ARCHIVE - 2019 Mask of the Week Challenge!

[eshoe]

Hello lovely masking mavens! Please continue posting on the Q4 Thread which can be found here:

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https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/2019-Q4-Mask-of-the-Week-Challenge/m-p/4995162/highl...

Many thanks to the wonderful @Aaliaa for beginning this thread and excited you are here. 

To Post:

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Each week features a different theme, as well as a letter of the alphabet for coming up with new masking ideas. Feel free to post as frequently or infrequently as you would like, with or without following the challenge; they are guidelines and just something we do for fun. We love hearing about every masking experience, and suggestions are always welcomed!

Please include the brand and name of the mask you are trying out, as well as a photo if possible. Any other details are greatly appreciated, including scent, if it's an exfoliating mask (include acid info if known), your overall experience, and whether or not you would repurchase. Don't forget to include a grade (thanks to @ShortErica for the idea) to help others along the way.

Most importantly, have fun and merry masking!

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/Mask-of-the-Week-Challenge/td-p/3615125 

Mask Hacks - Here are a few to get started thanks to our lovely BIC-ers, a big thank you for these fabulous ideas!

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Trim off long chin and add to forehead for sheet masks	itsfi
Squeeze tube lip balms (like Bite) into pans and place in magnetic palette	sonnydee
Layer lip sleeping mask (such as Laneige) over regular balm	cianni
Derma plane prior to a peel-off mask to ease the pain of removal	heartsmyface
Warm water helps remove clay masks quicker than cold	cianni
Lay sheet masks flat prior to use so the serum is more evenly distributed	eshoe
Remove clay/difficult masks in the shower to keep towel clean and removal easy	itsfi/BIC
Use an HA serum prior to trying a mask with alcohol high on the ingredients list	keana1
Use a Makeup Eraser to remove wash-off masks	lmaster
With a detox mask, apply a thicker layer where pores are	Ather
Use a resurfacing exfoliating spray (such as Kate Somerville’s Liquid ExfoliKate) before a detox mask to better clear out your pores	Miamia27
Re-use a large sample jar for a blank sheet mask pellet and fill it with essence/toner	Itsfi
Use a nail clippers to trip a mask if scissors are not on hand	ShortErica

Female-owned companies, for reference:

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Amika (Co-Founder Vita Rayhkman)
Annie’s Way (Annie Wu)
Beauty Pie (Founder Marcia Kilgore)
Biobelle (4 sisters)
Bite Beauty (Founder Susanne Langmuir)
bkr (Co-Founders Kate Cutler and Tal Winter)
bliss Spa/bliss Skincare (Founder Marcia Kilgore)
Briogeo (Nancy Twine)
By Terry (Terry De Gunzberg)
Captain Blankenship
Drunk Elephant (Tiffany Masterson) 

Esker (Shannon Davenport)
Glossier (Emily Weiss) 
Glow Recipe/Sweet Chef (Sarah Lee & Christine Chang)
Herbivore (partners Julia Wills and Alexander Kummerow)
Honest Beauty (Jessica Alba)
Indie Lee
Josie Maran
Jane Iredale
Juice Beauty (Karen Behnke)
June Jacobs
Kate Somerville
Kora Organics (Miranda Kerr)

Dr. Loretta

NuFace (Carol Cole)
Odacite (Valerie Grandury)
Omorovicza (husband and wife Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza)
Ouai (Jen Atkin)
Pacifica Beauty (Brook Harvey-Taylor and husband Billy Taylor)
Pai (Sarah Brown)
Peach & Lily/Peach Slices (Alicia Yoon)
Pixi (Petra Strand)
Purlisse (Jennifer Yen)
Rael (Yanghee Paik)
Sand & Sky (twin sisters Emily and Sarah Hamilton)
Saint Jane (Casey Georgsson)
Sara Happ
Skin Laundry (Yen Reis)
Soap & Glory (Founder Marcia Kilgore)
Soko Glam (husband and wife Charlotte and David Cho)
Sol de Janeiro (Heela Yang, Co-Founder)
Summer Fridays (Founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland)

Jill Stuart
tarte (Maureen Kelly)
Tata Harper
Tatcha (Vicky Tsai)

Charlotte Tillbury

Wander Beauty (Co-Founders Divya Gugnani and Lindsay Ellingson)
Joanna Vargas
Yadah Cosmetics (Founder and CEO Anna Kang)

2019 Mask of the Week Challenge Schedule

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WEEK     LETTER       THEME

Jul 1 - 7          A           Hydrating Masks to get over the dehydration of Air-Conditioning! Meetup: Crème Shop -My Melody Softer than Cookies -  Saturday July 6th. Thank you @lmaster!  

Jul 8 - 14        B           Masking Hacks - share your masking secrets that make your life easier and your skin happy 

Jul 15 - 21      C           Lip, Hand or Foot Masks to help that summer skin 

Jul 22 - 28      D          ’Weird Mask' Bubbling, Peeling, Colour changing other worldly wonders! 

Jul 29 - Aug 4 E           Multi-Masking How many masks can you use at one time or in One Day?? 

Aug 5 - 11       F           Blind Pick Your Mask - Let's make it fun to use the masks in our stash! Meetup: Biobelle #Peachy mask Saturday 8/10

Aug 12 - 18     G           Sheet Mask Focus - from cotton to cupra, coconut gel to bio cellulose, what are your favorites and why? Meetup: Biobelle Pineapple mask Saturday 8/17
Aug 19 - 25     H           Drugstore & Grocery Brands Week 

Aug 26 - Sep 1 I           Favourites Week - Your go to miracle in a mask 

Sep 2 - 8          J          Rainbow Week - Bring out the colorful masks in every hue Thanks to @Sonnydee

Sep 9 - 15       K           Autumn Masks - Fall goodness in a mask 

Sep 16 - 22     L           When you are getting GLAM for a night out and want that  Glow Meetup: Lookatme Watermelon Saturday 9/21 thanks to @GalPalVal17 and @ShortErica! 
Sep 23 - 29     M          BIC Made you do it! Masks recommended/inspired by other BIC members 

Sep 30 - Oct 6 N          Sephora Collections Week - House Brand Goodness 

Oct 7 - 13        O           French Pharmacy Week 

Oct 14 - 20      P           Ends of the Earth - masks that use ingredients from or are made in far away places 

Oct 21 - 27      Q          Overnight Masks - Sleeping miracles in a jar 

Oct 28 - Nov 3 R          Duel Week V2.0 & Mask Meetup thank you @mrsmouse for suggesting the Wish Formula Bat Eye Mask!

Nov 4 - 10        S          Forgotten Wonders - Shop your stash for an unloved mask 

Nov 11 - 17      T          Gross/Odd/Unusual Ingredients - Spirulina, donkey milk, bee venom, snail mucous - what masks have you used that have strange ingredients? 

Nov 18 - 24      U          Flash Masks - masks that do doubly duty in half the time 

Nov 25 - Dec 1 V          Morning Masking - Masks that help give a pep to your step 

Dec 2 - 8          W          Asian skincare Brand - Visit old cultures and their ways 

Dec 9 - 15        X           Sample Dive - I know we have them! 

Dec 16 - 22      Y           Holiday Party Prep Mask 

Dec 23 - 31       Z          Masks you discovered in 2019

First Half of 2019:

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Jan 1 - 6     A    Masks you discovered in 2018 - What new loves did you discover last year?
Jan 7 - 13    B   Favourite Mask of the “Masking Week Challenge 2018” 
Jan 14 - 20  C   Favourite Mask in your regular routine - What do you buy in bulk, so you always have it on hand in case of masking emergency?@itsfi
Jan 21 - 27  D   Clean Week - Masks that give your skin a boost without the guilt

 Jan 28 - Feb 3 E  Lip, Hand or Foot Masks to help that winter skin
Feb 4 - 10    F     Vitamins Week - masks that nourish your skin with vitamins and minerals@Kim888
Feb 11 - 17  G     Special Occasion Masks - the mask(s) you use to pamper yourself@itsfi
Feb 18 - 24  H     Gross Masks - whether it's the scent or results, share the details please!@Aaliaa
Feb 25 - Mar 3 I   Spring Flowers - floral ingredients or scents that add a spring to your step
Mar 4 - 10    J      Female Owned Brands - In honour of Women's Day March 8th
Mar 11 - 17  K      Favourites Week - Your go to miracle in a mask
Mar 18 - 24   L     Sample that made you buy the FS - You tried it, and decided to buy it!@itsfi
Mar 25 - 31  M     Favourite Smelling Masks - Watermelon, Kale, Spa??
Apr 1 - 7       N     BIC Made you do it! Masks recommended/inspired by other BIC members
Apr 8 - 14     O     The Oozoo Week - share your Oozoo and Neogen loves!

Meetup: The OOZOO Capsule Rose Petal -  Saturday April 13th. @Shosh85
Apr 15 - 21    P     Luxe it Up or a Pretty on a Penny - the $ and the $$$$ of Masks
Apr 22 - 28    Q     Sample Dive - I know we have them!
Apr 29 - May 5  R  Sephora’s ‘Best Selling’ Masks Meetup: Sephora Collection Honey Face Mask -  Saturday May 4th. Thank you @missjeanie!  May 6 - 12      S     Overnight Masks - Sleeping miracles in a jar
May 13 - 19    T     Summer Masks to refresh and sooth during sunny months May 20 - 26    U     Fruits & Veggies Week - masks that use natural goodness to nourish your skin@Keana1
May 27 - Jun 2  V   Guess this Mask - using only a pic or description, see if you can stump fellow BIC masking mavens. Meetup: Bawdy Butt Mask- Your pick Saturday June 1. Thank you @faeriegirl! Meetup: Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Essential Mask EX Wednesday 5/29 thanks to @ShortErica & @Shosh85  
Jun 3 - 9         W     DIY Mask - Skincare meets Chemistry. Meetup: Bawdy Butt Mask 2.0
Jun 10 - 16      X     Morning Masking - Masks that help give a pep to your step Meetup: Bawdy Butt Mask 3.0
Jun 17 - 23      Y     Masks you've discovered so far in 2019. Meetup: Yadah All Day Mask Pack - Your pick Saturday June 22. Thank you @ShortErica!           Meet up: Bawdy Butt Mask 4.0 - The Finale 
Jun 24 - 30      Z      Masking Duel - Dare to compare 2 (or more!) masks in one session

Masking Surveys Thread: Curious about others' masking habits? Join the fun w/ @ShortErica: 

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https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/2019-Masking-Surveys/m-p/4857667

Next Mask Meetup Info: Crème Shop - thanks to @GalPalVal17 date and mask TBD in October ALSO just added: Halloween Wish Formula Bat Mask Meetup thanks to @mrsmouse !  

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We have scheduled monthly meetups as well as impromptu sessions because you cannot compare masks only once a month :D. Please check the 2019 Schedule to see what meetups are coming up next. If you have an idea for a week’s Meetup or a particular month, tag me so I can add it to the schedule.

April: The Oozoo Rose Capsule, April 13th
May: Sephora Collection Mask - Honey Mask, May 4th (Thank you @missjeanie!) 
June: Bawdy Butt Mask Month. Let's try all four masks, one a Saturday (Thank you @faeriegirl!) On the 22nd we will also be trying out a Yadah mask - your pick, thanks to @ShortErica. 
July: @lmaster suggested a Crème Shop Sanrio Mask for our July 6th meetup, and you all voted for the My Melody Softer Than Cookies.

August: Biobelle Tutti Frutti Collection - the Peach is on deck for our mid-summer masking! Join us Saturday August 10th to compare notes on this mask. Then Saturday August 17th we will be comparing the Biobelle Pineapple mask. Thank you @lmaster, @Shosh85 & @PrettyPaint for suggesting Biobelle!
September: @ShortErica and @GalPalVal17 are interested in everyone's thoughts on the Lookatme Watermelon Face Mask. Join us Saturday, September 21st for the fun!
October: @GalPalVal17 suggested a Crème Shop Mask, will update with more info. ALSO: October 31st join us for the Wish Formula Bat Eye Mask thanks to @mrsmouse!

[Shosh85]

@heartsmyface I've surprisingly tried a couple of good masks from Walmart! - and if you end up not liking it, it's only $2.50 👍😉

[missjeanie]

I'll have to keep the Masqueology Watermelon mask in mind next time I'm at Walmart @Shosh85 , I've walked by a few times and never thought twice about picking it up (I just assumed that it wouldn't be all that moisturizing).  Well colour me wrong! Thanks for the review of all the pretty pink masks!

[Shosh85]

@missjeanie  Yeah, I haven't been too excited to try it and really only picked it up because the picture on the packaging looked good, and it was cheap! Haha! I was surprised it turned out good! 😂

[Shosh85]

@byme4u  I love the fruity masks, especially when they actually smell like fruit! 😉🍉🍓

There's definitely been some good ones around here! 😃

[PrettyPaint]

@Shosh85  Thanks for the review. The skinfood mask looks so nice! 

[Shosh85]

Thanks, @PrettyPaint!!  It is very nice, and so fun! It's hard to keep myself from taking a lick while it's on! Haha! 🍓😋

[ShortErica]

More Mediheal mask successes - no wonder I think I'm addicted to this brand. Wonderful masking sessions @Shosh85!

[Shosh85]

@ShortErica The Mediheal brand really does make some great masks! Definitely couldn't pass up a Mediheal mask with a cute bunny on the package! 😂👍🐰

[quspork]

So many As! These look like great spring masking sessions- especially the watermelon/strawberry, @Shosh85. 

[Shosh85]

@quspork  The strawberry and watermelon went so well together! Definitely got lucky with all A's! 🍓🍉

[cianni]

Last night I used the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask with a sample dive of the Volition Snow Mushroom Water Serum, DE Marula Oil and Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Fix for Lips. While I mainly was trying to stick to the letter of the week, the mud mask did smell faintly of bergamot (mixed with the earthy clay smell which I don’t mind), so it was some pleasant-smelling masking as well!

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Mud Mask - this is something I picked up forever ago before I discovered my true love, which are sheet masks. There is no grittiness to it; the product comes out smoothly and spreads on really evenly. There is a faint smell which is pleasant, although a tad unnecessary in my opinion. It said to leave it on for 10-15 mins then wash off. I applied a medium-thick layer and turned on some RuPauls Drag Race. I’ve had this for a while and to be honest it’s in my project pan for this year because I don’t like to hang onto these things for too long, and I find myself rarely reaching for it. Around the 12 minute mark my skin started to feel tingly/a slight burning sensation and I was a little worried that I hadn’t accommodated for my changing skin when using an older mask. It had dried down almost completely, but not in an uncomfortable and cracking way. I used warm water but man, it took FOREVER to wash off. I ended up having to use my foreo to break it up. Once it was off, I was surprised to see that there was no redness or irritation. My skin was SO bright and SO soft. It’s still both of those things this morning. It can also be used as a cleanser so if I’m struggling to finish it up as a mask I’ll use it that way once a week just for the boost of brightness. I can’t believe it! Even some of my pigmented spots (thanks adult acne!!) seems to be less noticeable. I’ll give this one a B+ because it’s hard to remove and I did experience some burning, but no redness so that was confusing. I doubt that would happen if I used it as a cleanser, so it would get an A- as a cleanser

Mushroom serum - there was SO much in the foil. I used it on my face, neck and chest. I like the scent but I can’t quite place it. A little grape-y? I like the gel consistency. It’s supposed to make your skin dewy and radiant. I think it did a good job of that! My face does feel very fresh and hydrated, even overnight. My only issue is that it took a looooong time to absorb. Potentially because I used WAY too much. I would try it again to see if the results are better with long term use, but probably only with a DS promo because 30ml is 78 CAD and that’s a little on the pricier side. My initial reaction would be to give it an A- because of the absorption and price, but I’d need more use to be able to give it a true grade.

DE marula oil - let me just say I am a convert to facial oils. Squalane and now rosehip seed are my go-to products, but the reviews on the marula have been glowing so I finally decided to try. Maybe I’m in the minority but I HATE this LOL. It was so watery, made a mess everywhere, and was very drippy. I had 1.5ml in the foil so I used it on my face, neck, elbows and rubbed the last bit off my hands onto the tips of my hair. I’ll give it credit for a little going a very long way. But I have never felt greasier in my life. It simply would not absorb and I just felt like it was sitting on my skin. I breathed such a sigh of relief that my pores didn’t feel clogged this morning. As far as hydration I’m sure it did a good job, but I’ll stick with my squalane for now. Maybe it would work better for other skin types? This one is a C for me. 

Miracle fix serum - this is a random sample because I don’t think Sephora Canada even carries this product. It was nothing special. Felt the same as any other lip sleeping mask, minus the delicious smell that laneige has got me accustomed to. It did an okay job but I wouldn’t repurchase. It was like fancy Vaseline. B because it worked fine, but nothing special. 

[lmaster]

@cianni so sorry to hear you had such a difficult time removing that mud mask. however I do love the snow mushroom water serum it is so lovely and the drunk elephant oil is one of my new favorites

[itsfi]

@cianni, I keep forgetting that I can use mud masks as a cleanser. I did that once with the Fresh Umbrian Clay mask and liked it a lot. Sorry the DE Marula Oil didn’t work out for you. The first time I used it it took a while to absorb. I find it works best if I add a drop to my moisturizer.

[cianni]

@itsfi ohh i think i have a bunch of foils of the umbrian clay, i'll give it a shot as a cleanser! i have this big foils pouch that i save for traveling or overnight trips but it seems i dont actually go on those as much as i apparently thought i would when i started hoarding them all..... thats a good tip about the DE. i have TO squalane and i find myself adding that to a lot of moisturizers to customize them for the weather or my skin needs

[itsfi]

Hahaha @cianni! I feel ya on hoarding foils. I don't really even mean to sometimes - they just take on a life of their own. 😉 I've been better lately and try to do a seasonal clear out of my foils and deluxe samples.

[Shosh85]

@cianni Great masking and great reviews!! I love the sound of that Mud Mask! Lately, most of my wash-off masks I've been washing off in the shower, but like you, I've also been using some as a cleanser. This one definitely seems like it would make an effective cleanser! Glad you saw some good results! 👍😉

[cianni]

@Shosh85 ahh makes so much more sense to rinse the mask off in the shower! it was taking SOOOO long to remove, and that's part of the reason why i never reach for it. i suspect most of my wash offs are going to end up as cleansers hahah

[quspork]

Ooh, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Volition serum, @cianni. I know it's only a foil, so it's hard to gain too much perspective about results, but I've been really curious about that one. 

[cianni]

@quspork i've been trying to do some research into products that hold water in the skin. apparently thats what peptides and matrixyl are good for. I initially wanted to find something to help with fine lines but apparently most of the products that are for that are really those that retain water (should have known there wouldn't be a magic topical fix!) but snow mushroom seems to be one of those ingredients, so i'm definitely more curious about it now. and even off one use it was pretty nice!

[missjeanie]

I picked up a set of 7 masks from Winners yesterday and thought the theme of them was fun, so I wanted to dig into the Mangosteen balancing mask to try them out.  Truth:  I'd never heard of Mangosteen before yesterday! 

The Superfood Salad for Skin set of 7 masks look to all be food based masks with different effects.  I scanned the ingredient lists of all the masks and all of them seemed pretty good at a quick glance.  I picked the Balancing Mangosteen simply because it started with an M lol.  There was no scent at all to it, and it fit pretty good, however the eye holes were a touch on the small side and I snipped the bridge of the nose so that it lay better, then it was great.  The masks are made of hight strength tencel wich is made from a eucalyptus tree.  The more you know! I had the mask on for about 40 minutes before it was starting to dry a bit.  The package had a lot of leftover serum that I used on my neck and decolletage and still had leftover so I kept it in the pouch and will use tomorrow morning as well.  I'm not really sure how to tell if my skin is more balanced after this mask, but it feels soft, no tackyness, looks clear and bright and I got some relaxing masking in.  I still feel like I need to add a moisturizer, but I'm not running for one by any means. I'm trying to keep in mind that while this doesn't moisturize as much as other masks, it doesn't claim to either so... I'm interested to try out the rest of my salad.   Does this mean I get to say I had a salad tonight??

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[lmaster]

@missjeanie I've never seen either of these masks and they look so nice. I would love to be able to say that I had my veggies froma face mask hehe!! btw how are your feet doing??