Review: Silk Whitia moisturizing mask and Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel Update

So I've had these Silk Whitia masks for awhile, but haven't gotten around to trying them until just recently! These particular masks are from the "Deeply Moisturizing" line, which is appropriate for my skin. They are still Buy-one-get-one on Sasa.com.

The masks claim to "Quickly replenish moisture and improve ability of cuticle to restore moisture. Ginseng extracted effectively removes fine lines, nourishes into the deep skin, prevents aging and promotes a radiant and energetic appearance"

Contains: Collagen, ginseng essence, hydrated protein, vitamin E, ascorbate N.M.F., propylene glycol, C.M.C., methyl paraben, de-ionized water.

♥ REVIEW ♥

The masks are of superb quality - they are heavier than the My Beauty Diary and Kuan Yuan Lian masks = TONS of serum. I felt like I was wasting so much of it after opening the package ~ I could have bathed in all of the excess from the package if I wanted to, lol!

The masks are BIG. Maybe I just have a small face - or maybe the masks are just humongous. I had to adjust quite a bit to get the mask to sit properly on my face. It didn't really 'stick' to my face very well. The flaps on the sides kept sliding off too. :( The smell is ok - a lot like ginseng, which I don't particularly care for.

I am skeptical of the "improving ability of cuticle to restore moisture" part of the claim, but overall, the mask did its job = more moisture!!! My skin felt kind of plump & refreshed afterwards!

Here is a look at my face after the mask (after that time of the month, still searching for miracle product to get rid of bumps and redness! Any suggestions are welcome :D)

Overall, I would love to use this mask again, especially in the Winter months when my skin is especially parched. It didn't irritate my otherwise sensitive skin & I can see myself using these an hour or so before bedtime. You don't have to wash your face aftewards so really hassle free, just peel off after an hour and right to bed! ♥

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CELLNIQUE SKIN SEBUM GEL UPDATE

UPDATE - speaking of skincare, I just wanted to quickly update on the Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel that I have been using for a month or so now. It might not have smoothed out the little bumps that I had mentioned before, but I still LOVE it because I have been about 99.9% blemish free since using it. You know when you get that feeling that a giant pimple is preparing to bust out and ruin your entire week? Like you can feel it right under the surface, but it's not quite ripe yet? (sorry for the graphic-ness, but I am trying to illustrate a point!) Well, this happened just a few days ago...I just dabbed a little bit on the area on my nose before bed, and the pimple never came to a head. It just *poof* - disappeared! The day/week is saved again!!!

(btw, I am NOT getting any type of sponsorship or free stuff from Cellnique, I just want to share my experience. I'm kind of hooked on this stuff)

I thought of this suddenly because I commented on Sparklemidori's post awhile back about getting a free sample of the stuff (travel-size, great for trips!) - and just received my sample in the mail...

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RANDOM FOOD

OMG Sophia's Pancakes! I gave them a test run last week - they turned out pretty good though I might have added too much flour. I love this dish because I was able to use all the leftovers in the fridge!!! (green onions, kimchee, sliced yellow onions & imitation crab!)

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Extra post-St. Patty's day ♥ for Sue, Timeless Fashionista, Dunia Anak-Anak!

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Still so many things to do! I just got the following in the mail so I will be reviewing soon:



I'm such a klutz, I hope I don't end up burning my eyeballs. :(

I have mail to send out, a giveaway coming up, tags, projects & goals, and a vacation around the corner! See you all soon & sweet dreams!

♥ Irene

REVIEW: Kuan Yuan Lian paper moisturizing mask

So this is officially THE first time I have ever used a paper face mask -- the only other mask I think I have used in my 26 years is the Queen Helene mint mask (classic green mask clasically paired with robe & hair rollers!)

The box looks like this and costs around $9.60 for a box of 10.

Description:
Kuan Yuan Lian NATURAL CARE Moisture Mask contains some natural botanical extracts like rose, orange blossom, lily, aloe vera, chamomile, and even hyaluronic acid. Skin is immediately replenished. White Rose extract enhances skin's resistance to help form a water-binding mechanism to prevent the loss of skin moisture. Leaving skin moist, supple and radiant. Recommend for the dehydrated and dry skin.

Directions:
1. After cleansing face, take the mask out and put it on face
2. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Take it off and gently massage face by fingertips to promote further essence absorption
3. Use it 1-3 times weekly.

Open Mask

Anyways, after some minor confusion, I was able to successful apply the mask. Basically, just stick to face and remove plastic backing!

I tried to smooth it out as best as I could...the serum is quite slick and the mask itself is slippery and drenched! After a few minutes sitting on my face, I could feel the mask getting tighter. It also kind of itches...hmmm...I think it might be the hyaluronic acid? The itching doesn't last too long. The smell was decent, but not anything particularly impressive. :P

After about 25 minutes, the mask *still* felt pretty moist. I didn't want to waste any of it, but even if I had waited another 15 minutes, it would still probably be wet to the touch!

Off it goes!

After massaging the serum into my face, I felt like my face itself was a little plumper. (hopefully not swelling lol) It did feel a little 'tight' so I just applied my regular Olay night moisturizer over everything. My skin admittedly is not so great right now due to a certain time of the month. So far, nothing has agitated my skin and caused a break out...hopefully this mask won't either! Will update with thoughts in the AM!

And just for kicks, here is DOMO-KUN! He gives a big Domo welcome to .maitai (so jealous, Hawaiian princess!!!), randomnesswithKhris (lol, love this name!) & abcgrrrl! (holla!!!)

Good night! ♥

**(2/9/10)Morning update: Skin feels "plumper" & quite soft. Nothing extraordinary, guess I have to try a few more times this week until I start noticing more differences.