Want: Annie's Way Jelly Mask (Taiwan)

Bubzbeauty, BeautyQQ and BREN LUI 大佬B (all my favourite Asian Youtubers) all highly recommended the Annie's Way Jelly Mask from Taiwan and I was convinced to give the product a try. 

It's currently only available online in Singapore (Glamabox - S$27 each) and it's available in physical stores in Malaysia (Facebook). 

I didn't want to pay S$21 (currently on promotion) for a tub of jelly mask, so I decided to try my luck on Taobao. ALAS! Taobao is truly a magical place. I found many many sellers selling the Annie's Way Jelly Masks, and I chose the one with the most number of positive reviews - just in case some sellers decided to sell fake ones at a cheaper price. Buying skincare on Taobao is a little bit tricky because you really have to read through all the reviews. You certainly do not want to waste the money on fake ones! 

So yes, the jelly masks were RMB50 each and I added them into Kengyang's cart! :D Can't wait! Apparently, it's really good in helping to remove blackheads! You apply a thick 0.3-0.5cm all over your face for a good 30 minutes and then scrape off with the provided tool. The blackheads on the nose area will be softened and it will much more easily removed using the appropriate blackhead-removing tool. This also means less pressing and less redness. Also, it's supposed to help brighten dull skin. 

I got two of the Annie's Way Jelly Masks - the Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Jelly Mask and the Aloe Moisturising Jelly Mask. 

The Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Jelly Mask is for whitening, moisturizing, minimising fine lines, and leaving the skin radiantly bright.

The Aloe Moisturising Jelly Mask is suitable for oily and acne prone skin, and can be used after sun exposure. 

Do let me know if I can get these masks in any physical stores in Singapore! 

Have a good week ahead! :) 

Review: But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask

[Disclaimer: This mask set was sent to me for review purposes. However, all opinions are of my own and not purposely written more positively/more negatively because the product was sent to me.]

With the widespread popularity of Taiwanese masks among Singaporeans, it is of no surprise that we have yet another new brand of masks coming in from Taiwan! The But, Becky masks! :) 

Secretive has very nicely sponsored me the But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask set and it's quite lucky for me to have receive the Anti-Ageing version because I think I desperately need intense Anti-Ageing products!! Old already!!

The But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask set contains 8 masks and retails for S$14.90 at selected Watsons stores.

The But, Becky masks are endorsed by Aaron Yan (Yan Ya Lun of Fahrenheit). Plus points there simply because there's a handsome guy endorsing the brand. :D

I really appreciate brands that take those extra steps in assuring their customers. In this case, it's clearly written that the masks are oil-free and non-comedogenic, hence for those with troubled skin and easily irritated skin, you can be assured that this mask will minimise the chances of you getting a bad reaction.

As with all masks, the application process is easy and quick. It's quite enticing to leave the mask on for more than 15 minutes. Some people even sleep with the mask still on their faces! It's advisable that you refrain from doing so because by sleeping with your mask on, it increases the likelihood of you getting premature wrinkles! Also, masks that contain glycolic acid should not be left on the face for longer than the recommended time because leaving it on for too long can cause skin irritation! 

The But, Becky masks are all designed for Asian skin and while refreshing your skin, the masks also help to lift your skin through its double woven mask sheet design (complete with ear hooks). 

Ingredients List

The But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask contains Vitamin C and E, and also wild yam that's amazing for delaying ageing process! Hooray to wild yam!

The mask also promises:

• to help with sebum regulation
• to keep skin hydrated

Other varieties of the But, Becky masks. 

Mask sheet: It's made of a woven material, and hence it's highly stretchable, which means the mask will be able to fit itself onto the contour of anyone's face. However, one difficulty I had after application is after I hooked the ear-hooks on my ears, it gets quite difficult to get rid of the air bubbles without compromising other parts. As can be seen from the application photos above, some air bubbles were still present and hence the product was not fully absorbed by the skin at some parts. 

Mask smell: My sister said it smelled really bad, while I thought the smell was really herbal and pleasant. I guess it can go two ways: either you love the smell or you hate it. There's no "ok lah" here because the mask really smells like wild yam, in a herbal and medicinal sort of way. There's no floral bits or fruity whiffs, it's all herbal, and that's why I love it so much! Some masks have overpowering floral scents that bring me to migraine hell. The But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask has that herbal smell that soothes you and that gives you the impression that it's going to work! 

Absorption rate: This is a stellar mask when it comes to how fast my skin absorbed the liquid goodness. I don't know how the chemistry behind it works, but I'm quite sure the molecules that made up the liquid are really really really tiny molecules. After I removed the mask, all the essence was absorbed into my skin within 5 minutes. I had dry, smooth skin afterwards! No more sticky mess! YAY!

Does it work? Since I received the set, I have used the But, Becky Age-Lock & Moisturizing Wild Yam Mask for a total of 4 times, and it did not irritate my skin or break me out, so I'm a happy reviewer! :) Hydrating-wise, the But, Becky mask does its job well, and I think it's a good mask to put on after a really long day at work or in school. Whether or not it helps to delay ageing will have to be confirmed after continuous usage over a long period of time, so I cannot guarantee that this But, Becky mask will delay ageing. 

However, over-all, it's a good mask to have and it's so affordable too! S$14.90 for 8! 

Do visit But, Becky SG facebook page and Secretive SG facebook page for more information, updates and giveaways!

Review: Majiami Whitening Eye Jelly and My Scheming Teatree Night Jelly

Lot 1's SASA was having a wipeout sale roughly a month ago and I couldn't resist the too-good-to-be-true prices. Masks were going at $0.99 (even those obscure indie-brand ones) and toiletries were going at 3 for S$someridiculousprice. 

I bought some usual toiletries like shampoo, body wash etc, but my star purchases should be these items:

• Majiami Whitening Eye Jelly (S$10, retailed for S$19.90)
• My Scheming Teatree Night Jelly (S$10, retailed for S$24.90)

Both products were made in Taiwan. 

Review: Majiami Whitening Eye Jelly (30ml)

It's an interesting product because it's not an eye gel, but more of an eye mask consistency. You know those under eye mask sheets? This is the jelly version, and you are supposed to apply it to sleep.

According to the packaging, there are three recommended timings to apply the product: after skincare routine, before going to bed, or anytime during the day when your eyes feel tired.

This advice sounds intriguing, but if you realise, they are actually trying to tell you that you can apply the product any time of the day. =__=

Nevertheless, main ingredients in the product are:

• Eyeliss, E 2, Eyeseryl, Biophytex LS 8740

It comes in a cute dainty blue packaging, which holds 30ml of product. This is quite a change from the usual eye gels/creams that come in a tube packaging.

Application (from SASA.com):

1. Apply in the evening after cleansing and toning the face or before sleep. Evenly apply a proper amount to the eye contour. You may also apply a proper amount to the eye contour in the daytime to soothe and moisturize.
2. Gently press with fingertips for better absorption. 

I find that tapping/gently pressing the applied area helps any eye product work better. I guess it has got to do with blood circulation and all that jazz. 

The jelly itself is clear and its consistency parallels aloe vera gel.

The thing that I really like about this product is that it has cooling properties. When I applied it on both my under-eye areas, the soothing and cooling sensation actually made the entire first-time experience better. I love any products that give such an effect.

However, the stickiness of the eye jelly even after massaging the product in needs some getting used to. I think it's because this is more of a mask, rather than the usual cream, and so it's not supposed to be that easily absorbed so that it can work its magic throughout your sleeping time.

Then again, how does one use this product and get rid of the stickiness when using it in the daytime? My makeup will be ruined. Yikes.

I highly suggest application to be strictly before bed time.

So does the Majiami Whitening Eye Jelly deliver?

• Yes, it does. Usually after taking off my eye makeup, the area around my eyes will be quite sensitive and red. After application of this product, the redness reduced and the area wasn't so sore anymore. Also, I woke up the next morning with relatively better under-eye condition nowadays, even on days when I rest my eyes for less than 5 hours. 

Review: My Scheming Teatree Night Jelly (60ml)

I was drawn to this product because I have used masks from this brand before and they were quite good. The brand's name in english ("My Scheming") sounds highly dubious, but I shan't comment further because LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRODUCT INSTEAD!

Main ingredients (from SASA.com):

• 【Tea Tree Extract】has anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatiory, healing and anti-mould virtues.
• 【Saccharide Isomerate】locks in moisture and acts as a lubricant.
• 【Green Tea Extract】fights free radicals and has an antioxidant virtue.
• 【Sodium Hyaluronate】strongly hydrates.
• 【Chamomile Extract】has anti-inflammatory, itching-relieving, disinfecting virtues, and soothes allergy.

It's similar to the Majiami Whitening Eye Jelly because this product is also in a jelly form. You use it for your entire face instead of your eye area.

According to SASA.com:

"My Scheming Tea Tree Night Jelly provides hydration and repair at night. The jelly relieves dry and 

dehydrated skin and leaves skin watery and lustrous. It comforts tender skin, relieves oily skin, and 

increases the pores’ degree of cleanliness."

I LOL-ed at the last point on increasing the pores' degree of cleanliness. However, I do agree that tea tree does have that effect!

It comes in a standard packaging that looks very poorly made (the description paper was glued on the container rather badly).

It's very nice of the company to include a small scoop (usually only high-end products provide such meticulousness). The scoop is really helpful when you have almost exhausted the amount of product in the container. No need to worry about the product getting caught in between your finger and nail (for those with long fingernails), the scoop will scrape the last bits out for you. It's very hygienic too!

As like all tea-tree products, this jelly is green in colour. The product also has that signature tea-tree smell and it's quite strong, so for those who hates the smell of tea-tree, you might want to skip this product altogether.

Application (from SASA.com):

1. After cleansing the whole face, evenly apply a proper amount to the entire face, avoiding eyes and lips areas.
2. Leave on for 15 – 20 minutes before rinsing off. Or leave it on overnight and rinse off after waking up.
3. For a quick relief of dry and dehydrated skin, apply an amount 2 to 3 times the normal amount to cleansed face, avoiding eyes and lips areas. Leave the thick layer on for 20 – 30 minutes before rinsing off.

I do not advise rinsing it off after 15-20 minutes because leaving it on overnight simply is better. I believe, many of my readers sleep in an air-conditioned room and that's the main reason why you shouldn't rinse it off (unless of course, you are feeling eeky about the stickiness and can't fall asleep because of that). 

Also, please do apply your night moisturiser after this mask, especially if you want to get rid of the sticky factor. It's a common misconception that people with oily skin should not apply as much moisturiser as those with normal/dry skin. HIGHLY WRONG. No matter what type of skin you are categorised under, you still need moisturising, and all skin types need AMPLE amount of moisturising, especially those that sleep in A/C rooms! The only difference will be that those with oily skin should avoid moisturisers that have oil as an ingredient. My current moisturiser is oil free, but still provides enough moisture for my oily skin. 

Anyway, back to the topic of the My Scheming Night Jelly, I tried step number 3 once and actually it works for my skin too. After facials, my skin will be highly sensitive due to extractions and also my skin will start to peel off to make way for new skincells. This product really helps to soothe the dry, after-facial skin and actually accelerated the healing process. BRAVO. 

Do I recommend My Scheming Teatree Night Jelly?

• Yes, I highly recommend it! The tea-tree in it helps to control oil and prevent breakouts. The jelly texture is very soothing on the skin and the cooling sensation makes it all better. I wouldn't recommend using this every night, especially for those with oily skin, but 3-4 times a week will be more than sufficient. This is definitely a staple in my current skincare regime!