paper mask reviews1

Paper masks is an important part in my skin care regime.I use at least 2 paper masks per week. Some are good and some are bad so I've decided to do a set of posts just to talk about paper masks. 

Top Row left to right: Regene honey SOS Nourishing mask, Regene Vita Aqua Spa Rejuvenating Mask, Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming mask

Bottom row left to right: Color Combos Oatmeal Whitening Facial Sheet Mask, Face Q Caviar and hyaluronic Acid Moisture Mask, 彩豐行 Apple and witch hazel purifying paper mask.

Regene Honey SOS Nourishing Mask. In my previous empties post I've talked about this being one of my all time favourite paper mask. But I haven't gone into details about this mask. This is a royal jelly and honey mask. I love using them during the winter. If I notice signs of dry patches on my skin, this is the mask I always turn to. After using it for a night, the dry patches will be gone. This is a thick paper mask with lots of serum in it. The mask is soaked in heavy cream based serum so I only use it during the winter. It will be too rich for the warmer months. It is a decent mask for its price. I paid around $10 HKD for the mask.

Regene Vita Aqua Spa Rejuvenating Mask. I've talked about this mask before but haven't gone into the details. This is a deep moisturizing mask that provides enough moisture to my skin during the winter. It works fairly well during the winter but not on the coldest days in the year. This is a thinner sheet mask compared to the honey mask. The serum is water based instead of cream based. For the price I find it being a decent mask. I paid around $10 HKD for the mask.

Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming mask. I love this mask and it had been reviewed before. (Reviewed here)

Color Combos Oatmeal Whitening Facial Sheet Mask. This is one of the masks I got from my friend during my visit to her place. This is a mask that is always on sale at sasa.com. It is one of the masks with the ear loop design that is for firming your skin. For a whitening mask, it did a terrible job. I didn't notice my face being whitened at all. For the moisturizing effect. I didn't really see a difference to my skin. But it did an excellent job in the firming aspect. I could feel my skin feeling a little tighter at the jaw line. I would use this only as a firming mask but don't expect any other result from this paper mask. 

Face Q Caviar and hyaluronic Acid Moisture Mask. This is one of the masks with the ear loop design. I'm currently trying out masks with the ear loop design as it allows me to run errands around the house instead of lying still for 20 minutes. This is a firming and hydrating mask. If they are only selling it as a hydrating mask, they did a great job as this is very hydrating and it's retailing at a great price. ( $11.99 for 10 masks at T&T when it's on sale). For the price, it's worth trying. But it's a ear loop mask so you should be able to hang it on your ears comfortably. The mask is just too delicate. It breaks easily so it kept on tearing while I was trying to hang it on my ears. So in the end I had to lie down to prevent the mask from falling off. Since it's too delicate so I couldn't tell if it's doing it's job in firming my mask as I couldn't get the mask on properly. If would be an amazing mask if the mask doesn't break that easily. For the price, I would try out different masks from the line. I do find this being better than the beauty diary masks I've tried before. 

彩豐行 Apple and witch hazel purifying paper mask. This is a mask I stole from my sister's stash. Or I would say I traded for the mask. I tried it when I felt my skin was congested. It didn't really help with purifying my skin. It smelled really nice and felt soothing. It didn't irritate my skin but it didn't do anything to my skin so I don't think I'll be getting these again.

Have you tried any of these masks? What's your favourite paper mask?

Review: Naruko Sheet Masks

I picked up these paper masks during my last trip to T&T a local Asian supermarket. During the past week I've tried both of them and I'm pretty impressed with the result.

I've linked the products to the US Naruko site so you can have further information about each product. 

Raw Job's Tears Mask

The first one I tried was the Raw Job's Tears mask. This is a brightening mask which is something I'm always looking for. I have a lot of good hydrating masks at home but I don't have paper masks that does a good job in brightening my skin. Most brightening masks will only brighten my face right after I use the mask. The results are never long lasting. Once I wash my face, the results are gone. 

This one however, the brightening result lasted for two days and it did a fairly good job in whitening/brightening my skin. Why am I saying that? It made my normally not that visible dark circle stand out after I used the mask. It brighten my skin immediately. It also hydrates my skin leaving if soft and moist for the day. 

It is definitely a great purchase when it's on sale. at around $2 CAD a piece, I find it pretty good value.

Magnolia brightening and firming mask

I also tried the white magnolia brightening and firming mask. This one did brighten my skin but the results are not as obvious as the Raw Job's Tear mask. It's one of those ear loop design masks. The first time I tried it I didn't really like the way I put on the mask as I find it quite messy. Even I used a headband, I still got essence on my hair. But the second time I used it, I started to appreciate it as it's convenient. I don't have to sit still/lie down while I have the mask on. For the firming effect, I don't see any difference but given that I got them during their sales, it's still good value. Will I buy it again? I'm not sure. I think I will try other ear loop masks first.

I like the Raw Job Tear's mask so much I went to pick up an eye mask hoping that it will help lighten/ brighten my dark circle. Even if it doesn't help, it's good to add a little moisture to the delicate eye area during winter time. 

Naruko Eye Gelly

This is a jelly type eye mask where you use it on your eyes after your eye cream. 

I love how they included a spatula with the product. It means I don't need to stick my finger in the jar!

This is a gel like texture that absorbs quickly into my skin. I still find it a bit sticky but it's tolerable. I find this a common problem with gel like sleeping masks. They tend to be stickier than cream based sleeping masks. 

I got the eye gelly from T&T and it costs more than the Naruko Canada online site. Unless the product is on sale at T&T, otherwise the price online are cheaper. But to get free shipping you will have to spend $100 dollars on Naruko products so unless you have a lot of things to buy, it's still better to get them at T&T. But T&T does not have all the products in stock. 

So far I haven't seen any results in brightening my under eye area but it does add moisture to my skin. I like it enough I'm considering trying the entire Raw Job's Tears skin care line from Naruko. I'm also interested in the other paper masks from Naruko.

Have you tried products from Naruko before? What is your favourite sheet mask? 

Beauty Haul from T&T

Yes, I actually bought beauty products from T&T. This is unbelievable. T&T is a local Chinese supermarket in Canada. I was supposed to go there and get a pack of ginger and leave. I know they always sell beauty products at T&T. They have a huge selection of My Beauty Diary Masks that they retail at decent price. I still find them overpriced as I get mine from Hong Kong. My sister goes back every year to restock me with basic beauty products. With all the promotions and without the tax. I normally get mine at half the price they sell at T&T so I never go there for my paper masks. Besides I prefer Korean paper masks over the My Beauty Diary Masks. Don't get me wrong, they are great affordable masks but I just like Korean ones better.

I've always wanted to try Naruko Products. I never knew they are readily available at T&T. I prefer to buy local if there isn't a big price difference. I hate waiting for my packages to arrive. I know Naruko products are available through their Canadian distributor and I thought of getting them once I run out of face cream. Naruko paper masks are on sale at T&T so I had to pick them up. After I got home and checked the prices at the Naruko Canada website. I definitely got myself a deal. The prices at T&T are a few bucks cheaper than the online prices!

Left to Right: White Magnolia Brightening and firming mask, Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Brighting mask.

I love paper masks, they are convenient and non messy. I always pick paper masks over wash off masks. so two boxes of paper masks won't do any harm to my masks collection. I only have enough that will last for 6 months if I use them everyday, That's nothing compared to my friend's collections where they stocked up a year's supply. 

The Magnolia mask is different from the ones I normally use. It is using the ear loop mask design for it's firming effect. I've never tried the ear loop masks before so this is something new to me. I will definitely try them this week. 

The masks normally retail for 29.99 for the Magnolia and 23.99 for the Raw Job's Tear. Right now they are on sale for 22.99 and 18.99 respectively. It is a good price to try out new products. 

I also picked up two packs of Tsubaki shampoo from Shiseido. My friends had been raving about these shampoo for years but I've never tried them. I used to use Shiseido FT shampoo when I used to live in Hong Kong and I loved Japanese shampoo. They just make your hair so soft and manageable. I just haven't tried this line as it seemed too expensive for a bottle of shampoo. As years gone by, I notice their prices getting more affordable at T&T so this time I've finally picked up two sets to try. Each set are on sale at $14.99. The shampoo and conditioner are also on sale at $12.99 compared to the regular  price  of $17.99 

The Tsubaki line is infused with Tsubaki oil or essential oil and they are supposed to make your hair soft and hydrated. I'm trying just to see if they are living up towards the hype. 

gold line comes with a hair mask where you use once a week while the white set comes with the conditioner. There is also a red line but I couldn't find the set at my local T&T.