My last post looked at The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum. I also got some of La Mer's The Intensive Revitalizing Masks as well, which has been very well received in general. Luckily, I've been given a generous amount of the mask as samples whenever I made a purchase so I never really needed to buy a full size one just like with the La Prairie cleansers (full review). Here are my thoughts after using it on and off since it was launched.
Scent
There's no mature scent like with their new hydrating serum, but the mask indeed smells quite artificial. My man also feels the same. No matter how many years I've been enjoying La Mer moisturisers, I really don't get the scent of The Intensive Revitalizing Mask. There's definitely a La Mer hue, but it smells more powdery that it gives me a headache. It's quite annoying as I always love the scent at the beginning before putting it on, then I get sick when I actually massage into my skin. To be honest, it smells way better and tolerable than the hydrating serum personally, but it isn't good enough to me. Do I have too high expectations from La Mer? Anyways, this is the main reason why I only use samples of the mask when it's given to me upon purchase.
Consistency
The leave-on mask is in a non-oily lightweight emulsion cream texture unlike their heavy creams. According to my man, it's just a little lighter than their lotion. Just like the hydrating serum, a small amount goes a long way and penetrates into skin fast.
It leaves skin supple and smooth, which makes it great for a year-round leave-on mask. It has also been working brilliant under make-up as it hasn't been overly stimulating natural sebum production.
Benefits
This refreshing cream mask energizes, plumps and protects, instantly infusing skin with youth. Potent, cell-renewing Miracle Broth™ immerses skin in the healing energies of the sea, helping promote its natural renewal process. The new Vitality Ferment drenches skin with hydration as the new Purifying Ferment helps neutralize free radicals and protect skin from the invisible drivers of aging – fatigue, stress and pollution. In just 8 minutes, skin looks healthy and plump. Revitalized.
Full Ingredients
Water\Aqua\Eau , Isododecane , Algae (Seaweed) Extract , Dimethicone , Glycerin , Butylene Glycol , Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride , Peg-10 Dimethicone , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil , Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal , Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil , Sodium Gluconate , Copper Gluconate , Calcium Gluconate , Magnesium Gluconate , Zinc Gluconate , Tocopheryl Succinate , Niacin , Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder , Sea Salt\Maris Sal\Sel Marin , Nylon-12 , Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure , Hydrogenated Polyisobutene , Isononyl Isononanoate , Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone , Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul'S Wort) Extract , Helichrysum Arenarium (Everlasting) Extract , Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil , Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil , Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract , Laminaria Saccharina Extract , Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract , Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract , Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) , Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract , Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract , Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract , Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract , Chlorella Vulgaris Extract , Laminaria Digitata Extract , Hydrolyzed Rice Extract , Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 , Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein , Sodium Hyaluronate , Caffeine , Hydrolyzed Algin , Acetyl Glucosamine , Cholesterol , Trisiloxane , Phytosphingosine , Yeast Polysaccharides , Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Wax , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 , Sucrose , Polysilicone-11 , Caprylyl Glycol , Synthetic Fluorphlogopite , Tocopheryl Acetate , Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate , Sodium Pca , Urea , Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline , Methyldihydrojasmonate , Trehalose , Polyquaternium-51 , Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate , Hexylene Glycol , Tourmaline , Tin Oxide , Bht , Limonene , Linalool , Geraniol , Citronellol , Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Phenoxyethanol
Effectiveness
I love how versatile this mask is. You can use it either day or night, and it can be used alone, over the serum or even under the moisturiser. Even better, it's a leave-on mask that you don't need to wash off, which makes it very convenient for people with a busy lifestyle. However, I personally think that the name Intensive is quite misleading. To be honest, I didn't find the mask to be that intensive in terms of hydration. Even the texture doesn't feel that intensive as it's very lightweight and it doesn't feel deeply penetrating. And if it was truly intensive, then why would a company even suggests a daily usage to be used under the moisturiser. To me, it just sounds like Sisley Emulsion Ecologique which is a boosting emulsion considering the usage and the texture. La Mer The Intensive Revitalizing Mask may be a multi-tasker, but I feel that it isn't enough to compete with other high-end masks such as Sisley ones.
It may be a cheaper alternative to La Mer moisturisers, but it is nowhere near as hydrating as the moisturisers. If you are thinking of purchasing it for the Wow factor, then you might want to test it beforehand. It isn't effectively hydrating or soothing for the price and for the sake of La Mer. I'm very confused with the name Intensive, and it's just sad whenever La Mer delivers La Mer-less quality. At the same time, I feel quite violated as it feels that the company hasn't been very focused past few years compared to their competitors. I really hope that they will bring out better products in the future without taking down their reputation or even compromising quality :/. Sigh.
Where to Buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- La Mer The Hydrating Facial (Sheet mask)
- La Mer The Lifting and Firming Mask
- La Mer Moisturisers/ Crème de la Mer
- Chanel Sublimage Masque (Overnight Regenerating Sleep Mask)
- La Prairie Swiss Cellular White Intensive Illuminating Mask
- Sisley Face Masks
- Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask
- Chanel Le Lift Masque de Massage (Recontouring Massage Mask) & Le Lift Massage Tool
