Monday Masks : Little Twin Stars x Sophie Monk Pomegranate Pearl Deep Whitening Mask (2 Step Whitening Mask)

Something I bought in Singapore due to the "cute factor" in the packaging - Little Twin Stars x Sophie Monk Pomegranate Pearl Deep Whitening Mask. I remember that the price after conversion is nearly RM10. RM10 for a mask?! I flipped, but consoled myself with the fact that it is a two-step mask. After the normal sheet mask application, there is some additional whitening essence thingamajig to apply. Did I mention that I am "against" whitening masks? And yet I seem to keep using it? I distinctly remember that I had no choice - I really wanted to try the Little Twin Stars mask, but this was the only one available at that time.

The Little Twin Stars mask was a pretty good fit --- it could extend to the sides of my face, but I guess it was a bit of a tight fit cos there's air pockets between my nose and near my cheeks. Actually, I kinda blame that on the fact that I tried to smile for the picture, haha. I always try to smile in the photo but it always comes out glum as anything. Take note, I'm actually happy! The mask is very thin, but strong. It contains the essence well and without any wastage (dripping).

 

After the mask, I was actually shocked  to see that my face is actually VISIBLY brighter. It was shocking! I really felt like I had bleached my face. Unlike other whitening masks that feel stinging against my face, I did not encounter the same with Little Twin Stars, which was a really pleasant surprise! I wish that I had a better before / after picture for comparison, but I stupidly took the before pics under yellow lighting. Of course I look "whiter" in comparison. -_-" My skintone was more evened out, and face felt smooth, soft and pampered.

Then on to the 2nd step! I squeezed out what was in the upper portion of the mask sachet, and it looks like this :

Basically, just apply it like a night cream and that's it! It's not a mask, need not wash it off. Wake up the next day feeling baby soft skin on the face. A real treat for my face! But at such an "amazing" price, I don't know if I could bear to buy another one. Then again, it really works...

I think I've mentioned before on how pearls are said to be beneficial for our skin, but how about pomegranates? Pomegranates are known throughout history for being a "miracle" fruit and plays an important part in Greek mythology as well. The fruit is filled with antioxidants and people have found that applying pomegranate oil really helps in healing your skin faster. How this helps in deep whitening, I am not sure! All the instructions and descriptions were in Japanese, so I was unable to decipher it for you all..

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Sophie Monk "May Beauty Be With You" Mask

This is one of the more expensive face masks that I've ever used (RM6+) from Watsons... I admit, I bought it because I was totally drawn to the cute packaging! It's Sophie Monk's "May Beauty Be With You" face mask! There are 5 different types of masks, but I don't remember them all, hehe. Go check it out for yourself in Watsons! I got the green color one which is the pore minimising, double-lifting one.

The mask claims that it will help to "reduce the size of enlarged pores, regulate sebum secretion and help to firm & moisturise skin".


I think all the masks are supposed to have this "lifting" effect, as this is why the masks are more expensive than normal masks. To get a "lifting" effect, the masks come with extra straps that go UNDER your chin and are secured with YOUR EARS.

Some may like it because you really feel strapped it and things are defying gravity for a moment... but many others have complained because it makes the masks more cumbersome to use. Essence will get onto your hair, the mask may be TOO uncomfortable if you see your ears turning red, etc etc.


Personally? Yeah, I'm kinda anal-retentive about mask essence getting onto my hair, but I think it's a small price to pay because I really like the uplifting effect of the mask! Even if there was no "double lifting" effect, I also like the good quality of the face mask. It's made of more durable, stretchy material than normal masks. Ergonomically, it's also very well-designed.

Side view, so you can see how everything is well tucked away. Hahhaa!

However, in terms of the effectiveness in the "pore minimising" area... I would say that er... it doesn't really work? I don't really see a great difference in that area. However, it was definitely moisturising and firming, of course the effects don't last forever. But still, good mask to relax in if you want to indulge. No particular scent that I can remember, so that's no fun. Still, I may pick up another mask in the future, just to try out a different 'flavor'.

I was curious about "Sophie Monk Beauty", because the packaging features Japanese (??) girls, but Sophie Monk is an Australian singer, part of the band Bardot from yonks ago. Right? She looks something like this :

I'm not sure if she launched a beauty line, as I can't find any mention of it in her Wikipedia page... but it can't be merely a coincidence, right?

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