Sephora Aloe Face MaskS is for Sephora My Thoughts:SpoilerI decided to tear into one of my SEPHORA masks in honor of this months (very difficult) letters theme. This Aloe one was the only one from SEPHORA currently stashed in my beauty fridge, so what better time than now to use it? On first impressions, I noticed the smell... to me, this mask gives off a bit of a "nail polish remover" scent. Which is super strange for a mask and I don't remember having this kind of issue with any other Sephora mask I've tried. It does subside after a while, but straight out of the packet this is what I noticed. The material is a durable but thin cotton, without much "give" (ie. flexibility/elasticity). The saturation is what I would call "standard"-not soaking wet like some masks I've tried before, but also not lacking in serum. I used the leftover serum on my décolleté area and the sides of my face that the face mask missed (more on that coming up). The fit of this mask is honestly not the best, it does not cover the entirety of my cheeks and the mouth hole is tiny-which is unfortunately standard for me with Sephoras sheet masks. The wear time I got out of this is ~25 minutes before it began feeling a bit dry on my face and I decided to call it a day. Overall, I enjoyed my masking experience because the mask did feel nice on my face during wear but nothing too amazing, exciting or revolutionary. Very "standard" to be quite honest. I noticed that unlike some other sheet masks, this mask does not leave much "tack" behind after removal. It does leave behind more of what I would describe to be a moisturized, "wet feel". This is a mask thats aimed at "quenching and replenishing" which I assume is reparative and also hydrating. After removal, I felt that it did a very decent job at moisturizing my face and I liked the results. Despite that, I really did not enjoy the scent that came off of this mask as well as the fit of this mask. Maybe I've been spoiled by some of the other masks I've ventured into lately but I personally will not be repurchasing this mask. SEPHORA face masks are on the pricey side, I know many people might disagree because they are only $5/mask (and I've purchased way more expensive masks than that). However, $5 per mask is quite a bit when I can get a 5-pack of Facetory masks for $10 or a 3-pack of The Creme Shop masks for $10, both brands that I absolutely adore when it comes to their sheet masks (and ones I find to be way better than my SEPHORA masks, in general). There's even better masks that SEPHORA carries with scents I actually enjoy and that provide more quality results. I decided to tear into one of my SEPHORA masks in honor of this months (very difficult) letters theme. This Aloe one was the only one from SEPHORA currently stashed in my beauty fridge, so what better time than now to use it? On first impressions, I noticed the smell... to me, this mask gives off a bit of a "nail polish remover" scent. Which is super strange for a mask and I don't remember having this kind of issue with any other Sephora mask I've tried. It does subside after a while, but straight out of the packet this is what I noticed. The material is a durable but thin cotton, without much "give" (ie. flexibility/elasticity). The saturation is what I would call "standard"-not soaking wet like some masks I've tried before, but also not lacking in serum. I used the leftover serum on my décolleté area and the sides of my face that the face mask missed (more on that coming up). The fit of this mask is honestly not the best, it does not cover the entirety of my cheeks and the mouth hole is tiny-which is unfortunately standard for me with Sephoras sheet masks. The wear time I got out of this is ~25 minutes before it began feeling a bit dry on my face and I decided to call it a day. Overall, I enjoyed my masking experience because the mask did feel nice on my face during wear but nothing too amazing, exciting or revolutionary. Very "standard" to be quite honest. I noticed that unlike some other sheet masks, this mask does not leave much "tack" behind after removal. It does leave behind more of what I would describe to be a moisturized, "wet feel". This is a mask thats aimed at "quenching and replenishing" which I assume is reparative and also hydrating. After removal, I felt that it did a very decent job at moisturizing my face and I liked the results. Despite that, I really did not enjoy the scent that came off of this mask as well as the fit of this mask. Maybe I've been spoiled by some of the other masks I've ventured into lately but I personally will not be repurchasing this mask. SEPHORA face masks are on the pricey side, I know many people might disagree because they are only $5/mask (and I've purchased way more expensive masks than that). However, $5 per mask is quite a bit when I can get a 5-pack of Facetory masks for $10 or a 3-pack of The Creme Shop masks for $10, both brands that I absolutely adore when it comes to their sheet masks (and ones I find to be way better than my SEPHORA masks, in general). There's even better masks that SEPHORA carries with scents I actually enjoy and that provide more quality results.

@budxo, it looks like the Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence may be on its way to being phased out (despite it being a best seller for the brand). Sadly, it doesn't look like there's anything in the new collection (at least not in the current offerings) that has the same formula as the Hydro Essence. The Hydro Essence no longer appears on Laneige's US site, but you can still find it on the brand's international site, as well as some online third party retailers (i.e., iherb and stylevana). The new Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic collection has a few different products, depending on the market, but nothing that would be a dupe for the Hydro Essence. US: there's no actual essence within the collection on the US site for the brand. There are 2 toners (one exfoliating and one hydrating+revitalizing) and a serum, but the ingredients list for each of those products are not the same as the Hydro Essence. International: Interestingly, on the brand's international site, there are two "essence toners" - one targeted for those with normal to dry skin and another geared towards those with combination to oily skin. The ingredients list for each of those essence toners are different than the formula for the Hydro Essence.

@Kaity9191 hi, they say to use it on clean skin, so I'm assuming that you can use your moisturizer after it. But they also advice you that you can apply a thin layer of the mask and leave it on all day and then apply makeup. It will work as a moisturizer and a primer.

i LOVE cerave eye repair

Hi @pirouette84 - Which products are currently in your routine? Can you describe your skin type? And do you have a particular budget you’d like to stick to? You mentioned a “kit,” but it’s perfectly okay to mix and match brands and products too! Here are some starter kits from different brands you may be interested in - Youth To The People The Youth System™ Sunday Riley Wake Up With Me Complete Morning Routine Kit Farmacy Healthy Skin Starter Kit First Aid Beauty Fab Faves To Go Kit Tatcha Tatcha Mini Favorites Herbivore Moment of Clarity Smooth Skin Set Kate Somerville Glowing Skin Essentials Kit OLEHENRIKSEN Pre-Makeup Babies™ Skincare Prep Set

You’re actually correct- while there are volition beauty items left on Sephora.com they are not being restocked currently. Once they are sold out they will not be available again like the celery cream, gelee face mask and mushroom serum. This is usually the companies choice- once contracts run out volition beauty can negotiate another contract or leave. No items have been discontinued and will be available with the brand directly. I share your loss 😪

Hi @Emily210 and welcome to BIC!! 😊 I'm 28, but I remember that when I was younger I felt overwhelmed too with the amount of products that were out there on the market, so don't worry for that. Probably not washing your face in the morning (you said that you use just water) and the aveeno cream are not the best habits. You should use a cream that is specific for the face because, creams that are meant to be used on the body have a thicker consistency and you can clog your pores very easily. I suggest you to start using an exfoliator (you can find them in a cream version, or even like tools, sponges etc) for getting rid of dead skin cells and dirt. And, if your skin looks dull, maybe try to use a brightening serum, it will help your complexion. I'm not a dermatologist, so I suggest you to have an actual skin consultation with someone, and maybe, take a look at your local drugstore if they sell products on a budget. Let someone advice you on what's the best for you. Good luck 🍀

If you're skin is dry, I second the skipping your a.m wash unless necessary.Pat your skin dry instead of using a towel or face cloth, push the water back into the skin and follow with your hydrating toner,serum(s) and finish with moisturizer + spfMake sure you are not using water that is too hot, opt for warm. Is your face wash too drying? The Cerave Hydrating cleansers are gentle and moisturizing.If you use a face scrubby , do so gently. If you use an exfoliator like a rough cloth, or cleaners with rough exfoliating pieces I recommend leaving them out of your routine. Glow recipie's Watermelon toner is hydrating but also gently exfoliates with Aha's and Bha's, less rough the using physical exfoliating. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner Limited Edition 5.07 oz / 150 mL Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner 5.07 oz/ 150 mL