So recently I received in my Birchbox an interesting mask. It clearly stated on the front that it was a black charcoal sheet mask, so you would think I was prepared for what I was about to try out. Before opening it, I read the package and it proudly boasted that it was good for my type of skin. Pimples, check, Large Pores, Check, Excess Sebum, check. To be honest I don’t think I have excessive sebum but I’m willing to bet that I have it since I’m already 2 out of 3.

So, I pull my hair back thinking this charcoal stuff will surely get all over the place, in my hair, on my clothes and I don’t know if Oxyclean gets out charcoal stains, so I’d better be careful on this one. I was home alone and decided it couldn’t be a more perfect time to sit on the couch with a treatment on my face to rejuvenate my skin and get it ready for my day.

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I curiously ripped open the top of the package and peeked inside. What in the world?? As I reached in and pulled out the mask I see that they meant exactly what they said, it’s a sheet mask. I mean this thing was like a black slippery piece of smooth material that I can only compare to felt with holes cut into it. Ok, well, I guess this will be less messy than I thought. I unfolded the mask (so weird) and found the flap for the nose (it’s tricky cuz it blends right into the rest of the mask.  Ok now to position this thing on my face. Slippery sucker. Ok, I’ve got it. There, that wasn’t so bad. Smoothing it down on my face was a small challenge as it seemed as though it was a little too big for my face and so it bubbled up around the edges but whatever, I’m not worried about my edges, I need my oily zones tackled.

Aaaaaand now I wait. 20 minutes on the timer and I sit on my couch ready to let this magic mask minimize my pores, soak up some oil and make me look refreshed and airbrushed. Ok so honestly, I KNOW that one use of any product isn’t going to change my skin so drastically but I’m visualizing my better skin, visualizing what COULD be, so just bear with me.

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Tick tock and finally the timer goes off. As always, I wonder if I should leave it on even longer to get an extra benefit, but I decide to go ahead and follow the directions instead and peel it off.

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There was a slippery substance on my skin, but it mostly just felt wet. I rinsed my face and patted dry. I must admit it did feel cleaner than before and a little more moisturized without feeling lotioned up or greasy. I will admit that my skin didn’t LOOK drastically different, but I can see how using something like this often along with a good skin cleansing routine would work wonders.

All in all I’m glad I tried it. It was less messy than other masks I’ve used, it didn’t smell bad if at all, it was easy cleanup and left my skin feeling alive. I almost prefer this kind of mask to other goopy kinds because it saves time.

Remember to always clean your skin with a cleanser appropriate for your skin type, use a toner (like witch hazel) right after, and always moisturize your skin with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. These are minimum steps that you should be doing EVERY DAY. And if you’re like me, you will go that extra step and invest in a good eye cream and lip balm to protect that delicate skin around your eyes and on your pout.

Stop back soon for my “fav 5 for fall”!!