Some BIC inspiration, specifically @itsfi who recommended the cherry mask from Eminence (and I do have a sample of that in the stash to get to soon). 

Eminence Pumpkin Latte Mask and Eminence Chocolate Mousse Mask

I started with the Pumpkin Latte mask last weekend and it was a reminder that I really should patch test new products before slathering them on face. I am absolutely terrible about actually doing that! The mask was a thick cream that smelled pretty much how one would expect a mask called "pumpkin latte" to smell. It was a bit sweeter than say the Summer Friday's Overtime mask and certainly more pumpkin than pumpkin spice. This is a wash-off mask that is supposed to add in some hydration. The mask advertises pumpkin pulp which is evident in a few pulpy pieces within the cream and some slight exfoliation with fruit (pineapple) extract. The instructions say to leave on 5-10 minutes and then rinse off. I had it on for maybe two minutes when my skin began to feel really hot. Like uncomfortably hot. I rinsed it off and holy tomato! I was red red red. My skin was warm to the touch and VERY red, like with a bad sunburn. Cue the smothering of aloe all over my face. The warmth and redness both subsided as the day went on, but something here definitely did not agree with my skin, sadly. 

Live and learn- when I tried the Chocolate Mousse mask this week, I did indeed do a small patch test first LOL! This is another wash-off hydration mask that is basically like opening up a can of Betty Crocker's chocolate frosting and smearing it all over your face. It has a thick frosting-like consistency and that's exactly how it smells--- lots of chocoately goodness! It does have a lingering scent so if you're sensitive to scent, this may not be one for you. But for those who don't mind, the chocolate smell was delish. Knowing my reaction to the previous mask, I did wash off pretty much exactly at the 5 minute mark, just in case. I did feel like it was a little difficult to rinse, so I ended up using a washcloth to remove the last bit as it had dried down a touch in a couple of places. Now was it hydrating? Maybe a little. I wouldn't say there were overwhelming results though. So, while I did enjoy trying this one and would be open to trying it again in the future, I don't think I could justify the price tag given lackluster results. 

In helping to calm my skin last weekend after the pumpkin latte disaster, let me also sing the praises of this little guy: Patchology's Soothe Flashmasque

I was somehow out of aloe masks in my stash and wanted something that would be soothing to use the following day, so ended up reaching for this since it does advertise a few soothing ingredients. And so glad I did! This was a really lovely mask. I left it on for longer than the 5 minutes it advertises and it left me with soft, soothed, hydrated skin with no trace of the redness from before. I'll definitely be picking up a few more of these!