Paula's Choice Hydrating Treatment Mask review

 

I came across this "mask" while I was on their website to refill on more of their popular leave-on exfoliant. 

My skin has been quite dry lately and since I am very impressed with their exfoliate I decided to give this mask a try. I haven't heard of it prior and there seems to be no mention of this product from other skincare specialists. 

This is a hydrating treatment mask that contains Borage oil. According to stylist.co.uk, "Borage oil treats all kinds of skin inflammation including eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea. It is also good if your skin feels dry as it is calming, nourishing, and redness-erasing prowess. It's also useful in helping calm acne and it's lighter than many other oils so won't leave your face feeling greasy."

This mask claims to hydrate dry, flaky skin, fortifies the protective moisture barrier, and calms and soothes sensitive skin. It is listed under their "Skin Recovery". Paula's Choice also recommends it as a good hand hydrating mask (but I didn't/haven't feel/felt the benefits of it).

Directions 

Use on clean skin. Apply a generous layer all over the face and neck. Leave on overnight as your last step in your skincare routine. Use as often as needed.

I have been using this mask (sometimes I use it as a moisturizer and almost every night as a leave-on mask) for almost 4 months and I love it!

Impressions:

• affordable
• calming
• your skin needs to adjust to the texture
• it hydrates your dry skin!
• can be used as a moisturizer/eye cream
• long-lasting (effects last for hours)
• Use around 1 cm of product for the whole face
• very thick, leave-on mask but light-weight (skin absorbs every bit of product)
• no irritation
• softens skin, soothes skin
• non-greasy

When I first started using this mask, my skin felt uncomfortable with the thickness and consistency, it took around 2 weeks till my skin was able to adjust and became comfortable with the consistency and properly absorbed the product. 

I noticed it would dry out some smaller pimples and acne within 1-2 uses.  I use it as an overnight leave-on mask, and my skin feels very plump and hydrated the next day. There was a tiny wrinkle on my skin (prior to using this mask) and this mask took it out within 2-3 uses!

I have super sensitive skin and this mask/cream did not cause any issues. There was absolutely no irritation, but my skin had to adjust to the thickness of "learning how to absorb it properly". 

I am super happy I found this product and it is also one of Paula's Choice's more affordable products.

Score: 10/10
Website: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-hydrating-treatment-mask/280.html

Daiso's Crayon Hand Mask review

I love masks... you can tell from reading this blog. I use hair masks, face masks, etc. So when I came across this hand mask I got very excited.

instructions

the instructions are very simple, you take out the product and rip the 2 gloves apart and put your hands in for 20 minutes and your hands are supposed to feel nicely conditioned (notice I use the word "supposed").

impressions:

• has a nice artificial rose scent
• gloves were way too big for my hands
• my hands felt well conditioned the first 30 or so minutes
• your hands will feel the need for more hand cream after using the mask
• gave my hands eczema

I like the gloves so I might but them and wash out the product and use them for my own hand mask. The gloves were a double layer, the outside layer is made of a plastic material to hold in the product while the inner layer has a cotton texture material. 

I really liked the product because it smelled good and it initially made my hands feel very soft but after it gave my hands eczema I stopped using it. I went to my dermatologist (it got very serious) and my dermatologist said I had some kind of fungal infection. It took me months to get the skin on my hands back to their normal state.

score: 0/10

website: no website

also... please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Annie's Way Mask Gallery Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Mask review

I have heard about this mask for ages and I finally have it in my hands! I know this isn't the newest product out there... but if it is good... it doesn't matter... right? 

So for a quick background, this mask made its debut 4 years ago (2014) and every beauty guru was talking about this product. A lot of them claimed how this mask has changed their skin. 

Fast forward to 2018, the product is almost nonexistent. Their website no longer works, and everyone has moved onto other products.

I wanted to try this product for a long time, but when I received this product (online shopping) I got busy and forgot about it until now.

ingredients

the instructions are very straightforward: after washing your face and applying moisturizing lotion (Asian kind) add a 0.5cm thickness to the skin. Wait 30 minutes and wipe it off. Put an extra thick layer to your nose. After you are done, wash with water and apply a serum or other masks to make this mask more effective. 

pros

• moisturizes skin

cons

• need to use a lot of product each time
• messy (you need to apply 0.5cm thickness of product)
• uncomfortable, I couldn't wait to remove it

I can see how it quickly came and how it quickly went. While this mask does its job, I found it too much of a hassle to use. You MUST put a 0.5cm thickness of product or the product will dry on your face and reverse suck out the moisture from your skin. It was hard to slab on THAT much product without making a mess. It also felt incredibly uncomfortable on my skin. The thickness of the product caused it to stick to my eyelashes and while it did not have a droopy feeling, my skin did not like the texture after 10 minutes.

There are way better products out on the market which can do what this mask does without the mess and hassle.

score: 5/10

website: http://www.annies-way.com/ (no longer works)

Classification: gimmick

if you are interested, please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Lady Merry Heart Line mask review

Lady Merry Heart line mask review

Made in Korea

Price: ¥3240/box (5 masks per box)

(please comment below if you would like to purchase)
When I first heard about V Line masks, I was dying to try one, but to my disadvantage, I couldn't find any online or locally. So when my friend introduced me to Lady Merry and gave me a few masks to try I was extremely excited to try their Heart Line Masks!

My friend told me that the Heart Line Mask is:

 A typical youthful, ideal facial shape is said to have a V lined, or even better, heart shaped roundness. Our product is capable of creating such effect on its user, therefore the name ‘Heart Line Mask’.

《Cause of facial sagginess》 Buccal fat, a fat mass that exists on both side of the human cheek. It gets loose as age grows and is the main cause for sagginess in the cheek and jawline. Although there are various reasons that causes the buccal fat to loosen and start sinking, the biggest factor is none other than gravity. It had been a fact that there are demand for cosmetic surgeries to remove buccal fats in order to improve cheek sagginess.

So, apparently, I have a lot of Buccal fat... so this mask will definitely help me make my face shape more "heart" shaped.

[Heart Line Mask] is a product that helps prevent the sagginess due to gravity, and elevates the skin naturally.

claims:
◯Natural Face Lift Effect
◯ Relieves swelling and edema effect from after a proper facelift surgery
◯ Helps maintain the result from a facelift surgery
・Moisture retention for the skin
・Helps prevent sleep disorder such as mouth opening, snoring and dry mouth if used during sleep
・Relieves swell from after tooth extraction

back of packaging

According to the packaging:

major ingredients list:

原料名	English ingredient name
グリセリン	Glycerin
ゼラチン	Gelatin
ポリアクリル酸Na	Polyacrylic acid Na
ポリビニルアルコール	Polyvinyl alcohol
PVP	PVP
異性化サフラワーグリセリズ	Isomerization safflower glyceryl's
アセチルヘキサペプチド−８	Acetyl hexapeptide -8
ベタイン	Betaine
BG	BG
加水分解コラーゲン	Hydrolyzed collagen
酸化チタン	Titanium oxide
ポリソルベート８０	Polysorbate 80
レシチン	lecithin
リゾレシチン	Lysolecithin
アデノシン	Adenosine
ヒアルロン酸Na	Hyaluronic acid Na
カフェイン	Caffeine
EDTA-2Na	EDTA-2Na
フェノキシエタノール	Phenoxyethanol
メチルパラベン	Methylparaben

how mask looks

Product Features

• Heart Line Mask uses material similar to poultice that are elastic and highly adhesive, giving a firm elevation of skin around the cheek and jaw area. 
• Maintains the elevated skin for a long period of time
• Helps prevent sleep disorder such as mouth opening, snoring and dry mouth if used during sleep.
• Embedded collagen and hyaluronic acid gives a moisturizing feel to the skin area wrapped within.
• Doesn’t leave any visible marks immediately after usage, so it can be used anytime of the day

mask unveiled

How to use:

1. Thoroughly clean your face with cleansing foam or gel. 
2. With the markings facing down, fit in the center of your jaw to the middle of heart line mask.
3. Pull over the mask to fit into the hook of your ears. 
4. Keep mask in the position for 15-20 minutes before removal. 

*Remove mask slowly and gently to avoid overstretch of your skin. 
*Recommended to be used twice a week 
*Should you feel any abnormal skin reaction, stop using immediately and consult a dermatologist or your family doctor

I have spoken to a representative at Lady Merry and he told me that I can leave this mask on overnight. Since this mask is "dry" it would not be osmosis (stripping away the moisture in my skin). Instead, it will act as a protective mask to help you retain moisture.

actual mask

impressions:

• very tight (hard to talk while the mask is on face)
• it works! :O (instant results!)
• effects last for 3-4 days
• a bit hard to apply (easy to get hair onto mask)
• easy to use (after you get the hang of it)
• very clean, no messes (not watery)

how mask looks on face

Unlike most face masks I have used, this mask was very sticky and not watery. I didn't have to worry about it dripping. The self adhesive layer was perfectly... adhesive and did not hurt when I removed it.

before and after

pros:

• works very well
• no dripping, messy watery liquids
• very clean
• effects are long lasting
• the material is comfortable
• you can wear it overnight!
• many features

cons:

• a bit pricey
• you can't talk when you use it
• you can't multitask (e.g. eating, talking, etc), the mask will move and be misaligned

instant results! :O

Where to buy:
some tax free drug stores in Japan carry these masks...
If you can't find it or not located in Japan and are interested, please comment below and I can help you order it.

Price: ¥3240/box (5 masks per box)

score: 8.5/10
website: http://nandt.net/

Face Q Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 mask review

packet of mask

product overview:

• amount: 30g
• Product from Taiwan
• Function: Whitening + moisturizing + re-hydrating
• Each Box comes with ten packets of mask.
• Suitable: all skin type especially dry and delicate skin

After doing some research, I discovered that FaceQ is a sister company to My Beauty Diary. 

back of packaging

Translation:

In Turkey, people consider the Pomegranate to be a fruit from heaven because it is rich in nutrients which benefit the skin. Red pomegranate and Anthocyanin are two powerful anti-oxidant ingredients. It fights against dullness and dehydration. Chamomile extracts is also added to avoid further dark pigment formulation, helping skin to restore its natural glow. After application your skin will become supple, smooth. 

Description:

FACE Q MASK SERIES Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 Mask include triple moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid macromolecules potent restore moisture. Hyaluronic acid stays closely with the skin, improving moisture retention even after flushing.

Small molecule hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin deeply, reaching the ultimate moist. Also includes pomegranate extract, with two antioxidants: Pomegranate polyphenols and anthocyanins. Powerful antioxidant helps improving skin dull, dry and adding chamomile to prevent pigmentation, skin look so rosy and revealing a natural bright luster. (Sasa.com)

Ingredients (from Sasa.com): 

• Pomegranate Extract: restoration and maintenance of the skin. Maintain skin‘s vitality.
• Idebenone, CoQ10: whitening effect
• White willow bark extract: conditioning with exfoliating, whitening effect
• Silver Needle Pekoe: natural antioxidants.
• Morus alba extract: whitening effect

how the mask looks like

This mask is made from 100% wood pulp and silk, these ingredients help infiltrate the nutrients into your skin and is more flexible to fit on your facial features. (I did not agree with this though)


impressions:

• has a sweet fruity smell (not exactly pomegranate but smells really nice)
• lots of essence
• mask sticks on face really well (great for multitasking)
• little air bubbles
• gives a stinging sensation to mouth area

I didn't like the material... see the bubbles?

Overall, I think this is a fair mask, as being a sister company to Beauty Diary, I find there are certain similarities (e.g. lots of essence in mask and smells really nice). But I was disappointed that it created a stinging sensation to my upper lip and lower lip area. I liked that the mask fit my features well, but it created small bubble air pockets... I liked to use the remaining essence on my arms and legs (yes, there was THAT much product left).

score: 7.8/10
website: http://www.facequeen.com.tw/ (I couldn't find this product on their website :O)

Freeman Beauty Facial Anti-Stress Mask Dead Sea Minerals mask review

I have started to like Freeman products especially after liking their Beauty Facial Peel Off Mask. While I was planning to stock up on those, I came across this product and decided to give it a try.

According to the big yellow label this mask was the recipient of 2012 totalbeauty.com Mask award. After using this mask for the first time, I could see why.

First off, a slight warning, when you apply this mask, I would recommend doing this when there are less people around, I was shocked when I applied this mask for the first time, I seriously look like some actress who walked out of an Avatar movie set. The mask is very pigmented (in a weird blue/green colour). Another precaution is don't apply this mask "too close" to the eye area, the mask is "strong" and even when I left "a big circle around my eyes, my eyes were stinging. eeks...

The product is the scent of an ocean, and the texture is clay-like making it easier to smooth out.

On the back of the tube they introduce this mask as a : 

...calming mask [which] instantly absorbs excess oil while clarifying and purging clogged pores. Dead Sea Minerals contain natural supplements that are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Sea Salts help replenish and balance moisture. Lavender and Bergamot promote relaxing aromatherapy.

The instructions asks the user to apply the mask to face and neck

thoughts:

• easy to use
• instantly feel it working (the next day and day after)
• gets rid of excess facial oil

I only applied it to the face. You will know when this product dries because you won't be able to move your face. You use warm water to rinse. To be honest, I didn't feel the difference when I rinsed the mask away, I felt the oil on my skin was taken away, but it was not a very obvious difference. When I woke up the next day, I felt the difference, my skin was so soft and smooth I loved it! 

I think this is a great mask, The instructions ask us to use it 2 times a week, however, since I hardly have much oil, I only use it once ever 2 weeks and that seems enough. I find that if I use it too often (twice a week) my skin starts to break out because I think it takes away too much "oil" from my skin at once.

I would rate this mask 4/5.

Freeman Beautiful Facial Peel-Off Mask Cucumber Mask Review

bottle of goodness

Walmart has been stocking up on Freeman's masks, so I decided to give this brand a try. I LOVE IT! The description says this will "clarify and renews skin" and it does exactly that!

This mask is thick gel form, the moment you apply it on your face you will not feel very comfortable however, once it starts drying you will feel it "clearing" your skin.

I would suggest applying a conservative amount (just thick enough to cover your face) I have tried to use less and I wasn't even able to peel it (in the end I had to use warm water to wash it away, and once I used TOO much and it was an absolute disaster waiting for it to dry and peeling it off...

Caution though, when you are peeling do not peel too hard or you can peel off any hair which got stuck in the gel (which can be pretty painful) And you wouldn't want to damage your skin's surface by peeling too hard.

impressions:

• very effective
• suitable for those with out of control skin (due to climate change, stress, etc)
• easy to use
• instant results
• really clarifies and renews

Since my skin is not in a bad condition (not absolutely oily or dry) so I just use this once every 2 weeks when I feel that my skin needs to be clarified and renewed.

Seriously, I was skeptical at first, I never thought a mask product could instantly clarify and renew your skin until I used this product.

Just remember like all masks (especially this one, since it is a peeling mask) you must apply toner, serum/moisturizer after.

update (Jan. 23, 2014):
Just recently, due to climate changes, my skin was oily and dry in some areas... I felt my skin was going crazy: I started getting pimples in some parts of my face and in other parts skin was peeling. After using this mask I got my skin "clarified" and my skin instantly went back to "normal". The next morning I discovered that some of the pimples on my face have already disappeared, my skin stopped producing excess oil and the bumpy dry parts were smoothed.

Try it, because it really works!

rating: 10/10

Kracie - Naive - Green Tea Cleanser review

For this post, I will be only doing a review for the Naive Kracie Green Tea facial cleanser as that's the only product I have tried here.

This is a strong facial cleanser, you can feel it immediately after you rinse, your face and fingers you used to clean with have a squeaky clean touch to it.

Although the instructions suggest using 1cm of the product, I just use merely 3-5 mm since it is already a lot of product. The instructions say taking that bit of product you foam it up with either a foam ball or the palm of your hands.

thoughts:

• a little goes a long way (even if you apply a small amount and foam it, it still works)
• strong cleanser
• light fragrance (lighter means there should be less chemicals inside?)
• great for "tough" stubborn oil
• remember to moisturize immediately after you use this!!
• not suitable for winter months

Since it is so strong, I suggest using warm water (instead of hot water) to clean the product from your face and immediately apply either 1. serum or 2. moisturizer or 3. emulation to your face because your face will dry up and your skin will feel as if it stiffened (not a nice feeling).

I highly recommend this facial cleanser because it does what it promises and it literally does a good job removing oil and dirt from your face. However, if you have sensitive skin, I would suggest a milder cleanser like Biore's (product review will follow shortly).