Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #1...Diptyque's Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay

If you follow my instagram, you know the love that I have for this mask is real, SOOOO real. Like, this mask is #1 on the list because its literally the #1 best exfoliating mask/scrub/magic I've ever put on my face, period. Thats a lot to say about ONE product, but this is literally my most favorite product from all the skincare I own/use/love. 

In a beautifully designed ceramic 3.4 fl oz white jar, there is this beautiful clay-marble-apricot kernel oil concoction inside that makes my face feel and look like its the first time I've ever cleansed my face before...words are becoming difficult now as I type this, but this love is real guys. Its a thick mask, not as thick as the Freeman Beauty's 'Avocado & Oatmeal' (see previous post) but its just enough to not take more than you need (no wasting!). It applies evenly on the skin to perfection as well, naturally. The smell may not be for everyone, though I personally don't mind it, but a scent is there nonetheless; its more on the 'medicinal'-esque side of the fragrance spectrum.

For removal: I massage it in for a few seconds first to activate the exfoliator, then take a damp washcloth and remove, easy-breezy. After removal, my skin looks CLEAN, pure, and perfect with nothing being stripped of its naturals. Its just this wonderfully pure feeling; my face feels like weight has been taken off of it and almost lifted at the same time. It helps detoxify & rid of dead skin cells, while building it back up with its shot of nutrients compacted into this small, eloquent jar. The clay can also be used as a facial scrub, not just a mask, which I have tried both ways an equal amount. Both are quite fine, but I much prefer getting my money's worth and leaving this on as a mask and soaking in all its beautiful benefits.

I'm on my second jar already, and though the price point for this multi-purpose product is a bit steep at $65, honestly, its worth every damn penny. If you were curious about trying out Diptyque's skin range and can't decide which product to choose first (if you can't have them all...DREAMING BIG OVER HERE), get this exfoliating clay, its a solid 10 out of 10 if I had a ratings system, ha!

Ok, I feel my love letter to this clay is complete. Links below on where you can pick up this mask for yourself, and the rest of Diptyque's skincare range!

Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay, $65

Diptyque's L'Art du Soin for the Face 

Top 5 Fave Facials Masks, #2 Freeman Beauty: Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask

These last 2 spots were not hard to fill, just hard choosing the order to place them in since these both have been saviors during a time when I had very problematic skin. During that period, I was trying every mask under the sun, all different price ranges, when I started to slowly give up on there being some hope of a product that was actually right for my skin, and that benefited it tremendously. My #2 spot is Freeman Beauty's 'Avocado & Oatmeal' clay mask. This is as drugstore and inexpensive as I've ever been able to find when it comes to spot on skincare; this brand knows how to do masks and do them well.

This is a very thick, heavy duty clay mask without stripping the skin of any kind of moisture. It beautifully decongests and purifies the pores and the skin just feels soft and clean after removal; no tightness or dryness. With each use, I noticed that my acne was reducing weekly, I was actually seeing a difference...I became a bit obsessed with it because I started to use it almost every night for about 2 months straight until my skin was almost back to normal. Now, I don't recommend this method, I did what ended up working for me, but masks generally should be used about 2-3 times weekly. 

I've tried a few other masks from this range, and I've gotten great results with each one. I want to try the entire range of their masks, and they have PLENTY to go around for all different skin types and concerns, its amazing! Ugh, I can't get over this mask, guys! If you're in the market for a new face mask thats affordable AND does what it saids on the bottle, CHECK THIS BRAND OUT ASAP! Links to this mask & Freeman Beauty's website are below.

Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask, $4.29 

Freeman Beauty's Gallery of  Amazing Face Masks

Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #3 Super Facialist by Una Brennan: Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask

We are getting closer to #1, SO CLOSE.

You all will be surprised that my top mask in the #3 spot is NOT a clay mask, oh my! It's a wonderful, absolute hydration-queen-master mask...ok, I am sure there are far more superior ones out on the market, I just happen to be involved with this one for the time being, and I'm loving it! If you've tried anything from the 'Rose Hydrate' range from Una Brennan, the smell is pretty much the same all across the board (cleanser, facial oil, mask...) and the consistency is just about the same as the cleanser, but obviously this tends to be more thicker with a much higher hydration punch. The smell of rosey-goodness is divine, than again I'm biased because I love the scent of almost anything rose. Its creamy and thick and beautiful and moisturizing and...I've gone off rambling again.

Since my combo skin tends to also be on the dehydrated side, this mask does wonders in terms of giving back my skin what it needs. It calms and soothes down any faint spots of redness that may peak through time and again, as well as plumping up the skin a bit with all that wonderful (much needed) moisture. The whole 'Rose Hydrate' range (of what I tried) is just 5 stars across the board for me in terms of performance and for the major fact that its quite an affordable line, too.

The burst of rose fragrance doesn't irritate my sometimes sensitive skin. Its wonderfully creamy and smooth; a great one after one too many days in the sun or during the fall and winter seasons. I wish the States had a stand-out, drugstore skincare range thats as good as Una Brennan is...or Una Brennan can possibly bring her range across the pond? A girl can dream.

You can purchase the mask here from Amazon which way overpriced. I actually paid $7.99 for it when I got some bits from the line at Tj Maxx & Marshalls originally a few months back. Its a hit or miss nowadays, I haven't able to see or find the range again (yet) in any of my stores.

Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #4 Decléor Paris: Aroma Cleanse Clay and Herbal Cleansing Mask

This mask is actually quite an unexpected and underrated favorite, Decléor's 'Aroma Cleanse: Clay and Herbal Cleansing Mask' is such a little (50ml Eek, literally!) treat. Sometime ago, Decléor was having this 40% sale on their whole website, never having tried them before, I scooped some goodies up, this included. This was very much 'on a whim' purchase, but a very smart one because overtime with each use, I keep falling in love with this very delightful clay mask.

For all of my medicinal-scented skincare fans out there, this one you'll love! LOVE medicinal-smelly products, I don't know why, they just always are so calming and relaxing in terms of fragrance for me, and I always feel they pack the punch so much more than if it were to smell like, I don't know strawberries & vanilla or something...In terms of consistency, its slightly thicker, but not by much, compared to CT's 'Goddess' mask (check previous post). It also feels creamy, which I didn't know was really possible with a clay-based mask (not complaining though). Despite the tiny bottle, this has lasted me months because a little goes a long way, and spreads very nicely and evenly on the skin. 

Another great clay mask that doesn't dry out the skin either; the skin feels incredibly hydrated and smooth after cleansing it off, clearing away all impurities, as well as being just a bit brighter with a clearer complexion as this mask also purifies the skin. No irritations, no breakouts, NADA. This mask is beautiful and easy to rinse away, never gets too dry on the skin. This best suits for combo/oily skins, though elsewhere I've read that pretty much almost every skin type can benefit from this, just use your better judgement and what your skin needs. 

I use this about twice a month or so; nothing more or less usually. Because the bottle is so small, I always have a fear that I'll be out of it the next time I want to use it, so I put it off for so long until I can't resist it, than the cycle just repeats itself... because for $42, it's still a bit on the pricey size for the 50ml you're getting. Just stay tuned for those once-in-a-blue-moon amazing sales on Decléor's website or your favorite online beauty store if you have your eye on this mask. This will be an absolute repurchase for me once my tube (sadly) runs out and a brand I'll go back to try more of.

You can find/purchase the mask here on Decléor's official website for the US.

Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #5 Charlotte Tilbury: 'Goddess Skin Clay Mask'

Ok, so I've been naughty, haven't kept up with the 'Monday Must-Have's' or  'Friday Fails'...I know, naughty Jewels...anyway...

This week's blog posts will be on my top 5 favorite facial masks; started from #5 (my least favorite-favorite) to #1 (my most favorite-favorite). I am a little bit obsessed with face masks, but is that such a bad thing? It's like getting a little facial done at a spa without ever having to leave your bathroom really, which is always nice. The 5 masks I'm going to post have been tried and true by me for a long time now, and I love them all for different reasons. All but one are clay masks; I LOVE me a good clay mask. I always feel that they really get into the depths of the skin and get out all the gook&grime deep within, and these all make my skin just feel so clean and lovely and nice...I can go on but, let's get into the first one...

Charlotte Tilbury has been reigning supreme the last year with her highly-rated and very much sought after makeup line; which from personal experience is outstanding. She also has some nice little skincare goodies as well, such as this mask called the 'Goddess Skin Clay Mask'. Its different from some clay masks I've tried in the past, being on the more thinner side when it comes to consistency; this isn't a bad thing by any means, but for me personally it feels like I always have to squeeze out more from the tube than I really need, and the tube itself is already small enough, at 2.5 fl oz (75ml). The packaging on the tube makes up for it though, lovely rose gold label with light pink looks so lux and pretty on the vanity. 

And there is a scent to this, a bit on the stronger side (beware sensitive skins). Its like a perfumed baby powder (then again it is supposed to give you that 'baby skin' feel/look), thats the best way I can describe the smell in words, but its very nice nonetheless. 

On the tube it states that it 'visibly lifts, smoothes, brightens, & tightens pores for baby skin'...I'm not knocking any of these claims down but, I don't feel like this mask does all of these things in the extreme. Let me explain...

Firstly, I only use this mask if I'm going to be out of the house all day and: going to a party/event, etc, before I put on my makeup for said day/event. For me, this is the best time to use the mask and to really reap the effects of it. I definitely agree that it gives a great smoothness and brightness, as well as plumpness. Yet, I can't really tell or notice the lifting & tightening of pores on me; if its doing it, its not something I notice and if its not well, thats a false claim on CT's part (everyone's skin is different, you may just get the full package tenfold). Anyway, the reason I do this before a long-day-wear of makeup and festivities is because this holds my makeup up so well; meaning my skin looks [with makeup] even more phenomenal than if I weren't to use it prior to the fact. Every time I've used this, I've received compliments on how great my skin/makeup looks, so I know this mask is doing SOMETHING great to it, whatever it is. 

Thats really the reason why this is in my top 5 favorite masks; it gives my skin the extra (unnoticeable-noticeable) UNF that it needs. I wouldn't use this to help with problematic skin or for treatment purposes; if anything, this is more of a 'fun' kind of mask, a very expensive $70 'fun' mask. I don't reach for this often unless I'm doing the above; I maybe get 2 uses a month out of this, if that... which isn't bad because the tube isn't big to begin with and, again, it's expensive. If you're on the market for a 'my skin but better for a day' mask, this is your gal right here. Regardless of your intentions of picking this up, it's a good one to have in your beauté cabinet for those special, fabulous occasions.

You can purchase this mask on Beautylish, here or on Ms. Tilbury's main site, here. 

Monday Must-Have: Mario Badescu 'Chamomile Eye Cream'

Eye creams are a hit or miss for me at times. Either they are not hydrating enough, formulation is icky, or it irritates around the sensitive eye area...And I am a bit finicky when it comes to them as well, not only for the above reason, but for the benefits they will provide. 

I don't have heavy dark circles usually, unless I'm ill or had a horrid, long day (we all have them once in a while); nonetheless, I still struggle with them. As well as puffiness, especially with spring here and summer around the corner, the allergies attack and give me awful puffiness all around my eye area; dryness is also a constant year-round, until I picked up this eye cream from Mario Badescu. 

This was a completely random purchase from Ulta...I was browsing their site for a new eye cream, reading reviews, checking ingredients, etc...I stumbled upon the Chamomile Eye Cream ($18) from his line. The name attracted me to it to be quite honest, I am drawn to anything with 'Chamomile' in the name just because I love the soothing and relaxing properties it gives off; added vitamin boost from A & E are also incorporated into this.

Its a very thick, moisturizing eye cream that I use only at nighttime. I am going to emphasize something here, it's very a thick eye cream; a lot of eye 'creams' I have tried in the past feel more like a light lotion or moisturizer, this actually is a cream, and a very hydrating one at that. Another thing I will mention, oily lids will not like this because it will make the eye area oily to due oils that are also in this cream (non-irritating for sensitive, dry eyes). I don't have any oiliness around my eye area but, this still doesn't bother me. When applying, I like to massage this all around my eye contour and under eye for almost a minute, it feels so calming and relaxing when doing so. My eye area does look a bit on the greasy side (hence why I stick to using it at night), after a while it settles and goes away but, that takes a bit, too. 

This is recommended for dry, sensitive eye-use. I have noticed a turnaround since using this: I no longer notice any dry patches around my eye contour or outer corners, my under eyes have looked less dull, dehydrated, and dark, and the skin around the whole eye feels so soft and nourished the next morning. 

I just purchased my second pot of this little magic-wonder eye-saviour, thats how much I have fallen in love with it and that's why it's this Monday's must-have!

My MAC Lipstick (mini) Collection

What beaute lover doesn't enjoy a good MAC lipstick? They are one of the most iconic and popular brands when it comes to lipsticks, and they do a darn good job at it; with a vast variety of colors and unique name choices, they are usually hard to beat out. I have a few (7 to be exact) that I all love dearly, and that I use (almost) regularly. I have a small collection, thats only because I like to branch out into other brands yet, I keep coming back for more (& only more to come in the future I presume...). Anyway onto my (mini) beautiful collection.

My very first MAC lipstick was the shade 'Patisserie' in the lustre finish. A beautiful nude-light pink with a lovely cream formal to match. I love nude lipsticks, I lean more towards light pink and mauve-nudes, and this one is the top of the tops for me, meaning that this is probably my favorite nude lipstick I own, and probably favorite in general. I have loved it so much over the last 2 years that I am on a second tube of this stuff, and I never have repurchased a lipstick before, let alone go through one start to finish. There is just something so special about finding that 'one' lipstick for you that just completes anything you wear or whatever kind of makeup look you put on your face that day, this one always is my go-to if I can't decide what color lipstick I want to wear. It's an all-around winner for me.

'Half N' Half' is another nude lipstick that just never fails for me. This goes on the mauvey-nude spectrum, though it says on MAC's website that its a creamy pink, it definitely shows up more on the mauve side on me, though you can also say its a mauve/pink nude hybrid? Sure, let's go with that...I absolutely love how the amplified finish feels on my lips and looks; not drying, extremely creamy without being overly shiny, just another one MAC got right, spectacular shade.

'Fresh Moroccan' was definitely a step out of my comfort zone when it comes to lipstick shades; again, MAC's website describes this shade as a 'brick red' though with the gold shimmer, it makes this 'brick red' look more almost like a copper-red. I usually detest shimmer in makeup products, but something about this one was just calling me out to try it, I don't know what it was...and the disappointing thing about all of this is that I rarely have worn this shade enough since I have gotten it (probably almost over a year ago now!). I may have to experiment with this more over the summer and through the fall because as I type this, its looking more and more appealing to me again, though the reason still stumps me.

I have two shades in the satin finish, which is another wonderful formulation that MAC's put out with their lipsticks, the ones I have are in shades 'Brave' and 'Media'. I loved 'Brave' at first, but after a while I just felt it was too much on the pinky side for my taste, something about the whole shade now just throws me off and I don't know why, its not one that I reach for quite often anymore and its disappointing because in the tube it is such a beautiful color. 'Media' on the other hand is this absolutely stunning dark red with some purple undertones too it, I can best describe it as a light burgundy, which is something that's not just great for fall and winter, but something you can also pull off in the summer too if you like breaking the rules with color during the seasons.

The last 2 shades are mattes, which are usually my least favorite formulation because they tend to be a bit more drying on me, though a little prepping of the lips before with a bit of balm greatly helps that. 'Diva' is this perfect oxblood red color, not dark enough in my opinion to be a full-on burgundy shade, though it does have hints of the color in there; this is another great one I think that can be worn more during the summer months as well (more than 'Media'). The last shade is a new one for me, and another MAC nude lipstick that I've fallen in love with, 'Velvet Teddy'. It tends to be slightly similar to 'Half N' Half', but this one is more beige than mauve, also meaning its just a bit more darker in tone, but let me tell you guys, it looks like 'Velvet Teddy' is going to be competing with 'Half N' Half' soon for second place of my fave MAC lip. & a little side-note  the perfect lip-liner really adds the icing to the cake for this one.