Every Friday night as part of my series of face mask Friday, I review a different face mask for you all. Most are for my skin type, normal to dry but others just take my fancy and end up in the basket as well. Skincare is really important and should be for everyone. Whether you are, young, middle aged or old it is never to late to start. Think of it this way, your skin is always on show, in particular your face. So why not keep that healthy like your eyes, ears and teeth! 

Sheet masks seem to be more frequently available compared to clay or peel masks for instance. Many of you will know sheet masks to me are like marmite. I am yet to find one I love 100%. But I am still on the hunt for this. They are just easier to pick up and try. Personally they are more affordable as well, but for making them worth I need on that fits my face properly. My head is small I know that, I still fit in my riding hat from when I was a child! Like socks and glasses, masks should come in sizes as well. Would make them be seen for a wider audience. 

This week’s mask is another by Holika Holika a brand I have used a handful of times. Tonight’s mask is one of their pure essence sheet masks in shea butter. The mask is meant to soften and moisturise in one easy step. To penetrate deeply into the skin. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, grapefruit oil and the shea butter quickly absorb into your skin, leaving it smooth and complexed. 

The packaging is pretty much like any other Holika Holika face mask. A bold coloured background, this being orange. With something to resemble the main ingredients. Shea butter in this case, which to be looks like a lump of rice pudding or cottage cheese. Maybe coconut oil which would be very similar to shea butter. Metallic navy blue and dark orange writing to show the name and brand for the mask. 

Backs of packaging are always boring, well for me anyway. I can’t tell you what half of the back says but the lower half is the instructions and the ingredients in english. Within the top half are picture form instructions as well. Which is something I find really handy when it comes to applying a mask. Sometimes pictures are more clearer to understand when applying than a sentence. 

One thing I love about their packaging is how easy it is to open. On the top right hand corner the pack splits. By pulling one side from the other. Its really simple, easy and doesn’t create half the mess others do. 

Instructions wise for a sheet mask are pretty easy to follow and standards of put on the sheet mask. Remove the sheet mask. The only thing that will differ slightly even is the timings to leave on and how to start. Most are like this, start with a clean, dry face. This is a leave on for 10 – 20 minutes. I would say timing, it all depends on your skin and if this mask is good still after the 10 minutes, leave for max of 20 minutes plus. 

So as the instructions said, hair up in plaits actually from the day before, but anyway. I put my hair band on because its never good to get hairs in your face mask. A clean dry face and opened the mask. Apply the mask. 

This is where the sizing of sheet masks annoy me. Even with me attempting for a solid 5 minutes to smooth out, it never does. I swear the slits on the sides of masks are for the sides of your cheeks. Not under your chin! 

I have to say that my skin is pretty clear most of the time. But the last few weeks in particular I have had a really dry patch on the edge of my right cheek and above my left eyebrow. Why I really don’t know but it’s not going anywhere. This could be from the sheet masks where they fold around that area. Who knows. 

After playing around I could feel the water or something from the mask dripping down my neck. Yes I just go and chill out for the 20 minutes but I don’t overly expect the mask to be running everywhere. I think from the pictures, you can tell the mask doesn’t fit me very well. But I left it on looking like a piece of origami and went to chill. 

When the 20 minutes were up, it was time to take off. The easiest thing about a sheet mask, they can be taken off within seconds. A simple lift of one corner and pull. Easy peasy. 

This mask left quite a bit of residue on my face. So really I could of left the mask on a little longer. The instructions state to gently massage in a little so I did. Then you are good to go on with your day. 

There was a slight glow to my face after I had used this but not much. My skin is smooth as it was prior to using this mask. As I said before my skin is in pretty good condition but the blemishes to my left eyebrow and the lower of my right cheek. I don’t think the red patch shows much in the photos but it’s there. 

For a mask that is to moisturise and soften your face, it really hasn’t unfortunately. I would of thought the drier blemishes would have lifted a little but seem a little worse now. Which makes this mask very disappointing. 

Maybe as a boost your clean healthy looking skin mask. But my skin is in pretty good condition even with the drier patches and slight blemishes. The rest of my face feels in good condition, not too oily and not too dry. So if you have healthy skin needing a slight bit of help it would. 

Price wise, this is pretty affordable at £1.95. Most masks average around £5. For that it makes the mask get a wider audience. But it all depends on what you want this mask for. 

In my eyes it isn’t worth buying. I really would expect a moisturising mask to moisturise a dry patch a little if not a lot. Rather than leaving it worse off. Sheet masks are something that are ready available on the skincare market and this just doesn’t do it unfortunately. 

Sheet masks for me, they need to be created in sizes or be more adaptable for those with a smaller shaped face. 

Everyones skin is different and reacts in different ways. So this mask could work for you. For me though it’s a no. 

What is your go to face mask at the minute?