My Face Mask Collection: What I Reach For When

Pictured above is my entire face mask collection - I didn't realise I had so many until I came to take the photograph! I thought that I would break down my collection into rough categories, sharing when I reach for what face mask and what I think they're good for. If you're looking for a new face mask to try then I hope this breakdown helps you choose between some very stiff competition! 

When I want to exfoliate and brighten my skin...

I tend to reach for an AHA peel, and the two in my collection at the moment are Madara's Brightening AHA Peel Mask* and Elemental Herbology's Facial Glow. They're both very similar but I think that the Facial Glow is a little bit stronger, making it more effective but also harsher on the skin. However, if you are thinking of trying it out then a good idea is to check Naturisimo's sample section where I usually pick up 15ml tubes for just £2.50 (this is the cheapest way to get your hands on it). 

When I want to declog my pores...

I reach for a clay mask, my long standing favourite is Origins' Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask but I also really like Glam Glow's Youth Mud. A cheaper alternative is Super Facialist's Tea Flower Pore Purifying Mask, but I do find it quite harsh on my more dry and sensitive skin - so I only use this on my t-zone.

When I have painful under-the-skin spots...

I like to reach for something cleansing that isn't too harsh. My two picks are Aesop's Parsley Seed Mask and Antipodes' Aura Manuka Honey Mask. Both do a similar job but Antipodes' mask is slightly more gentle and moisturising. This tends to be the mask that I reach for when I have hormonal breakouts, my current tube is a repurchase and I'd choose it over the Parsley Seed Mask.

When my skin is dry and lacks radiance...

I like to use facial oils and intensive moisturising treatments. My favourite one to repurchase is Origins' Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which is a very thick cream mask with a gorgeous fruity scent. When I want to really pamper my skin I crack out Decleor's Aroma Essence Iris Rejuvenating Treatment*. It's a really expensive product full of essential oils that I use very sparingly, but when I do reach for it I notice that it really leaves my skin looking particularly soft and supple.

LookFantastic November Beauty Box Review

This is the second LookFantastic Beauty Box that I've purchased. Last month I reviewed the September Beauty Box and was very impressed with the contents, although I was keen to see the addition of make-up items. This month I'm still finding myself impressed. The November box offers a great mix of high end brands as well as some cult products, and make-up has been introduced as many people requested. 

I'm very happy to see products from Nuxe, Glam Glow and Hand Chemistry in this month's box. However, I do feel as though there are a predominance of skincare items and that the sizes of this month's samples are smaller compared to the previous boxes. Additionally, although I'm happy to have been given the opportunity to try a product from Eve Lom there is no information given in the box about the ingredients of the cleanser, and this is definitely an issue for me as it would be for many others. I think it would be very beneficial for Look Fantastic to include ingredient information, especially as many samples don't come with the information on their packaging. [Edit: apparently it does come with an information leaflet but mine is missing from the box.]

The contents of LookFantastic's November Beauty Box

Monu Soothing Touch Recovery Balm (30ml)

Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse (15ml)

New CID Cosmetics I Crayon in Strawberry Soufflé

Eve Lom Cleanser (30ml)

Glam Glow Youth Mud Face Mask (15ml)

Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex (30ml)

This month's box is also supposed to include a £10 Coggles Voucher but this was missing from my box.

For £15 (including delivery) I still think that the box still represents good value. However, I'm not as impressed with November's box as I was with October's. Although LookFantastic have sought to include a make-up item (which I think is a good first step in the right direction) I would still like to see more variety in the contents next month. I will be purchasing LookFantastic's December Box - which I will be pre-ordering soon before it sells out - in the hopes that user feedback is listened to and I do still believe that these beauty boxes are some of the best I've seen around. If you're interested in pre-ordering LookFantastic's December box you can do so here.

What do you think of this month's box?