I've said it before and I'll say it again - hydrating masks don't excite me. I'll swoon over a good acid peel, an efficient clay or a radiance mask but when it comes to hydration masks I'm a bit 'meh'. I've been using Kiehls Overnight Hydration Mask for ages, it's nice and does what it says but when it comes to my skin I can hydrate with hyaluronic acid serum and moisturisers - when it comes to masks I want brightening, plumping, smoothing and all of that magic. The only exception to this rule up to now is Clarins Hydra Quench Cream mask. I finished the one I bought last year ages ago, and though the mask itself is nothing extra special I've kept the packaging as the smell is to die for (citrusy Clarins) and it reminds me of my best friend who no longer lives in France as she was a huge fan of it and I bought it when I was with her on one of our Champs Elysee wine and shopping days💓.
But surprisingly, I have a new favourite hydration mask on my bathroom shelf and it's by Darphin, via my March @prescriptionlab X @audreylombard box.
*run-down of March's box here
Happily, the mask is full-size (75ml) because I've been using it a lot. The packaging is chic and efficient, a white squeeze tube - no need to get your fingers in the product. When it comes to handcreams and products that I throw in my handbag I detest white packaging as it stains and looks shabby within a week, but as this is a mask I don't mind it and it looks great on my shelf. The consistency is gorgeous - it feels really lightweight yet moisturising and it sinks into the skin without leaving a white residue like many hydrating cream masks.
It contains Shea Butter - an ingredient that I'm a bit ambivalent about, I don't mind it but don't search it out either (some people can be allergic/have issues using it on their skin so beware) - Vitamin E (soothing, hydrating), Pomegranate extract (antioxidant), and Kiwi and Mango extracts - Kiwi is another antioxidant and source of Vitamin E, and Mangos are a source of Vitamin A and C. The description claims that this mask will hydrate, soften and give radiance.
The scent is gorgeous - fresh with hints of floral and fruit notes, not overpowering in the least.
The instructions say to apply this in smoothing motions to a cleansed neck and face, leave for 5 minutes and rinse - not sure about this, to be honest. In my experience the only kind of masks that do much of anything in 5 minutes would be something like REN 1 Minute Facial, which contains a good dose of Vit C, and even this I would leave on for closer to 5 minutes than one. My skin is dehydrated and constantly reminds me of this fact by quickly hoovering up the products that I apply to it, so when I tried this mask for the first time I decided to play by the rules - the issue was that after 5 mins my skin had done its best and there was nothing to wash off so I added my normal moisturiser on top and went on with my day. I even added make-up, and had no issues - in fact, I agree with a review of the product I saw on MakeUpAlley - it acually is a nice primer...! Luckily I had no issues so now I'm using it my way - which is either to apply a layer and let it sink in (like a moisturiser) and massaging in any excess, or - and this is my favourite way - as an overnight mask. I don't use much, a hazlenut sized amount. The instructions say use a thick layer, but personally I don't see the point - I don't want to waste it. It's a really nice treatment to lock in other products and I find that when I use it a couple of times a week I wake up with soft, bright hydrated skin - in fact, used like this it acually reminds me of Emma Hardies Age Support Mask which I've just finished and also used overnight.
Again, I'm surprised at how much I like this mask - it's not skin changing or mind-blowing, but it's a really nice product that's become somewhat of a skincare staple in the couple of weeks I've had it. I love the consistency, smell, packaging and results.
Do you need to run out and buy this relatively pricey hydrating mask? Absolutely not, but if you like the brand or are in the market for a hydrating mask I give it my seal of approval. I'm really glad I received it in my Prescription Lab subscription because I can't honestly say, given the price and nature of the product, I would have bought it anyway - in fact I'm fairly certain I wouldn't. I find it hard to say whether I would buy a product again until I've used it up and am facing life without it so I won't tell you this is a definite repurchase candidate, but I'll let you know on my IG if I do!
Darphin Hydrating Kiwi Mask is available on Darphin.fr for €34.90, Lookfantastic.com for €40.95 and in selected Darphin Spas.
A x
Doyouevencleanse Instagram - daily make-up and skincare products, French home renovations and wine😂
But surprisingly, I have a new favourite hydration mask on my bathroom shelf and it's by Darphin, via my March @prescriptionlab X @audreylombard box.
*run-down of March's box here
Happily, the mask is full-size (75ml) because I've been using it a lot. The packaging is chic and efficient, a white squeeze tube - no need to get your fingers in the product. When it comes to handcreams and products that I throw in my handbag I detest white packaging as it stains and looks shabby within a week, but as this is a mask I don't mind it and it looks great on my shelf. The consistency is gorgeous - it feels really lightweight yet moisturising and it sinks into the skin without leaving a white residue like many hydrating cream masks.
It contains Shea Butter - an ingredient that I'm a bit ambivalent about, I don't mind it but don't search it out either (some people can be allergic/have issues using it on their skin so beware) - Vitamin E (soothing, hydrating), Pomegranate extract (antioxidant), and Kiwi and Mango extracts - Kiwi is another antioxidant and source of Vitamin E, and Mangos are a source of Vitamin A and C. The description claims that this mask will hydrate, soften and give radiance.
The scent is gorgeous - fresh with hints of floral and fruit notes, not overpowering in the least.
The instructions say to apply this in smoothing motions to a cleansed neck and face, leave for 5 minutes and rinse - not sure about this, to be honest. In my experience the only kind of masks that do much of anything in 5 minutes would be something like REN 1 Minute Facial, which contains a good dose of Vit C, and even this I would leave on for closer to 5 minutes than one. My skin is dehydrated and constantly reminds me of this fact by quickly hoovering up the products that I apply to it, so when I tried this mask for the first time I decided to play by the rules - the issue was that after 5 mins my skin had done its best and there was nothing to wash off so I added my normal moisturiser on top and went on with my day. I even added make-up, and had no issues - in fact, I agree with a review of the product I saw on MakeUpAlley - it acually is a nice primer...! Luckily I had no issues so now I'm using it my way - which is either to apply a layer and let it sink in (like a moisturiser) and massaging in any excess, or - and this is my favourite way - as an overnight mask. I don't use much, a hazlenut sized amount. The instructions say use a thick layer, but personally I don't see the point - I don't want to waste it. It's a really nice treatment to lock in other products and I find that when I use it a couple of times a week I wake up with soft, bright hydrated skin - in fact, used like this it acually reminds me of Emma Hardies Age Support Mask which I've just finished and also used overnight.
Again, I'm surprised at how much I like this mask - it's not skin changing or mind-blowing, but it's a really nice product that's become somewhat of a skincare staple in the couple of weeks I've had it. I love the consistency, smell, packaging and results.
Do you need to run out and buy this relatively pricey hydrating mask? Absolutely not, but if you like the brand or are in the market for a hydrating mask I give it my seal of approval. I'm really glad I received it in my Prescription Lab subscription because I can't honestly say, given the price and nature of the product, I would have bought it anyway - in fact I'm fairly certain I wouldn't. I find it hard to say whether I would buy a product again until I've used it up and am facing life without it so I won't tell you this is a definite repurchase candidate, but I'll let you know on my IG if I do!
Darphin Hydrating Kiwi Mask is available on Darphin.fr for €34.90, Lookfantastic.com for €40.95 and in selected Darphin Spas.
A x
Doyouevencleanse Instagram - daily make-up and skincare products, French home renovations and wine😂
Comments
Post a Comment