Snails: the bravest girls would leave these beings ‘have a slow walk’ across their face but, for anyone else, serums and face creams or sheet masks like Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. Essence Mask Sheet Pack, represent a practical and more ‘hygienic’ option.
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. (Snail Essence Mask Sheet Pack) is one of those trendy facial treatments from Korea: a sheet mask you can wear but… not in public!
Vanedo’s motto is ‘Feel the beauty within with Beauty Friends!’, and makes it possible with more than 20 water-based sheet masks rich in natural extracts and vitamins. Each Vanedo mask has one key ingredient you can guess from its colourful package: in this case, it’s snail slime.
This Vanedo sheet mask contains filtered snail secretion which ‘regenerates the skin while it cleanses and hydrates‘, how?
Although disgusting, snail secretion is rich in vitamins A and E, collagen, elastin, glycolic acid and a substance called allantoin. These create an active pool acting as an antioxidant, light chemical exfoliating (read peeling) and moisturiser in one. Thanks to these key ingredients, snail slime is able to facilitate and increase cellular regeneration; it makes the skin smoother and more elastic, while imperfections, fine lines and scars look less visible. Skin texture is refined and skin colour is brighter and healthier.
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. Essence Mask Sheet: product & packaging
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. (Snail Essence Mask Sheet Pack) is folded inside a bag with Korean and English instructions accompanied by illustrations. It’s a lightweight non-woven fabric mask, it’s oval in shape, roundish but flattened at the edges.
Formula and texture: the mask
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail face mask is soaked in its essence so that it sticks well to the face, however, it doesn’t completely cover the face. Indeed, expect some folds on the side of your face, near the temples, due to the shape of this sheet mask. The nose opening is wide enough, those for the eyes are very wide and elongated, resulting slightly uncomfortable. Vanedo‘s Beauty Friends II mask is lightweight and made up of a soft fabric that tends to warm up quickly.
Formula and texture: the serum/essence
The treatment contained in Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail sheet mask is a non-sticky transparent fluid with an odd scent that’s hard to describe. The scent is slightly refreshing and could vaguely recall of cucumber. The essence is water-soluble and doesn’t clog the pores. The water-based formula has been studied to help hydration and the absorption of the many nutrients from plant extracts: portulaca, grapefruit, gastardia and liquorice roots, apricot, soybean and acerola combined with snail secretion (12 mg.). The freshness isn’t a ‘real sensation‘ since I couldn’t perceive it at skin level. This is why I highly recommend placing the bag in the fridge prior to the application.
How to use Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. Essence Mask Sheet
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail sheet mask (Snail Essence Mask Sheet Pack) needs no big tips for correct use; its instruction recommends applying the mask after cleansing and prepping the skin with a toner. This snail sheet mask can be used both cool or warm, by putting the sealed bag in hot water (50C°) for 2-3 minutes. It should be kept for 20-30 minutes and, once removed, one has to let the face absorb the remaining serum.
Under a shower of suitcases, bags and boxes for a big move, I tried to relax with this Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail sheet mask and, given my past experiences, I opened the sachet with extra care… I’ve been surprised (again) by the huge amount of serum contained in this package.
I applied the mask ‘au naturel‘ (at room temperature), but I wished I had it cooled down. The colder the better, because this mask tends to warm up quite fast. Once on my face, I felt a slight itchy feeling around my eyes and lip area; this sensation disappeared quickly but the serum tends to redden the skin. This reaction isn’t a serious issue. From personal experience, I can assure you it’s common when using other snail-based skincare products, because snail secretion is naturally powerful and may irritate sensitive and dry skin areas.
I held the mask for half an hour and, about 10 minutes before the removal, I flipped it and reapplied it. At the end of the session, my skin was smoother and well hydrated; the excess essence, massaged and padded on my face and along my neck, dried out in the twinkling of an eye.
The fluid dries without leaving any residues or stickiness, thanks to its light consistency, unfortunately, it doesn’t leave the skin refresh as I wished… After this sheet mask, the face was ready for the next regime steps: I applied the COSRX Snail Advance 96 face essence, to ‘stay on topic‘, and my day cream.
EXTRA
Here are some extra considerations and details about the Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. Essence Mask Sheet Pack:
- the amount of essence is very generous and shouldn’t get wasted! I kept it till the last drop inside a glass container and I’ve been using it for about a week. I highly recommend keeping the mask in the fridge, in order to get the most from this Vanedo’s sheet mask pack by combining relax, pleasure and care.
- No less important: I strongly recommend to let the mask for just 15 minutes to avoid any redness, itching or annoying reaction.
If your skin is very sensitive, don’t panic: any redness will fade in 5-10 minutes and your skin will shine soon after.
PROS:
- it’s easy to use,
- hydrating,
- it leaves the skin smooth and supple,
- improves skin colour,
- it has a non-sticky formula,
- fast absorption,
- a generous amount of serum in each pack (= more applications).
CONS:
- it might cause redness and light itchiness,
- doesn’t completely cover the face oval,
- isn’t cool or refreshing.
Beauty Friends II by Vanedo Snail 23gr. Sheet mask (Snail Essence Mask Sheet Pack) is easy to find online with many e-shops specialised in Korean and Asian skincare. This sheet mask trend is so popular! I’ve found my Beauty Friends II by Vanedo face sheet mask at My Beauty Routine without extra custom duties (hallelujah!) among a huge collection of face sheet masks.
Would I use it again? Absolutely, but cold next time! Here, again, I sorted the disposable nature of the Beauty Friends II Vanedo Snail Essence Mask Sheet Pack with my green recycling habit: a single pack becomes a week of treatment!
Do I recommend it? Partially ‘nay’: I would recommend it if your skin isn’t prone to hypersensitivity to snail secretion before. To open a sheet mask or not to open it? In my opinion, it’s always the right time for some extra cuddles!
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
