Monday Masks : Sasatinnie Aloe & Olive Deep Moist Silky Mask

Seriously wonder why I continue to use Sasatinnie masks when I'm really NOT having a good time at all. -__- I guess I keep thinking, "Maybe the next one will be better", and also, I hate wasting a mask, so might as well just use it! And at the moment, I'm trying to use up the whole set that I got and get it over with so I can go back to indulging in the high quality masks. One mask costs RM4.90 ORIGINAL price. I think I mentioned I got in on 50% off? Anyway, without further ado, here's my take on the Aloe & Olive Deep Moisturising Silky Mask. :)

This mask is suitable to be used by all skin types, especially for dull, dehydrated and tired skin that wants enhance moisturisation and nourishment. I don't really have much complaints about my skin nowadays, but who doesn't want to sparkle up their complexion? And I suppose staring at a computer all the time at work would make my skin dull and tired looking right? Sasatinnie claims to help you combat these complaints with magical organic aloe vera and olive extracts, plus further enhances things with hyaluronic acid. WebMD.com says : "There is also a lot of interest in using hyaluronic acid to prevent the effects of aging. In fact, hyaluronic acid has been promoted as a "fountain of youth." However, there is no evidence to support the claim that taking it by mouth or applying it to the skin can prevent changes associated with aging." Most of the time though, beauty companies use hyaluronic acid for its moisturising properties, so take the anti-aging bit with some salt. ;)

Aloe extracts will calm and soothe skin, while olive provides intensive moisture and improves skin radiance. The mask will provide you up to 24 hours of complete moisturisation. I don't know why I'm so batty to have mis-read it as ONE WEEK worth of complete moisturisation, so I was totally bummed when I still have to depend on my normal face moisturisers. :P

I would say that for a one-off use, yes, my skin felt SLIGHTLY better and more moisturised after the 20 minutes were up, but there was that HORRIBLE scent which I mentioned about in the last Sasatinnie mask I used still present here. It really makes me wonder if they just use the same thing and package it differently. -___- It smells like something from an industrial factory, very metallic smelling and sniffing it too long gives me a headache. So it was NOT an enjoyable nor relaxing experience for me at all.

Fit of the mask still has some ways to go... too many "tight gaps" here and there. Probably the only mask where I am 100% going to rinse off all the residue instead of massaging it deeper into my skin. I do NOT want a trace of that smelly liquid left on my visage! Grrr!

I guess you know it's not going to be a repurchase for me! And guess what? I still have one more mask left in my drawer from Sasatinnie.... *fainted* Since when did a weekly indulgence make one so apprehensive?

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Monday Masks : Watsons Revitalising Facial Mask with Rose Water

I have a confession to make --- all the previous Monday Masks entries were really backdated from yonks ago when I was diligently applying masks. :) Nowadays, it's becoming a bit of a luxury to sit around with a dripping mask on my face and just relax. I try to get by with my Pores Be Pure and Hello Kitty Gommage, but those are really specific (one for pore sanctifying, one for exfoliation), sometimes a girl wants other things. Like a super dosage of moisturisation, evening out your skin tone, or oil control. In retrospect, I should've chosen something for evening out my skin tone because I've gotten a few pimple scars.. :( Instead, I used the Watsons Revitalising Facial Mask with Rose Water.

This mask is enriched with natural plant extracts and premium rose water to help revitalise, rehydrate and moisturise your face. After opening the packaging, you're greeted with the sweetest, rose smell. Ok, it may not smell very authentic, but it's really pleasant and nice. Guaranteed to not bug you when you have it on your face for the next 15-30 minutes.

As before, the mask is very thick and not a very good fit. However, it did leave my skin feeling rather moisturised, although not baby soft. I suppose this is better as a "aromatherapy" kind of session. Also, don't know how they do it, but the mask felt REALLY cold against my skin, and I didn't need to put it in the fridge for the added kick. I didn't even have the air-conditioning on! It felt really nice since it's been so hot for the last coupla days (weeks? months?).

Not a repurchase for me because I didn't find it helpful. Liked the scent though, and will definitely check out what other masks Watsons has to offer. :)

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Monday Masks : Sasatinnie Anti-oxidant Regenerating Face Mask

Grabbed a bunch of these Sasatinnie masks when I was in Sasa when they were having big sales. Four masks for about RM10!! Super cheap please. Even though I had not tried it before, I just grabbed the requisite 4 masks. The first one that I tried was the Sasatinnie Anti-oxidant Regenerating face mask.

The packaging is nothing to shout about, but pretty straight to the point, haha. As you can see, the mask contains clove extract, loquat leaf extract, pearl protein extract, hylauronic acid, collagen and honey suckle flower extract. When I saw "clove extract" I was thinking that this would be a pretty funky smelling mask, but in the end there's really not much of a smell to this thing. Just smells normal, face cleanser kinda smell. There's no plastic sheet for the face mask, the sheet mask is just folded together and soaked in the essence, so it was pretty hard to unfold.  Still, in the end, the mask ended up to be a pretty good fit.

Sasatinnie states that the clove extract and pearl protein extract has excellent antioxidant properties, while promoting cell activation and lightening pigmentation spots. Loquat leaf and honeysuckle flower extract have anti-aging properties as well as healing and astringent properties. As for hyluronic acid and collagen - those are typically used for moisturisation and firming. It really does sound promising, doesn't it?

Sadly, no discernable effect after using the mask, but then again, it really didn't promise me anything. It didn't even feel relatively softer or more moisturised than before the mask. Really hoping the rests of my Sasatinnie masks do a better job, otherwise I might as well just soak a piece of tissue in water and put it on my face for 10 minutes.

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Monday Masks : Watsons Anti-Aging Facial Mask with Lycopene Extract

Kickstarted my Monday Masks again because I'm once more undergoing weekly masks sessions after my period of lazing around. ^^ I have to say, my skin thanks me for it. My colleagues say that I look more energetic now and actually --- I do feel more energetic as well! Anyway, this here is one of my drugstore purchases --- a mask from Watsons! They frequently have promotions on their in-store brands, so do be on a lookout for them. When they are on discounts, you can get 2 for RM5 or thereabouts. I find that quite worth it, don't you think?

So the next question would be - are they even worth your RM2.50? :) Today I will be reviewing the anti-aging facial mask. Well, obviously with most anti-aging products, I wouldn't expect instantaneous results. And from the packaging, you can probably guess that the lycopene extract is something found in tomatoes! Sadly, the mask doesn't smell like tomatoes, or anything fruity / veg-like. It just smells like normal facial cleanser.. something inoffensive, but rather clinical.

So what is it about lycopene that has made it such a buzz word in the beauty industry? Well, it's apparently suitable to be used on all skintypes, and though most websites recommend you to eat lycopene-rich products (tomatoes, watermelons),  topical application of lycopene extracts has benefits too. "It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps protect skin from environmental agents that can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts."- source [here] 

There's also gentle lightening effects from using lycopene products, which helps sun-damaged skin and even excessive pigmentation. Anti-aging properties include helping to prevent the breakdown of collagen, which is one of the main causes of wrinkles. 

As you can see from the above, very unattractive picture, the sheet mask is pretty thick, and really soaked with the essence. It's not exactly a good fit, but somehow, it still felt like much of my face got a good dosage from the mask. I guess I can attribute it to being super drippy, so everything just slid around and mixed with each other. After leaving it on for 30 minutes, you need not rinse (but I always do, just that I don't rinse SUPER thoroughly), but can massage the rest of the essence into your face.

Obviously, no amaaaazing immediate anti-aging results, but I did feel that the skin was more moisturised. Watsons recommends using it 2-3 times a week. Would I repurchase it? Why not, it is a cheap and cheerful way to pamper my skin every now and then. But would only repurchase when there's a sale. :P

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Monday Masks : My Melody Lavender & Lemongrass Brightened Mask

Yay! Back to Monday Masks! This is a really belated edition, cos this was a mask I used during the aforementioned Singapore trip (refer to my previous haul post!). Yes, I've got a whole backlog of stuff to blog about! Apologies in advance for the quality of the photos to follow, cos I took the pics in the hotel room, and they have the dimmest, yellow-est lights ever. Plus, didn't want to use too much flash cos my husband was sleeping already!

This round, I'll be reviewing the My Melody Lavender & Lemongrass Brightened Mask. Nope, there's no spelling error, it is "Brightened Mask" and not "Brightening Mask". =) Once again, my shallowness rears its ugly head and I bought something "for the cute factor" and not because it's a super good brand or whatever. I bought the mask in Singapore, but converted, it's around RM7-RM8, which is on the pricier end of masks for me!

Cute? Of course no point having nice packaging la, it's the contents that matter, right? I chose this because lavender and lemongrass sounds so soothing... it's like aromatherapy! It's so typical of what you might find in a spa, right? The My Melody masks actually boasts of having "double the ingredients", with lavender and lemongrass to soothe and firm the skin, while ginseng & ginger will rejuvenate the skin whilst promoting blood circulation.

Some additional skin benefits of lavender - it has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, which means the chances of experiencing acne breakouts and infections are lessened. It also reduces scarring and speeds up healing. Maybe if you like this mask a lot, you should think about investing in lavender oil specially made for your skin! Lavender is also anti-inflammatory, so it reduces redness and blotchiness. Hence the more "even" appearance of your skintone. I think this is what makes the mask "brightening"!

I think I've mentioned about the benefits of lemongrass for the skin, but it is somewhat similar to lavender - it also contains anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties that help ward off skin infections. Not to mention, I think lemongrass smells awesomeeeeee.

The benefits of ginseng on the skin are more iffy --- most of the things I've read up on mention that it should be consumed, not applied on the skin. As for ginger oil, mainly used for aromatherapy, and in fact is really suggested not to apply on the skin because it may cause irritation in sensitive skin!

The fit of the mask is excellent, and I love how the mask adheres tightly to my face. Though it is a very thin "breathable" sheet, it can soak up a lot of essence, which is what helps it adhere so well to the skin! Recommended to leave this on for 15-20 minutes, and best effects are seen if you use this mask 2-3 times a week! Madness... use one time and enjoy it fully, hahaha. I also don't have time to treat myself to 2-3 masks a week. Though I did read one gal who said she uses 7 masks a week. Yes, everyday also got mask!

That went a bit off topic, but I just want to say that unlike other "brightening" masks, this one didn't sting, and it really smelled NICE! I really enjoyed myself while I was wearing the mask, and thought that I won't mind so much if I don't see a "brightening" effect, cos I already felt my skin was pampered and moisturised. =)

Although I don't have any "Before" pictures, I was truly surprised IRL when I took off the mask because my skin was really visibly brightened! It was such a shock that I had to take another photo. Anyway, the mask also helped moisturised and softened my skin, so I don't really mind the non-brightening, haha. I also think it soothed away tiny little spots that I have on my forehead. Quite like this mask! Maybe I should pick up a few extra sheets next time... =)

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Monday Masks : Dermal Red Ginseng Collagen Essence Mask

I've been using lots of masks and totally falling behind in keeping my beauty blog updated. :x One of the main reasons could be me using a LOT of masks when my wedding was coming up, and I wasn't blogging much then either. So, I end up with a backlog of entries! At the same time, I continue to buy and use sheet masks, hah. It's neverending! I thought my husband would "control" me more by asking me to stop buying stuff. But just the other day we passed by this new Korean skincare store and he actually encouraged me to go in and check the products out! He said, "Hey, look they have a deal on sheetmasks. You like those, don't you?" *fainted* Will blog more about the masks and the store later, but anyway, that was totally shocking for me. Plus, when I was there, I fell in love with one of their argan oil hair serum. O_O Must restrain self!

Anyway, am here to review the Dermal Red Ginseng Mask. Have had pretty good time with the Dermal masks, as I have reviewed before here. Was pretty keen to try the "red ginseng" as it's not something you usually see being promoted in masks! Well, this one is suitable for all skin types and is apparently good for FIRMING and BRIGHTENING. Technically, I reckon I'm still young, so I don't need the "firming", and brightening is more of to even the skintone and not so much about bleaching your skin / turning yourself 2 shades lighter. Dull skin (from lack of exercise, sunlight, and the ilk) could do with a booster shot of brightening essence!

As with all Dermal masks that I bought, it also contains COLLAGEN and VITAMIN E which helps to increase skin elasticity. Again - not sure if it is effective when absorbed through the skin. I think it's better if you actually take collagen pills / drinks.

 

The fit of the mask is quite good, in my books. However, this mask is definitely not for me! I couldn't stand the "medicinal" smell of the ginseng! It made me smell like my grandma! Skin felt slightly more moisturised after using, but nothing significant in terms of brightening. Will not be a repurchase for me for this particular scent, but will definitely buy other "flavors" in this range. 

Did a bit more research and found out that Red Ginseng is more suitable as a facial aid for AGING skin due to it's antioxidant properties. Now I know that taking care of your skin's AGING should start when you're young (when you're old, it's basically too late for tears), but test results apparently show the best results for red ginseng on women age 40 and above. Yes, even for skincare and not taking it orally. Perhaps you could consider it if you are in this age range!

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Monday Masks : Sexy Doll Intensively Brightening & Whitening Mask

Have been really busy at work, and it causes my skin to get neglected. Occasionally, will indulge in a mask or two in the work week in order to help my skin. Of course, the best things for your skin are actually sleep, water and less stress! If I had al 3, I bet I would save a whole lot more on skincare!

I found this mask when I was in Singapore - Sexy Doll mask. I had no idea what was so sexy about the packaging, but hey, if it promises to make a haggard me look like a Sexy Doll, I'll give it a go for sure. ;) Forgot how much it costs, but it was pretty pricey for a mask...

From the packaging, I cannot tell what each mask is used for. I have to some english translation at the back. So this hot pink packaged mask is for intensive brightening and whitening. It is a sheet mask with essence though they make it sound quite classy by calling it a "silk" mask. Quite a lot of essence inside actually!  

So here is my haggard "before" picture :

Argh, looks damn bad right! This is my "aunty" / "housewife" look after a hard day's work. :P You can see a few pimples here and there and a really dry patch of skin on my chin. To be honest, I should've used a moisturising mask or something, not really the time for whitening & brightening! I was actually just feeling bored and wanted to try something different. =) 

The fit of the mask is not bad, give it a "B" effort in trying to get the best fit for the consumers. But one very vital thing that I can't stand about this mask... it is damn smelly!! It smells VERY acidic, as if I am really putting hydrochloric acid on my face! Argghhh! I suspect that there is probably something acidic / bleachy about the mask because it does sting a little! Maybe that's how they make you "intensively whiter"... by bleaching! Ok, this is complete heresay, don't sue me! :P

Yes, you can see how SOAKED the mask it! Really a lot of that bleachy-essence in there! 

 And finally, here's a picture of me AFTER the mask therapy session :

Having said all the mean stuff about acidity and using bleach on the face, I was actually pleasantly surprised with the results. I really did feel that I became fairer after just one use! The red patch on my chin was gone, and the pimples also became less apparent. Promise that I didn't Photoshop anything! Yes, I still look aunty-ish, I don't have the time to throw on a cocktail dress and contact lens to camwhore for the "after" image! =P 

For better comparison, here's a side-by-side before and after collage:

Do you feel that there's a difference?

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Monday Masks : Moisutrising Herb Mask from Skinlite

The Skinlite Moisturising Herb Mask is one of a bunch of cheap masks that I got from Sasa when I was in Hong Kong. I've tried two others ones and blogged about it over here. Today, I'm trying the Moisturising Herb mask, which, from the soothing and pretty packaging, looks like it's filled with lavender. However, upon reading the packaging, it actually contains Pigweed (Portuloca Oleracea), female ginseng (Angelica Acutiloba), white peony, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis fruit) and chinese knotweed. Most of these are chinese herbs and are commonly ingested, not made into masks!

I find it a pretty interesting mask - considering that most of the ingredients are more "chinese" and "traditional", not really things that you would find in cosmetics or that you would expect to have anything that can be beneficial when applied dermally. Skinlite claims that these herbs are especially good for dry skin, provides abundant moisturisation and nourishment to the skin and will leave a "silky texture" behind. :)

 

Having learned from my previous experiences, I was able to adjust the mask accordingly to my face. I think I managed to get a much better fit than I could previously.

I was able to adjust the sheet mask accordingly, but as you can see, there is not really a lot of essence, so  there's already bits of the mask that can't stick closely to the skin even though this picture was taken right after I put it on. After 15 minutes, my skin feels super refreshed and clean, but not really moisturised as what it was supposed to do. However, I do quite like this mask from Skinlite. It smells really nice and soothing, it was a great aromatherapy session in a way. :) Since it's so cheap, it's worth the price, and if I were to buy from Skinlite again, I would definitely get this moisturised herb one again.

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Monday Masks : Sweet Honey Mask

Bought the Naisture Sweet Honey Mask when I was in Singapore, and there was some good bargain going on for Naisture masks in Sasa. Well, like the Strawberry Mask that I blogged about last time, I give it points for the sheet quality and the packaging & creativity (sweet honey! Doesn't that sound tempting to you? It did to me).

The Sweet Honey mask is supposed to soothe irritated and dehydrated skin, especially useful for people with skin showing signs of stress. And all this can be changed... in just 15 minutes. If you believe the hype.

At least the mask did not smell as acidic as the strawberry one, and I really do like the coverage I get with this mask. Look at how snugly covered my nose is in the picture! But of course, really hate how they eyeholes are so big. As with the previous review --- no substantial change after using this mask. Really a disappointment. Am not going to buy anymore Naisture masks in the future!

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Monday Masks : LoveMore Scotland Rose Crystal & Tourmaline Mask

Monday Masks time! I usually treat myself to a mask once a week, and I like to mix things up - not always use the same mask all the time. Most mask companies say that that's NOT the way to go as you'll only get the results when you use it continuously. That is soooo spoilsport of them. ;) Anyway, I bought the LoveMore masks because I was curious about the masks after Xiaxue advertised them. Yes, the cute packaging is really the clincher! I was really looking for the travel sets when I was in Singapore, but the first time I went down, I couldn't find it! I didn't want the monotony of using only ONE type of mask, but since I had no choice, I went with the cute {{pink}} LoveMore Scotland Rose Crystal & Tourmaline mask!

Each box comes with 6 pieces of masks, each individually and beautifully packaged. And each packet contains a high quality mask sheet. There is just enough essence inside the packet, nothing drips!  What I really like about this mask is that it is one of those 3D masks! Although a lot of people doubt whether it really works, I like the temporary feeling of being so tightly wrapped in and "lifted" up. :)There are double hooks from the sides of my ears and over the tops of my ears as well. Trust me! It's really fitted on tight and snug as a bunny!

The mask is supposed to be ultra-nourishing, though I have no freaking idea what is a Scotland rose crystal. The closest I come to is the Scotland rose which looks just like regular roses. Not sure what is extra nourishing properties in the Scotland rose compared to other roses. :) Tourmaline on the other hand, is a relatively inexpensive crystal which APPARENTLY has the properties of being electrically charged when warmed up. Not sure if this includes the minute amounts that appears in the mask (would you want to electrify your face?). Those who are pro-tourmaline would say that this small electrical charges helps your skin to absorb other nutrients better. Others say that this is totally not documented properly any where. It's just one of those things that people like to put into their cosmetics because it sounds good. 

You can see how tightly this mask wraps my fat face in! Hahaha. I actually think that I look like Jigsaw (from Saw) in the 1st face shot. -__-" There is not much of an odour to this mask (no fun), but one thing for sure is that my face felt a bit tingly when I had this mask on! I'm not sure whether this is the tourmaline at work or whether it's just some chemical reaction to my dry skin. A little bit of a complaint about the mask : you can see that there's quite a bit of space between my bottom lip and the mask. And the eye holes are just too big! There is no love for my eyebags from LoveMore.

I've since use this mask 5 times (only one left now!), I don't think my skin is extra nourished or moisturised than before. Sigh. Probably not going to be a repurchase for me! Too expensive, can't be found in Malaysia and doesn't work. But fun though! Wish I had just bought one sheet instead of an entire box!

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Montagne Jeunesse Green Tea Peel-Off Mask

Sheet masks, cream based masks, and peel-off masks! So many different types of mask to use and each having their own pros and cons! I don't think I've reviewed a peel-off mask before, so personally, what I like about peel off masks:
- usually less messy than cream based masks and sheet masks because once you get them on your face, it hardens quickly! The other two masks might still drip or be gooey and uncomfortable
- easier to wash off compared to cream based masks
- personally, I like the peeling off sensation and I imagine it might be a little bit "exfoliating" in a way. :P

I used this mask when I was at Tanjung Rhu Resort (Langkawi) with my boyfriend. It was a pretty refreshing mask to use

The green tea peel-off mask contains natural minerals, uplifting green tea, healing ginger root and lemon. It's more of a detoxifying mask, so I cannot really comment on the moisturising / softness after the mask, because there was none. Hahahhaa. I don't feel particularly detoxified either, but it was a soothing mask to have on because it smells relaxing! Then again, maybe it was because I was on holiday...

Mask costs about RM5.90, but I bought it in a pack of 4 last time, so it was cheaper. Not particularly a fan of Montagne Jeunesse anymore (prefer sheet masks at the end of the day), so this was fun but not a repurchase... :)

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Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Range : Face Mask

Continuing from my HADA LABO winning series - this time, I would like to talk about the humble Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Face Mask.

There's only 4 pieces of mask inside this box, and I'm currently wearing the 2nd one while typing this out. No wonder that per piece, this mask costs more than brands like My Beauty Diary. It is SUPREMELY effective. You can definitely feel the difference after using this mask - your skin is moisturised, intensely hydrated, refreshed, baby-soft and feels thoroughly pampered! The mask is made out of really good quality "cloth", I suppose my only gripe is that they eye holes are way too big! As I've oft mentioned, I prefer it to be more "fitting" as I imagine my eyebags would like some pampering too. :)

More information about the mask :

• contains high level of arbutin to help fight dark spots and to restore skin's evenness for visibly fair and radiant skin
• enhanced with vitamin c to even out skin tone and reawakens dull skin caused by UV rays. Leaves skin smooth and supple with a dewy fresh vibrance
• skin pH balanced for low irritation
• free of fragrances, mineral oil and colorant

The last item is what makes it a bit "boring" to use, but that's only because I'm someone who actually likes perfume on her face masks. For those who might be sensitive to fragrance, you would like the clinical scent in the Hada Labo products.

In case you are wondering what "Arbutin" is - it is an extract from the plant "bearberry" which is natural and safe and apparently has effective whitening properties.

All the while, I kept thinking that Arbutin = Albumin, so I was afraid there might be a horrible eggy smell whenever I use the products. Nothing of the sort! So far, it's been about 3 weeks of using the range, and personally although I like my skin condition, I don't feel like I've become visibly fairer. Then again, that's not my end goal. However, I do feel my complexion does look a bit better! Will keep you updated on how it goes!

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Dermal Apricot Collagen Mask

My second Dermal mask! I think I have at least another 5 more. Well, when there's mask on sale, I'm always sure to grab more than one. Dermal is one brand that I'm glad my greed paid off! :)

Sorry for the bad picture, didn't realise my hands were shakey! Anyway, as previously reported, Dermal masks have a few good points, namely :
* a lot of essence in the packet! Not stingy at all
* a pretty good fit for my face!
* the scent is awesome

The apricot scent for this mask is divine! It reminds me of the (more expensive) My Beauty Diary Apricot mask. It's a very natural, fruity scent. Nothing overwhelming or fake-y about it. Total thumbs up for this. I would buy this mask again just for the scent!


The Apricot Collagen mask says that it will make your tired skin more moisturised, relaxed and clear. Personally, I found it rather enjoyable to use (maybe because of the scent), so I did feel more relaxed. Not particularly SUPER moisturising (seriously, I've only found the "very moisturised" effect using MBD masks)... but not a bad mask considering the price.

Looking forward to reviewing my other 5 Dermal masks! :P

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Skinlite Brightening Essence Mask

Another cheap mask from Skinlite, was hoping that it would be better than the first. This one is the Brightening Essence Mask. As mentioned in my previous entry, I got it from Hong Kong - about RM2 from Sasa. The Brightening Essence Mask is for skin radiance and brightening. Enriched with Vitamin B & E and phyto collagen to help hydrate and heal skin within 15-20 minutes.

I was slightly more pleased with this mask than the previous one - seems like there was more essence, and the mask smelled pleasantly soothing. It also felt nice and refreshing against my face... really no complaints in the process of applying the mask.

Sadly, after I had removed my mask, it was like I hadn't done ANYTHING to my face at all. There was no extra moisturisation. There was no brightening or extra radiance. Sad...

As always, the cutting of the mask leaves a lot to be desired. Eyeholes are just way too big, and it upsets me because I wish that the mask could do something about my eyebags. ;)

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The Nature Lab Oxygen Shield Bubble Mask

I usually try not to blog about masks too many days in a row because I like to have a bit more variety in my posts. However, The Nature Lab's Oxygen Shield Bubble Mask is really like no other typical paper masks on the market!

It is pretty pricey.. I think between RM40-RM50 for a 50ml bottle. So what exactly is an oxygen mask? According to The Nature Lab - "Our body cells need oxygen to survive. Our skin cells are no exception. With aging, skin loses its ability to retain and utilize oxygen for repairing, regeneration and reproduction. If our skin fails to receive enough oxygen, it will appear dull and age prematurely.

Adequate amounts of oxygen speeds up the shedding of old skin cells and aid skin cell rejuvenation giving a youthful effect."

It also further states the 8 benefits in 1 action that you can get using their product:
a. Cleansing
b. Detoxifying
c. Exfoliating
d. Replenish Oxygen
e. Apply mask (lol, is this called a "benefit"?)
f. Hydrate
g. Tone skin
h. Provide Vitamins

The "oxygen mask" is in fact a clear, gel-like substance that you rub evenly all over your DRY face. After a few seconds, you will see bubbles starting to form over your skin. Massage the gel & the bubbles into your skin and wait for another 10-15 seconds for the skin to absorb. Wet your hands slightly and then massage your face again. After another 5-10 seconds, wash everything off. Yes, it sounds a bit tedious- massage, wash, massage, wait. But if you count properly, everything can be done in less than a 30 seconds!

You have to be sure not to leave the mask on TOO long though. The first time I read the instructions, I remembered it wrongly and left it on my skin for 10-15 MINUTES. I tell you, you will get a stinging sensation on your skin, and when things hurt, you know it can't be right! Thankfuly, I re-read again for the second set of instructions, but by then the damage had been done - my skin was left slightly red!

The gel has a slightly refreshing smell - very slight, so it is a joy to use. I don't use it daily, and I don't recommend you to either as things that claim to be exfoliating but does not contain exfoliating beads usually mean they contain AHA/BHA. I only use it once or twice a week, especially on days when I feel like I had more make-up on my face than usual. It really leaves my skin feeling more refreshed and clean!

I don't know the science behind how this product actually helps my skin absorb oxygen better, or detoxifies my skin. All I know is that it feels REALLY good after this mask, and I would seriously consider buying this again the next time I go down to Sg! Simple to use, and effective. What's not to like!

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Naisture 15 Minute Lovely Strawberry Mask

This should fall into my "cheap mask is cheap" category - bought this Naisture 15 Minutes Lovely Strawberry Mask Pack from Sasa (Singapore) for about RM8 for 2 pieces.

The packaging isn't the most attractive thing I've seen on the market, but it was quaint and pink. Plus, I *think* I've not tried a strawberry mask before - sounds delicious! The mask is originally from Korea and is supposed to help control excessive sebum, to help keep skin smooth. The triple cushion sheets also help the mask adhere to the skin better, ensuring the absorbing of the essence.

Right off the bat, I was not impressed with the mask at all. It smells SUPER ACIDIC, and NOTHING strawberry-ish about it at all! I was really turned off by the odour. On the plus side - there is quite a generous bit of essence (but why bother when I hate it?) and the mask is quite well-designed. They gave a REALLY large piece of face mask, so that you can adjust the sheet accordingly to fit your face. It is better than some companies that give a face mask that seems to fit a SPECIFIC person correctly, and that person usually has a tiny nose, huge eyes and their features seem to be all squashed in the middle of the face. Haha!

Extra points for the mask and the sheet quality, but bleh for the most important part - the essence itself! Plus, I didn't feel any special changes to my face after I took it off. Didn't feel more moisturised or refreshed. My face felt a little bit sticky when removing the mask, which is actually super gross. Sigh, I guess from now onwards I will only stick to the tried and true sheet masks - My Beauty Diary, Watsons and Guardian (surprisingly).

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Dermal Apple Collagen Essence Mask

After using the subpar Skinlite masks, I mentioned that I would recommend cheaper masks that actually DO the job. One such mask that I had the luck to encounter is Dermal. I am not sure if it is an in-house brand from Watsons... for some reason, I got that impression. Anyway, masks mix all kinds of good stuff with Vitamin E and Collagen. You will notice that they state 20g Vitamin E and 3g of Collagen in each packet. I'm not sure if the measurements change, but all the masks that I have state this. :)

The first mask that I tried from the range is the Apple Collagen Essence Mask, which is good for :
* soothing
* convergence (I have no idea what this means in this context!!)
* firming

The product claims to make your tired skin more elastic, moistened and clear. It is suitable for all skin types.

As everyone knows - Vitamin E & Collagen are popular products in skincare industry, known for treatment from anywhere between treating scarring to improving skin elasticity. However, I have my doubts on whether these essences can be absorbed through the skin. The product claims that it is highly concentrated and contains other chemicals that help increase penetration... hmmm. What do you think?

There was a lot of essence in the packet and I found the fit of the mask pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but not bad. The apple "scent" in the packet was a bit too sharp at first, but after the initial shock, it was quite pleasant! Very natural and fresh! Really thumbs up for the scent. It's different from the usual sweet / floral scents you usually get with face masks.

After 20 minutes, my skin felt more moisturised and fresh, but there was not much change in terms of firming or soothing as my skin wasn't horribly UNfirm or inflamed in the first place...

All in all, quite worth the RM3 I paid for this mask!

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Skinlite Aloe Essence Mask

This is the Skinlite face mask that I bought from Sasa, Hong Kong for about RM2. The Skinlite Aloe Essence mask is for ultra hydration and soothing skin. It is enriched with vitamin E, phyto collagen & aloe extract. It is supposedly good for dry skin - claiming to be able to relieve and soften skin within 15-20 minutes!

But you know what? Cheap masks are cheap. -___-" This is one mask that I truly felt silly using. Firstly, there is barely enough essence in the mask. Stingy max! There is absolutely NO scent, and the essence could just be water. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. And ergonomically, the mask is so totally off! I just find it so irksome when areas that I feel totally need the care of the mask is not covered properly. Like the flap to cover my nose is sooooo big. And the holes for the eyes are so big, and it's so hard to manouver a mask to cover my eye bags when they cut the holes so huge. What, they really think all asians have manga eyes?


Usually, after using a mask, I would feel that my skin is immediately softer & more moisturised. There is TRULY no difference with this one.

Yeah, sure it's "only RM2", but why waste your money on something that doesn't work? For cheap masks, I'm sure you could find other better brands. One of which I'm going to review soon enough. ;)

The bad part? After this rather boring experience with Skinlite, I still have 2 more masks from them! Grrr... this is the problem when you see cheap things - you tend to buy a lot and then wind up with a lot of stuff you don't want!

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Montagne Jeunesse Anti-Stress Mud Pac

So THIS is my "mask" of choice when I was in Singapore! It is the Montagne Jeunesse Anti-Stress Mud Pac! I was really looking forward to painting my face bright blue, just like the model on the packaging! ;)

I have stressed time and time again how worth-it the MJ masks are because one packet is great for multiple uses. YET, I keep going back to paper masks due to convenience and because I cannot store the "leftover" masks properly. I usually keep it in the toilet (in the half-opened packaging) and it dries up, it is icky, it doesn't look inviting anymore... sigh. However, because I was on holiday and I could ~luxuriate~, I wound up doing a mud pack everyday when I was there. And let me tell you ... it was HEAVENLY!!

I was there for 3 nights, and every day when I got back to the hotel, all sticky... this would feel like such a great comfort to my skin. It was cooling and tingly, smelled oh-so-refreshing and left my skin feeling pampered up. I didn't even need to put it on for very long. 10 -15 minutes is enough for the skin to absorb the goodness, and because of all the minty, tingly sensations, it really does help me feel more relaxed and stress-free!

MJ claims that they have harvested ultra deep cleansing Dead Sea Mud to draw out impurities and blocked pores to leave skin feeling clear and soft. Dead Sea Salt is also one of the ingredients and you might be wondering what are the benefits of the Dead Sea Salt anyway?

"The waters from the Dead Sea are unique in that they contain 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water. Further, while sodium accounts for approximately 80% of the salt content of normal sea water, it comprises much less of the salt total in water from the Dead Sea. The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.

Magnesium is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism." [Source : SaltWorks ]

Regardless of all the technical mumbo-jumbo, all I know is that it feels really good on my skin. One of the best products I've used from MJ!

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