Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don’t exist, but should.

Borghese FANGO Active Mud for Face and Body ($33-$61) is, like Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, the entire Yves Rocher catalog and Neutrogena Oil-free Acne Wash, part of my inaugural suite of beauty obsessions that I like to call Gateway Products. They are the marijuana of the cosmetic world–only you should absolutely NOT just say no. They introduce you to the wonder that is beauty products and kick off a lifelong obsession. Tell me your own gateway products in the comments.

Back to Borghese. Normal children don’t coat their skin with mud masks–but I did. And obviously, I smeared it all over my brother Ethan’s mug, as well. I became involved with the brand because my mother would ONLY wear Princess Marcella Borghese (as the brand was formerly called–I assume there was a buy-out along the way and Marcella became dethroned from a nomenclature standpoint) foundation. A little history–Marcella (Borghese) was a fierce dame. She was an Italian princess who used to have her lipsticks custom made to match her Pucci outfits before starting her own brand, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Revlon, Inc. My mom would wait until there was a gift with purchase event (she’s no fool) to stock up on her precious shade (she has yet to find a replacement foundation light enough since they reformulated their foundation line) and guess which elementary school student rooted the gift bag and launched a campaign for all of its contents?

Exactly. I was the only elementary school student purging her pores of toxins with this deep green-black miracle mixture.After leaving on skin for 10 minutes–I like to apply it on while I’m in the shower–my skin feels smooth, hydrated and refreshed. The Italian mud acts as a “drawing paste” unclogging pores and coaxing impurities out of skin thanks to its impressive cocktail of Geranium, Lavender, Peppermint, Sweet Almond and Avocado Oils.

I’ve long said it” Masks are the facial equivalent of matzah ball soup. They comfort and soothe while adding a sense of occasion.

Get involved with the Borghese FANGO Active Mud for Face and Body on borghese.com or at Lord & Taylor or Bloomindales stores nationwide.

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