Sample Sundays: Skinfood Black Sugar Strawberry Mask Wash Off (Review)

Hi friends!

So you may remember (but probably won’t) a loooong time ago I stated that I would be writing a review on Skinfood’s Black Sugar Strawberry Wash Off Mask. Also, that it would be part of my Sample Sundays series and would thus come out on a Sunday. Weeellll, half of that is still true. Yes, I have the review for you today… although it happens to be on a Tuesday. Oops. Please forgive my flippance with punctuality and enjoy this rave review – because I really love this product!

Here is the sample I received from one of my many transactions at Skinfood:

When I first arrived in Korea and discovered the amazing skincare and makeup stores this country offers, I was immediately drawn to both Skinfood and this product. I really like Skinfood’s concept of using natural, edible ingredients in skincare. Of course, this doesn’t mean that everything in each product is derived from the earth, but at least they’re trying somewhat! Skinfood comes up with some pretty amazing and random-sounding product ideas (mushroom BB cream anyone…?) and they are often so weird that they just work.

(As an aside, I am currently using Skinfood’s Gold Caviar Pressed Powder which sounds super fance – but that’s for another time!)

The first thing you will notice about it is that it smells AMAZING. Like, heaven. I personally love strawberries and anything strawberry-related gets a big tick from me (see my rave review of The Body Shop’s Strawberry Body Purée), but this one is just off the-charts amazing. Yet again, there is another body product that I would rather like to eat. You will be disappointed pleased to know that I haven’t – yet!

As I mentioned in my review of the original Black Sugar Mask last month, I was really keen to try this Strawberry version after reading a number of rave reviews, notably stating that the texture was much gentler. I knew, of course, I wouldn’t have the same issue I had with the scent, because this one is delicious and doesn’t remind me of a cough drop! Yay! However, I wasn’t sure how scratchy this one would be on my delicate skin, and let me tell you that I was pleasantly surprised.

First of all, this product has a very different texture to the original Black Sugar Mask. I found that one to be very dense and a bit too harsh, although once it mixed with water for a minute the sugar dissolved and it was fine. It’s a bit of a similar story with this one, insofar as it also contains sugar ganules; however, the mask is much more of a gel texture and is far more forgiving than the original. A number of bloggers have put this down to the inclusion of stawberry seeds, which are softer exfoliants than sugar, as well as strawberry seed oil which moisturises the skin. Whatever it is, I like it.

I still like for it to mix with water and let it sit for a minute, as it obviously still contains sugar which is a bit abrasive for moi. Overall, however, it is much smoother and more pleasant to apply. Plus it smells amazing. Did I mention that yet?

I have been using this tester for a number of days now, and I really must say that Skinfood’s samples are overwhelmingly rather generous, both in size and quantity. Of course, as I have mentioned before it does depend on the sales assistant you get, but this sachet is a large size and will give you a number of uses. Kudos to you, Skinfood!

I have found this really easy to use in the shower, because the heat and steam helps the sugar melt riiight in. However, it would probably be fine to use as a general wash off mask (as the name implies…). I just find these sort of scrub/masks a lot easier to wash off in the shower, as I don’t have to be precious about it and don’t wind up with bits of scrub in my hairline. Not a good look!

Overall, this is a delicious product and one of my favourites so far. It leaves my skin feeling so smooth, it’s gentle and moisturising and it smells like a dream. If I could wear it as a perfume, I would! I don’t know why it took me so long to try it, I think I sort of built it up in my head and then wanted the perfect opportunity to come instead of just actually using it and enjoying my life. I am so tempted to buy this one and I would in a heartbeat… if I didn’t literally have boxes of products flooding my closet. It’s a bit of a problem. But I may juuuust be able to squeeze one more Holy Grail (gasp!) product in. And I really do think this is that good.

This Sunday I will be (really, truly) reviewing the following sample… (drumroll)… Nature Republic’s Super Origin CC Cream Tinted! I have amassed quite a few makeup samples but have never actually used them, so now is the time! Plus, I am right in the thick of the CC cream phenomenon and rather enjoy using them. Looks like it’s a win-win situation for me and the CC cream!

Thanks for reading, see y’all then!

Steph x

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