Erno Laszlo Firmarine Lift Face Mask

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the companies nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

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I am fortunate to receive face mask from Erno Laszlo thanks to Influenster. I took this picture from my Instagram.

Product Review: Erno Laszlo Firmarine Lift Face Mask

Where to purchase: Sephora and online at ernolaszlo.com
Price: $80 for 4 x 70 mL/2.5 fl oz (step 1) and 4 x 17 g/0.6 oz (step 2)

Made in France

Description from the package: A mix-to-activate firming and hydrating modeling mask that softens fine lines and wrinkles, quenches thirsty skin, soothes, cools and instantly plumps skin's surface.

Made with mineral-rich sea water and spirulina maxima - a high powered algae extract, restore firmness and bounce from the inside out.
Ingredients:
Step 1 Liquid/Liquide: Water (Aqua/Eau), Glycerin, Algin, Phenoxyethanol, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Triethanolamine, Spirulina Maxima Extract.

Step 2 Powder/Poudre: Diatomaceous Earth, Glucose, Algin, Calcium Sulfate Hydrate, Distarch Phosphate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Allantoin, Magnesium Oxide, Pullulan, Silica, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Ci 42090 (Blue 1), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5).
Thoughts: When I first received an email saying I'm getting this, I wasn't too sure how the mask work. I'm so used to sheet masks and masks that come in one container. The funny thing is when I received the package, I was still confused. I didn't understand the concept until I actually mixed the formula.

Here's a closer look at Step 1, the liquid formula, packaging.

Here's a closer look at Step 2, the dry formula/powder, packaging.

It also includes spatula-like tool to mix the mask, as well as, apply the mask onto the face.

Here's a closer look at the mixture of Step 1 and Step 2.

Here's how the mask looks on me.

Now for my overall opinion... First of all, there's a slight scent while applying. It smells like peppermint. It only lasts for several minutes. After awhile, the smell diminishes or I just get use to the smell that I don't notice it anymore. I just sniffed the products (liquid, powder, and the mixture of liquid and powder) and they all smell like peppermint. Secondly, I like the packaging. It comes in a box with two different color/style (steps) packages. I might be a little biased but it doesn't hurt the packages come in blue (my favorite color). With that said, the packages are sturdy. It comes in a foil-like packaging. I cannot see it open or break unless you are rough with the packaging. For that reason, it's travel-friendly. With that said if you do take this traveling, you will need a container to mix the liquid with the power. At first, I thought you might be able to mix the liquid with the powder in one of the foil packaging but I don't think it's a good idea. You have to work hard to mix the mixture. The chemistry of the mixture changes quickly. You need a decent size container to quickly mix and apply onto the skin. I will get into this in a bit. Third, the consistency of the liquid (Step 1) is on the thick side. It's looks more like a clear, light yellow gel. The consistency of the powder (Step 2) is finely milled and it's light blue. When you mix the liquid with the powder, it turns more blue and you will see the chemical changes initially to the end. In the beginning, it reminds me of toothpaste. Then it thickens with each second. For that reason, you have to work fast. It's pretty interesting and I feel like I'm back in chemistry lab class. It's best to apply the mask while it looks like toothpaste but to be honest, it's hard to do that. I read in a review one person applied it with her fingers. That's a suggestion but I still used the spatula-like tool. Initially, it goes on nicely. It blends out and leaves a nice smooth layer. After couple of seconds, the mixture gets thicker and it's hard to apply a smooth layer. I've used this mask several times and all of them never came out nicely like the picture of the model on the website. I'm sure you can get that result, but you will have to mix and apply within seconds. Most people including I will be hard to do that. In that sense, I don't think it's realistic but it's possible. This is why I say you have to work fast and hard. With that said, it's fun. I enjoyed mixing, as well as, testing the theory how quickly I need to work. It's a trial and error type of product. On the other hand, it's one expensive product to do test runs and it can get messy. The first time I used this mask, I went slow and it was hard to stick the mixture after a certain time. Second time I went faster through my error and I ended up dropping products on the floor of my bathroom. It wasn't a pretty sight but it was easy to clean. With that said, thicker is better with this product. Even though I applied a thick layer, I had extra leftover in the container. They give you a decent amount of mixture. Once it dries after 15 to 20 minutes, it turns into rubber. If you have a thin layer, it's harder to remove. The mask breaks. If you have a thick layer, it removes nicely in one layer. That's why it's better thicker than thinner. Initially when you apply the mask, it has a cool sensation as in refreshing coolness. During the winter, it can be cold but it's alright now with this hot LA weather. Then the cooling sensation turns into a tingling sensation. I usually don't like the tingling sensation because of pain. There's no pain whatsoever with this mask. It just feels refreshing from beginning to end. Lastly, I love the result. It felt the same as when I apply sheet masks. My skin looked refresh, brighten, and it glowed. Also my skin looked and felt hydrated. When my skin is hydrated, I notice less fine and thick lines. I'm glad I got to try this product but it's pretty expensive. One mask is $20 when I can get a lot of sheet masks for that price. Also, sheet masks are less messy to work with but it isn't as fun as this particular mask from Erno Laszlo.

Pros:
* Slight scent while applying; smells like peppermint.
* Comes in a box with two different color/style packages.
* Packages are sturdy.
* Travel-friendly.
* Liquid consistency is on the thick side; looks like a clear, light yellow gel.
* Powder is light blue, finely milled consistency.
* Mixture changes consistency from beginning to end.
* Interesting and fun.
* Thicker than thinner application is best.
* Decent amount of product.
* Turns into rubber.
* Cooling, tingling, and refreshing sensation.
* Skin looked refresh, brighten, and it glowed.
* Hydrating.
* Less noticeable fine and thick lines.

Cons:
* Costly.
* Does not come with a container.
* Need to work fast.
* Can be messy.

Would repurchase: Maybe.
Rating:  4/5 Tobey's Paws

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the companies nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.