My First Tencel Face Mask - SHIK by Natalia Shik Works, But Not for Everyone
I'm a big fan of fabric face masks and use them whenever I can. This one wasn't a purchase - it was a surprise addition to a gift set I received from Goldapple. I love Goldapple because they always throw in some extras like freebies, discounts, and surprises, so this mask from Shik was a nice surprise.
I don't know much about Russian makeup artist Natalia Shik, but she looks lovely and occasionally pops up in the news. Unfortunately, I haven't tried many of her products, just a disappointing mascara that I got in a beauty box. It was dry, hard to apply, and didn't do much for my lashes, but maybe I just stored it wrong or was unlucky (I know some people love Shik's products, especially their blushes, so I'm willing to give them another chance).
The Shik Hydrating Mask is a game-changer for anyone looking to refresh their skin before applying makeup. I've been using it for the past week and I'm hooked! It's perfect for a quick morning pick-me-up or whenever your skin needs a boost:
This hydrating mask from Korea is infused with a concentrated essence of plant extracts. The mask is made from 100% cotton, has a great fit, and adheres nicely to the skin. The Shik Hydrating Mask not only hydrates but also helps to tone and prepare the skin for makeup. The natural ingredients work wonders, tightening blood vessels, reducing pores, and balancing oil production. Using the cleansing pads from Shik after the mask really takes the experience to the next level!
The formula is pretty simple but effective, with green tea and chamomile extracts that always work wonders for my skin:
The base is a non-woven material, water, glycerin, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, sodium hyaluronate, phenoxylethanol, carbomer, allantoin, betaine, virgin chamomile extract, Chinese camellia leaf extract, vinca minor extract, polysorbate 20, triethanolamine, palm oil, hydrolyzed collagen, citric acid, and hydroxyethylcellulose.
Country of origin - South Korea.
WHERE TO BUY? I picked this up from online retailers like Ozon, Wildberries, and Golden Apple.
PRICE - around 170 rubles.
I'm really digging the packaging on this mask - it's the kind of simplicity I love, a plain, pale pink package that gets the job done.
The package has little notches for easy opening.
The only thing I'd nitpick about the design is that the white text on the pale pink background doesn't quite pop - or maybe that's just me, my eyes aren't what they used to be!
I love that even without reading the instructions, you can figure out how to use the mask thanks to the pictures on the back of the packaging – it's all about the Korean style.
The base of this mask is made from 100% natural cotton, which is gentle even on the most sensitive skin. It's dense, semi-transparent, and won't stretch out easily. The edges have slits to make it easier to put on.
When I put it on, it fits fairly well, although it might slip a bit at the edges (as you can see in my photos). But it doesn't budge or fall off when I move around.
I've got to say, the serum in this mask isn't gel-like, it's more like a clear, watery toner or essence. It's super refreshing, lightweight, and has a barely noticeable cosmetic scent. I wasn't expecting a ton of serum, but what I got was enough to cover my neck and a bit of my wrists.
The recommended application time is 15-20 minutes. I used it after a beach day in my vacation, and it was a lifesaver for my skin, which was feeling a bit irritated from the saltwater. I gave my skin a good wash, then applied a hydrating toner (you can use any of your favorite hydrosols instead), and finally slapped on the mask.
No tingling or stinging sensations for me, thankfully.
I've got to admit, I was a bit skeptical about using a sheet mask, given my combination skin, which tends to get oily in the T-zone, clogged pores, and all the usual suspects. But, I have to say, this mask didn't leave any sticky residue on my skin, which is a major plus. In fact, my skin felt pretty comfortable and hydrated after using it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the hydrating mask from Shik in this regard. After I removed the mask, my skin felt absolutely smooth, not sticky, without any greasiness, without that unpleasant layer, and so on. It was just dry skin. I applied the mask in a hot country on vacation, but even there, my skin didn't feel too 'dehydrated' and in the driest areas (like my cheeks and neck, for example), I even noticed that I could've applied something nourishing, so I didn't notice any intense moisturizing.
However, I did notice the freshness and smoothness of my skin, a pleasant tone, and I think my skin even calmed down a bit after my scuba diving. And overall, the fact that my skin wasn't sticky after the cotton mask and was ready for makeup (if you don't have very dry areas) - that's a miracle and a rarity for me.
So, you can find both pros and cons of the mask, depending on your goals and tasks.
PROS of the mask:
➤ it's affordable
➤ it contains collagen, green tea extract, and chamomile extract - they smooth, heal, calm, tone, and tighten
➤ the mask doesn't leave any stickiness or a noticeable layer on the skin - that's a rare case
➤ after the mask, my skin felt a pleasant freshness, smoothness, and it calmed down and smoothed out like after a good toner
➤ if you chill the mask (I kept it in the fridge), it works as a nice toning compress for the face, a bit reduces puffiness, and tightens the skin
Downsides
➤ I was surprised to find that this mask, despite being marketed as hydrating, only provides minimal hydration: even my combination skin didn't get enough moisture from the mask, and my skin felt slightly drier after using it, so I still needed to apply a moisturizer.
➤ As for its skincare benefits, I'd say this mask is more of a refreshing compress than a true treatment product – you can use it every day, and even store it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect before applying it.
Don't expect miracles from this mask, but if you're looking for a fun, non-greasy pick-me-up to prep your skin for makeup, it's a good option – especially considering its affordable price. Plus, it might be suitable for girls with problem skin, as it won't clog pores or irritate them; in fact, it might even help calm and soothe the skin a bit.
Other face masks:
A budget-friendly mask with vitamin C from Garnier that you can find at any supermarket
A brightening and toning two-phase mask with lemon from Sally`s Box that gives great results from the very first use
A hydrogel face mask with plant extracts that works really well, but has some nuances to its use
This affordable aloe vera and cucumber face mask from Levrana really delivers – it perks me up, hydrates my skin, and provides just the right amount of nourishment
I'm also loving the Crimean Sea Clay face mask from the Crimean Manufactory – it's a lifesaver for my combination skin, gently exfoliating with lemon and clay, while soothing with aloe vera