Tag: mask

bliss multi-‘face’-eted anti-aging clay mask

I feel like there is a drive towards simplicity in skin care lately. This new serum pops into mind. And this mask is in the same ilk. Bliss’ newest, multi-‘face’-eted anti-aging clay mask is straight-forward, simple-to-use, and oh-so-wonderful. I love products like this not only because they are lovely and work but also because they are just so darn easy to recommend.

My biggest skin care beef lately is dull and discolored skin. I have been having some issues with reaching that “radiant” look. And while I love to exfoliate, so often my sensitive skin gets red and irritated with strong ingredients. Enter this mask – exfoliating, rejuvenating, refreshing but not too irritating.

What makes this fun to share? It is also wonderful for those with larger pores and olier skin. While it doesn’t make my sensitive skin angry, the mask still works to clean out pores with glycolic acid. And those dark spots that are forever the bane of my exisitance? Kojoc acid and lemon work against those. Carbon and pumice gentle turn over skin cells and jojoba nourishes skin.

I apply fairly thickly all over my face. The beauty is it only takes 5-7 minutes. And there is a minty and refreshing scent. After rinsing off with a washcloth, my skin is left radiant, clean and still supple … without one ounce of redness. I don’t know how they manage the slightly gritty texture that still leaves my skin happy, but they do it!

Available this month at bliss and blissworld.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.

Kate Somerville ‘Age Arrest’ Hydrating Firming Mask

If someone forced me to pick one skin care line for the rest of my days, Kate Somerville would definitely be a contender. Having visited her spa, used her products over a period of years and been lucky enough to meet Kate in person, I consider myself a “super-fan”. Things have been a little quiet out there lately, but the last couple of months marked some really exciting launches in the “Age Arrest” collection.

The highlight for me has been the Kate Somerville ‘Age Arrest’ Hydrating Firming Mask. This mask both corrects signs of aging and protects against future damage, making it perfect for a wide range of ages and skin types. If you are a Kate Somerville fan, you’ve probably read about “telomeres”. This product (along with several others in her collection) utilizes Nobel Prize winning Telo-5 Technology to fight against signs of aging. Telo-5 protects the life span of telomeres which help keep our skin looking youthful.

But it isn’t just Telo-5 technology – white water lily and centella asitica extract can help firm sagging skin and improve elasticity. Peptides will boost collagen. And sea whip extract and algae soothe skin.

While this is technically a mask, I have been using it overnight. The formula delivers deep hydration that my dry skin loves. It also works against wrinkles and discoloration. If you prefer a mask treatment, just apply for five minutes and gently remove with a tissue and massage in any extra product. A little facial massage will also help with puffiness. It is recommended 1-3 times a week. I probably could happily use this every other night while those with less dry skin might want to keep it to a weekly treatment.

After using, I can tell my skin is super plump and hydrated in the morning. While I am not yet suffering from sagging skin, I can see more radiance (likely thanks to the hydration). I love taking the preventative step to minimize any potential aging down the road.

Made in the USA. Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, KateSomerville.com and Bergdorf Goodman.

Favorite Masks For Radiance

I’m in the midst of another hyper-pigmentation treatment and have been using some pretty hefty stuff to battle the sun damage that has returned with the summer months. While I am loving the results (more on that in a couple weeks), I have noticed that all the strong ingredients can leave my skin a little dull. And there is nothing worst than dull summer skin.

Good thing I had my beauty closet to raid. I’ve been rotating two hydrating and radiance-boosting masks over the past couple of weeks and found two winners – depending on your skin type. The first I like for drier or more mature skin. The second is great for normal to oily skin.

First up, Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Radiance-Boosting Mask is luxe and rich. The gummy texture sounds like a mess but it is surprisingly soothing. Technically a gel, this mask was designed to be used before makeup application. Shhh… don’t tell… I have been using it in the evenings before bed. Auto Pilot Radiance-Boosting Mask smooths skin and adds softness while blurring lines with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E.

The first thing I notice is this gormound, cozy smell that I can’t quite put my finger on. The gel applies evenly all over the face and doesn’t budge. After 20 minutes, my skin has a velvet soft feel and my skin looks more even and glow-y. While you can tissue this off, I felt a little weighed down and went ahead and rinsed with water. While the product is technically for all skin types, I think those who are looking for a moisture/nourishment boost will be happier with this mask.

For those looking for something a little more “deep” and/or “active”, check out June Jacobs Spa Collection Radiant Refining Brightening Masque. This often overlooked line of skin care uses plants and extracts to revive stressed skin. How’s this for a little fruit cocktail?: bearberry, mulberry, licorice, lemon peel extracts and gigawhite nourishes and clears skin. Meanwhile, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide rejuvinate. And white, red and green tea extracts, goji berry, pomegranate and grapeseed extracts protect skin from the environment by neutralizing free radicals.

This milky cream goes on smooth and dives deep into skin. I get just a slight tingling but my skin isn’t left looking red. I can’t really detect a strong scent. And skin is immediately left more even and glowing. I apply with my fingers and keep on for around five minutes. Then rinse and pat dry.

LIFTLAB PURIFY + CLARIFY Daily Cleanser, Detox Mask and Gentle Exfoliant

The downside to beauty blogging is that so many products cross my desk, I sometimes forget about an old favorite. I know… #firstworldproblems. But then, an email, a hunt around the beauty closet, or a generous package shows up and you fall in love all over again.

This time, my love affair is renewed with LIFTLAB PURIFY + CLARIFY Daily Cleanser, Detox Mask and Gentle Exfoliant. And oh my is it hot and heavy.

LIFTLAB PURIFY + CLARIFY™ Daily Cleanser, Detox Mask and Gentle Exfoliant works as a 3-in-1, but it is basically a cleanser. The “detox” and “exfoliant” sound intense for drier and sensitive skin, but the foam actually balances my moisture levels. At the same time, Aqualumine™, a proprietary blend of enzymes derived from red caviar is a nice and gentle alternative to chemical and physical exfoliants.

My skin is left clear, brightened and smooth. One of their proprietary ingredients encourages cell turnover. My skin feels so clean (but certainly not tight) that I have been skipping my beloved toner. There is probably nothing I love more than a bunch of foam with my Clarisonic and this certainly doesn’t disappoint.

If you want to amp up your game, go for a deep clean 1-2 per week as a mask. Leave on for three minutes and experience an effervescent and uplifting treatment.

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program, but as always, opinions are my own.

Kiehl’s Limited Edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

My face has been acting up lately. Not sure if it is the bonkers Oklahoma weather, stress or the chaos of skin care that I am constantly reviewing. Either way, I was up for a sort of “reset”. Even though it is designed for oily to combination skin, I am loving the Kiehl’s Limited Edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque is made with fairly-traded Amazonian White Clay from the Marajo Island. This “magic earth” is said to detoxify skin. Unlike other clay masks, I never feel like my skin is tight or dry. I apply a thin layer and leave on for 10 minutes. After, my skin is cleared and super softened. Because pores are unclogged, my skin has a renewed radiance.

So what makes this clay so special? Sourced on Marajo Island, the largest island surrounded by freshest water in the world, this clay is nourished by leaves, fruits and seeds from the rainforest. It is known as “magic earth” because the native inhabitants of the land have used this clay to protect skin against insect bites and even snake poison.

And now in honor of Earth Day, Kiehl’s has launched a limited edition art edition of the masque. The Limited Edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque series features Earth-inspired designs by socially conscious influencers, depicting their vision of social responsibility including Ashley Judd and Anthony Mackie. 100% of net profits up to $50,000 from the fourth Earth Day campaign will benefit Recycle Across America. RAA is a not-for-profit that works to educate and stimulate the environmental economy. These funds in particular will be used to create 65,000 standardized recycling labels to offer to select K-12 schools in the United States.

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Brand Spotlight: YON-KA Skin Care

Yon-Ka is one of those brands I had seen and respected from afar. But I have never really had a chance to dive into their world. After learning about the brand and trying out some of their products, I have become a tried and true fan. The focus on aromatherapy and beautiful packaging make these workhorses and joy to use. The heavy glass bottles are truly luxe and all the dispensers are flawless. But first, a little about the brand.

Laboratories Multaler was founded in 1954 by pioneers in aromatherapy, Cécile, Ernst and Charles Muhlethaler. They focused on botanicals and essential oils and were able to achieve a breakthrough with the discover of “Quintessence” a unique combination of 5 essential oils from the Mediterranean which became the cornerstone of their future skin care line.

They continue their research, blending oils and plants to find other synergies and skin care breakthroughs. Around 1967, the brand took on its mysterious and symbolic name, YON-KA.

Françoise Muhlethaler, a biochemist, and Catherine Muhlethaler, an aesthetician, daughters and nieces of the founders take over leadership of the company in 1968. Under their reign, YON-KA is grows commercially and enters the USA in 1987 and UK and Switzerland in 2000. The new factory is in a filtered air environment with the highest manufacturing standards. Teams of pharmacists, chemist engineers, biologists, bacteriologists, aestheticians work in the Paris campus. Today, YON-KA products can be found in 50 countries and 5000 resorts and spas. Below is l’eSPAce YON-KA, the flagship spa in the heart of Paris.

So, now that we know a little bit about this established and classic skin care company, I’ll share with you a bit about the products I’ve been trying out.

Lotion YON-KA for normal to oily skin sounds like something I wouldn’t like given I am prone to dryness. But I admit, I am becoming quite the toner devotee and this alcohol-free version soothes and refreshes. I love having a second step of cleansing and it preps and evens the texture of my skin. The aromatherapy is a bonus: Geranium flower oil can reduce the appearance of pores while Rosemary oil helps reduce excess oil production for a balanced complexion.

Emulsion Pure has been a god-send these summer months. Have I mentioned I can get super irritated and even have violent allergies to some bug bites? This soother cools and comforts. You can use it both on the face and body for relief from acne, insect bites, waxing treatments and superficial burns. Lavender oil provides antiseptic benefits to reduce bacteria and help heal burns. Cypress oil evens out the skin tone to minimize the blotches. Rosemary oil increases blood circulation, moisturizes and treats sun-damaged skin. I’ve also found it super helpful against my recent psoriasis flare up.

Masque 105 has all the characteristics of a classic clay mask but it doesn’t leave my skin tight and dry. Not as thick as some other versions, the application is silkier and more hydrating. Specially designed for dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin, the mask works to detoxify and refine. I’m left with clear and glowing skin, and my tone is more even thanks to anti-inflammatory and calming Lavender oil. Geranium oil firms the skin.

Yon-ka is available at dermstore.com or find your local retailer here.

images from www.yonkausa.com