Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

May 14, 2008

Etude House Moistfull Mask Review

I love Asian brands.

Here in the US we aren't privy to many popular products available within various Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. One such product that isn't as popular here as it is abroad are facial masks. Face masks are a very popular item that come in a number of different formulas and are available from many popular brands such as Kose, Kanebo, and in the case of my review, Etude House.

What exactly is a face mask?

I think here in the US we are pretty much conditioned to associate a face mask with something you'd get in a tube. Something you'd apply and either peel off, scrub off, or wash off. The most popular form of facial masks from Asia are actual masks! As in a mask with holes cut into it for your mouth and eyes. The masks are pre-soaked in different skin treatments such as whitening agents, lotions for dry skin, moisturizers for wrinkles, etc....different masks cater to different skin problems! Each mask is made of a linen like paper that is shaped and contoured to your face. You leave the mask on for anywhere from 5-10 minutes and allow the contents of the mask to sink into your face. It's a beautifully relaxing experience that's also very beneficial to your face. I've found masks are very helpful for my dry skin in the winter!



You might recognize the brand Etude House if you're from Korea or you might remember it from a blog entry I did recently! Etude House makes a line of skincare entitled Moistfull. It's a rather wonderful line of product with a nice, inexpensive price tag!







I'm particularly in love with the masks! The masks are packed full of a moisturizing lotion that makes your skin feel positively spoiled for 5 to 10 minutes with long term benefits! The mask is heavily saturated with a combination of lotion and serum that will make any dry, flaky patches on your face disappear!

I can't begin to describe to you how amazing the mask feels when it's on and how wonderful your skin feels after use! The mask fits perfectly over your face and I adore how it contours the shape of my under eye perfectly. Why is that important? This is the perfect solution for getting more moisture under my very dry eyes!

After 10 minutes of leaving the mask on my skin feels cool, refreshed, wonderfully soft, and moisturized! I normally do this treatment before bed while reading a few chapters of a book. The best part is when I wake up in the morning my face is literally glowing and I feel like I can go without makeup!

Etude House Moistfull Facial Masks definately get a hearty Muse Approval for purchase if you can find them! But fear not if you're unable to locate them you can always use any number of the facial masks available from different brands such as Kose, Kanebo, Sofina, and more!

Facial Masks are a wonderful, and for me, essential part of good skin care!

Do you use facial masks?

What are you favorite brands?

Tell the Muse!

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56 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wah! I hate those face masks! They freak me out!

Now I must comfort myself with some jazzy K-pop:

http://blog.naver.com/dami8495/70029512341

May 14, 2008 at 2:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would have loved to see you in that mask ;) LOL

May 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

NOOOOOOOOOO they are the awesome Mandy! How can you say dat?

stop with the bad grease wannabe etude commercial you evil biatch ;)

May 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

emelie,

i swear I was on the verge of posting a pic but I didn't want to fuel the fire for the haters ;)

Musings and the Muse are a hot topic for bashing so I thought maybe I better not load anyone's gun with a pic of me in the mask ;)

I already have a nose strip Muse floating around cyberspace ;)

May 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love face masks! But where is your FOTD with this baby? LOL j/k!!

My fave is Apivita's one in the lilac packaging, for dry/sensitive skin. i'm actually wearing it now! Works wonders for me!

Love!

May 14, 2008 at 4:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love face masks too!

My favourite is the NouriFusion® MultiVitamin Moisture Mask. It's a creamy, silky mask that really hyrdates my dry skin. Here's the link: http://www.herbalife.com/catalog/catalog.jsp?cid=292832&pid=890557. I'm down to half a jar and will have to restock soon! :b

May 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM  
Blogger Beauty Addict said...

Hey Izzy, ooh I love the packaging of the mask.

I'm loving Japanese brand Hisamitsu Life Cella range of mask esp the orange mask. Also loving Skin Food, Beauty Credit, The Face Shop, Laniege, ZA, Missha face masks.

gracie :)

May 14, 2008 at 4:48 PM  
Blogger Jamie said...

These remind me of the SK-II masks, which I LOVE. What is the price for these? Can we get them in the States?

May 14, 2008 at 5:02 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey linn!

LOL I know :) I was seriously considering an FOTD with it don't laugh ;)

I never seen the apivita face masks! Wow! That's news to me :) I've seen the tube ones but never the actually masks! Will have to look out for it ;)

May 14, 2008 at 5:56 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya liz!

Good to see you :)

That looks fab! I never tried any of the herbal life skincare line! I've heard some great things about it ;)

I used to use the v e mask from BS for a while. It was a wonderful hydrating mask for dry skin!

May 14, 2008 at 5:58 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey gracie!

I love anything by Hisamitsu! Especially the overnight eye mask!

I like the Missha face masks as well!

I haven't tried the Skin Food ones or the ones from Laniege! Count me tempted :)

May 14, 2008 at 5:59 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya jamie!

Might I ask how much are the SK-II masks? Curious minds!

Sadly no. Not available within the US only Korea :( However Kanebo, Kose and a ton of other Japanese brands can be found within the states. Drugstores all over chinatown carry a ton of selections!

I wish I could find these here ;(

These are about...I think 9 dollars for a box of 5? or maybe it was like $7..

It's really cheap!

I was on my last one but I'm getting some more. When I do I'll send one your way if you wanna try 'em!

May 14, 2008 at 6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a firm believer of masks (I think it's a pretty Asian thing?)
I use about ... 3-4 different kinds of masks a week.
I have a charcoal peel-off mask from Daiso (Japanese chain of $2-items, kinda like The Dollar Store in the USA) that yanks off the facial hair (ouch) for smooth skin.
Clean & Clear deep cleansing clay mask for ... deep cleansing.
And then sheet masks from Taiwan (I get them cheap from importers at like say, USD0.60 a sheet :P). There's the whitening ones, ones supposedly with caviar, hydrating ones, etc.
I love how masks make my skin so soft and supple!

May 14, 2008 at 7:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Izzy, what's this v e mask from BS that you speak of?

I used the Herbal Life Skincare line for dry skin for about a year. Really liked it, especially the night cream and the mask. Their MultiVitamin Exfoliating Scrub is also fab, very gentle and works wonders. The only reason I'm not using it now is because I can't find it here in Dublin! (My last batch was sent over to me from Taiwan by my mum. :P)

By the way, I wrote a post today just for you! ;)

May 14, 2008 at 8:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for coming by my site! :) We don't get Etude here, but I like these sheet masks in general. They are so easy and fuss free to use! I use Kanebo but there are many others available here. Asia is big on sheet masks and convenience lol... Great site!

May 14, 2008 at 10:46 PM  
Blogger Taryn said...

I have some of those masks from Japanese magazines, but they frighten me! They remind me of the Edvard Munch painting or The Scream mask.

Maybe I could cut one and just do my lower face since my forehead barely ever needs moisture...

May 15, 2008 at 12:43 AM  
Blogger plue said...

hi darling

i thought neutrogena has some nice face mask? i think it's the fine fairness one... got great reviews about it taiwan's discussion board~

oh, wanna ask, what brand of japanese cosmetic is available in shanghai? tot of asking a friend to pick up some stuff there for me. is nars available there???

May 15, 2008 at 3:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hiya!! This is Noelle =] I hope you still remember me...;p

I absolutely love facial masks!! they work like magic!! I'm currently using Sofina's Memory White facial mask and my skin feels so soft after using it.

I actually have a little question. Have you tried cream blush before? I read so many great reviews on Bobbi Brown's cream blush. I tried it on today but it feels a bit sticky on my hand :( I have combination skin so I'm a bit afraid that cream blush wouldn't work well with my skin. Do you think I should only stick to powder blush?

May 15, 2008 at 7:17 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi loey!

Ditto. It is very Asian. We don't have companies that make these. Most "masks" come in a jar or a tube. Shu does them and some high end posher brands but we can't walk into a drugstore and purchase one sadly. I wish it would catch on here b/c it's truly a good experience for your skin! I purchase most of mine from friends abroad or ebay sellers. Walking into a store and picking one up would be great!

I heart Daiso! There is one in CA did you know? I'd love to try this one! Sounds interesting!

Thanks for the comment ;)

May 15, 2008 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya liz!!

I dunno if they make it anymore..going to have a look now...
yup they do here:
http://www.thebodyshop.com/bodyshop/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=GkS9ty71K472aCjbarN9Dg**.bsbwilapp04-bsprd-app-102?productId=prod50003&categoryId=search

It's a moisture mask. I used to use it every night in the winter but I haven't purchased it in a while.

Thanks for the recs on HL. I actually have a dealer in my area so now I'm kinda lemming it. I have dry skin in the winter and always looking out for the next best thing to make my skin nice and soft :)

For me? Ohhh must go check! I love you *mwah*

May 15, 2008 at 9:06 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hello paris!

You're most welcome. Might I say how adorable you are and how chic a sense of style you have ;)

Where are you from?

I love 'em too. I wish I could find brands in the US that did these :(

I use the Kanebo ones too. The combo pack is awesome.

I concur! Def a popular product in Asia wish it was so here :(

Thanks so much for dropping by! Hope to see you again really soon!

May 15, 2008 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey taryn!

I have a few myself from mags ;) LOL!!!!!!!!!! Awww ;P

Sure why not. They are pretty saturated in product so definately a good idea not to use where you don't need it ;)

May 15, 2008 at 9:11 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey plue!

Nope :( Could be your side but not here sadly :(

Lord I'm not really sure in all honesty. I've never been to China only Japan and Thailand :( Wish I could say. I imagine that they should have many popular Japanese brands considering Hong Kong has practically everything! Maybe ask on MUA?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think NARS is available outside of the US, Europe, and Australia. But I could be wrong!


Sorry I couldn't be more help lovie!

May 15, 2008 at 9:15 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi noelle! I do indeed how are you!?

I concur :) Sofina makes some awesome, awesome ones :)

I have tried the BB rogue blushes are those ones you tried?

I think maybe cream blushes do tend to be a tiny bit sticky but it doesn't bother me too much once blended in!

I wouldn't stick to just powder. I'm a combo and I use powder, cream, etc.....maybe if you found the texture to sticky try a stain instead? Stains are long wearing, blend easy, and aren't sticky at all :)

It's all a matter of finding a brand that works well for you! if BB is too sticky try mac or another brand :) I'm positive you'll find the perfect cream blush with a bit of looking around ;)

Hope this helps!

May 15, 2008 at 9:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ha, OK, I confess, I didn't understand the short-hand; v-e = Vitamin E, BS = The Body Shop. :)

You know what, I'm actually using their Vitamin E range at the mo: the toner, illuminating day cream, night cream, neck gel, and body lotion. I like everything except the neck gel and night cream. I don't really know if the neck gel works or not, and I suspect that using the night cream on my neck would suffice. What do you think? As for the night cream... hmmm... before purchasing, I read on MUA that some people found it to be greasy and yet not moisturising. I didn't believe it and now I kinda regret. Upon applying, my skin feels smooth, but the next morning, it becomes a grease ball but still dry, you know what I mean?! Anyway, I won't be repurchasing the night cream after I'm done with this one. Gonna try Dead Sea Magik. Do you know that brand? I think it's organic products but not sure (I found their range in organic/health shops here).

May 15, 2008 at 9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Facial masks are really convenient to use. I normally use them when I’m lazy. There are so many brands and different kind of masks here! But somehow my fav masks are still masks that comes in a tube. My fav are from Kose and The Face Shop.

May 15, 2008 at 9:52 AM  
Blogger Sonia said...

I really love your blog and your posts. I also have a blog (in Finnish) and you have been a great example for me. I think Asian facemasks are very good, I have many that are used at night and they work like a dream!

May 15, 2008 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey liz.

Sorry I'm a total laze sometimes when typing hehe!

Haven't tried all that stuff but been tempted by the night cream good to know you aren't liking it, saves my pennies!

honey you aren't old enough for neck cream ;)

Night cream on your neck is perfectly fine. I use it under my eyes as well ;)

absolutely understand as the same happens to me with philiosophy hope in a jar. feels amazing on my skin but within an hour or two my skin is an oily mess!

I've never heard of that brand? Hmmm! Any good? I normally use When Hope is Not Enough for my night cream. Feels gorgeous...almost like oil on my face but softens lovely!

May 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey serene!

totally! I use them when I am feeling lazy too or just to spoil myself!

It's so funny to hear you say that as I'm all over the sheet kind and not so much the tube! ;)

We have no options for sheet types here in the states...!

blah!

boohoo!

May 15, 2008 at 3:36 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi jossu :)

Thank you so very much! I really appreciate your kind comment :)

I'll browse over to your blog in a few ;) even if I can't understand I love looking at pretty pics hehe!

I concur! I wish we had more options available here for asian sheet masks :) I'd be in heaven! They work so wonderfully!

Hope to hear from you again soon!
Thanks for the comment!

May 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Izzy, but it's never too soon to start slowing down the clock! ;)

Dead Sea Magik, hmm, I don't know where it's from, but a friend introduced their products to me. She's Asian as well and has slightly dry skin. I don't know how well their cream would work for me but it's not expensive, so I'm gonna try!

May 15, 2008 at 7:04 PM  
Blogger na said...

I always see similar things when I'm at the Japanese supermarkets, but never really understood what they were. They definitely seem a lot less messy than most facial masks!

May 15, 2008 at 11:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe becoz I nv get to finish my tubes so I don't really think about using too much sheets? :P

May 16, 2008 at 9:24 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

heya Liz!

Agreed! But you're still gorgeous anyway and not really needing neck cream hehe!

Sounds interesting! Drop by and give me a review? Curious as I'm dry as well!
Happy Weekend honey! Thanks for all the comments lately! I missed talking to you!

May 16, 2008 at 1:01 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi Emilee!

Yup! They are quite popular in asian markets. I run across 'em too!

They are less messy and so wonderful!!!!!

The products are saturated in product and I feel so spoiled when using 'em :)

May 16, 2008 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey serene!

Very true. I never finish tubes either ;)


Happy weekend!

May 16, 2008 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger Sonia said...

Thank you! I think sheet masks are so much more effective than liquid ones. I have tried Silk Whitia masks (asian brand) I love them, they really do what they promise! I have been toying with the idea to make another blog in english, because if I put a translator to my current blog, translations won't make any sense because Finnish language is so complicated. I think I'll try Etude's masks as soon as I find one.

May 16, 2008 at 2:35 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

you're most welcome jossu :)

I agree. They are also less messy! I think most asian products really do what they promise which is a big change from drugstore brands here in the US :)

I wish we'd catch up!

I've wanted to started another blog myself but at the moment this keeps me way busy lol!

I love looking at the pics on your site at least hehe!

Etude House is a difficult one to locate online sadly but if you shop around MUA maybe find someone who can CP it :)

Hugs to you!
Happy Weekend!

May 16, 2008 at 4:34 PM  
Blogger [a} said...

They sell masks like these in Saudi Arabia, too! And so cheap :) I think they're made in Korea or Malaysia, someplace far away anyway..
Anyway, I LOVE that fresh, wonderful feeling on the skin that they give..it's like the feeling you get with Vicks, you know? Like the skin is BREATHING for the first time.

May 16, 2008 at 6:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure, I'll do a review of it after I get it and use it for a while.

I miss talking to you too! Drop by my blog when you find time! ;)

May 18, 2008 at 7:34 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

Hiya a!

I wish wish wish I could find these in the US for cheap!

These particular ones are from Korea.

True! true! it does give that very nice breathable feel. Light and airy!

I heart these!

May 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi liz!

I look forward to it :)
I surely will!

I sometimes miss reading my fav blogspots b/c I'm so busy keeping up with comments, emails, and posts!

Hugs!

May 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM  
Blogger plue said...

Musey dear,

you know, when I went to check with Etude House at my place, they say they don't sell Moistfull in sheet mask! All they have is the one in jar and is always OOS :( Big boo! :(

cheers,
plue

August 18, 2008 at 3:30 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey plue look at you pretty good in your profile :)

Nice to put a face to your name!

oh no really?! :( I got mine a s a freebie with a purchase wonder why it's not in store BOO! if I come across more will send some your way :)

August 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM  
Blogger plue said...

Morning Izzy!

thanks for the compliment :)
you look good yourself too!
love love love your cheeks :D

there's a sheet mask called My Scheming Beauty, wonder have you heard of it? It seems to be highly raved, but I am still sourcing for genuine ones, I've heard there are ppl selling fakes! If I get some, I'd be sure sending you the whitening and moisturing ones!

huggiez,
plue

You can never run out of whitening sheet mask! :P

August 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

Morning Plue!

How are you darling!?

You're most welcome!

Aww you're too sweet *blush* I'm nothing special though that's for sure :P

Mmm no not that I know of. Really?! Are they expensive?!

LOL you're awesome! Thanks so much plue!

MWAH!!!!!!
Hugs!

August 19, 2008 at 12:32 PM  
Blogger plue said...

Morning Izzy!

The Scheming Beauty mask isn't very expensive, depending from who and where you buy from. But becuz it's such a hit, a lot of ppl are selling fakes made in China, the genuine ones are made in TW. >_<

When I get hold of the genuine ones, be ready to give me your mailing address! :D It shouldn't be too long from now. Cross your fingers darling!

August 19, 2008 at 10:26 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

good morning plue!

ha no kidding?

These sound amazing! also the ZA under eye ones sound delightful! I may need to try these :)

Crossing fingers and toes lol!

;)

Hugs!!!!!!!!

August 21, 2008 at 9:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi thanks for the nice reviews! i was wondering where you get your products? I mean where you buy it? I hope to get a response from my blog. thanks!

take care!

September 30, 2008 at 7:10 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hello lein

I have friends that live in Asia and send over items that I request :)

Hope this helps!

September 30, 2008 at 9:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where do you get these from?

October 13, 2008 at 6:48 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

Hi Kenny

I have a friend in Korea who sent them over.

October 13, 2008 at 2:49 PM  
Blogger C said...

I picked up a few of these masks when i was in Korea earlier!
I tried one a few days ago and they're AMAZING!
yay Etude House!

October 29, 2008 at 7:21 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi c!

Sorry for the delayed reply!

Aren't they!???????? I adore these things!

October 31, 2008 at 3:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hello muse, just found your lovely blog and adore it! i'm chinese-american and i live in a pretty asian area in the US, where there are a lot of h-marts and asian beauty stores, so i enjoy access to amazing asian goodies like these masks, which i love to pieces. here are some brands i've found that are very good:

ECHO's and CHATTE are both sold in a korean store, and the packaging is exactly the same, so they might be the same brand, i'm not sure. but they have so many kinds of the regular goo-ish masks, from peel-off to wash-off (though sadly not the phantom of the opera type). they're amazing! the types range from pearl (which i just tried and is HEAVENLY), plaster, charcoal, green pea, peach, charcoal, mud, tea, apricot, and just everything in all the pretty colors of the rainbow. they come in packets big enough for two uses (though i just put it all on at once) and are only a dollar each.

Clearderm and Purederm are both sheet masks and are just wonderful. Clearderm has 'flavors' like royal jelly, milk, and honey, while Purederm has aloe, rice bran, and chocolate--just a few of the ones i've tried.

but yeah, these things are amazing! i use them around once a week for my combination skin, which has a tendency to a big ugly zit or two if i don't wash my face, and the masks just make my skin really nice and soft, everyone always compliments it. :D

anyway, like i said, love your site!

December 3, 2008 at 9:32 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hello there viennacantabile!

Good to meet you :) Thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying Musings!

You're so lucky! Although we have alot of Asian markets and such around here I rarely come across many good beauty products!

Echo makes such fab items :) I've never tried Chatte though! I've tried the charcoal base..love these for mattifying my skin and unclogging pores!

Oh my gosh you have an array of products available :) You're quite lucky!


I really love asian masks and I wish that US brands would catch up with the craze :) As they are simply great!

Thanks for sharing your favs and ones you've tried :)

Hope we'll talk again soon!

Thanks for taking time to leave a comment!

Hugs!

December 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM  

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