Solver. This will soon become intuitive. You can allow this to sit from 10-60 minutes before rinsing away to reveal gorgeous, radiant skin.

Add a pump or two of The Youth Dew, a blueberry sized portion of The Blue Cocoon or 4-6 pumps of The Pendulum Potion to any of the blends above for even more goodness!

The Problem Solver is also beautiful mixed with The Jasmine Garden, fresh tea, raw honey, yogurt or any number of other skin-friendly goodies. Don't be afraid to play.

CAN I SPOT TREAT WITH THE PROBLEM SOLVER?

Absolutely! When experiencing an active breakout, or when you feel a pimple beginning to make its way to the surface, spot treat immediately with The Problem Solver to stop it in its tracks. You can simply blend a small amount of the powder formula with water or The Jasmine Garden to form a paste, smoothing over just the area needed. Leave on for 5-60 minutes, up to three times weekly, in addition to your full facial treatments.

You can also customize your spot treatment to even further target your specific concern:

The Problem Solver + The Youth Dew is perfect for wet, active pimples that are just coming to a head or that have already come to a head.

The Problem Solver + The Blue Cocoon works magic on painful cystic acne and areas of inflammation - including flare-ups of eczema, perioral dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions. These blends really get to the core of the breakout and help distressed skin to calm quickly without contributing to dryness or scarring, causing additional trauma to your complexion.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I MASQUE WITH THE PROBLEM SOLVER?

My first advice is to always listen to your own intuition and tune into the needs of your individual skin. The Problem Solver can be incorporated into every person's beauty ritual. We generally recommend a full treatment once or twice per week. For more sensitive types, just once or twice a month will make a great impact. If you have an active outbreak you are looking to clear or have sturdier skin that requires more intensive treatment, 2-3x/week will suit you perfectly. You can even treat yourself up to three days in a row prior to big events or occasions when you are seeking an especially radiant complexion.

IS THE PROBLEM SOLVER SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?

Perhaps surprisingly, The Problem Solver is often at the very top of my recommendations for extremely sensitive, inflamed and reactive skin. While amazingly potent, this black beauty works from a nourishing place to stimulate your own internal healing response, restoring balance to even the most delicate complexions. We've seen the most extraordinary results in our clients with rosacea, allergic dermatitis, eczema and all types of inflammation that goes far beyond its reputation for conquering severe and cystic acne.

The level of healing you can reach with this concentrated blend is unparalleled. The only precaution we will share is one of common sense - be kind to your skin. If you have an acute condition, truly over-reactive skin or an active outbreak with open sores, you will need to be extra gentle in your care. The Problem Solver can help you to clear this surge of activity in your skin, but you must brush it on gently. Do not rub. Do not scrub. Allow the power of the ingredients to work on their own without manual stimulation until your skin has begun to heal. You may feel intense heat and tingling as your circulation increases and blood rushes to your problem areas. This is good - allow the oxygen to naturally heal you from the inside while the nutrients penetrate your skin from the outside. Breathe, be calm, and envision your skin returning to its natural rhythm and state of perfect health.

WILL THE PROBLEM SOLVER DRY MY SKIN OUT?

The Problem Solver will not dry out your skin, rather it will help to restore its balance and the rhythm of your own natural oil production. The powder formula is activated by water, causing it to bubble and fizz and puff up to a mousse-like texture. The power of this treatment comes from the anti-inflammatory and warming action of the clays, salts, spices and active vitamin c, and is buffered by the healing, mellow nature of marshmallow, bamboo carbon charcoal powder, frankincense, gotu kola and turmeric. Be sure that you are pairing The Problem Solver with thorough and gentle daily cleansing and balancing hydration with compatible products in order to ensure your best success.

HOW DO I REMOVE THE PROBLEM SOLVER?

When your treatment is complete, splash with warm water or step into a warm shower (my favorite method), allowing the steam and running water to soften the masque before rinsing away (this is key). No need to rub and scrub, be gentle with your skin and let the water and light fingertip massage do the work for you. Skip your face cloth - the two together will provide too much exfoliation, and can lead to overstimulation in sensitive complexions.

After, be sure to hydrate and nourish your skin. Immediately upon rinsing, while skin is still soaking wet and at its most receptive (skip your towel entirely), follow with The Youth Dew (benefits all types from oily and acneic to mature skin) or The Blue Cocoon (beautiful for delicate types prone to inflammation, redness and irritation as well as a gorgeous treatment for normal and balanced skin). Transition right from rinsing to oil, with no stop in between. These beautiful plant oils will blend beautifully into the water, making for a gorgeous and pleasant application and massage, and the water will also facilitate the delivery of these delicious ingredients, allowing for ultimate absorption and effectiveness. This in turn increases compatibility and reduces breakouts. You can follow with The Jasmine Garden to further enhance penetration, while continuing massage.