I’ve just had quite an eventful weekend, with both joyful and sad news that’s left me feeling rather drained. So last night, in an attempt to center myself in the chaos, I picked up the last of my Faith in Face hydrogel mask, and had an “Oh shit!” moment. I’d forgotten to prepare a post for today. Fortuitously, past PB must have had prescience of future PB’s eff-up, for she had taken all the photos necessary for me to rustle up this post in the length of time it took me to indulge in the mask.
I’d bought these Faith in Face masks in a fit of curiosity a few months ago, while browsing in a Watson’s store. I often throw a cursory eye over the sheet mask ranges, just to see what’s new, but without paying a lot of attention to them, for I don’t use sheet masks very often anymore.
But these caught my eye for a few reasons – quirky packaging (reminds you of any brand? Hint: S&G), and the fact that these are hydrogel facial masks. Wait, what?! Hydrogel face masks for just about RM10? I had to try them! 😀
Sheet masks you’re familiar with are probably those paper masks with cut outs for eyes, nose and mouth, and soaked in essence. That was all I was familiar with, until I tried a hydrogel mask from Taiwanese brand, L’Herboflore. That was truly a game-changer for me.
What are hydrogel masks?
Hydrogel masks, unlike paper or fibre masks, come in a gel form. They are sometimes transparent, and sometimes opaque, depending on the different brands. While I’ve stopped being so enamoured by regular paper sheet masks, I’m pretty much sold on the hydrogel masks.
Hydrogel masks, having a gel texture, tends not to dry out as quickly on skin. This gives the added benefit of allowing your skin to absorb and retain the essence better, because it isn’t drying out, and being reabsorbed back into the paper. It also lasts longer, and from what I have tried, doesn’t drip half as much as regular paper masks. Oh, and the gel texture adheres much better to skin than paper!
The Faith in Face hydrogel masks are a little thicker, and a little more opaque, which makes them easier to handle. They come folded in the foil pack, with some plastic sheets as separators, so it’s easier to unfold them.
The one in the picture is Hold Me Tight, which is supposed to be a lifting and firming mask. It comes in 2 pieces, for the upper and lower part of the face.
While it was very nice to use, cooling down my skin significantly, and feeling very comfortable, without drying out or dripping, I felt that all it really did was to kick up my skin’s moisture level. I was left with skin that felt lovely and moisturised, after which I followed up with my regular night routine. But was it lifted and firmed? Nope. Not by a long shot. I wasn’t expecting it anyway. It’d have to be a miracle product for a sheet mask to actually lift and firm your skin – come on! 😛
In fact, both the other masks felt the same for me. Nourish Me, which was a nourishing type mask, meant to revitalize skin, and Black & White Film Star, meant to be a “Flash Whitening Mask” which I take to mean instant skin brightening…. felt the same. Lovely instant boost of moisture to the skin, lovely bouncy skin that feels cool and calm… but nothing else.
Let’s be realistic here. Sheets masks don’t do zilch, except cool down your skin and give it a little moisture boost. When your skin is cooled, and moisturised, you will naturally notice that it looks a little brighter, with your pores looking less noticeable. It’s true of all sheet masks – don’t believe me, try any one and see for yourself. Besides, they are on your skin for too short a time, and most people use it too rarely, for it to actually make a difference. If you really want to see effects, use the same one EVERY DAY for a month. Then you might notice some difference 😛 But really, who’d do that eh?
Sheet masks are a fun treat, and although it used to be that people would laugh at how it looks like a scene from a horror movie, these days, no one bats an eyelid when they see someone using a sheet mask.
My cynicism aside, I have to say that I enjoyed using these Faith in Face hydrogel masks. They were fairly affordable for hydrogel masks (hydrogel masks are usually more expensive than paper/fibre masks), they left my skin feeling all bouncy and cool, and they were quirky. I couldn’t really ask for more.
IN A NUTSHELL
Faith in Face hydrogel masks are from Korea, and are fairly affordable for hydrogel masks. The masks adhere well to the skin, feel comfortable, contain a generous quantity of product, do not drip and do not dry up quickly. I got 3 variants, but they all only did 1 thing – leave my skin feeling cool, calm and moisturised. I usually leave them on for about 30-40 minutes, massage in any remaining product on my skin, and then follow up with my regular skincare routine. I quite like them, and if I see them on offer, or want a nice pick me up, I might buy them again.
TIP: Pop these masks in the fridge for a few minutes before using. It’s a treat for your skin!
PROS: Affordable Hydrogel mask, Adheres well to the skin, Does not dry out quickly on skin, Cools down skin, Leaves skin feeling moisturised and comfortable
CONS: Does not do anything it claims to do on the pack except cool and moisturise skin
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who enjoys using sheet masks, Anyone who wants an affordable hydrogel mask, Anyone who does not expect a miracle from just a sheet mask
PRICE: About RM10 each but goes on sale occasionally
WHERE TO BUY: Watson’s stores in Malaysia (You might be able to get them online but I’d be a little wary and always check for authenticity because you just never know!)
Have you come across these Faith in Face masks? Have you tried them?
You know, I didn’t even know they were Korean. They didn’t give off that Korean vibe. I actually thought they were Taiwanese at first, until I delved further! I’m glad that hydrogel masks are now easier to find, and more affordable. One day, I’ll talk about why I rarely use sheet masks anymore 😉 Have you tried these?
Paris B
I don’t know these, but I love the Japanese brand LuLuLun. Paper sheet masks which you can buy in boxes of 32 to 42 sheets. So affordable, and meant for daily use. The mask fits very well, and the serum is excellent. It’s a bestseller in Japan, and millions of Japanese women can’t be wrong.
Oh wait, a friend gave me a pack of Lululun masks! I saw you are supposed to use it for 7 days straight, but I couldn’t commit so I haven’t opened it LOL! 😀 Will try it and see how I like it. Do you use it daily as they recommend?
When I was on vacation in Japan, I used them daily, but back home I use them twice or three times a week. I simply don’t have the time, and I want my supplies to last longer. I will definitely buy them again when I’m back in Japan, maybe even order them on Amazon if I run out of them before my next trip.
Very nifty: at Muji you can buy dry sheet masks which you can wet with any serum you like (especially interesting if you live in a country where sheet masks are very expensive).
Who would wear a facial mask everyday, you ask? Google the Chinese actress Fan Bingbing’s skincare routine. She uses at least 2 masks per day, one moisturizing and one whitening. I think there was an old interview that she did where she mentioned going through 600 sheets of facial masks per year.
Ooh the luxury of being a celebrity eh? Thanks for sharing that tidbit of info 😀 Actually, I did an experiment once, where I used a sheet mask nightly for almost 2 weeks. The difference to my skin was very noticeable. But then, naturally, my stock ran low and I got lazy LOL! I much prefer using cream/wash off masks now because I feel they do much more for the skin than a sheet mask. But you can’t beat a sheet mask for convenience and portability! 😀
I am interested in the ingredients. Will try to get this from Watsons.
hi… this might be a silly question but i could’t figure out which side you put onto your face.. the side that is covered by the thinner papery sheet, or the side with thicker plasticky sheet ? thank you in advance…
Honestly I don’t think it matters. But I put the side with the thicker sheet against my skin, then remove the thinner sheet.
I just tried the one of the faith in face range mask and notice a some improvement in my skin. Since I got back from my work trip overseas, I notice the cold + dry weather and being out in the sun for work has left my skin really dry to a point where It has a irritating sensation. I applied different brand mask but hardly feel any difference, skin still feels irritatingly dry. Until I tried the faith in face last night and immediately after using, I felt and saw great improvement on my skin. Pores looked smaller and skin look brighter! Completely get as what u state on the blog. As I used the one that suppose to nourish and moisturise, so it did just as how it should but I haven’t tried the ones with other benefits to compare. But yes, I do agree that one mask sheet won’t give u all the benefit instant results. But for the truly affordable price and the results, I say yes! And more than happy to try them again.
Which faith in face hydrogel mask is your favourite though?
I’d say Nourish Me because it’s just basic. In fact, they are all the same. I don’t notice any difference at all using one or the other. All just hydrating 😛