As the muggy, nasty and sticky weather makes its way to us, I thought I’d share my summer survival kit – mask edition with you. Below you will find 3 masks reviews featuring some of Masque Bar’s best selling products which are all as affordable as they are effective.
“Our mission is to take you beyond what you will find today in stores and spas. We are determined to seek out unique products that will make a difference in your beauty regimen.” – Look Beauty
EYES: Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches
In the summertime, I love spending time with friends on rooftops, parks and any other outdoor place where I can take in the heat and sip on a cool drink! As an extrovert and night owl, I never want the fun to end so sleeping late is the norm for me! As epic as it is to spend time with my favorite people the aftermath is not cool. Thankfully my Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches are here to help. I don’t suffer from heavy puffiness under my eyes even after nights of endless hanging out, so my experience with these patches might not be the same as someone who does.
Masque Bar’s Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches promise to make your skin look and feel smoother and tighter, while reducing the puffiness under your eyes. And that it does! For maximum effectiveness, patches are to be worn for 30 minutes. It may seem like a lot, especially on already hectic mornings but it is doable if you put them on first thing, as I do.
“An effective skin treatment to minimize eye puffiness and increase elasticity of the eye area. Ginkgo & Cucumber Extract helps skin de-stress and decongest so puffiness is reduced.” – Look Beauty
As I mentioned above, I apply the patches first thing in the morning, even before my cuppa joe. Of course, I wash my face first. I then proceed with the long or short version of my morning routine depending on the day of the week and how much time I have to get ready. I remove the patches once the 30 minutes is up which usually lines up with when I need to get started on my 5-minute daytime makeup look. I can always see an obvious difference when I use the patches. I do not do this everyday but only when my eyes need the extra tlc. A box of five Eye Puffiness Minimizing Patches will set you back about $9.99.
What they could do better: The patches contain a wide variety of natural ingredients but also contain five ingredients that are of concern. I’ve included links to EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database so you can look into each of them deeper.
- Sodium Polyacrylate (Ingredient #4): More.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Ingredient #17): More.
- Retinyl Palmitate (Ingredient #18): More.
- Titanium Dioxide: (Ingredient #19): More.
- Methylisothiazolinone (Ingredient #20): More.
LIPS: Intensive Lip Care Gel Patch
I know what you are thinking: “A mask for your lips? What is that about?”. That’s exactly what I thought at first too. But often when it comes to our mouths, our teeth get all the love and our lips are left to fend for themselves. And when you think about it, we put our lips through a lot such as matte lipsticks which can be very drying. Up until this year, my lip care regimen was comprised of the religious application of lip balm and the occasional sugar lip scrub. Today, I’m grateful that I have been introduced to this lip mask. It’s a game changer.
This mask is good to moisturize, soothe and hydrate lips while healing dry, cracked and chapped lips. It also protects sensitive lip areas which can become aggravated in harshly cold and hot weather.
“Enriched with Shea Butter, Cranberry Extract, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, Intensive Lip Care Gel Patch intensely hydrates and soothes dry, cracked, chapped lips, while long lasting moisture makes your lips soft, supple, smooth and kissable.”
I apply the mask to clean lips and let it work its magic for 15 – 20 minutes and remove.The first time I used this lip mask, not being able to use my mouth for 15-20 minutes was challenging but I eventually got used to it. When I have extra time, I like to scrub my lips before using this mask. Exfoliating my lips helps them absorb all of the goodness even more. You must know that once you remove patch, there is no need to rinse. You should actually rub the excess product into your lips. A box of Intensive Lip Care Gel Patch is $9.99 on average.
What they could do better: The patches contain a wide variety of natural ingredients but also contain four ingredients that are of concern. I’ve included links to EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database so you can look into each of them deeper.
- PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Ingredient #6): More.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Ingredient #20): More.
- Titanium Dioxide: (Ingredient #21): More.
- Methylparaben (Ingredient #22): More.
SKIN: Pore Refining Creme Mask
“Minimizes the appearance of pores for a more refined and even complexion. This gentle blend of Coenzyme Q-10 and anti-oxidants leaves your skin feeling balanced and looking more radiant.”
I have multiple go-to face masks depending on what my skin seems to be needing at the time. Some of my top choices are my DIY Activated Charcoal Mask, Kneipp’s Lady’s Mantle face mask and Masque Bar’s Pore Refining Creme Mask.
This mask is good to exfoliate, soothe and moisturize skin while minimizing the appearance of pores and evening out complexion.
I have hormonal acne, blemish-prone and sensitive skin so whenever trying on a new mask, I have to be careful not to irritate my skin and make matters worst. My skin reacts immediately to irritants but this mask is actually very soothing and it’s pore minimizing powers are out of this world.
The best makeup application happens when the skin beneath the makeup is healthy. So skincare should always come first. As far as making my skin glow, smoothing out my pores and giving me a clear canvas to work on this mask works wonders.
The Pore Refining Creme Mask box contains 3 packets for $9.99, on average. You can use an entire packet or save half for later as they contain a lot of product. I generously apply the cream on my face, neck and decolletage, before I shower. I let it work for 15-20 minutes or until it dries. I then, rinse it off and apply my eye cream, serum and face cream before doing my makeup, et voila!
What they could do better: The patches contain a wide variety of natural ingredients but also contain five ingredients that are of concern. I’ve included links to EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database so you can look into each of them deeper.
- Titanium Dioxide (Ingredient #10): More.
- PEG-100 Stearate (Ingredient #12 ): More.
- Dimethicone (Ingredient #26): More.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Ingredient #30): More.
- Phenoxyethanol (Ingredient #34): More.
- Methylparaben (Ingredient #35): More.
- Propylparaben (Ingredient #36): More.
If you don’t see what you need in this post, Masque Bar offers a multitude of other masks for you to choose from. I like the variety and how that they incorporate natural ingredients in their masks. I strongly encourage they continue in this vein and remove all the more “mysterious” ingredients!
PS: I only have one speed: go! But I’m learning to take time to care and pamper myself. Taking baths, getting my nails done and applying masks are some of the ways I am incorporating self-care into my beauty routine. You should too! xo
Photo Credits (Except selfies): Ashley Adele Photo