Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask

So I'm really not sure where I sit with this one. This was my first foray into Dr Sebagh, tempted by the many rave reviews extolling the glow-giving virtues of the Deep Exfoliating Mask.

The mask is a thick creamy orange paste with a rather pungent smell. Lord knows what gives it that colour! I've been slowly working my way through the pot and used it five or six times - perhaps once a month or so. According to the instructions, "maximum effect will appear after 3 months of continual use one or twice a week." I haven't used it enough to test that theory, but I am a bit underwhelmed thus far.

The first time I used it was, thankfully, at night. I felt a fair bit of stinging, particularly where my skin was a bit drier such as around my nose - the instructions say some stinging is normal. However when I removed the mask I was horrified - my skin was red, fiery looking and blotchy - and stayed that way for a couple of hours. Had I used it in the morning before work I would have had to apply a very heavy face of make up to avoid scaring my colleagues (remember when Samantha has her chemical peel in SATC..?)

Perhaps foolishly I continued to use the mask (determined to get my money's worth!) and not every time has resulted in the red scary face.  And I do notice some improvements to my skin after use - it looks clearer, smoother and perhaps just a bit glowy. But not spectacularly good - and my skin also feels quite tight and somehow 'stripped' - though a bit of moisturiser solves that problem.

All in all, not a huge fan of this product and I'm not in a hurry to try any other items from the range. I won't be buying it again, because there are other masks that I get better results with, that don't feel (and look) as though I'm harming my skin. Would be interested to hear what others think of this line?

Dr Sebagh Exfoliating Mask costs £59 for 50ml. I purchased mine from Beauty Expert.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask

Despite receiving Sisley's Radiant Glow Express Mask for Christmas, I greedily purchased the Express Flower mask when it popped up on eBay a few weeks ago, having been wanting to try it for a while.

I've used this mask a few times now, normally applying it at night.  It is kind of a tricky one to review as the effects are actually kind of hard to describe. You apply in a thick layer, leave for 3 to 5 minutes then simply blot away any excess - don't rinse (apparently this is so the plant extracts will continue their 'beneficial effects'). I have to say I love the convenience factor - you can just apply it then go to bed basically, without having to worry about rinsing, toning and moisturising etc.

Sisley describes this mask as 'hydrating, toning and firming' and according to the website it is designed for  dehydrated skin, which is why I think it doesn't work quite so well for me as it has for others - my skin is on the oily side, though I have had a few dry patches this winter. Whilst I do like it, I don't like it quite as much as I do the Radiant Glow express mask (reviewed here) which is probably in my top five products of all time.

The Express Flower mask feels lovely and soothing when you apply it, and certainly makes my skin feel moisturised. My skin the next day definitely looks healthier and more hydrated and a bit more rested (not sure about toned and firmed). However the effects are not quite as pronounced as the Radiant Glow mask, which really does do exactly what its name suggests. For me I would say the Express Flower mask is more of a treatment mask if that makes sense, something I'd use to give my skin a moisture injection rather than to give me a glow for a night out or special event (although the Sisley website does say the mask is ideal before an evening out to make the skin look 'rested'). The effects aren't quite enough to make me want to forego wearing make up, which the Radiant Glow mask frequently does, however I do think my make up looks better after using the Express Flower mask.

I'll certainly use this up, and it will be a nice treat for the rest of the winter when my skin is a bit dehydrated or stressed, but I think my skin is perhaps a tad on the oily side to see the real benefits of this so whether I'd repurchase I'm not sure. If you have skin that's on the drier side however, I think this would be a real treat.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask costs £72.50 for 60ml.