I had a sample of the May Lindstrom Pendulum Potion when it was first launched. I cannot remember now how I came by it, but I guarded that little bottle with my life, because I loved it!
Yet, because it was so pricey, and May Lindstrom products became a little harder to come by on my usual shopping sites, I bided my time, using it sparingly.
But, I recently treated myself to the full-sized bottle, after coming across a website promotion that I couldn’t pass up on. It was one of the best purchases I’ve made to date 🙂
May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion – A Cleansing Oil
The hypnotically named The Pendulum Potion is a cleansing oil.
“Wait a minute!” I hear you cry “You said that you don’t use cleansing oils anymore!”
And yes, that is true. While I don’t use cleansing oils very much anymore, this one’s unlike most in the market for a simple reason – this is an oil cleanser that does not emulsify. I find those that emulsify can be more drying (with some exceptions).
What it is, is a blend of different botanical oils, that are rich in antioxidants. They are blended into a fairly thick oil, that you massage all over your face, allowing it to pick up the dirt and impurities from your skin.
The oil is a clear golden-olive colour, that looks and smells utterly divine!
It feels so lush, and provides a beautiful sensorial experience, as you glide your fingers over your face, gently but firmly massaging it into your skin. While it lifts off very light makeup, I will not use it as a makeup remover. It is far too precious.
Instead, cleanse your skin first, then work The Pendulum Potion into your dry skin. You can almost feel your skin softening, as your work the oils in. If you have any congestion, just focus on those areas, and you can almost feel the skin clearing up.
Then, use a warm face flannel to wipe off the oil. You can try adding some warm water, and massaging further, which will lighten the texture. However, the oily feeling will remain on your skin, and that is something I feel most people will want to avoid.
RELATED READING: If you aren’t already using a face flannel during your cleansing, you should! READ HERE
The result is skin that feels beautifully soft, nourished and clean. I absolutely love it!
The scent is intoxicating!
Above all, I love the scent. Oh boy, do I love the scent! 😀
May Lindstrom made The Pendulum Potion the start of her skincare ritual, as she calls it. Each product that sits in each step of her routine smells divine, and is tailored to soothe and relax your senses. Her intention is to make you slow down, enjoy the ritual and take some time for yourself.
My favourite product is The Blue Cocoon balm, which I finally indulged in again as part of my order. It is lush, works beautifully for my skin, and smells like musky, melted dark chocolate. It is sublime!
RELATED READING: What’s the fuss about May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon balm? READ HERE
Part of the reason I’m in love with The Pendulum Potion is because of the earthy, intoxicating scent.
When I pump the Pendulum Potion onto my hands, spread them, and then massage onto my skin, I breathe in the beautiful sweet, spicy, woody scent. It smells green and a little sharp on the nose, yet with an almost gourmand, luxurious, smokey note of smoke, honey and citrus running through.
The scent, May Lindstrom says, comes from the Balsam of Peru oil, raw cacao, macadamia, sweet orange, ylang-ylang, and frankincense. It smells utterly intoxicating, and calms me down almost instantly.
It even smells almost sensual, with the scent of ylang-ylang, and I can imagine wearing it as a perfume. I’d love something that smells like this, because this is my scent preference.
I can imagine however, that it may not sit so well with someone who does not enjoy the smells of warm spice, wood and smoke. So, please manage your expectations accordingly 🙂
Take your time…
May Lindstrom was right. She said that most of us rush through our skincare routine, especially the cleansing stage. We just want to get it over and done with.
But her products force us to slow down, to enjoy the process, to take our time. And sometimes, that is what we need.
The Pendulum Potion requires you to take your time, to appreciate the scent, and to work the product into your skin. In fact, when I pump out the product, and the earthy, spicy scent fills the warm air in my shower, I can almost feel time slowing down.
I move a little more slowly. I take a little more time. I feel a little calmer, a little more relaxed, a little more pampered.
How to use May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion
- Shake the bottle, then pump out 3-4 pumps of product into your palm.
- Pause for a moment to breathe in the scent, allowing it to envelop you in the warm shower.
- Then, massage it all over your face, firmly but gently, working it into your skin. Focus on areas that feel a little dry or a little congested. Work on them, massage with the tips of your fingers.
- Take your time.
- When you’re ready, get a warm face flannel, place over your skin, then gently wipe off the oil.
- Enjoy the soft, supple texture of your skin
I sometimes follow up with a second cleanse, but sometimes I don’t, allowing the oils to continue to melt into my skin. Some of you may not appreciate the slight oily feeling on the skin after cleansing. This is true especially if you have oily skin. I have dry skin, and it feels comfortable for me.
I love how clean, soft, and supple my skin feels. I almost want to apply The Pendulum Potion all over my body, as a body oil! 😀
May Lindstrom does say that you can. She suggests that you can use The Pendulum Potion in a bath, after your warm shower, or even on your hair.
I have tried applying a little on damp skin after a shower. It feels so luxe and smells incredible! But I do find it a wee bit more oily than I like, for a body oil. While I’m not averse to using body oils (I do not use dry oil textures) this felt a little more oily than I prefer.
But as a facial cleanser, it is lush, and as expensive as it is, I’m in love with it! 😀
IN A NUTSHELL
May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion is an oil cleanser for the face. Made from a blend of lush botanical oils with antioxidant properties, the oil does not emulsify. The texture can feel a little thick, but melts wonderfully when massaged slowly all over the skin. Take your time. Work it in, enjoy the incredible, intoxicating scent. Then, use a warm face flannel to wipe off. Skin feels clean, soft, supple and nourished. I use it as a treat once or twice a week. My skin loves it, my senses fall into a calming stupor, and I am relaxed, comforted and enveloped in the most beautiful scent and texture I’ve ever come across in an oil cleanser.
PROS:
Luxurious and intoxicating scent
Lovely lush oil texture
Leaves skin feeling clean, soft and supple
Does not dry the skinCONS:
Pricey
May not be suitable for those with oily or breakout prone skin
Earthy scent may not appeal to everyone
Takes time to complete the cleansing
Needs a face flannel to remove the oil and clean skinWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who appreciates the texture of an oil cleanser that does not emulsify, Anyone who enjoys strong spicy, warm, woody scents
PRICE: US$80 | £71 for 100ml
WHERE TO BUY: May Lindstrom website (free international courier shipping above US$200 with option to prepay taxes so you don’t get nasty surprises. I bought mine direct), SpaceNK, Beautylish
Here is the ingredient list for May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion.
Ingredients: *Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Seed Oil, *Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, *Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, *Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Prunus Domestica (Plum Kernel) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Oleoresin, *Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Peel Essential Oil, **Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Absolute, *Cananga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang) Oil, *Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, **Boswellia Serrate Gum (Frankincense) Oil, **Myroxylon Pereirae (Balsam of Peru) Oil, + Limonene, + Benzyl Benzoate, + Linalool, + Benzyl Cinnamate. *Certified Organic **Wild Harvested +Component of Essential Oil
Have you tried The Pendulum Potion before?
I was sucked right in from the first moment I tried a sample a couple of years ago. I’ve waited this long to justify a purchase, thanks to the price tag, but I cannot be happier about it! 😀
Paris B
You got me curious although I’m fiercely opposed to flannels out of pure laziness… too much laundry.
I love the Problem Solver mask although it’s quite messy, but it’s great to balance my combination skin. Which other ML products do you like? 🙂
HAHA I do my flannel wash with the rest of my weekly laundry 😀 I haven’t tried the Problem Solver, primarily because it didn’t seem like something I’d benefit a lot from. I love Blue Cocoon, and I’ve tried the Honey Mud Mask which felt very nice. But it’s since been temporarily discontinued, which is a pity!
I have tried the problem solver, the jasmin garden, the clean dirt & honey mud years ago, when cult beauty was carrying the brand. My favourite combo was mask made out of problem solver, the Jasmin garden & honey mud. After 45 minutes, my skin was always deeply cleansed and nourished at the same time. You can custom blend your mask. If you need a deeper cleanse, you can add the clean dirt into the mix. If you need more nourishment, just add more honey mud. My favourites would be problem solver and honey mud.
Oh I miss when Cult Beauty was carrying the brand LOL! The extra discount was much appreciated! Thanks for sharing your mask recipe, Ktee. It’s a pity that May has temporarily discontinued the Honey Mud Mask for quality issues. I did enjoy using the sample I had of it but I wasn’t much into blending stuff LOL!
Hey Paris, you sure make me wanna give this a try! So far my go-to cleansers for winding down are the de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm and Pure Calm Cleansing Dew. I also love the scent and it feels relaxing to me. Perhaps you could have a try see one day. ?
I haven’t tried either, but I have been curious about de Mamiel products! Perhaps once I’ve made a significant dent in my product stash, I might have a go. You had me at cleansing balm! 😀