Uncovering the Beauty Behind Face Masks

Hi Everyone!

It's been quite a while since I posted up something. I apologize. =[ Its fall here, so I decided since its getting colder soon, I need to stack up on my face masks for my skin! As you know, face masks comes in varieties: wash-off, peel-off, and gel/cotton masks sheets. They suits ALL type of skin types. Yes, even trouble/acne prone skin. =) I think DIY facial masks are the best for sensitive skins because you can add and mix in your own ingredients (no harsh chemicals  that fits your skin needs.

WASH-OFF Masks

Profile: Thick texture (like mud/clay masks)

Recommended Skin Type: All skin type (different wash off mask suits different skin type.)

Benefits:

• Detoxify/Nourishes the skin
• Help skin problems (like dries out pimple)
• Deep cleanse out pores
• Draws out oil from the skin (Great for oily skin types) 

Cons:

• Hassel (since you have to wash your face again after face wash)
• Some masks are hard to wash off after it dries
• Some are smelly (some sulfur mask and clay mask smells terrible)

Favorites:

Proactive Sulfur Mask 

Great for Acne

Smells like Sulfer

I put on acne over night

Website: http://www7.proactiv.com/cat/refmask/?uci=US-PA-O-PS-MA-21370&s_kwcid=TC-1026616-6907734246-be-731492602

The Body Shop Honey & Oat Mask

Very Moisturizing

Can get the sink messy

Smells good

Website: http://www.thebodyshop.com/skincare/exfoliators-masks/honey-oat-3-in-1-scrub-mask.aspx

PEEL-OFF Masks

Profile: Some have gel texture while others have very thick texture

Recommended Skin Type: Oily/Combonation/Normal

Benefits:

• Great for getting rid of black heads
• Peels away unwanted dead skin build-up
• Great for lightening acne scars

Cons:

• Make your skin really tight before peeling it off
• Some people says it enlarge pores
• Can irritate skin after peeling it off

My Favorites:

The Face Shop Nose Pack ($7)

Smells good

Very thick texture when putting it on

Got rid of some of the black heads

GEL/COTTON Sheet Masks

Profile: Individual Sheet Mask (One per packet)

Recommended Skin Type: All (different mask targets different skin type)

Benefits:

• Moisturizing
• Easy to use
• Does not get messy
• Has many varieties targeted towards different skin types.
• All of them smells great!

Cons:

• Size  of mask sheet (some might be too small or too big for your face-problems for mouth and eye area)
• Other masks brand make the sheet too thin, causing it to break apart easily

My Favorites:

My Beauty Diary Masks ($13-16 per box)

website for more info: http://www.beautydiary.com.tw/en/aboutus.htm

http://www.mybeautydiarymask.com/

 Yes..I took a picture of this AFTER I used the mask (ahahha, or else it would be very bad to stick it on my mirror and put it on my face)

Black Pearl Mask (GREAT for lightening acne scars) 

Strawberry Yogurt (great for oily skin)

DIY (do it yourself) Masks

Profile: Can be any type of mask you like (Wash/peel/sheet)

Recommended Skin Type: All (You can put any ingredients you want that can fits your skin type)

Benefits:

• Ingredient control
• Organic/natural
• Saves money since you can use what you have in your house

Cons:

• Can be time consuming mixing the ingredients
• Can get messy
• The results can takes longer since you are using natural ingredients

Website: http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/facemasks.htm

Thanks for reading!

Stay happy and keep on smiling! =) 

The Lively Mango

Birchbox Shop: DDF Brightening Cleanser + amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask

Hi there!

Wow, is it September already? Sorry kids. School is in session. But on a good side, fall is coming soon, which means (thank goodness!) that it will less hot out. I don't have to be afraid to go out in the burning hot daylight.   

   

Anyways, I have bad news. I am no longer subscribed to Birchbox. Even though I love getting samples, I think the problem lies in the fact that I only find at least 1 to 2 products useful from the samples they give. For example, I put I have uncolored hair and I have acne/pigmentation I want to get ride off. I also prefer skincare more than makeup. Yet, they gave me hair treatment for colored hair. Didn't give me the DDF brightening cleanser, which would have been so useful. I also got makeup in my box more than skin care. Most of the samples I received, I always end up giving it to my sister or my friends. I do wish they look at my profile and really try to fit my taste. But I guess I am asking too much. 

So, I used my Birchbox points (100points =$10) to purchase a sample pack from their shop. I got to pick the samples I really wanted/needed. You can check them out below. =]

*The product mention below include a skincare product, therefore, it is best to read my skin profile first because the product may not cater to your liking*

DDF Brightening Cleanser (sample size)

Full bottle: $38/ 250ml

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/august2012-box/ddf-brightening-cleanser

Its' clear in color but will foam when using water. It doesn't as form as the Korean brand face wash.

Pros: It shrinks some of my acnes and some of my scars seem a bit lighter after 3 uses. Smells good. Doesn't irritate my skin.

Cons. Really drys out my skin. Especially my cheeks and around the mouth. The product does not foam as much. My face feels slippery when washing it off with water. (Which might be the reason why my face is dry from all the over washing)

Advice: I do not recommend this for my dry skin peeps out there. But if you have acne scar and have dry skin, use Korean brands whitening skincare lines. They tends to have more oil in their whitening products. MAKE SURE you MOSTURIZE after the use of this product.

My usage: I used it mostly nighttime. I switched off my washer with proactive acne cleanser.

amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask (sample size)

Full bottle: $40/500ml

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/amika-obliphica-nourishing-hair-mask

The color is same as any hair masks, which is white. It smells like pina colada therefore, it has a very sweet scent.

Pros: Smells good. Makes my hair super soft (I just put them in my dry ends).

Cons: None so far. Well...I guess the price is a lot for a hair mask. 

My usage: After shampoo. I apply them to my dry ends. Wait a few minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Anyways, that is all. Enjoy your rest of the day/night/evening or what ever you are doing. =) 

Thanks for reading!

Stay happy and keep on smiling! 

The Lively Mango 

The Lively Mango: Birchbox August 2012

The Lively Mango: Birchbox August 2012: Hi There! Guess what came in my mailbox today? Did you guess it? Did ya? If you said August Birchbox, then you are corrrrrect. If you ...

Birchbox August 2012

Hi There!

Guess what came in my mailbox today? Did you guess it? Did ya? If you said August Birchbox, then you are corrrrrect. If you also said credit cards advertisements and bills, well…. you are also correct! So for this month Birchbox, the theme is Beauty School. Sound fun right? It is also just what I need, to be schooled on beauty. Let's put on our learning caps, and head back to school.

For this month, I receive 5 samples plus 1 extra. Below will be both products and some reviews. Enjoy reading!

PRODUCTS 

Apothederm

Stretch Mark Cream

Price: $89.95

Scentless, which is a good thing. It feels creamy, like a lotion.

I can't really tell you if it works or not since I only used it once. But if it does, I will definitely post up a separate review for this product.

Jouer

Moisturizing Lip Gloss (in Birchbox pink)

Price: $20

Scentless, a bit sticky, do not like the consistency, but love the color!

Juicy Couture

Viva la Juicy La Fleur

Price: $70

I am not a Juicy Couture fan, but this perfume wasn't too bad. The scent is very fruity (great for summer) and a bit strong (not for people who have sensitive nose).

Shu Uemura Art of Hair

Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

Price: $48

WOW! Shu Uemura! I never thought I would see this brand in my sample box. And it's not even makeup but shampoo? I will update a review once I have tried it.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair

Full Shimmer Illuminating Treatment

Price: $58

Ooooo, who doesn't love treatment for their hair?

 Birchbox Extra

Shick

Hydro Silk Razor

This was cool surprise. Since I don't need a razor, I will be handing this off to my sister since my Venus razor has never cut or failed me. 

Also in the box, they have included a Beauty School pamphlet that educates you on makeup brushes to how to read a the label. Awesome! Now, I don't have to search it through Google. Yay lazy me! Hope the info helps you guys too!

Thanks for reading!

Stay happy and keep on smiling! 

The Lively Mango

The Lively Mango: Summer Splurge: The Face Shop Clean Face line

The Lively Mango: Summer Splurge: The Face Shop Clean Face line: Hi there! As many of you guys might not know, I LOVE skin care products. I love researching them and trying them out (who doesn't want to ...

Summer Splurge: The Face Shop Clean Face line

Hi there!

As many of you guys might not know, I LOVE skin care products. I love researching them and trying them out (who doesn't want to look good?). I want to first of let you guys know my skin profile so you guys get an idea of what kinds of  product I try to look for and products I avoid using. 

JUST SO everyone knows, you should not depend solely on skincare products to do miracle for your skin. It has to do with inner body as well, like genetic, hormones, things you are eating, if you are healthy, and medications. I heard celebrities in Korea look like that because they have to go to dermatologist every week. So, money is a big factor as well. =] 

Skin profile:

Combination: Very dry cheeks, very oily t-zone,
Acne prone skin: Mostly my forehead, nose and chin. Breaks out ALL the time (it is usually due to hormones, thing I eat, and genetic)
I have acne scars: Which I recent gotten on my forehead and chin, and I am trying to find a good product to get rid of them. 
Makeup: I tried to stay away from make up as possible (meaning, I only use them when it is necessary)

Products I am currently using now to get rid of my acne is proactive (I have used it since high school and its not the best but it helps with my acne compared to other acne products system). I don't use it everyday, only when I have very bad break outs. 

Products ingredients I look for (for now):

• Oil free (for my t-zone)
• alcohol free (they tend to dry out of cheeks)
• Paraben free (I heard they give you cancer- but many skin care products have them so this is not a must)
• Natural ingredients (like green tea)
• salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and witch hazel (if I am looking for products that will help me with my acne) 

Products ingredients I try to avoid (for now):

• Aloe (for some reason, aloe make my skin itchy. I tried using the actual plant and it didn't do anything and caused little bumps on my chin. I also tried using some masks with aloe in it and it does the same. Aloe is supposed to be the most natural plant to fix many skin care problems. Maybe my skin is just weird.

I have used/tried so many products that I will eventually review all of them for you, and can go on and on about them. But, for now, let just go with my recent purchase from The Face Shop. For those of you do not know, it is a Korean brand product. You gotta love them Korean products. Why? because they give you samples like there is no tomorrow.  

They have a lot of natural ingredients for their skin care line and makeup. The price can go from $2- $60. From my experience with their products, I do not depend of their skincare line to make my acne go away, and its only because their main ingredients includes natural ingredient, which is great for people with sensitive skin. 

So I bought 2 products from their clean face skin care line, you guys know what caught my eye. Green tea! I bought a mask and acne patch. The lady at the counter give me a face wash as a sample. 

Clean Face Mask Sheet: $3

Sebum control?: Yes! My T-zone was very dry the whole day.

Price?: Was very worth it. Some masks sells for $6/each and they were okay.

Actual Mask: I had better masks, but this mask is great for summertime (when my face gets really oily)

Overall: 4 out of 5 (I would purchase it again)

Clean Face Spot Clear Intensive Patch: $2 (12 patches)

Blemish control?: No, my pimple were still there the next morning. =(

Price?: Pretty cheap, so it wasn't a big investment.

Actual Product: 6 big (1/2 inch) and 6 small (1/4 inch). Love that they give you different size for different size pimples. The patch is very clear and very thin.

Overall: 3 out of 5 (I love the idea and although it did not help my pimple go away, it is a great product to put on those stubborn pimples so you stop touching them)

Clean Face Acne Solution Foam Cleansing: free sample

Acne solver?: Nope. But I love it as a regular face wash! 

Actual Product: Very foamy after slathering with water. Don't need a lot to wash the whole face. It does feel a bit dry after but that is what toner/moisturizers for. 

Overall: 4 out of 5 (smells like green tea. It did not broke me out. Will use it as a morning face wash)

Thanks for reading!

Keep smiling and stay happy!

The Lively Mango

The Lively Mango: July Birchbox 2012

The Lively Mango: July Birchbox 2012: Hey guys.             My July 2012 Birchbox came in the box a couple of days ago and here it is, some pictures and reviews. This month bo...

July Birchbox 2012

Hey guys. 

           My July 2012 Birchbox came in the box a couple of days ago and here it is, some pictures and reviews. This month box wasn't as good as the last month one and I will tell you why later, BUT I did have fun opening the box. It feels like Christmas every month. For this month box, Birchbox has teamed up with Glamour to bring you the 5 senses of summer. How very clever and creative of Birchbox! Enough of me babbling and lets get down to the products. 

Individual Products

Boscia 

Green Tea Blotting Linens

Price: $10 (100 sheets)

Notes:

• Out of all the products, this is my favorite! 
• The sheet has a hint scent of green tea (and I love the smell of green tea)
• They have this (I think) small green tea leaves on the paper
• One sheet soak up a lot of my T-zone oil and leave a matte finish on the skin, which is great for summer when my face gets really oily. 

Eyeko

Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Olive

Price: $15 (full size)

Notes:

• This eyeliner goes on very smoothly.
• After it dried, it wont smudge.
• I wish I got a black color instead of olive green..I don't usually wear green eyeliner. 

Jouer

Luminizing Moisture Tint

Price: $38 (Ful-size)

Notes:

• This is a very likeable product. It goes smoothly on skin and is very sheer. 
• What I don't like about this product is it has shimmer. Which I think it's good for your eye but not for the whole face. 

Oscar de la Renta

Live in love perfume

Price: $25-78

Notes:

• Has woody/floral smell. I smell a bit of Jasmine in there. 
• It is a bit strong but smells great so I wouldn't complain. 

BIRCHBOX EXTRAS

Larabar

Uber (snack bar)

Price: $27.95 (pack of 16)

Notes:

• This was a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting food! Who doesn't love food in their sample box. 
• I had banana flavor, so the taste wasn't that bad. It wasn't salty, it was mostly on the sweet side. I can't say that for other flavors though.  

Birchbox Exclusive

Earbuds

• My least favorite product. Why you may ask? Because it has a lot of static and noise when listening to music. 
• Although the earphones are cute, I can't really do anything with it if it doesn't work properly. =[ Boohoo. 

Well, that is the end of the products. Lets see what Birchbox have in store for us next month. =)

Thanks for reading!

Stay happy and keep smiling!

The Lively Mango

The Lively Mango: The Colors of Summer: Nail Polish Edition

The Lively Mango: The Colors of Summer: Nail Polish Edition: Hi there! It is the month of July! It is time to leave your house in your favorite summer dress & accessories and hang out with your f...

The Lively Mango: Refreshing Green Tea Spray

The Lively Mango: Refreshing Green Tea Spray: Hi there!              It's summertime folks, that means it's 100 degree outside and boy..is it hot in here! Welcome to California w...

The Colors of Summer: Nail Polish Edition

Hi there!

It is the month of July! It is time to leave your house in your favorite summer dress & accessories and hang out with your friends for a little fun in the sun. However, a dress, hat and sunglasses sometime just don't cut it for the whole summer look. You will need to put on that cute vibrant nail polish to match your outfit and accessories. 

Here are my top pick nail colors by Essie: 

Left to Right

1. Lilacism 705

2. Van D'Go 710

3. Absolutely Shore 758

4. Haute as Hello 722

Essie has varieties of nail polish colors and some colors are not too pigmented, so you can polish one coat for more subtle color or layer a few more coats for more vibrant color.

These colors are not only great for summer but also fits very well with any romantic look.

Especially in the summer, I like to wear different colors on each of my nails for a more fun look. ;]

Thanks for reading!
Stay happy and keep smiling!

The Lively Mango

            

Refreshing Green Tea Spray

Hi there!

             It's summertime folks, that means it's 100 degree outside and boy..is it hot in here! Welcome to California weather, where there is a little rain and whole lots of sunshine. But hey, that doesn't mean you shouldn't go outside and enjoy a lovely sunlight. Just make sure you protect your skin form harmful UV rays. Put on your favorite sunscreen and show off your lovely hats collection so you don't get sunburn or worse..skin cancer by the end of the summer. 

            There is an amazing DIY spray I found through online research that have tried and loved and it is perfect for summertime. It is one of my summer must-haves and it only needs ONE main ingredient: GREEN TEA. What really caught my eye during my research about green tea was that it is known to help secure your skin from harmful UV rays and helps fights acne. Well… that is all I need to know to get me hook on this stuff.

You will need

1.     an empty spray bottle (Target: $0.97 (3 oz bottle))

2.     a small bowl

3.     a packet of decaf green tea (I'm using Lipton brand)

4.     DISTILLED (clean) water

5.     a small funnel (If you don't have one, it's okay)

STEPS:

1) Make sure you wash all the items thoroughly before using.

2) Pour water into a small bowl (I like to pour the water in the spray bottle first to measure it out so I don't have any left over green tea) 

 

3) Soak green tea bag like you would when you drink green tea.

4) Let it soak until the color turns dark (There is no specific soaking time. I usually just leave it sit there while I do my daily activities)

5) Using a small funnel (If you don't have one, improvise or do it free hand), pour it into the spray bottle and store it in the fridge. Make sure to keep it refrigerated.  

My Usage: 

Morning (after face wash and before putting on my moisturizer/sunscreen)

Night: Face wash → Toner→ Green tea spray → Acne treatment moisturizer (or only lazy days, I just stop at Green tea spray)

Green Tea is known to be an ancient Chinese recipe in gaining good health and beautiful skin. It is a great antioxidants, meaning it slows down aging and prevents heart disease, strokes and cancer.  What is so great about green tea is even though it is so beneficial to your body as a drink, it can also be use on your skin. There are many skincare product out there that includes green tea as one of their ingredients. For more info about Green tea, here are some helpful links:

http://goarticles.com/article/Green-Tea-May-Add-to-Protection-Against-UV-Rays/6659653/

http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/green-tea-benefits.html

If you are unsure about putting green tea on your face and don't want to waste time making the spray, there is a quick facial spa I found online that will make you loveeee green tea. (I don't have any image for this. Sorry..)

1. Take a large bowl and soak one or more packets of DECAF GREEN TEA of your choice into room temperature DISTILLED water.

2. After you think the green tea has soaked long enough, take it to the sink. (Put it in the fridge if you are going to use it later)

3. Wash your face with warm water a couple of time or put a hot towel on your face for a few minutes or if you have one of those face steamer, use it or make your own face steam by boiling some water and putting your face over it to open up pores.

4. Wash your face with the green tea water that you've made to close the pores. Use it all! After you are done washing your face with green tea water, pat your face dry (do not use a towel to dry).  TA DA! Now feel how smooth your skin is. Do not touch it too much even though it feels like a baby's bottom. Restrain yourself! =]

Thanks for reading!
Stay happy and keep smiling!

The Lively Mango