Are you a sucker for facemasks? I know that I am and a few months ago I was using my Ulta points (combined during a 20% off coupon) and picked up Skyn Iceland’s Fresh Start Mask. Oh, boy! This one is a good one … and let me tell you why.
First, let me tell you a little bit about my skin. It can be a giant pain in my rear-end sometimes. I am prone to dryness thanks to being a spoonie as well as having very finicky and sensitive. Hormonal breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars are a thing for me and I also have big pores smackdab in the center of my face. Sometimes, thanks to complications from chronic illnesses I also have a lot of petechiae around my face and neck, which looks worse than it is and it takes a while to heal but – c’est la vie.
I have come to terms with all of these things, and while frustrating – getting frustrated, angry, or upset about them will not do anything except make me feel worse. I’m not going to have flawlessly smooth, non-texturized skin. I try my best to love my skin and on most days – I do. It’s something I’m working on, and that’s okay. On the days that I don’t, I just remind myself that things will heal, it will just take time… and having bad days are okay too.
I want to do a whole blog post about body imperfections, but I’m not there quite yet. Would you guys be interested in something like that? Let me know in the comments if that is something you’d be interested in reading.
Skyn Iceland is an excellent brand. I am a huge fan of their line and have several favorites that I’m going to talk about in a later blog post… hint hint. [Random: I’m going to be doing brand based posts and talk about my favorites/disappointment from each brand.] For now, some of my favorite items that I think you’d like as well are: Glacial Cleansing Cloths, The Antidote Daily Cooling Lotion, and their Hydralift Eye Gels.
—– fresh start face mask —–
What you get in the box: Each box contains 6 x 2-step face mask packets
Price: $39 USD which breaks down to $6.50 USD per mask
Where can you buy it: Ulta, Amazon, Skyn Iceland’s website, and some smaller boutiques.
What it claims to do: Skyn Iceland Fresh Start Mask is a 10-minute weekly treatment that polishes, brightens and retexturizes skin to reveal a luminous, youthful translucence for a fresh start. This two-phase detoxing and brightening mask is an anti-aging, dullness-diminishing superpower.
For starters, I have to admit that I wasn’t paying attention to the fact that it was a 2-step face mask contained within little foil packets rather than a 1-step mask in a pot or container. I wasn’t thrilled when I discovered that out, but the product itself made up for it.
The box has all of the information, ingredients, and directions listed clearly. There is also a clear sunburn alert warning due to the product containing AHAs [Alpha Hydroxy Acids], which is nice. The packaging includes directions and information listed in English and French.
I decided for this review; I’m going to talk about each aspect of what I like – and possibly what I don’t like – as I walk you through the steps. That way you have to go all the way through the post… just like a tricksy hobbit! Muwah ha ha ha.
Inside, you’ll find six, 2-part packets with identical graphics and text, including directions but leave out the ingredients. Each packet is marked “Step 1” and “Step 2” so no need worrying if you’re messing the steps up — and all that jazz.
BEFORE YOU APPLY YOUR MASK: clean yo’ face!
This is the go-to step for whatever face mask you do. Cleaning your face before applying a mask helps remove excess dirt, sebum, makeup, grime, etc. that would potentially prevent the beneficial mask ingredients to sink into your skin and do their job. …behold mah nekked face, all squeaky clean. Oh… and pardon my rogue eyebrow hair.
Oh! And since these are foil packets, you might want to grab your eyebrow scissors or plain scissors to open the foil packets as you go along. Step one isn’t bad because it is a clay mask but Step 2 is very runny so I highly advise opening them up as you go. Also, grab a wet paper towel to help clean your hands off in-between steps.
STEP 1: APPLY THE BLUE CLAY
The left side of the double foil contains the magical robins egg blue clay mask component. It is very cooling when applied to the face, and I prefer just squeezing out straight onto my face as I go along.
Apply in a thick(ish), even layer around your face and double check that it is an even coating.
STEP 2: APPLY ACTIVATING GEL
The Activating Gel is kind of tricky. It is the catalyst of this mask so that it foams, but is runnier than the blue clay component. To apply it, I recommend leaning the package upright and only apply the gel as you go, rather than dumping it on your hand and then your face all at once.
The mask does go from cooling to warming, slightly tingling sensation within the first 3 minutes after both parts are mixed.
Step 3: DO SOMETHING RELAXING WHILE YOU WAIT
The directions say to leave it on your face for 5-10 minutes, but since it is an effervescent formulation, I would say leave it on until most of the bulk of the bubbles have dissipated. Since you have some time to kill I recommend watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer – season 4 episode 5 “Beer Bad” just to watch Buffy say “FOOOOOOAAAAAMMY.”
PICTURED BELOW: (Top Left) Part 1 only, (bottom left) 5 minute after applying both masks on, (bottom right) 15 minutes after application.
STEP 4: rEMOVE WITH A DAMP WASHCLOTH
This step is a little tricksy as the mask can be a bit difficult to remove with just a damp washcloth. The goal is to wipe gently, so you may need to do a few passes. If you have the opportunity, I also recommend using a facial steamer at this point – before removing the mask – that way you make sure that the mask has penetrated your pores. It also aids in removal after you’re done steaming.
This is my version of the “Mrs. Doubtfire HEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO face.“
After removing the remaining mask, your skin SHOULD be supple, hydrated, and fresh – but not so clean that it feels like you’ve stripped all the oils off of your face.
STEP 5: FOLLOW UP WITH TONER AND SKINCARE ROUTINE
MY THOUGHTS:
I have used this mask several times, and I am even on my most of the way through a second purchase, so I feel like I have well-rounded thoughts about it. I love to use this mask on weeks where my skin feels extremely beat up and in need of some massive TLC. If I have a big event coming up, I will use this mask as a skin-prep the night before and follow up with my mojo skincare afterward so that everything has a night to sink in before applying makeup.
I like this mask because it goes from cool to slightly warming as it is activated. It seems to get into my pores and help them along. Another plus is that it seems to calm my facial redness and overall skin unevenness down, which is a big ole’ win in my book
CONS:
This mask is rather messy to apply because you have to do apply both parts and mix them on your face. To avoid getting your hands all maskified, you are more than welcome to use a brush to apply it. It is also a little hard to remove, but that may just be me.
I can also understand if this mask seems a little pricey for all at once. If that is the case, use a 20% off coupon if you have one or wait until Ulta or Skyn Iceland have a sale to buy it then.
Overall, I think this would be a great purchase for your self-care & facemask arsenal. It does an excellent job at revitalizing my complexion and hydrating it to supple status. I wish the price point was a bit lower, but it is on par with Skyn Iceland as a brand. Aside from my little ‘duh doi’ moment thinking that this would be a facemask on par with my Korean bubble clay mask, in a pot, I don’t have enough qualms about it to fuss about it.
Have you tried this mask before? If so, what are your thoughts? Let me know if you haven’t tried this mask before and wanted to give it a go, too.
Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own funds, and this post is NOT sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own. Any links to Amazon are affiliate links, so I do make a very small commission on them.
