August 2015 Month in Masks & Samples - 22 Speed Reviews

why 22? because blink 182 once told me nobody likes you when you're 23

Ahoy everyone, welcome back to part 2 of this month in masks & samples.  If you're looking to dabble in the vain arts with a concentration in East Asian studies, sheet masks and samples are your friends, since they're lower commitment in terms of  $£€ but allow you to experience a brand or product. They're especially great if shopping from overseas stores with annoying return policies. I lub 'em. Lub 'em lub 'em lub 'em. So let's get into it shall we?





SHEET MASKS

Banila Co it Radiant Lace Hydrogel Eye Patch - Illuminating & Lifting - Ceramide & Rose with White Flower Complex

Ingredients: water, glycerin, niacinamide, ceratonia siliqua gum, chondrus crispus powder, lactobacillus ferment, scutellaraia baicalensis root extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, artemisia princeps leaf extract, houttuynia cordata extract, citrus junos fruit extract, castor oil, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, butylene glycol, sodium hyauronate, hydrolyzed collagen, rose extract, ethylhexylglycerin, adenosine, disodium EDTA, potassium hydroxide fragrance, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ceramide 3, camellia japonica seed oil, hydrogenated lecithin, linoleic acid

Rating: ☿☿☿ of 5 possible etude-kitties (average moisturizer, very pretty)

This is a total selfie mask. It's so pretty with the little lace design (which is printed on, there's no lace texture) on the hydro gel material. The ingredients are so great with the niacinamide, yeast ferment, and the ton of botanical extracts that double as antioxidants. The only thing to mind for those minding acne triggers would be the niacinamide. Alas, I think my expectations were a bit too high and the mask fell flat for me a bit. BUT it's so pretty I'm probably going to repurchase whenever I need a pick-me-up. You can get it for $3.16 at Koreadepart or $5 at SokoGlam (currently awaiting restock). If you haven't bought from SokoGlam before, you can purchase through this link to get $10 off your order.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask Pack

Ingredients: camellia sinensis leaf water, snail secretion filtrate, glycerin, arbutin, bee venom, hyman oligopeptide-1, plantago asiatica extract, laminaria digitata extract, diospyros kaki leaf extract, salix alba (willow) bark extract, umus campestris (elm) extract, bacillus ferment, azelaic acid, althaea rosea flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, butylene glycol, beta-glucan, betaine, xanthan gum, adenosine, panthenol, allantoin, zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, usnea barbata (lichen) extract, pulsatila koreana extract

Rating: ☿☿☿☿ of 5 possible etude-kitties (amazing ingredients for price, preservatives not an issue for single-serving sheet masks if used within 6 months to be safe)

Benton's the brand that had the high-profile quality issue last year so I was a bit hesitant to try them out, but given that there all's been quiet on the Eastern front about the brand over the past 6 months, I put the mask on my face. And I loved it! This is a no-frills mask. You won't get soft and silky mask material or thick and rich essence/ampoule. The mask is made of hefty cotton and the essence is very watery. Very standard, but I love the lack of scent, and the fact that it's just amazingly calming on the skin. It reduces redness and apparently calms acne (though I haven't had the chance to test this claim yet). It doesn't bother me that they don't use preservatives, because this is a single-serving sheet mask and I'm not going to let it lay around for a year before slapping it on. And the ingredients... It's got your brighteners - arbutin, bacillus ferment, your exfoliators - willow extract, your acne-fighters - azelaic acid and snail, moisturizers - snail, glycerin, panthenol, and your anti-agers - peptides, bee venom (allegedly), beta glucan, adenosine.  I could go on and on but I'll stop here. I will always repurchase this mask. You can get it for $16.02 for a pack of 10 at W2beauty where you can save $5 if it's your first time ordering with code 1019734207. It's also $18.28 for a pack of 10 at Amazon. 

Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, hydroxyethyl urea, betaine, sodium hyaluronate, saccharmyces/xylinum/black tea ferment, rosa centifolia flower water, aloe barbadensis leaf exract, althaea Rosea Root Extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) flower extract, lilium candidum flower extract, magnolia liliflora flower extract, convallaria majalis bulb/root Extract, paconia alkyl Acrylate crosspolymer, tromethamine, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, chlorphenesin, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-hexanediol, propanediol, caprylyl glycol, illicium verum (anise) fruit extract, fragrance

Rating: ☿☿☿.5 of 5 possible etude-kitties (overpriced but great essence)

I talked about being underwhelmed by my last Cremorlab mask in last month's favorites and fails post. I tried out another flavor because Peach and Lily customer service sent me one to make up for the fact that I received a mask with ingredients that didn't match the list on the site last time. I have to give props to their customer service for making it right. Though they didn't take the initiative to offer up the second mask, they didn't protest when I asked them to do so. Cremorlab's masks are $6 a pop, made of cotton, and have huge eye holes. The cotton is nicer than Benton's but not as nice as the cotton used in a $2 My Scheming mask. That said, I always really enjoy the essence in Cremorlab masks. This was no different. It smelled brightly floral and was very hydrating and calming on the skin. I'm not sure I would repurchase because I have other favorites that have awesome essence for less, but if you're intrigued you can get it for $6 at Peach and Lily. If it's your first time ordering from them, use this link and get $10 off your first order. 

Derfill Zoo Tiger Real Mask (Collagen)

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, propanediol, dimethicone, citrus paradisi (grapefruit) fruit extract, alcohol, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate, betaine, trehalose, phenyl trimethicone, carbomer, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, honey, ascophyllum nodosum extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, potassium hydroxide, sodium polyacrylate, hydrogenated lecithin, ceramide 3, fragrance

Rating: ☿☿.5 of 5 possible etude-kitties (too much alcohol!)
I normally don't ever use any products with simple alcohol (aka ethanol or alcohol denatured) this high on the list. I'll tolerate it on the tail end, but this mask was too adorable and skincaretainment-y to pass up. It's another selfie mask! The print is super vibrant and fun. But yeah, like I feared, my face seemed moisturized for a few hours, but started to dry out and flake from the alcohol. Dry skin is such a party pooper. It's just a regular cotton mask (eye holes are a bit small but so are my eyes) btw and I can't recall the fragrance being too potent. I wouldn't repurchase this one unless you know your skin is a lush that tolerates alcohol well. You can get it for $2 at Memebox where first timers save 20% with code FRIEND20.

Whew, that is a wall of text. Photo break!

sheet masks, the way I spice up my skincare routine... they may be spicy, but no, sheet masks should never feel like burning

Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask in Kiwi (and my feels about the brand's masks in general)

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, cetyl ethylhexanoate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, citrus paradisi (grapefruit) fruit extract, actinidia chiensis (kiwi) fruit juice, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, glyceryl stearate, dimethicone, PEG-100 stearate, carbomer, xanthan gum, ethylhexylglycerin, potassium hydroxide, sodium hyaluronate, citrus unshiu peel extract, orchid extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, camellia japonica leaf extract, opountia coccinellifera fruit extract, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

Rating: ☿☿☿ of 5 possible etude-kitties (average moisturizer, great because $0.60)
One thing that's changed since I've gotten into Asian skincare and Kbeauty is that everything that was once destined for my belly is now destined for my face. Innisfree do a lot of food-themed masks. This particular mask isn't my first Innisfree it's real mask, and it probably won't be the last. About the it's real masks in general, the cotton is pretty average, the mask fits are good, and the scents match the "flavors" you purchase. Also, in general, the results are average. They always hydrate a decent amount, but the effects last just a few hours. You won't be glowing all through the next day. That said, Innisfree run awesome sales and will often do 10+10 deals on these masks, bringing them down from $1.20 a pop to $0.60 a pop. This is why I'll probably always have a few in my stash. You can get this particular Kiwi mask for $1.20 at Innisfreeworld. Sign up for their list to hear about their next sale, which may come sooner than you think. Korean Thanksgiving or "chuseok" is right around the corner!

Leaders Insolution Baby Soft Foot Mask

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, PEG-8, mineral oil, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, PEG-40 stearate, sorbitan sesquioleate, stearic acid, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sodium hyaluronate, carbomer, triethanolamine, ceramide 3, beeswax, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolyzed collagen, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, zingiber officinal (ginger) root extract, sasamum indicum (sesame) seed extract, gllycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, cimicifuga racemosa rot extract, polygonum multiflorum root extract, phellinus linteus extract, angelica gigas root extract, morus alba bark extract, paeonia lactiflora root extract, sophora angustifolia root extract, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, disodium EDTA, urea, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance

Rating: ☿☿☿ of 5 possible etude-kitties (average moisturizer, no foot peelies)
I rarely treat my feet to a pampering sesh, but this mask was super fun and it was really affordable. I bought this mask thinking it was a foot peel, which I desperately still want to try after seeing the dead skin cell carnage on Fanserviced. But this mask isn't a foot peel, it's actually a moisturizing mask for dry, chapped feet and cracked heels. None of which I have anymore, after giving up the 4-inch heel lyfe a year or two back. BUT I will say this... The mask is super fun. You get these two little foot shaped sachets that you wear around like socks. On the outside they're plastic/vinyl and on the inside they feel like cotton. You wear it for 20-30 minutes while dancing around in your kitchen like you're in Risky Business. I don't think I'd buy this one again myself, but I do think they'd be a wonderful treat or gift for those who spend a lot of time on their feet, or wear high heels on the regular. I bought this at Memebox, but they don't seem to carry it any more. Sorry! But if you do ever see this in the wild, please give me a shout!

Mediheal Dress Code Red Ginseng Brightening Care

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed collagen, xanthan gum, carbomer, tocopheryl acetate, disodium EDTA, panthenol, trehalose, betaine, prunus domestica fruit extract, panax ginseng root extract, zizyphus jujuba (say what? my new favorite words) fruit extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, punica granatum fruit extract, ficus carica (fig) fruit extract, morus alba fruit extract, ginkgo biloba nut extract, methylparaben, portulaca oleracea extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, beta-glucan, allantoin, triethanolamine, polysorbate 80, adenosine, fragrance

Rating: ☿☿☿☿.5 of 5 possible etude-kitties (half mark off for ginseng scent which not everyone likes, best hydrating/moisturizing mask in life)
So this mask is my current FAVORITE cotton mask and that's saying a lot because Taiwanese sheet masks exist. It's another selfie mask, with its little masquerade mask print, but that has nothing to do with why I love it so much. The reason why I love it so much is that it is the most hydrating mask I've EVER used. I can tell because my two little nasolabial folds that I use like moisture divining rods / detectors go away when I use these. (Btw, I too bought a little skin analyzer future device thingamajig, and will be supplementing my reviews with these readings from now on). Also, it helps that the mask features ginseng, which is one of my all-time favorite ingredients for its firming and lifting properties, and zizyphus jujuba which is just really fun to say three times fast. Anyways, I love this mask. I love all of the Dress Code masks. I don't think anyone would be dissatisfied at the $2.50 per mask price at Memebox, use Friend20 for 20% off first purchase. They are also $29.98 for a pack of 10 on Amazon with free shipping.

Mediheal W.H.P. White Hydrating Charcoal-Mineral Mask

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, niacinamide, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, triethanolamine, carbomer, euterpe oleracea fruit extract, methylparaben, hydroxyethylcellulose, disodium EDTA, allantoin, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, fragrance, propylparaben, xylitylgluoside, arbutin, sodium hyaluronate, anhydroxylitol, phenoxyethanol, xylitol, charcoal powder, mineral water, ethylhexylglycerin

Rating: ☿☿.5 of 5 possible etude-kitties (tl;dr can manage sebum but is sticky like tar, preservatives high on the ingredients list)
So I was really disappointed in the mask and also myself. Normally I go find the complete ingredients list before buying anything but this time I slacked and picked it up based on the highlighted ones on the Memebox site. What was not mentioned was that the preservatives and triethanolamine (which I will use if presented on the tail end of a product's list) are pretty high on the list. Higher than some of the beneficial ingredients. In the loneliest Brady Bunch selfie tile picture above, it's the black mask. The mask is cotton and fits pretty well, however, the essence feels like sticky tar. The point of the mask is to control oil while hydrating your face, and I don't believe it delivered on that promise. My face didn't manage to absorb the essence (again, as indicated by my nasolabial folds),  and the sticky feeling persisted until I washed it off with water. It does control sebum well, so oily skinned folks may be interested.. but like I said, you may want to wash off the mask after you use it. My skin was absolutely devoid of oil after using this mask and washing it off. You can get it fast at Memebox for $2.00 per mask, get it cheap for $7.36 for 5 at Koreadepart or get it on Amazon for $15.70 for 10. If choosing Memebox, and it's your first time, use code Friend20 for 20% off your purchase.

Too Cool For School Glam Rock Abracadabra Mask

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, ceratonia siliqua gum, chondrus crispus (carrageenan), phenoxyethanol, panthenol, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, peat water, gum arabic, citric acid, potassium sorbate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, sodium hyaluronate, aureobasidum pullulans ferment, ethylhexylglycerin, adenosine, disodium EDTA, fragrance, oryza sativa (rice) extract, glycine soja (soybean) seed extract, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed extract, ribes nigrum (black currant) fruit extract, potassium hydroxide

Rating: ☿☿☿ of 5 possible etude-kitties (i bought it cuz it was pretty and it worked okay)
Functionally, this doesn't hold a candle to the Leader's eye patches I wrote about yesterday, but I have a soft spot for this mask because it's so damn pretty! Even prettier than the Banila Co I would say because the fit of the mask is more feline, so you look and feel like Cat Woman. It also has a little lacey print on it, though it's in black. It's a hydrogel eye patch and it claims to be brightening. I thought it was average at best, but I have to say I'll probably buy this every now and again because it's so pretty. Get it cheap for $2.11 per mask at RRS or fast from SokoGlam for $8 for a 2 pack.  First time buyers get $10 off with this link.

SAMPLE FRENZY

One of the best things about Asian skincare and Kbeauty is the concept of "service". Service just means you get free stuff with each order! Well that is if you select the right vendors. I hauled from Unique4U and W2Beauty (among others) and ended up with a metric s--t ton of samples over the past few months.

The ones that made my repurchase list are...

The Face Shop Full Stay 24 Hour CC Cream SPF 50+ PA++, I am so stoked to find an affordable base to try out next. I got two uses out of this sample and I can say that it has really great coverage, and it made my pores completely disappear. The one bad thing though is that throughout the day, as it faded, it tended to kind of... dry up around the pores, making them visible again. Nothing another layer wouldn't fix though.

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence, smells like sake, brightens the face. I bought the mist, and I've already reviewed it here.

Mizon Returning Starfish Cream, It's a liquidy cream that doesn't smell marine-like at all. It reminds me of the Clinique lotion in that 3-step skincare system they have that's a bit of a skincare rite of passage for almost everyone. I like it. I will rebuy it.

The ones that made my wishlist are...

The A'pieu Start Up Pore Primer, it did the job well and seems to be really affordable. It's also apparently the Get It Beauty (Korean network television show - see the latest cleansing special transcripted in English here) award winner in the primer category. An honor that's a bit like the Allure beauty awards in the West.

Lee Ji Ham (LJH) Tea Trea 30 Cleanser, this cleanser tested to be a pH of 5.5. It also smells of proper tea tree, instead of burning which is a note I get from some tea tree products.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, I liked the texture of the ampoule. I think this is the alleged dupe for the Estee Lauder ampoule from Missha. I would be interested in getting this for a blog post.

The ones that I decided to pass on are...

The A'pieu Dark Diminish Cream SPF37 / PA++,  I remember this being a pretty good, average bb cream. I would say check it out, but it's not on my wishlist because I don't really need a bb cream at this point in time.

Banila Co Bird's Nest Forever Young Multi Care Lifting Cream, I love the My Beauty Diary MBD sheet masks that have bird's nest (swiftlet's nest made from swiftlet saliva) in them as they are really hydrating, I should theoretically like this cream, but it managed to skeeve me out. The texture was too much like pudding, and food mixed with the imagery of bird spit was a bit too much for me.

Banila Co V-V Vitalizing Serum, It was a nice serum, not too sticky but substantial... I just don't have a need for a new serum and it didn't make enough of a difference for me to wishlist it.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence, I think this is the essence in the Benton mask I talked about earlier. I really like it, but I don't think I'll purchase a full Benton product ever because of their lack of preservatives.

Cremorlab Essence Tonic T.E.N. Cremor for all skin types, I wrote up my thoughts on thermal water-based products here. They have potential, but probably aren't the best ingredient for my particular skin type as I don't have too much redness to deal with. Now, a Cremorlab product I'd be super interested in picking up is their Smooth Pudding which has Adenosine and Caffeine within the first 5 ingredients on the list. That one is wishlist-ed for sure.

Goodal Phytowash Yerba Mate Cleansing Foam, DANGER Will Robinsons.... This cleanser tested to be a pH of 8-9. I highly suggest side-stepping this one.

Missha Signature Complexion Coordination B.B. Cream White SPF 43 PA++, My first thought when I put this cream on... What is this, a BB Cream for ghosts? I totally got sent the wrong shade, and it was hilarious. But the cream itself is pretty nice and could be worth another look if you know your shade. I don't have much to say since I only got one full wear out of it.

What's the best sheet mask you've done recently? Do you actually use your samples?

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. All products were purchased by me. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, see my disclaimer and policies.