Face masks I’ve been loving {Review}
We’re still on the skin care bus with reviews, so maybe we’ll just declare it ‘skin care January’ on the blog? I promise I’ll dust the makeup off soon and I’ll have some more makeup related posts up, but for today, I want to chat about some of the face masks I’ve been loving lately.
I have a face mask hoarding problem. It started when I discovered sheet masks and from there it kind of snowballed. Now I literally just love discovering and trying masks, sheet masks, charcoal masks, gel masks…anything! I realised as I was taking shots for this post, that I had a bit of a ‘green themed mask’ selection going on. That was not intentional at all….. I’ll be reviewing 4 masks in this post and I’ll then continue posting reviews of 3-4 masks at a time every few weeks. If I do all my masks in one go, this post would be 1000 times longer. So let’s get started.
Let me start by saying that I have combination/oily skin. I have ‘normal’ parts and then my forehead is basically an oil slick. I used to have dry patches, but since I’ve changed up my skincare, I don’t have any dryness anymore…though that may change in winter. Also, I have enlarged pores on my cheeks. When I buy masks, I usually want them to:
- mattify my skin
- reduce the appearance of my pores
- deal with the occasional breakout
- have anti ageing properties
Garnier moisture bomb – The Super Hydrating Rebalancing Mask (RSP R49,99)
This is a sheet mask and it’s infused with green tea extract and hyaluronic acid. This mask promises to mattify, reduce pores and manage oil, so as you know, I would be all over that! I found the sheet to be wet enough in terms of the serum saturation, but not too much where it’s dripping down your face. I can’t stand those masks that are too wet.
The mask has a 15 minutes wear time and fits onto the face comfortably. Immediately after removal, my skin felt matte, but hydrated. My pores appeared diminished and my skin felt youthful…plumped.
What about the next day? I felt that my skin felt smooth and was glowing. My pores also still appeared blurred and I got some compliments on my skin that day. I would definitely repurchase this.
Note: I used my mask up and have not been able to find stock in time to take pictures for this post. So please check out the link for a visual on the mask. I’ll update the post with my own pictures as soon as I can 😉
The Body Shop – Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Mask (RSP R310)
This mud mask looks like mud with black flakes of what I assume is the Bamboo charcoal. The purifying clay mask claims to detoxify and deep cleanse the skin, releasing impurities and toxins to help reveal a healthy looking, youthful glow. The mask contains:
- Bamboo Charcoal from the Himalayan Foothills – Known to draw out impurities and excess oils from the skin
- Community Trade Organic Tea Tree Oil from Kenya – Purifies skin and helps keep skin in looking clearer
- Green Tea Leaves from Japan – Rich in antioxidants and catechins, the leaves effectively exfoliate the skin
I cleanse my skin and then put this all over my face about 20 minutes before I plan to jump into the shower. It tingles on my skin, but not to a point where it’s uncomfortable. I believe the tingling is actually part of the process to detoxify and unclog the skin. This mask leaves my skin feeling clean. I can’t think of another way to put it, but it feels like it’s had a deep clean, as the mask promises! I think a mud mask always looks and sounds so luxurious on TV, so it’s nice that I am afforded the opportunity to treat myself at home.
Note: A complaint would be that I wish it came with a spatula.
Sephora – Green Tea Mask
I really enjoy the Sephora sheet masks, as I’ve previously featured them in a favourites post a while back over HERE. These masks don’t have that plastic 2nd layer, so I do find it a bit harder to ‘unwrap’. This masks claims to mattify and reduce excess sebum.
I’m not sure if I’m nuts, but the masks smells a bit like bleach. Not strongly, but slightly. It tingles a bit, and I hoped that meant it was killing my spots ???? Afterwards….my pores looked smaller and my skin was kind of glistening. Again, not sure if I’m crazy, but I thought I spotted micro glitter on my face. My skin felt tacky and sticky and 15 minutes later, it still felt tacky and sticky. As the evening went by though, it started feeling a bit better.
The next morning, the huge zit I was trying to get rid of, was literally half the size and the next day it was gone. Not a mark or scar to even show it was there. That was amazing! So bleach scent m
and stickiness aside, I’d definitely use this one if I was ever in a pinch to miraculously get rid of pimples! 
Tara and Jack – Tara & Jack Shaker Mask® with Apple Stem Cells (RSP R90)
The Tara and Jack masks have been a great discovery of mine! The Apple stem cell masks smells divine. I’ve done a review of this mask previously over HERE, so I won’t go into too much detail. This mask contains PhytoCellTec™ Malus Domestica, which is a liposomal preparation based on the stem cells of a rare Swiss apple. It is said to protect the longevity of essential and skin stem cells and fights against chronological ageing.
The mask is in a powder form, that you shake up with some water. I advise that you only mix half the powder and store the gel mixture in the fridge to use again. I easily get at least 4 plus uses out of one sachet.
So this becomes a gel textured mask and it is really cooling and refreshing on the skin. It’s great when you use the refrigerated leftovers on a hot Summer’s night. Besides smelling great and cooling the skin, I find my skin feels plump and healthy after using it. It’s definitely become a staple for me…I always have backup sachets of this mask. These are available from The Beautiful Store.
So these are a few of my favourite face masks! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these. Do you use face masks? If not, why…and if yes, let me know what some of your favourites are.
22 Comments
Rajshree
Have to try the Tara and jack one. Awesome review as always!
Simone
Thanks so much. They’re on promotion this month, so definitely try then out 😉
Vee
Need to get in on some of the science dude Tara and Jack! Awesome review…how often do you use face masks? I used to use masks at one time in my life but I havent because I am lazy. It’s ridiculous. But ja..
Simone
At least 3 times a week. This week probably daily though as my skin is super hormonal. I’m not sure if one can overdo masking though. Lol.
I’ll sort you out soon with trying one out. 😉
Mariska Goussard
I LOVED this post! It’s so structured and easy to read, you are a amazing writer. You and Rayne truly are the mask queens! Haha, you made me laugh with the bleach scent of the Sephora mask! What we won’t do to reduce those pesky blemishes, hahaha
Simone
I actually got teary reading your comment. Thank you so much. You know I read your sheet mask post earlier and I was thinking….why didn’t I think of reviewing it like this or mentioning that. So I really appreciate your words, being a blogger I’ve admired and followed for a long time! ????
Nadine
Great review. So informative.
I love using masks 🙂 I still plan on getting my hands on the Tara and Jack masks. If you get 4 plus uses out of each sachet then that means it’s about 20 bucks a mask which for me is freaking fantastic!
https://justnadez.wordpress.com/
Simone
Exactly and they’re on promotion currently I think…then they’re even cheaper. Let me know if you ever try it out 😉
Jeannette Wentzel
The Bodyshop Charcoal masks sounds interesting. I am looking for something new to try and this might just be it. Thank you for sharing. #sabloggerscafe
Simone
Thanks for stopping by. The body shop is good with handing samples out so I’m sure you can ask for a sample first. I usually get them when there’s a ‘buy 3, pay for 2’ promos.
Camilla || Jane Wonder Blog
I also have a major problem with hoarding face masks – I have promised myself that I am not allowed to buy one unless I get through at least half of what I currently have…
In saying that, I am SUPER keen to try Tara + Jack masks – still haven’t!!
♡ Cammy • Jane Wonder – Fashion and Beauty Blog •
Simone
I’m also going to try not to buy anything until I’ve gotten through some of my current masks. The struggle is real with this skin care and makeup buying addiction. lol. Thanks so much for reading!
MomOfTwoLittleGirls
I’m going to look out for the Garnier one!
Megan
The Tara + Jack one sounds amazing! I need to start doing this more often x
Hayley
That body shop mask sounds like something I need.
I’ve never been big on beauty products, but as I’m getting older I think I need to be more kind to my skin. So I’ll probably be stalking your blog a lot this year for some pointers 🙂
Simone
Hayley I also really never gave thought to skincare and just hoped I’d have my mom’s good genes. I don’t want to overdo it either, but I think treating your skin every once in a while can’t be a bad thing 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
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Raeesa Setar
I’ve recently become obsessed with masking! Love this review although I have very dry skin so I’m not sure what will be good for me here… I avoid The Body Shop masks as I’ve heard they’re quite harsh on the skin and I usually need milder products coz my skin tends to be a bit sensitive at times. I’ve smelt their masks in store and don’t particularly like the scent of any of them ? I’m also a mask hoarder ? always buying especially when dischem and clicks have their 3 for 2 specials… but I only recently started actually using them lol. I try a sheet mask once a week and have also started making masks at home using yoghurt, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon powder, tumeric powder, charcoal powder etc. It doesn’t smell especially good but the home masks are really nice! And you know no chemicals arw going into it. I’m a lazy one and these are easy to make so it’s not time consuming or anything ? you should try buying Activated Charcoal powder from Dischem and making a mask with it, it’s good for your type of skin, too dry for me. It dries down hard on your face. A bit messy though ? The last mask in your review looks like it’ll be ok for my skin… I need to try this! I love it when I can get a few uses out of one sachet. Very worth it. The Skin Republic masks are nice but the serum is quite tacky on my skin and I hate the feeling… I always need to wash it off afterwards instead of leaving it on.
Simone
Luckily I don’t have sensitive skin. I must say…for a brand like The Body SHop, I do expect less ingredients and for it to be more natural….but that isn’t the case. THe charcoal mask would make your face tingle…maybe even burn then. I have a rice mask from them that seems to be soothing and calming. I don’t get tingling from that mask.
Home masks are great, I’m just lazy for DIY. I believe the activated charcoal is so cheap and easy to mask with, but again… #LazygirlProblems
Perhaps look into the Tara and jack masks from The Beautiful Store.
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