Review: Balea Reviving Face Mask with Red Wine Extract & Vitamin C

This week I tried the Balea Reviving Face Mask with Red Wine Extract & Vitamin C. Keep reading to see how this mask worked for me. 
 

Hypoallergenic. Dermatologist tested. Indulge in this antioxidant face mask containing wine extract and vitamin C to help revive your skin. Look and feel your best by bringing back the natural glow to your skin’s appearance!

This mask is orange in colour, with a jelly like consistency. Once applied to the face, you could barely see it on my face. This mask smelt like a fruity wine, in fact it smelt like the White Zinfandel that I was drinking at the time of application. I really liked that the scent didn’t linger during the day. There is nothing I hate worse then skincare scents that linger strongly on my face. 

I used a brush to apply and it went on smoothly. There is enough product in one of these packages for 2+ masks, so after applying I put the package into a zip lock bag and stored it in the fridge so it wouldn’t dry out. 

When I first applied this mask it felt cool, and continued to feel cool throughout the whole time it was on my face. Unlike many other Balea face masks this one did not burn or sting my face at all. It was comfortable to wear the whole time, and at one point I even forgot that it was on my face. The packaging stated to leave it on for 10-15 minutes until dry, and then remove. I ended up leaving it on for 25 minutes, and it never completely dried. 

Removal was easy using lukewarm water and a washcloth. My skin felt very clean, soft and hydrated after removal. I toned and moisturized as normal, and my skin looked great. It had a glow to it. It didn’t necessarily look “younger”, just a bit less dull.

Comfort - 5/5 

Aroma - 5/5

Results - 4/5

Ease of Use - 5/5

Total Score = 19/20

You can purchase this mask at Shoppers Drug Mart. This mask retails for $1.99 or 3 for $5.00.

Review: Balea Brightening Mud Face Mask with Pink Clay and Shea Butter

This week I tried the Balea Brightening Mud Face Mask with Pink Clay and Shea Butter. Keep reading to see how this mask worked for me.

Hypoallergenic. Dermatologist tested. Made with Montmorillonite clay and enriched with natural fruit extracts and Shea Butter this luxuriously rich mud mask is perfect as a pampering treatment to help brighten your complexion.

This mask was pink in colour and had a clay/mud thick consistency. The scent was slightly floral, but wasn't strong enough to irritate my skin, eyes or nose. I used a brush to apply and it went on smoothly. There is enough product in one of these packages for 2+ masks, so after applying I put the package into a zip lock bag and stored it in the fridge so it wouldn’t dry out.
 

When I first applied this mask it felt cool. It continued to feel cool and refreshing on my skin throughout the whole wear time. The packaging stated to leave it on for 10-15 minutes until dry and then remove. I ended up leaving it one for 20-25 minutes and it still wasn't fully dry. My skin did not feel irritated or uncomfortable. The dry areas were not overly stiff, and I could still move my face freely.

Removal was easy with some lukewarm water and a washcloth. My skin felt very clean and smooth after removal. My skin was extremely soft, and redness in my cheeks looked diminished. I toned and moisturized as normal, and my skin looked great. I really have no complaints about this mask. It was pretty much perfect!

Comfort 5/5

Aroma 5/5

Results 5/5

Ease of Use 5/5

Total Score = 20/20

You can purchase this mask at Shoppers Drug Mart. This mask retails for $1.99 or 3 for $5.00.

Review: Balea Deep Cleansing Face Mask

What started out as a 5 week challenge has morphed into a continuous feature here on My Beauty Full Adventure. I enjoyed reviewing Montagne Jeunesse’s face masks so much that I am going to continue to try and review face masks on here every week. This week I tried the Balea Deep Cleansing Face Mask. Keep reading to see how this mask worked for me.

CBB Montagne Jeunesse Challenge: Super Fruit Mud Mask

It's time for the final mask in the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Montagne Jeunesse Mask Challenge! For the past 5 weeks me and my fellow CBB members have been partaking in this challenge thanks to Farley Co Beauty. Every week we have been trying and reviewing a different mask. Make sure to follow the hashtag #CBBMJMASKOFF to see all of our crazy face mask pictures.

Check out these links for my previous reviews: Self Heating, Peel Off  , Nut Oil Mud, & Apricot Scrub

Week 5 is Mud masks, and I'm trying and reviewing the Super Fruit Mud Mask.

Goji Berries or Miracle Berries are one of the most powerful super fruits around so this mud packs a punch when it comes to protecting against the drying effects of environmental stresses. We've added nutrient rich Pomegranates too - POW! 

This mask was calamine lotion pink in colour. It smelt quite fruity, and super sweet. I really liked the fresh fruit scent of this mask.

I applied this mask with a brush, like the previous ones. It went on smoothly, and felt quite cool. However, almost immediately, it started to feel hot. I continued to apply the mask and kept it on for about half of the suggested time. I couldn't force myself to keep it on any longer as it started to burn and it was quite painful. Using cold water helped sooth my skin, but I was quite red and my skin was quite dry and tight after just 7 minutes. Regardless of the burning, removal was fairly easy.

Comfort 1/5 - Mask started burning almost immediately.
Aroma 5/5
Results 1/5  - My skin was dry, tight, red, and irritated.
Ease of Use 5/5
Total Score 12/20

To get your own Apricot Scrub Masque visit Farley Co Beauty or the following retailers: Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Value Drug Mart, or Walmart. This mask retails for $2.

So which Mask won?? Here are my results:

Hot Chocolate Pore Cleansing Sauna Mask - 17/20
Manuka Honey Peel Off Mask - 11/20
Nut Oil Mud Masque - 18/20
Crushed Apricot and Mango Masque - 19/20
Super Fruit Mud Mask - 12/20

The Apricot Scrub mask was my winner! This mask really had it all! It was comfortable on my face, smelt great, was easy to use, and left my skin looking great! I couldn't have asked for more, and I will be repurchasing in the future! Make sure to check out the CBB Website on Monday to see our final group roundup, and see if the group's winning mask was the same as mine!

An InLinkz Link-up

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. 

CBB Montagne Jeunesse Challenge: Crushed Apricot Scrub Masque

It's time for the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Montagne Jeunesse Mask Challenge! Over the next 2 weeks me and my fellow CBB members will be partaking in this challenge thanks to Farley Co Beauty. Every week we will be trying and reviewing a different mask. At the end we will tally up the results and see which mask is the winner! Make sure to follow the hashtag #CBBMJMASKOFF to see all of our crazy face mask pictures.

Check out these links for my previous reviews: Self Heating, Peel Off  & Nut Oil Mud

Week 4 is Scrub masks, and we are trying and reviewing the Crushed Apricot and Mango Masque.

"Montagne Jeunesse Crushed Apricot and Mango Masque. Bursting with sweet mango this rich facial scrub deep cleanses & revitalizes. Crushed Apricot Kernels remove dead skin cells whilst Aloe Vera softens & soothes, leaving skin radiant."

This mask was light yellow in colour, with brown specks which were the crushed apricot. It smelt quite fruity, almost exactly like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

I applied this mask with a brush, like the previous ones. It went on smoothly, and felt quite cool. I could feel the apricot scrubbies exfoliating my face as I applied it. I left it on for 10-15 minutes, and by that time it was completely dry on my face. It did not get as hard as the Mud mask last week. I could still move my face and make expressions, but there was a slight tightness.

Removal was fairly easy. I used warm water and a wash cloth, and massaged it off in circular motions in order to get the most from the exfoliation aspect. The creamy aspect of the mask removed easily, but the little apricot scrubbies were kind of a pain to get off. I had to rinse my face a few times to get it all off.

I was left with super smooth, cleansed, and soft skin. My skin didn't feel tight and dry, but it didn't feel super hydrated either. It just felt normal, and good. I toned and moisturized like normal after, and my skin felt great for the rest of the day. I also felt like my foundation went on better than ever after using this.

Comfort 5/5
Aroma 5/5
Results 5/5
Ease of Use 4/5 - Mask left lots of scrubby bits on my face that required quite a few rinses.
Total Score 19/20

To get your own Apricot Scrub Masque visit Farley Co Beauty or the following retailers: Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Value Drug Mart, or Walmart. This mask retails for $2.

An InLinkz Link-up

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. 

CBB Montagne Jeunesse Challenge: Nut Oil Mud Masque

It's time for the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Montagne Jeunesse Mask Challenge! Over the next 3 weeks me and my fellow CBB members will be partaking in this challenge thanks to Farley Co Beauty. Every week we will be trying and reviewing a different mask. At the end we will tally up the results and see which mask is the winner! Make sure to follow the hashtag #CBBMJMASKOFF to see all of our crazy face mask pictures.

Check out these links for my previous reviews: Self Heating & Peel Off

Week 3 is Oil masks, and we are trying and reviewing the Nut Oil Mud Masque.

"Feed your skin with this African delight, you'd be nuts not too. The goodness of nourishing Baobab Oil sourced from the African 'Tree of Life' and miracle Marula Oil penetrates deep down to reveal glowing and nourished skin."

This mask looked like mint green mud. It smelt very nutty, but not like peanut butter. It also had an herbal note to it that I quite liked.

I applied this mask with a brush, like the last one. It went on smoothly, and felt quite cool. It started drying quite quickly, and I found that I could feel some heat on my skin after it being on for about 5 minutes. The slight heat/burn subsided though, and it again felt cool. At the end of 15 minutes I had a few spots that weren't completely dry.

Removal was fairly easy. I used warm water and wash cloth and it wiped off with minimal rubbing. I had some redness around my nose and hairline where I had to scrub harder to get it off. That redness subsided within a few minutes though.

I was left with super smooth, cleansed, and soft skin.Unlike the peel off mask, my skin was not left feeling tight or super dry. I toned and moisturized like normal after, and my skin felt great for the rest of the day.

Comfort 4/5 - Slight burning when first applied, but felt good after.
Aroma 5/5
Results 5/5
Ease of Use 4/5 - Mask required some scrubbing to get off.
Total Score 18/20

To get your own Nut Oil Mud Masque visit Farley Co Beauty or the following retailers: Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Value Drug Mart, or Walmart. This mask retails for $2.

An InLinkz Link-up

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own.

CBB Montagne Jeunesse Challenge: Peel-Off Mask Review

It's time for the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Montagne Jeunesse Mask Challenge! Over the next 4 weeks me and my fellow CBB members will be partaking in this challenge thanks to Farley Co Beauty. Every week we will be trying and reviewing a different mask. At the end we will tally up the results and see which mask is the winner! Make sure to follow the hashtag #CBBMJMASKOFF to see all of our crazy face mask pictures.

Week 2 is peel-off masks, and we are trying and reviewing the Manuka Honey Peel Off Mask.

"Busy bees have collected nectar from the Manuka Bushes of New Zealand creating Manuka Honey - a natural anti-bacterial cleanser. They source pollen and we add the flower power of fragrant Jasmine."

This mask looked liked honey, it was a thicker, gooey consistency. Unlike, the Chocolate Mask last week, however, this mask smelt absolutely terrible. I had no inclination to taste it, and spent the whole 15 minutes anxiously waiting for when I could take it off.

I applied this mask with a brush, like the last one. It went on smoothly, despite its stickiness. I ended up using quite a thick layer of product, so it took more than the 15 minutes to fully dry. In fact after 20 minutes there were still some areas that weren't completely dry and peal-able.

Removal was fairly easy. In the areas where it was dry it peeled off in one piece with minimal tearing. I got some along my hair line, near my temples, and it hurt really bad trying to peel it off there. Overall, though it wasn't uncomfortable to remove, and I used a hot cloth after to remove any remaining product.

I was left with super smooth, cleansed, and soft skin. I found though that this mask did dry my skin out, and my skin felt tight after removal. I had to slather my face in moisturizer afterwards.

Comfort 5/5
Aroma 1/5 - It smelt nothing like honey, it was a very herbal aroma, that made my stomach churn.
Results 2/5 - Left my skin cleansed and smooth, but also left me very dry.
Ease of Use 3/5 - Mask was slightly sticky when applying, and removal was difficult and painful around some areas of my face.
Total Score 11/20

To get your own Honey Peel Off Mask visit Farley Co Beauty or the following retailers: Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Value Drug Mart, or Walmart. This mask retails for $2.

An InLinkz Link-up

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own.

CBB Montagne Jeunesse Challenge: Self-Heating Mask Review

It's time for the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Montagne Jeunesse Mask Challenge! Over the next 5 weeks me and my fellow CBB members will be partaking in this challenge thanks to Farley Co Beauty. Every week we will be trying and reviewing a different mask. At the end we will tally up the results and see which mask is the winner! Make sure to follow the hashtag #CBBMJMASKOFF to see all of our crazy face mask pictures.

Week 1 is self-heating masks, and we are trying and reviewing the Hot Chocolate Pore Cleansing Sauna Mask.

"Take a deep breath of our self-warming chocolate orange mask and you'll be in chocolate heaven! Mediterranean Clay cleanses dirt and oils from deep within pores. Rich dark chocolate and orange oil leave skin feeling soft and refreshed."

This mask looked and smelled exactly like melted chocolate. I was really tempted to lick the brush while applying it, but MJ stresses not to eat it on the back of the package. When the mask first touched my skin it felt cool, however, a few seconds later I could feel it warming my skin. It didn't feel uncomfortable or painful, it felt quite relaxing.

The mask didn't fully dry, even though I let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Removal was easy, and I was left with super smooth, cleansed, and hydrated skin. The only downside I had with this mask was that the package held enough product for two applications, but you have to rip it open to apply, so there is no way to save the excess product.

Comfort 5/5
Aroma 5/5
Results 4/5 - left my skin feeling great, but I didn't see any amazing results
Ease of Use 3/5 - mask was slightly sticky when applying, and packaging is a pain.
Total Score 17/20

To get your own Hot Chocolate Mask visit Farley Co Beauty or the following retailers: Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Value Drug Mart, or Walmart. This mask retails for $2.

An InLinkz Link-up

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own.

September 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Of all the beauty box subscriptions I've tried, Ipsy has been my favourite. They consistently impress me, and supply me with new and interesting products to try. I also enjoy the size of the samples that Ipsy gives to its subscribers. I can really get a sense if I am going to like the product enough to buy the full size. If you would like to sign up for your own Ipsy bag you can do so by clicking here. If you sign up for Ipsy you will receive a mix of 5 full and sample size products, for only $10USD or $14.95CDN.

In September, we received 5 items plus a bonus sample of Michelle's new EM Cosmetics line. The sample of the palette provided us with enough to get one eye look, but I don't think it will give me a true inspiration of the quality of her products. I actually forgot to take a picture of it for this post. There isn't a lot of product on the card or I would have swatched them.

Freeman Paper Masks

I've really been into masks lately, so I was excited to see these in my bag. I get to try 3 different masks, which is nice because a mask that works for one person doesn't always work for someone else. The brightening mask looks the most intriguing, but unfortunately I am allergic to roses so I wont be able to try it. Right now my skin is so dry so I think that it will benefit greatly from the Blue Agave mask. These masks are fairly affordable so If I end up liking them I wont have to break the bank.

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Mascara

The last few mascara samples I've gotten from Ipsy have been truly disappointing. The Pixi one was so bad and hard to wash off that I lost at least 5 lashes per eye every time I used it. This mascara on the other hand is simply amazing. It has dark black colour payoff that really makes my lashes look fuller, and makes them pop against my makeup. This mascara lengthens more than volumizes, and I am left with a natural, yet defined, fan of lashes. I would definitely consider buying the full size.

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple

I was so happy to receive this product because I absolutely loved the Cailyn eyeliner I got a few bags ago. Although the packaging is a little bulky, it is perfect for on the go, as it has a built in brush in the lid. I feel like this product is more of a stain then a balm. I found it somewhat drying on the lips, but it was extremely long lasting, and left a pretty pigmented stain to my lips after it wore away. The size of the brush comes in handy when trying to get a precise application. I can't wait to rock this colour all the way through Fall and Winter.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Hot Crystal

I was looking forward to trying a NYX single eyeshadow because I've only ever used NYX palettes before, and I'm sure there is a quality variance. Although I am not happy with the colour I received, it does work well as a lid colour or inner eye highlight. Hot Crystal is a glittery, frosty, white shadow. I wont get much use out of this colour, but I now know that the quality of these shadows are much better then the shadows in NYX's palettes.

Starlooks Eyeliner in Obsidian

At first I was a little iffy about the quality of this liner. When I first swatched it (you will see below), there wasn't a lot of pigmentation. It took about 5 swipes to get the swatch that I did. However, after sharpening it slightly, it is like a completely different pencil. It is super pigmented, and creamy, and blends beautifully. The only downside is that because it is so creamy you need to set it with some black eyeshadow or it is smudge city on you eyelids. I'm really thinking of signing up for Starlooks Starbox based off this pencil alone.

Obsidian, Hot Crystal, Big Apple

Overall, I definitely think that the value is there with September's bag. I am happy with almost everything I received and cant wait to try other products from the brands that I received. Ipsy succeeded this month in delivering new and exciting products. Stay tuned for my October unboxing/review next week. I am trying to get caught up in time for Novembers box.

Guest Post: DIY Face Mask

Hey ladies! Today's post is going to be a guest post, by Michelle Pino. Michelle is the Manager at Skana Spa in Upstate New York, and she contacted me last week about submitting a post for my blog. At Skana, Michelle and her team are all about easy, natural solutions to skincare. Below you will find Michelle's post, along with a easy face mask recipe.

I tried out the recipe myself, substituting honey for the oil, and I was really impressed. Besides the smell (I learned that I hate tomatoes on my face), this mask left my skin feeling smooth, and looking great. I would definitely try it again in the future.

What are your thoughts on DIY skincare? Leave me a comment with your thoughts below.

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Get Fresh Skin This Canada Day!
Are you looking for a fresh, new skin treatment? Does your skin need a little brightening without using harsh chemicals? Does your skin feel dull and rough? Do you need that energizing summer glow to get your Canada Day holiday started. Make your skin as sparkling as the firework-dotted sky with an all-natural skin mask that is made from ingredients that are good for your body. You can eat everything that goes into this fresh, raw skin mask, and you can make just enough for one face or several. Hold a girl's night at your house, and celebrate the holiday with this natural face mask recipe. Just in time for Canada Day! The below recipe is inspired by the experts of Skana Spa part of New York resort, Turning Stone:

 

Red & White Skin Brightening Face Mask
Ingredients:
10 raspberries, more or less
1/4 of a fresh tomato
1 teaspoon of apricot kernel oil
2 drops of sweet orange essential oil (optional) 

Directions:

• First, put all of the fruit into a blender and pulse the blender for about 10 seconds. You want the fruit to blend smoothly and the chunks to disappear.
  
• Then, pour the mixture into a small bowl. Add the apricot kernel and the sweet orange oil. Stir the mixture together until all the ingredients are mixed.
  
• Place a warm wash cloth on your skin to open your pores. Leave the wash cloth on for about 30 seconds.
  
• Next, put the face mask on your skin and let it set for twenty minutes.

 

• Wash off the mask with cool water, and follow with your favourite moisturizer.

With regular use, you will begin to see your skin brighten naturally. This is an all-natural recipe, so you can feel good about putting healthy ingredients on your skin instead of chemicals. The combination of raspberries and tomatoes give your skin a healthy dose of antioxidants that help to reduce fine lines and inflammation. Raspberries and tomatoes also are super fruits that are high in Vitamin C and boost collagen formation. They protect your cells as well.  In addition, tomatoes have the anti-inflammatory antioxidant lycopene, which reduces skin redness and blotchiness with regular use. Tomatoes also naturally remove dirt and oil from your skin.