mask Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Belle Belle Beauty

Activated Charcoal – The Beauty Ingredient of the Moment

By now I am guessing you have had activated charcoal pop up on your radar. I have an affinity for this ingredient – likely because my childhood black Cocker Spaniel was affectionally named Char and that little cutie lived 17 years. But in addition, I love the way charcoal can absorb toxins and pollutants without leaving my dry and sensitive skin red or irritated.

My first beauty charcoal experience was likely in college with the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask – talk about a classic. This one is fairly straight-forward using White China clay to draw out impurities. But it is just as good as it ever was.

Recently on Belle Belle, I raved about Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud. It was too good not to mention on Saint Patrick’s Day but also worth a mention here. The inky, black mask works with organic materials like moor mud to clear skin but also hydrate. And the activated charcoal also capitalizes on magnetic ability to clear pores.

Bioré has a whole host of charcoal products right now, but given they do strips so well, my pick is the Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips. The nose strips might be better suited for those with serious blackheads. They somehow manage a fresh and clean feel with less shine. Charcoal also provides for oil control.

In true Belle Belle form, I saved the most luxe beauty pick for last. While it has taken a time for me to get used to the Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, I get why this has been such a huge hit for decades. I admit to not following the whole “ritual” but I do love the cleansing action and the brightened complexion that follows a regular ole face wash. This one is something you’ll treasure on your vanity.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask

You’ll be hearing more about this mask in a roundup in a couple days, but it was just too good not to share on this St. Patrick’s Day! Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask is a little bit of Ireland on your vanity. And if you forgo “amateur night” and stay in this evening, you’d enjoy staying in and giving yourself an “Irish Facial” – at least that is my plan!

Regular readers know I love mud and clay masks and this one lands right at the top of my favorites of the crew. I love how the inky, black mud isn’t too thick or irritating. The moor mud works to draw out oil and impurities. And the black hijiki seaweed works to add nutrition and hydration. And the activated charcoal? Well that comes in the future round-up that you won’t want to miss.

I apply a fairly thick layer (remember the consistency is fairly thin for a mud mask so you can pile it on). While 10 minutes is recommended, I usually get antsy and take it off after five. Even on my sensitive skin, I can use this a couple times a week without any irritation or redness.

So happy the luck of the Irish was with me and I had this fab new mask to review on this Saint Patrick’s Day. If you are headed out to celebrate, be safe!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

La Lumière illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask

I had reviewed this mask way back when, but asked some bestie blog friends to try it out on their slightly more acne-prone skin. Alas, my skin suffers from dryness and hyper-pigmentation. No complaints here, but wanted to give this gadget a real whirl on complexions dealing with breakouts.

A little about the mask: Using specific wavelengths of red and blue light, this mask prevents and treats breakouts. The red light reduces skin’s inflammation (the part I loved on my sensitive skin) and heals break outs. Red light also works to even skin tone. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, reducing current acne and future blemishes or breakouts.

I certainly did not expect a resounding love of the “Pink Power Ranger” mask (gotta love my testers’ sense of humor). Lauren‘s first reaction was “This Daft Punk mask really works! I had a zit at the outer edge of my cheek that just WOULD NOT go away for like a month, and now it’s gone after using this for a solid week!“

In Lisa‘s words:

I have combination skin, and if I get lax in my regular routine (which happens a bit more often than I care to admit), my skin starts to revolt in the form of patches of tiny breakouts, primarily on my chin and cheeks, and occasionally my forehead. This was the case when I started using Illumask.

Though Illumask has an opening for your eyes, with the light on it was hard for me to see — but I quickly came to embrace that as it forced me to relax for at least a short bit of time in my day. It feels a bit like sticking your face in a tanning bed, only the light is far more pleasant, and the heat very gentle. I’d put on an audiobook or some music and just lay on my bed for 15 minutes.

I noticed some slight dryness and tightness of my skin after each use, but I followed each treatment with my regular nightly moisturizer and my skin felt normal after that. The mask is good for 30 uses, but I actually stopped at 7 because it had done its job — my skin was clear again. I’ve been a bit lax again lately so I think it’s time to pull it back out again!

Lauren adds “Either way, having that zit go away was as fast as an anti-inflammatory injection from the derm, but cheaper.” I am all for a cheaper solution to a skin nightmare!

Available for $30 at Ulta, Walmart and Target. Thank you so much, Lisa and Lauren!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Kate Somerville Nourish HydraGel Mask

A lot of people talk about the Sunday blues, but I actually am starting to love these days at the end of the week. I like structure. I love my work. And weekends sometimes throw me off balance. I sound really boring right now, but hey…. I am being real. So today I am prepping for my best self tomorrow so I can hit Monday morning running.

In Oklahoma right now – as far as skin care is concerned – that means treating a big ole dose of dry skin. Leave it to Kate Sommerville to come up with the ultimate cure. The Nourish HydraGel Mask infuses skin with Hyaluronic Acid – the one ingredient that can drive deep hydration into skin. At the same time, skin is cooled and balanced. And antioxidants works against free radicals.

The gel is clear making this mask less messy than alternatives. The scent is marine and transports me to the tropics. After a short five minutes, I rinse the mask off and am left with glowing skin. Perfect to get me right back into Monday morning mode.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Omorovicza Moor Mud – Free Samples & A Discount!

Omorovicza Moor Mud on Belle Belle Beauty

Such a special treat for you today – one of my all time favorite brands is offering something special to you guys, my dear readers. This is an amazing opportunity to try out the exclusive and luxury Omorovicza.

I’ve posted lots about this brand but for a refresher: Omorovicza a brand I discovered at Neiman Marcus years ago and it embodies true luxury. Omorovicza was founded in 2005 by Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza. Founded upon the benefits of the thermal waters of Budapest, their formulas have transformative effects. The couple worked with the Hungarian Nobel winner laboratory to harness those benefits into a skincare line.

I have been testing out the Moor Mud range – many members are already part of my all-time favorites. The products I’ve been using are Thermal Cleansing Balm, The Deep Cleansing Mask and the Refining Facial Polisher. I mentioned the Thermal Cleansing Balm last week but as a recap: absolutely love the gel-like cleansing combined with the nourishing effects. The Deep Cleansing Mask (like other mud masks) is what I rely on to unclog my pores. And the Refining Facial Polisher (new to me) was gentle enough on my redness-prone skin, but effective at ridding my face of dead skin cells and returning a radiance.

So now here is the real cake: you, dear readers, get to take advantage of a sampling campaign – you will receive the 3 moor mud samples just by submitting your name and shipping address on this site:

http://www.omorovicza.com/sampling-campaign-bellebellebeauty

(I was having some trouble with the site redirecting so please cut and paste the URL above). Bonus, you also get 20% off their first purchase on Omorovicza.com.

Samples generously provided by Omorovicza. As always, opinions are my own.

Brand Spotlight: Colleen Rothschild

While I have some favorite skin care lines (Kate Somerville, SK-II and Tata Harper come to mind), I always enjoy checking out a newcomer. And Colleen Rothschild is certainly qualified to bring a great one to the table. She is known as a genius behind many products created for dermatologists, estheticians and stores.

Having the fluency in research and chemistry, Colleen developed a line with next generation ingredients and technology. Working in labs and globally sourcing formulas, Colleen addresses what every woman really wants: best results quickly and streamlined, efficient skincare.

Her formulas are uniquely powered by a proprietary delivery system, called Level E3. My favorite product lately has been the Sheer Renewal Cream because it is so light-weight and oil free. Add in the fact that it works to boost cell turnover and you have an easy-to-use workhorse. Bonus that it is beautiful under makeup with a powder finish.

At first blush, I was swooning over Radiant Cleansing Balm (and I still love it – but occasionally crave one of my beloved foaming cleansers). This fabulously smelling balm is massaged into dry skin to clean pores while leaving skin super soft. Love the included muslin cloth (which I proceeded to quickly lose – oops). Note: this was too irritating to use on my eyes so take care before using to remove eye makeup.

I love a great detox mask and the Clarifying Detox Mask ranks right up there at the top. A classic charcoal formula draws out impurities and balances complexion. I love the way it leaves my skin radiant but not tight and dry.

Available at ColleenRothschild.com.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.