Coni Beauty Black Mask

I was gifted this unique Taiwanese Coni Beauty Black Mask from my friend Betty.  It's my first Snail Black Mask so I was super psyched!!  It touted the following results:

- Unique bamboo charcoal weaving technology

- Reduce fine lines

- Leave the skin refined and supple

- Enriched with hyaluronic acid

The mask fitted well and was quite unique.  The material is thicker than MBD and other sheet masks but texture was still soft.  Since it's a sheet mask, it looks less scary than a clay mask although my hubby was still not a big fan.   Let's just say I will not be taking any photos with this mask on.  =)  

Overall I was happy with the result.  My skin felt refreshed and a little sticky from the essence.  I used less moisturizer than normal.

Directions: after cleansing and toner, apply sheet mask and let it dry out

Where to Buy: gifted by a friend!

Tony Moly Coconut Mask

With the winter rain, my skin require more moisture to combat the dryness in the internal air.  I picked up a few Tony Moly Secret Nature mask sheet on my last visit to Japantown SF.  These masks were advertised as better because they are made in Jeju and made from real natural ingredients.

On opening the sheet mask, the texture did feel different.  The sheet mask feels softer and lighter.  There was a lot of essence, similar to the MBD masks.  The Coconut mask sheet did not smell like coconut, a bit more floral.  The mask did not dry out even after 30 minutes.  If it wasn't for getting some more beauty sleep, I would've left it on for another 15-20 minutes.  Face felt refreshed and I even used less products than normal from my night routine.

Directions: after cleansing and toner, apply mask for over 30 minutes or until mask is dried.

Where to Buy:  purchased at Japantown SF Tony Moly store

Lash Extensions

My lashes are extra fine, short and there's not a lot of it.  Since eyelash extensions are so popular now and readily available for reasonable price, I thought I would try it to see if it truly makes a difference.  A friend shared her eyelash extension contact and off I went in early October in search of a lash makeover.

The eyelash extension lady works out of her house and has a number of Asian customers.  She purchases her extensions from Japan/Taiwan and they seem to be of great quality.  The first appointment for full extensions took over an hour.  The glue sting my eye and although it was not unbearable, it was not comfortable either.  It was a full hour of someone poking and attaching foreign eyelashes to each eye.  Since I was inexperienced, I did not know what fullness or shape I wanted.  Thus, she recommended natural and average length.

After the hour, my extensions were done!!  The lashes were perfectly curled and it did look quite natural even though it was super long.   I didn't realize that you can't wet the lashes for over 24 hours.

The new set of lashes felt awkward and uncomfortable at first.  I had to adjust the way I wash my face to avoid splashing water to the lashes.   I used a face sponge to get water onto my face and wipe face cleanser off.  I also could not put eye cream or any cream on the eyelids to avoid lashes from falling.   

In addition, I also had to adjust the way I shower.  Instead of using the rain shower, I only used the hand held shower to avoid getting water to the lash.  I also changed the way I sleep to try to sleep on my back instead of on my sides to avoid lashes from rubbing on the pillow.  The key was to avoid lashes from falling!  It was such a change that I even had dreams around falling lashes!  

For my first refill, I asked for more volume so that I didn't have to worry about falling lashes (and weird lash gap) all the time.  The volume and length was truly incredible and although it looked a bit more fake, it caused less emotional concern around falling lashes.

There are pros and cons to getting lash extensions.  They are:

Benefits: 

• Look awake and presentable without makeup - natural look is truly possible
• Don't have to curl and put on mascara
• Extensions last 4 weeks

Cons:

• Changes to skincare and shower to avoid falling lashes
• Gaps to lash line during the 4 weeks
• Require refills every 4 weeks
• Refill appointment takes at least an hour (high maintenance)
• Lashes feel fake at times
• Normal lashes are weaker and sparse

After the first refill, I decided to remove the lashes due to all the cons listed above.   And good thing I did because my natural lashes felt weak, shorter than normal, and sparse.   Now I'm working on getting my normal lashes by to normal and stronger.

Mason Pearson Hair Brush

I have very fine and thin hair yet is frizzy at time.  It usually takes a lot of work (blow drying, hair products, and curler) to get some volume.  However, I'm pressed for time in the morning and my usual hair routine is to just wash, air dry and brush.  Or in the Winter, some dry shampoo and brush.

In reading the fashion magazines, everyone always raves about the Mason Pearson brush on how incredible it is for volume and such.  Thus, on my last work trip to UK, I gifted myself a pink brush for fine hair.

I do notice quite a difference!! My old brush used boars hair as well but it was not as fine as the Mason Pearson.  I still wash and air dry but now when I brush with the Mason Pearson brush, there's a lot more volume and less frizz.  I have to say that this brush is a miracle brush.  The saleslady at the store mentioned that she's had hers for over 20 years and given the high cost of the brush, I do hope it last that long.  Hope the depreciation cost is well worth the purchase!  

Where to Purchase: purchased in Fortnum and Mason, UK   

MBD Natto Sheet Mask

My Beauty Diary masks are one of my favorite brand for sheet masks.  I have not tried one that I didn't like.  One of my friend gifted me the MBD Natto sheet mask (which I didn't have and haven't tried before).   

Sheet mask was very milky, unlike the other MBD masks that are clear or white.  Because it was dripping with essence, the mask was hard to put on.  But it was still very silky like other MBD masks.   Good thing it didn't smell like natto because the smell alone would've put me off.  Instead, it smelled a bit fruity.  

Skin was definitely brighter and glowing after the mask.  I will need to add this to my collection =)

Directions: after cleansing and toner, put sheet mask on for 20-30 minutes or until mask has dried.

Where to Buy: gifted by a friend!

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

I've had a series of breakouts lately and was hoping to get a quick remedy to pacify the whiteheads.  I purchased the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch on Memebox based on other user reviews and found it to be disappointing.  Not only did it not reduce the acne but it may have made it worse.  The positive is that they do stick better than the Nexcare acne patch.

Where to Buy: purchased on MemeBox

SK II Travel Set

On my recent business trip to London, I brought my SK-II travel set, a set so luxurious I was really careful on portions, trying not to waste any of the precious liquid.  The texture of my skin has changed since I've started using SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and I will never go back.  I've been tempted once or twice to try other similarly advertised Korean products but my heart is with SK-II.  I just wished it wasn't so damn expensive.  Guess beauty is worth a pretty penny....