Masks | Beauty and Fashion Tech

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask and Exfoliator

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask is an interesting product. It is used on damp skin and heats up when it comes in contact with the water. So it feel warms as you rub it on. I have seen some complaints on various forums about the heating effect, but I rather liked it. The mask is quite hydrating, so I recommend it mostly for those with dry skin. One note of caution: It is very black! You probably want to use cheap cloths to wipe this one off. Or do what I did. Use it in the bath and rinse it off in there.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator has also made a return (read previous review), but this time in a tube instead of a tub–a welcome change for me! I absolutely love this scrub, and the tube makes it all the more easy to use. If you want a really good exfoliator, look no further than this one! It too is dark black—so use it in the shower! This item (the tub version) was on my Top 20 of 2008 list.

Note: This review was based on products sent to me by the compnay. For more information, please see my disclosure page.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Aloette Restorative Enzyme Peel

Aloette uses aloe vera as a base for their products. One that I particularly liked was their Aloette Restroative Enzyme Peel. This gel mask contains a combination of natural fruit extracts—including grapefruit, cucumber, papaya and pineapple—along with 54% purified aloe vera gel.

I found that the mask did a nice job of providing a light exfoliation, while also moisturizing. Unlike clay based products, the aloe vera gel keeps the mask feeling fresh on the skin and there is no tightness or drying sensation. As a result, I particularly recommend this one for people with dry skin. Because it is rather gentle, if might also be appropriate for sensitive skin.

On thing to keep in mind with this one though is that the exfoliation/peel effect is very light. Those who like a particularly strong mask, might find this one to be a bit too weak.

Popularity: 2% [?]

PCA Skin Care Purifying Mask

Every time that I try a PCA Skin product I end up impressed. So of course I loved PCA Skin (pHaze 9) Purifying Mask when I gave it a try. This came in my first edition of Beauty Fix (read review), and is one of just many products in the kit that I love, proving once again that the editors there have great taste.

What is great about the PCA Purifying Mask is that it really does double duty as an acne treatment, pore cleansing type of mask, and as a scrub. This fascinating mask (yes, fascinating!) has general the texture of a clay mask, but it contains pumice as a scrub. So when you apply it, it does all those great things that a purifying mask should do, and then when you wash it off, you get a nice little exfoliating scrub as well. I truly love the concept!

The active ingredient list is quite nice, with treatments for acne and ingredients for general brightening and protection:

Algae
Pumice
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil
Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Wine Extract
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Olivate

When I used this mask, it left my face bright, and between the active ingredients and the scrubbing action, it left my skin quite ready for serums and moisturizers. One item of note: The pumice in this gives a medium to slightly heavy scrub, so sensitive skin types might was to rinse the product off without rubbing. Those who like a heavier scrub can get one by firmly removing the mask with circular motions. So it is rather flexible in that aspect.

This one very well might make the best of 2009 list in December (yeesh that is a long way off, I just finished the 2008 one!) along with another product or two from the Beauty Fix kit. They sure can pick em!

Comparison Shop for PCA Skin Care

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask

I love Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask. I seriously cannot quit raving about it! This foaming mask refreshes and makes the skin look great, temporarily at least.

The whole concept of the Bliss energizing Mask is to oxygenate the skin, plumping up skin cells, and making the skin look fresh and renewed. Here is the company’s information on it:

A ‘take-out’ version of bliss spa’s most famous facial, the Triple Oxygen Treatment (a favorite of so many stunningly skinned celebs, we wouldn’t want to dull you with the details). At home, once, twice, or for the obsessive even thrice a week, this flash-action mask will deliver a shot of oxygen, a dose of a powerhouse form of Vitamin C, a smattering of anti-free radicals, and a moisture fix, to instantly spiff up your skin when you find it looking a little ‘low’ life.

with vitamin C, fluid O2™, NaPCA, and EUK-134™ free-radical resisters

A super-quick-fix for dull, tired, sallow, ‘I’m sick of my’ skin. Engineered to mimic the effects of our spa’s famous triple oxygen™ (but in seconds), this fabulous new complexion brightening formula uses every ‘tech’ in the book to work to furnish you with a fresher, younger-looking face.

engineered as a stand-in for our spas’ world famous triple oxygen facial treatment

releases oxygen molecules and detoxifiers

a super-quick-fix for dull, tired, sallow skin

super-strength skincare from bliss, new york’s hottest spa

To use the mask, a layer of light lotion is applied to damp skin and then left on for a few minutes while it turns to foam. During that process, it tingles quite a bit. I kind of thought it tickled at first! Then it is rinsed off. I found that my skin looked and felt great after each use of it. The effects don’t last all that long, but it is a great way to start the day! I use this several times each week regularly now. Great stuff! I highly recommend it!

Buy Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask at Beauty.com

Comparison Shop for Bliss Spa Products

Popularity: 1% [?]

Pevonia Botanica Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream

For a good, spa-like enzymatic peel, take a look at Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream . Using encapsulated papaya and pineapple enzymes, this lotion/mask does a pretty good job of dissolving the gunk in your pores and leaving the skin looking a bit brighter.

Pevonia Botanica Enzyme Peeling Cream Mask

I have always like enzyme masks, so this one has quickly become a favorite. Unlike my other favorite, Astara (read review), which is pretty intense, the Pevonia mask is a bit more gentle. I can feel the enzymes working when I use it, but I don’t think most people would find it irritating in any way. With that said, those with sensitive skin should always be cautious using enzyme products.

Try using a mask such as this after cleansing and then follow with a gel moisture mask for an at home spa experience.

Shop for Pevonia Botanica skin care products

Popularity: 1% [?]

Yes to Carrots Exfoliating Mask and Day Cream

Yes to Carrots is a new skin care, body, and hair line available at Walgreen’s stores.

I tried the C the Difference Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask and the C Today or C You in the Morning Moisturizing Day Cream. Both are quite nice products.

The mask is a light clay mask that is appropriate for dry and sensitive skin. It provides light exfoliation without any irritation, and it generally is nice to use. It smells quite nice, with a very light scent and left my skin very soft. I will keep using this fairly often.

The day cream is also fine, but I found it to be a bit too much moisture for my skin right now. I recommend it for those with dry skin, but others might want something lighter. Come winter, I will likely be using this!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Zensation Brightening Mask

Zensation Brightening Mask is a luxury mask from Zensation Switzerland. I really enjoyed using this mask, and while I won’t declare it as any sort of cure for hyperpigmentation and melasma, it is wonderful to use and it does leave the skin looking better.

First off, the mask smells wonderful. The scent is not strong or overwhelming. Instead it is just a nice light scent that is a joy to wear. The mask is a lotion that is left on for 20 minutes and then washed off. It is not drying, does not feel sticky, and is very comfortable. I found that my skin felt slightly moisturized after using it.

The mask contains seabuckthorn extract for a high vitamin C content and various extracts to lighten the skin. The one that jumped out at me as something with some proven effectiveness is mulberry extract. I did not see any immediate fading of discolored areas, but my skin in general looked more radiant after using the mask several times. Plus it is just so nice to wear!

Zensation also has some pretty packaging, so it looks quite good on the shelf.