I thought that La Mer has replaced their discontinued brightening sheet masks with a 2-step primer and cream mask The Brilliance Brightening Mask that they launched last year. However, it turned out that it was just for those with different skincare ritual preferences. Not long ago, they brought out The Brilliance Brightening Facial which has the same concept of 2-step but in a sheet mask.
If you have been a massive fan of their legendary hydrating sheet mask The Hydrating Facial for many years like how I have been, then you may be interested in their new Blanc de La Mer 2-step sheet mask The Brilliance Brightening Facial better than their regular overnight The Brilliance Brightening Mask.
Scent
The Infustion Primer (Step 1) has spiciness kicking through La Mer's signature hue, which kind of reminds me of cinnamon tea. It isn't overwhelmingly strong, so it rather gives a momentary therapeutic effect as it somewhat helps clearing your head with its smooth invigorating scent. Although actual artificial fragrance and phenoxyethanol content is on the low side, it's still quite high in eucalyptus oil and other natural fragrance and preservatives, so those with sensitive/ problem-prone skin types may not get along well despite its lightweight consistency.
Consistency
The Primer has a runny lightweight texture that penetrates into skin very fast without any alcohol derived cooling feel to skin. There isn't much deeply hydrating/ soothing action, but it rather moisturises skin quite nice even just by itself. Even with just one layer, skin beautifully glows and feels supple.
Unlike the primer, the sheet mask is soaked in a rather refreshing gel emulsion that goes on like a gel yet gives a light oil infused finish. It's moisturising enough for Spring and Summer, but you will need to follow with an emollient moisturiser in colder seasons.
Benefits
This 2-step cotton mask delivers brightening benefits in just 8 minutes. Over time, it helps diminish the look of dark spots and even skin tone. Skin looks more refined, polished and luminous. A soothing Infusion Primer prepares skin for the brightening benefits of the sheet mask itself.
- Key Ingredients: Miracle Broth™
- Formulated Without Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates
- 6 Applications
How to Use
Apply the Infusion Primer to cleansed face. Unfold and apply both upper and lower masks. Rest with mask on for 8 minutes, then remove and discard. Massage remaining treatment into skin and follow with your La Mer regimen.
Dilemma/ Tips
Having 6 applications in a package is fine for me as that's usually how much you get with other luxury skincare brands, but I need to mention that I'm left quite confused with those 6 primers included. I do understand the concept, but those Infusion Primers seem to be merely primers from my personal perspective. You are meant to use up one tube with a set of sheet masks, then I believe that there should be some improvement that my skin can feel from the Primer application as it's like a serum step. However, it doesn't soothe or quench my skin as I progressively layer the Primer onto my skin other than making skin feel velvety soft.
There's some minor hydrating feel to skin with a glow, but that's it for my dehydrated skin. Having said that, it works better on Summer days as my skin doesn't normally need intense deep hydration unlike during seasonal changes. There's some overall skin tone brightening effect upon wake-up though, which has been nice for my skin during my cycle and after gardening when my skin tends to look more dull and tired at the end of the day.
And it's important to note that it can get sticky momentarily while layering, so those living in a hot and humid climate won't even like the first step of the facial treatment. There's only subtle hydration and glow, and I don't think that even the quality of the Primer lives up to La Mer since it won't be the ideal for sensitive skin including those who are pregnant or nursing due to its PEGs in their ingredients. Nevertheless, it heals fresh brown spots from hormonal breakouts too, so Blanc de La Mer The Brilliance Brightening Facial may work well even just as a monthly treatment shortly after cycle as it also seems to help with the natural skin renewal process to some degree.
Application
As I've personally found those Infusion Primers being great make-up primers underneath my sunscreen and foundation, I've been using them as a lightweight hydrating glow serum when I have leftover after generous layering a night before. By the way, the way I layer the Infusion Primer is very targeted as I like to double layer on all over my face, then gradually add another double layer along where most of pigments can be noticed such as cheecks, nose, forehead and chin area.
It's very important to let each layer absorb into skin well, so I like to space 30 sec to 1 min apart from applications, but it can differ depending on your skin type and the humidity/ temperature in your environment. In other words, those with more oily skin condition may not even need two layers as it can be too much especially when you follow the step with the sheet mask.
The sheet mask stays put very well on your skin, so if you are a fan of multi-tasking while having a mask on like me, you will appreciate the quality of the mask. It's basically a refreshing version of The Hydrating Facial sheet mask, so The Brilliance Brightening Facial will be a great alternative if you have found their original The Hydrating Facial too nourishing and heavy.
Tips
If you are on a tight budget and/or you want to extend the usage of The Brilliance Brightening Facial, then you could use one of their treatment lotions and/or just one layer of Infusion Primer (Step 1) before the sheet mask (Step 2) application according to your skin needs. And you can apply the leftover Infusion Primer (Step 1) as a day and nighttime lightweight serum treatment underneath generous amount of your moisturiser or thicker consistency leave-on hydrating masks.
It's very important to allow 1 to 2 min for Infusion Primer to get absorbed into skin before any other skincare product and not to overwhelm skin with all the brightening products as they can make skin even more sensitive. Moderation is key as you will still get the similar effect with better customised hydration as long as there's frequent religious sunscreen re-application every 2 hours during the day. Here are some of my suggestions;
- Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm
- Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil
- Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask (leave-on cream mask)
- Guerlain Super Aqua-Mask Intensive Mask (sheet mask/ dry skin)
Young skin
- Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask - Shea Butter/ Acai Berry (sheet mask/ dry skin)
- Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask - Rice (sheet mask)
Where to buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Brightening The Imperial Radiance Mask (Sheet mask)
- La Mer The Renewal Oil
- Kahina Giving Beauty Face Oils (Argan/ Serum/ Prickly Pear Seed Oil)
- La Mer Genaissance de La Mer The Eye and Expression Cream
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask
