Sheet Mask Snippet - My Beauty Diary Japanese Cherry Blossom + mini Haul

This week's review is the first of many sheet mask reviews, as there are so many of them out there it can be difficult to choose between them or judge their effectiveness.  Considering how comparatively short this week's review is, I have also included a mini haul from my usual ebay vendor, rubyruby76.

So first off is the sheet mask.  If you aren't familiar with them, they are a paper or cloth sheet that has been cut to form to the face (not necessarily your face, sadly, as they fit me terribly) and soaked in a solution which your face will slowly absorb as you wear it.   They are more convenient than wash-off masks as you only need to peel them off and pat your skin to absorb any remaining liquid, instead of messing around with washing it off and having to fuss with moisturizers afterward.



This review is of My Beauty Diary's Japanese Cherry Blossom Mask.  My Beauty Diary is a popular brand for face masks, so popular in fact that they're available from ... Wal-mart?!  *clap of thunder and faint smell of brimstone*  Either way, I actually prefer wash-off masks to sheet masks, even if the latter is more convenient.

So, keep that in mind as we review- everything is relative to that point!

Holika Holika Don't Worry Bee Care Calendula Toner Review

This week's review is of the "hydrating" style of toner prevalent in Asian skincare, as opposed to the "astringent" or cleansing type that we normally associate with "toner" in the west.  Infused with calendula flower petals and bee propolis, it's the adorably bee-decorated Holika Holika Bee Care Calendula Toner.
Note the flower petals at the bottom, continually infusing the toner with calendula goodness
I picked up this toner to experiment with adding toner into my skin care routine, because I was looking for ways to add extra hydration without making my skin greasy, which would lead to breakouts.  After reading about the difference in Asian toners vs western ones, I decided to give this one a try after reading up on the benefits of bee propolis and calendula.

Onward to the review!

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel Review

This week's review was featured in last week's airless pump bottle Demo, so here's the review of the Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel, just in time for summer!

This product is meant to be an all-over gel for soothing and cooling skin that is hot from either irritation or from exposure to heat.  Aloe Vera was something we always had growing up when I was a kid, and in the event of a burn (or sunburn) my mother would break off a leaf and rub the cool slimy inside of the leaf on my skin for instant relief and to promote healing.

Read on for the review of this old-timey remedy in a new and refined form!

Weekly review, Beauty Tool Edition: Airless Pump Bottles

That's right.  This week instead of reviewing the products I put on my face, I'm reviewing the containers I put my products in.  It's not as simple as you'd think.  A lot of products come in jars or tubs, which are unhygenic, messy to get out the product, constantly exposed to air and air-borne bacteria, and take up space.

Plus, when you have as many products as I do in my winter line-up (mentioned here) and a tiny sink counter, you've got problems.  Things-shattering-on-the-floor, you-or-your-spouse-knocking-things-over, no-space-for-your-toothbrush problems.

I prefer things to be in pump bottles so I can easily control the amount of product dispensed, minimize air exposure, and most of all stay hygienic.   So, I started researching and eventually stumbled on these little beauties:

Refill-ready bottle on the left, unused one on the right
In this post:

  • Product details
  • Full Review and Demo on how to fill them
  • Final Thoughts

Warning: this review contains a picture of the inside of my fridge.  Not for the pickle-phobic.  Just saying.