Unboxing Beauty

I had received an Annie’s Way Jelly Mask in my “Hold Onto Summer” Box and I really liked the experience of using it.  When Beautibi came out with an Annie’s Way Mask Pack Set, I was immediately interested!  Annie’s Way is a Taiwanese brand and you won’t find it most of your Asian sub boxes because they mainly focus on K-beauty brands.    Beautibi is similar to Memebox, as that you pick the boxes you want to purchase and it is not on a monthly subscription, but it differs from other K-Beauty boxes, as it isn’t just featuring Korean brands, but also Taiwanese and Japanese brands too.

Beautibi not only has box selections (click here to view current boxes), but also a shop as well that carries Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese brands.  They do not yet ship their boxes internationally, but all of the store items can be purchased and shipped internationally at this time.

Pronounced, “Beauty + Be”, “bi” in Japanese means “beauty” and at Beautibi, we focus on not only being beautiful, but feeling beautiful by taking care of everything, inside out. Beautibi’s mission is to introduce the best skincare products from Asia and make it easily accessible to the rest of the world. We focus on the quality and effectiveness of every product before it is released to Beautibi users. We also want to make skincare and makeup affordable, so we are always looking for products that fit different lifestyles. We recommend patch testing products, as we know not everyone’s skin will react the same to every product.

Annie’s Way Jelly Mask Sampler – 4 Pack

The beloved Annie’s Way Jelly masks are now in sample sizes! These sample size masks are 35ml, much like regular sheet masks, and are one of a kind! These sample sizes are incredibly travel friendly and our variety pack allows you to try 4 different types of the Annie’s Way Jelly masks. These jelly masks are hydrating and with regular use, you will begin to get brighter and smoother skin. Using the jelly mask will soften pores for easier removal of blackheads and whiteheads. You can choose between the Variety pack (4 different kinds), or a sampler pack (4 of the same kind)

Beautibi offers 5 different mask samplers, which include 4 masks and Annie’s Way Signature Spatula

• Aloe Anti-Acne Jelly Mask Set ($12.00)
• Snail Repairing Jelly Mask Set  ($14.00)
• Calendula Softening Jelly Mask Set ($14.00)
• Honey Moisturizing Jelly Mask Set  ($12.00)
• Variety Pack ~ includes one of each mask ($13.00)

I picked the Variety pack, as I am new to Annie’s Way. Although I do not have dry skin, in the winter, my skin does get dehydrated and the Calendula and Honey will be very useful during the winter season.

My sampler came in a nice pouch  and all of the masks were tucked inside a green striped sleeve

I also received a lovely, handwritten note from Jennifer, who saw that I loved MBD Cleansing Water (my must-have, holy grail of cleansing waters) and she sent me another deluxe sample ~ that is so nice and generous of her!!  Thank you!  

 

In addition to MBD Cleansing Water, I also received some samples too!

 

The instructions on how to use these masks are the same and each mask is 35 mL.  I have found that each mask is actually good for 2 uses, as there is a lot of product in that baggie.  I just put the bag inside a ziplock bag and store in the frig until I am ready to use again.  I recommend using it within 2-3 days after opening.

How to Use: Clean face and apply toner on the skin as base.  Apply Jelly Mask approximately thickness 0.3~0.5 cm evenly by using a spatula.  After 30 minutes, remove the jelly mask by scraping gently from outside to inside. ( It will be more effective if scrape forcibly. Especially the jelly mask has softened the blackheads and acne. You will be able to scrape it all out easily. Wipe off with tissue paper after you scrape it all out.  Repeat the same action few times, and rinse with water. Apply moisturizer or paper mask as what you usually use. Use twice a week, or as needed.   Attention: Rinse with water immediately if you feel uncomfortable in the beginning of use the product.  Reminder: For sensitive skin user, use only for 15 minutes for first time, and follow by 15 to 20 minutes

All Annie’s Way masks I received do not contain alcohol, parabens or steroids and they all include the following ingredients: 

• Dipotassium Glycrrhizate (licorice) ~ reduces flakiness in skin, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory which soothes skin, reduces redness.  It also is a skin lightener and brightener, preventing hyper-pigmentation

• Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) ~  is an intensive moisturizing ingredient which bonds water to keep skin hydrated.   It is a natural substance found in the human body and it made up of amino and uronic acids, and helps retain 100 to 1,000 times its own water weight in our skin cells.

• Panthenol (Vitamin B5) ~ This is an excellent hydrating ingredient for your skin

 

About Annie’s Way

Annie’s Way Aloe Anti-Acne Jelly Mask  This was the first Annie’s Way mask I received and I really like this one.  This one has aloe and seaweed extracts and will help oily/blemish prone skin.  The spatula is to “scrape” the mask off when it has dried, in order to get all of the gunk that it has collected on your face.   Beautibi carries Annie’s Way Masks, but not this version.  I hope they plan on getting them all in their store. Update:  Beautibi now carries the full size tub!!  One mask 35 mL Value $3.00

I did use this and I will tell you my impressions of Annie’s Way masks.  This is very similar to a wash off pack, except it is a bit more thicker and sticks to my face better.  Some wash off packs fall off in clumps…haha.   This smells so great, just like aloe vera gel, and it is a clear gel, like all of the Annie’s Way Jelly Masks that I received in this sampler.  I used this one the other night because I was seeing a whitehead on the side of my nose and wanted to stop that sucker in its tracks! 

After applying cosRX Centella Alcohol-free toner, I applied the mask on my face ~ I use the spatula to scoop out the jelly in the bag, instead of trying to use my fingers or squeezing the contents out.  Since there is so much product, it makes sense to leave what I won’t use in the bag and not have to try and stuff it back in.  I then place the bag inside a zip lock bag and store in the frig.

I did leave this mask on for 30 minutes as I don’t have sensitive skin and it wasn’t irritating to my skin.  In fact, it felt really cool and soothing.   The mask never really dries on your face;  in fact, it will still be gooey to touch.   When I scraped the mask off, I found that it had thickened a bit ~ perhaps the oils and dirt got into the jelly and caused that reaction ~ and used the scraped (gently!) as best as I could to get the jelly mask off.    The jelly was no longer clear, so it did do its job.  I won’t gross you out by posting a pic of the used jelly mask!!  There was still a lot of product left on my face, so I then rinsed my face off with warm water and followed up with a toner.    My one lone white head was deflated and by the morning, totally gone.   My face was also very moisturized without feeling oily or greasy.

Ingredients of Note:

• Aloe Vera ~ Aloe Vera is a powerful moisturizer that doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily or greasy.   It soothes, treats inflammation, helps speed up skin healing and also has a plethora of antioxidants ~  beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which help improve your skin’s firmness and keeps your skin moist and hydrated.  It also contains over 75 different nutritious ingredients, including minerals, enzymes,  amino acids, salicylic acid and much more.

• Seaweed will condition and hydrate your skin, while softening and detoxing.  It is rich in essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which will protect your skin from free radical damage.  It also will help increase skin cell regeneration and elastin, as it contains alguronic acid.

Description: Moisture-rich facial masks wrap skin a soothing blend of aloe, seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid, providing immediate relief from dryness while refreshing and reviving complexion. Wash-off formula softens blackheads and dries acne, making it easy to scrape them away for enhanced skin clarity with improved health. After cleansing and toning, smooth an even layer of mask all over face. After 30 minutes, scrape off mask and rinse face thoroughly with water.

Ingredients: distilled water, carbopol, hyaluronic acid, butylene glycol, aloe extract, chlorophyll, seaweed extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, d-panthenol, methylisothiazolinone, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate cosDNA.com analysis

image source

 

Calendula Softening Jelly Mask   This mask is made with Calendula and Chamomile extracts, plus soy extract and something called Alpaflor Sambucus.  This will moisturize, soften and help soothe your skin ~ suitable for dry and sensitive skin types.   One mask 35 mL Value $3.50

Ingredients of Note:

• Calendula (pot marigold) has one of the longest histories of usage of any herb in skin care.  This is herb (not to be confused with the flower marigold) helps heal chapped and irritated skin.   It stimulates wound and burn healing and it helps reduce dermatitits.  Calendula gets much of its healing properties from its high levels of carotenoids (similar to Vitamin A)

• Chamomile ~ this herb helps skin conditions such as ezama, as it is soothing and contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal properties as well as being an antiseptic that can reduce skin irritants (hypoallergenic) due to the presence of bisabolol chemical.  It also has whitening/brightening properties.
  

• Alpaflor Sambucus ~ I knew the other 3 key ingredients, but I was stumped when I read this ingredient.   And no wonder ~ this is a patented ingredient name using elderberry extracts.  This is an astringent.

ALPAFLOR® SAMBUCUS AO, produced from the Alpine plant Sambucus nigra, is ALPAFLOR®’s preferred astringent solution for well-being cosmetics. Through its in vitro proven capacity to reduce the VEGF biosynthesis, therefore inducing veino-tonicity, this ECOCERT, COSMOS, and NATRUE certified extract is the ideal active ingredient for all types of formulations against the appearance of puffiness and heavy legs. (text & image source)

Description: Wash-off jelly mask soothes and softens with its moisture-rich formula packed with natural calendula extract. Pampering mask provides immediate relief from irritation and redness, leaving skin comfortable and relaxed with renewed vitality.

Ingredients: distilled water,, carbopol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, calendula, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil,  chamomile extract, alpaflor sambucus AO, d-panthenol, licorice extract, mehtylisothiazolinone, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate cosDNA.com analysis

 

Snail Repairing Jelly Mask I love snail stuff, especially in the late fall and winter months, as my oily skin needs moisture, despite being oily!  Snail extracts give my skin the deep moisturizing that it needs without breaking me out in acne (or turning my face into a grease ball).   This will nourish and hydrate your skin, with its snail and soy extracts.   There is an ingredient, spelled Xeradin24, which I couldn’t find initially.  However, I have noticed that translated ingredients on Taiwanese skincare products are not always spelled correctly, so I looked up Xeradin and I think I found it ~ Xeradin, a vegetable source of hydration, 24 hours (pdf source)    This mask is suitable for dry and normal skin types, but quite frankly, I think this is good for all skin types.   One mask 35 mL Value $3.50

Ingredients of Note:

• Snail Secretion Extract will increase skin elasticity and increase firmness,while helping repair skin from blemishes, reducing acne and working to lighten hyper-pigmentation scarring. 

• Soy extract is a skin-softening ingredient that is a very intensive moisturizer

• Xeradin is a patented ingredient, that is derived from sage extracts, delivering immediate moisture and hydration, and lasting for 24 hours.

Xeradin™ is a hydrosoluble fraction obtained from sage “Salvia sclarea L.” cultivated under xeric conditions. It contains 0.005 – 0.3% of Total Flavonoids and minimum 0.5% of Total Sugars.The main components of clary sage are flavonoids, triterpenic derivatives and essential oils. It is an active ingredient whose flavonoid fraction and sugar content have a cosmetic application as an immediate moisturizer and at a 24hours. Xeradin™ increases moisturization of the skin surface, reaching maximum values between 3-6 hours after application.  In addition, it produces a moisturization increase of 38% 24 hours after this single application. The moisturizing activity obtained with XERADIN™ makes it appropriate for the following cosmetic applications: for immediate action; face and body creams and milks, face and body lotions, shampoos, aftershaves and bath moisturizing products. It can also be used in 24-hour action products such as intensive moisturizing products, moisturizing products for dry skin, anti-aging moisturizing products and moisturizing products for extreme activities and conditions (extreme sports and other applications).  (source)

Description: Annie’s Way Jelly mask hydrates and replenishes the skin and promotes the skin’s ability to heal itself. Increase elasticity and smooth skin texture. Snail Secretion Extract effectively nourishes and moisturizes skin. Suitable for dry and normal skin. Best results are seen when used twice a week.  Annie’s Way Snail Repairing Jelly Mask has the following features: Whitens, moisturizes, minimizes fine lines.  Brighten skin tone.  Suitable for uneven complexion. Soften pores to remove whiteheads and blackheads easily

Ingredients: distilled water, carbopol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, xeradin24, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, soy extract, snail secretion extract, d-panthenol, licorice extract, mehtylisothiazolinone, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate  cosDNA.com analysis

Honey Deep Moisturizing Jelly Mask  This is one that I will save for cooler weather. I love honey in the winter months, as it is so moisturizing and yet it doesn’t cause acne.  That is because honey is an antibacterial product and will help prevent new blemishes and heal old ones.   Check out Fifty Shades of Snail’s review of this mask! Cooler weather is around the corner and this will be one of the first ones I will use once the temperatures dip down a bit. One mask 35 mL Value $3.00

Ingredients to Note:

• Honey has antibacterial properties, that can speed up healing in your skin ~ think acne, rashes, cuts ~ and prevent additional infection. The wonderful texture of honey will keep moisture close to your skin, which makes for a glowing and radiant complexion. Not only does honey keep moisture in your skin, but it is humectant, which means it attracts moisture too! Honey is also an antioxidant, which means it helps repair and combat any damage caused by free radicals and prevents premature wrinkling.

• Lecinol ~ this was another ingredient that threw me for a loop, but this is the technical name for hydrogenated lecithin.  I know that!  That is derived from soya (soy beans) and is an effective moisturizer and emulsifier.

Description: A natural humectant, honey draws moisture from the air and traps it close to skin’s surface, providing hours of comfort and hydration. Refreshing jelly formula steeps skin in a mixture of nourishing and hydrating ingredients, providing immediate relief to parched skin and creating a luminous glow that seems to emanate from deep within. For best results, use mask at least twice weekly. Recommended for normal and dry skin types.

Ingredients: distilled  water, carbopol, hyaluronic acid, butylene glycol, honey extract, natural moisturizing facto (NMF), lecinol, d-panthenol, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, methylisothiazolinone, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate   cosDNA.com analysis

 

 

 

 

I hope that Beautibi will carry more of Annie’s Way masks and offer them in this cool sampler pack.  I love this idea, as it will give me a chance to try out different masks before committing to a bigger purchase of the full size tub.    There is also a charcoal jelly mask ~ how cool is that!! Some of these masks aren’t clear, like the charcoal, red wine and lavender masks.

 

I also read that these Jelly Masks can be used in different ways than just a wash off pack .  You can use it with your Clarisonic or Mia and cleanse with any of the masks except Honey.  Calming and soothing masks with moisturizing ingredients, such as Calendula, Aloe Vera or Lavender masks are best.  This will help counter balance any dryness or irritation from using the facial tool.  You can also use it as a massage cream as well.    Facial massages help remove toxins, improve your skin circulation and blood flow and decrease puffiness.  The jelly masks are lighter and very suitable for those with oily skin, as most massage creams are pretty heavy and oily.   Finally, you can take your jelly mask and do a spot treatment emergency fix on skin that is irritated or flaking.  Just add some on the targeted problem areas and it will absorb nicely while softening and soothing your skin, reducing any peeling/flaking skin.

Also, Annie’s Way makes facial sheet masks as well, and I hope Beautibi will also carry them ~ the cedarwood sounds so interesting and zen-like!  They have a variety of masks, including tea tree, oats, lavender sleeping, chamomile and grape seed. 

I am really happy with my sampler and I think I will use the snail jelly over the weekend.  These are fun wash off mask packs and I like the simplicity of the ingredients.   This variety sampler pack is still available at Beautibi, plus all of the sampler packs as well.   I do think this is a really good deal for $13.00 because looking at the prices on eBay, theses travel size packs can cost between $4.99 to $7.99 each!   Beautibi has several boxes on sale right now, as well as new products in their shop.   They are having a Labor Day sale as well!    What will you get?

 

 

 

[ descriptions in italics from beautibi.com and linked product sites ]