All About Masks Part 3

Sheets Mask has its moment now.  They are quite convenient and they seems to be hygienic giving the right envirionmental conditions.

I discovered sheets mask around ten years ago when I saw an interview of Iman where it was noted how much she likes the SKII original sheet mask.  I thought and still think  Iman is a gorgeous women but also, she looks way younger than her age.  She has never been shy of saying how old she is.

Why I follow the advice of women like Iman?  I look for advice from someone who has healthy skin if my questions are about skin but also, because she is older than I am and looks better than women who are younger than I am.  For anti-aging advice and/or healthy skin advice I will listen to a woman who had the experience of taking care of her skin with tangible results.

Nowadays there are a plethora of very you women who are giving advice here and there but about anti-aging products.  I am not sure that these recommended products will work in the long term  because I think there are some months of use and some years as well to validate if their recommendations works without the need of fillers.

I am not against fillers, I just think that the base to a younger looking skin begins with healthy skin.  You can have all the fillers and Botox but if you skin is with pigmentation issues, dehydrated, dry,  and dull, it will age you and take away the freshness of your young looking face.

I use sheets masks mostly when I am traveling.  I use them, on the plane, when I arrive and after the duration of the trip. They fit everywhere and are quite convenient for carry on.  I also like the space saver benefit in my bathroom.

The application of sheet masks follow the same concept:  Remove the sheet mask from the package, peel it from the a layer, unfolded and place it on clean skin.  Make sure the little areas like the nose, mouth and eyes are open and leave the mask for the minutes the package indicates.  There are some that are just five minutes and others are twenty minutes or longer.  Remove the mask from your face and in some cases you can only pat the remaining of the product but if it is a mask that has some sort of acid, I think it is better to rinse it off.  I like to use them when I am in a bath, sometimes I do it watching movies or a series or just to relax.  I can not manage to meditate with a sheet mask on my face though.

One of my beauty tips is to put the sheet mask in the refrigerator at least 18 minutes (in my refrigerator at least) before applying to your face but, you can even leave it in the refrigerator a couple of hours.  To me it has somehow of a “Cryo” effect on the face muscles, plus the feeling is very refreshing, especially in hot months and climates.  I do not recommend to use these type of masks on skin that is irritated, cut or sunburn.

Following you will find some of my favorite masks that I have tried.

 

SKII Facial Treatment Mask

This was the first one I ever tried one and still one of my top at all ages and all skin types.  This mask is an award winning mask winning the following awards in 2018: Best Hydrating Sheet Mask, The Knot Beauty Awards, Best Make of all Time, Best Mask, InStyle Magazine Best Beauty Buys.  As the original essence contains Pitera, a bio-ingredient derived from yeast fermentation that contains vitamins, mineral, amino acids and organic acids to condition skin’s natural function. It hydrates and moisturize the skin while improving the texture of the skin with a purpling effect.  Immediately after application, improves riddance resulting in a brighter skin.

Karuna

Karuna has a line of sheet masks for face, hands and feet.  I love all of them.  This brand was the first one exclusively fort sheet mask in USA back in 2009.  I knew then of SKII but the difference is that the sheet mask came as part of  product expansion of this line.  My favorite are the Hydrating Face Mask which contains Soybean and Hyaluronic  Acid, Peptides Chinese Licorice, aloe and Chamomile.  I feel that the skin looks, fresher,  brighter, radiant and softer and this is a result of the hydration received.  It is free of Parabens, and Mineral Oils. another one I like is the Anti-Oxidant Face Mask but it feels the same as the prior mask but this one has Salicylic Acid for a safe exfoliation to gives life to dull skin.  Another advantage of the mask is that they are more affordable than SKII masks.

111 Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask

I discovered this mask in Space NK in U.K. non a cold rainy day after being claustered in a house the whole day.   I needed this to decompress and relax for a little bit.  This is a hydrating mask that is infused with 24-karat rose gold particles.  Maybe this is the reason for the price. It also brightens, soothes and hydrate the skin. It is fast absorbing unlike other masks while it  promotes sculpted face features. It contains Licorice Root Extract, Silk Amino Acids  and rose Damascena extract. I like this mask because it hydrates my skin while it has a de-puff effect.  Maybe it is because its gel texture.  It is quite tricky this mask because it is slippery when you put it on and the gel texture it makes it not as easy to unfold but the effect mitigate this minor inconveniences.  I also love this mask for combination skin like mine and it is safer to use any time of the year.  It is great on hot and colder climates or on dry or tropical climates because of the gel texture of the sheet.

Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask

I was a little skeptical of this mask when I receive it in a box subscription but I ended loving the results.  I am, still in the fence about how much I like or not  the application part.  This is because the material of the actual sheet seems to not adhering to the face even, when I am laying down. I tis a firming mask activated by flavonoid-rich celery extract and coconut water.  I knew about the coconut oil benefits way before the boom of coconut water and oil.  Growing up in  a tropical island, it was natural having a fresh coconut and drink its water after a day at the beach.  My grandmother used to soak my hair in coconut oil to enhance the shine and tame the dryness.  The mask is a coconut water-infused sheet mask with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and cucumber extract for  tired looking skin.  It  also contains Echinacea GreenEnvy  which has antioxidant properties to promote a fresh, more glowing skin. It gives my skin a sculpted glow to my face while at the same time feels fresh and moisturized.  One important detail about the application is  to separate the blue shield from the sheet mask.  It was confusing to me at the first time because it felt thick and it took me a couple of minutes to separate the two layers.  This mask is recommended for aging skin and to keep it for twenty five minutes for maximum results. I really do not understand the term “aging skin”.  All skins are aging!  I think it is clearer to suggest an age range or to list what issues it will address.

Wander Baggage Claim Gold Eye Mask

Something that I noticed with some eyes mask is that they do not seem to stay put around the eye area and ended up on my cheeks.  This one does not have this issue.  These are to hydrate, reduce the appearance of dark circles.  It contains hyaluronic acid to infused the area with hydration and Aloe Leaf Extract and Lavender to calm the areas around the eyes.  These are cruelty free and does not contains Parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrance. It must be applied in clean and dry skin  under the eyes and leave in for ten to fifteen minutes

Estee Lauder Advance Night Repair Eyes

I use the cream at nights currently infused with the iconic Advance Night Repair technology   It indicates that it is more potent than the eye cream but I can not said that I saw this effect in just application.  I can said that the eye area immediately feels refreshed.  It claims that eyes will look more rested and renewed and the area will be full of hydration.  I like that you only need to use for ten minutes but it is recommended to use it at least once a week to see long term results.

Chantecaille Energizing Eye Recovery Mask

I received these during one of my Advent Calendars and I love it.  I noticed that I love many things that are sea related or seaweed related.  I am an earth sign and my astrological chart indicates that I have a lot of earth among the different planets and moon and houses.  I still do not understand the meaning but I intend to,  after I read the book The Signs by Carolyne Faulkner.  I follow her in Instagram and would love to consult with her but we are far away.  Maybe in my next trip to the UK I will plan ahead.   This  mask seaweed base and infused with twenty four karat gold serum.  Maybe this explain the retail price.  It claims that works to eliminate the looks of puffiness and fine lines and lighten the appearance of dark circles.  It is free of animal components and no animal testing and free of phthalates, sulphate detergents, synthetic fragrances and Parabens.  It is recommended o use three or fort times a week for twenty minutes and allow it with an eye cream.  Personally, I would use it when need a real pick me up or once a week.  It feels fantastic when you use it, plus the package contains a lot of the serum to soak the eye area.

Testing sheet masks seems like a never ending process because I like to try them for a while before commenting on them.  there are some sheet masks that seems harsh to me and in this case, I am not commenting on them.  It means that they did not work on my skin or for my concerns.  Let me know you thoughts about these sheet mask or any other that is your favorite.

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