REVIEW: ETUDE HOUSE SHEA BUTTER NUTRIFULL SKIN CARE KIT

Last summer I received a Shea Butter Nutrifull Skin Care Kit from Etude House Hong Kong, but I put off trying it until winter because if I used rich products during hot weather, I'd break out. 

Description: Enriched with Ecocert certified Organic Shea Butter and Cloudberry ingredient, this three-piece skin care set deeply nourishes and moisturizes dry to very dry skin, This set contains: Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer, Nutrifull Shea Butter Cream, Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack.

Directions: 

• Step 1. Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer (Essence-in Lotion): After cleansing and toning, massage evenly over face. Pat to finish. 
• Step 2. Nutrifull Shea Butter Cream (Ultra-concentrated Cream): After Essentializer and Eye Cream, massage evenly over face. Pat to finish. 
• Step 3. Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack: After toning, smooth evenly on face before sleeping. Do not rinse off - the product will absorb. Cleanse in morning with warm water. For an extra nourishment, use after Nutrifull Butter Cream.

Ingredients:

• Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer: water, butylene glycol, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, cyclopentasiloxane, glycereth-26, glycerin, squalane, dimethicone, cetyl ethylhexanoate, C14-22 alcohols, cyclohexasiloxane, rubus chamaemorus seed extract, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl caprylate, DI- C12-13 alkyl malate, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, ethylahexyglycerin, xanthan gum, carbomer, palmitic acid, polysilicone-11, PEG-100 stearate, tromethamine, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance       
• Nutrifull Shea Butter Cream: water, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, cetyl ethylhexanoate, squalane, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter extract, dicaprylyl carbonate, disteardimonium hectorite, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, PEG-10 dimethicone, rubus chamaemorus seed extract, salvia hispanica seed extract, lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, sodium chloride, ethylhexaglycerin, pentylene glycol, polysilicone-11, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance 
• Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack: water, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glycol, dicaprylyl ether, cetearyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, BIS-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, sodium hyaluronate, rubus chamaemorus seed extract, dicaprylyl carbonate, glyceryl stearate, behenyl alcohol, PEG-40 stearate, polysorbate 20, carbomer, glyceryl caprylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, palmitic acid, stearic acid, tromethamine, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, alcohol, ethylhexaglycerin, phenoxyethanol, fragrance 

My opinion:

• Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer: This product has the lightest consistency among the 3. It absorbs quickly and doesn't clog my pores or break me out. It's definitely not moisturizing enough on its own, but when used with Nutrifull Shea Butter Cream or Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack, the combo still isn't enough for my dehydrated skin in the winter. 
• Score: 7/10

• Nutrifull Shea Butter Cream: This product has the thickest consistency and never seems to absorb into my skin. Even though my skin was dry, this cream just kinda "sat" on my face and did nothing other than making it greasy. It's so ironic that even though it felt tacky and heavy on my skin, my face was still dehydrated with this on! Worse than that, it broke me out! I tried coupling it with Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer, but it just didn't work. My skin felt even more greasy but still dry underneath, and I woke up with a new zit on my chin! I didn't even want to try using it with the Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Mask because I was sure I'd turn into an oil slick! So, in short, this cream doesn't work well on its own or with other product.
• Score: 3/10

• Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack: Etude House claims that this product can be used alone after a toner, but I beg to differ. On my dehydrated skin in the winter, this is definitely not moisturizing enough. Even when I used the Nutrifull Shea Butter Essentializer beforehand, my skin still didn't feel hydrated. On the plus side, this sleeping mask absorbs really quickly into my skin thanks to its light consistency and it doesn't irritate my skin in any ways.
• Score: 7/10

Purchase?: No. I think the reason why these 3 products aren't moisturizing enough for my skin is because they all contain alcohol. My skin tends to become dehydrated if I use products which have too much alcohol, especially in winter.  

REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE FACE MASK SACHET REVIEW

As I mentioned previously, I bought 4 sachets from The Body Shop. While I absolutely love the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask, the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion and Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask are just... meh. The Tea Tree Face Mask is the final one of the bunch, and if you want to know whether I like it or not, please read on :)  

Description (thebodyshop.co.uk): This instantly cooling face mask cleanses, soothes and refreshes the skin.

• Helps remove impurities
• Absorbs excess oil
• Soothes skin

Ingredients (thebodyshop.co.uk): Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Kaolin (Absorbent), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Glycerin (Humectant), Myristyl Myristate (Emollient), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Propanediol (Viscosity Modifier), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Cyclohexasiloxane (Chelating Agent), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Menthol (Cooling Agent), Limonene (Natural Additive), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Natural Additive), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), CI 77289 (Colour), CI 77492 (Colour).

How to use (thebodyshop.co.uk): Use once or twice weekly after cleansing. Smooth a thick layer onto the face and neck avoiding the lip and eye area, using fingertips. Leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Mask does not dry.

My opinion: This mask has a very strong green tea scent, which takes some time to get used to. Similar to The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask, this one also burns my philtrum a little bit T-T The feeling goes away after about one minute though. When I wash it off, my skin looks brighter and feels baby-smooth. However, it doesn't have any exfoliating, deep-cleansing or acne-curing effects whatsoever. One sachet is enough for 2 usages.  

Score: 7/10

Repurchase?: No, it's good but not impressive or effective enough for me.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CHANGING U MAGIC MASK SHEET BOX

Last year, I went through a sheet mask-crazed phase, so when Tonymoly released the Changing U Magic Mask Sheet Box, I grabbed one up instantly :)

(Source: tonymolyvn.com.vn)

DESCRIPTION: Steps that can transform an average-looking woman into an attractive lady. Transform to the smooth skin that shines brightly through far distance.

DIRECTIONS: Tear open and apply to face. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and then remove.

VOLUME: 18ml per sheet.

PRICE: 223,000 VND (about US$10.48)

REVIEW: This cute pink box contains 7 masks which cater different skin needs. I love the designs and colors of each one and I think this could be a great gifts for friends who love pampering themselves. They fit my face perfectly and don't irritate my skin in any ways. They all give me the same results: my face is brighter, smoother and more moisturized after using them, but the effects only last for 2 hours. Now I'll go into detailed reviews for each one of them.

- Black Pearl Mask: Brightening mask sheet with black pearl

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pearl Extract, Paeonia Suttrulicosa Root Extract, Chlorela Vulgaris Extract, Sea Cucumber Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: True to its name, this one is the most brightening mask out of the bunch. However, it pales in comparison with Tonymoly Natural Pulp Essence Sheet Mask Pearl, possibly because the latter contains more essence (21ml). Having said that, I think Black Pearl Mask is probably my favorite in this box.

- Hyaluronic Acid Mask: Moisture mask sheet with hyaluronic acid

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginia (witch hazel) Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Porutuiaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: Even though it contains hyaluronic acid, it doesn't moisturize my skin any better than the other 6. It's also the stickiest among all the masks. 

 - Red Wine Mask: Firming mask sheet with red wine

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Wine Extract, Citrus Paradsi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Allantoin, Panthnol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: This one does smell vaguely of wine, but it doesn't bother me. I don't see any firming effects, but then again, I don't have mature skin. It's just a regular moisturizing and brightening mask for me.

- Tea Tree Mask: Skin soothing mask sheet with tea tree

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Mentha Rotundfolia Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Allantonin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Carina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glycryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparabel, Phenoxyethanol
• My opinion: This mask has a strong tea tree scent. Although it contains tea tree oil, it has no effects whatsoever on my acnes. There's nothing special about it really.

- Green Apple Mask: Pore mask sheet with green apple

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustlolium (Blueberry) Fruit extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: I generally love apple scent, but this mask smells like sweet apple candies, which doesn't appeal to me at all. It does have a pore tightening effect, but it goes away after 30 minutes.

- Royal Jelly Mask: Nutrition mask sheet with royal jelly

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustlolium (Blueberry) Fruit extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: This mask smells like honey and feels very sticky to the touch, possibly even more than the hyaluronic acid. I didn't actually use this because I gave it to my mom. She said that it itched her face a little bit but didn't actually irritate her skin. When she took it off, I could see that her skin looked brighter, smoother and felt more moisturized. There were no lifting or firming effects though.

- Bird Nest Mask: Skin purifying mask sheet with royal jelly

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Paeonia Sulfruitcosa Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: I can't see any special benefits after using this mask apart from the regular brightening and moisturizing effects. 

PROS: 

- Affordable

- Cute packaging

- Relaxing and fun to use

- Moisturizing and brightening

- Non-irritating

CONS:

- Temporary effects

- Contain paraben

REPURCHASE?: No. I rarely use sheet masks nowadays because their effects aren't long-lasting and I prefer to invest in serums that can give me long-term effects. Besides, I have loads of freebie masks as GWP.  

REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP SEAWEED IONIC CLAY MASK SACHET REVIEW

After the less-than-stellar performances of The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion Sachet and Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask Sachet, I honestly didn't have much expectation for the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask Sachet. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of this mask.

(Click on images to see description, instruction and ingredients)

My opinion: This mask looks like brown mud and it dries pretty quickly (within 1 minute after application). It has a very faint seaweed scent which doesn't bother me. The instruction says to leave it on for 10 minutes but I let it sit on my face for 20 minutes and didn't experience any irritation whatsoever. After washing it off, my skin looks clearer and my acnes are significantly reduced! It also loosens up my blackheads so that when I use a toner afterwards, I can see little black dots on the cotton pad! It helps unclog my pores as well, though it takes 2 uses to get rid of them. It enables my skincare products to absorb faster and better, possibly because it takes away my dead skin cells. Whenever I use this, I'll wake up the next morning with smooth, healthy and glowing skin. It definitely lives up to its claims, which are drawing out impurities, clarifying and refreshing. And it does all these things without drying my skin out! This is my holy grail deep cleansing/exfoliating mask! I highly recommend you try this one out as it's cheap and one sachet can last for 2 uses. The only con is that it dries out really fast. I stored the product in a little pot and by the second time I used it, the mask had hardened a little bit and it was slightly difficult to apply on my face.

Pros:

- Get rid of blackheads, clogged pores and dead skin cells

- Deflate acnes and help them heal faster

- Non-drying and non-irritating

- Skin looks clearer and brighter

Cons:

- Dry up fast

Repurchase?: Yes, in fact I've already bought the full-size product!

REVIEW: TONYMOLY INTENSE CARE DUAL EFFECT SLEEPING PACK

I received a sample of Tonymoly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack several months ago, but I hesitated to use it because some people complained that it broke them out. As I rarely get acnes in winter (except for those hormonal ones) and I've found a great mask to treat acnes, I decided to try my luck and use it yesterday.

This is the first time I've ever tried a sleeping mask and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with it! It's in a form of a thick gel, but it sinks in right away and feels smooth to the touch. I even apply it around my eyes and this mask doesn't irritate them at all. It has a faint floral scent, which is hardly noticeable. Although it's very moisturizing, it doesn't make my face become oilier. My skin looks moisturized, bright and healthy, and the effects still last even after washing my face. I apply this right after my toner because I have an oily T-zone and hate layering lots of products on my face. But if your skin is dry, you can totally apply a serum and/or moisturizer first and follow up with this. And remember to use this once or twice a week only. Overall, I really like Tonymoly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack because of its moisturizing and brightening property. It also doesn't clog my pores or break me out. However, I wouldn't use this in summer as it might be too heavy for me by then.

Pros:

- Moisturizing and brightening

- Non-irritating

Cons:

- None that I can think of, apart from the fact that it may be too heavy for oily skin in summer, but that's just my assumption.

Purchase?: No. As much as I like it, I don't want to shell out for a product that I'll only use once or twice a week in the winter.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY GOLD BLACK SUGAR MASK

It's good to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to get rid of the dead skin cells. One of my favorite exfoliator is Tonymoly Gold Black Sugar Mask. This is also one of the few beauty products that I've actually repurchased (I've just finished my 2nd tub!).

Size: 100ml

Price: 223,000 VND

My opinion: Although this is a mask, it has a grainy texture that resembles a scrub. I tried using it as a scrub but it was a little bit too abrasive and didn't really take off my dead skin cells. The best way to use this, in my opinion, is to apply it all over my dry face and neck, let it sit there for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off. At first, I can feel the mask heat up on my skin, which is quite nice and relaxing actually. The feeling goes away after about 5 minutes. After removing it, my skin feels soft and looks radiant. It helps deflate my acnes, too! It can get rid of blackheads and clogged pores, but only to a certain extent. If you have extremely dry or sensitive skin, don't use this coz it may dry out or irritate your skin. I tried this when my skin was dry, and trust me, it wasn't a nice feeling! But if you have dull, oily and congested skin, I highly recommend this product coz it's cheap, easy to use and effective. One tub can last up to a year since you only need to use it once or twice a week.

Pros:

- Cheap

- Last for a very long time

- Effective in removing dead skin cells and deflating acnes 

- Relaxing feeling 

Cons:

- May not be suitable for people with dry or sensitive skin

- Not really effective in removing blackheads and clogged pores

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: No. It's good and I like it, but after using it for 2 years straight, I wanna try something new. Besides, I feel that peeling gels are gentler and more effective in terms of exfoliating.

REVIEW: MANDOM BEAUTY BARRIER REPAIR MASK HA

I received four Mandom Beauty Barrier Repair Mask HA as GWP at a Watson's store in Hong Kong (HA stands for hyaluronic acid. If you want to know more about it, please click here). Since they were freebies, I didn't have any high expectations for them but I was pleasantly surprised by the way they worked!

This mask is different from the ones that I've tried before as it actually covers my eyes! If you dislike putting mask on your eyelids, you can flip the covers up and it'll become a regular mask with holes for the eyes. As for me, I really like the feel of this mask on my eye area. I use this whenever my skin feels a little bit dry. My face feels cool and comfortable with this on. I often leave it on for 20 minutes and after taking it off, my skin is significantly brighter, dewier and well-moisturized! As time passes, my skin feels hydrated and silky to the touch but not oily! The brightening and moisturizing effects last for a whole day, longer than any other masks I've tried! This mask is odorless, so if you love fragrance-free skincare products, definitely try this one out!

Pros:

- Brightening and moisturizing

- Non-irritating

- Cover the eyes

- Long-lasting effects

- Scentless

Cons:

- None that I can think of

Purchase?: Yes. This is the best sheet mask I've ever tried :)

REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP VITAMIN E SINK-IN MOISTURE MASK SACHET

I love trying new products, but I'm no longer the naive girl who blindly believes in everything the advertisements say (yeah, I've learned my lesson big time). So, before buying anything (especially something pricy), I usually read other customers' reviews or try samples. The Body Shop in Vietnam is not so generous with their samples (the only sample I received from them so far was the Vitamin E Moisture Cream which I didn't like). However, recently they've started selling the sachets of 3 kinds of masks and 1 scrub for only 69,000 VND each (about US$3), so I snapped them all up. Since it's winter right now, I'm going to do a review on The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask.

How to use (from The Body Shop website): Smooth a thin layer onto dry, clean skin with your fingertips. Leave for 10 minutes. You may experience a slight cooling sensation. Then simply wipe away with a tissue.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water) (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), Cyclomethicone (Emollient), Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Oryza sativa (Rice Bran Oil) (Emollient), Gossypium herbaceum (Cottonseed Oil) (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Triticum vulgare (Wheat Germ Oil) (Emollient), Glycine soja (Soybean Oil) (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Diglycerin (Humectant), Methyl Gluceth-20 (Viscosity Modifier), Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Panthenol (Skin/Hair Conditioning Agent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Lecithin (Stabiliser/Emulsifier), Methylparaben (Preservative), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Parfum (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Butylparaben (Preservative), Ethylparaben (Preservative), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Isobutylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), Eugenol (Fragrance Ingredient), Farnesol (Fragrance Ingredient), CI 14700 (Colour).

My opinion: I tried this mask when my skin was a little bit dry and flaky. The Body Shop website warned us of a possible slight cooling sensation, but the warning wasn't printed on the sachet at all! My skin is not sensitive and as far as I can remember, I've never had a bad reaction to a skincare product, like, ever! But when I first applied this mask, it seriously STUNG the hell out of my philtrum! The sensation went away in about 1-2 minutes though. I left it on for about 15-20 minutes and washed it off. It got rid of the flakes on my cheeks and moisturized my skin well. Despite the initial irritation, it didn't hurt my skin in any way. It didn't make my T-zone become oily. The effect lasted for quite a long time too coz by the next day, I could still feel that my skin was more moisturized than usual. However, I wasn't 100% satisfied with this mask as it didn't leave my skin feeling baby-smooth or brighten it up like regular sheet masks did. The mask is a pastel pink cream but goes clear on the face, so it'll be suitable for those who want to apply a hydrating mask on a long-haul flight to keep their skin moisturized since it looks just like a regular moisturizer. One sachet contains enough product for 2 uses.

Pros:

- Affordable

- Moisturizing

- Suitable for flights

- Suitable for both oily and dry skin

Cons:

- Tingling sensation at first

- Doesn't make skin feel smooth

- Doesn't brighten the skin

- Contain paraben

Purchase?: I won't purchase the full-size product coz it just doesn't impress me that much. I may repurchase the sachet to use when I travel though.

REVIEW: SKIN79 LEMON BRIGHTENING MASK

Skin79 is mostly known for their BB creams, but their skincare lines are actually really good, too. One of my favorites is the Lemon Brightening Mask.

Description and direction:

OK, Asian cosmetics usually have pretty awkward and weird English translation, and this one is no exception :P

Size: 75ml

Ingredients:

Price: 379,000 VND (about 17 USD)

My opinion:

This mask is a yellow cream. Once you apply it onto your face, it turns white and leaves a cooling effect on your skin, which is really great in hot weather. It has an AMAZING lemony scent! I often find myself sniffing the tub for like, a minute or so >< After leaving it on for 15 minutes, I wash it off. My face does look brighter afterwards, but it's nothing special coz I can achieve the same effect by washing my face with a foaming cleanser. I much prefer this as a deep cleansing mask as it contains kaolin (clay), which absorbs oil and draws out impurities from my skin. My skin is clearer and smoother. However, DO NOT use this when your skin is dry. The first time I applied this was when my skin was at its driest period. I stupidly thought that since it contained hyaluronic acid, it could be moisturizing. Boy was I wrong!!! It dried out my skin even more T-T Now that my skin is back to normal, I'm totally fine with using this once or twice a week.

Pros:

- Brightening (though only temporary)

- Deep cleansing

- Great scent

- Cooling and relaxing

- Affordable 

Cons:

- Can be drying for people with dry skin

- Temporary effect, not long-lasting

- Contain paraben (which doesn't bother me, but maybe a concern for other people)

Verdict: 8/10 (mostly because of the relaxing effect and the scent) 

Repurchase?: Maybe not, because I'm not really into masks. They're great for a quick fix or a pampering treat, but I much prefer an essence/serum that can give me long-term effect. The deep cleansing effect can also be achieved by using an exfoliator.