#beautychallenge




When I was shooting a Korean indie film which wrapped up just last month, I was working with non-main stream actress Jee Sun Than (Photographed at the left). What she lacks in English communication skills, she makes up for kindness and beautiful PERFECT skin. (Photo courtesy of Jee Sun Than)

As we were nearing the end of our 2 month shoot together, I finally had the courage to ask her what skin care she was using. Her skin was like baby skin: PORELESS and Blemish Free. Korean women, she said, love skin care. But the one thing they really spend on is: FACIAL MASKS.

Mud masks and mask sheets have always been a part of my skin care regimen, but only about once every 2 weeks, or sometimes when I'm in the mood, the most was once a week. But when Jee told me that she never misses applying mask sheets every night, I was determined to try it so I too can have her beautiful clear, radiant skin. Her skin doesn't even need prepping!

According to Jee, she didn't have a specific mask that she uses, she actually uses different ones, or whatever mask she gets a hold of from the drugstore. So I bought 7 different masks to try for myself and see the effects after a week.
So, I did a 1 week challenge. For all 7 masks with different price tags, I spent

NAME: NATURE REPUBLIC Snail Therapy Essence Mask Sheet

KNOWN BENEFITS: 400mg of snail mucus known to help improve skin elasticity and skin recovery.

RESULTS: Skin feels very supple after use and my skin feels firm. I know that's not possible after one use, but it does seem that way.

NOTES: I love that it doesn't smell funky because that would be gross. It actually smells very pleasant and relaxing. I have been using Neutrogena's Deep Whitening Face Mask and I have gotten used to the material of their mask made out of cotton. This one is made out of thick paper.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 58.00/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1740.00/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 3X A WEEK: PhP 696.00/month

*Recommended treatment.




NAME: PUREDERM Brightening Essence Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: 23ml of essence that aids skin brightening and nutrition.

RESULTS: Skin didn't look that much brighter, but it did feel so supple and moist. My skin looked shiny and buffed (not because of oil production)

NOTES: I love the material of the mask, it is what I am used to! It's made out of cotton so it holds more product. When applied on your face, your skin feels cool and relaxed. The cooling effect reduces puffiness! The eye holes have little flaps that you can apply on your lids to reduce the puffiness. My skin felt really smooth and a tad brighter.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 59.75/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1792.50/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 3X A WEEK: PhP 717.00/month

*Recommended treatment.


NAME: WATSONS Radiant and Brightening Moisturising Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: Restore the skin's moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

RESULTS: My skin really felt very silky and moist it was almost sticky. Very supple and my skin has restored its glow. Everyone was saying that my skin glowed even when I was wearing BB cream.

NOTES: The material of the mask is very thick which almost makes it seem reusable. I love that the pack had a lot of extra essence that you can massage into your skin deeper after you apply the mask for 15 minutes! I also love the fragrance of this one. Smells very refreshing and relaxing.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 39.00/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1170.00/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 3X A WEEK: PhP 468.00/month

*Recommended treatment.


NAME: BEAUTY BUFFET Caviar and Biopeptide Facial Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: For making the skin smooth and supple while aiding in restoring its elasticity.

RESULTS: Day 4, my pores are almost non existent. They are clear and no longer visible unless looked really close! My skin feels tight but doesn't feel dry at all. My skin is very much plump.

NOTES: The material of the mask is the best I have tried so far. I used to like the really thick cotton ones but this soft and thin material really sticks to skin like stockings locking in the essence quite well. It has a very "cooling" effect while treatment which feels very refreshing!

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 44.00/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1320.00/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 3X A WEEK: PhP 528.00/month

*Recommended treatment.



NAME: TONY MOLY Red Ginseng, Natural Pulp Essence Sheet Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: For making the skin glowing and elastic.

RESULTS: By day 5, my skin is so plump and moist now, and my skin is very smooth. Although there are still dark spots and pimple marks visible, my face is so soft and smooth to the touch!

NOTES: The mask cloth is of good quality! I love that the essence quickly gets absorbed by the skin that you don't have to wipe off the excess after massaging the leftover essence on your face. The mask has a sort-of a primer feel when you touch it. It's light gel that dries up like primer. Scent is pretty good too.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 58.00/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1740.00/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 2X A WEEK: PhP 464.00/month

*Recommended treatment.


NAME: BEAUTY BUFFET Raspberry and Vitamin C Whitening Facial Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: For making the skin radiant and hydrated.

RESULTS: Day 6, my skin is visibly brighter and honestly, whiter. My normal MAC NC 35 Studiofix Powder has grown quite dark for me which last week was just a perfect shade for me. I noticed that my skin is also naturally dewy now, I think it's all that moisture!

NOTES: Poor quality mask material. It's tightly folded in the packaging that you need the extra caution in unfolding it because it tears easily. I love the smell! It honestly smells like a raspberry cupcake. The essence also is a bit too runny so if you massage the extra essence to your face, be careful in pouring the contents onto your hand because it spills.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 44.00/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1320.00/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 2X A WEEK: PhP 528.00/month

*Recommended treatment.


NAME: PUREDERM Pearl Essence Mask

KNOWN BENEFITS: For protecting the skin, rejuvenate and clear blemishes.

RESULTS: Today marks the 7th day of my 7-day masking challenge. My skin is really smoother to the touch and tighter too! I noticed that foundation glides on smoother and I don't need to use a lot! Anyway, I did notice my skin are shinier but not because of over production of oil, but from moist skin. I can say that my face really feels hydrated.

NOTES: The material of the mask is not that easy to use and tears easily. The essence smells like "sampaguitas" so that was a bit of a no-no for me. Although the mask has a "cooling" feel, which I figured is for reducing puffiness specially around the eye area. I didn't like this mask so much because it bubbles when I massaged the excess essence in the pack, and the packaging didn't say if I should rinse it off after masking. And after the treatment, my skin felt so sticky unlike the ones I've tried before. So I ended up washing off the essence with water.

INVESTMENT PER DAY: PhP 59.75/sheet
INVESTMENT FOR 30 DAYS: PhP 1792.50/month*
INVESTMENT FOR 2X A WEEK: PhP 478.00/month

*Recommended treatment.

HERE'S WHAT I THINK: Doing the facial mask treatment everyday has its benefits but is completely unnecessary. I think doing a facial mask treatment 2 times a week is more than enough. It really depends on your entire skin care regime. If you are religious with your skin care routine, then your skin should be well hydrated. If not though, then it might take longer for your skin to gain its moisture.

I spent a total of PhP 362.50 for the 7-day masking challenge. If I continued to do this for a month, I would spend PhP 1,450. To tell you the truth, having to do a facial mask everyday is tiring. Yes, the results are amazing, but I don't think it's necessary to do it everyday.

PROS

• Makes the skin really supple and well hydrated.
• Easy to apply.
• The quickest way to re-hydrate your skin.