Showing posts with label face masks
Since I was a little girl I always loved face masks. I'd always beg my mom to let me get a Freeman mask from the drugstore and whenever she obliged, I was obsessed with doing them a few times a week.

When I think about that, it's no surprise that I turned out to be a beauty blogger and work in the beauty industry.

That being said, face masks are definitely one of my favorite skincare products and probably my top 5 favorite beauty products ever. There is something so calming about laying in bed with a face mask on your skin and being able to fully relax while also helping your skin heal.

Nowadays there are face masks for pretty much every skincare concern you could imagine. Maybe it's not technically a skincare concern but you taking a preventative measure like using an anti-pollution or anti-aging face mask.

I have dry, sensitive skin so I do use face masks that cater to those concerns but I also love a great pore removing/detox mask. I don't discriminate against face masks -- I love all kinds!

I've been testing more and more face masks out and figured I'd round up my current favorites/most used/most repurchased. These masks will all fall within one of those categories.

*I am sticking to face masks -- not hands, eyes, feet, etc.



1. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask: This is a new mask that I only got a few weeks ago but I've never used a mask so much! I've used it every week, at least 1-2 times since I got it and I'm obsessed. I notice a slight difference in my skin but ultimately it feels really great on your skin. The effect afterward is even better -- the cooling and minty sensation on your face when you remove the mask makes it well worth it.

2. Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask: I've had this mask for a few years and oh my goodness, this is the best face mask ever. It removes all the gunk from your skin while leaving it smooth and refreshed. Whenever I want to do a face mask but I'm not sure which one I want to do, this is my go-to. It's a mask that I 100% will repurchase when I'm done with it because it's something that I simply cannot be without.

3. Fresh Rose Face Mask: This is my ultimate hydration mask. Whenever my skin needs a tall glass of water, I ultimately go to this one. It's a very lightweight mask that has rose petals mixed into it (which is divine and makes for a great masking experience) and truly leaves your skin smooth and supple. It's much more than a mask -- I feel like it's a toner and lightweight moisturizer all in one. It's incredible and I highly recommend picking this up!

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: This is a mask/treatment that has gone viral and is in many people's holy grail baskets. Well, it is THAT good! Drunk Elephant is bringing serious skincare into your home, without the help of a doctor and in perfectly beautiful Instagram worthy packaging. They've basically given us all the gift of a facial in a bottle -- and it's a facial that exfoliates and resurfaces the skin with the use of AHA and BHA, two important skincare ingredients that I recommend doing research on. My skin looks incredible after using this and I have to really limit myself because you shouldn't be using this more than 1-2 times a week.

5. Hey, Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask: I was on the hunt for a fun peel off mask that worked and I found it! This mask from Hey Honey is equally as fun to put on, peel off, and leaves your skin looking baby smooth. It exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells and blackheads and leaves your face brighter, smoother, and softer. It's such a good mask and great for all skin types. I highly recommend!

What are your favorite face masks right now? If you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments! 
xoxo
B
Self-care was a buzzword last year and it has continued well into 2018. To me, the definition of self-care is simple: it's doing what you need to do to care for yourself, to make sure you're in the best mental state.

Self-care could be saying no to going out on Saturday night, it could be going to the gym to clear your head, or simply having a cup of tea and reading a book. Self-care is taking care of yourself first, whether that is mental, physical, or emotion.

Self-care can be defined differently for everyone based on your interests and what eases you. When I'm in need of self-care, I light a few candles, stay off the computer, do a face mask and watch my favorite TV show.

Maybe if I'm feeling anxious, I'll go to the gym, come home and read a book. The possibilities are truly endless with self-care.

Since self-care and wellness have become their own industry, other industries have been cashing in on the buzz as well. That includes the beauty industry...

While I don't think these are marketed as self-care beauty items, I definitely classify them as that. I use them when I need a pick me up, or just need to better myself.



1. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Mask: I have been intrigued by this mask since it came on the scene and I bought it last week. I've used it about 3 times since then and I'm in love. To me, it's the definition of a self-care mask because it's tingly, a gorgeous blue color, and it shows results -- my pores looked tighter after use and my skin looked more fresh & clear. Last week I was having an off day so I decided to take time with my skincare routine and apply this mask. Adding a few extra minutes of relaxation time was key and this mask was a huge factor in it. It also leaves a minty feeling on your skin afterward which I love!

2. AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner: Ever want to pamper yourself or just give yourself an extra luxurious feeling? That's when I use the AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner. Something about the packaging mixed with the rose scent and the balmy texture of this product makes me feel like a million bucks.

3. Jade Roller: Jade rolling is all the rage nowadays and I've had mine for a few months. However, I didn't spend $40+ on it; I bought the Jade Roller from Amazon for around $8 and it works just as well. It's naturally cool so when you roll it on your face, you get that icy feeling which contributes to the depuffing that Jade Rolling does. There's also something very relaxing about giving yourself a little face massage when you're feeling stressed.

4. Clean and Clear Night Relaxing Jelly Eye Sheet Mask: When I received this product for PR a few months back I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it. The point of this mask is pure relaxation; it covers the upper half of your face and eyes where stress and sleepiness show the most. It also has seaweed extract to help replenish and nourish the skin. Whenever I need some help falling asleep or just need to really relax and recharge, I throw this mask on, close my bedroom door, light a candle and diffuse some oil and just close my eyes. It is so refreshing and probably the most relaxing beauty product I have in my collection. I simply cannot get enough and highly recommend for everyone!

5. Josie Maran Argan Oil: Whenever I want to take my time with my skincare routine to give myself an extra boost of self-care, I reach for an oil -- specifically the OG Argan Oil. It seeps into the skin immediately, feels incredible when applying it and leaves your face glowing. I'm obsessed and want to slather this all over my body (which I sometimes do!)

6. LUSH Sleepy Lotion: Whenever I need to really relax, get a good nights sleep or even just wind down, this lavender scented lotion is my go-to. It's super moisturizing, very relaxing, and the scent is just divine. I highly recommend to everyone!!

What are your self-care beauty items?
xoxo
B


My skin has not been in the best shape the past few weeks. I've been super dry and had some weird allergic reactions to a few things (I think a Charlotte Tilbury eye cream was to blame) so I've been really trying to get everything back to normal.

About a month ago I noticed that I felt super dry, everywhere. My mouth, nose, hands, cuticles, face, and body were just completely parched. I drink my weight in water each other (it's the only thing I drink) so something had to be done.

I've been in a huge beauty funk; I wasn't really taking care of my skin and I wasn't feeling any of my makeup and I was just over it. Within the past 2-3 weeks, I've hit a reset button and makeup/beauty is all I want to do.



It worked out well because I've kind of amped up my skincare routine, or at least started using some products a little more strategically.



1. Neutrogena Skincare: About a month ago I did a sponsored post on Instagram with Neutrogena. They sent me their Hydroboost line and holy hell, I've been obsessed. I've been out of the drugstore game for a while but this pulled me in. My three favorite products have been the Cleansing Lotion, Exfoliating Cleanser, and Multi-Vitamin Booster.

I love a good cleansing oil but this cleansing lotion is not as emollient as a cleansing oil and has a much better consistency in my opinion. It's gentle but removes all my makeup like a dream.

The Exfoliating Cleanser is also super gentle but it doesn't dry out my skin like some exfoliators can; it has tiny beads that aren't too rough and also has a great gel-like consistency. It deep cleans my skin and leaves it feeling fresh and hydrated.

Finally, the multi-vitamin booster serum has been great to lather on at night when my skin needs an extra boost. I haven't noticed a huge difference when I use it but I like to incorporate some kind of serum into the routine and this has been a great addition.

2. Tatcha Violet C Radiance Mask: I don't think this can really count since I used it once, and it was a foil packet sample but holy crap, I'm buying the full size. My skin was feeling very discolored, uneven, and blotchy last weekend and I was fed up with it. I knew this mask had amazing reviews and I knew I had a sample of it. I slathered the violet mask on, left it on for 15 minutes and was stunned at the results. My skin looked totally different; a lot of the spots were gone and my skin looked brighter. The results have lasted almost a week later. I am stunned at the magic that is in this mask and I need more of it. I have never seen a skincare item act so fast and so well.



3. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask: If you have seen my Instagram post, you know I've fallen in love with the latest social media beauty craze. Star influencer Mariann Hewitt launched her brand Summer Fridays a few weeks ago and the first product is this Jet Lag Mask. It's very aesthetically pleasing in terms of packaging and is perfect in the formula. It's made to be a mask that will hydrate your parched and ragged skin, two things that happen to your skin when you're constantly flying and feeling jet lagged (get the name?). A special thing about this mask is that it is a white cream but doesn't look like a regular face mask when applied on your skin. It's basically clear or looks like a regular moisturizer. Since receiving it a few weeks ago from Sephora, I haven't used it as a mask. I use this nightly as a night cream, after my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil or the Neutrogena Serum. I wake up and my skin looks healthier, plumper, and just better all around. I never, ever want to be without this mask.

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: I might've mentioned this once before, either in a video or in an old blog post but I've been thoroughly enjoying this mask lately. It's like a reset button for my face and I put it on whenever I feel like I need to even my face out, or when I just need to get rid of dead skin cells. There is a reason it's so popular and it's because it really works. Similar to the Tatcha mask, I see immediate results, like I actually went and got a facial, after I use it. It's expensive AF but if you could get the mini size like I did, I recommend it!


What are your current favorite skincare products?
xoxo
B

I've spoken time and time again about how my makeup purchasing has decreased, but I've been more obsessed with trying skincare.

Skincare is having a major moment and it's not going away in 2018; one of the biggest trends you're going to see is skincare as makeup. That means more natural finishes, more radiance, more hydration, and just more natural beauty. I for one am excited about this because I love a good trend and I'm ready for some new stuff!

Now, this post isn't necessarily about skincare but it is about masks. I'm not talking about face masks or sheet masks, I'm talking about nonface masks.

There are masks for everything now, for every part of your body and for every concern. I love a good nonface mask and I've tried my fair share. I think I love the 'gimmick' but just as you take extra care of your face, you need to take extra care of other parts of your skin/body as well.

I've tried my fair share of all different types and I've come up with these as my current favorites.



1. Skyn Iceland Eye Masks: I've tried so many eye masks but I always go back to these. They're soft, smooth, and very cooling. They don't tug on the skin and don't slip or slide all over the place. They are the perfect undereye mask and I don't know if I'll ever be able to try anything else.

2. Sephora Lip Masks: Sephora Collection is sneakily becoming one of my favorite brands and I love their lip masks. They're inexpensive, easy to use, and makes your lips super soft. I always make sure I have at least one on hand.

3. Patchology Lip Masks: In the same breath, I love the Patchology lip masks too. They're gel masks that fit on your lips perfectly and feel really nice on your lips. My lips feel very soft and smooth after using these! I don't think these are better or worse than the Sephora ones but just different in texture.

4. Sephora Collection Hair Masks: I bought one of these masks on a whim and used it one random night when I knew I had to wash my hair in the morning. OMG I was stunned. I've never used a hair product that made such a quick and noticeable difference. After using the rose mask, my hair was softer, shinier and easier to style. I need everyone to try one of these, ASAP.

5. Nails Inc Overnight Detox Mask: I wouldn't forget your nails, would I? I love a good at home manicure and probably get a salon manicure 1-2 times a year. This overnight detox mask has really helped my nail growth and strength. Every so often I'll take my nail polish off, let this sink in overnight and then repaint in the morning. It's nice to give my nails a breather

6. Sephora Collection Foot Mask: TMI but I have really terrible feet. They're always dry, cracked, and just gross. I do my best to take care of them with the Emjoi Micro Pedi but sometimes I need extra help and these Sephora foot masks are the ticket. They leave my feet so soft it's actually insane. After using one of these, my feet feel like a baby's butt.

What are your favorite non face masks?
xoxo
B
These products were sent to me in exchange for a review but all opinions are my own

Last week, while traveling to Florida for work, my skin took a beating. The moment I walked off the plane, my skin freaked out and I broke out everywhere. My skin was dry, sensitive, and so red. I had to wear full coverage foundation and concealer on the entire time (you can find them here & here).

I never break out... I mean NEVER. If anything, I have a hormonal zit every now and again but nothing like this. I've always known that flying can do messed up things to your skin, and I've experienced the occasional dryness but nothing like this. I owe to my stress and the fact that I went from 50-60 degree weather in NYC to 80 degrees in less than 3 hours.
While I was in my hotel room, I just felt like my skin was crying and desperate for something to help it. I was so thrilled that I had received these When face masks before I left on my trip. I've tried only one or two When face masks before but never the TravelMate and I always wanted an excuse to.

When was launched in July 2011 and they haven't expanded out of face masks, but why fix something that isn't broken? They're based in Korea and pride themselves of providing great skincare to customers who have multiple roles in life, and need a quick fix for their skin.

The face masks that When carries are sheet makes that are made from bio-cellulose and are much more powerful than regular paper sheet makes.



I can feel the difference; I've used a lot of sheet masks and I think When are my favorite. I love the packaging, I love how they feel on my face, I love how they make my face feel. These aren't filled with so much product that it's uncomfortable while wearing, or slipping and sliding all over the place. It has just the right amount of product to feel like your skin is being nourished, but not overkill.

I used the Travelmate face mask while in Florida and it's supposed to refresh and renew your skin after being exposed to the sun, wind, and dry air. It hydrates the skin, restores moisture, and is made from coconut juice. All of that combined makes for a great face mask.

After applying it, my face did feel a lot better. It didn't clear my breakouts (I'm still dealing with them) but it made my skin feel alive again.

I haven't used the Last Choice face mask but it's supposed to hydrate your very thirsty, dehydrated skin. This will definitely come in handy!

I'll probably do another round up of my favorite sheet masks but these are definitely up there. I love how there are different masks for different uses--it's not just hydrating or for acne prone skin, they're unique and a little kitchty but I love that!

What are your favorite face masks?

PS: I apologize for two "sponsored" posts in a row but my editorial calendar has moved around a lot and I needed to get them in! 




There has been a recent trend in skincare and that is the bubble mask. Not many brands have them, I've only seen ELF & Sephora, and judging by the title of this blog post, you know which one I've tried out.

I'm a sucker for a good mask. I just want all the masks because I find them so relaxing and interesting. I recently bought this hand mask from Sephora and this lip mask. How cool does a sheet lip mask look? I just need to try everything and I think that's the problem with my shopping habit. Whenever there is something new, I need it immediately.

That's kind of what happened with this bubble mask. I saw it on Sephora's website and immediately put it in my favorites. The ELF one has been sold out for months and I just couldn't stop wondering about a bubble mask.




I've seen a few reviews on the ELF one and they say that it's very tingling and kind of foams up and disappears on its own. It was very intriguing. 

This mask says that it eliminates impurities and has a detoxifying feature, which leaves your dull and tired skin very renewed and refreshed. It's supposed to suck out all your impurities and the pollutions in your skin.

I love anything that removes impurities so when the VIB sale was around a few weeks ago, I bought this immediately.

I decided to try it out last week before I took my Florida work trip and I was pleasantly surprised by the result of the mask.


I applied it with a brush (just a flat foundation brush) and it feels a little foamy one applied. After about 30-45 seconds, it starts to tingle and fizz and you feel it on your face. I watched in the mirror while this was happening and I actually saw the mask transforming. 

It was SO COOL and unlike anything I've ever seen. I was in awe.

It foamed up really big and I felt like it was going to slide off my face, which it didn't, but all the while, the mask was still fizzing and bubbling up. 




After about 3-5 minutes, the mask started to disappear. It literally disappeared right off my face. I was so confused and so intrigued. After it got to a weird point of half the mask being on, and half of it being off, I just washed it off my face.

I will say that the mask didn't make my face feel incredible. It wasn't the best face mask I've ever used and it did leave my skin slightly tacky but my goodness, the experience alone is incredible. I will continue to use this mask and I'll probably continue to watch in awe as it bubbles up and disappears off my face.

Have you ever tried a bubble mask? What was your experience?




It feels like every day my beauty collection grows and grows. As I've said before, I'm starting to get overwhelmed with everything but I'm always swapping things out and giving things away to family and friends.

There is one product that I will never ever part with and I'm so happy I finally jumped on the band wagon.

GlamGlow has always be known for their face masks and skincare. They popped up in the beauty world a few years ago and since then, have blown up. They've won every beauty award you could think of and within good right. Their products are amazing.

GlamGlow started out with just face masks but they've expanded into cleansers and lip treatments as well. I've only tried two of the face masks and one of their eye treatments but I'm hoping to get into more products soon. GlamGlow is nice because they have different masks and cleansers for everyone and every skin type. If your skin is dry, they have a mask for that; if your skin is oily, there is a mask for that. You can even multi mask, which is putting two different masks on at the same time, in different areas of your face.

There is one downside of GlamGlow though; the products are also very expensive. $69 for a face mask is way to pricey for me and for the average person, but I can see why someone would spend that much, it's definitely worth it. The good news is that you don't have to pay $69 for the face masks because at Sephora, the brand has released mini sized masks and cleansers which are a fraction of the price. You may go through them faster but it's better to spend $20 at once than $70.

Last winter when my skin was freaking out, I tried the GlamGlow ThirstyMud (in the blue jar) because it's for deeply dry skin and helps hydrate. I haven't used this much, just a few times, and it's not like a typical mask. It shows up clear on your skin and really moisturizes it. I've heard people use this as an overnight mask or moisturizer. I haven't tried that yet but it's definitely a great alternative use.




The mask that is probably most famous is the one in the white jar, and the one I have a full size of. Don't worry, I didn't pay full price. If you remember reading my Beauty To Know post on BeautyKind, you know that I got the Supermud Clearing Treatment with a coupon code.

The SuperMud is supposed to clear your skin and rid it of any impurities. It brings everything to the surface and gets rid of all the dirt inside your pores. It's actually kind of fascinating.  The mask is a dark grey color but when you apply it to your face and let it dry, it turns light grey. You could actually see your pores clearing out. It's so weird and so cool.

The mask tingles a little bit and has a very minty smell and you could feel it working as the color turns. My skin feels like a baby's bottom when I wash the mask off and it just feels a lot smoother and cleaner.

I was having issues with blackheads and whiteheads a few weeks back and I used the SuperMud mask once a week to help clear my skin and it worked wonders.

Whenever I run out of this mask, I will for sure be purchasing the smaller size from Sephora.

If you're in need of a truly amazing face mask, try GlamGlow. If you're looking to splurge, try one of their gift sets or get the smaller $20 size. You surely won't regret it -- there is a reason these are so raved about!

Have you ever tried GlamGlow? What did you think?


I am officially going on a No Buy November just because of the past few days. I've shopped a lot this
month but I think this weekend takes the cake. Between a Bath & Body Works Haul, some J.Crew shopping, and these three Sephora hauls (and hopefully one more today when the Champagne Glow Palette comes out).

But really, I don't know what came over me this weekend. There were just some things I needed at Sephora, and then some free gifts I wanted and some little trinkets I wanted and had my eye on for a while.

I prefer shopping online at Sephora because I get completely overwhelmed by the store. I am also more likely to put things away when I'm walking around the store and have time to think about all the money I'm spending. But probably the thing I love most about shopping online at Sephora are all the free gifts you can get.

I usually always spend $25 or more so I get deluxe size samples using special codes I find on the Sephora mobile app or on RetailMeNot. This is a great way to try new products or get some extra goodies in your order. 

Also online there seems to be a lot more reward samples that you can redeem rather than in store, and of course, there are the 3 free samples that you can redeem at checkout no matter the price point of your order.

With all that out of the way, I got a lot of stuff between my purchases and free goodies and it's overwhelming but exciting. I really have a makeup/beauty/skincare problem but I don't care -- I love trying new products and reviewing them.



My original purchases that I paid for are exciting and I can't wait to tell you about them!

Lolita Lip Duo: This was my latest purchase because I saw an article on Allure.com telling me that this was on sale. Kat Von D's famous Everlasting Lipstick Shade in Lolita is ALWAYS sold out and it's super frustrating. When I saw that there was a mini size of Lolita and the new shade Lolita II in a set, I didn't even hesitate to buy it. I haven't worn them on my lips yet but the shades are perfect for the season and I've only heard good things so I can't wait!

With this purchase, I redeemed a 100 point perk which was the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate, the famous "Hollywood 2 Minute Facial". I've always wanted to try this and I've been in an exfoliating mood so what better time to redeem this!



Shine Bright Statement Lash Essentials: This was definitely a splurge, impulse purchase. I have been wanting to try something from the Tarte holiday collection but nothing that has truly caught my eye, until I saw this little set for $20. I don't have an eyelash curler so why not buy this gorgeous, encrusted studded one that comes with a deluxe sample of a best selling mascara? I'm obsessed with the eyelash curler and have been using it the past few days -- it really curls my lashes and holds the curl, perfectly prepping my eyes for mascara. I haven't used the mascara yet because I have SO many open right now but I know I'll like this too.

Dr. Jart Pore Minimalist Mask: I wanted something else to buy with the Shine Bright Essentials to get a free deluxe sample and what better to buy than a face mask? I have used this mask before and I've felt like my skin needs all the pore minimizing it can get. The charcoal based mask makes all the difference in helping repair my skin and I'm waiting for a good night to use it and pamper myself.

With this purchase, I decided to get the belif Hungarian Water Essence serum. Belif is a Korean brand  that has all these amazing skincare products and I've been wanting to try them for a while. I used this the other day and it felt incredible on my skin. It was deeply hydrating and refreshing which is exactly what I want in my skincare.

Sephora Anti Fatigue & Energizing Eye Mask: I love these Sephora brand eye masks and I was running out. The Anti Fatigue mask is my favorite because I always feel like my skin needs it. I love these eye masks because they really do feel refreshing on the skin and make a little difference. It also feels like the highest stage of pampering and I love that!

Tarte Maracuja C Brightener Eye Treatment: This is the bad boy that started it all. I needed a new eye cream since I ran out of my Murad Renewing Eye Cream. I went on about this baby in my updated skincare routine in yesterday's post so I won't ramble but it's amazing.

Top to Bottom: Lolita, Lolita II, Bite Lipgloss, Bite Lipstick
I got the most goodies in this order since I redeemed a 250 point perk in the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in Kir Royale perk. Bite puts out these adorable little perk kits that come with deluxe samples of their Rogue Cream lipstick, lip gloss, and a mirror. I love Bite Beauty but only have tried a few of their products. I've been waiting for the right color lip lab trio to redeem and I thought this gorgeous plum shade was perfect. Bite is an all natural ingredient brand and I can appreciate a company that is thoughtful about their products. 

The final thing in my haul is a Bare Minerals First Class Fave Trio which was redeemed with my $25 purchase. I failed to mention previously that I'm a VIB Rogue which means I spent $350 in a calendar year so sometimes VIB and VIB Rogue members get special offers for free products and this Bare Minerals trio was one of them. It comes with a Lash Domination Mascara, a Lip Oil Balm, and a Mineral Veil Powder. Bare Minerals is another brand I really enjoy and have wanted to try more of and this was a great place to start. 

I haven't tried the lip oil balm or the mascara but the Mineral Veil is a great loose powder for setting my makeup and it really makes my makeup look even more put together.

Whew, that was a lot of makeup! I really like doing round up haul posts like this since I do so much shopping. Let me know if you'd like to see any more of these types of posts!

What was your last purchase(s) at Sephora? Tell me in the comments :) 


I had been meaning to make a trip to Lush for months, ever since my last one. Well, a few weeks ago I took it upon myself to take a solo trip to the mall. I was very proud that I was in and out in less than an hour. It's amazing how fast you can shop when you know what you want/need and when there is no one else with you to slow you down.

I stopped in LUSH as my second store of the day and probably spent the most time in there. I knew I wanted a face mask, and a few bath bombs and that's exactly what I got.

I got a bath bomb I got is Sex Bomb, and I also got a Bubble Bar (which I already used half) that I don't know the name of and can't seem to find on the LUSH website.



I've been addicted to face masks recently and knew I wanted one of the fresh LUSH ones. They have an expiration date, are freshly made, and need to be refrigerated.

I wanted to try the Cup o Coffee mask but my Lush didn't have that one. After looking at all the masks available, I figured the Brazened Honey Mask was best for me. It says it will revitalize tired skin, with herbs and spices, has ground almonds to polish, and honey to moisturize.





The expiration date on my mask is Sept 8th but I still have a hefty amount left after using it three times so I think I may go a little over the expiration date -- even though that probably isn't the best idea.

The mask smells fresh, the moment you open the tub you can smell the freshness of the herbs, honey, and almonds. It's not that bad but I'm not too keen on the fresh smell.

Also, from keeping the mask in the refrigerator, it's extremely cold when you first apply it which I LOVE. It's so refreshing and nice.

The texture is definitely rough, which I think is because it's packed so tightly and because it's so fresh.

I apply it on my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, and then leave it on for about 10-12 minutes. I like to feel as if the mask hardened a little bit to make sure I'm getting the most out of it. Because of the fresh ingredients, this mask doesn't get extremely hard to the point where your face can't move an inch, like the other store bought masks.

After the allotted time, I remove the mask with a wash cloth soaked in warm water, and my skin feels clean. It doesn't feel overly clean but a nice refreshed clean. Like I said, I've used this mask three times... I don't know if I notice a significant difference in the evenness of my skin tone, but I do think it helps deep clean.

I had a lot of breakouts which seemed to be whiteheads and clogged pores and with using this mask, in conjunction with my other skincare routine, I saw a significant decrease and they haven't come back.

I think this face mask has sealed the deal for my love affair with Lush. I need and want everything. I will for sure be going back for more face masks and maybe some more skincare items.

PS: If you're a LUSH addict like I'm quickly becoming, don't forget to save your black tubs because once you have 5 empty tubs, you can bring them back to LUSH and get a free face mask! That is a good deal.

What other products from LUSH do you think I should try?


I apologize if this post is a little all over the place ... I'm pretty tired and can't form coherent thoughts but I've been wanting to get this post up for a while so I figured there's no better time than the present! I'm also trying out a different format for writing review & round up posts -- let's move away from lists from a little bit and try regular writing for once - let me know what you think!!

Ever since I was little, I had a fascination with face masks. Whether they were the peel off masks, or green mud masks, I loved the idea of applying something to your face, sitting in a bubble bath, and having the ultimate relaxation experience.

Even if face masks didn't work, I think I would still use them because it's the idea of helping your skin while just laying down-- who wants to move around when your face is tight and you look like a zombie? Nope, I lay down in my bed or a bath when I have a face mask on.

As I've learned more about beauty and skincare, I've learned more about what face masks can do for you and all the different types. I've gotten a lot better at choosing face masks for my skin type and my needs... I've also started doing face masks 1-2 times a week. I like to space them out so I'm not overdoing it and putting too much on my skin.



I've recently been really into sheet masks, as has the entire beauty industry. They're quick, easy, and aren't as messy as typical masks that you apply from a tube or jar. My favorites have been the Sephora face masks (they have eye masks too which are amazing), and I really like the Dr. Jart ones as well, especially the Pore Minimizing one which I received in a past Birchbox

I will always be a drugstore gal through and through, and you can't go wrong with the Freeman Masks, whether you get them in foil packets or in the big tube. I have the Stress Relief, Avocado, and Charcoal masks and I use them regularly. They all have different uses and satisfy my different skin needs.

I also just tried two packets of the famous GlamGlow Youthmud Mask (in the black jar) and I will be buying the full size -- full review coming soon so stay tuned! It definitely is worth it to me... at least get the $19 one from Sephora.

I think face masks are an important part of your skincare routine because they give your skin that extra boost and those extra benefits that you may not be getting from your regular skincare. I usually stick to brightening masks, mud masks, charcoal masks, and fatigue masks. They all serve my skin differently, and actually work. I think my favorite has to be charcoal and mud masks because they are so purifying and I can feel the difference in my skin.

Face masks are an addition to your regular skincare and if your skin is acting up, a face mask can be a quick fix. If I have a blemish, I'll break out a anti blemish mask and it'll help speed along the process.

You can shop all my favorite face masks, that I continue to repurchase over and over and I feel like really work for me, below.

Here are also some face masks that are on my "to buy" list and that I've heard amazing things about!!

What are your favorite face masks? What's your opinion -- do you think they really work?

Ever since I was a little girl, I suffered severely from allergies. Once April rolled around, I knew I would have a rough few months and allergy season was in full force.

At first, it was just my eyes would water up and itch really badly--this was a quick fix with some eye drops. As I got older, the allergies and the symptoms got worse. And now it wasn't just the typical, Spring allergy season--it was when the weather changed in the Fall as well.

Now, I was coughing and sneezing and feeling drowsy because of the stupid pollen, along with my itchy, watery eyes. Not to mention constant sinus headaches and pressure from being having a stuffy nose *mad cute, right? It's honestly a nightmare, and sometimes, even after "allergy season" has passed, if the pollen count is really high, I'll still wake up knowing exactly what is wrong--it's my allergies.

Allergies aren't an excuse to stay home from school or work and you must muster the courage to get through the day. Looking good & feeling good with allergies, is a little difficult but I've had a lot of practice.

Also, this post may seem a little outdated since allergy season has sort of passed and it's officially summer, but like I said, I suffer all year around if the pollen index is high.

If this sounds like you, here are some of my favorite beauty (and lifestyle tips) to cure your allergies!



1. Eye-drops: Your eyes are going to be red and puffy, constantly wanting to touch your eyes because they itch so bad and nothing will relieve them. I recommend carrying around eye drops with you 24/7. You shouldn't overuse them but when the pain is unbearable, these won't steer you wrong. These have been my favorite since I was little and I always go back to them!

2. Nude eyeliner: With your eyes red & puffy, you're going to want to make them look more awake. There's nothing worse than walking around with puffy, squinted eyes. I recommend staying away from black eyeliner on your lash line and applying a nude colored eyeliner pencil in your waterline. It will instantly lift your eyes and make you look more awake. Your eyes look more open and less red immediately! I LOVE the NYX Wonderpencil for this--it's one of my favorite beauty products.

3. Eye Masks: This is something new I've been trying out and I'm kind of obsessed. I love face masks so when I realized eye masks were a thing, I was sold. I've used a few and there are some great ones out there. They're great for reliving puffy under eye bags and the cooling effect that they leave is wonderful. I love using these even when my allergies aren't acting up--waking up on a weekend morning, washing your face, and placing one of these on for a few minutes is an immediate wake up call. I love the Sephora brand because there are so many for all different skin types and needs.

4. Bare face: Sometimes it's best to go sans eye make-up when your allergies are acting up. Let your eyes breathe and relax by only applying some nude eyeliner & waterproof mascara. Leave the heavy eyeshadows and black liquid liner at home and go simple. It'll be a relief when you accidentally rub your eyes and don't end up looking like a raccoon.

5. Calming Skin: Your skin is probably a mess from rubbing your eyes and blowing your nose so counteract the redness with calming face products, like a moisturizer to help combat redness, or a nice, soothing face mask. Go easy on the heavy foundation and opt for powder or a BB Cream. Your skin will thank you!

Aside from these beauty tips, find your favorite non drowsy allergy medicine to keep on hand, stock up on the tissues, and stay hydrated. Pollen will not get me down!

What are your favorite allergy tips? Tell me in the comments because I could use all the help I could get :)


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