Review: Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Heard some good reviews from friends around me for this mask. Since my ahava deep cleansing mask is finishing, i decided to give this origins mask a try. I glad i did haha.

Origins is cheaper in HK as compared to Sg. For more details on Origins products, pls refer to my previous post.

Review:

No unpleasant smell detected. Its rather easy to apply, not too watery etc. According the the Sales assistant, i gotta leave it on for 20-30min. Its very much more time consuming as compared to my Ahava's deep cleansing mask. So I make sure I bring a magazine to the toilet whenever I use this mask LOL.

After I covered my face with 'charcoal', there was a slight 'burning' sensation. I dont really know how to describe the feeling, but it was not very uncomfortable I promise. As in I will feel something, maybe a little warm?! Cos when I was using Ahava, I experience none of this. Well, my sensitive face don react negatively to this mask so I guess the sensation is normal.

This charcoal mask can be rinsed off easily too. This is the part which Im worried about at first. Bcos its black in color, it made my rinsing job easier since I can easily spot which are the areas I've not yet wash etc. This can be a little tricky when I am using the Ahava mask previously, esp when I am not wearing my glasses.

Face looked significantly brighter after usage! A little tight but still bearable after rinse, so I always make sure I do a hydrating mask after this charcoal mask! face felt smooth. Pores seemed to look smaller as well haha!

Verdict: 9/10 My fave deep cleansing mask at the moment! 1 point deducted cos the 20min wait is kinda long esp when I am left tired and sleepy after work everyday. So I usually only use mask once a week. NExt will be the weird sensation I feel upon application.

Review: Loreal Paris Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Serum Leave In

Bought this hair serum cos I saw alot of magazines recommending it, won a couple of awards in those magazines' hall of fame as well.

Rather affordable, selling at around $15 @ watsons if i am not wrong. Its also available @ cold storage, guardian etc.

Result:

Smells nice though I find it a bit too strong sometimes. Texture of serum is some sort oil I feel, abit oily if I were to use too much.

Serum did help to tame frizzy hair quite a bit but it will cause my hair to be a bit oily if I use too much of it. So Ive to be really careful with the amount I use. A 50cent coin size will be enough for my short hair.

Hair felt soft and quite smooth for the whole day too.

Verdict: 8/10 1 worth trying for the results and price.

Review: Mandom Beauty Barrier Repair Hyaluronic Acid Mask (New)

Long time since my last post. Was away quite some time for a camp, glad I enjoyed it.

Anyway, this is the new edition for mandom beauty HA mask! Ive previously reviewed about mandom beauty masks. They used to have 3 kinds, now they only have the super moist & Hyaluronic acid. I only bought the latter cos I reckon super moist will be too heavy for me, just like their Q10 mask previously.

Its available @ adambeauty. I got mine during my last HK trip, 5 for 70hkd, which is slightly more expensive as compared to their previous version.

No coloring, No preservatives and no added fragrance.

Result:

Though the packaging etc is different now, im glad it still work wonders for me! Essence in gel form, really comfy. mask fits my face perfectly!

I think the moisturising effect is better compared to their previous one, face felt more smooth the next morning and skincare glided on more easily.

As usual, not so much of brightening effect in my opinion. But face do look refined after usage!

Verdict: I like it! 10/10

Review: Bihada Ichizoku 美肌一族 Hyaluronic Acid Mask

Bought this mask for $8/pc @ sasa. Really expensive for a mask, in fact my most expensive one so far. But I saw quite a few positive reviews for it so I decided to give it a try.

Main ingredients: Diptoassium Glycyrhizate, allantoin, Trehalose, opunia streptacan tha stem extract, collagen, soya bean extract, aloe, pueraria lobata root extract, methylparaben, alcohol

MAsk claims to Balance the water to oil ratio. contains pearl ingredients, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen and 3 types of seaweed extract ( Red, brown and green algae) for instant elasticity repairment to fight aging, whitening effect

Result:

Mask was really wet and material felt comfy on skin. The cut was great too, 1 of the best for me so far. Scent was ok, pretty decent and not overwhelming, I dont think mask has added fragrance.

Face felt hydrated, but not too much of a brightening effect. Next morning, face felt soft and smooth and skincare glided on easily.

Verdict: 6.5/10

For this kind of price, I expect better results. But I guess this mask dint able to satisfy me :(

Hong Kong Skincare & Cosmetics Price List!

Yes, Im back from my Hong Kong trip!

As usual, lots of loots from HK =p

I've previously wrote a post on buying skincare & cosmetics in HK a few months back, I will do a update on the prices and stuff available in HK now.

I will start with stuff @ Sasa first. I've learnt my lession from my previous trip, ALWAYS go SASA 1st before shopping @ HK departmental stores. Sasa is always cheaper!

Here's a rough guide to some of the items sold @ hk sasa:

- L'occitane cherry blossom hand cream 30ml @ hkd60 ( sgd10). The loccitane shop in HK is selling 3 30ml for 210hkd.
- Biotherm 360deg eye roll on @ 232hkd (40sgd). singapore is selling it @ $69!
- Shu Uemura cleansing oil 500ml @ 440hkd ( sgd70+)
- laneige sleeping mask @ hkd158 ( sgd30+)
- elizabeth arden 8hr handcream, 30ml tube @ hkd120 ( sgd20)
- h20+ oasis @ less than hkd300 ( less than sgd50)
- hada labo masks x4 @ hkd72 ( sgd12)
- kosa capsule mask x4 @ hkd10
-sofymo eye remover 230ml @ hkd56

Now, loccitane handcream, h20+, elizabeth arden perfume & handcream can be found in Sasa.

Silk whitia is rather expensive in HK. I still think the $1.95/pc offer in Sg is cheaper. Sasa in hk seems to have more taiwan & Japanese masks as compared to korean masks i feel. They have sexylook, kracie ( not the ones that are available in sg), my beauty diary, ELG, hada labo, aqau moist, hisamitsu, silk whitia, clear turn, mandom beauty, skinlite. They dont have alot of Jap masks actually.. so for this trip, I stocked up my mandom beauty (new formula).

The lucky me met the SOGO xmas sale again! I met the anniversary sale in May too haha.

- Paul & Joe lipstick @ hkd162
-shu uemura limited edition brush travel set ( takomo set thats released this season!) @ hkd420 ( sgd70 only!! Sg is selling @ $120!! changi airport terminal 1 selling @ sgd 102)

As usual, the price diff for shiseido items in HK is not big compared to SG. I think its almost the same price there even when sgd is strong now.

Origins is found in HK too. From causeway bay mtr station to Sogo, origins can be found on the way there. Clear improvement + drink up mask + out of trouble package is only selling @ hkd415 ( sgd70)! single tube is hkd210.

I found the highly raved bioderma @ hk guardian too! I saw from cosme that their makeup remover is very popular in taiwan.. so when I saw the xmas package i just cant resist it! 3 bottles ( 100ml, 250ml, 500ml) is retailing @ hkd299 ( sgd50)!! a single bottle of 500ml costs hkd240. I was rather skeptical about it cos that package was totally too good to be true. So i went on to check the expiry date, only to know that it expired in 2013. So i went ahead to buy it :)

Sofina is available @ sogo too. They are famous for their sunblocks..

All in all, below are the brands which are available and cheaper to get in HK than in SG:

- Anna Sui
- Ettusais
- biotherm
-h2o+
-shu uemura
-paul & joe (some items)
-clinique
-laneige
-loccitane
-origins
-kanebo

Review: Kracie CO Q10 Mask

This is my last pc of mask from the kracie range. This Q10 mask targets firming since it consists of Q10.

Review:

Essence is milky and thick, which I dont really fancy. But the cut is good, and mask is soaked with loads of essence. No significant scent.

After usage, face felt a bit sticky. but face felt soft and supple. Quite hydrating too. Face was radiant and smooth the next morning though I slept at 2am. Skincare glide on easily the next day too.

Verdict: 8/10

Though essence felt a bit thick for me, but the effects were pretty good. I realised for some masks, their effects can be better gauged after a night while some produce immediate effects.

I just tried the highly raved 美肌一族 ( Bihada Ichizoku) Hyaluronic acid mask. Look out for my review :)

Review: Kracie Pore Tightening Black Mask

Bought this black mask along with some other kracie when its retailing @ $1.95/pc @ watsons a few months back. A box of 5 is actually retailing @ $18.90, so $1.95/pc is really a bargain.

Tried and reviewed the whitening & moisturising mask sometime ago, was not that impressed with this range of masks so far. The black mask is prolly the best one out of the 3 to me.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Onsen-Sui, Glycerin, PEG-75, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, Methyl Gluceth-20, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl.

Review:

Similar to shills charcoal mask, this kracie mask is black in color too. The texture of the mask is much smoother as compared to shills'. Mask was well soaked with essence, though its stated 18ml on the packaging.

The cut of this mask is perfect! Fits my face nicely.

After usage, it did not irritate my zits, face was left quite smooth, no sticky feeling, quite hydrated, no brightening effects though. Face din really look very refined after masking.

Face was less oily the next day, and a few of my red bumps actually reduced in size. I realise charcoal mask always do wonders for my face haha.

Verdict: 8/10

I still think shills perform better than this charcoal mask in terms of price & effects. But wellm i think it deserves a score of 8.