Making true to my resolution for 2012 of masking at least once a week, I decided to dig through my stash of masks for something to try out today.

In the process, I thought why not do up a 'series' on my blog where I showcase the masks I'm using each week, unless I'm using the same mask again. With this I would also be more commited to this resolution and making sure I stick to it.

These entries would in no way be considered a review since what I can provide will be superficial information such as ingredients, how my skin feels with the mask on and post-mask. I never believed that a single mask usage will be able to do anything life-changing on my skin and I'm too fickle to stick to one mask for over a month so these entries are generally to showcase some masks I'm trying out. It's more of a sharing session then anything since there are so many sheet masks out there please feel free to share with me your masks of the week as well!

Starting off my masking sessions, I'm looking at clearing out my sheet mask stash but I do welcome suggestions for masks I should look into be it sheet or 'paste'. Who knows, I might even turn to concocting my own masks from ingredients around the house as this goes on. Masking might very well become my next obsession!

So rambly intro aside, lets get on with the first Masking Up feature.

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I dug through my stash and found this pretty old mask (old but not expired!). I think I might have gotten it as a gift from someone (not a company) but I can't remember whom and why. All that aside, I thought Sponge Cucumber sounded pretty neat so, here goes!

Description (as per Sasa.com):
Kuan Yuan Lian NATURAL CARE Sponge Cucumber Mask contains some natural botanical extracts like luffa, Hamamelis, gardenia and even hyaluronic acid. It helps to soothe and replenish skin, alleviating the dehydrated and tense feeling. Leaving skin a healthy vivid glow.

Since I can't provide detailed reviews of these masks, the least I could do is give a low-down of the ingredients listing.

Aside from the botanical extracts I liked that this contained Aloe Vera, which is soothing, and Witch Hazel. I have this strange attraction to anything with Witch Hazel, perhaps because I used to use a Witch Hazel-based skincare line through my early teens. While it's not one of the main ingredients in this mask, Witch Hazel has lots of medicinal properties. It's widely known for being effective against acne for it's astringent qualities and yet also soothes and provides relief.

So lengthy paragraph done, that's the ingredient run-down,

Mask-wise, it comes soaked with a plastic 'backing' which you have to remove.

I wore the mask for 20 minutes before removing it and massaging the remaining essence into my skin. As with all sheet masks, I don't like leaving the essence on because it makes my skin feel tacky so I rinsed it off.

Here's my masking and post-mask finding:

• Skin felt a little bit tingly and minty during the masking
• Skin felt supple and smooth after the mask
• My skin felt a little taut after rinsing hence I moisturized, which I rarely have to do after a mask.
• Taut-ness aside, my skin did appear to be firmed up (albeit temporary unless you use this long-term).
• There was an after-mask radiance to the skin

So that's that for the first of my 2012 masking adventures!

Like I had mentioned, most findings on here are very initial and in no way a long-term gauge of how it will work out but it's still fun to share. I find most masks leave a similar post smooth-ness and supple-ness so I believe that will be mentioned quite a bit.

Do feel free to recommend any mask brands I should try out be it sheet masks or tube/paste ones.

Thanks for reading!