Sheet Masks and Weeds Are Taking Over: Memebox FOMO Mask Unboxing

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I enjoy using the occasional sheet mask once or twice a week, but when I saw the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Mask Box on presale at Memebox for $39, I decided it was time to up my sheet mask game. I was able to use some MemePoints which knocked off $5, making this mystery box of masks even more attractive. Let's see what was inside, starting with these fun colored, albeit landfill cluttering little pods from Prelab. For the few masks I've already used I'll include a more detailed description.

Prelab Skin Energy Mask - White Energy $2

Prelab Skin Energy Mask - Wrinkle Energy $2

Prelab Skin Energy Mask - Soothing Energy $2

Prelab Skin Energy Mask - Aqua Energy $2

I've used the Prelab Aqua Energy mask, which was heavily saturated with essence and features sea water to deeply hydrate dry and rough skin. My skin is oily but I'm coming to the conclusion that it's also dehydrated, and this mask did a good job of moisturizing without feeling too heavy or breaking me out. The  mask itself is 100% natural fiber derived from botanical plants and my biggest issue was unfolding it, but beyond that it fit and wore well.  There was enough essence to smooth it down from the mask onto my neck and decollete with a wear time of about 35-40 minutes.

Ingredients:  Water, methylpropanediol, glycerin, butylene glycol, sea water, trehalose, sodium hayluronate, allantoin, panthenol, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, xanthan gum, tromethamine, carbomer, disodium edta, ethlhexylglycerin, chlorphenesin, ethyl hexanediol, 1,2-hexandiol, fragrance.

The most represented brand was Mediheal, and I'll start with the fancy masquerade themed Dress Code series, which allows you to play dress up while treating your skin. 

Mediheal Dress Code in Blue - Aqua Care $3

The Blue Aqua Care contains hyaluronic acid, lavender extract, and rosemary extract to hydrate dry and rough skin.

Mediheal Dress Code in Violet - Tone-Up Care $3

The Violet Tone-Up Care contains several high quality berry oils and extracts to help brighten and revitalize the skin.

Mediheal Dress Code in Red - Ginseng Care $3

The Red Ginseng Care contains ginseng as its main ingredient, which is supposed to help the skin develop stronger cells. Other key ingredients are

• Trehalose:  rehydrating and water binding properties, antioxident 
• Betaine: humectant and anti-irritant  
• Fig Extract: hydrating and provides enzymatic exfoliating action 10x greater than papaya 
• Mulberry Extract: lightens age spots and uneven skin tone
• Gingko Biloba Extract: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

The mask was richly saturated with essence to the point where I was able to wear it for a good 35-40 minutes. My skin felt mildly tacky afterwards but not to the point where it bothered me for felt like too much for my skin, something I've noticed with some masks. My skin was plumped, well hydrated, and I did not experience any morning after whiteheads, which sometimes happens when I use overly emollient sheet masks. Overall, thumbs up.

Mediheal also has a more medical looking series of masks, no doubt connoting serious ingredients for serious skincare benefits. Or at least I'm hoping:

Mediheal E.G.T. Timetox Ampoule Mask $4 (firming)

Mediheal I.P.I Lightmax Hydro Nude Gel Mask $4 (brightening)

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Hydro Nude Gel Mask $4 (moisturizing)

Mediheal P.D.F A.C-Defense Hydro Nude Gel Mask $4 (acne and oil control)

Mediheal P.D.F. A.C Dressing Ampoule Mask $4 (heal and sooth irritated, troubled skin)

Mediheal Mogongtox Soda Bubble Sheet $4 (deep cleansing and exfoliating)

Mediheal I.P.I. Lightmax Ampoule Mask $4 (brightening)

Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Ampoule Mask $4 (moisture regulating)

I think the most visually appealing set of masks to me is the Banobagi Vita Genic jelly masks.  I like the simple and colorful design and that I can tell what each mask's primary purpose is at a glance, without having to look up acronyms (I'm eyeing you, Mediheal). These are currently $6 at Memebox, and I received 2 of each:

The sneak peek mask was the Oozoo Face Injection Mask Hydro Lift ($5), which features a separate serum with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients including Ceramide, Ectoine and Beta-Glucan that you inject into the mask.  Fancy.

Also high on the visually pleasing scale but rather low on quality (based on Be-light's usage) are the Urban Dollkiss masks (6 total). The currency artwork is stunning, but the masks themselves are on the small side and rather dry. I guess they will be good for nights when I don't want to sit with a mask on my face for 30-40 minutes, as the one I tried was dry after about 10 minutes.  Oh well, let's enjoy the artwork.

Urban Dollkiss Welcome to Korea Be-light $2

Urban Dollkiss Welcome to Korea Impact Essential $2

Urban Dollkiss Welcome to Korea Moistful $2

Urban Dollkiss Welcome to Korea Solution $2

There were a total of 30 masks from 5 different brands, which averages out to $1.13/mask for what I paid. Personally, the reasonable price + the variety = happiness for me. I can get a bit overwhelmed when perusing Kbeauty products, so something like this helps me experiment and discover without spending endless amounts of time reading reviews prior to purchasing. Not that that isn't fun as well....but you get the point.  The FOMO Mask box is sold out, but Memebox is always adding new boxes, so I'm sure something comparable will be coming down the pike.

Sephora Collection Face Masks

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

I know that facial sheet masks are quite common in Asian skincare lines, but coming across them in Western brands is few and far between.  So, when I saw that Sephora has a collection I decided to try them out.  As a point of reference, my skin is oily, congested, and prone to breakouts.  I have relatively few wrinkles for my age, but I do have sun damage and hyperpigmentation.  Sephora has a code (MASKLOVE) where you can get 5 masks for the price of 4, and I chose:

• Lotus:  Refreshes tired skin and reduces signs of strain and fatigue. 
• Ginseng:  Tones and energizes while providing a tightening effect for a plumped and supple complexion. 
• Pearl:  Perfects and brightens with natural-origin pearl to create high luminosity. 
• Pomegranate:  Awakens, energizes, and protects the skin with antioxidant-rich natural pomegranate extract. 
• Honey:  Nourishes and balances to soothe and refresh dry or sensitive skin. 

I won't list the ingredients for each mask, but they do have core ingredients plus extras based on what the focus of the mask is:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Piroctone Olamine, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Maltodextrin, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

 The additional ingredients for the Lotus mask are:

• Lotus Flower Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, and Rice Extract: Refresh and provide natural moisture. 
• Corn Starch Extract: De-stresses and relaxes skin, leaving it rested. 

The masks are heavily saturated with essence and fit well on my face.  I like to use them at night while watching TV, and leave them on for as long as 30 minutes although 15 is the recommended time.  There is enough essence still left in the mask even after 30 minutes that I wipe it on my neck, chest, hands, etc.  The essence does absorb into the skin nicely and did not feel overly tacky, although I wouldn't be able to do this in the morning and then apply makeup without feeling I had too much on my skin.

After using the masks, my skin does feel refreshed, soft, and plump.  I find masks to be more of a pampering experience as opposed to something that produces long term effects, but to be fair I use them infrequently at best.  My favorite versions of the four I tried were the Ginseng and Honey, and I particularly enjoyed using one while relaxing in my hotel room after flying all day (air travel and security checkpoints that included a full body pat down in the 'private' booth, ugh).

My final thoughts are that these are expensive ($6) and I think they would be better priced at about $4.  I'm glad that Asian skincare products are becoming more accessible to Western consumers who know where to look, but mass market options are still few and far between and Western comparable products are always more expensive, it seems like:-(