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Masking weather is upon us… which is arguably all year round because any time is a good time to mask. But this dry af winter has got me down (and it’s just started)… and this is coming from a true blue A/W gal! So I figured it was the poifect time to write about a few fave masks & new masks on the block that I recently tried.
(As an aside: I had this post drafted up a little while ago, and in recent weeks “masks” have started referring to something else altogether. So this wasn’t in reference to anything else… I just really like cosmetics masks. Okay, back to our regular scheduled programming..)
I’ve had a long love affair with Aesop, it’s been years now. The aesthetic, for one, just gets me (as it does their millions of other fans, I’m sure). While I’ve loved their Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum & Hydrator in the past, I’ve never really tried many (if any?) of their masks.
So last year when my sis-in-law invited me to a special little Aesop event—including a free full-sized Parsley Seed Masque—who was I to say no?!
The tube is classic Aesop — minimalist, perfect. Of course it has a foil seal — what are we, savages?! And it just feels expensive (I guess, ’cause it is? Even when it’s free).
The mask applies wet, and gradually dries to a thin clay-like layer over time. But make no mistake, this seemingly thin layer will. not. budge. You cannot talk, and you most certainly cannot smile! It kind of feels like you’re a mummy, but I guess I like that.
Here is a peek at the consistency, it’s an easily applicable (?) clay-based mask, which is actually formulated for dry skin — ding ding ding! Other key ingredients include Evening Primrose, Aloe Vera and Rosehip Seed — which is a very good sign to me, as I’ve recently become a big fan of Rosehip oil (particularly the Trilogy one). And so…
And oh! The effects. Oh! This mask really works. It’s one of the few where I have seen visible tightening effects immediately after use. I felt like a bambino, once again pure and sinless. It did feel tight towards the end of the drying time, and I suppose using a wet face towel to wipe it off could be considered a faff… but it’s oh-so-worth it.
I felt really clean after using this, my skin was glowing and my anxiety was cured (lol, jk on that one). Honestly, I would highly recommend it. Re: skin types, it may be more conducive to oilier skin types, but I have quite dry skin these days and it did work for me, just don’t leave it on too long I’d say. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the bougieness.
Now the Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask is also a sugar mask, but is a different beast altogether… in that it’s used as a nourishing mask. The colour is very millenial pink & oh so chic, but it’s the efficacy I enjoy!
This one was kindly gifted to me by the folks at Wishtrend and, first of all, great name. Great name. Who doesn’t want a youthful glow? You tell me. And the thing with masks, which I often forget, is that they really do reveal the youthfulness of a complexion — when it all goes to plan, of course. Spoiler alert: this one does so brilliantly.
Plus, it comes in sweet & simple packaging, seen here:
On the note of packaging, the interior of the box is the perfect soft coral — the kind of detail that I love. It always speaks highly when a brand bothers to add in extra touches like that!
Here’s a full list of the ingredients, for those playing along at home. The highlights to me include Shea Butter and Jojoba Seed oil, which would explain the smoothness of this sugar mask:
Honestly, this mask took me by surprise. As it is called a sugar mask, I thought I knew what to expect (the same as the Skinfood Strawberry Black Sugar mask, which we all know I’ve adored for a long time)… but this one is a whole different ballgame. In a very good way!
Oh also, it comes with a very hygienic spatula, which I always enjoy:
… and my new catchphrase, for food, and for my life in general…
I would describe it as more of a paste than a granular scrub, and it’s a very intriguing consistency tbh. But despite the thickness, it applies smoothly, doesn’t tug, and just gently sloughs off the dead skin of the day.
Here’s a little peek at the perfect pink of it all:
And the ingredients:
A little background: I always forget about scrubs. I just do. I don’t like them in principle, I think they’ll hurt & so I just avoid them! I quite enjoy chemical exfoliants for this reason, and physical exfoliants (like scrubs) can cause damage, so it’s good to be gentle with them, if you’re going to use them at all. But dang, I always forget about the results. And oh, the results!
I found my skin after using this product to be so soft & baby smooth. Like any sugar scrub I’ve tried, it just worked, and the meltiness of the sugar is also personally satisfying to me (lol). It also smells so fresh, slightly lemony/citrusy, which may be due to the Grapefruit Peel oil.
But even with my sensitive skin, caused no reactions. It’s gentle, and effective, and I love it.
… as does Ella:
And here’s a little pic of me in the Wishtrend mask, just because:
Cute, non? This mask is a real pleasure to use, mainly because it’s not too scratchy for my ultra sensitive skin. It’s almost like a paste, and gives a gentle scrub to the skin to brighten it, without aggravating it (that’s a very fine line for me).
I would honestly purchase this again with my own coint, as it was a lovely treat to use… and actually works. Hallelujah!
If you’re interested in trying this dreamy By Wishtrend sugar mask, you can pick it up here. That’s an affiliate link, which doesn’t change the price for you, but does support your girl & means I can make more of these reviews!
Both of these masks are lovely to use, and for very different reasons. Oh, the versatility of skincare! I would say both are great for dry skin, which mine is these days, as they’re both quite nourishing, even the clay-based masque. If you want more detoxifying, go with the Aesop one. If you’re after brightening, go with the Wishtrend one. It’s as simple as that!
Have you tried either of these? Any other recs I need to know about? Let me know below! Thanks for reading my essay, until next time,
Steph x