Sparkled Beauty

The little thing on my shopping list when I get home was sheet masks, as I don't have access to many and they are so popular here. Etude House seems to have the best selections, so I went and hauled a few things to try.

Etude House has a mask for almost each and every part of your body lol - from face to elbow, feet or just a pimple on the face. Pretty neat!

What I got:
- I Need You mask in Tea Tree (from the Alphabet line - they have a mask with main ingredients started by every letter in the Alphabet), about $2
- Essence mask in Hyaluronic acid, $2
- Princess 3D mask in Ginseng (3D means these masks cover it all from the forehead all the way down the base of the neck), $2.80
- AC Clinic Intense mask (from the acne care line), $3.70.

I was very excited to see Etude House put their single masks in boxes of 20's, with a format like a wipe pack, for about $16.

At the moment, there are only 3 types:
- Aloe & Hyaluronic acid (soothing and hydrating), pictured
- Pearl & Vitamin C (brightening), and
- Royal Jelly & Collagen (anti-aging) - I think I'll go back for this one.

So far I have used 3 of the Aloe masks and I am liking them. Not sure if it's the hot weather but they dry up after about 20 minutes on, shorter time frame than other face masks I tried in Canada. I store the box in the fridge so it is a refreshing and cooling experience every time :)

Etude House seems to have other 20-pack boxes with masks from the Skin Essence line in Red Ginseng & Collagen or Yeast & Vitamin C but not here yet.

This next item is not beauty (or mask) related, but is too cute not to share.

We went to get a customized pillow made for Squirt and they had some plus hand warmer pillows out for about $9 each. Minion (renamed Bananaaaa by Squirt) came home with us. He's perfect, only missing a few strands of hair at the top of his head lol.

Here is Squirt modeling him for me. She has an intense tan for being at the beach every day for a week straight. Benefit of a vacation I guess. Me, I haven't made it to the beach yet but have had so much good food that I gained 2 pounds already lol.

Makeup here is either dirt cheap with no-name brands or overpriced (L'Oreal, Revlon, Bourjois, etc.). Only Maybelline remains a drugstore brand but selections are really really sad. Don't think I'll buy anything other than masks.

Online shopping wise, I has been outrageously good - passed all Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sales except 2 Alex cabinets from IKEA free ship offer. Only yesterday I shopped Cult Nails' warehouse sale, with a pending Sephora haul to use my VIB Rouge $20 off. Did you get anything good lately?

I know everyone now seems to own some My Beauty Diary masks already, but I don't have access to it. Is that sad? :-) Fortunately, my best friend who I met up with before my vacation had a shoebox full of masks - with all brands her sister could get her hands on in Hongkong. And she shared some with me. Woo hoo!

She picked out 8 different kinds (with 3 masks each) that I remember to take a pic of. Note: don't read pass the first pic if you don't want to see my scary mask face.

First row, from L-R:
- Silk Whitia Quick Action Moisturizing Mask
- I.SKIN focus L-Ascorbic Acid Oil Control Anti-Acne Mask
- Swiss 3 Collagen Gel Mask

Second row:
- I.SKIN focus Omega-3 & Collagen Firming Mask
- I.SKIN focus Caviar Essence Anti-Wrinkle Mask
- Adin Q-10 Essence Mask (Moisturizing/ Firming/ Revitalizing), and
- Catherine UV Whitening - Deep Whitening Essence Mask.

I can't tell you much about these brands (or how much the masks are) as I had never seen them before. What I can tell you is that my skin feels so good after having these masks on.

I love the convenience of sheet masks - open the package, unwrap the pre-moisturized sheet and put it on the face. I normally do this after a long day at work, or when I want to reward myself of some me time. I do look scary during the process, but it's worth it at the end, lol.

My favorite of the bunch was the Swiss 3 Collagen mask and the Catherine Deep Whitening mask. The sheets are thick and overloaded with the dense liquid. 20 minutes is all it takes and I am left with a glowing face, felt so pampered. I know it's funny but little things like this could bring much joy.

I always question the effectiveness of masks, as I feel they don't stay on long enough to work their magic on the skin. But a good mask like the ones I got has changed that. My stash is limitted, so I'll have to count on regular masks pretty soon. But now at least I remember to use a mask on my face quite often :-) Not a bad start huh?

If you guys have some favorite masks, please do share of what they are and where to get them. I'll take note to shop around when I have a chance. Thank you!