Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask Review

*This product was purchased by me. I am a Lush employee so I do receive a discount on Lush products. This does not change my opinion on the product in any way.*

Image from Lush.

Today I'll be reviewing one of Lush's Fresh Face Masks, called Cupcake! All of Lush's Fresh Face Masks are handmade, preservative-free, and only available in Lush stores. Since these are preservative-free, the fresh face masks have a shelf life of approximately 3 weeks, and should be stored in the refrigerator. I recommend using each face mask about 2-3 times a week for those 3 weeks. You should be able to finish the mask in that time period, but if you're like me and have one or two uses left past the expiration date, I simply treat the mask like food; if you wouldn't eat, don't put it on your face! I find that as long as you have stored your mask in the fridge for it's entire shelf life, you are okay to use it one more week.

There are 9 fresh face masks in total, and their effects vary according to individual needs. Cupcake was created for oily and acne prone skin. Lush's claims:

• A chocolate mint mask for oily or spotty skin.
• Helps to calm redness and deep clean.
• Has a refreshing minty tingle.

Lush's Ingredients: 

• Rhassoul Mud-a clay that deep cleans and de-greases the skin.
• Glycerine-a humectant, it helps skin to retain moisture.
• Linseed Infusion-an herb, which helps treat acne.
• Talc-gives the mask a more spreadable texture, and to mattify the skin.
• Cocoa Powder-adds fragrance to the product.
• Fresh Mint-used as an antiseptic and for it's cooling properties.
• Sandalwood Oil-used as an emollient, to smooth and soften the skin.
• Vanilla Absolute-calms down redness and adds to the mask's aroma.
• Spearmint Oil-cools and refreshes the skin.
• Peppermint Oil-cools and refreshes the skin.
• Limonene-occurs naturally in essential oils
• Perfume-blend of natural oils, resins, and absolutes that adds to the product's aroma.

Cupcake was originally created for oily, acne-prone teenage skin, but can work for anyone who possesses a similar skin type. The way I use the mask is by taking it out of the fridge, and smoothing it on clean skin over your entire face (and avoiding the eyes and mouth). The texture of the mask is a bit like clay in consistency, so it's not the easiest to spread on the face, but it is doable. It is recommended to be left on the skin for about 10 min, or until the mask is nearly (but not completely dry). The mask will dry and harden fairly quickly, and leave a tightening and cooling sensation on the face, which I rather enjoy. You remove the mask with warm water in either the sink or shower, though I recommend the shower due to the messiness of the product.

This is my perfect face mask, since it deeply cleanses the skin and helps clean out your pores. My pores looked much cleaner, and it does help extract some blackheads (the ones on the surface that aren't too deep). I was expecting this to dry out my skin, but it didn't at all! Instead my skin was incredibly smooth and soft, but without any residue. I love that clean, but not dry feeling, that Cupcake leaves.

I wouldn't recommend this for dry or sensitive skin, but even if you are a little sensitive, I would still do a skin test just to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin. I'm a little sensitive, and this mask doesn't irritate me whatsoever, so it's all based on the individual. However, if you are anywhere from combination to oily, this mask is amazing if your goal is to deeply clean out your pores.

I'm not sure if it would have any long terms effect on acne itself, but deep cleaning the skin is always beneficial to those who are acne-prone. It does slightly clean and dry out active acne, but it doesn't dry out your entire face or produce any radical changes to your acne.

While the texture of the mask itself is thick and somewhat hard to spread, it's a given due to its clay base. As for the scent, it is truly delicious! It smells like chocolate with a hint of mint, and remind me quite a bit of chocolate pudding. The scent alone makes Cupcake a very fun treat for your face!

Pros:

• Deeply cleanses your face.
• Helps clean out pores.
• Leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
• Does not dry out my skin.
• Slightly reduces redness.
• Helps with minor acne.
• Helps remove oil from the skin.
• Refreshes and tingles.
• Smells amazing.
• The ingredients are very basic and have no preservatives or questionable ingredients.
• Not too expensive, at $6.95.

Cons:

• Might not reduce severe acne or help clear it up completely.
• The texture of the mask can be hard to spread.
• Can be a bit messy when washing the mask off.
• It's fun to use, but might not be essential to your routine. (I think it helps my skin overall, but not everyone uses face masks on a regular basis like I do.)
• This face mask is fresh and can only be used for about 3 weeks.

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

Me wearing Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask, and making a silly face.

Me wearing Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask. I feel kinda brave posting this on the internet, lol.

One more thing, Lush does have a recycling program! If you bring back 5 clean, empty black pots (like the one shown, though it doesn't have to be from a fresh face mask) you get a free fresh face mask of your choice! So definitely save your black pots, so you can try out a face mask like Cupcake!

These fresh face masks sell out very quickly at my store and at most store locations, so I recommend picking them up soon after they are shipped. Plus, you want to have more time to use the product! For example, my store gets their fresh face mask shipments on Thursday, so I'd recommend picking them up Thursday afternoon to Saturday.

Beauty in the Breakdown:

• Brand: Lush
• Product: Fresh Face Mask
• Type: Cupcake
• Price: $6.95 
• Where to get: Lush stores 
• Package Quality (out of 5 stars): ***** (Love these recyclable pots!)
• Overall Rating (out of 5 stars): ***** (One of the best face masks I have ever used. I want a mask that deeply cleans my skin, and this mask definitely does that!)
• Recommend: Yes
• Repurchase: Yes, I personally love this face mask, and though I will try out other Lush face masks, I do believe Cupcake is one I could see being a part of my regular routine. It will be hard for any other face mask to beat this!
• Side Note: Cupcake is cruelty-free, vegan, and preservative-free.
• Grade: A

Disclosure: This product was purchased by me for review purposes. I was not paid or compensated in any way. All opinions are my own.