[Review] Rosie's Ross Premium Matcha Powder; Green Tea DIY Mask

Price: RM80 (~$20) for 28 sachets
(I was sent a 7-day trial sachet in exchange for an honest review)

Verdict: 7/10

Repurchase: No for teatox; Yes for the Matcha Latte (already bought two)

Price & Shop

I have a weakness for good tea. Good Matcha Green Tea leaves, which is hard to come by when you consider how perpetually broke I am. I would drink coffee, but too much caffeine gives me a short high and a nauseating low that lingers for an entire day, which is just not worth it.

That said, I'm willing to spurlge a little when it comes to food and drinks... and breauty products. When I came across this local brand of matcha powder, I was immediately intrigued. Then I saw how it is possible to use matcha powder as face masks and I was hooked. The instructions there were to email them for further direction (so complicated. XD) as to how to use the sachets as masks so I did exactly that. I emailed them to ask about how the powders would work as face masks and they kindly offered to send me a 7-day trial pack in exchange for an honest testimony. So, for 5 days, I used this as a face mask, and drank the remaining 2. In addition to the Matcha sachets, I was given a free sample of their Matcha Latte. 

Ingredients & Directions

Each sachet contains 2g of premium matcha green tea leaves. As you can see, that's not much at all. The square sachets are in silver foils that can be tore open easily.

Ingredient: 2g Premium Matcha Green Tea Leaves.

Directions:

1. Prepare a small bowl, pour 1 sachet of matcha, add bit by bit of water. 
2. Slowly stir the mixture, make sure the matcha mixture become a thick paste (so that you are able to put on your face)  
3. Apply the matcha mask (thick paste) onto your clean face for 20-30minutes. 
4. Rinse off. 

Texture

I've tried a few ways to use this wash off green tea mask. The first, is of course the way they suggested. The green tea dissolved completely in cool/warm water and didn't have a problem spreading on my face. It was smooth and layered easily. It felt exactly like smearing tea on my skin, which, I assure you, was absolutely glorious. I didn't want to wash this off after the twenty minute mark because the occasional whiff of matcha green tea was just glorious.

Usage & Performance (Skin)

Using it just the way the owners suggested was, frankly, a little drying, which was disappointing for me. I'm more used to the soft and supple feeling on my skin after using Skinfood wash off masks. In addition, because it dried on my cleansed skin without an underlying layer of moisture, it ended up sucking the moisture from my skin and was almost impossible to wash off without the help of my cleanser. Even then, I was wiping off green gunk with my toner, which wasn't the best feeling in the world.  

With that in thought, the next two time I used the mask I added a few... alright, a teaspoon of Hada Labo Gokujyun Moist Lotion as well as a teaspoon of Scinic Honey AIO. That helped the tea dry on my face without sucking out all the moisture from my skin. It also washed off easier and left my skin soft and glowing. I really enjoyed using it this way and would definitely recommend adding a hydrating lotion or any other liquid moisturizer to the green tea. Regardless, I still needed to use a cleanser to get this off completely, but it did not leave a film of green on my skin, which was nice. 

Another way I tried to use this was mix it with water and soak a cotton mask in it. Then, I put this on my face and yay! I have a green tea sheet mask! ^^ I used it this way twice and prefer this to any other way. It was very moisturizing and left my skin very soothed and relaxed after! The inflammation from my skin calmed after sheet masking with just pure green tea soaked in a cotton sheet mask. I could keep the mask on for a good half hour before it dried. I rather enjoyed using it this way the best because it didn't require me washing my face off vigorously after. The only reason why I needed to wash this again afterwards is because it left a green film on my skin, which requires too much explaining to be worth it.

I enjoyed using it with the sheet mask the most though, since it left my skin sooo soft and soothed. 

After five days of using the green tea, I noticed that it made my skin absorb other products better! That was an odd, but welcomed side-effect. I can't really attest to terms of fading acne or brightening since neither happened, sadly. 

Weight Loss Performance

Weight loss. I masked 5 times with the sachet and drank it twice so I can't really attest to the weight loss possibility this promises. In terms of weight loss... well, if anything... I actually gained weight through this week, but that has more to do with my weight fluactuating than this not working. I've also only managed to take this as it should for two days out of the seven sachets given, since I was more curious about how it would work on my skin when drank directly. My weight lingered around 45kg(99pounds), sometimes getting to 47kg (103pounds), which for my height (5'2), is considered healthy, if a little underweight. So really wouldn't want to lose more weight anyways. ^^

The taste of the green tea taken directly was... sub par. I didn't particularly enjoy drinking this straight up, to be completely honest with you. It tasted a little too leafy for me, though that might just be my peasant taste buds being unable to process premium green tea correctly.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Smells amazing.
• Works well as a sheet mask or mixed with other hydrating lotions. 
• Short ingredient list, so if you aren't allergic to green tea, you're good. ^^ 

Cons

• Expensive at the price of RM80 (~$20) for 28 sachets of 2g.
• A little drying if used on its own
• Leaves a film of green and turns me into the hulk

Price: RM80 for 28 sachets
(I was sent a 7-day trial sachet in exchange for an honest review)

Verdict: 7/10

Repurchase: No for teatox; Yes for the Matcha Latte (already bought two)

Just a friendly reminder that the 7 green tea sachets here are sent for free for my consideration. Thoughts shared here are my own honest opinion, as always. :) 

On a side note, I was given a sample of the Matcha Latte and enjoyed it so much that I bought two packets of it already. Their store is selling two for RM59. If you're in Malaysia, shipping is free via Shopee: Link Here (Not affiliated). 

[Review] Guardian Snail Mucus Moisturising Face Mask

Price: RM5.70

Verdict: 0/10
(Skip to Performance to find out why)

Repurchase: Lol. No way. 

Price

I bought this from Guardian during one of their 3 for 2 sales. It's normally priced at RM8.50 per mask. Guardian does quite a lot of buy 1 get 1 free mask, I've tried another mask from this line and I remember being quite happy with it. I have now sworn off all Guardian masks... once I'm done with my stash. 

Purchased from: Guardian

Samples: None. 

Delivery Time: Not Applicable (bought in-store)

Fit & Texture

The mask it made with pure and natural cellulose tencel sheet, which, as you can see, is somewhat transparent. The snail mucus does has a sticky sensation on it but the sheet mask itself feels nice and soothing on my palm. I've put this in the fridge for a little while before so it was cooling on top of that. 

The mask fit very well on my face and I really enjoyed how the mask feels. The essence felt smooth and moisturizing and the mask itself had a faint perfumy scent. There are ample essence leftover in the package and I smeared that on my neck and hands. Bad, bad mistake. 

Ingredients

I had a little trouble looking for the ingredients for this mask since it is no longer available on Guardian's online store for some weird reason. I do, however, have the package still so here you go. :)

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor oil, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrlate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Trehalose, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sacccharomyces/Camellaia Sinesis Extract Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Scultellaria Baicalensis Root Extract,Yucca Vera Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol.

I checked the ingredients on Cosdna here and there was only butylene glycol as a possible acne trigger. 

Performance

This particular mask is the Yuca Vera Extract, which promises intense moisturization. The Snail Mucus is supposed to enhance skin elasticity and reduce the depth and appearance of wrinkles as well as improve skin smoothness. It achieved a total of ZERO of that. Why?

Because my skin rejected this mask the moment it touched my face. At first I thought the tingling sensation was from putting it in the fridge. As I took a picture of how the mask fit on my face, I began to notice pink undertones on the mask. I thought, "Oh, that's cute. The mask is slightly pink."

NOPE. My face was quickly turning red. I pulled it off immediately, and washed the serum off my face.

This mask gets a zero out of ten. I didn't know I could hate anything more than the Guardian Jeju masks I've tried but this one... this takes the cake. I have never reacted so drastically to anything before in my life, so while I understand everybody's skin is different, I would caution you against trying this mask. The fact that it's no longer available on the guardian online store is suspicious. I have seen still being sold in stores though. Avoid. Avoid at all costs. 

Immediately after washing this, I put on an Innisfree Green Tea Mask to soothe the redness and it definitely worked. Stupid Guardian masks. I would give it negative a million points if I could. Actually... I can do anything I want!

Price: RM5.70

Verdict: negative one million /10

Repurchase: No!

[Review] Guardian Malaysia Jeju Lily Face Mask, Jeju Tangerine Face Mask and Jeju Seaweed Face Mask

Price: RM4.15 per piece during 3 For 2 Promotion

Verdict: 0/10

Repurchase? No.

I bought these Guardian Masks during a brain fart moment. The price for the individual mask is RM6.20 and Guardian Malaysia was having a 3 For 2 sale. I somehow failed to think, 'oh, so it's RM12.40 for 3 masks and thought it was RM6.90 for 3 masks'. Bah. Nevertheless, I thought they'd be interesting and bought six of them. They were twice the price of what I usually budget for masks (RM2) so I had high expectations.

This Guardian Jeju Lily Face Mask is imported from Jeju Island and claims to be able to replenish essential daily nutrients on your skin and brighten tired, dull skin, leavint it radiant with a natural glow.

The main ingredients were as follows:

Aqua, glycerin, butylene glycol,peg-32, betaine, peg/ppg-17/6 coplymer,phenoxyethanol, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, panthenol, phormium tenax extract, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, ethylhexylglcerin, xanthan gum, parfum, allantoin, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate, camellia sinensis leaf extract, nelumbo nuciferra flower water, dissodium edta, dipotassium glycyrrhizate.

Instructions were to leave them on for 10-15 minutes and then remove from your face. Massage slightly to aid absorption and no rinsing required. 

Let me tell you, I hated this mask with a vengeance. Even the skin on my arms and legs, which I had slathered with the excess essence, hated this mask. This was not the first of the guardian masks I've tried. I've also tried their nourishing Jeju Tangerine Face Mask and hated it.

 And then I tried the ultra-soothing Jeju Tsubaki Face Mask and also hated it.

I'm not exactly a mask connoisseur. On the contrary, I've only ever tried a few store and cheaper sheet masks so I shouldn't be able to complain. But man, these masks were stuffy to keep on my face and left a sticky residue that stayed for ages! Even in an air conditioned room! Instead of achieving their promised results, my pores were clogged, my face felt sticky and uncomfortable, and I couldn't wait to get rid of them!

 I will definitely not be repurchasing Guardian brand masks in a while In the meantime, I still have three more of the Guardian Jeju masks and two more Golden Cocoon masks. I hope they'll be better than these but my expectations are way down now.

Verdict: 0/10

Repurchase? No.

Innisfree Sunway Pyramid [Innisfree Comb, Volcanic Clay Mask, Green Tea Sheet Mask, No Sebum Mineral Powder] & Mini Review

I went on a short wedding trip last weekend for my friend's wedding and took the chance to spend a few extra day offs with my SO, who's the best, btw.

For the first night, I stayed at Cititel for ~RM200 per night with and an additional RM20 deposit for the key card, which we got back after returning the key cards. If you're planning to stay at Cititel, make a reservation directly through their website. It's actually cheaper than going through booking sites. I suppose that's cause they don't need to pay additional fees to them. Midvalley was literally just downstairs, which is incredibly convenient. The hotel was a hotel though. It wasn't too amazing, but it wasn't bad either. I had an enjoyable stay. Great for convenience.

http://www.cititelmidvalley.com/

The second and third night we were at Dorsett Grand Subang, also for RM200 per night thanks to a Groupon Deal. This hotel. Fuyoh. Selesa daooo (super comfortable). It comes with free buffet breakfast, which is solely responsible for making me fat during my short trip.

http://www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang/

Dorsett Grand Subang had free shuttle to Sunway Pyramid. And there's Innisfree in Sunway Pyramid.

There's no Innisfree in Sarawak.

I love Innisfree.

Picture From Innisfree Facebook Page

It's clean, which may sound like a given but it's really not. It's hard to be clean in Innisfree. They're super bright and the display is basically a million leaves that can collect dust like nobody's business. I have a severe dust allergy that turns into flu every chance it gets so having a clean shop makes me immeasurably happy.

During the four-day-trip to KL, I went to innisfree a total of three times. I'm only slightly ashamed of myself.

I bought an Innisfree Wooden Comb and a No Sebum Mineral Powder and signed up for a membership at Innisfree. In return, I was given a free best loved collection sample kit. They contain a 5ml Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, 10ml Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask and 10ml Innisfre Orchid Enriched Cream.

Image From http://www.tweedme.com/

They're tiny and are the perfect size for testing and sampling. I haven't managed to try any of the samples since my testing schedule is packed, but I did try out the comb, no sebum powder & Super Volcanic Pore Clay mask (Reviews coming up).

The second gift for reaching RM30 was two green tea sheet masks and the third was two more green tea (I wasn't given a choice. :( ) sheet masks and this little baby! I'm excited to try this out too, but it'll have to wait.


That's all for today! Thanks for reading! :)