MyScheming Gudetama LazyBone Nourishing Mask

For spring week, I took a trip with my family to China and Taiwan.  Taiwan because it's a new place for all of us and also because it's the birthplace of tbeauty and good eats!

Taiwan truly exceeded expectations! The food was amazing - especially night market and snacks.  Even after the night market has closed, there are after-market street vendors!!  My favorite night market was in Tainan where they have every snack food imaginable, great souvenir stands (including super cute hair ties and clips!) and fun games.  My daughter who is turning 6 hates the smell of night market but made an exception for this one because the games were so fun.  

On top of good eats, there are beauty shops everywhere!!  There are abundant choices of sheet masks - so many that it was taking a VERY long time to decide which ones to buy.  I tried to buy a bit of those that are not available in the US and end up buying so much that I had  to buy a NEW suitcase to bring them back =)

This MyScheming Gudetama LazyBone Nourishing Mask is part of the big lull from Taiwan.  The packaging is super cute and egg based sheet mask is not something I have tried yet.  

This mask does not disappoint!!.   It is super silky, gel-like sheet; more so than my favorite tbeauty brand, MBD.   The mask is full of essence, so much so that it lasted more than 45 min.  This sheet mask is so good that I wished I have bought more!!

Where to Buy: Taiwan

Apivita Express Beauty with Ginkgo Biloba

In addition to blogging about hotel beauty products, I look for local brands that are not available elsewhere.  I browse through local pharmacies to identify the brands and look for interesting beauty products.

The Apivita brand is from Greece but available in Spain local pharmacies.  There are full bottle version of face masks and scrubs but eye masks were only available in small "express beauty" packages.  Since I am always worried about my eye area - dark circles, crow eye, etc. - I selected the Express Beauty with Ginkgo Biloba eye mask.

The eye mask is a super creamy white lotion that is hard to put on top and bottom of eye.  Directions on the package say to put around the eye area and leave for 15 minutes before rinse.  However, in following the directions, some of the lotion got into the eye and although it didn't sting very much, the mask was quite inconvenient.   The nature of the lotion didn't change very much so after 15 minutes, it was hard to tell whether I was done with the mask or not.   I prefer eye patch instead of eye cream mask.

Eye area did feel more refresh after masking but this is not one that I would purchase again.

Where to Buy: local pharmacies in Spain

Skinfood Secret Nature Blueberry Mask Sheet

This is the last of my Secret Nature series by Skinfood.  I chose Blueberry mask sheet for firming features.  The sheet mask is ordinary with not much to distinguish this from others.  I like the fact that this uses natural ingredient and has Jeju complex (not exactly sure what this means but anything coming from Jeju must be good, right?).  The mask is not as clear or smooth as others but it's a good deal if you can get it on a discount.  It's also good for daily use.

Where to Buy: purchased at SF Japantown Tony Moly

Bonvivant Sodium Hyaluronate + Lotus

I was so psyched to be masking on my last day in Barcelona that I forgot to take a before pic.  I saved this Bonvivant Sodium Hyaluraonate + Lotus mask sheet for a special occasion.  

The mask sheet fits really well, clear, and thin (you can barely see it on the face).  It has a lot of essence and can last over 30 minutes.   It was definitely a good ending to a great work trip!

Where to Buy: purchased from Memebox

Rules of Skincare and Lirikos

I like to try new products when I travel.  On a recent London trip, I brought with me the Rules of Skincare Pore Minimizing serum and Lirikos Marine Triple Treatment essence.  I used the Rules of Skincare exclusively in the morning routine and Lirikos at night. 

I was a bit disappointed with the Rules of Skincare because there wasn't much in the sample and the serum was quite watery.  It didn't seem to minimize my pores.  

The Lirikos Marine Triple Treatment Essence on the other hand is a fave.  A little truly goes a long way.  Made of marine byproducts, the essence is light yet thick at the same time.  The essence instantly brightens the skin.  There's no fishy or marine water smell - actually there's no smell at all.  This is definitely a keeper for my travel skincare.

Directions: after cleansing and toning, apply serum/essence as part of morning and/or night routine

Where to Buy: purchased from TesterKorea

Pen & Ink Beauty Line

Since I travel quite a bit I get to stay at various hotels where the line of beauty products offered are usually local, organic, and interesting.  Thus, I decided to add them to this blog for documenting products that I find interesting.

First up is this Pen & Ink line offered at the Holborn Hoxton hotel in London.  The hotel is very hipster with lots of young, chic and hip people hanging out at the cafe/bar in the front lobby of the hotel.  The room decor is vintage with throwback to the oldies.   The Pen & Ink line is very fitting as it's a local organic brand with no paraben.  There's not much in each bottle and the lather is not as soapy but the product is still effective.  There's no perfumery smell and cleans well.

Where to find: Holborn Hoxton Hotel, London

Beauty Masks for Travel

This is part of the beauty sheet masks for my recent work trip to London and Barcelona:

Mediheal Teatree Healing Solution

Bonivant Botanical Mask Pack

MBD Apple Pore Minimizing Mask

Hello Kitty Print Mask

MBD Arbutin Brightening Mask

Double Masking

When I travel for work, I like to mask as frequent as possible to combat the late nights, travel breakouts and different environmental conditions.

On a recent work trip to London and Barcelona, I bought some of my favorite face sheet masks - My Beauty Diary along with clarifying masks by Sulwhasoo.  I started with the Sulwhasoo clarifying mask to get rid of any dirt in my pores.  The mask is dark, very herbal and thick.  It's a bit hard to spread across the face and very sticky, feels almost like a thick sticky gelatin.  The smell is extremely herbal - like the herbal tea that is given when one is sick.  It tightens the face quite a bit so after 15 minute or so,  I washed my face to condition it with My Beauty Diary's Bird's Nest Mask.   The sheet mask is similar to others where there's plenty of essence (enough to last more than 30 minutes) and ultra moisturizing.  It feels quite refreshing after the clarifying mask.

Directions: after cleansing and toning, apply Sulwhasoo clarifying mask for 15 minutes.  Wash off and then apply the MBD sheet mask