The winner of my recent giveaway is Miss Latonya Jaquetta!! She also has an instagram, so I have announced there, as well. She chose set A as her giveaway prize.
[Updated 10/27/2016] YMMV Hello, lovelies! I can't sleep, so I thought I'd post about a recent sample I got from Shray Skincare.
I was recently contacted by Shray Skincare to try one of their sheet masks, and give an honest review. If you are not familiar with the brand, they are a skincare company based in New York, but with the mind set of Taiwanese skincare. In the form of sheet masks.
What is Shray?
Shray is a up and coming skincare brand founded by Amanda Chen, who is also the CEO. She was in the Taiwanese Military for a decade and afterwards went into Beauty after getting an MBA from Columbia U's Business school, and she has a background in biochemistry. Their philosopy? That "Confidence comes from within and starts with loving your own skin. Shray masks empower women to face life's challenges in the most beautiful way".
I like that, empowering women and in the most beautiful way. Why not, right? I like this skincare company already.
As far I know, they only have 3 products at the moment. These products are named after women, as part of the women empowerment thing. Honestly, they can name their products "Honey for Face" or "Water for Face" mask, and I would still be interested in it. Anyway, here they are:
Ms. Amazing - hydration, for dry skin
Queen Bee - acne prone skin
Go-Getter Goddess - anti-aging
I really like all their names. Why use Shray?
Well, I've taken this from their website, http://www.shrayskincare.com, to help explain a bit:
On a 400x powered microscope, we examined the skin under three separate conditions: unwashed skin succumbed to daily life, skin washed with water and allowed to air dry, and then water cleansed skin after a SHRAY mask was used.
UNWASHED SKIN - Average # of Wrinkles per high powered field =92
MASK INFUSED SKIN - Average # of Wrinkles per high powered field =21
Based on our results, when washing your skin with water, there is a mild hydration effect, meaning a 14% reduction in wrinkles. However, after using a SHRAY mask there is a massive 78% reduction in micro-wrinkles.
What does it all mean? Your skin can only absorb a finite amount of hydration when it is applied topically. Using the biotechnology in SHRAY, with our natural gauze mask and micro-sized particles, your skin absorbs 64% more and only in 10 minutes.
What mask did I choose?
So, after reading all that I was curious, and they had given me an opportunity to try one of their masks. "This is perfect", I thought. I had been breaking out a bit from a new addition to my skincare, and need to calm my skin. If it isn't obvious already, I chose the mask for oily or acne prone skin. I have seen their website and read the what and the why, but I had never seen any of the products.
Packaging: I was surprised to see that the packaging is quite unique. It opens up like a letter, and into this lovely octogon filled with drawings of Cleopatra.
Why Queen Bee? This mask was named after Cleopatra, the first Queen Bee. Sorry, Beyonce. Cleopatra was known for bathing in Goat Milk and Honey to keep her skin young and glowing. No, this doesn't have goat's milk, though I wouldn't if it did. I love how all four sides has a drawing of the Queen, how this packaging it actually quite sturdy, and how it's folded like a gift. It felt like I was opening a gift, at least. Lift up the mask, and you will find a note printed in the middle.
Ok, enough of the pretty packaging, and on to the sheet mask. Shray Skincare Queen Bee Mask This mask is for people with oily, acne prone skin. I have combination skin, which is leaning towards oily because it is warmer where I live, and I was told that this would be a good match for me. Star ingredients:
Honey - used for it's antibacterial, & anti-inflammatory properties. It is also filled with antioxidants that are great for anti-aging, and it also moisturizes and soothes the skin. Honey, whether raw or in a sheet mask, gives our skin a natural glow.
Oryza Sativa Extract - Or Rice Extract, also gives the skin a natural glow, but this is used as a pore tightener, and for sebum control
Centella Asiatica Extract or Gotu Kola (in traditional Chinese medicine)- used for smoothing, and soothing. Great for healing and [blood] circulation problems.
Pomegranate Extract - Not one of the star ingredients, but it should be. This is used for it's astringent properties, but pomegranates also have ellagitannins, which are converted into ellagic acid, a phenol that helps strengthen the cell membrane of the skin. Great antioxidant.
This mask does not have a lot of ingredients, unlike some sheet masks I have tried. Although it does have one ingredient that is a 7 on the "safety" category of CosDNA.
DMDM Hydantoin - This is an antimicrobial, and preservative; a synthetic, formaldehyde-releasing preservative. *If having preservatives, or these kinds of preservative, isn't for you, then you may not like this mask. It is an organic compounds belonging to the class of compounds known as hydantoins (aka glycolylurea), which are hetero-cyclic compound, or ring structure. This means that they have two different elements as members of it's atom rings. Anyway, DMDM Hydantoin increases the shelf life of a product. by releasing formaldehyde, which will kill bacteria, and keeping cosmetics sanitary. This is the reason why I have no problems with most preservatives,and unless you are sensitive to *formaldehyde preservatives, or have skin sensitivity in general, or if they use a percentage higher than 0.2%, this preservative this will not cause your skin any irritations. (source: ewg.org) *what I really meant if you are allergic to preservatives *please note that I am not telling you that you should like this, nor am I promoting it, I am simply stating that this mask does have DMDM Hydantoin. Not all my sheet masks have this preservative.**If you do not like this mask, then you don't have to buy or use them. It's a matter of preference.
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate or IPBC - Antimicrobial (stops fungus from growing) and preservative. It is water-soluble, synthetic, and is also used lower than 0.1%, but should always be used with other preservatives. (ewg.com)
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil - You see this in many skincare products, especially in sheet masks. This is an emollient, and PEG is an abbreviation for PolyEthylene Glycol mixed with Castor Oil. This is a 3, which is safe to use in cosmetics.
As the Shray Skincare website clearly states: This product contains less than *0.25% preservatives. *0.25% total - Shray Skincare uses only 0.1% of both IPBC and DMDM-Hydantoin. Update: Preservatives helps you store your skincare products longer, and without having to keep them in a sterile environments. Products without preservatives must be kept in a sterile environment, and can't be kept in warm places, or shipped out when the weather is warmer. DMDM-Hydantoin, the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are used to increase a product's shelf life, as well protect it from contamination while you use it and while in storage. Like from dipping your hands in it, steam in the bathroom, These preservatives are released in small amounts over time. It is bad for the skin in high concentrations, but in cosmetics, such as hair care, it is used in very small percentages. The FDA allows below 1% ratio of preservatives, this is considered safe fore use, and that only 0.2% or less can be used in a product. In this one, Queen Bee Mask, the preservatives are a combined total of 0.25% in each mask. **If having preservatives, or these kinds of preservative, isn't for you, then you may not like this mask.
**Again, if you do not like this mask, then you don't have to buy or use them. It's a matter of preference.
The Essence:
See the pink?
When you first open the pack, the essence looks a bit pink. I was confused at first, but then I remembered that this mask has pomegranate extract. The pink color most likely from that extract. The essence is also very thin and watery. There was enough essence dripping from the mask for me to make a little mess, which is typical of me.
The Mask:
It has a plastic covering, or film, to help seperate and unfold the sheet mask. It didn't really help, though. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but when I started to slowly unfold the mask, the plastic part came off already. It's that, or it's because there is a part or cut in the middle with extended "flaps" fora better fit. And let me tell you, the fit was PURRFECT.
The brand uses a thin natural wood pulp, which is drenched with essence. The thinner wood pulp is used for better travel of hydration to from the mask to our skin pores. Makes sense. These sheet masks, remind me of the Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Masks, material wise. Only these are not so sheer.
How to use:
Wash face
Exfoliate face if needed
Tone face
Open pack and remove sheet mask
careful unfold sheet mask because it's tricky
place sheet mask on face and peel off the plastic
adjust the fit of the mask (like the picture below)
remove after 15 minutes
My thoughts:
I loved this mask. It has a slight honey scent, nothing too strong. I even think the Papa Rceipe Bombee Honey Mask has a stronger scent. The way they made the masks with a slit in the middle from the bottom of the nose septum to the chin, I think is genius. No more ill fitting masks. It was a bit difficult to unfold, though.
The plastic came off easily and I had to pull out the flaps, before I had the chance to place it on my face, but I don't mind. The mask was still dripping with essence, and I was able to wear this for about 40 minutes, maybe more. My skin felt soft, soothed and relaxed. The redness from my new little pimple bumps in between my eyes (super awkward place) decreased, too. The sheet mask really did help the essence get absorbed more easily into my skin, because a few minutes after post-masking, my face didn't have a lot of essence left to pat in. Papa Recipe's masks may have a really great rival.
Update: I checked the prices, and these are quite pricey.
A photo posted by Kristine S, Call Me Mich (@thesheetmasklady) on
My rating: 5 out of 5! I love this mask! I have been looking at the other two masks on the website, and I am thinking of trying the other two, since this one was so great. I know there is concern about the DMDM-Hydantoin, but I don't have or even use anything that has DMDM-Hydantoin everyday. I've been informed that the DMDM-Hydantoin in released in air form when the pack is opened and does not get on the skin. Honestly, this is the first product I know and own that has this preservative. The purpose of this mask was to help my acne, and in those terms, it has done just that.
** Don't forget to join my giveaway! It ends on October 28 at 11:59 pm CST. I will add extras to the chosen set. Check out this post for more details - #belatedhappybdayhalloween **
Thanks for reading!
-Miss Mich
The Sheet Mask Lady
Affiliated
links are included in this post, and all photos were taken by me.
[Updated - Sorry I forgot to include a few words about the brand Peripera and the packaging]
This is my first Asian makeup review! Yey! Kbeauty makeup to be exact, and before I go on, I would like to include that I got this from Amabie (pronounced "UH-ma-Bee-Ay"), for being a part of their Amabie Sweetheart program. Now, Amabie is a up and coming new website, where you will find reviews for all kinds of beauty products. Basically a review platform.
There are both Asian and western brands on this site, but they focus mainly on Asian beauty products. The website also has tons of giveaways to all it's reviewers. All you have to do, if you want to join their awesome giveaways, is and you can create an account to write reviews of your own on products you have already tried. Making an account on Amabie.com is free, so don't worry about having to pay for anything, and it's open internationally. You also don't need to have a blog to create an account.
Got a beauty product you want to review, but you can't find it on the site? Just shoot them an email, they will reply within 24 hours, if not in minutes. Let me tell you, the people behind Amabie are SO nice. Sometimes, the CEO Katrina, will reply, too.Check out their YouTube Channel to meet the staff.
First things first on lippie-ing
When you applying lipsticks, lip gloss and lip tints, always do a lip scrub first and apply a thin layer of lip balm, or lip treatment (like the Hanalei Lip Treatment). This makes lip gloss, lip tint, and matte lippies less drying and will not go into the creases of your lips. This will also give your lips a more supple look.
At least, that's what I do. Hehe.
Second, lip liners does wonders for the shape of your lips.
What is Peripera and these lip inks?
The Peripera's ink are lip tints that will last for hours, and even when the layers of color has been cleansed off, there is still that stain that stays on your lips for another 24 hours.
Peripera is a smaller brand that is owned by Club Clio, or CLIO COSMETICS, which is well known for the Clio Kill Brow. If the drawings on the box or bottle looked familiar, then you may have the right idea. Because the first time I saw these bottles, I thought of 2ne1, and their song "Hate You". I love that song, by the way. Mari kim had designed the little cute girly faces on the packaging while she was working with the group!
I have included 2ne1's music video for you. Now, you can listen to the song, while reading this post. Enjoy!
How does the wand look?
Below, the first is the top view of the bottle and you can see how short the wand is, so application is easier for me as I have smaller hands. The second photo is the semi-side view of the bottle, and the the wand. You can see how thin and how long the applicator is. The last photo are the swatches, and you can also see how small the bottle is compared to my small hands, which look weirdly large in that photo. It also stayed moist (with a bit of shine) more than the first, as I did not dab this into my skin.
Top view in white lighting
look at the flat applicator tip
The Color
The color, like I said in the caption, it looks red, but it isn't. The color is more of deep pink with red and blue hues, hence the name "Soul BURGUNDY" (*insert open mouth grin and thumbs up emoji here*). There are some stores, though, that list it as "05 Soul Attack". If it says 05, then I know which color I'm looking at. (^u^)
Honestly, I got the Peripera Ink Tint confused with the Peripera Ink Moist. Who comes up with these names and packaging? Seriously. The one I'm talking about is the Lip Tint, which is similar to the Ink Moist in packaging, but the consistency is of the Lip Moist is a tad thicker. Just a bit, which is why anyone can confuse them two product lines. Or.. am I wrong again? Comment down below what the difference is between the two lines, or if they are of the same line. Thanks!
Like a deep hot pink, really.
It super pigmented and will stay so long as you do not eat anything oily and hot. Though, some of the color does come off when you eat ice cream, but not enough to make a big difference in color. When I do eat something, like ramen, a lot of the layered color does come off, but the stain remains. I keep another color for darker gradient look, when that happens, which usually only happens once in a day. Mostly after a meal. I like adding a muted pink on top of the stain, either after eating or when I just want a dark gradient lip style. Who loves full color gradient lippies?
A video posted by Kristine S, Call Me Mich (@thesheetmasklady) on
I hope you can see the video. Sometimes it doesn't work for me. My html skills suck. (>_<)
More PHOTOS! :D
Swatches!
Now, if you swatch this, and try to wash it off, there will have a deep pink line stain for a good day or so, but will eventually come off (in baths, showers and washing dishes). In that sense, I like calling this, despite the watery consistency, Peripera INK STAIN, rather than tint. Don't get me wrong, it is moist, it stays moist for a good hour or two, so fair warning, try not to touch your lips or drink directly into a cup/glass/tumbler (you know what I mean). As I mentioned, some of the color is difficult to wash off your lip completely, and even more difficult to wash off your skin. I used cleansing oils, makeup removers, even dish soap to try and remove the stain that Ink tint left behind, but nope still some of it left on there.
The photo below is about 3 to 4 hours in, after I had swiped the lip ink across the back of my hand, near my knuckles. This was in white lighting, while the sun was still out.
I dabbed the top with a cotton swab
The next photo will show you how the swatches look after 12-13 hours in white lighting. My skin looks a bit yellow because it's way past dinner time.
Like watercolor on my hand
Size comparison
See the size of the bottle? It looks bigger than it actually does. It's a few milliliters shorter than the O.P.I. nail polishes.
you can see the size better on white background
My thoughts
So with that being said, I know a lot of people are not comfortable with lip color staining their lips for more than 24 hours, and have given this a 4 or less rating, but I like this lip product. I like using this when I go to parties at night, so that tne next day that left over stain looks more natural. A plus in my opinions, because I can take a morning selfie and say "I woke up like this". Ha!
I wore the link ink the day I received it.
Where do you get these Peripera Ink stuffs?
You can get them on Amazon, or on Jolse.com
Example of where to find the store name on Amazon
I believe Jolse also has an Amazon shop, as well. When you go on Amazon, check the seller name, which is usually found just above the price tag, or under the delivery date if you are using a desktop web browser.
My rating:4.5 out of 5
It's a pain sometimes, seeing the lip tint, but I do like them so much. I'm thinking of getting more of these in different colors.
Thanks for reading!
-Miss Mich
The Sheet Mask Lady
Affiliated
links are included in this post, and all photos were taken by me.
