Etude House I Need You Mask Review: Tea Tree

Yo.

So this week I decided to try my sheet mask from Etude House, the I Need You line. It didn't took time to decide which one I wanna try first because my skin decided to be a lil bitch this week. Yes. My PMS skin decided it would make me look prettier if it popped 4 pimples at once. Can you feel the love? Thanks a lot, skin.

And because of that, I decided to try the Tea Tree one first, hoping it can sooth my pimples down. So here we go!

This Tree Tea mask supposed to sooth and clean your skin. The sheet mask contains extract from Tea Tree with soothing properties on skin to provide a fresh, clean complexion (as it is written on the packaging). My pimple gals out there might already familiar with this ingredient as Tea Tree is commonly used to solve our acne problem. Some of you might be too scared using products with Tea Tree in it because it can dry out your skin. Well until this time I never experienced any dryness after using a tea tree sheet mask. But I did experience terrible dryness after using The Body Shop's Tea Tree Line. Is this mask going to work on my skin? Let's find out.

Ingredients:
WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, CITRUS PARADISI (GRAPEFRUIT) FRUIT EXTRACT, ALCOHOL, PANTHENOL, CARBOMER, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, XANTHAN GUM, MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF EXTRACT(20MG), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ALLANTOIN, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, SOPHORA ANGUSTIFOLIA ROOT EXTRACT, LONICERA JAPONICA (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT, PRUNUS PERSICA (PEACH) LEAF EXTRACT, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE

As usual from a sheet mask, lots of natural ingredients. However, it also has alcohol and fragrance in this mask. So if you are the type of person who don't wanna put those 2 ingredients on your face, then you might wanna think twice.

I noticed that this mask also contains Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract. Can I expect my memory to improve after i use this mask?

Please laugh with me.

APPLICATION
As usual, cleansing, toning and exfoliating before I put my sheet mask on. I use Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution because it's really gentle on my acne skin.

The first thing that I noticed from opening the package and took the mask out, is that there is no a piece of layer that covers one side of the mask. You know, the one that prevents the one side of the mask from sticking with the other side. So when I pulled out, I got a chunk of cotton sheet mask that is pretty hard to unfold.

The second thing that I noticed, is there is no extra essence in the package D: Well there is, but you have to really squeeze out the package to get that tiny weeny extra. But on the happy side, there is no essence that dripping out from the mask because the essence itself is a bit thicker than My Beauty Diary ones, and also because there is less to be dropped to begin with. Well we don't spend our money to get the essence to be all over the floor right?

The cotton mask itself is also thicker than My Beauty Diary, but it sticks reaaally well on my face. I didn't feel like the mask slipped down from my face even once. Here's a picture of my creepy ghost-mask face as a bonus:

RESULT AND REVIEW
Well, after 2 times of use... I feel my pimples less hurt when they are touched (not a good example here). I didn't feel the effect immediately after I use the mask. But after I woke up, the bump and redness are still there, but it's just less hurt. IDK if it's because of my pimple meds or the mask tho. lol. But I think both has fasten the healing process of my pimples.

So overall, it's just a so-so mask. Maybe it's better to use this to prevent, rather than to heal your already forming acne.

Pros:
+ Hydrating & refreshing
+ Makes your pimples less hurt

Cons:
- Doesn't get rid of the bump and redness
- I still have a suck memory power

Ratings: 5.5/10
Purchase again? Maybeee

My Beauty Diary Sheet Mask Review: Apple Polyphenol & Black Pearl

So the first sheet mask from my haul that I'm going to review is from My Beauty Diary. This brand is a Taiwanese brand and they have a bunch of different kinds of sheet masks with different kinds of function that I  want to try if I managed to find them. So far, I only saw the Apple Polyphenol, Black Pearl, Collagen Firming, and Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing that are available at Watsons (or at least the Watsons that I visited). So I only picked up these two that I wanna try:

 

On the left is Black Pearl Mask, and on the right is Apple Polyphenol Mask

The company claims that this series of products do not contain paraben preservatives, alcohols, mineral oils, coloring agents or fluorescent agents.

SO LET'S JUMP INTO THE REVIEW!
 

Apple Polyphenol Mask (Right)

This mask supposed to be tightening your pores, and also gives you a brightening and clarifying effect. It also claims that it will control your oil production, hydrating, firming, and soothing your skin. So if you have the same problem with me (combination to oily skin with visible pores) then you might want to give this a try. This is some of the explanation at the back of the packaging:

This is the complete ingredients list if you wanna know, because some of these might not be too friendly to your skin:

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Medica Limonium (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Thrietanolamine, Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Enantia Chloranta Bark Extract, Hydroxyethil Urea, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Dipotassium Glychyrrizate, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrolized Soy Protein, Lecithin Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Glucoside, Carbomier, Iodopropynyl Butylacarbamate, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance(Parfum), Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Glycosphingolipids, Tocopherylactate

PHEW that was a long and hard one.

The green ones are the natural extracts in the mask, and as you can see there are tons of it. Despite being mentioned in the packaging, the Witch Hazel and Hydrolized Soy Protein is located at the bottom of the list, which means that it is not one of the key ingredients. This mask also contains fragrance. So if you are sensitive to it, you might wanna think twice before trying this. But looking that it is on the bottom of the list, it shows that it only contains a tiny weeny bit of it.

You might wanna remember that this mask is only to control your oil production and pores. So don't expect this to heal/calm your pimples. Cuz it's not.

Application

I use this after cleansing, exfoliating, and toning, which is the usual way I do before putting a sheet mask.

The mask has a generous amount of essence. I put the excess on my neck to save myself from buying a neck cream (this is not stingy, this is called cost effective) and dab it more onto the mask after I wear it. The essence has a light consistency, almost watery. Lookit dat essence:

The sheet is your common cotton mask sheet tho. When I put it on I can smell the faint scent of apple, which may be from the fragrance. At first it sticks pretty well on to my skin. But when I walk around the house, especially when I walk down the stairs, the mask slipped off a lil bit from my face lol. And when you sit down, the essence is dribbling down my neck and kinda drench my shirt a bit. So I think it's best to wear this while lying down. Here is a bonus of my mask-covered face with a fab looking cat ear hairband:

Well that is not the most beautiful sight I know.
I notice the cut for the mouth is really small. So for those who have a pretty wide mouth might struggle a bit with this mask. But maybe you can cut the mouth part and customize it according to your mouth shape (dat is if you have that much effort).

After 30 mins, I take off the mask and pat/massage my face to make the essence absorbs quickly. The essence does absorb quickly into the skin, which I like! Maybe it's because of the light consistency.

Results and Review

I use this mask for 3 times before I see the result and write for the review. The first time I use this mask, I don't feel my skin is brighter nor my pores tighten. I just feel like my skin is goodly moisturized. However, after I use this mask for the second and third time, I do feel my skin a bit brighter than before. However the effect doesn't last until the next morning tho. Also when I woke up, I notice I still have a lil bit of oiliness around my T-zone, but nothing too greasy.

After the third time, i can see my pores are really shrinking!

That is after I use this mask for the third time. Soz I don't have the before picture, but it was definitely bigger that this.

Pros:
+ It does shrink your pores
+ It does brighten your complexion a bit
+ Quick/Easy to absorb

Cons:
- Not really oil-controlling

Rating: 6/10
Purchase again? Maybe

Black Pearl Mask (Left)

The function of this mask is for optimal whitening, brightening and moisturizing.  So it's perfect for you who feel that your skin is dull and needs some extra brightening and a boost of nourishment. Some of the explanation from the package:

Ingredients list:(can't believe I'm doing this again)
Water,  Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Thriethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Glycyrhizza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Polysorbate 20, Dipotassium Glychyrrizate, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonium (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Malva Sylvesteris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyglutamic Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Fragrance(Parfum), Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Arbutin, Glycosphingolipids, Tocopheryl Acetate

Okay I admit I'm getting better at listing ingredients.

As usual the green ones are the natural extracts in the mask, and there is fragrance in this one too. As you can see it uses extracts from pearl, lemon, orange, and licorice for the natural whitening agent, as well as arbutin, which is a common ingredient found in whitening products.

I can see they really wanna achieve that intense brightening effect.

I heard that when you're having a break out, it is not recommended to use whitening products because it will make your skin more sensitive. So it is better to heal your acne first, then use this mask to get rid of the scars/dull look. Better safe than sorry :P

Application

Pretty much the same experience with the Apple Polyphenol one

Results and Review

Holy Moly.

Yes I can feel an immediate brightening effect even from the first time I use this. And the effect even still going strong until 2 or 3 days. I'm sure if you use this regularly the effect will last even longer. The packaging does say that your skin will appear flawless even without makeup. Guess what ladies and gentlemen. After I use this mask, The next day I feel confident going out without makeup. Well I still have my acne scars here and there. But I feel like my skin looks so much healthier and brighter. It definitely gets rid of the dull look on your face.

Pros:
+ Really whitens my face
+ Gets rid of that dull look
+ Moisturizing enough

Cons: 
-The brightening effect doesn't last permanently

Rating: 8.5/10
Purchase again? Gotta get the whole box I tell ya.

So here is my review of these 2 masks. So far I have a great experience with My Beauty Diary masks. I really wanna try the Aloe Vera and Bird's Nest ones. But it's reaaaaaly hard to find those. Leave me a comment if you know where to get these in Indonesia!

XOXO,
aruderra

Sheet Masks Haul! (Sheet-Masking for Oily/Acne Prone Skin)

Helloooooo!

SO I did a haul for mask sheets! I jumped into the mask sheets craze all because of my favorite Korean Beauty Youtuber Hanbyul recommended to try a 'One a Day Face Mask' routine to achieve a natural healthy glow complexion. Yas ladies, without a dewy-finish foundation and a bunch of highlighters you can have that radiating skin that people will mistake you for Jennifer Lopez, or not, pregnant. Or at least that's what she said.

But instead of doing this everyday, I'm going to do it every 3 times in a week.

Don't worry for those of you who have oily skin and think that putting sheet masks on your face is disgusting. To be honest that's what I thought about sheet masks in the first place. But I learned that as long as you don't choose a mask that contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is a moisturizing property commonly found in products for dry-skinned people, you are okay to use it. Or maybe just simply avoid masks that specifically has moisturizing function and choose for the other ones if you feel that your skin is hydrated enough. In fact, sheet mask is recommended for everyone as it has a bunch of properties that are really good for your skin.

I say that because I live in a really humid country. If you live in a 4-seasoned country and feel that your skin is dehydrated in winter even though you have an oily skin, then the Hyaluronic Acid masks or moisturizing masks in general is good for you!

Oh, and if you are currently suffering from a severe acne, I suggest you to skip this routine and focus more on healing your acne first. Because from my experience, when you are having a really bad break out, your skin is clogged up and might have a lot of dead skin cells so it won't be able to absorb the good essence from the mask properly, which results on the essence to end up only 'sitting' on your skin and you will feel your skin is 'oilier' and sticky. You might want to exfoliate your skin to solve this problem, but personally, I don't like to exfoliate my skin when I have a bad break out because it can irritate my skin even more.

After your skin is calmed down and your acne is healed, then you can join this jolly ride of sheet-masking journey! If you only have just one or two pimples, you can try to use sheet masks that have Tea Tree essence in it as it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Without further ado, these are the masks that I managed to get from here.

I got a bunch from Tony Moly, Etude House, Celebon, and My Beauty Diary. Maybe later I will add some more from The Face Shop.

The thing is, I am so annoyed by the fact that the masks here are overpriced and lack of variances. Most of the masks (except Celebon) priced between Rp. 30,000 - Rp. 40,000 (~$2-$3) a sheet. The most expensive one is from Tony Moly Home Skin Effector AC Laser Mask, which is around Rp. 90,000 (~$7). Celebon is more on the less pricy side, which is only around Rp. 20,000 (~$1). If someday I can go to Korea, I'm gonna buy ALL kinds of sheet masks that I see because the price is much much cheaper there. Hmp.

So there ya go. Later I'm gonna post about each of the masks and tell you which one is a bummer and which one is not. See Ya!

XOXO,
aruderra.

Hello

Hi there ladies! (and maybe gents?)

Welcome to my newly established beauty blog. I honestly don't really want to call this an 'established beauty blog' yet cuz I'm still far from what you call a Beauty Expert. I'm here to give my honest review as a general consumer (please take a note of this), as well as to keep track my skin care and make up routine.

Why do I make this blog? Because I want to share my experiences of my skin care and make up journey to the people out there. Who knows that it might be helpful for others who want to buy some products but still unsure about it. There might be tons of beauty blogs out there already but adding some information from another different perspective is never wrong, yes? So, let's get started.

I personally have a combination skin. You know, oily t-zone and normal/dry on other areas. My concerns are I am prone to acne because of my hormone, and visible pores around my nose area. My foundation shade is MAC NC30-NC35, so I have an olive undertone and tend to use a warm/golden shades of foundation.

I am currently obsessed with Korean skin care because they tend to be cheaper than the Western ones but still really good and has a lot of variance. If you like to observe Korean or other Asian skin care products, they constantly innovate their products to keep up with the trend. As the result, you can see a bunch of interesting and innovative skin care products from function to packaging wise. As for make up, i usually go for the Western ones because they are usually more pigmented and long-lasting. However, I've been wanting to try a Korean base makeups (foundation and powder) cuz I heard a lot of good things about them. As for their color makeup? Well, they tend to go for a soft and subtle 'no makeup' look so their color products still haven't really catch my attention.

As now I currently live in Indonesia (because I'm Indonesian duh), I might also try to find a good and cheap local skin care and make up brands. I can't wait to see how the local beauty market grows as there are a growing number of beauty enthusiasts in Indonesia these days. So hopefully in years Indonesian brands will be comparable to the foreign ones in terms of quality and price.

So that's all for now. I can't wait to post my first beauty review and share it to the world. See ya!

XOXO,
aruderra.