It’s time to make room on your top shelf for Herbivore’s life-changing mask.
(Maya Lang / Rowdy Magazine Online Writer)
As a certified-skincare addict, sometimes it feels like I’ve tried everything under the sun. From Korean-beauty crazes to snail masks, I’m willing to try anything that’ll make my skin look smoother than a newborn baby’s.
That’s why I was surprised when I realized my new favorite face mask, Herbivore’s Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask, was sitting right under my nose at my local Sephora the whole time.
First Impressions
At a whopping $48, this is probably the most expensive face mask I own that isn’t a free sample. But, with glowing reviews from skincare gods like Hyram, I had to splurge just this once. (And I have to admit, I did feel slightly boujee).
The packaging is sleek, minimalistic, and looks adorable on my bathroom counter. My friends always tease me about buying products based on cute packaging alone, but at least this time that wasn’t the case.
Mask On, Mask Off
The pungent smell which seeps out of the glass jar from the first time it’s opened is something that you’ll grow quite familiar with if you’re the proud owner of this mask.
The Herbivore website describes the scent as “deeply herbaceous and slightly medicinal,” but I just like to call it eau de cough syrup. My nose hairs were slightly singed upon first use and I struggled to hold down my breakfast, but trust me when I say you’ll get used to it.
My expectations were a thick, creamy, lapis-colored mask that was as deep-blue as the ocean. Instead, I was treated to a mossy green liquid that reminded me of an algae-filled swamp. The mask is supposed to vary in color, but aesthetically I was slightly disappointed.
Applying the mask was as it comes with a handy little spoon to scoop up the product (as it should, considering how much I paid for it). I thought I would end up looking like Shrek with how green the mask was, but it was actually more transparent.
(Maya Lang, Rowdy Magazine Online Writer, with the Herbivore’s Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask on)
When I initially put the mask on, I was a little bit nervous about the mask’s warm tingling sensation. But, it slowly transforms into the cooling, spa-like feeling that I love. After 15 minutes, I rinsed off the mask with cold water.
Taking off the mask wasn’t a challenge, but the smell was a different story. It lingers. Even after using my cleanser, my face smelled “deeply herbaceous” for the rest of the day. I finished off with a thick moisturizer and facial oil, and my skin was good to go.
The Final Verdict
Despite the weird experience with the mask from the black lagoon, the results don’t lie. After completing the rest of my skincare routine, my face felt smoother, looked brighter, and appeared less dull. My pores were much less noticeable, and the irritation on my face subsided a little.
Of course, you won’t see drastic changes from just one use. Although calmed, my acne and acne scars were still there, and will probably take a few more uses to completely disappear.
That being said, I think if you’re going to buy one face mask, this is the one you should get. Face masks can be a bit gimmicky sometimes, but this is one that I think shows enough promise to actually incorporate into my routine for the results, not just for the cute Instagram pictures.
Maya Lang is an Online Writer at Rowdy Magazine. She enjoys playing guitar, staying up far too late, and daydreaming about living in the '80s. You can reach her at mayalang58@gmail.com for more info and movie recommendations.