K-DRAMA ADDICT
If you watch Descendants of the Sun, you surely will not be unfamiliar with the name Song Hye Kyo or Kang Mo Yeon! She has risen to her top again due to DOTS. The show is such a huge hit in many countries (note: not just Asia) that KBS has decided to air three special episodes replaying some of the best scenes from the drama. But that isn't what I am here to talk about.
As obviously stated in the title, what I intend to do here today is to review the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. So why did I mention Hye Kyo Unnie? Ha! She is the spokesperson for Laneige since January 2008! As a courtesy of course I had to start off with a brief introduction of her.
Almost close to her mid-thirties, Song Hye Kyo looks wonderfully youthful and pretty. She still looks as freshly as she was years ago as if she has never aged. Many HD closeups in DOTS have shown her complexion to be super smooth, dewy and flawless.
I did not buy the mask because of her because I actually already owned and loved the mask way before I got to know her from DOTS (yes I learned her name from DOTS). Knowing then that she represents the brand has simply encouraged me to use the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask more often.
So, what's with the wait? Let's plunge right in to an introduction of that little tub of mask.
Created by Amore Pacific in 1994, the brand name came from La Neige which means 'snow' in French. There are four marketed advantages of Water Sleeping Mask (only FOUR? I was expecting more! Seriously, this mask is currently my holy grail I-need-to-look-good-today go-to mask!) that I very nicely copied from their website and pasted here (with my added comments, I think you can tell from reading it) to save you from switching between this post and their website. You're welcome! 🙌🏼
Number 1: Skin purifying
Apparently they use this technology called SLEEP-TOX™ which contains purifying effects to help rejuvenate and normalise our skin. Since our skin often gets fatigued and sensitised by stress during the day, this helps the skin to achieve a well-rested appearance the next morning. Great news to all the night owls out there and of course those of you who have to pull an all-nighter for that... for that... for that... for whatever is happening the next day! (gosh it's not that hard to write an article, isn't it?) (YES I CONSIDER THIS AN ARTICLE) (okay too many comments)!
Number 2: Skin moisturising
Inside here there is also something called MOISTURE WRAP™(what a name). This wrap (like the McDonald's chicken wrap, yum) is a dense beta-glucan moisturizing shield (network) which consists of active agents such as Hydro Ion Mineral Water, evening primrose root extract, Hunza apricot extracts, and more. They are to help the skin retain moisture throughout the night and allow the skin to fully absorb the goodness during sleep.
Number 3: Skin soothing (finally, an advantage that has no trademark)
This mask also contains skin-soothing agents that are gentle on sleeping skin, aiding its recovery overnight. It is an ultra-mild and safe formula which can be worn overnight (it is a sleeping mask after all) and is (as expected) non-comedogenic and sensitivity tested. Guess that is an okay sign for those of us who have acne prone and sensitive skin!
Number 4: Aromatic
SLEEPSCENT™ is specially developed for inclusion in the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. It is an AMOREPACIFIC (the company that owns Laneige) original and its job is to let skin relax and rest, boosting its ability to regenerate. I have to say, from my personal experience, the sleeping mask really does smell heavenly and I don't consider it a particularly heavy scent. If you are extremely sensitive to smell, make sure you take a chance to 'smell it out' at a Laneige store before you snatch the product online.
A diagram with the beautiful Song Hye Kyo illustrating all the above points.
They also posted the clinical data associated with the testing of the products. I feel it's a bit unnecessary to bring in all the graphs and numbers so if you're interested do head on to their website (click here) and take a look.
Geez, enough with the technical part! Before I start sounding like a Laneige promoter (or do I already?!), let's take a look at its packaging.
It only has one size which is at 70ml and gals brace yourself, it comes with a SPATULA (as illustrated in the first picture above)! It's a shame most brands don't feel the need to provide spatula even though they dispense their product in a tub. I don't know if it's just me but I think it's rather unhygienic to go in with bare hands and dig out the product. Of course, you can clean your hands beforehand but I prefer mine with a spatula.
The tub is light blue in colour and has a matte finish surface. It is oddly satisfying to hold in my hands (I'm weird, I don't know why, don't ask) and in a way it kind of draws me to it the moment I saw it. It is also surrounded by a very luxurious aura when I first spotted it and when I saw the price, my thought was confirmed. It is tagged at RM110 in retail! This can literally burn a hole in my purse if I were to get it myself (forgot to mention, my mum got it as a gift from her friend who went to Korea but I had stolen it from her to use it. I know I am a good daughter). For those of you who are students like me, fret not! You can still get it from Hermo (I told a story on my experience buying from Hermo Malaysia, read it here!). They are selling it at RM79 which is a lot cheaper than retail! It is still slightly expensive but good things do come with a price. At least this one now comes with a discount. Sigh, the things we do for better skin.
I wonder if you have noticed in the image above, the tub comes with a twist cap and looks like it has another tub fitted in it. I haven't read elsewhere about the special design of this mask. Maybe it's just for aesthetic purposes (or just a marketing strategy to trick you into thinking that it's larger than it is) but if I do find something I'll surely update you guys here.
On opening the cap, the tub was sealed with foil which I had conveniently torn off from mine. Below are two pictures from yesstyle.com where the author had kept the foil on to prevent moisture loss.
I've attached a list of the ingredients that make up the mask below for your reference.
(Skincarisma)
(Skincarisma)
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Alginate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide MEA, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Alcohol, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, CI 42090
The ingredients are written nicely on the box itself too!
I have noted that this contains alcohol, but I haven't been noticing anything unusual on my skin while using it although my skin is really sensitive to alcohol. But I'd still recommend you to do a patch test to avoid waking up to any unwanted skin condition!
I have noted that this contains alcohol, but I haven't been noticing anything unusual on my skin while using it although my skin is really sensitive to alcohol. But I'd still recommend you to do a patch test to avoid waking up to any unwanted skin condition!
To be certain that I obtain the maximum benefit from the mask, I follow the steps as demonstrated on the Laneige website. In my own words, I've put them down here for your reading pleasure:
Step 1
After washing your face at night, put on your favourite toner and emulsion (what we normally call 'serum') right before going to bed.
Step 2
Using the spatula, dig up some of the mask (you will only need a thin layer of the mask so start with just a little and add on later until it's enough to cover your whole face) and apply it on the tip of your nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin in dots. I love the scent, so I usually pause here for a while and breathe in the scent for a few seconds. *insert loud inhaling noise*
Step 3
Now use your clean fingers, gently spread the mask all over your face using outward strokes, i.e. patting it in from the inner part of your face to the outer part of your face.
Step 4
Since it's called a Sleeping Mask, the most essential and last thing to do now is to sleep. After you feel that the product is well absorbed into your skin, leave it on overnight without washing it off.
Step 5
When you wake up in the morning, make sure to wash your face as usual and voila! You skin should look dewy and radiant now!
They also recommended to use it 2-3 times a week and apply a little more than the recommended amount whenever your skin feels dry and can even apply it on the neck for neck care.
As a precaution, Laneige suggested to
- Stop using the product immediately and consult a dermatologist when redness, swelling, or other skin irritations occur.
- Avoid applying the product on open wounds or skin inflammation.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and out of reach of infants and children.
It'd be such a waste if the mask goes bad before you can finish it. Therefore, do not forget to close the lid after every use and make sure you do not store at extreme temperatures or in an area exposed to direct sunlight. I usually just keep mine on my vanity.
The mask has a super smooth texture so it's easy to spread on skin. It is very lightweight as well that I sometimes go overboard when I apply it on my skin which is why I recommend you to start little when using the mask. The mask also gives me a extremely moisturising feeling when it comes into contact with my skin. That should be the Chicken, I mean MOISTURE WRAP™at work (why was I thinking chicken). Like I mentioned before, there is a light scent to this product that I have trouble describing. It's not sweet, slightly floral and extremely soothing. It didn't get overwhelming when I tried to smell the whole tub closely. Instead, the smell even started to fade. Yes, that's how faint the scent is. It is there, you know it, but it's just really faint.
As you can tell, I've used up a lot of it and now I'm saving it only for important events.
Effect
My skin doesn't feel oily or sticky at all after application and I usually go straight to bed after applying it without needing to wait for it to dry. What's even better? It smells calmingly good and puts me to sleep more quickly than usual.
For the effect, I feel pictures speak more and louder than words so I've attached some of photos for you to see.
Waking up without sleeping mask vs Waking up with sleeping mask.
You can definitely notice that my skin looks more moisturised and alive when I use the sleeping mask and I certainly feel the same way. Also, not that I'm proud to point out to you but my pores actually look less visible!
Note: I used flash in both of the photos with artificial lights on. Both photos are unedited.
RM110 for a 70ml tub? Pricey pricey. It finishes up really quickly if you use it according to instructions and have a big face like me. But I'm really loving the effect. *sobs* So if I can still get it for RM79 in the future, I would repurchase without second thought!
UPDATE: It is now RM120 per tube. *SOBS*
Should I buy Laneige Water Sleeping Mask?
If you're often forced to stay up late and need something to compensate for the loss of hours, you should totally try it out! In my opinion it should be suitable for every skin type given it's non-comedogenic and moisturising properties but be sure to test out some samples before you commit to buying it.
This post contains affiliate links.
Where to buy:
Hermo - RM120
*WM: RM6.80 / Buy two free shipping
*EM: RM12 / Min. purchase of RM150 for free shipping
You can use Shopback to save some money (save 2% for every purchase) when buying from Hermo. Just sign up using my link: https://www.shopback.my/hermo?raf=OxeI66, and you'll be rewarded with RM5 immediately, followed by RM5 when you make your first purchase on Hermo through Shopback. That's RM10 in total. It works in the form of cash back which you can cash out to your bank account. You'll can learn more on their website here.
Hermo - RM120
*WM: RM6.80 / Buy two free shipping
*EM: RM12 / Min. purchase of RM150 for free shipping
You can use Shopback to save some money (save 2% for every purchase) when buying from Hermo. Just sign up using my link: https://www.shopback.my/hermo?raf=OxeI66, and you'll be rewarded with RM5 immediately, followed by RM5 when you make your first purchase on Hermo through Shopback. That's RM10 in total. It works in the form of cash back which you can cash out to your bank account. You'll can learn more on their website here.
What do you think? Would you buy it? Let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for reading, see you in the next post!
I post new contents on skincare every Tuesday and Friday. Follow me on Bloglovin' so you won't miss it when my next review is up!
For the affiliate links: If you use my link, I can earn some commission and it won't cost you any extra money. You don't have to use my link, but if you do, it would really help my blog!
The review is 100% my personal opinion of the product after personally trying it out. Please make sure you consult whoever is selling you the product and ask for samples if you can! Read my disclaimer here.
I post new contents on skincare every Tuesday and Friday. Follow me on Bloglovin' so you won't miss it when my next review is up!
For the affiliate links: If you use my link, I can earn some commission and it won't cost you any extra money. You don't have to use my link, but if you do, it would really help my blog!
The review is 100% my personal opinion of the product after personally trying it out. Please make sure you consult whoever is selling you the product and ask for samples if you can! Read my disclaimer here.
This sleeping mask can use for daily use as mosturizer or not ?
ReplyDeleteHello! I've tried using it daily as a moisturiser before but the instruction itself does not recommend daily usage. After some trials and errors, I personally think weekly usage works just as fine to keep the skin looking smooth and moisturised. :) Hope this helps!
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