It's Tool Time - The BIC Beauty Edition

[itsfi]

I wanted to start this thread as a place to share about a beauty tool or tools that have worked for you, be it something you use for your skin (e.g., gua sha, face roller, spetralite face mask, etc.), or your body (body gua sha, infrared PEMF mat), or  nails (e.g., glass file), or elsewhere. 

Sol de Janeiro Body Firmeza Massage Tool 

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite™ LED EyeCare Max Pro 

[itsfi]

I've used a gua sha off an on in the past, more so a body gua sha, but I'm aiming to get back into a routine with a face gua sha. Will be checking out some articles and videos to revisit proper technique. My plan is to start off doing it once a week for 5 minutes this month and then twice a week for 10 minutes in December. 🤞 I'm hoping to find a way to build the 2-times per week effort into my evening skincare routine by the end of the year or the beginning of next year. 

I'll use The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL to start off with because I know my skin responds well to that oil, but I am trying out another face oil so I may end up subbing that in or alternating between it and the rose hip seed oil. I have a few gua sha tools, including the stainless steal one from Mount Lai (which was part of a Lunar New Year box I purchased a few years ago) and the Sisley one with a handle. Sephora carries some gua sha tools as well - Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool and SEPHORA COLLECTION Rose Quartz Gua Sha - the SC has a nice cooling effect (even without putting it in the fridge beforehand). 

My winter evening skincare routine can be a longer one so I may probably be working through some habit stacking ideas in an effort to figure out what will best suit how much time I want to spend on my routine and what I want to accomplish with my evening routine. If I come up with a habit stack I'm consistent with, I'll post to the Habit Stacking Thread 📚. 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Great idea to incorporate a gua sha into your routine. I thought I misplaced mine but I recently found it in the freezer. I think using it after serum is a greay eay to make sure the serum gets soaked in well, while also massaging the face. This is a good reminder for myself. I am looking forward to hearing how you include it in your habit stacking!

[itsfi]

Ooouh @Mellmars1185, coming out of the freezer could be refreshing (or wake you up!) Do you typically use your gua sha as part of your morning or evening routine?

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi I haven't used the gua sha for years. I have been using an ice roller (when I remember) in the morning after I make my work lunch and while drinking my coffee, before I start my skincare and make-up routine.

[itsfi]

Squeezed in a little pampering session as I was getting ready the other morning.

I was very happy to see Glow Recipe bring back its Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask 1.17 oz/ 33 g in celebration of the brand's 10th anniversary (Happy 10th Anniversary, @GlowRecipe!), even if for a limited time. It turns out that I tried my very last one of the old version of this mask (eek!) earlier this year. I flipped through over 300 pages of posts to find my post and to see if I listed the ingredients from that version. Sadly, I did not. I did, however, find the ingredients on a couple of webpages (inci decoder) and blogs, and there seems to be some variation in the ingredients - some are just in a different order. I still need to do a deep dive at comparing them but we can get to a quick review until I have some time to do that.

Generally speaking, this 2024 version is similar to the older version. This version, however, does stay on my face a lot better - with the older version, I had to sit or lie down in order to keep the mask from slowly (or sometimes not so slowly) sliding off my face. Not the case here. I was able to walk about the house and multi-task. I should note that while the sheet mask contains openings for the eyes and mouth (and ones that roomy), the mask also includes the pieces that make up the hole, for you to use should you choose to cover your mouth and close your lids and cover them (in which case, better to lie down).

Like the original, the instructions recommend keeping the 2-piece hydrogel mask on for 10 minutes, and I did. I found that I had the slightest bit of serum remaining on my skin after removing the mask and I pressed that serum, along with the extra in the packet, onto my skin. There's a slight tacky-to-the touch feeling after the serum is absorbed, but I found that to provide a nice grip for the rest of my skincare and makeup that followed. My skin felt refreshed, soothed, lightly hydrated and bouncy. The light watermelon scent and the cooling feel of the mask made for a refreshing mask session. I even spent some time using a SEPHORA COLLECTION Mini Rose Quartz Facial Roller over the sheet mask, rolling from the center of my face outwards, from the forehead to the chin and jawline. It made the mask session even more relaxing

All in all, I liked this mask. It is a nice one to have on hand for some "me" time. It also would make for a lovely gift, with or without a face roller. I picked up a few of these and plan to pick up a few more during the sale.

Tagging @CynthieLu @WinglessOne @ather @GracieFirgau @faeriegirl @lmaster @Buootiful from the Re: Otherworldly October Hauls 2024 post for this mask.

[lmaster]

I'm so thrilled it's back @itsfi can't wait to try it

[itsfi]

Yes @lmaster, love that it stays one and the results are as good as with the original version - and the watermelon scent is just as yummy, too! I need to pick up a couple more before the sale ends. I'd like to have some for spring / summer. 

[PrettyPaint]

That's great that it stays on your face better @itsfi 

[itsfi]

I'm so happy with that @PrettyPaint; if I choose to use it in the mornings, I can sip on my cold brew with a straw while I have it on. 😆 Two self-care treats in one sitting. I'll have to remember to do that tomorrow - I can probably  check off a square on the bingo card for Wellness In Progress: November 2024 too! 🙌

[CynthieLu]

Thank you for the review and feedback on the new mask @itsfi I'll lbe keeping them in my cart for the sale. 😉💕

Maybe I'll buy just one before hand... Cuz you know, I'm eager to try it myself. 😁

[WinglessOne]

Thanks for the tag and feedback, @itsfi ! Sounds like this new version’s not far off from the original, in terms of performance. Well, aside from the new one being less of an escape artist. Hooray for a good relaxing masking session! 

About an INCI list comparison: I did that the day I ordered mine. Normally I let INCIdecoder auto-compare ingredients for me, but that database doesn’t contain the new sheet mask yet. So I did a simple manual comparison in a word doc: 

Eh, I could’ve flagged Benzyl Benzoate as another form of fragrance but I forgot.

The new mask has extra solvents/emollients and humectants, plus phenoxyethanol as a preservative. “Watermelon fruit” and “watermelon fruit juice” could be the exact same thing (watermelon’s mostly water and the OG mask apparently contained no water, so maybe watermelon fruit made up for that 🤷‍♀️); I dunno since I’m not the chemist who formulated these masks. That also means I can’t say whether the new or original mask is more effective at hydrating, delivering antioxidants, etc.; an INCI list alone won’t really tell me that. But I do expect the new mask to be quite hydrating, thanks to the addition of polyglutamic acid. Eh, the original mask was also very hydrating. 

Good call on buying more during the sale to gift away. I have a dear friend who loves masking and is finishing up his chemo treatments, so he’ll be able to safely use fragranced skincare products again in a few weeks. Gotta get a few more of this mask for him. Maybe more for myself too, if the fragrance doesn’t irritate my skin. 

[CynthieLu]

 I'm a curious cat. 😅

@WinglessOne @itsfi  I guess I did ended up in store and picked up one, you know, in case it does sell out during the sale, and for fun. 🍉🍉 

 

[itsfi]

Have you had a chance to try out the mask @CynthieLu? Hope it works out for you.

[CynthieLu]

I did! @itsfi I couldn't resist trying the new mask. I love the Jelly, it's soo cooling. I appreciate the heads up I got about how slippery she is. I took great care when handling it, not to drop it down the sink. 

For 11$ ( CAD) I think this mask is a steal. I really had a nice glow after I used this. 👌✨

[itsfi]

Yaaay, happy to hear this was a good one for you @CynthieLu. And that it stayed in place! I've had previous ones end up on the bathroom floor 😂

[ather]

@itsfi  I am so happy to hear that it stays in place! And it was a nice treat for a me day!! Sounds like the upgraded version is better! Happy to hear! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I looooove that this one stays on my face 😀 I can multi-task with it if I want to and just having the option is nice. Lying down with it increases the likelihood that I will fall asleep with it on and I do not want to do that. 

[CynthieLu]

Does everyone know what time it is? ⚒️ 

Tool time!! 😉

Tools, tools tools!

I have a few Beauty Insider and Sephora Collection brushes to share. Some for applying or removing face masks, 

and a lovely little one for applying eye creams.

I had to include my cute ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr O/S X WICKED - Off the Handle Complexion Blush 💚🧹

A BIC ring light 🔦💖 ( thank you! @TeamBIC )

And, shamefully, I hate to admit I haven't been giving these enough love lately.

NuFACE FIX® Starter Kit 

NuFACE NuFACE® Mini+ Starter Kit 

L.E.D Facemask

@itsfi I dusted off my Nuface and L.E.D mask and started working then back into my routine. I hate that I invested in these tools and have been slacking *hard* on using them lately. If it wasn't for your thread I think they'd still be sitting neglected. 🙏 Thank you for all your motivating threads 💖🙏

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, these are some gorgeous beauty tools you have - and yes, I agree, the ONE/Size x Wicked brush haaaaad to be included - it's so cute. 😍  How often do you reach for your NuFace or LED mask during the week? Or, how often would you ideally be reaching for them?

[CynthieLu]

Thank you @itsfi  I am kicking myself a little for letting some of these gather dust.

You know, when it comes to the Light Therapy Mask and Nu Face, I think 3 times a week would be satisfying. I'd feel like I'm doing it enough to be getting results. I find using these both feel so relaxing and calming.💞

They are both self care rituals I love. But..making the time for self care, that's a struggle some days.

I try to make Nuface part of my start-the-day routine and save the L.E.D mask for before bed. That way it's not as overwhelming when I'm trying to incorporate both as they are both a little time consuming.