That Pacifica Mask Repurposed

In my last post I listed a Pacifica mask that I was allergic to (the Pacifica Future Youth Enzymatic Resurfacing Mask). However, it has found a great new purpose! My décolleté, aka the neck skin.

So, you know how everyone tells you to patch-test your products and you're like, eff that and glob it all on your face? Well, yeah, that's why I'm allergic to it. However, I decided that my neck should get some masking love and decided to patch test there. Pacifica on my neck, turmeric on my cheeks and forehead, and clay on my nose. That clay mask really needs to be thrown out, it's practically solid.

My neck has never felt better!! It is so soft and smooth and I just couldn't stop touching it myself. Seriously, not a single issue with my neck, so I've decided to use it in patches on my face. Usually on pimples, or rougher areas on my jawline that have suffered at the hands of hormonal pimples. So far so good.

Glad to have given the mask another try. Maybe I just needed to ease myself into the product instead of globbing it on everywhere. My upper lip is actually the most sensitive, and doesn't really need the mask like the rest of my face does. Ooooh, I just hope I can use it on more parts of my face because it really is so, so, so, so smooth and I am loving it.


On the other hand, I finally opened my bottle of Beauty Water and I am totally not wow'd. Maybe it's because I've only used it once and it'll be something I miss when I stop using it, like the Missha Clear Toner.

Masks Masks Masks

In my medicine cabinet there is a stack of three jars-- all three are masks. Going in order of oldest to newest here they are:


1. Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Skin Clearing Facial Mask, 1.7 oz, $5.99 at TJ Maxx

First let's note the ingredients:

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Aveena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Meal, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice (Certified Organic Ingredient), Bentonite, Phenoxyethanol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract (Certified Organic Ingredient), Silt (Dead Sea Mud), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Capsicum Annuum (Red Pepper) Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract (Certified Organic Ingredient), Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (Certified Organic Ingredient), Aspalathus Linearis (African Red Bush Tea) Extract (Certified Organic Ingredient), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (Certified Organic Ingredient), Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil (Certified Organic Ingredient), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (Certified Organic Ingredient), Cetearyl Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance (Parfum).

What I don't understand about this clay mask is how it gets more potent as time goes one. I've used over half the tub on intermittent masking fun. Covers my face in a white paste that dries but doesn't fully seem to change color like other clay masks. My sister has used it and we both were fine. Then it went back into my stockpile shelf, by accident, and was "refound" a couple months later.

Now, my sister and I fondly remember the gentle clay masking we've done before and went to use the jar again. First things first, yes it is clay, yes it got more difficult to dole out and spread. Second, it started my make our skin feel uncomfortable. Not the tingly way, but full on burning way. It was burning sensation that reminded me of old days with Neutrogena sunscreen. Only this time it was a white clay mask and I couldn't tell if my skin was inflamed under it all.

It was.

Washed it off and thought, maybe I would do this again later and give it another chance. Then the next mask entered my life....


2. Pacifica, Future Youth Enzymatic Resurfacing Mask, 1.5 oz (42.5 g) $6.99 at TJ Maxx

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Bromolein, Niacin, Arginine, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract, Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Extract , Papain, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Align, Xanthan Gum, Chlorophyll, Hyaluronic Acid, Polysorbate-20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum (All Natural)

This company has always caught my interest. Though I am neither vegetarian nor vegan, vegan products have had more allure than the average beauty product. Pacifica is one of those companies that is also cruelty-free (as is the Say Yes line). It has the color scheme and aesthetic of a southern pacific island (oh, how appropriate pacifica), attractive marketing indeed. 

It's a gel-like mask, looks and reminds me of aloe gel. However, instead of after suncare, it's a chemical mask. 

Don't know what's in it, but my face DOES NOT like it one bit. The second this cooling refreshing gel hits my face it starts to burn that invisible burn. Hasn't turned my face red yet, but I wasn't going to wait around for longer than the ten seconds it started to hurt, and I washed it all off. However, my décolleté? Not a feeling. So, I guess I will ask my sister to check it out, or I will just have to Future Youth Resurface my neck alone.

It's a no-go, no matter how much I want this to work! Should have bought the $9.99 sample of several different Pacifica masks instead. Honestly, I don't know what ingredient(s) have that effect on me, but holy cow, it was not pleasant. Need to do more research to figure out what is and isn't working for me. It's the simplest of the three masks, too.



3. Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque - 2.5 oz. - Birthday Present!

Ingredients: Aqua / Water, Kaolin, Sorbitol, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Ci 77891 / Titanium
Dioxide, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed, Pentylene Glycol, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil / Jojoba Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylamide, Ci 77492 / Iron Oxides, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Curcuma Longa Extract / Turmeric Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Laureth-7, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract / Peppermint Leaf Extract, Menthol, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract - Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil

This mask looks and feels homemade, to be honest. Comes in an orange jar, but when you open it, it looks like baby vomit (I know, I know, it's from the turmeric). However, the smell is unremarkable, more clay than anything else. When I smear it across my face, the chunks of seeds get stuck, and it's not the easiest to get a uniform spread. That being said, it is still a lovely mask. You just look kind of scary because your face is a weird yellow vomit color with chunks all over.

Cranberries are lovely, but I have realized that they are my least favorite when they are just the seeds and in my face mask. It is harder to wash this mask off in comparison to other less chunky masks.

However, it does bring a smoothness and glow after the 15 minutes it takes to get all the product off and make sure that the seeds are captured in the sink's net and not actually going to clog the drain. It's a lovely mask, even though I am not a fan of the grit and physical aspect of exfoliation. 

Tales of a Sunscreen Junkie

Being ghastly pale it took me years to realize that any SPF that was under 30 was not enough to protect my skin. Hopped on the sunscreen boat early and started with SPF 15 in my Aveeno face moisturizer as an 18 year-old. However, only after the appearance of dime-sized sun spots on the top of my feet in my mid-twenties did I realize the grave mistake I had of not putting sunscreen everywhere and the need of a higher SPF range.

Neutrogena did not work for me, especially in the humid environs of Taiwan. Once my pores open up and I try to reapply my sunscreen, Neutrogena gets into my pores and creates a fiery feeling-- without actually giving my skin any redness. It simply burns and makes me want to claw my face off.

Aveeno (SPF inclusive) moisturizer was too oily and greasy for the humidity Taipei had throughout the year, and for a while I actually stopped using moisturizer. GASP. Ah, the mistakes of an early 20-something. However, I will vouch for living in an always humid climate-- it really works wonders for your skin and gives you a natural moisturizer you never knew until you were without. If sun care is maintained properly, you really could be without moisturizer and still have wonderfully atmosphere induced chok-chok.

In 2012 I briefly lived in Seoul, Asian Beauty Skincare Capital of the world! Also, the Sample Capital of the world. I miss getting cotton pads as samples, as they were the best for removing nail polish. It was there that I also thought that I should care more about my skin. This actually started out earlier that year in February when I visited and bought a toner and emulsion from Holika Holika. I loved this duo-- but it wasn't doing it for my skin in hot, sticky, and humid Taiwan, so I stopped using them.

SUNSCREEN became really really important when I joined a dragon boat racing team and we would spend our mornings on the track of ShiDa working out. By mornings, I mean 6 am, we don't play around. Having such fair skin is a curse when the sun is always out and you are sweating everything you've got to sweat on the field. It was then that the love of my life, Japanese Sunscreen, came into the picture and I haven't looked back since.

My go to in Taiwan? It's a small blue bottle that I could find for $100 NT (around $3 USD) that I would shake up and slather everywhere, Biore's Super UV Milk SPF 48. Unlike any sunscreen I've used before, it was milky, watery, and leaves an extremely white cast-- that I got all over my friend's motorscooter's seat when he would give me a lift to water practice. (Whoops! It took a while to fade, but he said he missed it after a while....) Since I am so pale, the white cast issue was never truly an issue for me, I didn't even have to slather it in well and the white would just blend in with my already ivory tones. However, this may be an issue with anyone who tans or is naturally more melanin-blessed than my Irish genes. White casts are no fun, especially when you are less than ridiculously pale.

Advertised for the face, I used this little blue bottle of sunscreen everywhere and could reapply it without feeling the burn that every single Neutrogena sunscreen ever gave me. My friend swore by a lavender Biore bottle, but hers was nearly twice as expensive and I was going to apply this all over my arms and legs and went through the tiny bottles like crazy. It was not worth twice the price, and it didn't feel any better on my face. This was the first time I came into contact with non-greasy sunscreens, and they all had a weird shake-weight thing inside to mix up the watery texture that does contain alcohol. Never did I think that something that would protect me from the sun would have such an extreme amount alcohol in it. It is a God send, it really is. And look at that, it SPF 48 (perfect!) and PA+++ (highest amount of pluses a PA could rate?). This was my favorite sunscreen and I went through several bottles a month. It was also commonly found shared between my teammates, which I don't mind because I promote good skin care and sunburn prevention.

However, now that I am back in the States, this formula has proved to be a bit too drying. After much research, I followed the cult favorites of all that is AB, I had to give try out Biore's Aqua Rich Watery Essence (which cost over $200 NT in Taiwan, so I never tried it). This sunscreen has proven to live up to its praise, and is as wonderful as all those who have AB'd it before me has said it would be. It is lightly citrusy, goes on smoothly and leaves a nice matte finish that is neither chalky or greasy. Even my mother likes the formula and has stolen two tubes of it from my stash already.

It is NOT the cheapest option though, and as much as Aqua Rich Watery Essence is BAE, I still had the roving eye. Tried a pump dupe of this sunscreen as recommended by the AB crowd, but I'm just not loving the Nivea brand Japanese sunscreen Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50/PA+++) as much. The price is the best, about $12 for 140 g, versus $8 for 50 g, but it gives me too much of that chok-chok fresh from a facial look that I am not exactly the biggest fan of. It makes life easy because I just use a pump or so and slather it on my face post-moisturizer, but that fresh out the facial look is only sometimes appreciated.

This roving eye has also been showering Shishedo's Senka's Anti-Aging yellow tube sunscreen lots of love because I am no longer a young 20-something. It is only slightly cheaper, $7 and change for 50 g, doesn't have that citrusy smell, but something else. It has a nozzle tip, so it's easier to apply with precision (which I kind of missed with the Aqua Rich tube, which was just a normal kind of squeeze tube). The anti-aging marketing ploy has got me, and I have an equal amount of the blue and yellow tubes stocked in my stockpile of Asian Beauty products. The Aqua Rich's price fluctuates on Amazon, but Senka is lesser known and is pretty steady on the lower end of $7 a tube. My loyalty is still with Aqua Rich, but I think I treat it more carefully knowing that it is a cult favorite and that is why the prices jump around for this product more so than the Senka tube. We will see how it plays out. Not as in love with the Senka sunscreen, but not finding any faults with it either.


Oh I and I have this random red Sunplay sunscreen from Taiwan (though it's by the well-known Japanese brand Mentholatum), but the only image I could find that looks like what I have is SPF 130, which is ridiculous and I don't think mine actually is that high. Mine is only SPF 50, but the bottle looks just like the one pictured on the left, with the funny cat drawing and everything. It reminds me of the little blue bottle from Biore, which means that once I brought it home I realize that it was too drying, and I that I would only want to use it on the most humid of days. Which, oh my goodness Climate Change, really has not allowed to happen much this year as of yet. It feels like April still and it's June, our poor Earth is sick and we're really not doing enough to help out.

Due to the limited access of these products (mainly via Amazon, and then, since they're Japanese imports, it takes about a month to get here), I do not want to waste such precious formula on my body. Therefore, I have become a sunscreen junkie and buy sunscreen where ever I go to cover the rest of me. Especially if they are cheap and under 3 fluid ounces so that I could bring them on my carry-on when I travel, since I hate check-ins and travel without if possible. (Yes, I am one of those ladies with backpacks bigger than their torsos, trying to stuff it in the overhead luggage space.)

Bottles/Tubes/Cans of Sunscreen I have on rotation:

1. Nature Republic Provence Calendula Perfect Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++ 150 ml - This is old, I really should have been done with this. But, the internet says it's good for three years and then it loses effectiveness, so, I guess, it still has a year to go.
2. Hang Ten Classic Face SPF 30, 3 oz - Weird sticky glue texture, I use it for my body, but I originally wanted it as a travel sunscreen. Maybe that's why it was on super sale at TJ Maxx.
3. NO-AD SPF 45, 3 oz - Bought as a travel sunscreen at a close-out places for $3, carry-on size approved or 3 fluid ounces. It doesn't really have that sunscreen smell, which is lovely surprise.
4. Max Block 50 SPF Kids Sunscreen Lotion, 3 oz. - Bought this in a Dollartree in Las Vegas because I ran out of sunscreen. Typical western sunscreen in all the ways, but I cannot complain because it only cost me a buck.
5. Tommy Bahama California Dream SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Lotion by Coola® 6 fl oz.- TJ Maxx purchase, smells nice, but it's still heavy western sunscreen and I only use it on my body.
6. Supergoop! Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil with Meadowfoam SPF 50 5 fl oz- Got this for still too much money on a Sephora sale. It sprays, but I don't feel like it spreads so I'm always annoyed when I use this because I don't feel like I'm getting good coverage. Also, it's an OIL, which is counter intuitive when I think about sunscreen and subliminally bothers me. I know it's SPF 50, but I feel like I'm not getting what I need out of a sunscreen with this oil. Also, got the bigger size and have some impulse Sephora sale consumer's regret.
7. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Spray SPF50 with Travel Lotion SPF 30 6 fl oz- Got this on impulse because I was thinking about how I was running out of #5. It's in an aerosol can, and a double set no less, but the rest seemed greener than my other sunscreens, so I wanted to give it a try. Honestly, I don't know why I bother with sprays, more of the product protects the air than it does my skin. Bonus travel size lotion included though. Got to love Costco, so darn affordable.
8. Tommy Bahama Unscented SPF 50 Sport Spray Sunscreen 6 fl oz- My most recent TJ Maxx impulse buy, as I thought again about how I was running out of #5 (and forgot I bought #7).

Skincare Routine Monthly Check-in: June 1, 2017

June 1st! check-in:

Also note that I was having a rough skin month, and I am still recovering from whatever it is that I had that made my entire jaw break out.

1. Oil Cleanser: After I started to break out earlier in May I stopped using this step because it was fairly new and I wanted to go back to basics.
2. Water-based Cleanser: sum37's Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick. At the very end of this stick, which I started on Nov. 7, 2016. Last Duty Free stick, will use the Amazon purchased one afterwards.
3. First Essence: Innifree's Soybean Energy Essence which I finished just the other day. Thinking of incorporating Missha's FTE, but also want to give my skin a break.
4. Moisturizing Toner:  A mix between Kikumasamune Moist toner and/or Enprani’s Dear by Enprani Moistfull Booskin.
5. Serum:  Caudalie's Vinoperfect serum, for half the month, but then my skin freaked out and I took a break.
6. Eye stuff: Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm was nice to use, but I think it made my fine lines even more pronounced, and I turned 30 and was freaking out about it making a non-issue an issue and stopped using eye creams. With the exception of the GinZing from Origins which is used about five times this past month.
7. Moisturizer: The Snail Solution 70 cream was done, went to my good old basic of Mizon Black  Snail AIO for moisturizing. Wasn't sure if the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® which became my night moisturizer was a part of the acne problem, but too many new things so I stopped using it half way through the month as well.
8. Sunscreen: Still using Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ and mornings I usually do a pump of Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50/PA+++. Added several other sunscreens to my collection of body sunscreens. Several are aerosol spray from Alba and Tommy Bahamas. I only use spf 50 or more, as I know 30 still makes me liable for sunburn.

Loved Leader's Too Much Fun in the Sun mask, and used it four times already in one month and had my sister run to TJ Maxx while I was out of the country to get the last box they had. (Ten sheets for $10.99, what a steal!) Got Kiehl's clay mask of Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask for my birthday from my childhood friend. She knows me so well. The little hard seed parts just don't seem to work

Used Pacifica's Future Youth Enzymatic Resurfacing Mask which I got on sale at TJ Maxx as well, for $6.99, but it BURNS. BURNS SO BAD. Even though my skin does not turn visibly red, I can still feel the pain and therefore have left it to be a neck-only mask since my face is too much of baby to take it. I really want to like it, as it is a clear aloe looking gel that glides on smoothly and is refreshing. But with that burn, nope, no face, sorry.

But yes, keeping it simple since in the second week of May my face had jawline acne like no tomorrow, though it has calmed down, I can still physically feel the dry patches and bumps. 

Just cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Basic.

Rave: Daily Wonders Too Much Fun In The Sun? Leaders Mask

Was walking around the other day, and coincidentally enough, I had spent too much time in the sun and my face was slightly red and irritated. Silly me has yet to perfect the art of reapplying sunscreen (even though I carry a tube of Senka in my purse!).

So it was a good thing that I had impulse bought these masks at the local TJ Maxx. Other Asian Beauty forum and bloggers have raved about Leader masks. Never had the chance to try it because I wasn't going to pay more than a $1.50 for a single sheet mask. It's one time use! The ten pack was only $10.99 and I said, "fuck it, I'm just going to get it!" I also said that for a jar Pacifica Future Youth Enzymatic Resurfacing Mask which I need to patch test because I put it on my face and started to feel a burn.

But this Too Much Fun in the Sun? mask was just perfect. Using it at the end of the routine, I went from toner to mask and slept with it on for as long as I could. Peeling the mask off in my sleep, the next morning I didn't feel a layer of goo like I have with other masks. It soaked in pretty thoroughly and made me feel so much better. It smells a bit strongly, like of a laundry detergent, but once you get over the smell, the feeling is just divine.

Loved it so much that I used it two days (nights) in a row! Was going through a trouble skin issue, but this makes me skin feel so smooth and calm that it seems like magic. Would repurchase and I look forward to treasure hunting more Leaders masks at all TJ Maxxes.


Who's got a new favorite mask?

THIS GIRL.

Skincare Routine Monthly Check-in: May 2, 2017

Second day of May check-in:

1. Oil Cleanser: After seeing someone swear they got rid of grits by using an oil cleanser, I decided to break open my The Face Shop - Rice Water Bright - Cleansing Light Oil, which I got at duty free forever and almost two years ago (it's oil, it's fine, I swear). Using this at night, the pump is pretty generous, and I put one pump on, rub around, then with damp hands rub in a little more. My pores look lighter to me, I am liking this so far, and it really does seem to make a difference.
2. Water-based Cleanser: sum37's Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick. Seriously, I can't be without it.
3. First Essence: Innifree's Soybean Energy Essence I am almost done (finally). Will incorporate my Missha FTE back into my routine when this happens.
4. Moisturizing Toner:  Kikumasamune Moist toner is great, but I've decided to first use Enprani’s Dear by Enprani Moistfull Booskin and then layer Kikumasamune second. I just want to use my hydrating toners, and why not do a "2 Skin" process?
5. Serum:  Caudalie's Vinoperfect serum, It's nice, I don't know if it's doing anything, but I am going to use it as much as possible before it possibly "expires." Caudalie has been opening more stores in the city, with "spas" included, but that's ridiculous and totally out of my price range. 
6. Eye stuff: Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm at least once in the PM and sometimes in the AM. I had NO IDEA this stuff cost $68 USD. That's ridiculous. I have a sample is quite generous and have only made a small dent though it's been a couple weeks. Got it from the September 2016 Sephora Play! box. Still liking Origin's GinZing on gym days. Sephora Play! you are going to jack up the affordability of my skincare routine!!
7. Moisturizer: The Snail Solution 70 cream is almost done, only a couple more times left in the jar. However, at night I have not been using it, and instead I spray a couple spritzes of Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® into my hands and pat into my face and neck. It smells like a great perfume and leaves me less greasy than most moisturizers, but still has that nice oily touch to it. It's a nice night time routine.Will reach for a Mizon Snail cream, one of the few jars I've stockpiled, once this snail cream is done.
8. Sunscreen: Replaced BAE Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence, with a yellow bottle of Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++. It's about a dollar cheaper a bottle and has a nice nozzle tip. It goes into my purse and has been my sunscreen of choice since I'm trying it over the Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50/PA+++. Sometimes, in the AM I use it and get that fresh dewy chok-chok look. However, since I put this little yellow bottle in my purse, I usually just use that. Been using up my older sunscreens on the top of my feet (flat season!) and my arms (summer's coming!).

Currently in a No-Buy stage

Impulsively ordered two more bottles of Senka sunscreen because it was $7.02 on Amazon. (Gah, it's 6.92 now on May 2nd!)

Need to stop buying, but if I do, I need to stop from Amazon because there's nothing new.

Looking at Stratia's Liquid Gold, which I have seen popping up on the AB reddit a bit. Is it AB? I have no idea, I just know that less AB and more affordable care is all the rage right now. Especially with handpicked ingrediants from low-cost places like The Ordinary. Though I did browse The Ordinary, I didn't see anything that really caught my eye, nor did I hear well about their new popularity with leaves people waiting for weeks. Maybe it's just reddit gossip, but I don't really need to wait weeks for something cheap when I really don't need it or know how good it is.

The other product I am looking at from Stratia is their soft-touch AHA. Always trying to work actives into my routine, this is a gentler acid and can be used with Vit C, I think?

Of course, there's the pricey Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, which is crazy expensive, hard to get, and is a cult classic from people who are and aren't in the skincare world. I mean, there are like, six million reviews.

Do I want to smell weird but have fabulous skin? I guess I can try... But first, get the cheaper basics down before you find yourself an expensive new habit.