Compressed paper facial masks review

Skin sheet masks (like this one) work wonders, but they can get pricey at $2-5 each, which adds up considering you need to use them at least once a week for lasting results.  Then I found this pack of 100 compressed paper masks on Amazon.  They're basically vacuumed face sheets, but you add the liquid ingredients yourself.  Saves a lot of money and packaging plastic, and it's a good option for routine skincare.  I'm going to save the "sheet packs" for special occasions.

It comes in individual packs that look kind of like mints. 

1.  They're very small, but you can see all the little layers packed in each one.

2.  Pick whatever liquid that will benefit your skin.  We had some ginger tea on hand (chamomile or peppermint tea would also be good to use), so I steeped it and let it cool in the fridge.

3.  Plop the sheet mask in the liquid and it'll plump up right away.  Let soak for a moment.

4.  I got an aloe leaf (can be found at Asian supermarkets), cut off an inch segment, and directly swiped the gel over my face.  Aloe plants are used for healing cuts and burns, and so are a great natural skincare ingredient.  Make sure to wrap the remaining cut end with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for later use.

5.  Squeeze out excess liquid from the mask.  Carefully unfurl.

6.  Put it on for 10 minutes or so, depending on how long it takes to lose its "juiciness."  Rinse off any aloe residue and apply moisturizer.

P.S.  Shipping the masks from Hong Kong unfortunately takes around 3 weeks, just FYI.

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Liquid gold - my skincare changer

I think I've finally found the skincare product that actually works for me - and it's not even found in the skincare aisle.  I present: evening primrose oil.

I found that my skin took the worst turn during my late teens - it started getting very red and bumpy (whiteheads and trapped sebum being the biggest problem), especially in my T-zone, which made me believe I had some sort of rosacea.  Even though my hormones were supposed to be leveling out around that age, they were getting worse.  Stress from college life didn't help either.  I tried harsh facial exfoliants, oil free creams, redness reducing lotions... all to no avail.  The sebum kept building up, and the redness persisted throughout the day.

In the past, I had inconsistently taken bare amounts of evening primrose oil  as a supplement, but now I am using it every evening in lieu of a night cream.  I don't have before/after pictures, but I can attest that after about only two weeks - even during "that time of the month" - my skin has been so much better.  I no longer have that "flushed" look, and my whiteheads have all but disappeared.  Even when bumps do pop up, they are mild.  My acne scars have begun to soften and fade.  Now, I'm okay with going outside without any sort of skin makeup.  My skin still isn't perfect but it's enough of a turnaround for me to be very happy with the results.  I expect things to only improve.

This bottle was about $15 and is 4 oz.  I only need about 4 drops to cover my face, so this is going to last awhile.  In the end, it's a lot more economical and natural than most creams out there.

Why this method works (my own reasoning):

-  The skin is made up of many layers which have lipid components.  A natural lipid substance (as opposed to manufactured chemicals) will absorb more readily, and incorporate itself better into the bio structures to help skin heal.

-  My skin was over-producing sebum because it was lacking nutrients, and those harsh face washes and creams only made things worse.  Just like healthy hair, a balanced amount of oil in the skin is a sign of health.  The evening primrose oil gives my skin the moisture and nutrients it needs and acts as a protective barrier at night, when the skin does the most turnover.

This table below shows many natural oils that could address your skin issues.  I had some success with sea buckthorn oil in the past, but it can be pricey and smells oddly herb-y.  Some of the 'problem-solving' oils can come in very concentrated forms, so they should be mixed with neutral, fragrance-free moisturizers before being applied.

credit: Glamour

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Etude House Red Ginseng skincare mask review

 On my trip to Malaysia, I got a variety of disposable skin masks from Etude House (a Korean beauty brand).  I use them sparingly - mostly for times like this when my skin gets out of whack.

Today I tried the Red Ginseng one, because I've been having a lot of white heads.

The package reads:  "6-year old red ginseng restores skin strength after being damaged by stress, pollution, debris and weather.  It helps skin to maintain firmness and smoothness."

Looks silly, I know - you better do this when you're alone, or when other girls with you are using one too.

The Red Ginseng felt a little "spicy" at first and feels more like a clarifying mask, whereas the Aloe Vera one I tried was more moisturizing.  It had a distinct, though not unpleasant, smell.  You could tell that it was the true ginseng extract in the serum, not just a bunch of chemicals.  The mask is very "juicy" and lasts 1-2 hours if you want to let it completely dry.  If not, rub the excess on the rest of your body.

Makeup-less and tired >_<  This is the BEFORE: you can see some bumps and redness.

 

AFTER:  The lighting is a little different, but you can tell that the redness is toned down.  My skin also feels very clean and bright.

 

I'd recommend masks for nighttime use - because of how long they take to work and also having the serum applied during the time of skin rejuvenation, which is when you sleep.

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Estée Lauder DayWear BB cream review

Most fashion blogs have makeup reviews, right?

On my way back from Vancouver we stopped by the Duty Free shop.  I wasn't expecting to find much, but lo-and-behold, hiding at the very bottom of the makeup counter was Estée Lauder DayWear BB cream!  All the rage in Asia, I've been holding out to try Western brands till now.  Since makeup never goes on sale normally, I was happy to get this for about $10 off (original $50, now for $37.)

I got this in color 01 Light, which surprisingly matched my yellow skintone and didn't make me look "ghost-like" as many people have come across with BB creams.  My webcam isn't that clear (but my self-taking camera skills are horrid) so here you go.

1.  It offers coverage like that of a foundation.  There are some tiny spots where you can tell it's there, but otherwise my skin looks very natural and clean, maybe like I had put some powder at most.  I have a problem with redness, and I don't notice it anymore.  The SPF 35 is also a plus - always use sun protection!

2.  When first applying, I had to buff up a flaky patch and go over it again, but otherwise went on smooth.  About five hours since I've put it on, and it still feels like I pretty much don't have anything on my face!  Seriously, no oiliness or caking, and no rub off.

3.  I might have imagined a slight cucumber/melon smell when I put it on, but otherwise there's no scent to interfere with perfume or anything else.

4.  Some BB cream reviews also complain of oxidation, where after a few hours it turns orange, but mine did not change color. 

Overall, I'm very happy with this Estée Lauder product.  I have yet to test it against in more strenuous situations, but I'd say this is a keeper.  The only thing I wish is that it were all natural, like my preferred Tarte or BareMinerals cosmetics.  But I'll definitely use this for special days.

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