Nature Republic Rose, Rice, Shea

"By Nature", no annoying overpowering smell, sheet is not too thick nor thin and they are affordable: readers, here I go again with sheet masks.

Nature Republic is one of the korean brands that I knew when I was just starting to blog and also when the kpop started to boom in my country.  It's one of the brands that offer skincare and make-up at an affordable price.  It's been a while since I visited one of its shop but when I do, I usually buy a tub or two of the aloe gel and masks sheets for the quality is quite good considering it's price.

With the still old packaging, rice variant always have a spot on my sheet masks world because of it's brightening promise (if you're wondering why, well I have pale skin and some brightening is quite welcome) and this one from Nature Republic didn't fail to deliver.  The milky essence have a little alcohol smell to it but I guess Nature Republic improved this area because the rose hip and shea variant almost have no trace of alcohol (but I sniff close and hard just to smell the very faint alcohol smell, but if I don't put that extra effort then I really can't tell that they have alcohol in the ingredient list).

The Rose Hip has more oily finish than the rice.  Other bloggers say that this variant whitens their skin (but I'm not a fan of whitening products and when I bought this, rose hip is making some noise so I got curious).  It does smoothen my face in the sense that it moisturizes my skin and leaves my skin with this slightly oily "film"/"layer" that fills the unevenness of my skin.  Firmness, in my opinion can be achieved after a lot of usage just like doing yoga and exercising for a period of time for the body to be toned and firm.

Lastly, the Shea Butter which seems very weird to me because it reminds me of the body butter that I apply on the driest part of my body: very heavy and sticky.  Fortunately, it's not that heavy as I expected but needs a lot of massaging and time before my skin absorbs the essence.  Moisturization is not that heavy but I don't have to apply cream or emulsion the next day so I guess it's promise of "increasing skin's moisture-retention level" is true.

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Etude House Vitamin Face Masks

Different kinds of vitamins is essential to ones being.  So why not also put them on the face?  Here are three sheet masks from Etude House with different kinds of vitamins as essence.

Etude House Essence Masks in Vitamin E, C and A
Regular price: P58/ around $1
Links/Websites:  Etude House Philippines/ Etude House Global/ Etude House Philippines facebook page

I find that these combo of sheet masks are perfect:  Vitamin E for nourishment, Vitamin C for brightening and Vitamin A for skin tightening.

Vitamin E Essence Mask Sheet is formulated with Vitamin E and rich essence for skin protecting care.  This one is very moisturizing that even if I didn't moisturize my skin the day after I use it, my skin is still soft and smooth and well, moisturize.  Among the 3 this is my favorite.

Next is the Vitamin C Mask Sheet which is formulated with Vitamin C and rich essence for skin brightening care.  This one is sticky so I went back to my old habit of refrigerating my mask before using which somehow helped in reducing the stickiness.  This is also a bit moisturizing and brightening but continuous use is needed in order to see maximum result.

Same goes with Vitamin A Mask Sheet which is formulated with (can you guess what?) Vitamin A and rich essence for tightening care.  This has a "funny" smell, I actually can't explain or understand the concoction.  The effect is not very noticeable but my pores shrunk a little and again, continuous is needed to see the amazing result of skin tightening which can prevent wrinkles :D

If you want to know more about this vitamins, you can read this link that I found while browsing for some description.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Innisfree It's Real Sheet Masks in Acai, Adlay and Bamboo

I'm on the last three of the many sheet masks that I have from Innisfree and so far, the rice variant is still my favorite.  However, these three are good enough that if ever someone asks me what brand of sheet masks would I recommend that is affordable, I would definitely say Innisfree.  I'm hearing that My Beauty Diary and Leaders Insolution are the best and I haven't tried them but they are much pricier than Innisfree.

Innisfree It's Real Mask in Acai Berry, Adlay and Bamboo
got them for P35 each/around $.80

These three masks are surprisingly do not have much of the alcohol smell and do not have sticky and heavy feeling when the sheet is removed from the skin that I've been complaining with most of the Innisfree masks that I tried.

It's Real Acai Berry is the most moisturizing and nourishing among this three and is probably the lighter version of the rice variant.  It has this fruity lovely smell that I just love and the milky essence just sinks in to my skin.  For those with combi to normal skin (the rice variant is still the best for those with dry skin type in my opinion but this will be perfect on summer hot days) type of skin that wanted a nice moisturization and a little nourishing, brightening and moist effect, I think you'll like this.

It's Real Adlay has this clean and crisp smell with a clear a bit oily but not too heavy essence.  This one is more on the softening of the skin side rather than moisturization.  Again more recommended to those with combi to dry skin type.  Don't worry oily skin type peeps, I think bamboo is the variant for you.

It's Real Bamboo weirds me at first but looking into all the masks that I tried, it immediately dawns into me that it's not weird at all (snail, bee, snake are much weirder right?).  This one has the lightest essence, smell and it's definitely not heavy...it's like it has moisturizing water that refreshes the skin so it makes me think that it's perfect for those with oily skin.

In my last Innisfree masks post, I said I would try to find the meaning of the color of the circles in the packaging of the mask sheets right?  Well, I run out of luck and couldn't find it no matter what I do but www.yesstyle.com seem to have most of the description of Innisfree masks (no I'm not paid or is affiliated to yesstyle to mention the site here, it is just where I found the description of these masks).

So far, the Rice variant is still the best that I tried second would be the Acai Berry and the least would have to be Lemonlime.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Here Goes the Innisfree Masks Again

Ughh I'm having a terrible headache and the only solution to this sickness is ICE CREAM :P  But sheet masks once in a while is also good.

I just used the rice variant yesterday and my skin looks brighter.  Anyway, here are the 3 Innisfree It's Real Masks that I used this week.

Innisfree It's Real Masks in Lemonlime, Rice and Kiwi

The greatest from this batch is the rice variant which reminds me of the Shiseido White Lucent Power Brightening Mask which is simply amazing but it's out of my budget  so this one from Innisfree is perfect for me.  It has the same milky essence, almost have the same smell and the same effect.

Innisfree It's Real Rice Mask is moisturizing, brightening and makes the skin glowing.  The essence is heavy and a bit oily when I removed the sheet and needs a lot of massaging for my skin to fully absorbed the essence but the extra effort is worth it because I don't need to put the rest of my skincare products and because of the effects that I just mentioned.  Also, this mask has the flap in the eye area as shown in the websites so I'm wondering if the rest of the Innisfree masks that I have are fake (I hope not, please >_<).  Got this variant from an ebay seller named bhappywithme at around P45 or more or less $1.

It seems like my face have a hate relationship with citrus variant sheet masks and the Lemonlime is not an exception.  Innisfree It's Real Lemonlime Mask has this oily essence that is not pleasant to the face and at the same time it has an overpowering alcohol smell.  Didn't enjoy my moment of relaxation with this mask and it really didn't do anything significant to the well being of my skin (ahahaha that made me laugh) which is good in the sense that citrus-flavored mask gives me zits or minor breakouts but still disappointed me with it's overall performance.

And lastly, we have the Kiwi variant.  Innisfree It's Real Gold Kiwi Mask is okay...just your ordinary sheet mask that moisturizes the skin.  Like the Lemonlime, this one also has this oily heavy essence with a bit of an alcohol smell but not as much like the Lemonlime or the smell you get from a 70% solution rubbing alcohol.

Both the Lemonlime and the Gold Kiwi doesn't have the flap on the eye area which makes me wonder if these two are fake, anyway got them for P35 each (that's around P.80) and I will not mention where I got them.  I also didn't bother bother to type the descriptions in the packaging since they are all the same but I read before and forgot where I read it that the color of the circle in the packaging indicates what category does the sheet mask belongs to like for gray it's brightening.  I'm still trying to find it, maybe will just post it to my next Innisfree masks review (I still have 3 left from the brand).

From this batch, The Innisfree It's Real Rice Mask is the clear winner.  I hope the Innisfree in GMarket will go on sale again.  Will definitely ask Bae Lu to order this particluar variant for me.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Mizon Peptide and Vitamin C Sheet Mask

I've been neglecting my mask sheets again lately.  But I promised my stressed face that I; Arya De Guzman, will use mask sheets/sheet masks for the weeks to come as often as I can (ewan ko sa sarili ko ano na naman kaya nakain ko?)

Adorable packaging I say, I wanted to hang these masks on a line and just grab them whenever I want.  Oh by the way, I just watch The Hunger Games - Catching Fire and way way better than the first installment.

Mizon Original Skin Energy Ampoule Essential Sheet Mask in Peptide and Vitamin C
Got them from Hipstyle by kat Assuncion, forgot the exact price but it's under P40 ($1)

The sheet and the amount and consistency of the essence is the same with the Hyaluronic variant which I already posted in Mizon Ampoule Essential Sheet Mask Hyaluronic Acid.  I have to mention again that the mask that I have from Mizon dries up so quickly as in in just 15 minutes.

The first that I used from the two is the Vitamin C variant.  I'm never been impressed with mask with vitamin c ingredient like lemon or orange for two main reasons:  the smell and either do nothing or breaks me out.  This one from Mizon is on the "do nothing" side.  Well at least it helps me relax a bit before going to sleep but overall I can't say anything good or bad about this mask.

By the way I'm munching on the goodies that I got from our company's "Christmas Basket", it's actually in a bag not in a basket and I'm also watching Vlogmas from essiebuttonvlogs which reminds me that I should already put on my Christmas spirit (I hope it would happen any moment next week).

Mizon Ampoule Essential Sheet Mask Vitamin C

Next is something new for me, it's the Peptide variant.  It says in the description that peptide promotes elastin and collagen growth and removes oxygen free radical and it is highly effective for skin elasticity.  Well I don't know how will these wonders take effect in just one use of a mask but this variant actually made my face well moisturize and soft (that's all I can say).

Mizon Ampoule Essential Sheet Peptide

I guess I stored these masks too long in  my cabinet that I can't feel their full potential.  These #Mizon mask actually have new packaging when I check them out in GMarket and I hope that they will work better because these are quite cheap if bought in bulk.  Anyway, I'm still thankful that I tried them and help me relax even if it's just for a couple of minutes.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Innisfree It's Real Avocado Mask

Ahh avocado, one of my favorite fruit in the world especially when turned into a fruitshake:  sweet, creamy, yummy, refreshing and filling it brings back memories of childhood (we used to have avocado in our front yard before) and of Ka Lui in Palawan which is 3 years...holy guacamole, that's been a long time.  I must find a real avocado but for now I'll settle with this avocado mask.

Innisfree It's Real Avocado Mask
with avocado and green complex
950 won in GMarket/around $1 in ebay/got it for P35 from kkochi pida

The description in front is the same with other variants and at the back of the packaging everything is in Korean so I made a short search and it says that this mask nourishing and moisturizing so by the time I used the mask, I told myself "Ahhh this is perfect, my face is drier and paler than normal".

no translation

Now the scent kind of disappointed me: it has a faint alcohol plus there's no avocado smell to it, but the silky sheet compensated it.  It's a bit thin though so harsh tagging and pulling can tear the mask.  Mine got a tear when I tried to perfectly fit it in my face.  Yeah, got a little trouble fitting it especially in the nose and cheeks area but the cuts help plus the thinness and silkyness also helped in making the mask stay in place on my face for an hour.

thin and silky, just almost the way I wanted it

The essence; surprisingly, is more like an emulsion/face lotion - it's white and creamy and it's plenty that I had enough left to be use for 3 days.  After an hour, I removed the sheet mask and I hated what I saw in the mirror:  oily face.  It's not super sticky and heavy though so I let it on my face, got some sleep and when I woke up I made the right decision of not washing my face after removing the mask sheet because my face looks healthy.  I know I over used in this blog words like smooth and soft but seriously among all the masks that I tried, Innisfree mask made my skin at it's most smooth and soft state.  My pores got a little smaller too and the effect lasted for 3 days (actually I'm still counting and I think it would last up to 5 days).  Now for the full description, here's what I found from Yesstyle:

"Highly moisturizing facial mask is packed with protein and moisture-enriched avocado essence that feeds skin with nutrients for more softness and vibrancy after every use. For best results, use mask on cleansed face and leave mask on for 10-15 minutes. After removing, massage in remaining essence and follow with a moisturizer if needed. Recommended for normal to dry skin types." -www.yesstyle.com

Avocado for the skin?  According to Reader's Digest, avocado can hydrate parch skin.  It helps prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails because it's a good source of biotin.

I skipped the moisturizer by the way.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Watsons Rose Water Facial Mask

I'm back.  After attempting to write in a notebook or computer, I finally able to write a post.  Been sick, tired and stressed for the whole week for an unknown reason, are you experiencing it too?

Okay so this post is just about the Watsons mask that I bought for only P29 (around $.70).  Hooray for P10   off (cheapskate alert!) so even if I know what Watsons mask essence is sticky, I still manage to grab 2.  One of them is this Rose Water.

Watsons Facial Mask with rose water and natural plant extracts
Revitalising and Moisturising
P39 original price got it for P29

I pick this variant because an article about how relaxing rose water is.  Also search some of the benefits and here's a portion of an article from http://www.holistichealthherbalist.com

"Rose as an herb is very cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory, and astringent…the perfect recipe for those suffering from acne. Apply it to red, hot to the touch, blemished areas for a calming effect. The best method is to spray it on directly.

"Rose water is also quite antiseptic, so acne causing bacteria don’t stand a chance with regular use as a natural skin toner.  It’s properties benefit sensitive, irritated, dry, and even oily skin complexions by controlling sebum production. Rose water even balances the skin’s PH levels and tightens pores making them appear smaller."-www.holistichealthherbalist.com

the 9 cuts didn't help a lot

Upon opening, I can smell the relaxing smell of rose water but don't worry it's nothing too flowery.  One thing that I don't like though is the fit of the sheet mask.  It's too small especially on the eye area, I only have to half open my eyes.  It's a little short on the jaw area too nut since it's pack with so much essence, I just put the excess in the not so covered areas of my face.  Enough bullying of the sheet mask and start praising how thick and nice it's texture- it's not irritating and cannot be easily thorn.

Since I put the mask in the freezer I feel the instant freshness (hot weather=hot face=the need for cold stuff). I also did a little massaging using the mask prior to opening it because the essence frost and the massaging part helped in fast defrosting plus my face relaxed a little.

30 ml of essence

Funny how Watsons emphasize where the mask is made now.  I believe it wasn't there before, just saying.  Going back to the essence; as expected, it's a sticky and a little slimy so for those who don't want to have the heavy feeling caused by the sticky essence then splash some water after use.  As for me, I just pat the excess essence and surprise it made my skin look refreshed.  When I woke up (I used mask before sleeping but don't leave it on for the whole nappy time) another surprise!  my skin look fairer to the point that I think it lighten my freckles and it seems like I wore a bb cream with a volumer or something that makes my skin look naturally matted but has shine (the pleasant kind of shine.  The effect is only good for a day though.

how to use + ingredients and other stuff that you might want to know

Not bad for a P29 or less than a dollar mask right?

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

TheFaceShop Lemon and Rice Mask

As a continuation of the brightening and Vitamin C series, here's two TheFaceShop masks that I used for the past 3 weeks.

TheFaceShop Real Nature Mask Lemon
A brightening mask sheet containing fresh lemon extract bursting with vitamin c to densely penetrate the skin and brighten dull skin tone while maintaining its translucence

I'm afraid of lemon masks as they one:  remind me of car fresheners that are unpleasant to the nose and two:  a pimple will surely appear the day after used.  This one is an exception:  though it didn't brighten my skin, the smell and lightness of it's essence is refreshing that it puts me to a quick nap (a first for me!).  No pimple outbreak too so this mask for me is perfect for relaxation purposes.

TheFaceShop Real Nature Mask Rice
An exfoliationg/complexion improvement mask sheet to smoothen and brighten dull and rough skin

extract grounded from quality rice 1,000ppm contained
I know what what kind rice was used

Wow, my phome camera can take decent photos (hooray!).  Going back to the mask, among the  ones that I tried from TheFaceShop, so far (I syill have raspberry and pumpkin to try) this is my favorite.  Though  the smell has tiny bit hint of alcohol, the nice clean, a little flowery smell of the essence overpowers it.  This too put me into a quick nap.  I do not know how will this mask exfoliate skin (and I don't expect any exfoliation to happen) but it does really smoothen and brighten dull and rough skin.  My face is glowing after I removed the sheet and the glow stays even after I washed.  Too bad there's only one piece of this rice mask in the 20pieces in a pack that I bought last year (but will have to buy some when I got to Korea hopefully next year!)

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Etude House Natural Mask Pearl

This is the first time that I will be posting a face mask from Etude House simply because it's my first time to use one, thanks to all the online sellers since physical stores of Etude House in the Philippines always run out of face mask, Pearl variant in particular which I used last weekend.  This is perfect for my skin since I have a dull one

Etude House Natural Mask (Pearl)
Essence mask contains pearl extract that promotes natural skin glow.  Tension fit design for improved facial adhesion and comfot
1000mg of essence
P58

I love the matted packaging and find the cartoons pulling  and holding the pearl a little funny.
The sheet mask has a medium thickness and doesn't tear easily.  It's a little short on the chin area though but other than that, it fits my face alright (those with big/matangos nose may have a little problem with the nose area of the mask, I have a small nose by the way).

only have 2 cuts

The essence of the Etude House Pearl Mask is so light it's almost like water but when I applied the excess essence, my face feels sticky.  It has also a light pleasant smell and it's white in color with some small pearly glitter particles when applied to the skin.  I am so happy at how this mask instantly brighten my face after 45 minutes (yeah, I let the mask stay on my face for nore than the recommended time which is 20 to 30 minutes) and when I woke up the following day (I use masks before I got to bed), the glow in my face remains and my skin is smoother.

I'm not just okay that it opened up my pores in the cheek area (I must really buy a closing pore serum) but overall it's a good refreshing and brightening mask.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!