K-Beauty Cleopatra: Soo Ae Donkey Milk Skin Gel Healing & Aqua Sheet Masks

It finally happened - I worked through all of my back-up stash of sheet masks and actually needed to stock up on some new ones! My friend Kar Yi (look! She just reviewed these as well!) very kindly picked these up for me when the Club Clio store in NYC was doing their 50% off sale; there were lots of sheet masks to choose from but she had previously liked the Soo Ae Freeset Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask Pack in the Healing variety ($30 for a box of 10 masks) and so she purchased them along with the Aqua variety, and we split the boxes between the two of us. Isn't it great to have a friend who shares your love of all things K-beauty? :)

If, like me, you've never heard about the Soo Ae brand, they're a Korean developer of sheet masks (at least according to their claims) for more than 80% of Korean brands. It seems that Soo Ae is gaining a lot of presence on the US market this year: their masks are available at Walmart and Club Clio stores, as well as online at Target, Memebox & Birchbox. From my understanding, they have several lines of sheet masks (as well as other skincare), and the Donkey Milk is part of the Freeset range. There's also one other Donkey Milk mask version in this range, the Brightening/ Whitening (pink accent color). If you wanted to try just one or two of these masks without committing to the full box of 10, the best price per mask I've found online is at Memebox ($2 each).

My husband actually lol'ed when he saw my box of these masks - 'Donkey milk?! Are you serious?', but it seems that donkey milk is currently one of the trendy ingredients on the K-beauty scene. Purpotedly used by Cleopatra for bathing, donkey milk is rich in vitamins and nutrients as well Omega 6, which help to prevent moisture loss from the skin. I'm not entirely convinced any one ingredient can perform absolute miracles on my face, but it's nice to know that in these Soo Ae Skin Gel Masks, this ingredient isn't just a gimmicky flourish but actually features quite high on the INCI list (the concetration listed states 0.5%). Both the Healing and Aqua variety contain 25ml of essence.

I first tried out the Healing version, aimed at sensitive, damaged and acne-prone skin. I was pleasantly surprised that the mask had a very light, 'skincare' scent as opposed to a strong fragrance that's prevalent in many Korean products. The mask itself is a textured/woven cotton material; I believe the 'gel' part refers to the consistency of the actual essence the sheet is generously soaked in, which is definitely thicker and helps to keep the mask better on the face without it slipping off. The Healing masks also come with a plastic backing to help position the sheet on your face; I found the fit to be a little off for my oval face (the mask is much more of a round shape) but definitely workable.

So far, I've tried this mask twice and both times wore it on the face in the evening for about 15-20 minutes. The sheet felt cooling and soothing on my face and I was happy that there was no dripping of the essence. After removal, I noticed my skin was definitely more plump, hydrated and even in tone (overall a lot less redness). The result wasn't anything spectacular and I didn't notice any change in pore size or healing of blemishes, but I don't expect that from a sheet mask anyway. The next morning (I patted the rest of the gel essence into my skin and left it on overnight), my face still felt very soft and hydrated and my foundation seemed to blend in a bit better. I did notice however that in some areas where not all of the gel have absorbed into my skin, it seemed to leave a bit of a residue that rolled into small clumps where I touched my face. But all in all, I like the performance of this mask, but I still like the Leaders Insolution Coconut Gel masks just a little bit better.

Compared to the Healing variety, I think I liked the Aqua version even better. Surprisingly, the Aqua masks don't have the plastic backing but are made out of the same thick woven material. They're nicely saturated in the same thicker consistency essence and the scent is light and fresh, definitely not overpowering. The mask felt cooling and soothing the whole time I've kept it on my face, and it seemed like the gel essence absorbed quite well into my skin with less residue than the Healing version. When I removed the sheet, my skin looked plump, hydrated and more even, and in the morning it was still glowing and less red/ irritated than normally. I give it two thumbs up.

Overall, I enjoy both of the Soo Ae Donkey Milk sheet masks, but I would repurchase the Aqua over the Healing variety. I do think they're good quality sheet masks and they're easier to keep on the face than most masks from other brands thanks to the thicker gel consistency of the essence. If you're looking for a new brand of sheet masks to try out, I'd definitely give them a go - especially the Aqua. Which sheet masks are you currently using? Anything you'd recommend to your fellow sheet mask fanatics?

Asian Beauty Sample Subscription: The 3B Box* Review

Today I'm coming to you with a short and sweet review of a new beauty sample subscription service that's going to interest all lovers of Asian skincare and make-up. As you may know, I'm a big fan of Japanese and Korean beauty products, so when I was contacted about trying out the 3B Box*, I was really excited to give it a go!

3B (Beauty Beyond Borders) is a beauty start-up from Seattle (Pacific Northwest FTW!) that offers a sample service program for Asian beauty products as well as an online shop where you can purchase full sizes of the goodies you trial in the box (the store is launching in a few weeks). The 3B Box* is $12/month and comes with 4-5 deluxe samples/ minis of skincare and/or make-up from both less expensive and more high end brands, so you can expect brands like SK-II or Sulwhasoo as well as Etude House or Skinfood. Each box also contains a description card detailing each product with its application tips, key ingredients and claims - that part is especially helpful since most of the writing on the products is not in English. Your credit card will be charged monthly after subscribing, and you can cancel any time by emailing the 3B customer service team.

Now that all the practical details are out of the way, shall we see what I received in my first 3B Box? I believe this was the August 2016 box, which is probably no longer available, but this still gives you a good idea of the type of goodies you may expect in future boxes.

The box was shipped via USPS First Class Parcel to me and delivered very quickly. It came packaged in a slim cardboard box, and inside I found a mesh bag containing most of my samples; the sheet mask was placed separately since it wouldn't fit in the pouch :)

I received: the Leaders Insolution 7 Wonders Amazonian Acai Anti-Pollution sheet mask ($6 each - I just purchased one from Ulta a few weeks ago because the Leaders coconut gel masks are some of my favorite sheet masks I've tried to date), Goodal Waterest Lotus Cleansing Tissue 20ct (the price online ranges a lot on this item but it's about $5 value), Etude House Age Defense Essential Softener deluxe sample (~$25 for full size 130ml; not sure of the volume of the sample but it's probably around 10-15ml), Tony Moly Floria Nutra-Energy Emulsion ($27 for full size 145ml; the sample is quite tiny, probably about 5ml), and lastly 5 foil packets of Hera Waterin Gel Serum (~$60 for 45ml, each sample packet is probably around 1ml). According to my super advanced math skills, the value of the box is roughly $20.

Overall, I'm happy with what I received in the box. First of all, I really enjoy Leaders masks, and you're getting one from their premium range in the box. The make-up remover wipes from Goodal will be super practical to pack in my hospital bag. I'll also happily test out the other skincare samples; yes, I do wish the Hera Waterin Serum was a deluxe sample instead of foils, but in my experience, having a few foil packets of a product is usually enough to give it a really good test run (at least a week of use for me). The service also promises between 4-5 deluxe samples, and this month's box had 2 full sizes, 2 minis and some foil samples - you could treat them as an 'extra'. I also noticed that with the samples provided in this box, you could even try out an entire new skincare routine: you have a product for cleansing, a moisturizing toner, a serum and a lightweight moisturizer. That's pretty neat, right?

You may remember that I've also tried a different K-Beauty subscription service in the past, the Beauteque BB Bag. The main difference between Beauteque and the 3B Box is the fact that BB Bags come with 7-8 full size items for $24/month. If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the Beauteque is probably a better option; however, for me personally, it wouldn't work long-term as I would be simply inundated with more products than I would know what to do with. The 3B Box is more sustainable for how I use cosmetics; a few deluxe samples each month to trial and play with, which would then give me a good idea if I want to go ahead and purchase a full size.

There you go - a fun subscription service if you want to dip your toes in the world of Asian beauty products and familiarize yourself with new product types (sheet masks, essences, softeners, emulsions etc.) and brands (in case you didn't know, Hera is a popular high-end Korean brand under the AmorePacific umbrella, while Goodal is a more expensive skincare line available at Club Clio stores). What did you think of the contents of this 3B Box? Is this something you would like to try out?

Disclaimer: Product featured in this post is a press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured was purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading! 

Masking with Yogurt and Strawberries: Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask* Review

For whatever reason, I've been much more into moisturizing masks than my past favorite clays this year, even now in our stifling hot and humid summer weather. There's just something SO nice about relaxing with a cooling layer of moisture on your face - and if I can remember to pop my mask in the fridge for a bit beforehand (especially my sheet masks!), that takes the experience to a whole new level. What's your current favorite mask type - hydrating creamy ones or purifying clays?

Anyway, today I wanted to show you what I've been using for the past few weeks to soothe and replenish my skin - the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask* ($25 for 80ml at Target), which is suitable for all skin types and contains the brand's propietory Sogurty (fermented yogurt enzymes) and a Multiberry Complex of raspberries, blueberries, wolfberries, cranberries and strawberries. You may remember I reviewed another product from the Multiberry range a while back; you can find my thoughts on the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel* here. Laneige claims their Multiberry mask will leave your skin looking softer and healthy, and deliver moisture and antioxidants to repair it.

The packaging is quite similar to their cult Water Sleeping Mask (reviewed here - still a firm favorite) but in light pink instead of blue. You may think the price tag for this mask is a bit steep, especially considering that it's sold at Target, but you do get a very large amount in one jar. The tub comes in a cardboard box listing all the ingredients, and you also get a little plastic spatula to scoop out the mask. Aside from the ingredients highlighted on the front, the Repairing Mask also contains glycerin, shea and cocoa butters (second, third and fourth on the INCI list), as well as squalane, soybean and yeast ferment extracts, niacinamide and meadowfoam seed oil. The suggested application is 5-10 minutes on clean toned face, once or twice a week.

Despite the abundance of extra nourishing plant butters in the formula, I find the texture of Laneige Multiberry Mask to be quite fluffy and easy to spread around on the skin. It has that delicious strawberry yogurt scent but I don't find it too overpowering once I have the mask on my face. I usually leave it for a bit longer than the recommended 10 minutes (more like 15-20) and in that time, the mask sinks pretty well into my skin, so when I rinse it off, there's just a little left and it's very easy to get off.

After removing the mask, my face definitely feels softer - just like promised - and I guess it does look healthier as well, whatever that means. I have a lot less redness and my skin seems plump and glowy. It's not anything different than the result I get from their Water Sleeping Mask, except that I feel like that one is somewhat more hydrating whereas the Multiberry Mask is more moisturizing. They have very different textures as well; their overnight mask is a gel that easily absorbs into the skin (but still leaves a slight residue on top), this wash-off Repairing one is creamy and admittedly a bit heavier. I think both of these masks have their purpose and I like switching between them, but if you wanted to purchase just one, consider how long you would like to keep the mask on and whether your skin is overall dry (in which case I'd get the Multiberry Mask) or just occasionally dehydrated (Water Sleeping Mask).

I have now tried a lot of hydrating and moisturizing products from the Laneige range and I can honestly say they do them very well. I have recently used up my bottle of their Water Bank Serum* (reviewed here) to the very last drop and that was one of the most nourishing serums I've ever tried - so much so that it was perhaps a bit much for my combination skin in the warmer months. I think if your skintype is dry and you're not looking forward to shelling out big bucks for skincare at Sephora, you can't go wrong with these moisturizing products from Laneige; they also offer a Hydration Trial Kit which comes with 6 deluxe samples for a reasonable $29.

I'm curious, do you guys use any moisturizing/ hydrating products from Korean or Japanese brands in your skincare routine? I have to say that I'm an Asian beauty convert when it comes to delivering a big boost of hydration and luminosity to the skin without spending a fortune.

Disclaimer: Product featured in this post is a press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured was purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Inexpensive Finds: Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask Review

Exfoliating masks are a staple in my skincare routine; I may skip the purifying clay ones, I may even go without a moisturizing one... but I just have to treat my face to some deeper chemical exfoliation at least once a week, and I see the biggest difference in my skin out of all mask varieties when I do. I've been trialing a lot of more expensive masks of this kind last year (here's my round-up post) but didn't love any one of those enough to shell out the big bucks, and when it came to purchasing a replacement for my regime, I opted for something a lot less expensive: the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99 for 50g; I purchased mine on Vitacost for $11.99).

You may remember that in general, I've had great luck with Andalou Naturals products so far: some of my favorites from the brand include the Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (reviewed here), the 1000 Roses Floral Toner (here) and the Probiotic + C Renewal Cream (here). I would happily repurchase all of these products in the future, and they've set the bar pretty high in terms of my expectations of the brand.

The Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask claims to 'gently dissolve and lift away dull surface cells, exfoliating and resurfacing for even tone and smooth texture', and includes a whole host of delicious natural ingredients. The key chemical/enzymatic exfoliants in the formula are pumpkin puree, pineapple juice and glycolic acid, supported by nourishing antioxidants and humectants such as sunflower and meadowfoam oils, aloe vera, glycerin and hyaluronic acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), manuka honey, rooibos extract and Vitamins C & E. Ingredients lists like this one are why I get so excited about Andalou products - there are no fillers, no mysterious chemicals, no questionable bullshit (well, I do have a gripe with their stem cell claims - but I just ignore that, I don't think they're harmful to the skin or anything), just beautiful, yummy naturals I want on my face ASAP.

The mask comes in a sturdy plastic jar (there's a clear lid inside to prevent spills in shipment); nothing fancy but practical enough, and for once I don't think a tube would be a great improvement for this product. As you can see in my close-up photos, the Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask looks, feels and smells exactly like pumpkin puree; it's quite dense but creamy and easily spreadable on the skin, with tiny brown specks here and there - I'm not sure, but those may be from the cinnamon, nutmeg and clove powders included in the formula. Are you thinking pumpkin pie yet? You betcha.

The instructions state to apply evenly avoiding eye and lip areas, leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water; quite standard for any mask of this type I've used in the past. But let me tell you guys: this shiz is INTENSE. I have never used an exfoliating mask that had as much tingle - or, you know, burn - as the Andalou Pumpkin Mask. As soon as the orange puree touches my face, my face starts feeling really hot and quite uncomfortable, and continues to do so for another 3 minutes or so, after which the tingling subsides and eventually goes away completely.

The first time I experienced it I was convinced my face was going to melt off, and that I must have an allergic reaction to the product or something. However, once I rinsed the mask off, my face wasn't red or irritated in the least - actually less so than from other exfoliating treatments. Huh. The experience also reminded me of getting a professional facial once; I remember the aesthetician used an exfoliating pumpkin mask from another line and it felt exactly the same on my face as the Andalou one - so I'm thinking that maybe pumpkin enzyme masks are meant to be this intense, and as long as my skin doesn't seem angry afterwards, it's all good. You just need a decent 'tingle tolerance' to use them :)

But most importantly, is the uncomfortable tingle really worth it? Yes, I believe so. I've been using this mask once a week for the past month or so, and after application, my skin looks exactly like Andalou claimed it would: smooth, even, more plump and luminous. Any blackheads or large pores on my T-zone seem cleaned out and slightly diminished, and my face feels baby soft to the touch. I follow up with a good hydrating serum and a moisturizer, and the next morning I admire my refreshed complexion in the mirror (no, really).

All in all, the Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask is another hit from Andalou Naturals in my book. In the future, I would like to see if their Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask for Dry & Sensitive Skin is just as effective but maybe without the intense tingle, but for now I'm happy with my pumpkin pie mask. Have you found any inexpensive skincare treasures recently? What is your favorite exfoliating treatment? I'd love to know!

My Current Facial Mask Wardrobe

For a few years now, I've been really enjoying keeping three types of facial masks in my medicine cabinet: a purifying clay one, an exfoliating one, and a hydrating mask. I usually also have at least a few different sheet masks on hand as well, but I think their results sort of overlap with a good wash-off hydrating mask, so these three really allow me cover all the bases and act accordingly to what my skin needs at any given time.

I mask about 2 times a week, so most weeks one of these masks is not even used at all. For the past couple of months, my routine has been to use my exfoliating mask towards the middle of the week, and then on the weekend, I'll either do the clay or the hydrating one; or you know, if I'm feeling really fancy, I could apply the clay to the areas that need more decongesting, and the other one everywhere else - but to be honest, I'm too lazy to do that :)

Let's start with the newest addition to my mask wardrobe, the newly released Nuxe Nuxuriance Ultra Re-Plumping Roll-On Mask* ($53 for 1.6 fl oz, available at nuxe.com here). This anti-aging mask promises to smooth the skin, reshape facial contours and enhance radiance. It contains sweet almond oil, glycerin, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid as well as saffron and bougainvillea extracts.

The novelty factor of this mask is that it comes with a cooling roll-on applicator; I thought it would get very messy in use, but thanks to an off/on switch, you can easily control the amount of product dispersed onto the metal part, and I'm not going to lie, it's very satisfying to roll your face with it, especially on the cheek and jaw area. That being said, I'm very skeptical as to the 'face reshaping' claims - I can't really observe anything to that effect on my nearly 30 year-old skin, and I don't think you could hope to minimize sagging with a facial mask that you leave on for 10 minutes.

Nevetheless, I find this mask pleasant to use and effective at hydrating and moisturizing my skin. One negative that I have experienced is that I may be slightly allergic to one of the ingredients, because my face feels a bit hot after application, and after I remove any remnants of the mask that haven't absorbed with a hydrosol/ toner, my skin looks a bit red. Like all Nuxe products I've tried thus far, the Re-Plumping Mask is quite strongly fragrance, so bear that in mind if you're sensitive.

The exfoliating mask I've been reaching for in the past three weeks is a cheap and cheerful find: the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Peeling Pumpkin Mask. I haven't had it in my back-up drawer for very long so it didn't even occur to me to check, but I can't find this anywhere online - I believe it may have been discontinued :( At any rate, if you do manage to find it somewhere, it's a very decent exfoliating mask with both AHAs and enzymes, and I would look into repurchasing if it weren't for two things (aside from it being discontinued): it unnecessarily contains large pieces of walnut shells, and the scent is a bit over the top - like an inexpensive cinnamon candle. Oh well - I did go ahead and purchase a different pumpkin mask in its place, a review coming soon.

Lastly, when my skin is feeling especially oily or congested, I like to use the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask ($39 for 2.5 fl oz; I have a deluxe sample size). This mask contains grape marc, pink clay, coffee and papaya enzymes, as well as a whole host of essential oils - bergamot, lavender, clary sage, myrrh, sandalwood. For this reason, it smells absolutely beautiful - reminds me of an herbally cocktail, but again, sensitive skin types beware; it also contains alcohol.

The scent is more or less the only reason why I still reach for this mask - I don't think it's particularly effective as far as clay masks go. You certainly won't get the intense results like with the Aztec Healing Clay (reviewed here) when you use the Caudalie mask; and I wouldn't even mind the gentler effect if I didn't feel like this mask was also quite drying at the same time. Sure, I have observed that my pores are less noticeable immediately after removing the Instant Detox Mask, but I don't think it helps all that much with breakouts or blackheads. So there - I much preferred the Clarins Pure Matte mask with pink clay that I reviewed here.

And that's a wrap for my current skincare routine series - you can catch my morning and evening routines here and here if you've missed previous installments. I hope this was helpful for you and let me know if you have any questions about the products mentioned. Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: Product marked with an asterix (*) is a press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. The other two products were gifts. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Current Masking Duo: Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Gel Mask & Clarins Pure and Radiant

Today I'd like to share with you two short reviews of the facial masks I've been using currently. I was sorting through my stash of skincare minis a few weeks ago and came across these two beauties: Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ($52 for 5 oz, mine is a GWP size) and Clarins Truly Matte Pure and Radiant Mask with Pink Clay ($33 for 1.7 fl oz, again I have a GWP deluxe sample).

Let's start with the Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell. This mask claims to 'help counteract visible signs of aging, including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dehydration, dullness, and sagging'. It contains 'cell extracts' of four different types of roses, as well as castor oil, rose oils, rose water, glycerin, allantoin and aloe. Mind you, I don't believe in stem cell technology for topical cosmetic use - research doesn't support the claim that those 'isolated stem cells' have any miraculous anti-aging effects. I think it's just a marketing gimmick - but I can disregard that if the product performs well anyway.
 
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Mask strongly reminds me of rose-scented hair gel. It's quite thick and spreads easily, but it doesn't melt into the skin the same way as my beloved Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (reviewed here). Once applied, the gel feels cooling and soothing on the skin, and after a couple minutes, sinks in but still leaves a discernible layer on the face. After rinsing my face after the recommended 10 minutes (which actually isn't all that easy - the residue sticks to the skin and refuses to leave without some elbow grease), my skin feels soft and soothed but only a little hydrated. Sure, this mask isn't drying, but it's definitely not as hydrating as just about any sheet mask I've tried, or the above mentioned Laneige, or even the much less expensive Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask, reviewed here. I don't know, you guys; it's nice, it's quite pleasant to use, but I've had better results with other masks. For me, the performance doesn't warrant the high price tag.

On the other hand, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask. It claims to 'clean, tighten and refine pores with a fresh matte result' as well as 'soften, smooth and comfort skin with Linden Extract'. I think it does exactly that. Annoingly, Clarins doesn't provide full ingredients lists for their products - I've only found an INCI list on Beautypedia (which gives this mask a 2 out 5 rating, by the way), according to which this contains kaolin, titanium dioxide as well as a whole host of emollients such as caprylic/ capric triglycerides, glycerin and isoparaffin.

Yeah, so maybe this mask doesn't have the best ingredients and contains signature Clarins fragrance (which I actuallt enjoy) - but it still works rather well. It has a smooth creamy consistency that's not too thick and thus easy to apply evenly on the face. While on the skin, it seems to sink in a little, without making your face incredibly tight and 'frozen', like a lot of clay masks tend to. It's also very easy to remove without scrubbing - it just rinses right off. After a 10-minute session with Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask, I'm left with a face that's soft and smooth, even in tone, and velvety matte. My pores appear somewhat smaller and there are no dry, irritated patches in sight.

If you've been considering this mask, I think it's a great little pick me up for normal to combination skin types that are prone to dehydration - because even though it's a clay mask, it doesn't dry the skin out. However, if your skin is combination to oily and you need some serious pore-purifying power - the Clarins mask isn't going to do much for you and I would probably steer you in the direction of something like the Aztec Healing Clay, reviewed here. Because my skin's been a lot drier and more sensitive lately, the Clarins is the perfect gentle clay mask for me - and I'll be sad once my sample runs out, but probably won't purchase the full size right away as I still want to compare it to the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask with pink clay.

There you have it - two short and sweet mask reviews. I'm curious, which masks are you reaching for in the winter? Do you still use clarifying masks or shelve them away until the warmer season? What is your favorite hydrating mask?

In My Skincare Stash: Overview of Brightening and Exfoliating Masks and Peels

While attempting to use up my considerable stash of samples and minis via my Project the past two months, I've realized I had a lot of nice deluxe samples of masks and peels that were all aimed at brightening the skin. As a fair-skinned person, I struggle with hyperpigmentation all the time: freckles, age spots, post-inflammatory marks from acne and mosquito bites (yeah, that's a new one even for me) - you name it, I've got it. Which is why I've been enjoying treating my skin to a more intense exfoliating session about once a week, and these masks are perfect for a quick at-home treatment.

Starting with an old favorite, and the only full-sized product in this overview: the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant ($41 for 2.5 fl. oz - they hiked up the price by at least $5 since the last time I bought it!), which I've talked about a couple times in the past, now sadly all used up and gone from my medicine cabinet. This is a fantastic option for combination and oily skintypes, as it both exfoliates with fruit enzymes, salicylic and lactic acid, but also helps to absorb the oil and minimize the appearance of pores with diatomaceous earth, which gives it a clay-like consistency. There aren't many products that give me immediate, visible results every time I reach for them, but this Gentle Cream Exfoliant really was one of those. If your skin is very sensitive, I'd definitely ask for a sample first, because it's not really that gentle - on my somewhat reactive skin, I'd get a tingle, but no irritation and little redness after application. I'm considering a repurchase.

Speaking of clay-like textures, I had high hopes for this Boscia Bright White Mask ($38 for 2.8 oz), which contains titanium dioxide as well as bentonite and kaolin clays, but it doesn't work for me at all. First off, my bad for not realizing this is a peel-off mask, which is a type I generally dislike partly because of the high alcohol content. It also took me a good 10 minutes to try and peel this mask off, at which point I gave up and just took it off with a warm washcloth. More importantly though, I could not see any brightening effect on my skin at all, and looking at the ingredients' list, I'm really not sure how this is supposed to brighten - there are some plant extracts and peptides in there, but with sporadic usage, I don't know how you'd be able to observe any significant results. I'd give it a pass.

The Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel ($66 for 1.7 fl oz; full size comes in a glass jar) is the only mask in this line-up that uses a combination of manual (jojoba beads) and chemical (mostly papaya enzyme but also glycolic, malic and lactic acids in a low percentage) exfoliants. Radiance Peel also contains vitamins A, C and E, manuka honey and nourishing oils like macadamia, olive and argan. I personally could do without the exfoliating beads, but otherwise, it's a lovely mask I'd recommend for normal to dry skintypes, as the creamy formulation seems to have an added moisturizing effect on the skin. The directions say to leave it on for 4 minutes, but I found that to be too short of a time to notice a result in my skin, so I'd leave it on for 10-15 minutes instead. I also think this one would be good to try if you're particularly sensitive, as I didn't get much of a tingle but still saw improvement in the texture and softness of my skin.

Jumping from one of the gentler options to something more hardcore, I found the Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel ($55 for 1.7 oz) to be too much for my skin. This creamy mask contains glycolic acid, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, and while I love all of these ingredients, the Intensive-C mask burned my face like nobody's business - the sensation was actually quite similar to the mentholated tingling you'd get from lip plumpers. Yes, I saw noticeable improvement in the texture and clarity of my skin, but using this mask just wasn't pleasant. I'd recommend it to most skintypes with no sensitivity whatsoever, and preferrably after patch-testing a sample. You've been warned.

The popular REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($55 for 1.7 oz) also relies primarily on glycolic acid in combination with lactic acid and fruit enzymes (papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple fruit extracts) in a moisturizing base of grape seed, cranberry seed, and seabuckthorn berry oils. I'll be honest with you - while I think this is a nice exfoliating mask that smells and looks like orange marmalade, I don't know why so many people rave about it over these other options I'm discussing today. My main problem was that this mask went off very quickly after I first opened my sample, becoming separated, grainy and very weird-smelling. I've also found a lot of citrus essential oils in the ingredients' list (bergamot fruit water, orange, mandarin, tangerine and grapefruit oils) and unfortunately, I'm allergic - although fortunately, I didn't come up in a big rash the few times I used it. Why do brightening products always have to smell like oranges, I ask you?

Lastly, we have another natural option: the Enzyme Peel Mask with Vitamin C and Papaya from The Organic Pharmacy ($79 for 40ml). This gel mask contains lactobionic acid (a Polyhydroxy acid, also known as PHA, which some studies have proven to be less irritating but as effective as glycolic acid thanks to its reduced absorption due to larger molecular structure), lactic and salicylic acids, both papaya and pineapple enzymes, and hyaluronic acid. It's a lovely product - slightly tingly on the face but not irritating, and I can definitely see an improvement in the texture, tone and hydration of my skin after usage. This is the first product I've ever tried from The Organic Pharmacy, and I have to say the experience has got me a lot more interested in their skincare range; although sadly, the products are without a doubt on the pricey side.

Speaking of prices, all of the masks I've reviewed for you today seem rather expensive to me now that I'm looking at it. I don't know if my tolerance for prices has shifted recently or what it is, but I don't feel okay spending over $50 on an exfoliating mask - to my knowledge, glycolic and salicylic acids as well as fruit enzymes are not expensive ingredients, so I'm not sure why all of these need to be so pricey. While I loved my Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, I'm considering giving a cheaper option a try, and I've been looking at the derma-e Evenly Radiant Overnight Peel with AHAs (glycolic, lactic and malic), which retails for $15-18.75, or the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask, which is $11-15, depending where you buy it. If you've tried one of those, please let me know!

Do you use exfoliating masks or peels on a regular basis? What is your favorite weekly exfoliating treatment?

Cooling Overnight Facial: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask* Review

Did you guys know that Target now carries Laneige, a cult Korean skincare brand? I was super excited to see the line on their shelves, even though the price range isn't exactly drugstore; but given the interesting ingredients, the fact that they're under the Amore Pacific umbrella, and the rave reviews I've been reading, I was still intrigued to try it. Which is why I was really happy to be sent a very generous package with Laneige products for review consideration. Today I'm going to review the Water Sleeping Mask* ($23 for 80ml/ 2.7 fl oz), which is one of their bestsellers, but prepare yourselves for lots of Laneige posts in the near future!

Let me start by saying that esthetically, I really appreciate Laneige's packaging. The skincare range comes in sturdy white and blue outer boxes, and the bottles and jars inside are also done in weighty plastic, tinted cornflower blue (I may be biased as it's one of my favorite colors EVER). The Water Sleeping Mask comes in a jar with a screw-on top, and the box also included a little spatula for scooping out the product.

The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, which claims to recharge dehydrated skin overnight with ionized mineral water and ceramides, as well as to brighten and purify with apricot and chestnut extracts, is nothing like what I had previously come to expect from an overnight moisturizing mask (for reference, I've tried both the hyped up Origins Drink Up Intensive as well as Avene Soothing Moisture Mask). I expected the mask to have a heavy, creamy consistency that sits on the skin for a while after application, but instead, the Water Sleeping Mask is an airy, liquidy gel that absorbs instantly with no tacky residue.

What's more, the 'Sleepscent' fragrance is absolutely dreamy (sic!): a fresh, relaxing combination of orange flower, rose and sandalwood that doesn't irritate my skin. Quite the opposite, in fact: the mask feels incredibly soothing and cooling when you smooth it on, just like giving your parched skin a tall glass of water. Now that it's summer in New York City and my skin can get both oily and dehydrated both from the sun and sunscreen application, the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask seems to be a god-send. I wake up with my face feeling soft, smooth, even and happy. I pretty much wish I could just use it every night instead of my moisturizer, but I'm trying to follow directions and use it no more than twice a week. Would my skin get too used to it if I applied it more often? I'm too scared to find out.

The ingredients' list reveals the mineral water (lol, obviously - Laneige calls itself the Water Science Skincare), glycerin, trehalose, a water-binding plant sugar, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory beta-glucan, apricot, chestnut and willowbark extracts, as well as mineral salts: magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate, which supposedly is the magic ingredient in the popular La Roche Posay Serozinc toning mist.

I would recommend the Water Sleeping Mask to just about anyone, but particularly someone looking to dip their toes in the world of Korean skincare but not knowing where to start. But seriously, this stuff is amazing - go check it out at your local Target. I can't say whether this mask would be moisturizing enough for very dry skin, but I was also sent the Firming Sleeping Mask, which sounds just a bit more nourishing; I'll compare the two for you at some point. Have you tried any products from Laneige? What is your favorite overnight hydrating mask?

Disclaimer: Item marked with an asterix (*) is a  press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

Drugstore Skincare: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Masks Review

Admittedly, beauty bloggers are a bit crazy about their facial masks; we love hoarding different ones in our 'mask wardrobes', and we love all the luxe offerings from high-end brands. But at the end of the day, some masks don't need to be expensive to be effective; for example, the main ingredient of a staple oil-absorbing clay mask is, after all, just pure clay - a very cheap ingredient. Which is why I was excited to try five different drugstore facial masks from Freeman Feeling Beautiful* ($1.37 each for a 15ml sachet at Walmart, $3.25 - $4.29 for a 6 fl. oz/ 150ml full size tube).

Let's start with the basic Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask*, which is aimed at normal and combination skin and claims to deep clean and purify the pores. I use a clay mask at least once a week to help with excessive sebum production and enlarged pores on my T-zone, and I haven't quite found my favorite yet, so I was excited to try the Freeman version.

This is a very smooth and creamy clay mask in a fun mint green color (perfect for scaring the husband) with a distinct clean scent, I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly. It's incredibly easy to spread on the skin, and to my surprise, rinsed clean with no effort whatsoever - which is something I find to be a problem with most clay masks. It does tighten a little as it dries, but not nearly as bad as something like the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. As for the results, I did notice that my skin was mattified and the pores appeared slightly smaller after usage, but unfortunately I had a bit redness here and there; not bad, but maybe one of the ingredients doesn't quite agree with my sensitive skin.

Going with the purifying theme, let's talk about the Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask*. I was expecting this one to be similar to the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal mask but with more exfoliating action, however I found the Freeman mask to be more of a sugar scrub with a bit of added charcoal. The sugar crystals are quite large, which makes getting the mask out of the sachet and spreading it on the face a bit difficult, but in the end, I was pleased with the results. As per instructions, I first let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then very gently massaged it on the skin in circular motions. After rinsing, my skin looked refreshed, smoother and a bit brighter, and actually felt nicely hydrated. In also really liked the scent of this mask; a fresh, sweet citrus.

I really enjoy observing how Korean beauty trends make their way to the Western markets, and this Facial Sleeping Mask with Honeydew and Chamomile* is a prime example of such process. The popular Korean 'sleeping packs' are basically overnight masks, and are most often meant to soothe and hydrate the skin while you're sleeping - like a supercharged night moisturizer. The Freeman Sleeping Mask did exactly that; I was skeptical to put it on as it contains some heavy/comedogenic ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, but I woke up with a clear, even and hydrated complexion. I also really enjoyed the light texture; much thinner and more readily absorbed than most overnight masks I've tried so far. My only gripe was the strong melon scent - I quite dislike fruity scents and heavily fragranced skincare in general, and I felt like this one really lingered on my skin.

Another Korean-inspired find is this Coffee & Chai Energizing Paper Eye Mask*; soothing eye patches are very common among Korean skincare brands. This sheet mask looks more like Zorro's disguise when you put it on, which Tracy so keenly observed when I posted a photo of me wearing it on Instagram a couple days ago (here!). I was fighting a stubborn migraine that day (April showers are definitely not my friend), and this mask felt like heaven around my eyes: cooling, soothing and hydrating. It wasn't as satured in essence as the Asian sheet masks I've been using, which is something I also found with another paper mask from Freeman, the Hydrating Paper Mask with Blue Agave, reviewed here. The Energizing Eye Mask didn't give me any noticeable results after I removed it, but I really enjoyed the experience of wearing it on my achy face.

Last but not least, we have the Cucumber Peel-Off Mask*. I'm pretty sure any girl who grew up in the 90s and early 00s must have used a cucumber-scented peel-off mask at some point; I remember mine was from Avon and I used it to death, hoping it would help with my teen acne (it didn't really). However, I generally no longer like peel-off masks, and the Freeman Cucumber mask was unfortunately no exception. The main ingredients are Polyvinyl Alcohol and SD Alcohol - not exactly fantastic for your skin, and the fumes sting the eyes a bit. On the plus side, it didn't actually irritate my skin, and it was very easy to peel-off, unlike a Boscia mask I've tried recently. If you're a fan of peel-off masks, this definitely gives you the satisfaction similar to picking peeling, sunburnt skin *shudders*.

Let's recap: my favorites were the Facial Sleeping Mask and the Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask Scrub, with the Cucumber Peel-Off being my least favorite. Overall, I was impressed with the quality of these masks for the price; the ingredients lists on these are pretty clean, with lots of active compounds and soothing botanicals. For me, the amount in the one-use sachets is actually enough for 2-3 applications (I store mine in the fridge after opening, sealed with a clip).  I wish the Avocado & Oatmeal Clay mask worked a bit better on my skin, but the brand has more clay masks in the range, so I may try a different one to see if it's any better on me.

Have you tried any of these Freeman Feeling Beautiful masks? Or have you found any other masks at the drugstore that rock your socks off?

Disclaimer:  The items marked with an asterix (*) are press samples I received in an Influenster VoxBox. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

Korean Beauty Subscription: Beauteque April 2015 BB Bag Contents

I have a soft spot for Korean beauty products - so when I was asked if I'd like to feature the new Beauteque BB Bag*, a monthly subscription service featuring 7-8 full sized products from popular Asian brands, there was much excite and eager anticipation for the parcel to arrive. Which it promptly did, right on Easter Monday, so I'm kind of treating the bag as my suprise gift from the Easter bunny :)

The theme of the April BB Bag is Mad for Plaid - but to be honest, the plaid make-up bag most of the products came in (there were so many one came packaged separately in bubble wrap) is where the theme ended. The BB Bag also comes with a card showing all the products and their pricing, as well as usage suggestions; very handy given that some of the products have little to no English on the labels. Here's everything I received - I haven't had a chance to actually use any of these products yet, but I'll follow up if any clear favorites emerge through the testing process.

The Beauteque Bag came with two Magic Garden Series Sheet Masks from Hanaka, a brand previously unknown to me - from what I can see online, it's a Taiwanese skincare brand with cute packaging and lots of active ingredients. There's a Rose mask with Tranexamic Acid to brighten and hydrate, and a Marigold Vitamin A mask to purify pores and increase cell turnover. These are priced at $4 (judging from eBay pricing, $4 each). I love trying new sheet masks, so I'm looking forward to using these.

I also got the Holika Holika S-Body Maker Jiggling Patch (somehow the name brings to mind my jiggly belly fat... not particularly enticing), which Beauteque explains as a firming treatment with carbonated bubbles. Sounds like a lot of fun, but let's be honest - it's not going to budge that bacon pouch I have as a mid section. I'm trying the gym in our building for that. On that note... would it get rid of sore (lack of) muscles? Now that's a thought.

There was one more product from Hanaka, the Camellia Powder Wash ($11). It's one of those fizzy cleansing powders which foam up when mixed with water that have become all the rage this year among Western brands like Nude Skincare or Josie Maran. I appreciate that Beauteque is bringing such a trendy item to their subscription, although for me personally, it'd be difficult to find something better than the luxurious TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder. But, back to Hanaka: there are seven individually wrapped packets in the box, and the card advises to use one packet a day for a week for flawless complexion. I'm a bit skeptical after spotting SLS as one of the ingredients, so I'd probably end up using these on my shoulders and chest.

The sight of this lilac Macaron Lip Balm from It's SKIN ($9) brought a huge smile to my face; I received the grape scent, but I believe there were other options to choose from. It's SKIN is a Korean skincare brand with products ranging from affordable, like this cutesy lip bam, to more luxe both in packaging and price.

I was excited to see this Hydra-Full Solution Water Volume Aqua Gel Cream ($12 for 45ml) from Mizon in the April BB Bag. Mizon is a Korean brand best known for their Snail excretion line; by the way, a lot of Mizon's products are available in the US at Urban Outfitters, both in store and online - although the pricing is significantly higher than Amazon, eBay or dedicated Asian beauty etailers. The Aqua Gel Cream is a lightweight moisturizer with Alaskan glacial waters, and that sounds perfect to use in the daytime during the hot New York summer.

Lastly, I was thrilled to find this Holika Holika Canola Honey Sleeping Pack ($19 for 90ml) in my package. Holika Holika has three versions of these Honey Sleeping Packs, or overnight masks, if you will: Canola to moisturize the skin, Blueberry to combat blemishes, and Acerola to stimulate collagen production. This freakin' adorable glass jar boasts '40% canola honey', as per Holika Holika's own website - sounds suspicious, but the second ingredient is honey extract and the third is rapeseed extract, which has emollient and antioxidant properties and is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (fantastic stuff for your skin and body). I'm definitely looking forward to introducing this product into my routine in lieu of a night-time moisturizer one or two times a week.

The final item, which I'm continously puzzled by, was a razor, priced at $8. I mean, it's a cute aqua color and comes with an extra cartridge, but it still looks like a very inexpensive razor. I'll use it... but I'm not excited. I generally experience very low excitement levels over shaving my legs and underarms - but maybe I should try dropping a silk scarf to glide down my calf after shaving, as shown in commercials. Pfffft.

Now, for my overall thoughts: I definitely enjoyed the contents of this bag, valued at $70. The Beauteque BB Bag, available at beautequemonthly.com, has four subscription options: month to month, priced at $24 per bag/month, prepaid 3 months (same price), prepaid 6 months at $23 a month, and a full year for $22 a month. The bags are shipped out starting on the 15th of each month, and if you subscribe after the 5th of a given month, you'll be receiving the next month's bag (so if you wanted to subscribe now, you'd be receiving the May BB Bag). The cool thing is that each month on the 15th, you'll be sent a survey where you can choose from a couple of options regarding the products in your bag, like a lipstick shade or lotion fragrance.

Do I think it's worth it? If you like trying out various Korean beauty products both from more popular and lesser known brands, I think it's a good value for money. While the April BB Bag turned out to be very skincare-heavy, Beauteque says the subscription also includes make-up, fashion and lifestyle products (I wish there was one make-up item in the April bag!). The obvious comparison would be with the Memeboxes, but I've never personally tried those - and I've heard the service is actually no longer available in the US due to problems with shipping from Korea. I believe that BB Bags are better priced compared to Memeboxes, and shipped from the US, so there are no issues such as long delivery times and mysteriously vanished parcels. Would I order a BB Bag myself? Yes, I think I would - it would probably be too many products for me to get a bag every month, but it'd be fun to get a bag once in a while. You can also shop their sister site, Beauteque.com, for specific Korean products if you dislike the random element of these subscription services - they have free US shipping over $35.

Have you discovered any new interesting Korean beauty products recently? Or do you prefer to navigate the safer waters of Western brands?

*Disclaimer: The item marked with an asterix (*) is a press sample I received from Beauteque for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate, however I've been asked to include a referral link so that if you guys happen to use it, I may have some more products from Beauteque to show you in the future. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!