Mashed Potato Casserole recipe

(I wrote this without reviewing... apologizes in advance for any typos, grammatical errors and/or spelling mistakes)

So... I'm not sure whether I can call this a casserole, but I used a casserole pan for this dish and when I look up the definition of "casserole" this fits the description... sort of ;). 

It is winter, and it is cold. We have a whole bag of potatoes that are starting to sprout so before they all go bad, I decided to improvise and make this dish. It is a messy put-together dish but it takes little effort to make. It is also beginner friendly! I tried to be as detail-oriented as I possibly can in my instructions for those who might not be as experienced in cooking so don't let the number of steps scare you.

This recipe will make your potatoes fluffy and full of flavour. I hope you will enjoy :) I also like how the potato skin gets mashed into the mix so you will hardly notice that you are eating it.

You can do this with any potatoes. I had large and medium ones. But any potatoes will work.

Olive Oil I used

Ingredients:

• potatoes (as many as you like, but 4 medium ones (10 small ones) would be enough)
• olive oil (enough to cover all the potatoes)
• steak seasoning* 
• shredded cheese (any kind of cheese works, I used a three-cheese mix)
• optional: butter

*if you don't have any steak seasoning and none is accessible to you, then you can make your own by combining garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt and spice/herb of your choice (e.g. dill seeds, rosemary, oregano... etc

Steak Seasoning from The Keg

utensils and equipment needed:

• a pot for boiling/simmering the potatoes
• a masher or bowl to mash or squish the potatoes
• a casserole pan (or an oven tray)
• an oven (I used a toaster/air fryer oven)

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a large pot
2. Prepare the potatoes by cleaning/scrubbing them or getting rid of any sprouts, but keep the skin
3. Put the clean potatoes into boiling water and boil for about 30 minutes (make sure the water is boiling the whole time). The potatoes will be ready when you can poke a fork through them but the fork can't hold the potato (as in, the potatoes will fall off the fork).
   
   
   
4. Take the potatoes out and set them on a tray (for the oven) or a casserole dish
5. Mash the potatoes (in the tray/casserole dish) with a bowl or masher until the height of the potatoes is slightly lower than the rim of the tray/dish
6. Let them set for about 5 minutes (to get rid of some of the moisture)
   
   
   
7. Preheat your oven to 230/240 degrees celsius (or 450 degrees Fahrenheit)
8. Pour a liberal amount of olive oil on the mashed-up potatoes. The potatoes will absorb the olive oil but you will not need to add more olive oil. 
9. You can also add butter after the olive oil but this is optional since we will be covering the whole dish with cheese.
10. Sprinkle steak seasoning on the potatoes and make sure most of the potatoes are covered with the seasoning.
11. Cover all the potatoes with a layer of shredded cheese. You can choose mozzarella or cheddar. I chose a three-cheese mix. A pizza cheese mix or taco cheese mix will also work.
    
    
    
12. Put the tray/casserole dish into the oven. Be careful, the potatoes are heavy and the tray/casserole will be hot. Do not cover the dish with aluminum or tin foil.
13. Leave in the oven for 20-30 minutes (depending on your oven's cook time)
14. When the cheese had bubbled and started to look "done" it is ready! You can choose how golden yellow or golden brown you want your cheese to look.

 ENJOY!

Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate review

The way I will define this product is that it is a moisturizer at the price of a serum. I was introduced to this product by a Kiehl sample. But don't get me wrong... this is worth what you pay for.

I was heading off to a girl's weekend getaway in a cabin near mount Fuji and didn't know what to bring since it was a Friday and it was the start of Golden Week and I had gotten off work, I was only able to put so much into my night bag without looking unprofessional at work. 

I was staying in a cabin that the woods that used a combustible heater and my skin instantly became very dry. however, the moment I applied this product to my skin, it instantly quenched the dryness. 

Anyways, enough of my experiences, let's talk about what this product actually is.

Product Details:

The highlight of this product is that it is a pore-minimizing serum. It helps lift and tightens the skin. This product helps smooth, firm and lift your skin with a potent yeast extract. It is suitable for all skin types.

The Container:

I was a bit disappointed that given the hefty price tag, the container is made of plastic. The pump is also not very well made. The only two aspects I could appreciate about the pump are that 1. you can adjust how much product comes out and 2. you are able to lock it (prevent the product from coming out) with a simple twist.

Scent:

There is a strong essential oil scent from the Bergamot Essential oil and Geranium Essential Oil contained in this product. But for those who are concerned, the fragrance/aroma disappears as you rub the product against your skin.

Pros:

• instantly hydrates and relieves skin
• it improves the texture and health of your skin in the long run
• the scent (but this can be a pro or con depending on your fondness for the aroma of essential oils)
• a little goes a long way (I suggest 2-3 pumps at the max output amount)

Cons:

• it can be a little pricey
• it can feel sticky
• the plastic container
• Kiehl's calls it a concentrate and describes it as a serum, but it is thick, like a moisturizer

Verdict:

Out of Kiehl's Concentrates, this is my favourite one. I can always count on it to relieve my skin's tightness and dryness and in the long run, it improves my skin's texture and overall health. I have been using this product for over 4 years and I love it... I have gone through multiple bottles and it hasn't failed me or my skin.

Whenever I use masks, I develop mask acne but thankfully this product instantly relieves my skin from dryness and irritation. 

score: 9.5/10

website: https://www.kiehls.ca/en/skin-concerns/lifting-and-firming/precision-lifting-pore-tightening-concentrate/598.html

Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil review

I have been using this face oil for over 4 years and I feel confident enough to give a review. This is my absolute favourite facial oil! It only takes 2-3 drops (depending on the season, summer or winter) at bedtime to make my skin feel plump the next day.

It is possibly one of the very few oils that my skin likes and gladly absorbs.

Price:

It costs $60 USD (¥7000 JPY) for 60ml of the product (but it is worth every penny).

One bottle lasts 9 months - 14 months.

What it does

It deeply moisturizes your skin and provides hydration to dry skin.

• Addresses signs of moisture loss 

• Addresses signs of uneven skin tone

Scent and Feel

This oil feels thicker than other oils and has a very light organic essential oil aroma.

Description

It is a luxurious treatment oil that deeply nourishes and balances your skin while protecting it from moisture loss. 

For those who might not know, Jurlique is an Australian cosmetics manufacturer that specializes in organic natural botanical-based skincare and cosmetics.

Like most of their products, this face oil uses ingredients that are farm grown.

Some of the main oils contained in this oil are:

Rose Hip Oil, Safflower, Macadamia and Avocado Oils. These are chosen to provide intense nourishment to the skin. 

List of ingredients

Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Macadamia ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter, Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Glycine soja (Soybean) Oil, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula officinalis Flower Extract, Althaea officinalis Root Extract, Rosa gallica Flower Extract, Bellis perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Echinacea purpurea Root Extract, Viola odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Viola tricolor Extract, Symphytum officinale Root Extract, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Fragrance (Parfum), Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Isoeugenol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Farnesol

How to use

This oil is flexible and can be used by itself (2-3 drops) or mixed (2 drops) with a moisturizer to enhance its hydration effects. 

This should be the last step of your skincare routine.

using the oil by itself

1. Dispense 2-3 drops onto fingertips

2. Gently press onto the face, neck and décolletage until absorbed. 

Since this oil is very saturated, you only need to use this once per day. You can choose to use it in the morning or at night. I prefer nighttime as it gives my skin enough time to absorb the product and it protects my skin from the dry air at night. 

with a moisturizer

1. mix a few drops with your moisturizer 

2. apply to the face as you normally apply your moisturizer. 

A little goes a long way

As I mentioned earlier (which is also suggested by Jurlique) that this oil should only be used once a day. I got greedy when I first started, thinking the more I use it, the better, and used it twice a day. It ended up giving my skin too much moisture and hydration and I started developing weird bumps all over my face. Don't make the same mistake I made :)

And only use 2-3 drops max, your skin only needs that much. In the beginning, I used more drops than I should and my skin had a difficult time absorbing it. It ended up stressing my skin and my skin refused to absorb it. This oil is thicker than most facial oils, and 2-3 drops is more than enough to be partially absorbed and partially comfortably sit on the surface of your skin. 

Also, adding too many drops will melt the foundation and other products on your face. So only use max 3 drops!

Score: 9.5/10 

Website: https://jurlique.com/products/skin-balancing-face-oil

Pie Face Happy Pie Home review

An Australian friend took me to Pie Face. She told me that this is an Australian chain restaurant and was so happy that she could find a piece of home in Tokyo. (I wrote this back on April 15, 2017, during its grand opening).

They have a lot of different types of pies. All pies have a flaky crust. Like the Australian way.

products and prices for 2017

Come early if you want a certain pie. These pies are made fresh... so sometimes a best-selling one might be sold out. 

counter

The counter was very clean and simple. There's also an option to choose drinks. Most of them were Australian drinks.

our meal

Things are a bit pricier than expected but it is definitely worth it for the Australian experience.

see how flaky it is

These were very flaky on the outside and very stewy on the inside. When I refer to stewy, I mean they have a thick stew-like texture. 

cute wrapping paper :)

I highly recommend this place. Although as I am revising this review in 2022 and have sadly learned that this branch has permanently closed (😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢) I hope you will find a Pie Face at another location and enjoy their flaky pies!

score: 9.5/10 (0.5 deducted for the price... keep in mind the pictures of the prices I took were taken in 2017) 

website: no website.

Kernel's Popcorn Seasoning - Canadian Cheddar review

I'm not sure what the proper term for this is, popcorn seasoning or popcorn dressing. Either way, you know what I am talking about. These are flavoured powders you put on your popcorn to give it a flavour, there are a few: ketchup, Sour Cream and Onion, White Cheddar, Ranch, Caramel, Salt and Vinegar, Dill Pickle, All Dressed and Canadian Cheddar.

I chose Canadian Cheddar because I have been craving cheese for the past few days.

Kernel's will always have a special place in my heart because it reminds me of going to the mall in Canada. Every mall in Toronto has a Kernel's shop and the moment you step inside of these malls, you can smell its popcorn and buttery presence. And, as a kid, every time I passed by a Kernel's, I would beg my mom to buy some popcorn. Their popcorn is very well made and their flavours are very distinct.

The Seasoning/dressing:

Kernel's popcorn seasoning/dressing is a light-weighted strong flavour concentrated powder.

impressions:

• very cheddary
• too powdery (I sneezed and sneezed and sneezed dispensing this)
• hard to "spread" a lot of the powder did not stay on the popcorn
• individually, they are bold cheddar, but they do a lot less flavouring on the popcorn

This is a really good idea... It certainly takes me down memory lane and this cheddar taste reminds me of their cheddary popcorn, but there is a huge difference between this popcorn seasoning and the cheddar popcorn you get at their store.

I hope their R&D team improves on the lightness of the powder (too light) and make improvements to the "strength" and boldness of its taste.

score: 7.8/10

website: https://www.kernelspopcorn.com/ (actual product can't be found on their website)

Kirkland Borghese Luscious Lashes Volumizing Mascara review

 

Costco has won my heart over many many things... I'm hoping makeup will be one of them. I needed a new mascara and this was the perfect opportunity to buy one.

These come in a pack of two and cost $30.00+tax (CAN). 

I have been using this for a few months and am confident enough to give a review.

features: 

• coats lashes from root to tip to lift and lengthen
• double fibre brush loads maximum volume to curl lashes
• flexible, lightweight formula
• safe for contact lenses wearers and sensitive eyes
• paraben free
• fragrance-free
• ophthalmologist tested

impressions:

pros:

• easy to apply (the wand makes it easy to swipe from the root to the ends)
• no irritations (skin or eyes)
• very lightweight (does not weigh down my lashes and
  I do not notice it and it does not distort my vision)
• when you twist the top off, the wand slightly pops out
• buildable but natural (doesn't give you the spider legs effect)
• no fallout and does, not flake
• the texture of the formula is very smooth

cons:

• it smudges after a few hours (giving you "panda eyes")

sadly, the one con I have for this product is that it leaves me looking like a panda after 10 -ish hours of applying. So remember to check in the mirror to remove (with makeup wipes, when you are outside) any product that has smudged or somehow ended up on your skin.

I really like this product... unlike some mascaras that have an off-putting odour, this one doesn't. It dries quickly. I really enjoy using this because it doesn't cause any irritation.

score: 9.0/10

website: https://www.costco.ca/kirkland-signature-borghese---mascara-2-pack.product.100491573.html

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner review

 

There are a few things I like about the Body shop, one, they don't test on animals, two, they are vegan and three, they try to be environmentally friendly. 

I bought this product (as recommended by my SA at The Body Shop). This product claims to rebalance and revives your skin 

Further product features:

Rebalance and revive your skin with this harmonizing, alcohol-free toner. This will gently cleanse impurities while targeting combination skin, to purify and refresh. Suitable for combination/ oily skin Mineral rich seaweed from Roaring Water Bay, Ireland Alcohol-free Algae and cucumber extract Clarifying and purifying

Red Algae Extract We use this in skin-protecting products for its vitamin C content. It helps our products make your skin look brighter. Seaweed (Irish moss, to be precise) is an algae we add to our Seaweed skincare.

Here are the ingredients:

SEAWEED OIL BALANCING TONER Aqua, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Menthol, Propylparaben, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate.

it claims it is alcohol-free, but it contains Benzyl alcohol. 🤔 

Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used in a wide variety of cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, and viscosity-decreasing agent. Benzoic Acid is an aromatic acid used in a wide variety of cosmetics as a pH adjuster and preservative.

pros:

• moisturizes and prevents oil from forming
• and has a nice ocean aroma (salt and seaweed)

cons:

• this toner stings!
• why did they add mint?
• made my skin breakout 😡 

The minty feeling wasn't a refreshing sensation, but a horrible sting. I could not emphasize how much hate I have towards this product... it irritates me skin AND stings. After using it at home, I couldn't get it off my face fast enough DX... 

None of the "benefits" could justify the cons... I. DO. NOT. RECOMMEND.THIS.PRODUCT.

It is possibly one of the worst products I have ever used from The Body Shop >___<

score: 1/10
website: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-ca/face/cleansers-toners/seaweed-oil-balancing-toner/p/p000072?gclid=CjwKCAiAlrSPBhBaEiwAuLSDUDv1OIihtp0u38EO8OXFjUvT1NcL5nWJErssZlROCJpB_XftC0T-IhoC8WoQAvD_BwE

Japan McDonald's Lemon Ginger Coca Cola

I'm not sure why this is sitting in my drafts folder!! I wrote this back on July 3rd, 2018, keep in mind, that this is a late post! (late by four years)

While waiting in line, I saw this poster and decided to try it. According to their website it is the first Coca Cola drink in Japan to add in a Lemon Ginger taste. 裏・コーク is its name in Japanese (I couldn't find the translation for it).

lifted up to see the layers

I had to lift it up near the light for the camera to catch the thin yellow layer at the bottom. But in real life, it is quite prominent.

the camera couldn't catch the layers on the table

impressions:

• very sweet lemon flavour... but no ginger taste
• the lemony syrup didn't make the drink sweeter than it normally is
• I really like the added lemon taste <3
• I ordered this a few times, and once I forgot to stir in the syrup and drank... the syrup was VERY  VERY SWEEEEEEEEEEET

a shot of the layer, which is a shot of the lemon ginger syrup

I highly recommend this drink and I hope it comes back to Japan... and other McDonald's around the world.

score: 9.8/10 (0.2 deducted for not having a ginger taste when it claims it does)

website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/quality/basic_information/menu_info.php?mid=6450

Difference between a 妃子笑 (Fei Ji Siu) and other 荔枝 (Lychee)

This is a regular Lychee

Laichi or Litchi or Lychee have always been my favourite fruit and Fei Ji Siu is the best kind of Lychee.

FeijiSiu/Feizixiao/妃子笑 literally translates to concubine smile/laugh. This is in reference to the famous Tang Dynasty Yang Concubine who was the emperor's favourite concubine who happened to really like eating lychees. (you can read more in the "more backstory" section)

inside of a lychee

Since Lychee season is coming up, I decided to talk about the difference between the premium best lychee (FeiJiSiu/Feizixiao/妃子笑) and regular, normal, lychees!

These lychees are hard to find because they are expensive (most grocery stores don't carry them) and are hard to grow. I was very fortunate to find some this year and help you tell the difference between these and "regular" types of lychee.

these are all feijisiu (the premium lychee)

What makes them special:

• they have a good flesh/pit ratio (contains thick flesh)
• they are super sweet
• have a small core/seed
• has a lovely lychee aroma
• they have a beautiful green colour*

Contrary to popular belief, the more green the lychee, the tastier it is. Back in ancient China, people preferred green lychee over red lychee.

can you tell which one isn't a 妃子笑?

Can you tell the difference between the 妃子笑s and the regular lychee?

from appearance:

• it is green
• smaller than a regular lychee
• has a smaller pit/core

these are all 妃子笑 (Fei Ji Siu)

Preservation:

If you ever get your hands on these premium lychees (or any lychee) make sure you eat them right away.

After leaving the branch, on the first day, the colour will change, on the second day, the fragrance will change, on the third day, the flavour will change and on the fourth day, the colour and fragrance will be gone. 

fei jisiu have small seeds

more backstory:

Yang Guifei (Yang Concubine) is known as one of the four most beautiful women in China and she was a concubine in the Tang dynasty to emperor Li Longji. They were in love. Yang Guifei likes to eat lychees. During Lychee harvesting season, she wanted fresh lychees every day. 

Since the capital of China in the Tang Dynasty was in Xi'an and the lychees were grown in Southern China, the emperor ordered the lychees to be shipped after picking so that his most beloved Yang concubine can enjoy them. These lychees were named in reference to the saying " The concubine must eat these lychees in order to make her smile (be happy).

Vita Japanese Sweet Peach tea drink short review

I've been seeing their advertisements across Social media but this drink was not easy to find at all!... After weeks of searching, I finally found a store that sells them! (For those in Toronto, I found this box drink at a Foody Mart. I checked and all Foody Marts have them (except for the one across the street from Markville Mall).

their advertisement

I really like this Sweet Peach Tea. The website claims it is refreshing and I couldn't agree more.

impressions:

• not overwhelmingly sweet
• has a good tea/juice balance
• smells and tastes very peachy 🍑

I consider this Sweet Peach Tea one of VitaSoy's best products... it tastes better than their other "juice" products. It quenches my thirst and the sweet/flavour/tea balance is just right! :) 

I am also glad that they didn't over brew their tea, so the tea is very smooth. (Most Japanese peach tea products usually over brew their tea and the whole beverage becomes very rough)

score: 9.9/10

website: https://www.vitavitasoy.com/en/product/peach-tea/peach-tea

Haagen-Dazs Ruby Cacao Ice Bar review

Spring is in the air!... I am glad the temperatures are finally coming down so I can sit down and enjoy a nice cool popsicle :)

I found these at Metro (a Canadian supermarket) and the colour and flavour attracted me.

I have always been a huge Haagen-Dazs Strawberry ice cream fan... so I knew they couldn't go wrong with anything "strawberry".

actual product... and my nails match it

These are available for a limited time. I only see them during Spring (I've had these thrice before deciding on writing a review and recommending them). 

layers

What is it:

These are Haagan Dazs' signature strawberry ice cream dipped in a berry-rich coating made from ruby cacao

Ruby Cacao is a new type of cacao red/ruby in colour. They are naturally red.

strawberry ice cream

The Experience:

These bars taste how they look. a tangy strawberry crispy coating with lots of strawberry taste inside. There are no added colours or flavours. 

Upon writing this review, I discovered these bars are made with 100% Canadian dairy. I'm not sure whether these are available outside of Canada.

score: 8.9/10

website: https://www.haagen-dazs.ca/en/haagen-dazs/ruby-cacao-ice-cream-bars

Mac and Cheese from Scratch recipe

 

If I can cook, I'm sure everyone else can too! :D

The weather has been flirting with us lately... it can be 35 degrees (Celcius) a day then it can suddenly drop to just 12 degrees the next day... on colder days, my body craves comfort foods... so this is what I made!... It is a very simple recipe (and like I said... ANYONE can make this)

It took years for me to finally make a decent mac and cheese... Here's what I did! No cooking skills are required. I am terrible at giving measurements... so please adjust the amount according to your taste.

in the process... if you see your mixture looking like this, it is not ready

Ingredient list:

• water
• milk
• dry macaroni
• starch or flour
• butter
• salt
• powdered/grated parmesan cheese
• shredded cheddar cheese (if you prefer a less cheesy taste, shredded Mozerella cheese will do)

Instructions

1. Boil water and milk (in equal amounts) you can refer to your pasta/macaroni instructions on the box/bag for guidance. For example, if they call for 2 cups of water, then use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of milk.

2. When water and milk boil, add in dry macaroni

3. Let simmer and bring to a boil, if you want al dente, then let the macaroni boil for 4-7 minutes, 

4. While boiling, add in more milk, starch or flour, butter, salt, and stir. For this step, go easy on the starch/flour... if you add too much, your sauce will be too thick. (If you are into super thick sauces, then adding more than 2 teaspoons will be more than enough)

5. Once the consistency is creamy, add in powdered/grated parmesan cheese

6. Add in shredded cheddar cheese (or if you are afraid it will be too cheesy, add in a mix of cheddar and white mozzarella cheese). 

7. Bon Appetit!

Rimmel Scandal'Eyes 24 hour eyeliner black 001 review

Rimmel's Scandal Eyes eyeliner

 I have been seeing Rimmel's products in drug stores but I have never had a chance to give their products a try, so when I had an emergency (which involves needing an eyeliner) I went ahead and bought this. It cost less than $5 :)... It is a gel pencil that will require sharpening. 

This product claims to be waterproof, lasts for up to 24 hours, its intense colour lasts all day.

This product is made in France.

variation of strokes

impressions:

• very easy to use
• needs to be warmed up on the back of your hand before it can glide on your waterline
• smudges! :( doesn't stay in place
• not waterproof
• gave me panda eyes (an hour after applying)

I liked how intense the colour was and even with the intensity, it is buildable. BUT.... the biggest issue I have with it is that it is not waterproof (as in, it is removable with using water), it smudges and the product falls out giving me huge panda eyes!

I thought make up products that are made in France would be better and this one proved me wrong... avoid this at all costs!! 

I decided to go online to see reviews and they were very mixed... in most websites, they were given a 4.5/5... I do not understand how that is possible given the fact that it gives you panda eyes!!! 

People complained about it not being able to sharpen... BUT... it can be... I'm not sure what type of sharpener were they using... 

Score: 0/10

Website: https://www.rimmellondon.com/en-us/eyes/eye-linerspencils/scandaleyes-waterproof-kohl-kajal-eyeliner

Nature Republic Snail Solution Mask Sheet review

(I saw this review sitting at the back of my drafts folder and forgot to publish it... this was written 5 years ago, 2016)

I picked up this mask at Nature Republic's store in Hong Kong a while back. I bought them because I heard lots of good things about snail solutions so I decided to give these a try. These were sold in sets of 10 and were wrapped up in a thin resealable bag, but the masks are individually packaged. I think these were around $58 HKD (which is approximately $8 USD for 10 sheet masks) which makes them on a more affordable side.

Each mask contains 20g (which is probably why it is more affordable because masks are usually 28g -30g)

net. wt. 0.71 oz.

This sheet mask contains 2000 ppm of snail mucus filtrated from a clean area, providing excellent moisture and adhesion. 

The brand's motto is Sheet Mask conveyed by the life of nature.

Details of mask:

SNAIL SOLUTION MASK SHEET (NN6202)

Brand: Nature Republic

Made in Korea

It is an ultra-moisturizing sheet mask with snail secretion filtrate. 

It focuses on moisturizing and nourishing the skin.

Ingredients:

I highlighted a few of the noteworthy ingredients

WATER, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENGLYCOL, SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, BETAIN, PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) EXTRACT, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA(WITCH HAZEL) EXTRACT, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, ALOE BARADENSIS LEAF JUICE, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, MYROTHAMNUS FLABELLIFOLIA CALLUS CULTURE EXTRACT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-60HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, METHYLPARABEN, CARBOMER, XANTHAN GUM, ALLANTOIN, TRIETHANOLAMINE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, PARFUM

details

Directions

1. After applying toner, pull out the mask sheet from the package and unfold it. 

2. Apply the mask sheet onto the face from the lower (chin) part of the mask and upwards to the forehead. 3. Remove mask sheet after 10~15 minutes. 

4. Gently pat any remaining formula into the skin. 

Caution

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes.

Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rashes appear. 

Keep out of reach of children. 

tried to smile but the mask was falling off

The harsh weather conditions have made my skin very sensitive, red, and extremely dry, so I'm hoping that by using more skincare products, I can nourish my skin back to being moist and healthy. Since I have 10 of these, and I have lots of free time, I decided to try using them for 10 days. I was told that it is better to use the same mask and not switch between different masks during a shorter period of time, so I am committing to using this mask for 10 days.

Here is what I did to get the results (spoiler: my skin felt pretty darn good after this)

1. apply The Body Shop's Seaweed Clarifying Toner
2. apply Nature Republic's Snail Solution Sheet Mask
3. leave on for 10-15 mins (I usually do 15 mins) 
4. pat the remaining solution into skin
5. apply Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (as a moisturizer)

Impressions:

• sensitivity on the skin the first few times of using it
• has a nice soft and calming smell (can't pinpoint it since it is very light)
• the solution has a watery consistency (too watery)
• the mask had a hard time keeping the solution on my face (it kept dripping)
• the mask is very thin and lightweight (and a bit flimsy)
• the mask did not fit my face well (the nose flap was too short and didn't cover my nose properly, it was loose and tight in areas that didn't allow the mask to fully cover the surface of my skin properly.)
• mask leaves skin feeling very sticky :(

Since I had so many of these masks, I kept one and let it dry out after I used it and discovered that the mask is made out of cotton-like material.

Log

I was a bit unlucky. My skin immediately reacted negatively on the first day. There weren't huge issues, but I felt a slight burning sensation and my skin was a bit irritated.

I decided to attempt the mask again on the second day, there was less sensitivity and less irritation.

On the third day, the third time seems to be the charm. My skin was getting used to the mask, I started noticing how my skin is starting to feel a bit smoother after I removed the mask, I realized that my skin had absorbed a lot of the solution (especially my forehead). 

Fast forward to the fifth day, and it has become a habit. I still struggle with keeping the solution from dripping down my face and neck but my skin has started to appreciate having this mask. My skin feels softer and smoother. There is still a bit of redness on my skin but it feels less "fragile" and more resilient towards dryness (especially when I stand next to air vents). My skin does not immediately need a moisturizer right after this mask treatment. This is an indication that my skin is more nourished.

On the eighth - tenth day, I started noticing my skin becoming plumper. My skin feels even "stronger" (it is especially noticeable when I am standing in front of heaters and my skin is not bothered by the heat and making it feel drier than it usually is). 

I loved the results from using sheet masks and will continue to do so to maintain and even further improve my skin's healthiness. 

Verdict

I'm quite happy with the results of using a mask a day for 10 days. However, I can't say I am in love with this sheet mask. While it has certainly nourished and given enough moisture to my skin, I feel that other sheet masks might be able to achieve these results on the 3rd mask. 

I am glad the irritation stopped at day one and the benefits started kicking in on day 3. But there are other sheet masks that will not cause as much irritation as this one. (Next time, I will try this 10-day mask challenge with a different mask and will share the results).

Score: 7.0/10

Website: https://www.naturerepublicofficial.com/ (the product is no longer on their website)

Hemeiel Light-water Oxygen Bubble Mask review

I've been seeing these oxygen masks all over social media and was fascinated by how many bubbles they produced. I decided to get some and see for myself. 

I found this on Shein and decided to test it out. This mask is a bit pricier than other masks, it was $9.00 CAD for 5 masks.

This is a light-water oxygen bubble mask with exfoliating effects. 

This mask does not contain any alcohol properties.

What this product does: 

Oil Control, Blackhead Remover, Acne Treatment, Hydrating, Nourishing, Clearing, Brightening, Whitening, and Anti-Aging

It is ideal for those who have dry, normal, combination, and oily skin. 

I want to add that if you have super sensitive skin, be aware that it might be a bit irritating for you. (FYI: I have sensitive skin and it causes slight irritation to my skin)

Ingredients:

WATER,BUTYLENE GLYCOL,DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL,GLYCERIN,GLYCOSYL TREHALOSE,HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE,HINOKITIOL,XANTHAN GUM,DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZINATE,SODIUM HYALURONATE,PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL,CERAMIDE 3,BAMBOO CHARCOAL,HYDROLYZED SODIUM HYALURONATE,DIGLYCEROL,GLUCURONIDE,PHENOXYETHANOL,METHYL PARABEN

how it fits on my face 👍 

impressions:

• tingly sensation
• no scent/aroma
• SO MUCH/MANY FOAM/BUBBLES (see pictures)
• good fit for the face but due to the foam/bubble production, it is better to lie down
• causes a slight but noticeable skin irritation after using (but doesn't linger or cause rashes)
• skin feels SOooOOOOooo smooth! 👍 
• huge improvements to my skin (moisturizing, smoother texture, healthier... etc)

foam starting to form

I was quite skeptical when I bought this and thought it was only a gimmick, but I was extremely surprised as to how it made my skin feel after the first use.

I was using my hands to remove the foam from my face and when I washed my hands throughout the day, I couldn't help but notice just how much softer and smoother they felt, too!

I didn't enjoy the foaminess on my face, it kept producing more foam even after the 15-20 minutes and continued to produce foam, 30 minutes after I removed the mask. 

overwhelmed and amazed at how many bubbles there are

HOWEVER, despite the foaming and bubbles... I actually *surprise surprise* like this mask! It improved my skin's condition after first use. My skin hasn't felt this clean and moisturized in a very long time! I have noticed that there is a weird "rubbery" after texture (both on my face and hands) but it felt like an improvement more than a weird side effect.

score: 10/10

Classified: not a gimmick!

SHEIN Website: https://ca.shein.com/5pcs-Oxygen-Bubble-Facial-Sheet-p-2525748-cat-2442.html