💕😌 2023 Mask of the Week Challenge 😌💖

[eshoe]

 

Welcome to the 2023 Mask of the Week Challenge! We love hearing about every masking experience, on or off-theme, and suggestions are always welcome.

Letter of the Week: D

Theme: It is National Opposite Day on January 25th, so join in the fun and explore some skincare opposites. Need some inspiration? Sweet/Spicy, "A"/"Z," detox/hydrating masks worn simultaneously on differing parts of the face, masks with ingredients from places in both western/eastern hemisphere, etc. 

This Year's Schedule:

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Mask of the Week Misc. Info & Previous Year's Links:

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To Post:

Each week features a different theme, as well as a letter of the alphabet for coming up with new masking ideas. 

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, fit, adherence, mask type (hydrating, brightening, exfoliating, detox, sleeping, etc.) as well as your overall experience.

Most importantly: Would you repurchase it? 

Second most important: Have fun and merry masking!

2022 Mask of the Week Challenge

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2021 Mask of the Week Challenge

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2020 Mask of the Week Challenge:

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/2020-Mask-of-the-Week-Challenge-PART-1/m-p/4995162/h...

2019 Mask of the Week Challenge:

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/2019-Mask-of-the-Week-Challenge/m-p/4497678/highligh...

2018 Mask of the Week Challenge:

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

Thank you @Aaliaa for starting this thread, and giving us a place to share our love for masks💗

[itsfi]

I meant to use these masks earlier in the year (for the months when C or M were included in the monthly letters challenge), including last month, but time and work deadlines got the best of me, so here we are, and to make it work with a mask challenge theme this month, we're going to go with ... wait for it ... 

G for green 💚

and a throwback ode to @sonnydee's rainbow mask theme from June (eeek!) that I meant to do then.

For the last week-and-a-half, I've been doing some multi-masking a couple of times per week with the two wash off masks - Axis-Y Gel Mask on my cheeks and along my hair line and Axis-Y Wash Off Mask on my T-zone, along my jawline and the area just under my chin.

Axis-Y New Skin Resolution Gel Mask (lighter, olive green tube):  

tl;dr: A lightweight, slightly herbal scented, pale olive-green hued, plant-leaf infused gel that cools and soothes skin on contact and leaves it feeling soft, smooth and lightly hydrated in just 10 minutes.

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Mask:	Axis-Y New Skin Resolution Gel Mask
Brand Origin:	South Korea
Manufacture Site:	South Korea
Claim(s):	Hydrating, repairing, soothing, brightening and evens tone
Key Ingredient(s):	Niacinamide (brightening) (2%); cica extract (soothing); Houttuynia Cordata extract (soothing; anti-inflammatory); fig extract (hydrating, regenerating); allantoin (soothing; protecting); mugwort (soothing; calming); madecassoside (soothing; healing, antioxidant)
Consistency / Texture:	Lightweight, pale olive green hued gel (though slightly runny in texture, it adheres well to the skin) with tiny bits of plant leaves scattered throughout
Scent:	Fresh and refreshing, with a soft herbal bent
Performance:	Though leaning on the thinner side as far as gels go, this one  applied smoothly and easily, and adhered nicely to my skin without dripping. A little of this product goes a long way and the gel feels cooling and soothing on the skin. The mask felt lightweight on the skin, wore comfortably for the 10 minutes I had it on, and rinsed off easily with a lukewarm water and a washcloth.
Results:	Skin looked and felt smooth, more clear, brighter, and lightly hydrated.
Best Suited For:	All skin types in the warmer, summer months; though it seems that it's more suited for those with combination or oily skin. It may not be hydrating enough for those with dry or very dry skin.
Will I Repurchase?:	A little of this goes a long way and while I like this mask, it's not one I feel that I must have, and, as a result, I may not repurchase it immediately after finishing this tube.

Axis-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack (darker green tube): 

tl;dr: A creamy, herbal and minty scented, mugwort and kaolin-clay based mask that soothes and calms inflamed and irritated skin as it gently exfoliates it with the Adzuki Bean granule sprinkled throughout the mask and soothes.

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Mask:	Axis-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack
Brand Origin:	South Korea
Manufacture Site:	South Korea
Claim(s):	Pore clarifying, exfoliating, soothing
Key Ingredient(s):	Mugwort extract (revitalizing; soothing) (61%);  Adzuki Bean (exfoliating);  kelp (revitalizing, nourishing); artichoke leaf extract (antioxidants; anti-aging); mung bean extract (moisturizing; brightening; strengthening) Houttuynia Cordata extract (cell regeneration) lotus (cell regeneration; helps control sebum production; brightening)
Consistency / Texture:	There's a rich creaminess to this kaolin-clay based mask, with Adzuki Bean granules sprinkled all throughout.
Scent:	Herbaceous, earthy with a slight minty scent; noticeable but not pungent, disappears after rinsing off the mask
Performance:	The Adzuku Bean granules are gentle on the skin and do a nice job of exfoliating. The mask feels comfortable on the skin for the 15 minutes I had it on, and interestingly, I feel some cooling on the skin as the product begins to dry down (without feeling drying). It washes off easily with lukewarm water and a washcloth.
Results:	Clears skin and makes it feel fresh and cleansed without making it feel dry or tight, always a plus from a clay mask. My skin also feels soft and plump, with some redness and darker spots appearing to have been diminished.
Best Suited For:	Any skin type, even dry skin. The Adzuki Bean granules are really gentle so those with sensitive skin might enjoy this mask as well.
Will I Repurchase?:	Yes, though it may be a while before I need to as a little product goes a long way.

Dr. Belmeur Real Calming Face Mask - Summer Mugwort:

tl;dr:  Soft, thin, possibly Tencel sheet saturated without dripping in a clean, thin, slightly herbal scented watery essence that after half an hour of wear, diminishes the look of redness on skin, and leaving it looking and feeling soothed and nicely hydrated.

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Mask:	Dr. Belmeur Real Calming Fae Mask - Summer Mugwort
Brand Origin:	South Korea
Manufacture Site:	South Korea
Claim(s):	Soothing, calming, relieves skin irritation
Material:	Soft, thin, possibly Tencel?
Adherence:	Great
Fit:	Good, can be tailored to fit face shape and size with some adjustments
Essence:	Clear, thin and watery but not so runny as to drip everywhere
Scent:	Fresh, with a very slight, fleeting herbal scent that disappears just almost as quickly as it is detected
Viscosity:	Low, just enough to keep the essence from dripping
Performance (during 30 minutes of wear):	The sheet wears comfortably and is saturated with essence that you can feel it hydrating your skin even as you have it on.
Tack / Stickiness:	None
Results:	Redness on my cheeks appeared to be lessened / diminished. Skin was nicely hydrated and soothed.
Best Suited For:	All skin types, but aimed at those looking to calm / soothe skin irritations
Will I Repurchase?:	Yes.

I also used the LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm in the pear flavor/scent (not pictured) but it doesn't seem to be available (or taggable) and the VOLUSPA Mini Havana Mint Mojito Glass Jar Candle 5.5 oz/ 156 g (can't seem to tag the trio set that this tin was part of).

[Shosh85]

@itsfi The Dr. Belmeur mask sounds really nice, and I love the simplistic packaging!

Ive never heard of the Axis-Y brand, but both of those masks sound lovely! I'm always attracted to masks with Mugwort! 😃

[itsfi]

@Shosh85, this Dr. Belmeur one is part of a series that is based on the seasons that apparently does not include the spring? 😂 Or, I just can't seem to find one, online or in store, for spring. User error is a possibility, always. 🤣 I keep pulling up these versions but nothing for the springtime. lol.

Summer Mugwort

Fall Hemp Seeds

Winter Aloe

Yes to mugwort! I found the Axis-Y brand while browsing a couple of Kbeaty online retailers - I'm suuuuuure I was just looking for one sheet mask and somehow a few other products ended up in my cart when I checked out. 😂🤣😂🤣😂 

[Shosh85]

@itsfi  Ha ha! What do they have against Spring? 😂 

[itsfi]

I know, right @Shosh85?!!! 😂🤣😂 I keep thinking, did I miss something? Did we lose a season along the way here?

[ather]

@itsfi  Sounds like a Gggreat masking session!! 🤣 I am green with envy! Sorry couldn’t help myself!! I love the green theme I just painted my nails and used a shade of green in them!! The Dr Belmeur mask sounds amazing! They all sound pretty good. I love that voluspa scent! I have it in the reed diffuser I keep it in my room because it’s not overwhelming! What is the plant you have pictured? 

[itsfi]

Hahahaha @ather! I love this. 😂😂 You’re on a roll; you go, girl! Your comments are gggold! 🥇 

Oh my goodness, I would looove to know what this plant is - Trader Joe’s calls it “filler” for floral arrangements. I was putting a couple of bouquets together and picked this up. No idea what it is. I even tried searching for similar plants based on the photo in Google but to no avail - I’m not the most tech savvy so that is not a surprise. 😆 Would love to know what it is - it does hold up quite well!! That small sprig has lasted over a month!! 😳 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oh interesting. I’ll have to take a picture of it and see if I can figure it out. I’ve been trying to have a green thumb and I’ve been propagating succulents and cactus. I love having fresh flowers in my house and fresh plants! 

[itsfi]

That’s so cool @ather! I love having fresh cut flowers in the house - I hadn’t realized how large dahlias can get 👀. Succulents and cactus sound great though I am sure I would prick myself a lot with the cactus. 🌵 Please keep me posted on how it goes! I tried my hand with an aloe plant and that went well for a couple of years but then … RIP aloe plant. I was told they were strong and could survive anything. Oops. 😔 😂 

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi What an amazing photo! ❤️ All of these look super fun to try.

[itsfi]

@QueenMarceline, thank you, I’ve tried a few sheet masks from Dr. Belmeur and have really enjoyed them. Axis-Y is a new brand to me, a newer brand to the Kbeauty space actually. I thought the mask pack set was a good way to try out the brand. 👍🏼 

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi I think the gel mask catches my attention the most, I've been wanting to try one of those out for a while now,

[itsfi]

@QueenMarceline, the Axis-Y gel mask is a nice one. It feels cool and refreshing on the skin. 👍🏼 My favorite gel mask is probably the LANEIGE Cica Sleeping Mask. it’s technically an overnight mask but it does have a gel consistency and I like the results I get from it overnight.

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi I've been eyeing that Laneige actually as my gel try out 🙂 The only gel masks I've tried were the single-ish use overnight Sephora brand ones but they felt quite nice on the skin and I think I have a couple of them left.

[itsfi]

@QueenMarceline, I occasionally see a mini / deluxe sample size of it available in the Rewards Bazaar online or in stores (for 100 points). Laneige may also put out sets during the holiday that includes this cica mask.I've also seen full sizes at TJ Maxx / Marshalls from time to time.

[Samtian]

@itsfi This picture oh my!!!!

[itsfi]

Oh my goodness, thank you @Samtian! 😃 I’m not great with multi masks shots - I haven’t found a look/feel I like or am comfortable with - so that means a lot. 💚 

[Kim888]

@itsfi @How does the axis y compare to the PTR cucumber mask? It sounds very similar ! 

[itsfi]

@Kim888, to me, compared with the PTR cucumber mask, the Axis-Y mask is the better of the two. The cooling and calming of the Axis-Y mask is nice and while it’s not a standout when it comes to hydration, I do feel some hydration. Whereas with the PTR cucumber, it’s a “meh” mask for me - it doesn’t irritate my skin but I don’t feel like it really does anything for it either. I’ve tried it on several occasions over the years as I know it is a hit with many. It seems like that’s the same for me and all the gel masks from the brand 🤷🏻‍♀️ - the standouts for me from PTR  are the pumpkin mask and the Irish moor mud mask. 

[Kim888]

@itsfi @Thank you for the review! I also agree the PTR cucumber mask is very meh and the pumpkin is really the only one I like from the line so it’s good to hear this one is better! I’ll check it out ! 

[QueenMarceline]

Week’s Theme: Morning Masking

Letters of the Month: E - I

Eminence Snow Mushroom & Reishi Face Mask 

My Thoughts:

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This theme is on point because this is the perfect morning-time (and any time) mask. I'm pretty sure I have posted about it before but the theme was right and I happened to use it in the morning this week, how much more could the stars align? I don't know if it's just me, but I usually prefer to use sheet masks in the night time oppose to the morning, especially if I have somewhere to be. I feel like the serum absorbs best into the skin overnight in order to have the best results the following morning. Plus, many sheet masks leave behind a tackiness that can lead to looking overly shiny. This is the perfect mess-free mask. This comes in more of a soft-putty texture that needs a tiny bit of hot water in order to turn into it's mask form. Once the mask is mixed to the right consistency it levels out to a near translucent form while going on-to the point where it's difficult to tell you're even wearing a mask when it dries down. Another wonderful thing about this mask is that it has a very natural, light smell that can barely be picked up by the nose, it's perfect for those who don't like a fragranced mask. Upon putting on the mask, it's extremely comfortable compared to many traditional masks, it does not dry down to a crisp or have a tacky feeling-it truly almost feels like applying warm, soft lotion to the face. I truly think that this is the perfect mask for people who are sensitive or apprehensive of how their skin handles masks. It's honestly hands-down the most gentle mask I have ever tried and whenever I have a flare-up or skin sensitivity issues this is the only mask I reach for that I know for a fact will not further irritate my skin. The total wear time for this mask was about 30 minutes but because of it's comfortability you can certainly get away with wearing it for much longer. After removing this face mask, my skin always feels instantly soft, smooth and nourished. Furthermore, this mask targets inflammation, de-puffing skin and removing impurities making it a great AM mask to reach for :). I was introduced to the Eminence brand by my cosmetologist who uses many of their products during my facials. Not every single product is a hit but this one has been hands down my favorite mask from this line. I really love that this entire brand is organic and that they make a variety of very unique skin care products. I must add that this particular mask is on the pricey side, but due to it's great consistent results and versatility I will always continue to repurchase and recommend.