Let’s chat about the kiffness that is J. One Jelly Pack Luminous Mask (R70, Kbeauty.co.za.) This guy was one of the items I was sent from online Korean beauty store K-Beauty Africa. I recently tried (and LOVE) their LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence and the J. One mask is another winner. Essentially a treat in two parts, it contains a hydrating charcoal-infused sheet mask and a sample of the brand’s iconic Jelly Pack.

The mask contains a mind-boggling mix of actives but mainly serves to hydrate, something it does well, as it’s glycerine-based and includes things like castor oil, hyaluronic acid and collagen – all hydrolised so they’ll penetrate better. It also contains a HUGE amount of antioxidant niacinimide, another good hydrator that’s proven to minimise the look of pigmentation. (For you to truly benefit from its skin tone-evening benefits, however, you’d have to apply it every day.) It’s formulation is so fabulous they could easily bottle it and sell it as a serum. I’ve had several cross my path in the last while that are sooo expensive and contain such shitty actives in kak concentrations I feel sorry for the women buying them. In terms of actives, this little mask beats them hands down!

It comes out super wet and slimy – basically swimming in ‘juice’ – so my advice is to squeeze it out a little so you can wear the mask and then apply the rest of the liquid to your face another time. Just roll up the pouch, clip it with a peg and use it soon to conserve it. After use, my face felt pampered and plump so I’d suggest you use it before a big day (or night) out and don’t wash your face afterwards. When you’re done masking it up, roll the mask up into a rag and massage it onto your chest and then you’re all good to apply your make-up. (If you have a dry skin type apply your moisturiser before hand. Like I said, I’m oily-combo so I didn’t feel like I had to.)

Now, as far as part two of the mask goes, it’s essentially a generous sample of J One’s Jelly Pack’s iconic primer. You can apply this should you wish or keep it for another time which is what I chose to do. I wanted to see how it operated all on its ownsome and the short answer is very, very nicely!

I’d read a lot of reviews of this product online and some have raved about it and others have said it was too ‘tacky’. Having tried it myself, I can say that it feels like a thick gel but it’s easy to spread around your face if you use a sponge. It does feel a little ever so slightly sticky but when it dries you’ll immediately see that your pores are most definitely less visible.

So, how did it play with my make-up? Fabulously! I had no problems with applying foundation on top of it and it felt like my concealer went on a little thicker, if that makes sense. (You know how your eye shadow goes on darker when you use a shadow primer? It kind of worked like that.) Also, from a bang for your buck point of view in terms of actives, it’s a winner in that it’s also a niacinimide bomb and includes all sorts of skin lovin’ ingredients skin plumping hyaluronic acid, soothing chamomile flower water and antioxidant-rich fermented black tea extract.

If you’ve been considering investing in J One Jelly Pack (the primer) then most definitely treat yourself to the 2-part sheet mask first. You’ll get to ‘try before you buy’. I really liked it but, at worst, if you hate it, you’ll get to enjoy a hydrating pamper session via the mask.

If I spot these babies in the East when I travel next month I’ll be buying a whopload. If not, I’m glad I can buy them online via Kbeauty.co.za.

Love, love

Leigh