Pregnancy Update (the final one)

This is my second and final pregnancy update. If you want to read the first one, click here. As I write this post, I'm currently 36 weeks and 4 days with fraternal twin boys. My goal, if I have any control over it, is to try to get as close to 38 weeks as possible. (More than half of twins are born between 33-36 weeks and 60% of twins are born by 37 weeks.) I have a scheduled C-section at 39 weeks (the date kept getting pushed back because of hospital unavailability and upcoming religious holidays) but I'm really hoping I go into labor before then. I can feel my body physically breaking down and not sure how much longer I can keep things up. I'm definitely experiencing way more aches and pains since my last update and my stomach has grown considerably.

Sephora Haul

I haven't shopped at Sephora in store or online since December of last year and I fully intend to make up for that as we get closer to the end of the year when there are more sales and promotions. Tomorrow is the last day of Sephora's Beauty Insider Appreciation Week where Beauty Insiders, VIB, and VIB Rouge earn extra points on all purchases. I only picked up a few things because I'm waiting for the VIB discount that happens around November. I'd rather save some money than earn points (I've been hoarding 1500 points since last year) although the new Rewards Bazaar that happens every Tuesday and Thursday does look tempting. Anyway, here's a quick look at what I purchased.

August 2016 Favorites

It's officially September and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures. August felt brutally long, partly because of the extreme heat and humidity. I've included some food and pregnancy favorites (guess they kind of go hand in hand) along with some rediscovered beauty favorites for the month of August.

Drugstore Haul

Can you believe it's been SIX MONTHS since I bought any sort of beauty related item??? That includes personal care items like body wash, hair care, and body lotion. It also goes to show you how much I tend to stock up on products. When you have twins on the way and live in a two bedroom apartment where a grand piano takes up more than half of the second bedroom, reality starts to kick in and you realize buying more products would not help the lack of space situation. Anyway, I happened to walk into Harmon's on my way to Trader Joe's and I couldn't resist picking up a few things.

July 2016 Favorites

July has come and almost gone. Is anyone looking forward to the end of summer and cooler temperatures because I sure am! Waiting for trains underground in a NYC subway and then unluckily stepping on to a crowded train car with no air conditioning is the worst. I could go on a rant for hours about NYC public transit issues but we're not here for that. So, here are a few of my favorite makeup and skincare products for the month of July.

The Saem Mojito Powder Mist in Green Grape ($5.67 at Korea Depart)

This claims to be an oil balancing mist that regulate the skin's hydration levels to avoid too much sebum production and keep the skin looking fresh all day. It contains corn powder that absorbs excessive oil for a mattified look. It's also available in a Jelly Mist Grapefruit and Water Mist Lemon. I can't say I notice a decrease in oil production but I love the scent of the mist and how refreshing it feels on the face. You can also use this to set your makeup since the spray mechanism pumps out a very fine mist.

Laura Gellar Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation in Fair ($33 at Ulta)

I cashed out most of my points at Birchbox to purchase this and it was a good decision. I've been interested in Laura Gellar products for awhile and now I'm dying to try the brand's baked blushes and highlighters. The other shades available for the powder foundation are Porcelain, Light, Medium, Golden Medium, Tan, Sand and Deep. Fair is a good shade for me right now but it might be a bit too dark for me in the winter. The shades run a little darker than the descriptions so keep that in mind if you're interested in purchasing this. I've been using a concealer, no foundation, and setting it with the Balance-n-Brighten. It offers good coverage and gives a demi-matte finish while brightening the face.

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in C + Lemongrass ($48 at Sephora)

This came as a complete surprise in the mail from an Allure freebie I entered. I've been mixing the drops in with the Pro YouS Wrinkle SC Renewal Ampoule. You can use it alone or mix it with moisturizers, serums, primers, foundation, or any other way you'd like. I love the citrus scent and how it brightens the complexion. A little goes a long way on my combo-oily skin so this will last forever. I like the drops so much I'm considering purchasing the E + Chamomile (calming) one. The other two varieties are F + Neroli (hydration) and A + Jasmine (anti-aging).

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter ($10.38 at Amazon)

I've been using this product every day, morning and night, since I was 8 or 9 weeks pregnant. It's a little too thick for the summer but it does a good job with relieving any itching I'm experiencing as my stomach stretches out. You can also use this even if you aren't pregnant. It does have a very slight scent that's neither pleasant nor unpleasant, just smells natural. I don't see any stretch marks yet but they're partly genetic and dependent on the amount of weight one gains in pregnancy.

NYX Powder Blush in Summer Peach ($5 on sale for $2.50 at NYX Cosmetics)

This has been my go to blush that I've been constantly reaching for. It's pigmented so a light hand is necessary and has some shimmer in it which gives the cheek a glowy finish perfect for the summer. It lasts all day on the cheeks so you don't have to worry about any fading.

I'm Meme I'm Lip Tint in Las Vegas Orchid PK652 ($14 at Memebox)

I wrote a short and quick overview about the I'm Meme Lip Tint in Russia Purple and a few other Memebox lip products which you can read here if you're interested. I've been loving this shade, which doesn't pick up as much of the purple undertones on camera, and the pretty stain it leaves behind on the lips well after the product has worn off. It's plenty pigmented so I often just dot the tint on my lips in a few places and spread with my finger. I'm not sure if Memebox is phasing the product out since half of the shades are no longer sold on the site. If you see a shade you like, grab one now in case they don't come back in stock.

Follow or like me on Twitter and Facebook for updates. It helps me out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer

Pregnancy Update

I realize this is primarily a beauty blog but my life is about to drastically change in a few months with the impending arrival of my twin boys. Of course I still love talking about beauty but I'm equally excited to become a first time mother. It's still a little strange to say I'm pregnant even when my body is clearly changing on the outside. I always knew I wanted children but when my husband and I finally started trying for a child, we never thought it would take almost three years. I feel extremely blessed to be pregnant (and pregnant with two other beings) and to have maintained a relatively healthy pregnancy thus far. Anyway, I thought I'd talk about the changes that have happened so far with my skin and body. At the time of this blog post, I've just entered the third trimester at 27 weeks and 5 days.

Farewell (안녕) Birchbox

Recently Birchbox made a change in their loyalty points program which many of you may already be aware of. While I understand the need for the change from a business standpoint, the subscription service has lost its appeal for me. I've been pretty unsatisfied with the samples in my boxes this year but the ability to earn 50 review points ($5) each month had been the one appealing thing for me about the service. You can still earn points for the July box but I've already gone ahead and cancelled the monthly box subscription.

I was hoping to save the review points and redeem them in November when Birchbox has their Black Friday 25% off promotion. Since I can't do that anymore I decided to cash out the majority of my points and purchase the Laura Gellar Beauty Balance-n-Brighten in Fair. (Little did I know the brand would be appearing on Hautelook this Wednesday.) I might occasionally shop at the Birchbox store or if there's an amazing featured box but it's farewell to the monthly boxes.

If you're a Birchbox subscriber, what is/was your reaction to the change in the points system?

Follow or like me on Twitter and Facebook for updates. It helps me out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer

J:Dew Green Moist Toner and Essence Review

Ivy from Q-depot contacted me not too long ago to review some products from the J:Dew Green Moist Line. I was given the choice of reviewing the cream, emulsion, essence or toner. Much to my surprise and delight I was sent the special skin care set which includes all four products plus two deluxe sized samples.*

June 2016 Birchbox

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box ($10 plus tax) of personalized beauty, grooming, and lifestyle deluxe sized samples tailored to your profile. You can accumulate points with each box and redeem those points at the Birchbox shop. If you review all your products in each monthly box, you can accumulate 50 points which is equivalent to $5 and half the value of the box.

Spring/Summer 2016 Skincare Routine

It's been awhile since I've shown you the products I'm using in my skincare routine. Before I go into the A.M. and P.M. lineup, let me tell you about about my skin type. Living in NYC, I tend to have combination-oily skin in the fall and winter seasons and oily-very oily skin in the spring and summer. It's not quite summer yet but there have certainly been a few days here and there that have felt like summer. I also struggle with hormonal cystic acne and PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). However, pregnancy has changed my skin and for the better. My skin has been a little drier, more on the combination side, and I rarely breakout. It's been amazing not having to deal with those huge bumps from cystic acne. (Apparently if you're having a girl you tend to struggle with pregnancy acne. Not sure how accurate this is but it is in my case...I'm having twin boys.)

May 2016 Birchbox

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box ($10 plus tax) of personalized beauty, grooming, and lifestyle deluxe sized samples tailored to your profile. You can accumulate points with each box and redeem those points at the Birchbox shop. If you review all your products in each monthly box, you can accumulate 50 points which is equivalent to $5 and half the value of the box.

Product Empties #8

My last empties post was at the end of January so I have quite a few things collecting in my Lululemon "trash" bag. I won't go into too much detail over every product because there's a lot to get through. Some of the stuff I finished waaay back so I might not remember much about it if it didn't knock my socks off. That's what I get for procrastinating on these empties posts.

April 2016 Favorites

It's been so long since I've blogged that I've forgotten HOW to blog. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things and post consistently. No promises but I'll try my best!

I haven't been wearing makeup all that often this month and my skincare routine has been relatively simple.

Jolse Haul

My new favorite site is Jolse and I have no idea why I resisted ordering from there before. The biggest appeal about the company is that they offer free worldwide shipping. And they often run promotions with discounts on various brands and free EMS shipping if you spend a certain amount of money. In general, their prices are slightly higher than Tester Korea but the free shipping makes up for it in my mind. When you first sign up on the site, you will automatically get $3 in credit which you can use towards your first order. You will also get 3% store credit on every order. As of now, they sell 50 brands on the site along with a few other miscellaneous brands.

I made two orders with Jolse over a period of two weeks. I should have just combined everything together to get better perks but I was trying to restrain myself. Spending over $20 will get you a free charcoal nose strip, over $50 a sheet mask, over $70 a shower glove, over $100 a hair string and socks, and over $150 will get you a hand cream and free EMS shipping. They are also very generous with samples which I always appreciate. The first order arrived quickly, within 10 days, and the second order took a little longer because of the Lunar New Year, around 16 days.

Let's get into the haul!

Etude House Big Cover Concealer Cushion ($8.78): I am definitely going to review this concealer since I purchased 4 out of 6 of them. These are all the shades offered: Illuminate, Mint, Peach Pink, Vanilla, Beige, and Sand. I have Mint and Peach Pink and couldn't decide which shade would conceal blemishes so I went with Vanilla and Beige. I've noticed many Western brands have been releasing color correctors this season and these concealers fall into that category. By the way, I only own a few products from Etude House. I find their packaging extremely cute but the brand is a little too young for me in general. Their target age group seems to fall into the 20's and I'm less than a year away from 40. *gasp* Anyway, I went against my normal inclination and got sucked into their newly released products as you'll see below.

Etude House Big Cover Tip Concealer in Beige ($7.28): Up until four years ago, I never touched concealer. I had nearly perfect skin but now concealer is my best friend. I have serious PIH that I can never seem to completely cover. There are a few concealers I really like but I'm still in search of a holy grail concealer. This Etude House one claims to hide flaws, blemishes, dark circles with full natural looking coverage. The two shades offered are 21 Beige and 23 Sand.

Etude House Play 101 Stick Foundation ($11.18): Apparently this is a collaboration with Pony for contouring. You can use the various shades to contour your face depending on your skin tone. This is a long lasting foundation stick that glides onto the skin to create a smooth and flawless looking face with a soft and creamy texture. There is no scent or fragrance added to the product. The four shades available are: #1 Fair (No 13-17 purchased), #2 Banila (No 21 Bright Tone), #3 Beige (No 21 Natural Tone), and #4 Sand (No 23). I swatched Fair on my hand and it seems like a good color match so I'm hoping it will work for my face.

Etude House Berry Delicious Color in Liquid Lips Juicy ($7.98)
The Berry Delicious collection is Etude House's latest launch with a full range of products from cream blushers to a body scrub and wash to nail polishes with pops of reds and pinks. I had to restrain myself from going crazy with the line.
There are a total of 10 Color in Liquid Lips shades available:
RD 304 Berry Apple Grande (purchased)
RD 305 Berry Berry Much
OR 207 Berry Orange Drink
OR 208 Berry Mange Tango
PK 013 Berry Banan Homemade
GR 701 Berry Kiwi Tok Tok
PP 502 Berry Beat Dancing
PK 014 Berry Cherry To Go (purchased)
PK 015 Berry Tropical Dream
RD 306 Berry Plum Squeeze (purchased)
They have a light and shiny texture without any stickiness. Provides long lasting moisture to give the appearance of healthy lips. I might purchase a few more shades if I end up loving the formula of these. I will review the liquid lips very soon since I received the order awhile ago. I usually test a product out for three weeks or so before I write up a review and I'm almost there.

Etude House Berry Delicious Fantastic Color Eye ($11.58): This is a 6 color eyeshadow palette available in two colors: #7 Strawberry Mojito (purchased) and #8 Strawberry Fondue. I wanted to purchase both palettes but decided to go for the palette with shades I don't already own. I've never tried any Etude House shadows but I've heard they're on the sheerer side.

Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Tissue ($5.93 for 15 sheets): This contains apple extracts and removes makeup without being sticky. Contains a cleansing oil ingredient which removes skin impurities. I typically use cleansing tissues to remove swatches and remove makeup during the day before a workout. I've been using the Bioderma cleansing tissues which I don't really like. It has a funky smell and the tissues are a little rough. I chose the Innisfree one because the cleansing oil from the same line is pretty good. And I love the apple scent!

Skinfood V-Zone Patch Mask ($5.85 for 2): My obsession with V-line masks continues. This firms and lifts with pomegranate extract and collagen to promote a better complexion and restore elasticity to skin. I've been rather lazy with masking these days, once or twice a week as opposed to every other day. I really have to get back into it so I can start reviewing the newer masks in my stash.

Samples

2 Luke Total Skin Solution Charcoal Nose Cleansing Strips
2 Jolse Blotting Paper
Jolse Purple Hair Tie
2 Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Blooming Fit SPF 30/PA++
Etude House Moistfull Collagen Essence
Etude House Moistfull Collagen Deep Cream
Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint
Tony Moly Tomatox Magic Massage Pack
Tony Moly Panda's Dream White Hand Cream
Tony Moly Goat Milk Premium Cream
Tony Moly Nutra Energy Foam Cleanser
Tony Moly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack
2 Tony Moly My Sunny Body & Family Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++
Tony Moly Goat Milk Moisture Mask Sheet

Follow or like me on Twitter and Facebook for updates. It helps me out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jenn

Memebox Haul #6

Apparently being put on bed rest after a minor procedure equals online shopping. This haul is an accumulation of two orders. Believe it or not, sometimes I have to search the site long and hard to get the order total to $30. I miss the old days when you could make a Memebox order and get free shipping under $30 after using a code and applying a discount towards your order.

Tosowoong Dr. Troubex Sparkling Mask Review

Product Description: Provides intensive relief to irritated and troubled skin. The mask contains centella asiatica extract and aloe vera leaf extract which both work as perfect anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents to help the skin recover. It is also specially formulated to aid with redness and keep the skin’s hydration levels balanced.

FYI, 까지 means until so the mask is good until August 2016.

How to Use: After cleansing and toning, place the mask on your face. Remove the mask after 10-20 minutes and pat in the remaining essence.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rh-Oligopeptide-1, Carbonated Water (100 ppm), Larix Sibirica Wood Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract, Asarum Sieboldi Root Extract, Quercus Mongolia Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Machilus Thunbergii Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Allantoin, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Perfume
According to CosDNA, there are no irritants in the mask and the only acne trigger is the Butylene Glycol.

Price: I purchased the Tosowoong mask from Memebox for $1.50 and the retail value is listed as $3. You can also find them at RoseRoseShop for 25,000 won in a set of 10 masks and Korea Depart for $29.95 also as a set of 10. I suggest ordering the mask from Memebox if you're interested since they have the best price and shipping is much faster.

My Skin Type: I have oily, acne prone skin which can be sensitive at times. In my battle with hormonal cystic acne I'm often left with red, angry looking post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation regardless of whether I pick at the pimple or not. I tend to look for sheet masks that calm, soothe, and brighten my skin.

My Thoughts: The mask has a light floral scent which doesn't linger around for long. It smells like a perfume I can't quite place. Drives me nuts when I can't properly describe a scent!

The fit is definitely on the wider side. I'm usually grumbling about sheet masks not covering the sides of my lower face. This one was a little too wide so I had to fold over part of the mask at the forehead and the sides.

The sheet is on the thicker side so it was very easy to unfold and place on the face. There's a good amount of essence on the mask but it's not overly drenched like I've seen with other masks. I was able to use the left over essence in the pouch two more times the next day.

The area around my eyes was a little itchy during the 20 minutes I wore the mask but it wasn't unbearable. I really liked how my skin was sufficiently hydrated after the mask. Most masks are too hydrating for me and I usually don't have to continue on with the rest of my skin care. This Tosowoong mask is great for anyone with oily/combination acne prone skin. I did notice that some of my chin acne appeared less red an hour or so later. AND, the next morning my chin acne looked like small dots that could easily be covered. They literally shrunk in size overnight. I will definitely pick up some more of the Dr. Troubex Sparkling Masks for future breakouts and I highly recommend it to anyone that is suffering from irritated skin or acne (even hormonal).

Follow or like me on Twitter and Facebook for updates. It helps me out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jenn

February 2016 Birchbox

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box ($10 plus tax) of personalized beauty, grooming, and lifestyle deluxe sized samples tailored to your profile. You can accumulate points with each box and redeem those points at the Birchbox shop. If you review all your products in each monthly box, you can accumulate 50 points which is equivalent to $5 and half the value of the box.

Burt's Bees Lipstick Review

I'm trying to make an effort to be selective about the lip products I purchase since I have more than I'll ever need and use. Clearly I'm not making enough of an effort because I couldn't resist the fairly recently launched Burt's Bees Lipsticks. I have been more attracted to the brand lately because I want to incorporate more natural/organic skincare and makeup into my routine.

Here are the claims according to the brands website:
100% natural
8 hour moisture
Smooth, satin finish with a creamy and lightweight feel, ideal for everyday wear
Helps to hydrate and moisturize lips leaving them feeling soft and smooth

Available in 14 full coverage and vibrant shades:

#500 Nile Nude
#501 Blush Basin
#502 Suede Splash
#510 Iced Iris
#511 Magenta Rush
#512 Fuchsia Flood
#514 Brimming Berry
#515 Tulip Tide
#520 Scarlet Soaked-purchased (red with coral undertone)
#521 Ruby Ripple-purchased (medium dark red shade, makes teeth look white)
#523 Sunset Cruise-purchased (medium coral shade)
#530 Lily Lake
#531 Juniper Water
#532 Russet River-purchased (dark brownish red shade)

Ingredients: Diheptyl Succinate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cera Alba [Beeswax], Candelilla Cera [Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax], Behenyl Alcohol, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Lanolin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cera Carnauba [Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax], Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed

You can purchase the lipsticks at Ulta for $8.99, Target for $8.99, or directly from the Burt's Bees site for $9. I chose Amazon with Prime to purchase all four shades because I had a gift card. I also have not been able to locate them in a physical store so online shopping was the best option.

The packaging is recyclable and made with 100% #5 plastic and 60% PCR (post consumer recycled plastic) content. In general plastic products marked with the numbers 2, 4, and 5 are the safer choices. I'm big into recycling so this is a major plus for me. There is a honeycomb design on all four sides of the lipstick tube which is durable yet lightweight. You get 0.12 oz of product in each lipstick. The only thing I don't like about the packaging is that you can't twist the lipstick all the way down the tube. If you're short on a time I could easily see the tip of the lipstick getting chopped off when replacing the lid. It's not a big deal but I do find myself being extra careful when putting the lid back on.

From left to right: Scarlet Soaked, Ruby Ripple, Sunset Cruise, and Russet River

There is barely a scent but I do catch a very subtle waxy, berry scent if you hold the product right up to your nose. The lipstick feels more like a lip balm but with excellent pigmentation. They are incredibly moisturizing and perfect for the winter or if you suffer from chronic chapped lips. There's a slightly thicker, slippery texture about these but they feel lightweight on the lips.

From left to right: Scarlet Soaked, Ruby Ripple, Sunset Cruise, and Russet River

The range of shades are excellent from nudes to pinks to reds to plums. The darker colors leave a nice stain after the initial color has worn off. These aren't a long lasting lipstick since they are so hydrating and creamy. You'll get around 4-5 hours of wear time if you don't eat or drink anything and maybe 3 hours if you do. You don't have to worry about the product creasing, clumping, or transferring all over your teeth. It's not necessary to wear a lip liner with the darker shades but it might be your preference if you prefer clean edges around the lips. The color is very buildable so you can build up quite a bit of color. All four shades I purchased have a satin finish but some are more shiny than others.

I love the formula of these Burt's Bees Lipsticks! After testing out all four lipsticks for the past three weeks I really want to purchase a few more shades. They're easy to apply and wear on the go every day and also work appropriate. I love how comfortable they feel on the lips and they feel more like a chapstick or lip treatment than a lipstick. I'm not sure how traditional lipstick lovers are going to feel about the formula but I love how these look and feel on the lips, especially in the colder months.

Follow or like me on Twitter and Facebook for updates. It also helps me out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jenn

Velvizo Marine Spa Vital Mask Real Brightening Review

Velvizo started out as an internet shopping mall in 2008, only selling their products at the Shinsaegae Department Store. The brand has slowly been expanding their reach into countries like Vietnam and China. Velvizo 벨비죠 (pronounced Bel-bee-jyo) comes from two words, Bello (아름다은= beautiful) + Viso (얼굴=face).

Product Description: Contains effective ingredients like niacinamide, grapefruit extract, and houttuynia cordata extract (chameleon plant) to brighten your skin tone, offer superior hydration, and help remove skin troubles. It is formulated without benzophenone, artificial flavors, mineral oil, and parabens. 

There are 3 other varieties in the Marine Spa Mask line:

Marine Spa Vital Mask Control Soothing 

Marine Spa Vital Mask Lifting Renewal 

Marine Spa Vital Mask Radiance Intensive

How to Use: After cleansing and toning, take out the mask sheet from the package and put on your face. Remove after 10-20 minutes of application and gently pat in the remaining essence.

Image Source

Ingredients: Unfortunately I mistakenly threw away the mask set box and there is no ingredients list on the back of the individual mask packaging. Sorry about that! I can tell you the main ingredients according to Tester are adenosine, acer saccharum (sugar maple) extract, and hyaluronic acid.

Price: Tester Korea sells a set of 8 masks for 14,400 won or $12.45. They do not sell Velvizo masks individually so it's either the mask set or nothing.

My Skin Type: I have oily, acne prone skin which can be sensitive at times. In my battle with hormonal cystic acne I'm often left with red, angry looking post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation regardless of whether I pick at the pimple or not. I tend to look for sheet masks that calm, soothe, and brighten my skin.

My Thoughts: There's not much of a scent to the mask but I do detect a slight fruity, citrus scent. It makes sense since there are grapefruit and papaya extracts in the ingredients. I really wish I had access to the full list!

The fit is almost perfect for my face shape. It's wide and long enough and covers the majority of my lower face which is usually a gripe I have with the fit of sheet masks. There is a gap at the sides of the nose which didn't bother me. You can take advantage of the eye flaps but I chose to flip them down. (Sheet masking = catching up on K dramas. Latest obsession is Cheese In The Trap!)

There's plenty of essence on the sheet mask which is on the milky, lotion-y side. I find this kind of essence to be a little too hydrating for my skin type in general. There's quite a bit of left over essence in the pouch although it was hard to scrape out the next morning. The mask dried out in the nose and chin area towards the end but the forehead and chin area were still drenched with essence. I removed the mask after 20 minutes and waited 10 minutes or so for some of the essence to absorb. I applied an eye cream and a spot treatment and called it a night.

Final Thoughts: This definitely provides "superior hydration" which isn't exactly what I need, even in the winter time. The mask would be great for those with normal to dry skin. I didn't notice much of a difference in my overall skin tone or any brightening effects and it certainly did not "help remove skin troubles." In fact, the next morning I woke up to a triad of pimples on my chin and an unusually oily face. Now I have 7 of these Real Brightening Masks I'll have to give out to friends and family. Never buy a set of masks you've never tried before even if it's a good deal, lesson learned.

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Thanks for stopping by!
Jenn

Miss Spa Calming Facial Sheet Mask Review

I first discovered Miss Spa sheet masks when I was browsing through the Ulta website during Black Friday last year. There's a "Women Owned" icon on the back of the packaging and their products are free of sulfates, parabens, fragrance, and artificial dye. Products are manufactured in Taiwan but designed and developed in the U.S.

Product Description: This silky pre-treated paper mask is infused with naturally soothing botanical extracts and conditioners to comfort and moisturize. The gentle formula works to help relieve stressed, aggravated skin keeping it cool, calm, and collected. Perfect for stressed and dehydrated skin.

Price: As I mentioned above, I purchased the Calming Facial Mask at Ulta. It was priced at $2.99 at the time and I was able to receive 40% off of the original price. Unfortunately, this particular mask is no longer available at Ulta but you can find other varieties on the site. The mask can be found directly on the Miss Spa site for $4. You can also find Miss Spa masks at Walgreens and Walmart.

My Skin Type: I have oily, acne prone skin which can be sensitive at times. In my battle with hormonal cystic acne I'm often left with red, angry looking post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation regardless of whether I pick at the pimple or not. I tend to look for sheet masks that calm, soothe, and brighten my skin.

My Thoughts: As the product claims promise, there is no fragrance. I really appreciate brands that don't add extra fragrance into their products since it's so difficult to find. I had to undergo a minor procedure recently which forbade the use of any skincare, body care, or makeup with fragrance. It was quite difficult finding products in my stash so I had to simplify my whole routine. Anyway, got off on a tangent, there is a slight scent which reminds me of the Leaders Coconut Gel Masks.

The paper backing on the sheet mask makes it easy to place the mask on the face. However, it took me awhile to situate the mask so it would adhere tightly. The upper half of the mask is slightly big for my face shape and the lower half isn't long enough to cover the sides of my jaw area. The mask rips fairly easily so handle carefully when adjusting it to your face.

The mask contains plenty of essence which is clear in the pouch. There is enough essence left over for a few more uses so don't throw away the pouch. The essence doesn't feel sticky or heavy. I removed the mask after 20 minutes and the mask was still "wet." It took about 5 minutes for the essence to absorb and I continued on with an eye cream and serum. My skin felt sufficiently hydrated to skip the moisturizer. I had a cluster of small pimples on the lower left side and they looked less red and calmer an hour after removing the mask. There were even better results the next morning since the pimples were barely noticeable.

Final Thoughts: I'm quite impressed with this mask especially since I did not have any expectations for the brand. The Miss Spa Calming Facial Sheet Mask does everything it claims: soothe, calm, and moisturize the skin. I wish I had stocked up on more over Black Friday since I only paid $1.80 for each one. I'm hoping Ulta will restock this particular mask since you can get cash back with Ebates and take advantage of coupons or promotions within the site.

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As always, thanks for stopping by!
Jenn