Rifling through the Bobbi Brown Mask Wardrobe for an Instant Detox, Skin Nourish and Radiance Boost

A little earlier this year, Bobbi Brown rolled out a trio of face masks in their skincare range, that had everyone in a tizz. Masks are enjoying a bit of a renaissance these days, I’ve noticed, and brands that are quick to roll with the times usually are quick to garner results.

Naturally, since I move at the speed of a glacier, it’s only taken me till now to work out what I think about them. On the minus side, the brand’s shaking their head at my tardiness. On the plus side, they’re permanent, and I’ve used these for months so I now am quite sure how I feel about them.

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There are 3 different masks in the Bobbi Brown mask wardrobe, targeted at different uses and purposes. When they were first launched, I was told that the Instant Detox mask wasn’t going to be sold in Malaysia, so I “imported” one in from Singapore. The minute I got it, I was told it’d passed regulations and was available in our market. Tsk! :P But that meant I had a full selection and could therefore have a good go at them! :D Let me tell you about each of them, and which I like… and importantly, which I don’t! :D

All the 3 masks come in tin tubes, in a retro throwback to apothecary style skincare. What’s nice about tin tubes like these, is that you can usually get every bit of product out of the tube, and like toothpaste tubes of yore, you can roll them up from the bottom. I like how they get battered with use – it’s an imperfection that’s at once perfect.

Bobbi Brown Instant Detox Mask

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The Instant Detox mask is basically a clay mask in tube. The product, which you’ll see in the swatches below, is a black goo that is fun to apply on the skin. Isn’t there something about coloured masks that we love? There is a citrus scent, and it goes on skin very smoothly. I find that it takes a while to dry, when it will turn grey. That’s fine by me, because I’m never in a rush when I’m using a face mask, but it is also worth noting that I use a fairly generous layer (the directions call for a “thin layer” – I rarely follow directions :P )

What I like about this mask is that it isn’t drying. I have skin that tends to dryness, and clay masks are usually a disaster. But this isn’t and actually feels comfortable on, without pulling too much on my skin as it dries. I don’t end up with a rictus grin just before I head off to wash it off.

Washing this off however, takes quite a while, and if you’re not careful, can mark your pristine white sink with streaks of grey. I find it easier to wet the mask, then slowly rub at it, adding a little more water as I go, until it eventually all rinses off. Takes a while, but leaves my skin feeling lovely and smooth to the touch.

Now, there’s no evidence to say you can actually detox your skin, but what I will say is that when you use this mask, you will either break out (I did the first couple of times but not anymore) or if you already have spots, it can dry up your spots more quickly. The first 2 times I used it, I found myself breaking out in a few small spots a few days later. It didn’t happen thereafter. Instead, whenever I sport a spot, or if my skin is feeling congested, I pop on this mask, and it seems to clear it out and release the congestion. Spots usually dry out and subside more quickly thereafter. However, the citrus scent indicates that there are citrus oils in there, that are potentially irritating for some people. My suggestion, if you’re really keen on this, is to get the sampler pack to try before getting a full sized tube.

I do follow up with a moisturising mask after using this mask, but as you will see, it isn’t the Skin Nourish one. I prefer to use either the Sulwhasoo Overnight Revitalizing Mask (which I LOVE!) or a product like the May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon, or a generous layer of Pai Rosehip oil. All said however, this is a nice clay mask, but I do find it pricey. There are options out there – there always are – so find one to suit your budget. This is nice, but it isn’t a must-have.

Ingredient List: Water\Aqua\Eau, Kaolin, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Charcoal Powder, Algae Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol

Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish Mask

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I’ll come right out and say that the Skin Nourish mask is my least favourite of the three. It was also the one I thought I liked initially, but as I went on (and I’m glad I took months to give this a go) I realised this just didn’t cut the mustard.

The Skin Nourish mask would be the moisturising, skin nourishing mask that is supposed to boost skin moisture. The texture is a rather runny cream, and there’s a sweetish floral scent that doesn’t sit well with me.

The instructions call for you to apply the Skin Nourish mask, leave it on for about 5 minutes and then tissue off and follow up with your other skincare. I tried this, but I did not like the residue it left on my skin. I find that this mask has an oily after-feel, and while I enjoy my facial oils, I did not like this rather greasy texture. When you wipe it off, the residue sits on my skin, like a layer of cling-wrap. I don’t like it.

What I do instead, which surprises many people I talk to about this, is wash it off. Can you do that? I am asked. My answer is yes I can. I leave it on for about 30 minutes when it kind of dries on the skin. Then, I use a little warm water and rub it off my skin. I don’t use a cleanser, I just use water. With a little patience and persistence, it will wash off, and then my skin feels much better and even a little more hydrated.

I however, don’t particularly find this mask to be very nourishing nor moisturising. I have better face masks that do that job, and because I don’t like how this smells nor how this feels on my skin, I don’t like the Skin Nourish mask.

Ingredient list: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Peg-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Peg-40 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumbis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Caffeine, Algae Extract, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Whey Protein\Lactis Protein, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Trehalose, Sodium Pca, Oryzanol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Nylon 12, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylamide, Sodium Acrylates, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorophenesin, Linalool, Limonene, Yellow 6 (Ci 15985), Blue 1 (Ci 42090), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 4 (Ci 14700)

Bobbi Brown Radiance Boost Mask

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Hmm… how do I break the news? The Radiance Boost mask isn’t so much a mask as it is an exfoliator LOL! :D The texture is a little thicker than the Skin Nourish Mask but not as thick as the Instant Detox, and in this, are fine walnut grains, that instantly tell you that this is a face scrub.

For once, I looked at the instructions to see how I should use a product like this, and do note that it goes on DAMP skin. Put it on dry skin and you might end up damaging your skin by scratching it. In fact, you could, if you’re heavy handed or harsh. So, be gentle.

First, wet your skin after cleansing, then apply a layer of the Radiance Boost mask on your skin and leave it on. The instructions say up to 5 minutes, but erm… I don’t follow instructions that closely remember? So I leave it on for about half an hour or more. It depends on how long the TV show I’m watching is LOL! :D

To remove, I wet my face first, without rubbing. Once it’s wet and feels looser, then I VERY GENTLY rub my skin. This is where the mask turns into a face scrub, for you can feel the bits scrubbing your face. I haven’t used a physical scrub in a very long time, so this sensation was something to get used to again, and I was very careful not to press too hard on the skin. You can actually damage your skin if you do, because I find the grains do feel a little harsh, and it can potentially cut your skin if you’re not careful.

Naturally, after the scrubbing, once you rinse it off, you will be greeted by lovely soft, smooth skin. It happens after every scrub! What I did like, is that it does stay that way for a few days thereafter. Makeup goes on more nicely and smoothly, and my skin just feels smoother.

However, I did feel a bit traitorous using a physical scrub, so I made sure to apologise to my skin by slapping on a nice thick layer of the nourishing Pai Rosehip oil or Jo Malone Vitamin E balm. I think my skin was sufficiently mollified, for it didn’t go crazy, and instead, rewarded me with a fairly glowing visage.

I was quite surprised that I quite like this one, but again, it’s like the Instant Detox mask. There are options out there, that will be kinder on the wallet. This is very nice to have, but it most certainly isn’t a must-have.

Ingredient list: Water\Aqua\Eau, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Beeswax\Cera Alba\Cire D’abeille, Butyrospermum Parkii (Sea Butter), Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel, Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Caffeine, Algae Extract, Panthenol, Steareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

Overview of the Bobbi Brown Mask Trio and My Pick

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Here are what the Bobbi Brown Instant Detox, Skin Nourish and Radiance Boost masks look like squeezed out of the tube. They are all quite self-explanatory in their use, and quite easy to use.

Of the three, I’d go for the Instant Detox and Radiance Boost, leaning a little more towards Instant Detox, if I could only pick one. I personally don’t think very much of the Skin Nourish, and I honestly do not think anyone will miss it if they don’t have it or don’t try it.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Bobbi Brown masks come in 3 different textures for 3 different purposes. I like the retro tin packaging that looks battered almost immediately when you use it. The masks are creamy going on the skin and mostly feel quite comfortable. I like how the Instant Detox mask isn’t drying, and how the Radiance Boost mask makes my skin feel soft and smooth after careful use. However, I don’t think much of the Skin Nourish mask, that I feel doesn’t impress as much as the other two do. That said, they are all quite expensive and not terribly unique, so try them, if you can get the mini trio sampler pack, or if you love Bobbi Brown or its skincare. Otherwise, there are more affordable options out there as well.

PROS: Tube packaging is portable and easy to use, All the masks are creamy and apply easily on skin, Instant Detox seems to help dry up my spots more quickly, Radiance Boost leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth immediately after use, Although just 75ml they will last a while as you don’t use them daily

CONS: Pricey, Fragranced, Skin Nourish leaves an unpleasant oily residue on skin, Radiance Boost walnut grains feel a little harsh so you have to be careful using it, Instant Detox might cause minor breakouts

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes Bobbi Brown skincare, Anyone who wants to try a new face mask

PRICE: RM177 | US$47 for 75ml each

WHERE TO BUY: Bobbi Brown counters and stores or online, Sephora 

Have you tried any of these Bobbi Brown Masks? What did you think of them?

There’s a sampler trio pack that’s available but I think it’s only for a limited time. Still, I’ve seen it at the Bobbi Brown store so ask for it, if you’re interested. It’s the best way to try all three, for a smaller price. Besides, each tube can last you quite a while because you just KNOW you’ll want to try something else right? :D If you’ve tried these, let me know what you think and which you like :)

Paris B