Mybeautywaxstash

Tag: skincare

  • Skin Republic’s Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Sheet Mask

    I am no skincare expert, just a skincare lover. Whatever I buy I don’t expect miracles (although the occasional crossed fingers sometimes happen!), but I do want to see some improvements. Some over time, some a short term quick fix. And I find a quick fix product can be found with a face mask. Skin looks tired? Possibly dry? A need of TLC? A sheet mask can be very handy. Precisely the reason I grabbed Skin Republic’s Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask Sheet. I bought this as a set ages ago from Superdrug when half price but they can be bought individually there for £5.49.

    Skin Republic’s Bubble Purifying + Charcoal Face Mask Sheet

    Why did I go to use this?

    Honestly? My face has been a state! I know my skin and within the last week I’ve suffered from quite a few spots and uneven skin in general. This isn’t how it normally looks. One spot, maybe two, not a football team’s worth! Not too sure whether it’s because I introduced a new product to my skincare routine or just bad luck, stress, facial covering wearing etc. But not good! And my skin has looked a little lack lustre too which is another no no. I needed something easy and fast to use. This mask, and what it claimed to do, seemed perfect and worth a go.

    What is this mask supposed to do?

    Gently exfoliates, deep cleanses to provide a clearer, cleaner and more vibrant look to the skin.

    Packaging.

    Comes in rectangular shaped packet. Even though all tissue masks come in the same type of packaging where it’s in a flat packet and you rip the top off to get into it, this is an eye catching one. Silver and black in colour with hits of purple, and a picture of half a face on the front wearing the bubble mask. Not particularly keen on the image because it’s not a true image and photoshopped to an inch of it’s life.

    Application.

    To activate the mask you have to rub the unopened packet. Once opened and unfolded, place onto clean skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Take it off, rub in any left over bubbles into skin then rinse off with water. To get the best result, use once a week.

    In Use.

    I used this while having a bath, cleansed my face and gave this packet a good little rub. Once I opened it I could see the mask was black in colour but was slowly but surely being covered in foam. Taking it out of the packet, it was less black in colour as the foam was taking over. But the look of this is pretty much the same as other tissues masks. So expect holes for the eyes, nose and mouth. The thickness and quality of the actual mask was good, and it sat on my face comfortably.

    Now, this is where the fun began! This..mask..fizzed! I could feel it delicately fizzing over my skin, almost tickling it. It wasn’t uncomfortable, it was an unusual sensation and enjoyable! And as time went on this lightly covered foam got thicker, and I couldn’t even see the actual mask anymore!

    After 20 minutes had passed, I took the mask off and rubbed in the remainder of the foam on my face into my skin. It felt so creamy, almost like shaving foam and there was a good amount of it. Rinsing off was easy and then I used a warmed damp cloth to pop over my face. My skin felt refreshed and clean and I loved the experience from beginning to end!

    Nearly forgot…Fragrance.

    This mask was fragranced. Not heavily, but perfectly scented in a neutral and clean and fresh scent. Pleasant, helped with relaxation and not heady at all!

    Skin Afterwards.

    I didn’t see a dramatic or a massive change after I used this but it felt good, felt and looked clean and that’s what I had hoped for straight away. Not dry, not irritated, no issues. Did my skin look fresher immediately? I would say a little yes. Enough for me to feel that my slightly textured skin looked less textured.

    The Morning After The Night Before.

    My skin looked better in the morning than after application. Although I was exceptionally tired, my skin didn’t look it. Still retained that fresh and clean look, and was less lifeless. I was actually quite impressed!

    Recommended?

    I remember sitting in the bath with this on my face thinking how I would buy this purely for the experience! I LOVED using this! It was something different, interesting and I really enjoyed it. And personally that’s what I want from skincare, I want to enjoy using products AND get some form of results. Results wise my skin looked a touch tweaked, less rough with a little more life in it after one use. The following day it looked tweaked even more. So recommended? Totally! I couldn’t use this once a week as suggested but once a month more likely, only due to cost and nothing more.

    After doing a quick search, the best price I could find for this was £3.84 (30%off currently) at Look Fantastic here. Worth the price if you are looking for your instant facial fix with a touch of fun thrown in!

  • Primark’s CBD Clay Mask

    I’m sure the first thing people think about when the department store Primark is mentioned, they think of clothes. Totally understandable! They are well now for their affordable fashion items for men, women and children. But these days when I think of this store, I think of different things. Homeware, home fragrance and skincare! They don’t seem to have a massive range of skincare in my local store, but the pieces they have always spark my interest. That spark occasionally opens up my wallet to buy. A purchase I made recently was their CBD Clay Mask. Usual price £4.00, reduced to £2.00.

    Primark’s CBD Clay Mask

    Why did I buy this?

    Pure curiosity! And, I am a sucker for a bargain. It also helps that I love a skincare mask too. Occasionally I use a clay mask depending on how my skin is behaving. And right now it’s not behaving at all! And what is with skincare having CBD/hemp and other stuff like that included in it’s formulation? Seems to be a fashionable thing but is it effective? Perfect time to try this out with my skin in a mini heat ravaged turmoil mess.

    What is this supposed to do?

    It’s designed to purify, soften, smooth and revitalise the skin. The inclusion of CBD oil, hemp seed oil and aloe vera aide with these actions.

    Packaging.

    60g of mask is housed in a plastic screw top pot. I really like the shape of this as the sides aren’t totally straight and curve closer to the top. White in colour, with text in green and a metallic looking mint green colour lid. This comes boxed up with the box mirroring the container, but with it being mostly green in colour.

    Fragrance.

    Ewwhh. Not a fan. It sort of smells off and not totally fresh, with a slight clay smell to it. I didn’t expect this to smell of flowers or bubblegum, but would have thought this could have smelt a little more appealing.

    Appearance.

    In the pot, well..it doesn’t look great. It does have the same type of look a lot of clay masks have. Thick, slightly mud like and quite thick, But this mask is very pale in colour which doesn’t make me feel too excited to use it to be honest.

    How to use?

    Apply onto clean skin. Leave for 10-15 minutes and remove by rinsing with warm water and patting dry.

    In Use.

    I expected this to be slightly more thicker in texture, but found it a touch lighter than what I originally thought. Easy to use, and I applied a decent but thin layer of the mask all over the face. Took very little time for this to dry out as the colour of it lightened and my face became more frozen, but totally what I expected with a mask like this. These are never the most comfortable products to have on the skin, but it wasn’t bad. I did notice that the scent of this didn’t linger, thank goodness, so wasn’t a problem.

    Removal was like a dream! I thought it would be hard work but it really wasn’t. A warmed and damp face cloth wiped over the face took this off so easily and left no residue, which was what I expected to see.

    Skin Afterwards?

    Straight after removal my skin looked clean and quite fresh. I used this mask a few hours before bedtime, so it’s really the morning after the night before I will pick up on changes. And next morning my skin looked a touch smoother and felt it, reasonably rested in look. There was a sign of improvement but not a massive one. Enough for me to feel that I got some benefit using Primark’s CBD Clay Mask. But I would like to have seen a little more.

    Recommended?

    This clay mask has performed no better or no worse than others I’ve used in the past. If you’re visiting Primark, and it’s there and reduced in price why not? 60ml is a decent size, easy application and removal and appeared to improve my skin. And it’s packaged nicely! So a great gift idea for someone who likes or deserves a little pampering. Not an award winner but worth a couple of pounds!

  • Nip + Fab Glycolic Exfoliating Mask

    If you like looking after your skin, is there currently one stage or product you are neglecting to use? At the moment I would say I need to slot in a skincare face mask twice a week just to give my face an added boost thanks to the current weather in the UK. But exfoliating is a stage for some reason over the last month or so I have been AWFUL with! So how about I kill two birds with one stone and go for something that can do both? So out of my skincare stash I dragged out NIP + FAB’s Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Mask. Can’t remember how much I paid for this towards the end of last year as it was on offer. But retails around the £7.00 mark.

    Nip+Fab Glycolic Exfoliating Mask

    Why did I buy this?

    I’ve never tried products from this brand before, but I have noticed them. Their variety of products and ingredients have grabbed my interest. But price point for me meant anything bought from the range was a considered purchase. But a much easier one to make when on offer! So I opted for this because I didn’t even know you could exfoliate with a sheet mask and it intrigued me. I knew it would be useful in my routine, priced well and a good introduction to the range.

    What does this supposed to do?

    Think of this as being a skin exfoliator and a face skincare mask in one and this is what this is. The glycolic acid as an ingredient exfoliates the skin getting rid of the dead skin cells, leaving it looking and feeling smoother and less dull. Skin should feel rejuvenated and look more vibrant.

    Packaging.

    Comes in a packet, which I think all tissue face masks come in as standard. Loved how brightly coloured this was (orange), very eye catching. Explains simply what this mask is supposed to do on the front and back, with relevant information such as ingredients and warnings clearly marked.

    How to use.

    Apply onto clean skin. Avoid eye area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Remove and pat in any excess serum left on skin.

    How does it look?

    Very much like most tissue face masks. White in colour, soft in texture and made from some form of material. Openings for eyes, nose and mouth are visible. Not the most attractive thing you will ever see but practical and created like this for it’s intended purpose.

    In use.

    When I took this out of it’s packaging I was surprised how much solution this was covered in. It literally was DRIPPING with the stuff, so not skimping on it at all! Once I unfolded it I applied it to my face. Easy enough to do, I just took my time to make sure it was positioned properly. It clung comfortably to my face so I could get on with a few tasks over the 20 minutes. Very cooling on the skin, and felt very hydrating too.

    And how did my skin look afterwards?

    When I removed the mask, my skin did feel hydrated and clean. The immediate feel of hydration did die down somewhat and then was replaced with feeling as if it was still clean, but had something on my skin. To touch it, it felt a little tacky. But what I did notice was my sweaty looking skin (thank you heat!) now appeared matt and the shine taken away from the majority of my face.

    Next day was where I could see my skin had benefited from using this product. It did seem a little smoother and fresher looking. I liked how it seemed more rested and less lifeless than it did before using the mask.

    Something unexpected?

    The day after using this mask it was a crazy hot day in the UK, around 30 degrees. I did a lot of walking outside that day. When I did my evening skincare routine, I cleansed my face which felt very very sore. It’s not something I’ve experienced before. I was wearing sun cream of spf50 but I suspect it needed reapplying which I didn’t…So either the sun had totally fried me or the combo of mask and sun made my skin sensitive. Can’t be 100% sure, so will leave a question mark on that. But I know when using products with glycolic acid in it, they mention the need to use sun care products alongside them. And this product had it on it’s packaging also. So if you use this, please make sure you use sun protection if venturing outside!

    Would I buy this again?

    Putting to one side sun hating face, I may or may not buy this again. If I did, it would be once in a blue moon, special occasion type purchase. It would be for a treat for the skin, no more no less. I found the results on my skin were visible for around a day. Sun, heat, lack of sleep and wearing face coverings makes my skin hard work so I got a decent amount of time looking better. But for a regular purchase, price wise, not for me. Not full price anyway. I also think I would prefer an exfoliator that was in a more physical form such as a liquid, cream, tonic etc. And if using a mask after, probably a separate one.

    Recommended?

    I think this is an interesting and unusual product, at least compared to what I’ve bought and used before. If you are time starved, don’t want to use multiple products and you really enjoy skincare then yes, I would recommend this. Easy to use, quite effective but results may not be instant or long lasting. Think of this as a perk to the skin. Price wise, this may put some people off as it’s a one use item, but if you fancy a splurge or to give as a gift….?

    Can be purchased from Look Fantastic, ASOS and more. Happy exfoliating!

  • Primark’s Soothing Vitamin E Eye Patches

    I LOVE my friends! I don’t have many (quality over quantity!), and those I have I suspect know me better than I know myself at times. They understand my quirky sense of humour. They respect the fact I get up very early in the morning to work out when most people aren’t awake for hours. And they know how much I love skin and body care. So a slight squeal may or may not have left my lips when one of my amazing friends gave my a selection of goodies a few months ago, containing food and skincare. One item being Primark’s Soothing Vitamin E Eye Patches. Cost, £1.50.

    Primark’s Soothing Eye Patches

    Why was I excited over these?

    I love eye treatments! Eyes are definitely the windows of the soul, and as a busy mum of 2 who works and writes, tiredness is my middle name. And tiredness will ALWAYS show in the eye area. I would never say that eye patches totally transform the eye area and be the holy grail of eye care. But for an instant sense of relief feel and look wise, I find these to be very handy.

    What are these & what are they supposed to do?

    Gathering the very little information there is on the packaging, there are 15 treatments included. Placed under the eye area, they are designed to soothe and nourish the skin under the eyes. Ingredients include glycerin (moisturising), Papaya extract (rich in antioxidants), Morus Alba Bark Extract (another anti oxidant and calms irritations) and of course Vitamin E.

    Packaging.

    These eye patches come in a packet. The packet itself has quite a relaxing and chilled out look reflecting the soothing action of these patches, thanks to the green colouring. Resealable once the top of it is ripped open, means the rest of the patches won’t dry out and and be ruined. Instructions and details on the back are beyond small so get your specs out. And what information is present is very basic.

    What do they look like?

    When I opened the packet I was greeted with two thick stacks of eye patches. Quite standard basic eye patches. White in colour, under eye shaped and opaque. Very similar in feel to a face tissue mask.

    Fragrance?

    No obvious fragrance as such but there was something very faint. It remained me of how aloe vera gel smells, a delicate watery plant like fresh type smell.

    How to use.

    Apply onto clean face. Place under the eye area and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

    In use.

    I’ve used these about 4 or 5 times. I left them in the fridge so they were nice and cold. I had to separate the patches from each other which took a bit of time, but when I did it was noticeable they were soaked in some form of serum/solution. Thickness of the patches were enough to work with and helped with application. Easy to apply, although I needed to work out a few creases so they lay flat and in position. But they stayed still, no moving, for the full 20 minutes of usage. Quite comfortable on, very cooling and it felt quite pleasant.

    After use.

    Touching my under eyes I did feel a little tackiness, but they didn’t look oily and I didn’t see any obvious residue. Did the under of my eyes look any different? No. Did they feel a little more relaxed and hydrated? Yes they did. They were nice enough to use and to be honest I got the experience and results I expected so I’m not complaining.

    Recommended?

    If you are looking for a serious eye product where you want a specific result such as reduction of lines, getting rid of dark circles, then no. To me, this isn’t serious skincare, its a bit of fun and pampering. And if you treat it like that you wont be disappointed. Pop them in the fridge, run a bath and use a good quality bath bomb. Light a candle, eat some chocolate and slap these on. So would I buy these myself? I might, because they are cheap and provide light relief. But I wouldn’t rely on these changing my eyes dramatically or permanently.