Sephora Pearl Mask

Recently Sephora launched a new line of single use face masks that retail for $8 in Canada.  They come in all sorts of varieties.  The ones that interested me the most were the Honey and the Pearl mask.  I will be reviewing the Honey mask in a future post.

The Pearl mask comes in a pretty baby pink disk package and claims to perfect and brighten.

The mask is a cotton sheet mask.  It did a good job at contouring to my face with the various grooves it has.  I was actually able to walk around with the mask on without it falling off.

Applying the mask felt cool and comforting.  I left this mask on for about 10 minutes as per the instructions on the back.  I experienced no tingling or tightness with this mask which was nice.  When I removed the mask some of the product was left on my face, rather than wiping it off I let it dry.  My skin looked visibly brighter, though I can't speak to any long term effects as it is a single use product.  

Over all I really liked this mask.  I have a stockpile of new masks from the Face Shop so I won't need one of these for a while, however I would buy this again.  

One of my favourite things about sheet masks is that they don't make a mess.  Easy on, easy off.  My mom also really likes them.

When I see samples I like on Sephora.com I know I will be ordering this mask with my unlimited free shipping.

Have you tried one of Sephora's sheet masks?

Beauty from Israel: Ahava

Last month I was lucky enough to spend 10 days in Israel.  Ever since I could remember I wanted to travel to the Dead Sea and bask in its salty mineral filled glory.  And here was my chance!  The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and boarders Israel, Jordan and the West Bank.  The best moment in the Dead Sea, after covering my whole body in mud, was gently floating facing the Jordan Mountains knowing that no sharks or scary fish could hurt me because basically nothing can live in water this salty.   When I got out of the water my skin felt a little... slimy?  I had to rinse off in fresh water.  Annnnnnyways naturally I had to bring back some beauty products, because the minerals in the Dead Sea are super good for your skin.

We were told that Ahava was the best brand to bring back.  It was the most expensive, but also seemed like the best quality.  Bonus!  If we spent over $100 USD we got a special form to get our taxes back on that purchase.  And so I bring you Ahava!

Ahava Clear Purifying Mud Mask (Middle) was about $30 USD,

Ahava Mud Intensive Hand and Foot Cream (Left, Right) was about $30 USD for the pack of two.

Free samples!

Hand cream, foot cream, face mask.

Hand cream: The hand cream has a nice clean scent to it, and is super hydrating. Perfect for Canadian winter.

Foot cream: The foot cream is in the same set as the hand cream, and also smalls clean.  It is much thicker than the hand cream, and more hydrating.  I love to put a bunch on my feet before bed, put some socks on, fall asleep, and wake up to softer, nicer feet.

Face Mask: I am a bit undecided on this front.  Its nice, but it burns a bit.  I left it on for the recommended 2-5 minutes, and it burned.  My skin wasn't noticeably better afterwards.  I'll give it another go.  If it doesn't work maybe my friend who was in Israel with me will want it?  She loved hers!

Ole Henriksen - Creator of Flawless Faces

My Favourite Ole (say Oola) Henriksen Products

From Left to Right

Truth Crème Vitamin C Advanced Hydration $56

Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth Activating Oil $56

Walnut Complexion Scrub $30

Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask $40

Truth To Go Vitamin C Wipes $19

As previously mentioned my first interaction with Ole Henriksen was at a Sephora event where I got to meet the man behind the brand, and have an amazing mini-facial.  I have traditionally been skeptical of expensive face products after a short, ineffective, stint with Boscia which ended up being returned to Sephora for store credit (which in turn bought the scrub featured in this post...).

I start every morning with cutting one of the wipes in half and clearing my face.  I also go this at night.  I cut the sheets in half because they are expensive, and I hate to see some of the product go to waste.  They have a delicious vanilla-orange scent not online the best creamsicle I could possible imagine.  They leave my face feeling fresh and clean, and are effective at make-up removal.

Then I apply some of the Truth Crème Vitamin C Advanced Hydration.  It also smells of oranges, and summer time, and all things good in the world.  Though not as yummy as the wipes.  I love how light and hydrating it is.  Now that this deluxe sample is almost done I want to try Nurture Me (another of their hydrating creams) because when I tried it at the store it felt like a cushion for my skin.

At night time I apply some of the crème followed by two pumps of the Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth Activating Oil (basically liquid gold but for your face).  It has more of a pungent orange scent which I have pretty much gotten over.  The oil is bright orange in colour and is great for healing acne, rashes, bumps, irritation, and anything else that could possible be wrong.  I swear by this stuff, and oil in beauty products in general.  This stuff is packed with all of the good things.  It took a few weeks to get use to going to bed with an oily face, but after seeing the results I just can't complain!  It makes my skin feel dewy, soft, and generally perfect.

Walnut Complexion Scrub

In the shower I start off with this scrub.  It has a delicious sweet nutty scent and leaves my face feeling clean.  Then I follow up with either of their cleansers.  I have samples of both and am still going back and forth between the orange one and the foaming one.  They btw smell good and leave my skin feeling clean, but I think I am leaning to the orange gel.  Back to the scrub- it exfoliates my skin with out being too rough and leaves me feeling fresh.

Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask

When I think of a mask I think of a clay mask, so seeing this clear jelly had me a little confused.  Apply a generous amount and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  It applies cool to the skin and leaves a light tingly sensation.  When removed with warm water (it doesn't exactly dry) it leaves skin looking simply radiant.  It feels like the outer layer of skin is all gone, replaced by something new and fresh.  The product says to apply it two-three times per week, however I find once a week is sufficient for me.  More than that I think would be overkill.  After I am done with the mask I like to apply some of my magic liquid gold skin oil and let it soak in all its glory.

Over all brand impression: I can't stop using the words "fresh" and "clean" to describe how this brand makes me feel.  I have never been so in love with a skin care line.  Honestly it makes me feel like I am feeding my skin all of the things it needs to shine and glow.  After using this skin care routine for two days I saw noticeable improvement and after four days my wind burn was all gone.  I can't ever see myself leaving this brand for my skin.  Three weeks later and I have no regrets.  If its good enough for his long time clients Jessica Alba and Ellen DeGeneres then its good enough for me!  His products smell delicious, and feel luxurious.  But the best part is just how good they are for your skin. 

via www.hdwallpapersinn.com

Amazing skin.

via www.hollywoodreporter.com

Look at that skin!