Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
Touted as the "original black mask", the Boscia Luminizing Black ($45 CAD for 80 g) is a peel-off detoxifying face mask formulated with activated charcoal, montmorillonite clay, vitamin C, and pine bark extract. Ideal for all skin types, the mask promises a smooth, glowy complexion. Curious to learn more? Read my review to find out......
Housed in a simple squeezable bottle with a flat spout opening, the Luminizing Black Mask has a goopy, completely black appearance. The texture is thick, similar to school glue. The formulation is alcohol-based and also contains witch hazel, honeysuckle flower extract, jojoba seed extract, rosemary oil, and eucalyptus leaf. Despite the viscous formulation, the mask spreads evenly with careful application and will set in about 15 to 20 minutes. To peel off, simply start at the edge of the face and the mask will lift off in a satisfying manner (think Patrick Bateman in American Psycho). The package direction says to apply a thick opaque layer but I personally find that quite wasteful as a thin layer peels off just fine. Additionally, a thicker layer will also delay drying and lead to icky residual patches.
The mask feels slightly cooling when first applied but there's minimal stinging or cooling sensation. The removal process can be quite painful, especially if you have a lot of fine facial hair because those will be "waxed" off in the process.
After removal, my skin feels smoother as the mask lifts away lots of dead skin cells. There's also a visible glow but the effect is only temporary. I've not tried many peel-off masks in the past so I'm not an expert here. However, compared to the Pika Turu Skin Pack Black (a very similar black peel-off mask from Japan), this version is far superior in terms of drying time and removal. Overall, if you are looking for a fun, exfoliating mask with a satisfying removal process, then the Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask is definitely worth trying!
Ingredients: Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Diglycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Charcoal Powder, Iron Oxides (CI 77499).
Availability:
Boscia is available at Murale (Oakridge Mall in Vancouver and Shop at Don Mills in Toronto) in Canada.
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| Boscia | Luminizing Black Mask |
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| Boscia | Luminizing Black Mask |
After removal, my skin feels smoother as the mask lifts away lots of dead skin cells. There's also a visible glow but the effect is only temporary. I've not tried many peel-off masks in the past so I'm not an expert here. However, compared to the Pika Turu Skin Pack Black (a very similar black peel-off mask from Japan), this version is far superior in terms of drying time and removal. Overall, if you are looking for a fun, exfoliating mask with a satisfying removal process, then the Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask is definitely worth trying!
Ingredients: Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Diglycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Charcoal Powder, Iron Oxides (CI 77499).
Availability:
Boscia is available at Murale (Oakridge Mall in Vancouver and Shop at Don Mills in Toronto) in Canada.
