beauty

'I finally got my hands on the face mask celebs always rave about. But is it really worth it?'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your weekly review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Beauty and Health Editor Erin Docherty reviews the new Loops sheet masks.

In case you missed it the first 500 times, I've been away. And when I arrived back in the office last week, I was greeted with a pile – nay, TOWER – of mail on my desk.

And at the risk of sounding insufferable as hell, it was all recent beauty launches – all shiny newborn products that are just starting to crawl their way onto shelves. Cute!

And I was itching to see what I'd missed out on (A LOT).

But... there was one particular launch that caught my eye. Partly because of the cute and colourful packaging, and partly because of the celebrity hype around them.

Loops sheet masks. 

Watch: You know what else I've tried? Lube. On my face. Check out the video below to find out... why.


Video via Mamamia

Heard of 'em? 

Emily Ratajkowski was the brand's partner a few years back. There were also a ton of celebrities, like Sofia Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, Gabrielle Union, Emma Roberts (and more) singing praises on social media. In fact, Camila Mendes is the brand's newest creative director.

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Anyway, there's been a ton of hype around them and they just launched in Mecca Australia.

There are a bunch of different ones to target pretty much every skin concern, but I received Loops Weekly Rejuvenating Hydrogel Eye Mask, $40, and Loops Variety 5 Loop Pack, $48.

The goods.

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So! Are they really that different to your standard face mask?? Are they as good as all the celebs say?? Will they make you look like Em Rata??

Here are my honest thoughts.

What are Loops face masks?

In short, Loops sheet masks are hydrogel face masks that are specifically made to target different skin needs. There are about six different masks all up, targeting everything from dullness to congestion and dryness.

As mentioned, I received the variety pack, which included the below:

  • Sunrise Service Sheet Mask: de-puffing, brightening, hydrating and antioxidant support.
  • Clean Slate Sheet Mask: detoxifying, deep cleansing, soothing and hydrating.
  • Dream Sleep Sheet Mask: firming, moisturising, nourishing and relaxing.
  • Double Take Sheet Mask: extra glow, brightening, pore refining and calming.
  • Weekly Reset Sheet Mask: promotes youthful skin, super moisturising, pore refining, rejuvenating.

So colourful!

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The masks are made in Korea (the home of face masks!) and are free from a bunch of different ingredients – including parabens, phthalates, sulphates and synthetic fragrances.

Cool. How did you go with them?

Like most other sheet masks, these come in two pieces with plastic backing on each (top and bottom), and you're meant to apply the textured side to your skin. 

The hydrogel feels pretty sturdy, but that annoying thing always happens where it sticks together and you have to try not to rip it while you're trying to separate it but... ANYWAY.

The masks come in all different colours (same as whatever colour the packaging is), and they feel juicy as hell on the skin. As per the packaging, you're meant to leave it on for a LOOP (10 minutes), then peel it off.

The first one I tried was the Weekly Rest mask (the orange-coloured one), which promises benefits such as moisture, rejuvenation, refined pores and 'youthful skin'.

And look, let me just start by saying there's no face mask that won't make you look like you're stepping out of Silence of the Lambs while you're wearing it — but I have to say, these face masks fit SO GOOD.

Like, they feel like they cuddle my facial contours and actually stay in place while I walk around and do stuff, which is where the positive of the 'stickiness' above comes in. It makes the mask grippy as hell.

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Plus, no dripping! Which is honestly just the dream (there's nothing worse, in my honest opinion).

The fit!

Now, between long-haul flights and a cute stint of sickness, my skin has been an absolute bin fire lately. I've had breakouts. Dryness. Redness. Dark circles. Like... ALL of the things.

Which is fine (it's not), but I was keen to see how my skin came out the other side.

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So, here is my skin before (left) and after (right) using the Loops Weekly Reset Rejuvenating Mask.

Before (left) and after (right) using Loops sheet mask.

While I'm obviously struggling with breakouts, the mask seemed to calm and soothe my frazzled skin. I think it definitely looks a lot brighter, alive and just... better?

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The verdict.

So, aside from being very aesthetically pleasing, are Loops sheet masks worth the money?

As someone who loves and uses sheet masks on the regular, I really like how these masks are made for all skin types and are fragrance-free — a big win for a sensitive-skinned girlie like myself.

While the masks themselves aren't particularly groundbreaking (there are lots of great hydrogel masks on the market)I do love how they target a variety of specific skin issues and the packaging makes it really easy to figure out which one is right for you. Because sometimes it can be unnecessarily complex to know what you... need?

While I can't speak for any long-term results from the masks (for example 'anti-ageing' benefits and antioxidant support), my thirsty skin felt like it soaked up every bit of serum from these masks, and came out the other end feeling more hydrated, plump and happier than it has been in weeks.

At $11 each or around $50 for a pack of five, they're not the cheapest face masks out there, but they're also not the most expensive. In any case, they feel fun and give you immediate results for when you want better skin fast.

If you're someone who loves doing a regular sheet masks, try a single one and see what you think! Or else, the variety pack is a great way to try them all.

Would you try Loops sheet masks? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Erin Docherty.

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