WARNING: This is going to be a marathon of a post.
It's no surprised that I am a big fan of masks. I've previously written in regards to ones where you apply it to the face/chin/neck and then wash it off:
My review of Lush Fresh Face Mask in Love Lettuce
But if you cannot be bothered to have to splash around in your sink for a good 5-10 min removal process, sheet masks are the way to go. When I don't feel like my skin needs the suped up pampering, I look towards sheet masks -- they are my lazy, in between hardcore pampering solution.
The sheet in sheet masks is referring to a cotton or cotton fibre face cut out. It's usually oversized to fit all face sizes. Of course, there are holes for the eyes and mouth and a U-shaped cut out for the nose. Most sheet masks also have small slits positioned around where the curves would be on the face.
There are shitloads of sheet mask brands, and a full spectrum of types within each brand.
Within each packet is a single sheet mask. The cotton mask is soaked in various liquid concoctions or "essences," depending on what your face skin needs.
How I use sheet masks:
- Clean face (I like putting on masks after getting out of the shower)
- Open pack and gently take out sheet mask
- Unfold sheet mask
- Holding onto the forehead part of the mask, place it on my forehead -- Just let the rest of the mask hang over the face
- Position the nose part of the mask over my nose, and place it on
- Gently pull both sides of the mask over the entirety of my cheeks
- Make sure the mask is completely smooth over my face
- Squeeze the excess liquid out of pack and add to my face, chin, and neck
- Most advise to leave the mask on for ~15 mins, but I usually leave it on until the mask is about to dry
- After removing and tossing the mask, I gently pat/massage my face and let it dry (the liquid/essence can dry tacky). If I'm going out after, then I'll rinse my face and apply moisturizer, makeup, etc. If I'm doing the mask at the end of a day, then I'll just leave it on overnight.
---
Missha Pure Source Sheet Mask:
Missha is a Korean brand, and is most well-known for their BB creams.
True BB creams, by the way... not like the AmericanBB creams tinted moisturizers.
An aunt was in Seoul, Korea for vacation and had gifted these to me. I received 10 packs in Aloe and 10 packs in Pearl.
I love these Missha masks because they're ginormous! They outreach my forehead, chin, and both cheeks (touching my ears).
I looked up their price online, and they're about $1.99 per mask. They seem to sell them at H Mart (a huge Korean supermarket chain) and on the Missha website.
True BB creams, by the way... not like the American
An aunt was in Seoul, Korea for vacation and had gifted these to me. I received 10 packs in Aloe and 10 packs in Pearl.
I love these Missha masks because they're ginormous! They outreach my forehead, chin, and both cheeks (touching my ears).
I looked up their price online, and they're about $1.99 per mask. They seem to sell them at H Mart (a huge Korean supermarket chain) and on the Missha website.
 |
| comes folded like this |
Aloe:
- this is supposed to calm and moisturize
- feels cool on the skin
- it doesn't leave my skin feeling plump, but definitely rehydrated
- leaves my skin super smooth and soft
- I didn't notice any scents
Overall: LOVE, would repurchase
Pearl:
- this is supposed to make "dull and dark coloured skin clear and vitalized"
- feels cool on the skin
- leaves my skin noticeably brighter
- leaves my skin soft and smooth
- I didn't notice any scents
Overall: LOVE, would repurchase
---
My Beauty Diary Sheet Mask:
This is a Taiwanese brand, and one of the most popular sheet mask brands in Asia.
They come in single packs, as well as, boxes of two, eight, and ten. A pack of ten sells for $15.99 CAD at my local Asian specialty stores, which ends up being around $1.50 per mask.
Alternatively, they are also sold online at sasa.com at around $13 CAD for a ten pack, which ends up being around $1.30 per mask.
You may recall from my China & Taiwan beauty haul post, I had bought four boxes of ten in Taiwan.
They are readily available in 7-11 convenience shops in Taiwan. It was 389 NT for two boxes, which converts to around $7 CAD (1 CAD = 28 NT).
The Beauty Diary sheet masks come folded, stuck with a piece of plastic. This plastic mitigates the mask from tearing as you're trying to maneuver it onto your face.
These Beauty Diary masks fit my face best (perfectly to all corners of my face) -- They're smaller than the ginormous Missha ones. Comparative to the Missha ones, these have less slits and do not have the undereye bits.
Arbutin Whitening Mask:
Mexico Cactus Mask:
Hydraluronic Acid Moisturizing Mask:
---
Dermal:
This is another Korean brand. They aren't nearly as coveted as My Beauty Diary or Missha, but these are quite affordable. I found these at my local Asian supermarket. I believe they were 10 for $8 CAD, which comes to about $0.80 CAD per mask. They're about $1 each on amazon.
Similar to the Missha masks, it is a thicker cotton. Also like the Missha masks, it has the extra flaps underneath the eyes.
I found that the cotton fibre wasn't as luxurious as Missha or My Beauty Diary -- the quality just wasn't the same. The liquid/essence was more liquidy and dried more tacky.
After using it, my skin felt temporarily hydrated, but not significantly.
I'm not going to review them individually, because unfortunately, I think I'm allergic to them. I would get 2-3 itchy red marks on my skin after taking it off.
I have super sensitive skin, so maybe your skin might not react to it.
Overall: Did not like / Underwhelmed / Allergic reaction
---
MaskerAide:
This is a Canadian brand. Supposedly, it's formulated in Canada, but made in Korea
I received the Detox Diva one in my October 2012 Topbox (my post), and the Weather Warrior one in my March 2013 Topbox (my post).
MaskerAide claims to be:
paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil free, artificial fragrance free, benzophenone (supposedly what's killing coral reefs) free, no added pigments, vegan friendly, and eco friendly.
Topbox sells them in their shop. 4-packs for $19 CAD and a sampler 6-pack for $29 CAD. They're insanely expensive, at around $4.50 CAD per mask! Apparently, if you buy them individually, they're $4.99 CAD... what the heck.
They come folded, without any plastic sheet.
The masks are ginormous; even bigger than the Missha ones. They're more round, especially where it would lay on the cheeks. The Asian brand masks are more tapered at the sides.
The nose area is bigger and wider, too.
I actually find that they don't fit my face that well -- There's lots of folds and overlaps.
What I thought was weird was the liquid/essence in these MaskerAide masks -- It's thick, gloopy and white (unlike the clear watery liquid/essence in the Asian brand masks). The mask doesn't evaporate as quickly because of the thicker consistency.
Detox Diva:
Weather Warrior:
PHEW! OK, that's it...
Out of all of the sheet mask brands that I've tried thus far, My Beauty Diary is my favourite.
I hope this post has helped you in some way. Please let me know your experiences with sheet masks, or masks in general!
- M
They come in single packs, as well as, boxes of two, eight, and ten. A pack of ten sells for $15.99 CAD at my local Asian specialty stores, which ends up being around $1.50 per mask.
Alternatively, they are also sold online at sasa.com at around $13 CAD for a ten pack, which ends up being around $1.30 per mask.
You may recall from my China & Taiwan beauty haul post, I had bought four boxes of ten in Taiwan.
They are readily available in 7-11 convenience shops in Taiwan. It was 389 NT for two boxes, which converts to around $7 CAD (1 CAD = 28 NT).
These Beauty Diary masks fit my face best (perfectly to all corners of my face) -- They're smaller than the ginormous Missha ones. Comparative to the Missha ones, these have less slits and do not have the undereye bits.
Arbutin Whitening Mask:
- no, this isn't a bleaching mask -- "whitening" masks are just brightening ones
- this is supposed to brighten and diminish the look of dark spots
- feels cool on the skin, but not nearly as cool as the Missha ones
- leaves my skin noticeable brighter
- leaves my skin soft and smooth
- really light sweet floral / light baby powder type of scent
Overall: LIKE, but prefer the Missha Pearl over it
- this is supposed to be for emergency or quick moisturization
- feels cool on the skin, but not nearly as cool as the Missha ones
- leaves my skin super plump and hydrated for around 3-4 days (in the Winter)!
- leaves my skin soft and smooth
- fresh aloe vera type of scent
Overall: LOVE, and prefer this over the Missha Aloe
Hydraluronic Acid Moisturizing Mask:
- this is supposed to help skin retain moisture
- feels cool on the skin, but not nearly as cool as the Missha ones
- leaves my skin super plump and hydrated for 3-4 days (in the Winter)!
- leaves my skin soft and smooth
- really light sweet floral / light baby powder type of scent
Overall: LOVE. I prefer this over the Cactus one when I feel super dehydrated.
---
Dermal:
This is another Korean brand. They aren't nearly as coveted as My Beauty Diary or Missha, but these are quite affordable. I found these at my local Asian supermarket. I believe they were 10 for $8 CAD, which comes to about $0.80 CAD per mask. They're about $1 each on amazon.
Similar to the Missha masks, it is a thicker cotton. Also like the Missha masks, it has the extra flaps underneath the eyes.
I found that the cotton fibre wasn't as luxurious as Missha or My Beauty Diary -- the quality just wasn't the same. The liquid/essence was more liquidy and dried more tacky.
After using it, my skin felt temporarily hydrated, but not significantly.
I'm not going to review them individually, because unfortunately, I think I'm allergic to them. I would get 2-3 itchy red marks on my skin after taking it off.
I have super sensitive skin, so maybe your skin might not react to it.
---
MaskerAide:
This is a Canadian brand. Supposedly, it's formulated in Canada, but made in Korea
I received the Detox Diva one in my October 2012 Topbox (my post), and the Weather Warrior one in my March 2013 Topbox (my post).
MaskerAide claims to be:
paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil free, artificial fragrance free, benzophenone (supposedly what's killing coral reefs) free, no added pigments, vegan friendly, and eco friendly.
Topbox sells them in their shop. 4-packs for $19 CAD and a sampler 6-pack for $29 CAD. They're insanely expensive, at around $4.50 CAD per mask! Apparently, if you buy them individually, they're $4.99 CAD... what the heck.
They come folded, without any plastic sheet.
The masks are ginormous; even bigger than the Missha ones. They're more round, especially where it would lay on the cheeks. The Asian brand masks are more tapered at the sides.
The nose area is bigger and wider, too.
I actually find that they don't fit my face that well -- There's lots of folds and overlaps.
What I thought was weird was the liquid/essence in these MaskerAide masks -- It's thick, gloopy and white (unlike the clear watery liquid/essence in the Asian brand masks). The mask doesn't evaporate as quickly because of the thicker consistency.
Detox Diva:
- it's supposed to "minimize pores, absorb impurities and protect from toxins and free-radicals"
- supposedly, it contains natural gernanium oil (to calm), seaweed, green tea extracts, fruit extracts (to exfoliate and lift dead skin cells), argan oil, and honey
- barely noticeable cooling sensation
- it left my skin temporarily feeling soft and clean, without any tightness
- light scent, tiny hint of chemical scent
- you have to rinse this one off -- super tacky
Overall: MEH, underwhelmed. I wouldn't purchase, because they're flippin' expensive!
Weather Warrior:
- it's supposed to calm and moisturize your skin after exposure to the elements
- supposedly, it contains aloe, green tea, witch hazel, and argan oil
- barely noticeable cooling sensation
- it left my skin temporarily feeling soft and clean, without any tightness
- light scent, tiny hint of chemical scent
- you have to rinse this one off -- super tacky
Overall: MEH, underwhelmed. I wouldn't purchase, because they're flippin' expensive!
PHEW! OK, that's it...
Out of all of the sheet mask brands that I've tried thus far, My Beauty Diary is my favourite.
I hope this post has helped you in some way. Please let me know your experiences with sheet masks, or masks in general!
- M
I had no idea they sold face masks at H mart! I'm going there this week then and give their masks a try :) Totally agree about the maskeraid. more like raiding my wallet! $4.99.. totally not worth it . I might as well an expensive jar of serum that will last me at least 6 months than purchasing those $5 masks!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the share btw!
Grace
www.ouihui.blogspot.com
Let me know your experience with it :)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your opinion on the Maskeraide masks! So pricy compared to the way better Asian ones out there!
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather spend $7 on 4-time-use lush fresh face mask than $5 on a single use Maskeraide mask.
ReplyDelete