[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] It’s really not often that I feel the need to crack open a sheet mask – I really do not like them very much, mainly for the cold clamminess that engulfs my face … they make me shudder. However, there are sheet masks and sheet masks and this is one of almost none that I’d endure the chilly wetness for. I don’t like water on my face either so perhaps my feelings are tied into that, but on this occasion, the results are just so worth any feelings I might have in general about this method of skin care.
The box contains 12 masks – six for the face and six for the chin and neck. I have to say that I drew the line at the chin and neck – I just couldn’t .. but I will now that I’ve used the face version. The ‘lifting’ element isn’t a draw for me but the brightening element most certainly is. Key ingredients are squalane and trehalose and feature near the top of the INCI but there are multiple extracts such as lavender, camellia, nasturtium and so on. I don’t know quite which ingredient or combination of are working the magic but something is. Shiseido uses its own brightening formula 4MSK but it’s hard to work out quite what that is. I have a bit of a love-hate with Shiseido because I think they focus too much on the negatives of mid-life skin but on the other hand, they’re immensely good products.
So, from about 15 minutes or so of wearing the face sheet mask (which does warm up eventually) I took it off and massaged the remaining serum into my skin. My complexion looked clearer and more vibrant immediately but I was surprised to see that the effect continued on into the next day. My skin is still so soft – from 15 minutes! I feel impressed. I can’t in honestly say I saw any lifting but it’s a big ask of a serum. According to Shiseido stats, 80% of participants in their trial did see it. 89% experienced smoothness and 93% saw brightness and I’d concur with both of those findings. Maybe if I hadn’t gone to bed on the results there would have been something more tangible – I don’t know. However, I would recommend this in heart-beat for the odd ‘special occasion’. I loved the clarity, smoothness and softness that it gave. It’s so expensive, of course, but it works, simple as. I’m more tempted by the Radiance Serum than another pack of masks – I hope it’s the same result without the clamminess. Shiseido is a Japanese brand where sheet masks are in-built into the beauty culture in a way that they’re not here but if you like them, and you don’t mind a spend, on that basis, I’d recommend. They’re £90 for six (I said so!) HERE, non-affiliate HERE. The bottle of serum that the masks are soaked in is £109 HERE.
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8 comments
I have the same aversion to sheet masks as you Jane. Tried a few when they came in a beauty box. The worst one was like having popping candy on my skin Very unpleasant but some people love them!
I know… I just don’t get it but will persevere with this because it’s worth it! I cannot put it on my neck though!
Maybe use the neck ones on your décolletage if that’s more bearable? Or just use them on your face too, it’s like make-up isn’t it, the only rule is what works for you 🙂
I used to like sheet masks occasionally in the hot weather but am trying not to use single-use packaging products these days if possible.
That’s a good plan – or I suppose I could cut them to face shape – ish…
I know! I don’t like them either – picked some Shiseido (a cheaper range avail in Japan) ones up at an airport to use some ¥ in 2016 and still not used them!
I think it can be helpful to put them on a radiator first so at least they’re warm!
It would be great if you could review the Vital Perfection serum. Shiseido has used 4-MSK (4-methoxysalicylic acid potassium salt) and tranexamic acid in their whitening products for several years, notably in the White Lucent line. You can try the Inkey List Tranexamic Overnight treatment for £14.99 to see if it works for you. My impression is that these two compounds diminish brown spots on some people but not on others. I used White Lucent serum years ago and it did diminish some brown spots but Vitamin C was more effective (and worked faster too).
It would take so long to get a result and I would have to use for such an extended period – it’s not possible to rule out all other skin care in such a specific trial because I’d have no content. I’m actually testing Inkey Transexamic on a couple of darker spots on my chest at the moment – so those spots are already taken! If I’m testing for sponsored content I will give products 2-4 weeks depending upon what they’re claiming – I went a lot long longer with Murad Vit C during lockdown when I was doing less content anyway – and I still use it on and off now.