Hi Divas

Welcome back to another Pamper Sunday edition. I love Sundays as these are my relaxing self-care days, where I can indulge in much needed TLC for my body. This week I am bringing to you the strangest mask I have ever tried. This is the Sephora Silver Mask Glow Booster. I picked this up at a Sephora a while ago when I was working in Doha, Qatar. This mask intrigued me the most as it is made out of foil and contains diamond extracts. Now we all know diamonds are a girl's best friend, therefore if I can get some bling into my skincare routine, that would be real luxury living! The mask too claims to illuminate, smooth and moisturize dull tired skin. I am going to need all these promises to work as this pandemic world of late is stressful and it shows in my dreary looking complexion.

The Sheet mask is well packaged in a silver futuristic design and is enclosed by two protective mesh sheets inside. The mask is foiled on one side only and the white fabric on the back should be placed directly onto the face. Sephora states the silver look is for an awesome selfie, therefore I'm assuming that the foiled section is solely for aesthetics. The mask holds a generous amount of essence as the sheet is drenched in product. Excess serum can be stored in the fridge to be used the next day. The essence contains diamond powder extracts which is known to remove dead skin cells thus causing a brighter complexion. It too helps to stimulate collagen production, reduces the appearance of sun damage and increases deep hydration. Clearly diamonds turn out to be a real best friend indeed.

This is honestly one of the weirdest masks I have ever worn. It is comfortable to wear and does not slide down the face. It feels heavier than most masks as it has an extra foiled layer to it. The sheet fits snug on my features and I had no problems with it being too small or too big over my face. The essence feels very moisturising on the skin and has a cooling effect. I could wear this for more than 30 minutes without any hindrances. My face looked visibly brighter and felt smoother after use. This is a fun mask to try out and wear. The illuminating and hydrating benefits are for the moment but it won't give any long-lasting effects. I would say that the mask is quite gimmicky and not needed within your skin care routine. It's great to try out for fun and as stated selfie purposes. You won't be missing out on any skin care secrets if you don't pick this up. I am glad I gave it a try though. I enjoyed looking like a futuristic character from a Sci-Fi movie.

What do you think of my new look? Let me know down below.

Hi Divas

This year, 2020 has been a monumental mess in all aspects. I think we are all tired of the loss, pain and struggles of everyday life. Trying to stay above water as everything came crashing down was a reality for most of us. Things like indulging in entertainment, beauty and fashion suddenly took a back seat. With all the stress this year brought and the continuous use of constricting face masks, our skin definitely took a hard beating. Thankfully Ponds has provided luxurious face masks for an extremely affordable price. These masks come in two varieties, and I have already done a review on one here. The Age Miracle Firming Sheet Mask is what I shall be highlighting in this post. These masks are made in Korea, which is amazing as they save us shipping fees from exporting them from Korea to our door. The Ponds masks are packed with nutritious ingredients and made from similar cotton fibres which are well known in Korean Skin Care. The Firming mask promises to boost the skin's natural plumping power. I need all the power I can get as I am not getting any younger and theses face masks and pandemic woes are not doing me any favours.

 

The sheet mask is very comfortable to wear. The cotton fibre is soft and the holes are big enough to fit snug across the face. The mask is drenched in essence and the left-over serum can be kept in the fridge to use the next day. The texture of the serum is gel like and feels very soothing and moisturizing on the skin. It does not run or drip down the neck. The essence has a viscous consistency but absorbs well into the skin. There is a slight sweet medicinal scent, but it is nothing over whelming. This mask is enjoyable to wear as it fits like a glove. I can easily wear it for more than 30 minutes with no worries. It relaxes the face and feels very hydrating. All my facial creams mix well with the essence when I apply it on top. My skin does not feel sticky or congested after use.

I love the results this mask gives me at night and the next morning. It visibly moisturizes and plumps the skin. My face looks revived and rejuvenated. I don't have any visible wrinkles to comment on regarding reduction but I am hoping with continuous use, this sheet mask can help in preventing them to occur at a slower rate. Let's face it, wrinkles are inevitable but you want to reduce its appearance and slow down production, if you know what I mean! I totally recommend these masks, as they are very affordable, packed with wonderful ingredients and visibly nourish and hydrate the skin. You truly won't be disappointed. In these crazy times, I need all the help I can get. 

Hi Divas

 

I hope you are all healthy, happy and doing well. I am so glad to be back at blogging again after my 3-month hiatus. Blogging is a wonderful creative outlet for me and I am excited to get back into the swing of things. Cape Town has come out of a chilly end to the Winter months and I am truly looking forward to Summer. The super cold days can wreak havoc on my combination skin and cause dry, flaky and a dull complexion. This is especially prevalent around my mouth and forehead area. I therefore always have to switch up my skin care routine, when the weather changes. Thankfully, I have been using the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin line, which has been an incredible life saver. My last review was on the wonderful Ceramidin Liquid Moisturizing Toner, which you can read here. Adding on to this line is the Ceramidin Facial Masks aimed at intense moisturization. These nifty sheet masks are great to use when you need an intense shot of hydration. They are perfect for lazy spa days and to wear on the go between travel journeys.

 

I purchased these sheet masks at Sephora in a pack of 5. The box has the exact clean and bright packaging as the rest of the Ceramidin range. Compared to other K beauty brands Dr Jart opts for non-gimmicky and simple clear packaging on most of their products. They really don't need a whole lot of extra flair, as their ingredients in their products speak loud and clear to get skincare enthusiasts' attention. Speaking of ingredients, the sheet masks are packed with the same 5 Cera Complex, as the rest of the range, along with Ectoin and Moisturizing Peptide Complex. The 5 Cera Complex are ceramides which prevent moisture loss and restores the skin's protective barrier. Ceramides are naturally found in our skin but deplete overtime. Using ceramides in our products helps to keep the epidermis hydrated, supple and youthful. Ectoin is an emollient which helps maintain the water balance in our skin thus creating a well hydrated, soft and smooth complexion. The Moisturizing Peptide Complex provides an enriched moisture barrier while encouraging stronger elasticity in the skin, thanks to the building protein blocks scientifically known as peptides. All these ingredients give promising effects if used on a regular basis overtime.

 

I have used these sheet masks on my worst skin days ever, and I always had satisfying results. I would wear it on super cold stormy days when my face was dull and crusty to the touch. I even applied it on one of my worst PMS breakout moments when my complexion could make the mirror crack from fright. Both occasions the sheet masks completely transformed my dull and dry complexion to soft hydrated and healthy skin. I would use it at night and wake up to a supple, moisturized and glowing face. The ceramides in the essence does an amazing job in actually penetrating into the skin and giving results that would last for days. These sheet masks have become a holy grail in my skin care routine and I definitely want to purchase more. They have been proven to give lasting results and not superficial temporary effects. I do have to say that if you own the 150 ml Liquid Toner, you probably will not need the sheet masks as they do the exact same thing. The toner is more of an investment than the sheet masks. The masks are great though for a quick dose of intense moisturization on the go or if you want to try out the brand for the first time. If you love the range and the results it gives like I do, then definitely get both. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you so much for reading. 

Hi Divas

As some of you may know, I absolutely love sheet masks and have been using them for years. It is the first product I have ever used in K Beauty back in the day. I am always stocking up on them and love trying different varieties. On my last trip to Sephora I purchased the Sephora Coconut Face Mask as I have tried other coconut masks before and loved them. This one claimed to be nourishing and soothing, which I thought would be excellent to use for the cold Winter days in Cape Town. I decided to whip this one out during Lockdown a few weeks ago as my skin had minimal sun exposure due to the rainy cold weather in. My face was feeling very tight and dry, plus I was experiencing PMS and suffering from breakouts. From that description you can tell Quarantine life was not doing me any favours, going from beauty and turning into a beast. I needed a sheet mask that would lift my face as well as my spirits. Little did I know it was one of my biggest mistakes.

As mentioned above, this mask is targeted at soothing and nourishing dry skin. It contains Coconut fruit extract as well as Coconut oil which can be problem ingredients for sensitive skin. I have never experienced issues with both ingredients before and therefore happily went ahead in using the mask. The essence contains Quinoa seed extract as well, which was a surprising addition to me as I have never seen this ingredient in any of my skincare products. I read up on it as I was intrigued by the benefits, and it apparently helps with hydrating and softening the skin. It acts as a strong anti-irritant, anti-oxidant and has repairing properties. This description sounds wonderful and I'm wondering why brands have not added quinoa seed extracts into more of their products.

I was very excited to use this mask because of the ingredients and description on the packaging and waited for a cold rainy evening to test it out. The mask is packaged in the typical Sephora sleeve along with a protective mesh net. The actual mask is a generic soft cotton fibre drenched in essence. When I placed the mask on my face, I had to play around to adjust it since the holes for the eyes and nose were quite small. I shudder to think how someone with a bigger face stricture than me would get this mask to fit comfortably. I barely made it without the essence dripping in the inner corners of my eyes. Nevertheless, the mask is soft on the skin and feels refreshing. The essence has a sour scent though and does not smell like coconut whatsoever. That was very disappointing as I like coconut scents. It always seems uplifting and refreshing for me and I was counting on this mask to give me that same feeling. Clearly not!

After wearing this mask for 30 minutes as I usually do with all my other sheet masks, I decided to remove it and blend my moisturiser on top. Upon peeling off the mask, my face had a shocking red flush to it and felt hot. My cheek area looked highly irritated and had a tingly sensation. I tried to blend my moisturiser on my face to cool my skin down and that is when I realised my skin was getting an allergic reaction. I have combination skin and I rarely experience any sort of negative reactions or sensitivity to my skin care products. There was something in this mask that just sent my skin over the edge. I decided to do some research to see what it could be and many had similar outcomes to me. It must have been the Coconut fruit extracts or Coconut oil, which is weird because I never have reactions to these ingredients in other masks and products. Although reading up on it, many experience this kind of reactions to coconut ingredients. Could it also be the Quinoa seed extract? I just don't know.

On top of that this mask was not soothing or nourishing to my skin at all. My skin still felt dry and had a rough texture to it. This whole reaction surprised me greatly as I felt no adverse effects while wearing the mask. I went about my evening thinking everything was fine. The minute I removed the sheet mask my face was screaming back at me. I really wanted to like this mask but I have to trash it and not recommend it to anyone. If you had great experiences with this mask that is good but for those who want to give it a go, I would say proceed with caution. These are my personal experiences and I am sharing them with you in the hopes it helps you make informative decisions in the future.

Hi Divas
Dr Jart is a fairly new Korean skincare brand that is taking the world by storm. They started online in 2005 and have since expanded their wings across the cosmetic market. I have always wanted to get my hands on their products and am so happy that they are now stocked at Sephora. For those of you who don't know, I am a huge fanatic of Korean skincare, especially their sheet masks. I was very excited to pick up this mask on one of my trips to Sephora in Doha. Sheet masks are a great way to try out new brands without spending a fortune on their ranges. I figured if I like this mask, I would dip my toes deeper into what they have to offer regarding their different skin care lines. The Brightening Solution mask is marketed to those who suffer from a dull complexion and uneven skin tone. The mask promises to provide a more youthful and radiant appearance while visibly brightening pigmentation problems. Since I am a woman of colour, I do have some uneven skin tone on my forehead. This is very common around woman with tan to deep skin, as sometimes our skin tone tends to suffer discolouration due to sun exposure or blemishes. I do want to note that this is not a whitening product but a mask designed to help treat discolouration and dullness in the face.


The sheet mask is made of ultra-fine microfibre that luxuriously softens the skin. Since the mask is made of such a soft fibre it is held together by a mesh netting. The mask contains Niacinamide, Bisabolol as well as, Glutathione which is an anti-oxidant. All these ingredients are very beneficial and effective in treating dark spots, brightening the skin and preventing unwanted pigmentation spots from developing. The ingredients are listed on the back of the packaging and they seem to be very impressive. I love that Niacinamide is so highly listed, which means that there is a high percentage of it in the essence. Niacinamide is one of my absolute favourite skin care ingredients, as it not only brightens skin but aides in preventing premature ageing. With all these vital ingredients the mask does have a medicinal scent when opening and applied on the face but it doesn't last long. The actual essence has a creamy milky and thick texture. It absorbs well into the skin and feels very soothing and nourishing. It hydrates and moisturises the skin too. It doesn't feel sticky or leave an unwanted residue. Instead the leftover serum mixes well with my night cream and my skin is left feeling ultra-moisturised.


The sheet fibre is made of a soft cotton which absorbs the essence well. The mask is drenched in product which I love. The only con I have with the fibre is that it is designed way to small. I could barely fit the holes of the mask over my face without the product dripping into my eyes. I shudder to think what a man might go through if they try to use this. Men are very much into skin care too these days and I'm afraid that this mask might only moisturise half their face. Other than that, the mask fits snug on the face and adheres well. It is very comfortable to wear and I totally forgot it was on and wore it for more than 30 minutes. The fibre feels very soft and nourishing on the face. You really do feel like you are giving yourself a spa treatment at the end of the day.


 Follow me on Instagram and Snapchat at @divadesle ;-)

After removing the mask and adding my face cream, I couldn't believe the radiant glow that this mask gave me. My face looked so healthy and had a natural luminosity to it. Even though this is a brightening mask, I absolutely love how moisturising this product is. I was very surprised by this as most brightening products do not add that extra hydration. Even the next day, my face looked plump and youthful. This mask would be great as an extra step to treat hyper pigmentation. You will not see immediate results in that area, as dark spots take time to fade. It is a great addition to help in evening out your skin tone. This is an excellent mask that would suite all skin types. It is very well made and the ingredient list is top notch. I recommend it to anyone looking to add a little extra treatment and nourishment into their routine. I definitely want to purchase more when I get the chance.



Hope you found this review helpful. 
Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses! 
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I will be shining a spotlight on a lovely mask I picked up at Sephora in Doha. Sephora have really been stepping up their game when it comes to skin care lately. They have added a variety of masks and other facial products to their range. This is awesome news as the actual Sephora Collection brand is the cheapest in store among the other high competitor brands they sell. Now a days as consumers, we have to be more careful about our spending habits in this global economy. I love that they are providing cheaper alternatives without lacking on ingredients and quality. The Pineapple Face Mask is marketed as a pore perfecting and smoothing sheet mask. It promises to be a second skin which quenches the face within 15 minutes. The mask says that it tightens pores and smooths skin texture. I don't really have a problem with enlarged pores, nor do I have textured skin. I do have pores in the normal areas on the sides of my nose which become slightly visible under really bad cakey foundation coverage. I did test out this mask on my monthly red robot visits, as that is when my skin tends to throw a temper tantrum leaving me with unsightly zits.


This mask is enriched with pineapple extracts which are very beneficial for the skin. Pineapples are filled with Vitamin C and Beta Carotene which are great antioxidants that help to diminish wrinkles, and treat damaged skin from sun exposure and free radical pollution. It also improves skin texture and promotes collagen for firmer skin. Pineapples are not only great to eat but contain a number of health benefits that aid in youthful and healthy skin, making you look and feel better from the inside out. As I mentioned above, I don't really have problem skin so I was curious to see how this mask would perform on my face. I do believe in prevention is better than cure, therefore any ingredients that prevent skin damage is a yes in my book. When opening the mask, you get a sweet pineapple scent that hits you right in the face. This scent smells so good, that it actually makes me want to eat the mask, instead of putting it on my face. It smells like a refreshing pineapple cocktail. It reminds me of Summer and makes me want to have pineapple juice on the beach. Don't worry though, as this aroma is not pungent and won't last long on your skin. You therefore won't have to worry about unwanted insects sitting on your face being attracted to sweet pineapple sap, LOL.

I loved the overall performance of this mask. It visibly made my skin look so much smoother. It even feels soft and smooth to the touch. The mask did a wonderful job in improving the surface texture of my skin. This sheet mask would be great to use before makeup as it provides a smooth and soft canvas for foundation to glide on. As far as pores are concerned, I didn't see any visible results in diminishing the look of them. They still looked the same to me. I guess you would have to continuously use pineapple extracts to see improved results. Nothing is cured overnight. This mask is not overly moisturising or hydrating though. If you have very dry skin, you might not like this product or you would need to apply a heavier moisturiser on top. I like the performance of this one on my skin and would like to buy more in the future. By the way have you seen the cute bright packaging of this sheet mask? It is absolutely adorable and fun. I love it so much and it makes me want to purchase more, just to display on my desk.

Hope you found this review helpful.
Thank you for reading.
Divalicious Kisses.
Xxxx

Hi Divas

Welcome back to another Pamper Sunday edition. This time, I am taking it all the way back to Korean Beauty. As you may know this is where sheet masks all began and they make the best masks on the market. Goodal is a fairly new Korean brand and they focus on skincare. Their brand name consisting of 'Good' and 'All', incorporates good and natural remedies for the skin. They say their products 'contain all that is good and be good for all'. They focus on harvesting natural ingredients in a safe way that benefits the environment and our skin. Their emphasis is to provide products which create clear and a bright skin tone using modern technology and infusing the skin with vitality and energy of nature. I have used quite a few products from the brand and am therefore very familiar with their style and ingredients. I enjoy almost all their products as they are effective, gentle and easy on the wallet. The only con is that they are not easily available outside Korea. You would have to use international Kbeauty websites, Amazon and Ebay to purchase them. The mask I am featuring comes from the Water Full line. There are 4 variants in the range and I have used the brightening one.


The Brightening mask consists of Vitamins B2, C and E which aids in hyper pigmentation and clears the skin from scars and blemishes. It contains orange water, kiwi extract and sea mineral water for optimum nourishment and moisture. Sea water is very beneficial to our bodies as it contains minerals which naturally heal and soothe irritated and dry skin. The term 'water full' suggest that this mask is filled with maximum hydration. The line is created to deeply moisturize the face while adding brightening benefits as well. I love the bright aqua packaging of the mask. It really highlights the ocean aesthetic and gives a calming effect to the mask visually. It comes in a pack of 5 which is excellent value for money. The actual packaging is very sturdy and is great for travel as the sheet won't get damaged.


The sheet mask has a soft cotton fibre which fits very snug on the face. It feels slightly smaller when compared to other masks. If you have a bigger circumference to work with, you may find the mask a little too small to manipulate on your facial features. The sheet is drenched in essence and feels so moisturizing on the face. This is honestly one of the most hydrating masks I have ever used. I love that the sheet adheres to the skin and does not slide down at all. I could easily go for 45 minutes wearing it without it drying out or slipping off.  The material is really good quality in holding moisture. It feels so comfortable and soft on the skin. The essence itself has a slight creamy texture but it is not milky. There is no stickiness either and the essence absorbs easily into the pores. It does not leave any unwanted residue and it mixes well with any cream you will apply on top. There is a lot of serum left over in the packet and can be used the next day if stored in the fridge.


I absolutely adore the results from this sheet mask. The essence feels so nourishing and hydrating. The next day my skin always looks well moisturized and plump after use. I can really see the benefits when I use the Goodal masks. I just came out of a cold and rainy Winter in Cape Town. We are currently in spring now, thank goodness. My combination skin went through some trials during the cold 3 months. This mask truly helped me to not have a parched and dull complexion. I highly recommend this line and the brand as a whole. They make excellent products for a fraction of the cost. I will keep repurchasing the Water Full line as well as other products. If you are looking for something deeply nourishing and effective give Goodal a try. You won't be disappointed.


Thank you so much for reading
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

This post is seriously long overdue. I have had these masks stashed away for more than a year. I finally came around to using them and have reviews on them all. These masks are so old as the Sephora packaging as already changed on these masks, LOL. They have updated all the mask designs and I will share some with you later on the blog. If you don't know, I am a serious sheet mask junkie and love trying new variants. You can read up on some of my other face mask reviews by clicking on the Pamper Sunday link in the tags. Sephora masks are very affordable and cater to many skin types and concerns. I love that they are easy to use, store and travel with. The packaging is very colourful and makes it aesthetically pleasing to look at as well as use. I purchased the Orchid, Rose and Green Tea sheet masks a really long time ago. They were still in excellent condition when I used them recently though. The packaging is really secure and sturdy which prevents the masks from getting damaged, leaking and expiring easily. Props to Sephora for all of that! Moving on to the mini reviews:


Sephora Orchid Face Mask
The mask is enriched with orchid flower extract and is designed to visibly firm skin and reduce wrinkles. This is an anti-ageing mask which smoothes the face for a younger looking appearance. I do not have any visible wrinkles but I am not exactly a spring chicken either. I have to start doing preventive measures to keep the impending wrinkles at bay for as long as possible. The essence in this mask is thicker in consistency compared to most masks. It has a creamy texture and feels very soothing and comforting on the skin. It is soft and feels like milk on the face. It melts into the skin wonderfully and has a lovely floral scent that is not overpowering. After use my skin has a lovely glow to it. This is a comforting mask and would work well on tired skin. I obviously cannot comment on reducing wrinkles but if it is going to help in the long run then I am all for it. The mask fits well on the face and due to the thicker texture of the essence, it does not drip down the neck. There is no left-over essence in the packet though. Whatever is on the mask you will use in that one application. Overall it is a good mask but I probably won't rush to repurchase it again.


Sephora Green Tea Face Mask
Green tea in skincare is one of the most powerful ingredients. It contains antioxidants that prevent skin cancer as well as combats ageing. When I see green tea in sheet masks, I immediately get excited as I know, the mask will be beneficial for me. This mask is enriched with natural green tea leaf extract which is great for hydration. The mask is created for a clean, purified and anti-blemish appearance as well as mattifying. When your skin is properly moisturised, your face won't feel the need to produce excessive amounts of oils. Therefore, this mask is great to provide treatment to oily dehydrated skin. The mask has a gel like texture which is not runny or too thick. It is just the right density to be easily absorbed into the pores but still leave a moisturising feeling. The mask sits snug on the face and you can do other activities while wearing it. It has a fresh citrus scent and does come with a protective sleeve as the other masks do too. There is much essence left in the packet as well as on the protective sleeve and can be used for up to two days if stored in the fridge. I love the feeling this mask gives me. It is very comfortable to wear on the skin and leaves me with a soft and hydrated complexion. This is a lovely mask and I recommend it to all skin types. With continuous use, you will get a lot of skin benefits from it including treating existing blemishes. I would definitely buy it again. 


Sephora Rose Face Mask
Rose water is known to have many skin benefits such as helping maintain the PH balance as well as being anti-inflammatory and cleaning out clogged pores. This mask was made to provide ultra-moisture and brightening. It contains natural rose extract and has a rose scent that is not artificial but quite fresh. The mask is pink in colour as the essence stains the cotton fibre as well as the protective sleeve. You won't have to worry about the essence staining your clothes though, because it is not that concentrated. The essence in this one has a runnier texture and will slide down the neck if you not careful. There is lots of essence left in the rose packet too and can be used for up to two days when stored in the fridge. The sheet mask has a cooling and refreshing feeling on the skin. It gives radiance and plumps up the face after use. Even the next morning my skin still had a bright and revitalized look and feel to it. It truly moisturises well and would be great for dry sensitive skin. The mask is one of my favourites and I will totally purchase it again.


*****
 Have you tried any of these masks? What are your thoughts on the change in packaging design? Do let me know in the comments below. Thank you so much for reading and hope you found these mini reviews helpful.


Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I'm back with another face mask review and I love doing these as I am a sheet mask fanatic. As you may know it is really cold in Cape Town lately because we are in the heart of Winter at the moment. I therefore need all the hydration I can get on my skin. Neutrogena has added these hydrogel sheet masks into their Hydro Boost family. I love using the Hydro Boost range as they are effective in moisturising my skin and they are easy on my wallet too. I was excited to see that they expanded their line by adding face masks. The fact that they decided on creating hydrogel masks is particularly awesome because they are considered to be the premium varieties in the skin care world. For those of you that don't know, hydrogel is made up of special molecules that can hold up to 10x more moisture than regular fabric material. They are often used in the medical and scientific field because of their effectiveness. When it comes to sheet masks, hydrogel masks hold a lot of moisture and therefore soak up more nutrients than a cotton fibre mask. When you place these on your skin, it absorbs the maximum amount of product making it an excellent and fast treatment for skin concerns such as dryness and sensitivity. There are three masks within the Neutrogena line and I decided to test out and purchase the Hydrogel Recovery Mask with Hyaluronic Acid.


The mask is described as a hydrating sheet mask which holds up to more than 50% of essence compared to a normal mask. It has a supply of one months' worth of serum in a single mask application. It contains hyaluronic acid found in the rest of the Hydro Boost line. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin and it attracts moisture from the outside environment and holds it in our skin thus keeping us moisturised and looking youthful and radiant. By adding extra hyaluronic acid into our skin, we are aiding it in retaining the ultimate moisture. The mask has a cooling technology as well, which helps to calm irritated or sensitive skin. The packaging of these masks is aesthetically pleasing as they have the same bright blue colours and the actual packet is travel friendly and shields the mask. Inside, the face mask is covered in protective sheets to keep the essence in and to prevent it from breaking. These masks are made in Korea and says it comes with 30 ml of essence.


The mask comes in two parts and you should be very careful when applying it. It has a gel texture and can be torn if you are too rough when removing it from the packaging. The gel material is soft and can easily be manipulated to fit your face well. On me, it does tend to gape at my chin and cover my nose which makes breathing difficult at first, but it is nothing I can't fix. The mask tends to slide down the face if you are doing activities or brisk movements. It would be best to sit and relax when wearing the sheet mask. As I mentioned, it has a jelly like gel texture and fits comfortably on the face. It feels really soft and cooling. This is great to use after a long day as the texture feels very relaxing and soothing. The mask comes with eye and lip flaps as well, but I prefer to not use them because I don't want product entering my eyes and mouth. The essence has a similar scent to the rest of the products within the Hydro Boost line. I personally like the scent as it smells clean and fresh to me. If you are someone that is sensitive to fragrance, do keep this in mind.


 When you take out the mask, unfortunately most of the product slides off into the packet and you are therefore left with little essence on the mask and more in the sleeve. It therefore does not feel as moisturising as I hoped it would. Since the mask is made up mainly of hyaluronic acid, it would be beneficial to lightly wet the face first before applying it. As the hyaluronic acid attracts and keeps moisture, using this after a hot shower would aid your skin the most. I usually wear masks for 30 minutes and whatever is left in the sleeve, I love to gently pat it onto my skin. To be honest after using this sheet mask my face did not feel extra moisturised or hydrated. In fact, I couldn't wait to apply my face cream because my skin was feeling quite tacky. The dry areas did disappear but I didn't get that soft and supple feeling that my other sheet masks give me. Even the next morning my skin didn't feel or look any different from when I first applied it. I think this mask is not as potent as it is marketed to be. This is a very basic sheet mask and is good to use for a boost or pick me up in that very moment. I would use it as an extra step if I was going out somewhere. For long term effects, this mask will not do the trick. There are many wonderful variants out there that are packed with moisture and beneficial ingredients which will relieve skin problems over time. I would probably not purchase this one again.


Have you tried these masks? What are your thoughts? Let me know below! 
Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

When it comes to sheet masks, I am quite accustomed to the quality of what makes a great sheet mask. Ever since discovering Korean Cosmetics and using their sheet masks for years I have become a bit of a sheet mask snob. Sheet masks are designed to give your skin an extra boost of hydration and combat a skin concern such as hyper pigmentation, acne, dryness or oily skin. Sheet masks are super effective as they contain high dosages of ingredients that can easily be absorbed into your skin thus making it more effective than a cream. It is basically a concentrated essence or serum which left on the face for 20 minutes, can absorb a maximum amount of skin benefits. They are really great as they are travel friendly and can be used literally on the go. When I stumbled on the Ponds sheet masks, I was so surprised and delighted to see them. This is a huge step up for the brand as most cosmetic brands have seen the benefits of sheet masks and started developing their own too. The Korean skin care regime has really taken the Western world by storm and I am loving it. There are three variants in the range and I decided to purchase the Skin Brightening Serum Mask. What drew me in the most about these masks are the fact that they are made in Korea, which is wonderful, and they claim that 1 sheet equals 30 x the serum intensity. Imagine gaining 30 x a skin care benefit in one single sheet application. Yes please, sign me up!

As I stated above, I am well aware of what makes a high calibre sheet mask compared to a mediocre one and you may be thinking well what is it? Firstly, in any skin care product ingredients is the number one factor on that list. When it comes to the Ponds Brightening Mask, we see that the serum is packed with vital extracts such as Niacinamide, Vitamin E and Sea Daffodil. Niacinamide is truly the miracle ingredient in skin care today. Also known as Vitamin B3, this gem fights pigmentation scars, eliminates wrinkles and prevents future ones from forming and it naturally brightens the face. Vitamin E, helps to heal scars and is great for people with hyper pigmentation problems too. It helps to moisturise and soften the skin. Sea Daffodil repairs sun damage and prevents dark spots from developing on the skin. Again, if you suffer from pigmentation or scaring, this mask would be an excellent choice for you. Another factor in what makes a good sheet mask is the fibre of the mask and how well it holds moisture and does it effectively hydrate the skin. This mask has a soft cotton fibre which absorbs the essence really well. When you hold the mask in your hand, you can feel the product is heavy and drenched in serum, therefore the mask will not dry out easily on the face. The pink metallic packaging protects the mask well from outside factors such as heat and prevents the mask from oozing out if dropped or punctured.

The actual size of the cotton fibre fits the face nicely. I do not have to struggle and adjust to fit it over the eyes and mouth area. The fibre is quite soft and thin and you would have to be careful to not tear it when you are applying it on your face. It does fit comfortably though and I love that it does not move or slide down. It stays put and you can go about your day doing other things while wearing the mask. It says to leave the mask on for 15 minutes but I love to go the extra mile and wear it for 30 minutes. There is not much of a scent in the essence and it actually smells quite clinical to me. For those who have a sensitivity to fragrance, you definitely won't have a problem here. The serum is quite thick in consistency and I love that it does not run down my neck and creating a mess everywhere. The texture is gel like but not sticky at all. It absorbs easily into the skin and does not leave an unwanted residue or film. It blends well into my face when I add my cream on top of it.

I absolutely love the way this mask makes my skin feel. My face is visibly moisturised, soft to the touch and plump. I love to use the mask at night and I notice a big difference in the morning. I don't look dull, dragged down and dehydrated. It truly uplifts the overall look of my skin and my face seems more radiant. The mask claims to boost a glow from within and I truly see the effects of just that. The mask claims as well, that it holds 30 x the serum intensity in one application. The essence is definitely concentrated and it does seem to hold weight in one application. Although no skin concern can be solved overnight. By using these masks overtime, you will experience a significant difference in pigmentation problems. Using Niacinamide on a regular basis will help and improve your skin condition considerably. This is not a miracle product but it will aid in adding hydration and eliminating hyperpigmentation in the long run. Overall, I am very impressed with these masks and am going to purchase more. They are a great find and addition to my skin care routine. I totally recommend them!


Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I purchased these Coconut Ceramide masks at a Sephora in Qatar. I love that Sephora has been stocking more Kbeauty products lately. Their sheet mask range as improved greatly within the store. Too Cool For School is a well-known Korean beauty brand. I have only tried their Pumpkin 24K Gold Sheet Mask. You can read that review here. The brand has some cult products which Kbeauty fanatics rave about. I love trying new sheet masks and the packaging of the coconut ceramide mask looked too cute to resist. When I came across these coconut masks, I immediately wanted to try it. Firstly, I love the scent of coconut. It always seems so refreshing and calming to me. Secondly coconut is known to have many great benefits to our bodies inside and out. These masks were one of the most affordable available in the skin care range. I love finding new products that are budget friendly too.

The mask is filled with freshly squeezed coconut water and ceramides, and is described as having brightening and anti-wrinkle properties too. Coconut water has wonderful benefits to hydrate and soothe dry, dull and irritated skin. You can use it as an everyday moisturiser because it replenishes and hydrates the flakiest skin. It contains anti-bacterial properties which help relieve and prevent acne as well. Coconut water is well known for creating a natural glowing complexion. It helps fade sun tan marks as well as blemishes and pigmentation problems. Ceramides are naturally found in our skin and they serve as protecting building blocks to keep in moisture, retain elasticity and acts as protective walls against pollution and other outside harmful elements. Ceramides are responsible for keeping our skin firm and supple. As we age these ceramides breakdown therefore using skin care which contain ceramides help the skin stay moisturised, firm and healthy.

The mask is made out of a thin cotton fibre and is packaged securely with two plastic protective sheets around it. The actual sheet is very delicate and you should handle it with care when applying it to your face as it might tear. The sheet is drenched in essence and there is a lot of product left over in the outside packaging. I would suggest you keep the rest of the essence in the fridge to use the next day. The sheet mask fits really comfortable on the face and feels very cooling and hydrating. The actual essence has a light consistency but it is not too runny. I absolutely love the fresh coconut scent of this mask as it is not artificial or too overbearing. This is honestly one of my favourite masks I have ever used. It feels so moisturizing and soothing on the face. I could wear this mask for a full hour as it does not dry out easily and sits snug on the face. My skin feels so refreshed, hydrated and calm after using it. It does not leave an unwanted sticky residue as some sheet masks tend to do. The remaining essence on my face blends wonderfully into my moisturiser.

I can truly tell the difference in the hydration levels and suppleness of my skin after using this mask. I would wear it at night and wake up to soft, glowing and healthy looking skin in the morning. I used these during the cold Winter months too and they made such a difference to my skin care routine. I definitely recommend these masks and cannot wait to purchase more. They are available on Ebay too if you cannot get to a Sephora. By the way, follow me on Snapchat @divadesle, to see more crazy sheet mask selfies. ;-)

Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Pamper Sunday:

 Hiddencos Americano and Latte Mask 

Review

Hi Divas

What is better than coffee? Nothing, because coffee is EVERYTHING!! I am not ashamed to admit that I am a serious coffee addict. I swear there is nothing that warms my soul more like that first cup of dark liquid goodness in the morning. It is the first thing I do when I wake up. Ask any of my family members. They will gladly tell you that I switch on the kettle to make me a cup of java before I even open my eyes, LOL. It's not just the high that coffee gives me when I drink it. It's the smell and taste that sends me into nirvana. What would life be like without coffee? I shudder to think. Besides coffee being a wonderful and magical drink, it gets a really bad rap in mainstream media. Coffee is a natural God given substance, which when used in moderation, gives beneficial benefits to your body including your skin. Who knew that coffee could have amazing skin benefits like anti oxidants, improving circulation, being anti-inflammatory, protecting against UV rays as well as making skin smooth and bright. What better way to have these benefits than in a sheet mask. Hiddencos is a Korean skin care brand which came out with these mind blowing coffee masks. Sadly there is not much information on the brand on the interwebs so I cannot give you any more info than this. What I can say is their coffee masks are the BOMB.COM, LOL.

Americano Mask

This is the first mask I used from the range. It is packaged in the cutest coffee cup design. I just love the aesthetic detail that the brand invested in the packaging. It's honestly the cutest thing ever. This mask is described as a revitalizing ampoule mask with real Arabica coffee extract straight from Colombia. It is marketed as highly moisturizing as well as anti-bacterial and has anti-oxidants too. The main ingredients consist of Coffee extract which prevents inflammatory skin, prevents bacteria growth and helps prevention of psoriasis. Phyto Oligo is a plant extract that is anti-inflammatory and aids in keeping the skin moisturised. Fructan, a natural plant ingredient which helps retain and hold water. Portulaca extract prevents sensitivity to skin and soothes it. Witch hazel extract prevents sun damage and heals inflammation. While Chamomile water treats acne and dermatitis issues.  

This mask has a super strong filter coffee scent. It smells like a real americano coffee freshly brewed. This scent is heaven to me but may be over whelming to some who cannot stand strong scents. The essence is very thin in texture and has a tendency to drip down your neck. Be careful when using this mask as the essence is brown in colour and may drip down and stain clothes. The actual sheet is made of thin cotton and is drenched in essence. It is soft and comfortable to wear on the face. It feels very moisturising and soothing on the skin. I would wear it for 30 minutes and pat the rest of the essence into my skin. My face definitely feels revitalized and awake after I use it. Even the next day, my skin looks and feels refreshed and alive. There is quite a bit of essence left in the pack and I like to put that in the fridge to be used the next day. This mask would be great to use in the morning as it gives an energized feeling to the skin.

Latte Mask

This mask is packaged in a cute orange coffee takeaway design. It is marketed as a brightening and whitening mask. By whitening they do not mean skin lightening, rather treating pigmentation problems to get your skin back to its original skin tone. Along with the Columbian Arabica coffee extract the mask contains Adenosine and Niacinamide which aides in wrinkle prevention and helps brighten skin. Hyrulonic Acid is the magical ingredient that is natural found in our skin to retain and hold moisture. Aloe extract is excellent in treating irritated skin. Cetella extract reduces inflammation and Betaine contains amino acids that moisturise and give a healthy glow to the skin.

The mask lives up to its name as it has a complete milky texture. It smells exactly like a creamy coffee which is kind of crazy because it totally confuses the mind. My brain keeps sending signals to my mouth to take a sip because the scent is making my brain associate it with a latte. I keep opening my mouth wanting to take a gulp while wearing this mask, hehehe. Again, if you are sensitive to scents this may be a real trigger for you. The essence has a thicker texture than the Americano mask. It therefore does not drip down the neck. It is white in colour so you won't have to worry about it staining your clothes. The mask fibre feels very soft and comforting on the face. It is soothing, moisturizing and calming on the skin. I love the way this mask makes my skin feel. My face feels so nourished and soft after I use it.

Do you like my sexy selfie? Follow me on Snapchat @DIVADESLE for more craziness. I absolutely enjoyed using these face masks and all the wonderful benefits each one has. The masks made such a difference to the way my skin looks and feels. I personally love the Latte mask the most and will definitely purchase that one again. It truly gave such great results. The Americano mask was good but the formula was a little too runny for me. Have you tried any skin care products containing coffee extracts? Do let me know below. Also tell me if you love coffee as much as I do, LOL.

Thank you for reading

Divalicious Kisses!

Xxxx

Pamper Sunday: 

Sephora Algae and Pearl 

Face Mask Review

Hi Divas!

I was recently reminded that I have a working uterus and my body was clearly taking visible revenge on me for not reproducing. My skin was acting out and I had unsightly breakouts setting up camp on my face. I usually get hormonal breakouts around once a month but this time was a full on revenge party. I truly didn't understand what was going on but I knew I had to give my face some tender love and care. I remembered that I had purchased two masks from Sephora and thought this would be an ideal time to put them to the test. After all I don't just buy sheet masks for the pretty packaging. I would actually like them to work when I wear it too. The Algae face mask is marketed towards purifying and detoxifying the skin. I thought I would start with that one first and see if it would relieve any existing blemishes and stop new ones from forming. I then decided to use the Pearl face mask towards the end of the week to brighten up my dull, dearie and depressed skin.

Sephora Algae Face Mask
Algae extract comes from seaweed. It is known to contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that cleanses and detoxify skin. It protects the skin from free radicals and prevents collagen from breaking down. It keeps the skin hydrated while restoring it. The mask is packaged well with a protective film over it. It is made out of thick cotton. These sheets are thicker than the normal Korean cotton fibres. It fits snug on the face and does not slide or drag down. The essence has a slight chemical sea breeze scent to it. It has a gel like texture as it not runny at all. I like that it does not drip down the face. I do feel that the consistency is slightly drying and not moisturising enough. After wearing it for 30 minutes, my skin did not feel as well moisturised as I would have liked it. The essence soaks quickly into the skin and it does have a cooling effect. I honestly did not see any improvements in clearing up my breakouts. It probably helped a little but I guess it was not effective enough for any real visible differences. Sigh, someone hand me the chocolate! My treat of choice to cure all sorts of PMS ailments.

Sephora Pearl Face Mask

Pearl extracts are beneficial for the skin in that it contains nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. These all help the skin fight acne, treat discolouration, heal breakouts and give vitality and suppleness. This mask is packaged exactly the same as all the other Sephora masks. It is a little smaller in diameter but it does fit my face. It has a slight floral scent but nothing overpowering. The mask feels very comforting and moisturising. Unlike the algae mask the essence is very hydrating and soothing. It absorbs easily into the skin and the texture is not runny therefore it does not drip down the neck. This mask contains a lot more essence in the packet and I like to pat it into my skin when I am done wearing the mask. I love this mask as it brightened up my tired and dull complexion. It evens out my skin tone making it more radiant and refreshed.

Do you like my selfie? Follow me on Snapchat DIVADESLE to see more craziness. Over all I loved the Pearl mask over the Algae one. I would definitely repurchase it and give the Algae mask a skip. I was really hoping it would do wonders for me but it was a total let down. Thank goodness for the Pearl face mask saving the week. Have you tried any of the masks? Let me know below. Now pass me the chocolate! I need to celebrate getting through another revenge period. LOL ;-)

Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas!

It is starting to get chilly in Cape Town. I therefore had to change up my skin care routine quite a bit. I have combination skin but during colder months my skin tends to get dry and flaky on my forehead and around my mouth area. The best way to add an extra boost of moisture to my face is through a sheet mask. I love how convenient and super effective they are. I swear, they are miracle skin care inventions. Innisfree is a well known Korean beauty brand. They specialise in skin care products but have branched out into makeup too. Their It's Real range consists of a variety of sheets mask to target specific skin care needs. The manuka honey variant is specifically formulated for dry rough and irritated skin. Manuka honey originates in New Zealand, made by bees through the manuka bush. This magical honey is known to help heal acne and eczema. It is filled with beneficial nutrients that improve skin tone and give vitality to the skin. It is a wonderful healing and moisturising product. I love that I can get the benefits of the honey in a little sheet mask.

Besides the manuka honey, the mask contains jeju green complex which consists of green tea, tangerine and cactus extracts that all aide in soothing and moisturising irritated and dry skin. The mask is packaged in a pretty and classic sheet pack. The cotton sheet is triple layered to hold as much moisture as possible. The pack is filled with essence and the sheet is drenched in it. I love that the cotton sheet has a soft and thick texture. It adheres really well to the face and is soaked in the serum. It fits my face perfectly and I can wear it for 30 minutes and more without it sliding off my face.  The essence has a clear thick serum texture. Even though the mask is heavy with essence it does not drip down the neck area. The sheet is strong enough to hold all the product. The mask feels very comforting and hydrating on the skin. The essence absorbs easily into the skin. I like that it does not sit on top of the face leaving an unwanted film. It blends wonderfully into the face. There is no specific scent to the mask. In fact, it kind of smells slightly medicinal. This is great as most fragrances tend to irritate people with sensitive skin. 

Follow me on SnapChat: DIVADESLE!

I can't stress enough how comforting and soothing this mask is. It honestly feels like I am having a spa day when I wear it. It is so nourishing and hydrating. I like to wear it for 30 minutes and pat the remaining serum into my skin. I usually do my sheet masking at night and I wake up with the most moisturised face in the morning. It definitely takes away any dry patches I have along my face. This is a wonderful pick me up and moisture boost product. I usually buy my Korean products on Ebay. These are sold in a pack of three for under R100 ($10). This is an absolute bargain compared to sheet masks sold in stores near me. If you are looking for an affordable alternative, do give this a try. You won't be disappointed.


Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious kisses.
Xxxx