Monday Masks : Daily Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Collagen Mask

Used this to pamper myself on my mini-staycation during the weekend. Decided not to bring along my cheapo mask, but this Daily Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Collagen Mask that I got from SOPS in Publika. I bought it erm... when the shop first opened. My husband saw all these masks on display and knowing that I like 'em, he encouraged me to buy it... even though "with promotion" it ended up being RM7+++. I forgot the exact price but I was feeling very wtf-ish about purchasing it especially since my personal cap is at RM5 per mask. I know, stingy, but this is DRUGSTORE beauty after all.

Ok, I guess I can live with RM7+++ per mask. They also have an argan oil hair care product there that is super good... almost RM90, and I'm STILL contemplating over whether I should get it or not. I have other haircare products to use!

Anyway, this Strawberry Yogurt Collagen Mask is suitable for all skin types, is a sheet-mask type (with no backing, so it was very hard to unfold - nearly tore the thing!) with 25ml of essence goodness inside. More than enough for you to rub all over your neck and wherever else you feel suitable! I also think the packaging is pretty cute, don't you think so?

This mask is supposed to help you get soft and moist skin. The yogurt yeast helps to remove keratin smoothly, while strawberry extracts helps to provide soft and smooth skin. After cleansing your face as usual, just leave this on for 10-20 minutes to allow skin to soak in all the goodness.

The fit of the mask is quite good! It is very WIDE but short, so there was more than enough to wrap around my face. The "hard to fit parts" was just that it didn't cover all of my forehead and the flap for the nose is just not long enough. Other than that, because it is very WIDE, there is no "tightness" and gaps.

I found a few online recipes for YEAST masks, and it seems that yeast is pretty efficient at healing the skin, especially from acne. There were also lots of online recipes for yogurt masks and it's the lactic acid in yogurt that helps smooth and exfoliate skin. Make sure to use a thick kind with active cultures for the ultimate beauty benefits. Yes, this Daily Fresh mask really smells like strawberry yogurt. Should I just buy the yogurt next time and get double benefit of good skin and eating it after I've done applying it topically to my skin? ^^

I've also mentioned before in previous entries that strawberry oil / extract is frequently used in beauty products to moisturise the skin. High in vitamin A&C and anti-oxidants, strawberry oil also contains anti-bacterial properties that makes it beneficial for taming irritated skin.

After the 20+ minutes were up, I definitely felt that my skin was softer and more moisturised! Definitely good quality stuff... in fact, 2 days after using it, my skin still feels nice and soft! Oh, and the essence in this Daily Fresh mask is a bit sticky / slimy to touch. Some masks feel like it's just soaked with water... this is definitely not as "diluted".  Really enjoyed my first trial run with Daily Fresh. I have two more masks from them, and if the standard keeps up, a repurchase is in the future!

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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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Monday Masks : Montagne Jeunesse Crushed Raspberry Fruit Smoothie Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

Haven't used "spread masks" for a long time, but I took this along with me to Bangkok last month. "Spread masks" or pastes are so much more worth it if you want to indulge with a daily mask during your holiday. This small trial pack was able to sustain me for two days. Yes, I was desperate to rid myself of the pimple that had also came out to enjoy itself during MY holiday, so I "fed" it with a lot of nutritious masks. Hehehe.

Got the Montagne Jeunesse Crushed Raspberry Fruit Smoothie Deep Pore Cleansing Masque from my Vanity Trove x Watsons beauty box. Used it for two nights while I was on holiday, a real treat after my face was subjected to a whole day's activities, whether walking around in shopping malls or on the streets in the hot sun. Yes, only 5g and it can last me for at least 2 times! If I was stingier, I could've stretched it to a 3rd day, but I really wanted to pamper my skin, so I slathered it on.

Well one thing I really have to applaud this product for ---- it really smells awesome! It is the fruitiest, yummiest smelling mask ever! It is not sickeningly overwhelming, but it is a pretty strong scent that you will be enjoying for however long you will be using this mask. It feels nice and cooling against your skin, and when you wash it off after 10-15 minutes (you will have to wash it off, it doesn't dry up, and it's not a peel-off mask), your skin will be left feeling soooooooooo soft. It did feel refreshing, but don't know whether it's because you will always feel refreshed after washing off a mask (some kind of psychological thing) or if I just enjoyed the aromatherapy so much. Anyhoo, it was really a great treat for the skin.

Montagne Jeunesse says : "Bursting with healthy goodness, our thick smoothie treat of Raspberry, Mango, Apricot, Peach & Pomegranate isn't a drink but it is bound to leave you in a smiley mood - with fresher, cleansed and softer skin!" 

However, I didn't particularly get a super "deep pore cleansing" feeling from it. Ah, you win some, you lose some. I think for the price you pay, this is super worth it. I don't know the exact price of THIS mask, but I've bought MJ masks before, and they are about RM6 for a full-size sachet that is 20g. All in all, a lovely experience, and would make this a definite repurchase! I just love MJ masks! :)

And just for sharing's sake, here are a few random photos from my trip in Thailand. Actually, just from 1-2 days worth, when I was trawling Chatuchak, Platinum Fashion Mall, etc, obviously wasn't whipping my camera out! Oh yeah, maybe I'll share some of my fashion purchases another day too! I was pleased as anything when I found out that a dress that I bought for THB200 is being sold on Zalora for RM70. And that was AFTER the discount! Madness...

 

Sigh, see the pimple on my forehead! Anyway, I am happy with my new peach scalloped top from Kitschen and grey cardigan from Cotton On. Cotton On cardies are sooooooo versatile and comfy, it's now my most loved cardigan! :)

 

Photobombing stingray at the sea world... my new FB profile picture, hahaha.

 

Madam Tussaud's Thailand... with the Queen! :) 

 

Terminal 21! My new favorite mall in Thailand! :) And I'm wearing a top that I bought for THB100 at Asiatique. That place is so expensive please! But amazingly, the most expensive place was where I bought my cheapest purchase, hahaha. 

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Monday Masks : LoveMore Alps Spring & Phytoncide Moisturisng Mask

Welcome to Monday Masks! I think I've discovered which mask shape is the best shape ever in LoveMore's masks! To me, if the mask is wider than it is long, it is the most suitable shape... cos then it can really wrap round your face! There won't be "air pockets" (caused by the mask unable to mold around the shape of your nose) and although the mask seems wide, you have no worries that it will extend until it reaches your hair. :) The LoveMore mask that I'm reviewing today is from their travel series --- all the masks come individually packaged in cute little pouches that look like air mail. Their packaging is always top-notch!

 

The mask that I am trying on for this review is the Swiss Alps series for moisturising skin. It contains alps spring & phytoncide and is suitable for all skin types. You must be wondering -- what is phytoncide? I got a very generic explanation that phytoncide basically just means plant extracts. Not sure what plants they are, but LoveMore says it helps improve skin problems such as eczema, tinea versicola and other skin infections. This mask also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and leave it feeling smoother and refreshed.

Not sure how Swiss Alps springs are beneficial to the skin, but probably it's just to give the consumer a general feeling of relaxation and cooling properties. This mask did indeed feel cool and refreshing against my skin!

Maybe it's psychological, but not only did the Swiss Alps mask feel cool against my skin, it also SMELLED minty and refreshing. It was probably one of the nicer smelling masks that I've had in a long while. It really helps to calm your thoughts and indulge in the whole "masking experience". As you can see from the picture above, the quality of the mask is also really good. Thick and quilted sheets, which really do not tear easily. It easily absorbed the essence in the package, and because it is so absorbent, the essence didn't drip out, but rests comfortably on the face.

Way to bring up the standards, LoveMore!

But how about the effects? Did it work? Well, my skin did feel softer, smoother and more moisturised after I was done. I think I even look fairer / skintone was more evened out. Check out the pictures below :

 

Would I repurchase? I'm really tempted to, it's superb quality! However, at RM7 per mask, or RM30 per box, it is pricier than average. I'm headed to Singapore soon, so might pick up another box or two when I'm down South. ;)

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