MASK EMPTIES 2023

 

Listing some of the masks I've used over the year and how I feel about them. I've only saved one of each but I've used most of them several times.

Most of these are already discontinued, I think but it takes me a while to finish and review products now.

Lindsay All-in One Energizing Gold Modeling Mask

The internet said that this existed years ago, but I've only tried it this month. I had been dying to try a rubber mask and this caught my eye because it was on the cheaper side. I'd like to say around P65, but it could have been P110 >_< I bought it a long while ago so I can't find the receipt...

Either way, it seemed a much better deal than the popular Dr. Jart ones.

Mediheal WHP Shower Capping Pack

Watsons had some sort of mask + pack promo, which lead me to try Mediheal's WHP Shower Capping Pack. Since I already knew that I like Mediheal sheet masks, what could be the harm in trying?

Famous last words... for me.

Life Tip

As someone who cannot afford daily sheet masking (especially as I haven't found a mask less than Php 50 worth using), and as someone who is concerned about their environmental impact, I often do not mask more than once a week.

However, there is one occasion in my life that I am a big believer in these masks:

Use a hydrating sheet mask right after drinking an alcoholic beverage!

You can use a cooling pack or any other item with a cooling effect (ice cold glass of water, anyone), but a cooling sheet mask that gives a dose of hydration makes your skin less horrible the day after (especially if you have sensitive skin), after that tall glass of water.

I am partial to Mediheal's NMF mask (blue) over Leaders' option but will be trying Dr. Morita this upcoming holiday myself.

Please make sure your face is clean before masking. Some hand-eye coordination required.

Nature Republic Real Nature Mask Sheet in Aloe

On An Aloe Vera Kick! Just a month ago, I went on about Aloe Derma's Aloe Gel. I liked it so much, I decided to give other aloe products a go.

During Nature's Republic's last sale, I picked up a tub of their Aloe Vera Gel and one of their sheet masks in Aloe. I got a small sample of their Green Derma mild cream as a gift with purchase.

Saizen Natural Pack (Charcoal Mask)

If you've used this tube, you've been a fan of the Saizen Natural Pack mask since it was launched! This is such a late post, but I've deferred blogging about this mask until I finished the last of my stash. The current packaging is a bit fatter, but it's the same product. This product costs P88 at Saizen, and while I've seen it go out of stock, I've never seen it go on sale.  

Saizen Natural Pack (Charcoal Mask)

The Saizen charcoal mask is a black peel-off mask to be used after cleansing. Each tube will last 5-7 applications, depending on how generous you are. I like to use a lot of product because it makes it easier for me to peel off. However, this method insures a longer drying time of around 25-30 minutes. Alternatively, use only and the nose and have a 15-20 minute drying time!

I've tried to take it off in the middle of drying, and it's very difficult to clean off with make-up remover and impossible with cleanser. Make sure you're ready for at least 30 minutes of a black face with limited mobility!

I've found that it's possible to peel off this mask in one piece. It is a bit difficult, but you can just roll the peeled off mask into a ball and dab on those missed pieces. Peeling isn't painful but may be uncomfortable as I've found it to be on the adherent side.

Afterwards, skin feels clean and on the tight side with some dirt/whiteheads visible on the mask. This won't work miracles but it's a good weekly maintenance mask. Make sure to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer afterwards for best results.

I've gone through 3 bottles of this product and I'm contemplating getting another if I can't find anything that catches my eye soon.

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX

Something new on my wish list: the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack _ EX. Thanks to 2 generous samples, each good for 2-3 uses, I was able to try out this sleep mask - and it did not disappoint.

The gel is thick, light blue and it's scent (while I can't define it) is relaxing. It's not enough to put me to sleep but it does put me in a good mood (chill vibes before bed). I, as instructed, put a decent amount  (no scrimping) on my face for best results. The gel is cool and spreads easily enough. It takes a long while to dry so I either read a bit or try to sleep on my back. When I wake up and touch my face, it feels a bit sticky - like mochi.

Wash it off and my skin looks and feels very hydrated, even if I'm stressed or if I just get a few hours of sleep. I look like I got a lot more sleep than I really did!  I think this'd be perfect for special events and after those long days of hard work - it's a treat to put on and it helps you look more human the next day.

The key to this product is the glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are really great for moisture. For best results, use after an essence so the mask can seal it in.

For those who can afford it, I'd recommend this mask. As for me, I do want it but my wallet says I can live without this product XD. The Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX retails for around P1400 a tub.

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Years and years ago, I posted a tutorial about Aztec Healing Clay. While I did like it's effect on my skin, the mess and the smell, as well as the time it took me to use it resulted in it falling out of favor. My current favorite is the Garnier Self Heating Sauna Mask. However, my favorite mask product (I'm not sure if I have an HG mask yet) is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.

The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a green clay mask that hardens. According to the directions, you're supposed to take it off with warm water and a washcloth (like the Aztec mask). However, I find this process tedious since it's a thick paste that's difficult to take from the tube (around the time that it's half gone). It's near impossible to portion control with this thing - I always end up using more than I need. Product is a thick green paste with a consistency somewhere between play-doh and toothpaste.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - from the tube

As you can see, there's a bit of a semi-circular impression when i try to maneuver the bottle without swiping with my fingers. Since squeezing too little gets only a tiny amount of product, and squeezing a lot makes it fly everywhere, covering my entire face can get very frustrating.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - spread

Spreading it is not a problem after you get your desired amount out, but I prefer using it as an overnight spot treatment for zits that need to be dried up. Thus, I can't really say I like it as a mask. It dries up in less than 15 minutes, depending on how much you put on. A light layer will dry up in around 5.

While this is much more expensive in the Philippines (P250-P350, depends on where you get it) than in the US ($5 dollars), an 8 oz. tube will last at least a year with me and it really isn't expensive, compared to other products. This used to be hard to find a few years ago, but it's much easier to get now.

Now, this product is not a miracle worker for most of my zits (because my zits hurt :( ), but it does dry out the small zits and shrinks the mean ones enough to make them easier to hide the next day. If I had more obedient zits, it probably would be a miracle worker - as it is for some people. If only I could use this as a color corrector under make-up! I only use it once a day because it's very obvious.

This substance is very drying, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, I suggest you use this product sparingly.

Ingredients: water, kaolin, bentonite, glycerin, zinc oxide, propylene glycol, sulfur, chromium oxide greens, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben.

Yays

• good drying capability: kills baby zits, shrinks the big ones
• minty smell
• inexpensive, lasts a long time

Nays

• tube packaging is horrible: difficult to take product out of the tube, get's everywhere if you're not careful
• hardens, so tube needs to be finished quickly (or cut up to get the bits that won't be squeezed out)

Hays

• don't sleep with this on unless you're fine with it going all over your sheets, or if you don't move and sleep on your back
• use a light coating if you're using it as a mask, use a heavier coat if you're using it as a spot treatment 
• don't wear it as a spot corrector if you're going outside
• remember to use a moisturiser after use 
• cut up the tube when you can't squeeze out anymore to make the most out of your product

Okays

• acne prone skin
• anyone with a zit

Buy Again?
Yes, it's a staple in my beauty closet! I might ignore it, but I go back to it when I need it.

Garnier Self Heating Sauna Mask

Ingredients: Glycerin, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Montmorillonite, Aqua/Water, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Allantoin, Benzyl Salicylate, Blue 1, Ultramarines, Limonine, Linalool, Propylene Carbonate, Salicylic Acid, Serine, Sodium Chloride Sorbitole, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Urea, Zinc Gluconate, Parfum

Thin application

Ok. I should actually use a better camera than my crap fone but... here's a light application. You can use this for 3-4 uses, depending on how heavy you apply it on your face. If you're super stingy, you might actually get 6 uses of it. Here's a light application, but I feel that it does the job well enough. I usually do 2 applications a week. One heavy and one light, as a touch-up. Since my cheeks are not as oily as my T-zone, it's thinner on this area.

The instructions tell you to put it on your face for 3 minutes and that's what I do before washing it off. 

Yays

• Keeps me oil free for days! Meaning less zit-y over time.
• Good for 3-4 uses if you're like me, 6 if you're super stingy and  2 if you're a generous applicator.
• Cheap! P49 (a bit over $1) for 2 to 4 to 6 applications, in 2 6 ml doses.
• Doesn't harden completely, so it's easy to wash off.
• Self-heating! So it feels nice on the face.

Nays

I have to apply it twice a week, not once to remain oil-free for the week. But this is a personal, not product failure.

Hays

• Keep away from hair, eyes and other mucous membrane-y areas.
• Try to figure out how much you need (you may not need a thick layer to keep yourself oil-free, or you may not need to put it on your entire face).

Okays

For oily people.

Buy Again?

Yes! I buy this a lot right now as part of my anti-acne regime.

Tutorial: Turmeric Mask

Turmeric isn't just for curry and other foods, it's for your face and body too. I use it to help prevent acne while preserving the contents of my poor wallet. 

Ingredients:

Powdered turmeric

Calamansi juice (or lemon juice)

Honey

Powdered turmeric can be bought in a supermarket very easily and cheaply with the spice selection (at least in the Philippines, you may have to go to an asian food store). For the tutorial, I used half a singles sachet or 1.5 grams of ground turmeric by McCormick. The 36g - 12 sachet pack itself costs around P40 (around $1 dollar). While there are cheaper versions available, the packet is less messy and allows me to better control the amount of product i put in.

Calamansi, being native to the Philippines, is easier to find and far less expensive than lemon. I used only 10 drops of freshly squeezed calamansi juice on this mask. I've forgotten how much the honey costs but you'll need 1-2 tablespoons. I started with 1 tablespoon's worth then added as I went.

Here's one way to use turmeric as a mask:

Tutorial: Aztec Healing Clay Experience

or my favorite way to use aztec healing clay.



Ingredients
1. aztec healing clay
2. honey
3. apple cider vinegar
4. tea tree oil
5. spoon (supposed to be non-metal but...)
6. small plastic container


I placed a heaping spoonful of aztec healing clay into container (I just made sure my spoon was really dry).


Added one flat tablespoon of ACV. I love it when it starts frothing ^^


Added a flat tablespoon honey, then 5 drops tea tree oil and mixed. It's better to add too little in the beginning than too much. If lacking, add more ACV. Make sure you put on a PASTE and not a liquid.


Place a thick layer on face.


How it sucked the oil from my face.

Wash off after 20 mins or until dry with warm water.

Even though it is stinky, it works; It's also really cheap and lasts forever. Not recommended for those with sensitive noses.