New Year, New Experiences: Testing the patchology FlashMasque

The second day of 2016 is also the second day of my commitment to Develop a Writing Habit this year. I'm planning on daily posts here and on instagram (#happydayswithjovi2016) about anything that is of interest to me (and hopefully, you too). Stay tuned.

2016.01.02

Stayed at home and decided to pamper myself with the patchology illuminate FlashMasque I got from a travel-themed box last year (okay, it was really because the packaging became casualty in a bath gel accident and I didn't want to keep the masque in my kit anymore). Let's get the most out of this by using the mask, writing a review and keeping this as a point of comparison as my writing (hopefully) progresses.

The masque purports to be ideal for dull, lackluster skin and uneven tone claiming to "even skin tone and give new life to lackluster-looking complexion" producing results in just 5 minutes using the power ingredients Licorice Extract and Vitamin C to help gently brighten and even skin tone and Grapefruit Seed Extract to help neutralize free radicals.

The Process:

I followed the directions on the packaging. I unfolded the mask and applied to my clean, dry skin placing over my entire face and pressing the material snugly into facial contours. I deviated from the suggested 5 minutes and kept the masque on for 20 (no need to waste the product) and then discarded the sheet afterwards. 

The Verdict:

FIT - *****. This mask fit my face like a glove. I usually have problems with the mask's holes not matching my features where the tail end of the nasal opening would fall right on the holes of my nose (difficulty breathing) or the mask covering my lips but not my chin.

CONSISTENCY - *****. The formula felt neither watery nor sticky and keeping the mask on for 20 minutes wasn't a chore. By the time the 20-minute mark came along and I removed the mask, I noticed that my forehead had sucked the serum like it hadn't been hydrated for months (maybe it hasn't) and while my chubby cheeks felt a little sticky, the product quickly absorbed after a few hand pats. I usually end up with a shiny face with most other masks.

SMELL - *****. This is a big win for me because it didn't have a strong smell. (Though the ingredients list shows fragrance.)

PRODUCT CLAIM - ****. Can't say the look was 'barely there' once applied, but as I said earlier, keeping it on wasn't a chore. I ended up with very well-hydrated skin and I felt like this wasn't just superficial hydration. I'll come in with an edit in case my face feels dried out the next morning. 

CONVENIENCE - ****. The mask comes individually packed and is easy to carry. If you're one who wants fast results and doesn't want to waste time having the mask on for long, 5 minutes is a reasonable wait. Of course, I've also encountered other masks that claim to produce brightening and moisturizing results in 8 seconds.

If this product is easily accessible to you and you already use commercially-produced masks today, do give it a try, you might just find it amazing.

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Information from the patchology packaging (English version only):

illuminate

FlashMasque (TM) Facial Sheets

Ideal for dull, lackluster skin and uneven tone

1 MASQUE (28 ml / 0,95 fl oz.)

Reveal fresh-faced radiance with our fast-acting illuminate FlashMasque (TM) Facial Sheets, designed to even skin tone and give new life to a lackluster looking complexion. Each sheet is made of luxe fabric that stays put as you move and has a 'barely there' look once applied. In just 5 minutes, you're left with balanced tone and brighter, glowier, more youthful-looking skin.

Power Ingredients:

Licorice Extract and Vitamin C help gently brighten and even skin tone

Grapefruit Seed Extract helps to neutralize free radicals

Directions:

Unfold the mask and apply to clean, dry skin. Place over entire face, pressing the material snugly into facial contours. Leave on for 5 minutes (or longer if desired), then discard. No need to rinse, as masque serum will fully absorb into skin. Follow with your normal skincare regimen.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sodum Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Tourine, Arginine, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Parfum (Fragrance)

Dist. by Iontera, Inc., Dedham, MA 02026

All Rights Reserved

Designed in the USA. Made in Korea.

How will 2016 be different for me?

I can't remember when I last had New Year's Resolutions but it must have been more than a decade ago. I figure this year is as good as any to start my New Year's Resolution tradition (yes, this means plans of listing out new dreams and goals every year) and to up my chances of checking off my list, I plan to have monthly reviews on these resolutions and a year-end review. What gets measured gets done!

I envision the main themes of my 2016 life to include robust and happier relationships, rewarding career progression, leveraging on advances in my health in 2015 to a healthier 2016, cultivating interests and discovering new activities, venturing on to new lands, revamping my finances and becoming more effective in both written and Chinese communication. I think these goals are going to take up my 2016, unless I'm able to summon the same powers my ADHD friends have.

2015 supplied me with lessons I needed to learn, choices I needed to make and things (and people) I needed to let go of. And yet, if I hold onto everything that's served me in 2015, 2016 will only be a replica of 2015 and not a better year.

To this I say, my mantra for the year, am I doing something different this year?

Happy New Year everyone!