Azra’s Pick is a weekly beauty column that features Azra’s beauty faves, from lipsticks to lotions and everything in between, specifically for gals in their 20s.
Only recently was I introduced to the ever-growing realm of Asian beauty products. If you thought beauty and makeup was a big deal in North America, it’s twice as big in Asia – they don’t mess around when it comes to taking care of their bodies. Remember that whole BB/CC Cream fad? Yeah, that came from the Asian market. You know cult beauty brands like Shiseido, Shu Eumura, Dr. Jart +, SK-II? Yeah, all Asian. So you know their products are serious and are no scam. What’s great about Asian beauty products is that they’re so innovative and quite intriguing. I’ll try almost anything in the name of beauty… I mean… journalism, so when I saw these mask sheets at Holika Holika’s new joint on Queen West I had to get my hands on ’em. I’ve written about masks before, but this was something I’ve never seen.
Holika Holika’s After Drinking Mask Sheets are geared towards women who’ve had a rough (read: filled with booze) night. This mask helps hydrate, brighten, and adjust your skin’s texture for a smoother finish. (Side note: Mom, I promise I’m not an alcoholic!) Now the mask isn’t like your traditional variety where you apply the product to your skin, let it dry, and then wash it off. Instead, this baby is a hydrated sheet with holes for your eyes, nose and mouth, which you can pop onto your freshly washed face. The ingredients on the sheet seep into your skin, giving you a fresher and youthful face. It’s filled with green tea extract (helps to soothe skin and inflammation), rosehip oils (source of vitamin A, which promotes cell rejuvenation), and hovenia dulcis (Japanese Raisin Tree, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties). Impressive, right?
Now, though this is called an ‘After Drinking’ mask, it’s perfect for those who’ve just had a long night or those looking to freshen up (say after a long haul flight or an endless night of work). I found that after use I felt more alive and my face definitely showed it as well. Oh, and these guys are only $3 a pop! You really can’t go wrong.
Holika Holika mask sheets are available in-store (311A Queen St. W) for $3 each.
Are you loving Asian beauty products as much as I am? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.