An In-Flight Essential: Innisfree Hyaluronic Acid Skin Clinic Mask

Well guys, I think I have finally found the best sheet mask to use as an in-flight treatment and of course it comes from Innisfree. Their Hyaluronic Acid Skin Clinic Mask will make it worthwhile to look a little weird to the other passengers. After all who cares, you’ll be the one with gorgeous skin when it’s time to land.  

I don’t mind taking my makeup off on a plane and doing a whole skincare routine from my seat, but I have yet to use a sheet mask while flying. Honestly, I was always a bit intimidated with what other people might think of me if I wore one. I mean most masks take a while to sink in, so sitting with one on for more than thirty minutes is not ideal. This is why this Hyaluronic Acid one is so great, it absorbs in less than twenty minutes without dripping down your neck! The sheet is also quite thin so it looks very discreet compared to others. As for the essence, it is very light but don’t worry you still get amazing results.

So obviously this gets points for being a quick mask to use making it super convenient, I also love the fact that the hyaluronic acid in it does not leave your face feeling tacky and it offers serious hydration. Just on its own, it left my skin feeling softer and very hydrated, but what is so great about hyaluronic acid is that it can boost the moisturizing properties of other products you use on top. Meaning that using it in combination with a good serum (Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum) and a very moisturizing cream (like the Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream) will leave you with plump and glowy skin when you get to your destination. At less than three dollars, you can be sure it will be a must-have product for any future long-haul flights.

You can get the Innisfree Hyaluronic Acid Skin Clinic Mask on their website here. 

The Faceshop Real Nature Blueberry Sheet Mask

*Gasp!* I know what you’re thinking, yes I tried a sheet mask that is not from Innisfree. The Faceshop recently opened a store near me so I just had to try something. To be honest I was not particularly drawn to anything in particular (I’m pretty set in my skincare), but I loved the packaging of their sheet masks and I thought it would be a great introduction to the brand. I also got a peeling gel (more on that later), but for now let’s focus on the Real Nature Blueberry Mask.

The main difference I noticed right away was the cotton of the mask, it felt very silky and soft. When you pull it out it is drenched (mine was dripping) in essence and while the texture of the sheet is very luxurious I felt like it did not absorb the essence very well. As a result, I felt like my skin was not absorbing the essence as much as with other mask because it was almost sitting on top of it.

As for the results, my skin felt softer and hydrated but the effects were not as big as I am used to. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice to use, I just don’t feel like there was anything special about it. It just did not transform my skin in the way I know other masks can. So you can probably tell I’m not super impressed by these, however they are at a great price point (2$) which cannot be said of other Korean sheet masks making their appearance in the Northern American market, those generally retail for 8~10$. While the Blueberry Real Nature Mask is not rave worthy in my opinion, I might pick more up in the future. The convenience factor (no more waiting 2 weeks for your package) and price make them a nice treat after a long day. I’m curious to see if the Acai Berry and Honey ones deliver better results.

You can find The Faceshop Real Nature Blueberry Sheet Mask on their website and in stores. 

An October Beauty Haul: Lush, Sephora and more

Well I guess this is what happens when you don’t go shopping for weeks. I finally went to the mall last week after my list of things I needed buy got a bit too long. I did get a bit caught up in Bath and Body Works, but otherwise it was a successful outing. Today, I wanted to share with you my latest purchases and the new releases currently in stores.

First up is Bath and Body Works, I originally went only to get new hand sanitizers but I let myself be tempted into a few more things. I first pickup 3 PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gels in Crisp Morning Air, Winter Wonderland and Sunlight andApple Trees, I love how these smell amazing and don’t leave your hands feeling sticky. I told myself I would not buy anymore candles because I have quite a few already. However the new fall/winter scents were so nice that I decide to get two of the Mini Candles in Sweater Weather and Frosted Cranberry. These are tiny but a great way to experience new scents without investing in a large candle and I love how they now come with little lids just like the bigger ones. Frosted Cranberry has been a favorite of mine for years, the light fruity scent is lovely and different from typical holiday scents (it’s very fresh). Lastly I got a Nourishing Hand Cream in Crisp Morning, this scent is my favorite from Bath and Body Works, it is just so light and crisp, I wish they did a candle in this. To be honest, this is no my favorite hand cream because I don’t find it very nourishing, but it works as a quick fix and the smell is just divine. 

Next I hit up The Body Shop to get a bottle of my trusted Tea Tree Oil. I always have it to use as a spot treatment, it works brilliantly. Continuing with the skincare, I stopped by Sephora to get a new favorite of mine: the Caudalie Lip Conditioner. This is an amazing lip balm, I was not blown away at first but once you go through the waxier top layer, you get a super nourishing and moisturizing balm. It is in my top 3 Caudalie products and it is also surprisingly affordable. As I was about to pay I noticed Sephora had a cute little mini set of the lip conditioner and a mini hand cream that retailed for the same price as the lip balm alone. Who doesn’t love a great Sephora Bargain. 

Last but certainly not least, I stopped by Lush with no other attention than just having a look at the new releases (mostly the little golden Halloween pumpkin), but as always I couldn’t leave empty handed. For some reason, I was really craving something sweet smelling so I went for the Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon to get loads of bubble and relax with the light and sweet scent of oranges and chocolate. The other thing I picked up was the Snow Angel Luxury Bubble Bath, this smells like marzipan and turns your water into a super moisturizing soak that doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily. They are both so lovely, I might have to go back for more!

So there you have it, my most recent purchases. There is actually also an amazing organic (and affordable) body lotion, but I forgot to take a picture of it. It’s in my bathroom because I’ve been using it every day. I promise you’ll hear about it soon. So, what new things did you get recently or what is on your must-buy list of the moment?

Thierry Mugler Alien

Crisp air, gorgeously colored leaves and general coziness pretty much sum up why fall is my favorite season. Along with all those things, I love how the cooler season makes me want to wear warmer scents that feel like a nice blanket. For many years now, my favorite fall/winter fragrance has been Thierry Mugler’s Alien.

Thierry Mugler is known for creating very distinctive and powerful fragrances. They linger on you and your clothes for ages and nothing else smells quite like it. Alien is a gorgeous fragrance, very unique with a warmth that screams “wear me when it’s chilly outside!” The notes go as follows: Solar Accord, Jasmine Sambac, Green Notes, Cashmeran Wood, Vanilla, Transparent Amber. The result is a slightly heady warm floral scent with just a hint of sweetness from the vanilla. The jasmine, cashmeran wood and amber are the stand out notes, but I love how the green notes and vanilla prevent it from being overpowering.

To me, Alien is like a warm cashmere blanket: soft, warm and comforting. It is definitely a feminine fragrance, albeit a sensual and rich one. As the weather cools, I love letting it envelop me in its distinctive scent, there is something very soothing about it. Like with other Mugler fragrances, the complexity and depth of Alien is hard to describe with words, smelling it is a unique sensorial experience in and of itself.

Lastly, let’s take a second to bask in the beauty of the bottle.  The deep purple color and jewel-like design are stunning. Thierrry Mugler refers to it as a talisman made to resemble an amethyst. The gold detailing elevates it to a piece of luxury you want to display. Good thing you can refill the bottle and never have to part with it.  

Thierry Mugler Alien is available in many department stores as well as from Sephora and the Thierry Mugler website where you can see the whole range of products dedicated to this scent. You can also read more about the fragrance here.