Review: My Beauty Diary Aloe Sheet Mask

 

My Beauty Diary Aloe Sheet Mask

If you've read my blog before then you know I'm currently obsessed with Asian beauty products.  I am loving sheet masks.  I recently tried My Beauty Diary's Aloe Mask which I purchased from Amazon.com for about $14 (1 box with 10 pieces).  My Beauty Diary has dozens of masks from which to choose.  I picked this one because I didn't want anything whitening but I believe "Black Pearl" is the most popular formula.  For reference, I have normal/combination skin with occasional breakouts and I'm in my 30s.  The aloe mask is targeted towards people with "normal skin, especially recommended for dry and damaged skin."

Here's the directions from the package (also printed below picture):

In case you can't read that, it says:  1) Unfold mask, 2) Fit gently over face, 3) Let mask rest on your face for 20 -30 minutes, 4) Remove mask and massage any remaining serum with your fingertips to ensure that it is absorbed.  Do not rinse off.

The sheet itself is like a thin piece of cotton soaked in serum.  There are holes for your eyes, mouth, etc.  To me, it felt soothing and moisturizing although I didn't think it did anything miraculous like erase fine lines or make acne disappear overnight.  The serum is like a lightweight thin watery gel.  Some mask serums are stickier than others but I found this one to have a nice consistency.  It easily massages into my skin after I remove the sheet from my face but I do have to wipe off the excess with a towel.  I've used it a few times and it doesn't make me break out.  The reason I like sheet masks is because I like to pamper myself every once in a while and this is an inexpensive way to do that.  I pop one on after I wash my face and just sit back and relax with a celebrity gossip magazine.

Would I purchase this again?  Maybe, but there are so many other formulas that I would rather try a few more and decide which one I like best.  Other formulas include:  Red Vine Wine, Sake Yeast, Strawberry Yogurt, Mexico Cactus, Bulgarian White Rose, and the list goes on.  If you have a favorite My Beauty Diary Mask, let me know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.

Review: Lush Cupcake Mask

Lush Cupcake Mask (pic taken with flash) - color is a little lighter and more grey in real life

This is my first experience using a Lush Fresh Face Mask*.  I originally went into the store to purchase Sacred Truth or Brazen Honey but the salesgirl suggested Cupcake.  The Lush website says this about Cupcake:

Features

• Sleepover staple: Cupcake is definitely a fixture at slumber parties for it’s wonderful effect on teenage skin.
• It looks good enough to eat: But no, it doesn’t taste like chocolate pudding. Trust us.
• Refreshing minty tingle: We combine spearmint, fresh mint and peppermint oils in Cupcake.

I actually really wanted to try the Cupcake mask because it sounds fun!  Chocolate on my face - sign me up!  But teenage skin?  I am in my 30s and I have normal/combination skin.  I do get occasional zits so maybe the salesgirl took one look at my face and thought I could use a good detoxifying mask.  I like to think she mistook me for a teenager but that's probably not the case.  Either way, I happily added it to my basket.

The mask is good for up 3 weeks (expiration date on package) and I was able to use it 6 times before it expired.  There was still some left over but this isn't the type of mask you could use everyday and I didn't want to overdo it.

Application

It's thick.  My fridge is also set on a somewhat higher temperature so it sort of freezes things a little bit.  The first few times it was hard to spread all over my face but I learned to let it sit out so that it is easier to apply.  It does smell great although for me, the scent was overwhelming after a while.  Smells like minty chocolate batter...with a little bit of clay.

Effectiveness

The first time I used this mask I simply rinsed my face with water to remove it.  I did cleanse my skin before applying it!  I got a few new zits the next day because it left a filmy layer.  After that I decided to use a toner (Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner) after washing off the mask.  I like the way my skin looks after using this mask with the toner - brighter and refreshed.  It's only temporary though.  The next morning, my skin looked the same.  I didn't have any breakouts when I used the mask so I am not sure if it would help in clearing skin.  I can say that it didn't cause my face to breakout!

Would I purchase this mask again?  Yes, but I want to try the others first.

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of the companies or brands mentioned.

*These masks need to be refrigerated. 

iMomoko Haul: Etude House, Hada Labo, etc.

iMomoko.com - I stumbled upon this site when I was googling Asian beauty products.  The warehouse is actually located in Monrovia, CA, which is not far from where I live.  But I can be lazy when it comes to shopping and I would rather have products delivered to my door if that is at all possible.  My experience with iMomoko has been great!  I've ordered from them twice.  The products came very quickly (2 to 3 business days) although that might be because I live close to the distribution center. They did get one item wrong in that they sent the wrong formula of a product.  I didn't really mind because I did want this version but just thought they were out of it.  The prices are a little more expensive than Sasa.com (which ships from Hong Kong) but iMomoko does have coupon codes from time to time.  Also, they send good sized samples!  I was very happy with the Caudelie samples I received with my last two orders. 

Here's what I ordered:

iMomoko Haul - Etude House, Dolly Wink, DHC, Hado Labo & Kiss Me

Top Row L-R:

• Etude House Sweet Heart Capsules - Ceramide (I ordered the Argan Oil & Retinol)
• Hada Labo Hyuralonic Lotion Light
• Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara
• Dolly Wink Black Liquid Eyeliner
• DHC Moisturizing Eye Strips

Bottom Row L-R (all sheet masks):

• Etude House Rich Butter Foot Mask (2 packs)
• Etude House Pomegranate Mask
• Etude House Royal Jelly Mask
• Etude House Vitamin E Mask

 I like to get my coupon codes from this website:  Retailmenot.com

Happy shopping!

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with iMomoko.com.

Lush Mini Haul - Herbalism, Cupcake Mask, etc.

I went to the Lush store at Universal City Walk this past Friday.  The store was pretty busy.  I found the salespeople to be very helpful although at times they can be a little overbearing about wanting you to try everything.  For reference, I have normal/combination skin, occasional mild acne and I'm in my 30s.  I ended up taking home the items above:

1. Herbalism Cleanser - I originally wanted to get the Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser but the salesgirl advised me to get Herbalism since it's summer and my t-zone tends to get oily in the summer.  She told me to save the Angels Cleanser for the winter since it is more moisturizing.  I also asked about Dark Angels since it has charcoal but I was advised that it is recommended for people with oily skin who are prone to breakouts.  Herbalism expires in 3 months.  The amount I purchased above is good for 1 month.
2. Cupcake Mask - I wasn't sure which fresh face mask to get when I walked in.  I was thinking maybe Sacred Truth but based on my skin and the season, the salesgirl recommended Cupcake.  I was excited since I actually wanted to try this one but on the Lush website it's recommended for teenage skin.  A teenager I am not, that's for sure.  Smells like...cupcakes! This masks expires in 3 weeks or less.  It needs to be refrigerated.  
3. Mint Julips Lip Scrub - They had 3 flavors to choose from:  Bubblegum, Mint Julips and Sweet Lips (chocolate).  I chose Mint Julips because I like mint and chocolate together.  The scrubbing granules in this are huge.  Smells delicious though!
4. Honey Trap Lip Balm - Had read about this and wanted to try it.  Very moisturizing and smells yummy.

I will try to review my these items later, after using them for a while.  You can find Lush products here:  http://www.lush.com/

Review: Annie's Way Eye Mask - Anti-Wrinkle

Back of Mask Packet with Directions

I have recently become obsessed with Asian beauty products after watching a series of vlogs on youtube.  I bought a whole bunch of sheet masks to try and I thought I'd start posting my reviews here.  The first mask I sampled was the Annie's Way Anti-Wrinkle Eye Mask that I purchased at an Asian beauty store in the San Gabriel Valley.  I honestly didn't have very high expectations but I bought it because it was something like $1.99 USD.  I was pleasantly surprised!

Basically you wash your face and then put this eye mask shaped disposable sheet over your eyes and let it sit there for 15 minutes.  It's soaked in liquid/serum.  I wore it while I surfed on the internet (there are holes for your eyes).  The liquid did run down my cheeks a little but it didn't bother me.

I tried this mask at around midnight, after a long day.  I was tired and had minor dark shadows under my eyes.  After I took off the mask, I rubbed in the serum a little and looked in the mirror.  I thought I looked a little more rested!  My shadows were not as dark and my eye area was definitely plumper.  I would buy this again.

For reference:  I'm in my 30s, MAC NC30, normal/combination skin, minor breakouts with somewhat sensitive skin (occasionally break out in hives or eczema if my skin does not like product).

Disclaimer:  I purchased this mask with my own money.