[THE FACE SHOP] Real Nature Lotus Face Mask

I love flowers, I gravitate toward anything that has flowers on their packaging, especially flowers that I like. And this is exactly how The Face Shop got me! I haven't had the best experience with their masks in the past, and I been avoiding them. But when I needed some cheap padding product to maximize the shipping weight, I thought the  Real Nature Lotus Face Mask would be perfect! 

Samples Samples Samples!

I really do have a hoarding issue. I hoard masks, skincare items, and apparently samples. I went through my stash of skincare items, and found out I had quite a bit of masks, skincare items and samples that are either expired or close to expiration. I don't mind using expired stuff, I know, that's so bad of me when I am running a blog. But I don't want my money to go to waste... T__T

Anyways, samples are the hardest to deal with in regards with expiration dates. There is usually none on there, so I have to remember when I get them. Given how I keep on just throwing them into the pile whenever I get new samples, I have absolutely no idea which are new and which are old. Thank goodness for non-reactive skin! I decided to use a few of the samples all at once to get through them. Today is mostly masks. 😝

Just want to note that I have non-reactive skin, I only usually get breakouts from poor eating habits or hormonal ones. So I am comfortable with using expired products as they tend to not cause a reaction. That being said, you know what is best for your skin, so use your judgement when it comes to using expired products. Now, shall we continue?

I started off with the Chosungah Original Raw Black Bubble. This is a part of a set that I got from Memebox years ago. Yah.. It's quite expired... Oh well. 🙈

This is a runny, black, semi-transparent liquid. It smells like... um... first thing that popped into my head is my dad's aftershave when I was growing up.. So.. not a good scent association.

This cleanser foams up nicely. Just rubbing my hands together with some water produces really nice fine bubbles, which is quite nice. It leaves my skin feeling a bit more clean than COSRX's Good Morning Low pH Cleansing gel. The COSRX gel is nice but it leaves this slick feeling on my skin like I haven't washed it all off, no matter how much I rinsed. The Black Bubble cleanser feels just as nice as the COSRX cleanser, but without the slick feeling. I like this cleanser but the smell and the association of that smell kind of makes me want to chuck it in the bin. 😕

Next up, The Face Shop Mild Papaya Peeling Gel

I have no idea where I got this from to be honest. So I have no idea how old it is.. 😖

Anyways... This is a clear gel that has a sweet floral smell to it. It started to ball up as soon as it came in contact with my skin. I honestly think it's not taking off much dead skin if just contact will make it ball up. It's one of those peeling gels that just kind of balls up with itself when rubbed, and takes off a little bit of dead skin through friction. Don't think I will pick up a full sized product for this.

Tonymoly Tomatox Magic Massage Pack

I got this in a pack of 10 samples, forgot about what it is for and never used it. Thank you Google for instructions and purpose of this product! The actual container is super adorable, as it is in the shape of a tomato!

This is a white gloop, which reminds me of liquid white-out. Hahaha. 😅 Anyways, you are supposed to massage it as you put it on your face, and then leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off. It has a sweet smell that does go away after a while. It kind of reminds me of a mud mask but it is a thinner consistency and spreads well. One sample pack was more than sufficient for my face.

I think it made my skin look a bit brighter. 😕 But I don't think I will continue to use it as I am lazy and don't like to wash my face more than once. So I chucked the rest of the samples out.

Pure Smile Muddy Girl

This is a clay mask from Japanese brand Pure Smile, and I got it years ago. Thing about Japanese cosmetics is that they don't like to put expiration dates on products so I have no idea if it is expired. Most likely it is expired. I am 90% sure it is expired as it now has new packaging. Oh well.  😑

When I opened the pack, I thought it dried up and hardened. But that's not the case at all. It is super smooth and spreads very nicely. I do find the smell a little funky, something I have smelt before but can't be sure what it is.

I used another Muddy Girl mask before and learned that I should just use it in one go or else it will dry out, even with plastic wrap. So I slapped all of the container onto my face, which resulted in a very thick application.

As the mask dries, my face starts to feel cool. I kind of like that. 😄

As per the instructions, you are supposed to keep it on for 10-15 minutes. I had it on for 10 minutes because I was impatient. It started to dry up in the areas that has a thinner layer while the thicker area is still wet. It also started to feel a bit tight on my skin so I washed it off. It made my skin feel sooo smooth afterwards.. 😍 These doesn't seem easy to find so I am not going to be repurchase.

Tonymoly Gold 24K Mask 

Once again I didn't know when or where I got this sample from. When I squished this out of the sample pack, first thought was ... is this gold 💩? It also looks like those cheap plastic items trying to pass off as gold coloured items.

Despite its looks, it goes on very smooth and one sample pack is enough for a very thin layer on my face. Does that mean I have a big face? 😕😕 Nonetheless, the gold on my skin makes me feel so fancy! 😎

Do you see the gold? 😉

The instruction is that you are supposed to leave it on until it is dried, and then wash it off. But due to such a thin layer being applied, it dried off very quickly. I can touch it and it doesn't feel sticky to the touch, nor does it feel tight on my skin.

Once I washed it off, my skin felt a bit tighter. I didn't notice much difference, but when I took flash photography, my skin sparkled a little bit. Yay! I am sparkly~! 🌟😄🌟

Ettang Modeling Take-Out Cups

I know for sure these are old as I got them from Memebox years ago, when they still shipped to Canada. Another way to tell is that Ettang has since changed the packaging for these modeling cups. But whatever, this is in powder form, so it should be less prone to growing molds and stuff. 😐

Mixing up these modeling masks is kind of hard because you can either make it too runny or too thick. I somehow manage to add enough water each time I use it. Yay me! 😆I would say the consistency you want is that of a thick paste, kind of like a very thick stiff peak.

I like these modeling cups as you can just slap on the paste very thickly, dry within 10 minutes, peel it off and stuff it back into the cup for easy disposal! Anyways, the key to applying the mask is to apply in a thick but even layer! All of the thicker areas came off with ease, but the thinner areas were a bit harder to remove.😖 I had to use some cleansing water to aid the process.

The modeling mask made my skin feel so soft and plump!😍 I had similar results from the previous "flavours" I tried from Ettang and I really wish these are a bit more accessible. 😖

That's all the samples I got to try this time! I think I am going to do reviews of samples as I try them and see how that goes. Or should I do it on Instagram😕❓❔

Masks #12: Masks that makes me go ┐(￣ー￣)┌

My apologies for the lack of posts for almost two months!! I got this post ready and just needed to insert pictures. Then I got busy with Christmas season and then during my down time I decided to read instead. (๑•́ ₃ •̀๑) I been neglecting everything else in my life since then... Just work and read.. Only eating when I had to.. So bad! But I am back! So here's my super belated mask post!! Hope you enjoy! 

My Scheming Snail Essence Hydrating Mask

I was so excited to find cheap silk masks from Taiwan that I ordered the Book of Masks I in hydration. I always feel like my skin needs more moisture. This is one of the masks in the Book, I decided to use it as my skin was kind of acting up and I wanted to provide moisture while calming my skin. What better than them lovely snails right??

 Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Butelyene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aleuritic Acid, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glycoproteins, Yeast Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhetinate, PEG-120 Jojoba Esters, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance

Umm........... Am I completely blind or am I not seeing ANY snail mucus? Or is it just broken down to its chemical terms that I am not familiar with? Because in Chinese it clearly says Snail Muscus Extrac and Aloe Extract... Hmm.... 

I am kind of weird, but I do like the fact that you open from the bottom. Sometimes, when the packaging is really pretty and I don't want to destroy it so I'll rip from the bottom. So I like these masks open at the bottom.

Like all My Scheming masks, or Taiwanese masks for that matter, it was filled with essence. I squirted some onto my surrounding as I was opening the package.

The mask has a very light faint smell. By faint, I do mean faint. I have to take really deep sniffs to get a stronger scent of it. I can't really identify what that smell is, but it didn't bother me and goes away after a few minutes.

Like the previous My Scheming masks I tried, it hugs my skin like second skin. Yay for great fit! I took it off after 25 minutes and has quite a bit of essence left on my face. It only takes about 5 minutes to dry and did not feel stick to the touch. Yay for non-stickiness!

As much as I loved the fit, I can't say I loved the result. My face feels moisturized, but it wasn't plump or anything. It just feels like.. I put on some serum and it sunk in and that was that. Kind of disappointed. But I have to say it did seem to shrink my pores down a little bit.

I am glad I got it as a part of the mask book instead of a full pack of 10. Because I don't think I'll buy it again.

Mediheal N.M.F Aqua Ring Ampoule Mask

I got this as Interpark Global had it on sale for $12 USD including shipping. Like I said above and many times, I love anything that promises moisture. I just HAD to snag it up!

Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Butelyene Glycol, Glyereth-26, Propylene Glycol, Rosa Centifola Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, Methylparaben, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Fragrance, Propylaparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxy-ethanol, Trehalose, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Glycerin, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosince, Phenylalanine, Proline, Trenoine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histindine, Cysteine, Methionine, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide 3, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin

Hehehehe.. There's so many chemicals in there that ends with "ine".. Hehehe It's just amusing to me.. Anyways.. Good news is that there is not added fragrance as part of the ingredients. Bad news is there is alcohol. I assume it would be in a very small amount as it is very low on the list of ingredients. 

I was really excited to try this as I really liked the Aquaringer mask from Leaders. Yes they are different producers, but come on, Aquaring, Aquaringer, they should perform very similarly.. As least I hope.

My excitement was dampened when I opened the package. Right away I can smell this chemical, alcohol kind of smell. Not too pleased with that. Thank goodness there wasn't much of the essence in the package. So I don't feel like I wasted much essence when I throw it away.

I think I must have been spoiled by the thin silk masks, because I thought the mask material is on the thick side. Thankfully, it fit my face very well. I would say it is similar to a silk mask. I like the fact that there are slits along the jawline so I can fold it and adjust without tenting in areas. Downside is that it does not reach all the way to my ears. *I got a fat face I guess.. ಥ_ಥ*

I took the mask off after 30 minutes. The mask itself was still moist except for the upper lip area. There was still lots left on my skin to sink in. It took a while for it to sink in, even then my face was still really sticky to touch. I had to put on tiny smidgens of the Abalone cream to rid of the stickiness. 

Excuse the eye patch in before.. I like to double mask at the same time. 

The next morning my face was.. Okay at best. The stickiness was gone so everything was absorbed. But it didn't feel soft or as plump as I liked. It does feel smooth but I can't say if it's the mask or the Abalone Cream. I will keep using the mask but I can't say I am blown away by it and won't repurchase in the future. 

The Face Shop Vita B Hydro Gel Mask Sheet

So I bought this from TK as I wanted to try a hydrogel from a shop that I can access locally. Except I was too lazy to venture to the mall, and the store closest to me doesn't always carry masks and I haven't seen this one so far. I decided to buy it from TK and see if it is worth bugging them to stock it. I forgot about it till I saw Faceshop Canada had 25% off on everything in store and online for American Thanksgiving. *Psst, Faceshop Canada, we celebrate our Thanksgiving in October. But thanks for the sales anyway!* I wanted to try it and make sure I like it before I plop down my cash for some more. **Can you tell I tried and wrote this back in November/early December?? (⌒_⌒;)**

Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Glycerin Chondruscrispus (Carrageenan), Algin, Agar, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Panethenol, Arginine, Averrhoacarambola Fruit Extract, Niacinamide,  Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethnaol, Potassium Hydroxide

The mask has a very faint smell. Unfortunately I can't say for certain what it reminds me of. But because it is so faint, I can't smell it when I had the mask on.

This is a hydrogel mask so it comes in the standard two pieces of "pearl paper". Unfortunately for me, it slipped out of the backing and came out all wonky. The mask itself is extremely thin. Almost as thin as a piece of paper! I am already not impressed. ┐(￣ー￣)┌

As for fit, it's... Okay at best. The upper mask is alright, it goes all the way to my hairline. But the lower piece is a disaster. My jaw and jawline was not covered at all, no matter how I adjusted. I also got a little extra flap over my nose, but that's because I got a relatively small nose so I can't really fault them on that.

Due to the fact that it's so thin, I really wanted to see how long I can keep it on before it dried out. I managed it for 47 minutes before it started to feel dry in most areas. When I took it off, there was no extra essence on my skin whatsoever. But, because it is so thin, the mesh in the center actually left an imprint on my face. Wonderful... So glad I wasn't getting ready to go out.

Oh! I almost forgot! The mask made me feel like meh. My skin felt like I just finished applying toner or essence to my face. So it feels smooth to the touch but doesn't have that dewiness I associate with a well moisturized skin.

So, it's pretty safe to say at this point, I didn't like the mask enough to plop down $3 or whatever Face Shop Canada charge them at.

My Scheming Hyaluronan Hydrating Mask

I got this in the Mask Book, along with the snail mask from above. My skin was feeling particularly dry due to the weather, such that I can see dry patches on my cheeks after I applied toner. I think my hot shower probably did not help with the dryness. So I decided that I need to add some moisture before I do anything else. This was the mask I chose. It looked promising. Anything H-Acid is always a instant go to in my books. 

Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Crosspolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-120 JOjoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Paraffinum Liquidum/Sodium Polyacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Scleroglucan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Naturitium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, Hydroxylethyl Urea, Glycerin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethnaol, Fragrance

Woot!!! It's going Sodium Hyaluronate pretty high up on the list~~~ Woot~~~~ XD 

The mask has a chemical smell to it. But it is faint so I did require a big hard sniff to get that punch of chemical smell to my nose. Yup.. Real smart right there. It does dissipate as soon as I put on the mask so I am pretty happy about that. 

It's a messed up panda face!!

It fits my face well, just like any of the My Scheming, or any silk masks for that matter. I had it on for 30 minutes before taking it off. It was still moist around the cheeks and the forehead, but the edges around the jawline and upper lip area was starting to get dry and uncomfortable. There was some essence leftover on my skin but that sunk in quickly. I slapped the used mask onto my leg so my leg can get some much needed moisture as well. I did the same thing with all the extra serum left in the pouch in the same way. 

My cheeks feels less taut than before the mask, the lines on my cheeks looks lighter and my pores looked smaller. But my forehead did feel a little tight which is kind of odd. My skin looks happier and moisturized, but it didn't give me that soft dewiness I associate with a well moisturized skin. So I guess it may be enough for the summer but not enough for the cold AB weather. 

So far I tried two masks from the My Scheming Mask Book and I have to say I am not too impressed with it. With it costing $1.45 per mask. I don't think I'll repurchase it again as I can get better moisturizing masks at a cheaper price. 

Overall, I am pretty disappointed with the masks I tried in this post. Hoping the next batch will be better!!!

Tester Korea Haul #3

After trying a few masks, I decided I wanted to do a mask haul. I added so many masks into my cart and then kept on checking how much the shipping would be.. I was very shocked when I got $20 something for shipping because the order was so huge. I kept on playing with it and then made a boo boo. I accidentally confirmed to buy the cart thinking it was going to confirm after I go to Paypal. So imagine my surprise after coming back to the website and see my cart completely empty. I decided to just complete the order and "patiently" waited for my masks to come to me.. This was placed in early February and I received it by February 20th. So it wasn't a LONG wait. 

Masks #2!

Now it's time for the second round of masks!! I just randomly pick the masks whenever I feel like I need to add an oomph to my routine. Though with the combination of the Hyaluronic Acid and the abalone cream, my face has been pretty nice so I haven't gotten around to using masks lately. 

Now let's begin.. 

Testerkorea Haul #2

Yes this is an extremely belated post for my TK haul #2 that was made in January. This was placed a week after my first haul and shipped out a day before #1 shipped out. So they arrived around the same time as each other. This one was purchased for various reasons. 1) I wanted to try some samples, 2) I needed a reason to get the castle hand creams and 3) to get some cute fruit shaped items for a friend's birthday present. 

RoseRoseShop Haul #3

I did a mini haul at RoseRoseShop as I found the cutest Etude House hand creams with protruding feet and removable shoes. I tried to do it for my TesterKorea haul but unfortunately the lip balm was not available. So I decided to go with RoseRoseShop.