Still in the process of putting together a post for my skincare part 4, in which I will talk about my biggest skincare passion – Masks! I have way too many so I am still “shortlisting’ them which might take me a while. But I can’t wait to talk about this one – Essential Massage Mask by The History of Whoo. It’s one of my most recent discoveries and the result has truly blown me away.
For those of you who haven’t heard of the brand The History of Whoo, it is an exclusive high end Korean skincare line based on the oriental medicine. All products are formulated from rare ingredients that were used in the ancient royal family. They have limited production volume because these ingredients are hard to find. The Essential Massage Mask is the star product of this brand. It retails for around USD$80 depending on the vendor.
First of all, I like the unique packaging design, which is very over the top and it probably is the only thing that I own that has a touch of royalty to it!
The texture looks beautiful, filled with gold flecks. Since it is designed for massaging, it has a rich balmy consistency but not greasy.
It comes with a traditional Oriental massaging tool and is made of the most expensive wood – Rosewood. With this tool it allows you to massage your face following an ancient massaging technique that stimulates the pressure points along the chi (energy flow) pathway, for detoxing and bringing vitality back to the skin. Personally I have a very special attachment to this technique because I grew up watching my grandma massaging her face using this way.
There are some pictures enclosed in the pamphlet. Basically you spread the mask over the face, start massaging using the tool from forehead to cheeks and jawlines then all the way down to the neck following the steps in each picture. It is designed to stimulate lymph flow and blood circulation. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.
First impression after rinsing the mask off was – wow my skin has never been that supple and bouncy. It gives my skin back the vitality as if I just had a 10 hours sleep. Skin tone appears more clear and radiant. Best of all my complexion appears visibly firmer and lifted, and the fold around the nose is noticeably faded. As the pressure points have been stimulated, the facial swelling as a result of water retention is gone. My face shape has changed from oval to V-shape! Of course as with any other mask, the lifting effect is temporary but with frequent use it will prolong the effect.
Bottom line: I love this! It gives me radiant and super soft skin, and it stays well hydrated for days. There are a lot of firming products on the market, but this is one of the few that can make my skin more elastic and visibly lifted immediately after use, without feeling that there is an artificial gluey product “tightening up” my skin. Whenever I have a party or special event where I want my face shape to look more sharp and lifted, (so looks better in the photos!) I have to rely on this one. Ladies with acne prone skin type need to stay away from it.






{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Keiko, you are so good and so bad… first the rose gold bracelet and now this mask! I want them both. I loooove mask! I can’t wait to see your skin care routine Part 4 and of course your false lashes reveiws : )
Love from San Francisco, Daisy
Glad to know you love masks too! I just can’t stop buying masks!
This is such a unique product! Where did you find it?
I love both the packaging and how the product itself looks. It’s really cool that the tool included is a traditional one and isn’t a gimmick. Have you tried any other products from this line?
I had my friend CP this one for me from Korea
I think this brand is also available in HK and Taiwan, it’s being featured a lot in Asian beauty magazine/shows.
The packaging is indeed very royal!
I want such a traditional massage tool, but don’t know where to get from.
This mask must be amazing! I have never heard of it, so thank you for introducing and your great review, Reika!
Hehe I love to explore new and exclusive brands
Video of how to massage your face!!!!! =P
lol..too shy although I have been secretly thinking..haha
Please!!!! Would love to know how to perform this tool
)))))) would it be possible you could enclose the scanned instruction of this tool? And what does it call in Japanese? 
Sorry Annie, I no longer have the enclosed instruction…and it’s a korean product so it doesn’t have a Japanese name.
Too bad but thank you Rei rei
i got some samples to try out but i think it works best with the tool
anyway,its well-absorbed 
Have you tried their other massage mask like Nok-Yong pack or any other Whoo products? Would love to hear your awesome reviews
I want to try this! Where did you buy it? I love masks too especially Korean face packs
I had my friend CP this one for me from Korea, it’s really good to get rid of face swelling! I think I have seen it on Ebay.
Hi Reika, sounds very tempting….always discovering new things from you blog!
BTW, would you be able to provide the ingredients of this massage cream? Thanks. Lisa, your Vancouver fan.
Hi Lisa, thank you for the support
Unfortunately all the ingredients are in Korean..which I have no idea of so I threw the box out..
This is so cool. Love the packaging! I might need to try this, I am also trying to get my face to a V-shape. Haha.
This mask looks super luxurious!!!! I’m really tempted to try it now.
Hi Keiko!
Do you any hints?
I’am tempted by this mask, and would like to try it, but I am not sure how suitable it is for sensitive skin
Hello iv, not sure how sensitive your skin is…my skin is quite sensitive as well (but I don’t have eczema) and this mask is doing great for my skin, actually it’s quite soothing.
i recently comes across THE HISTORY OF WHOO. I bought some of their products too. Thanks for this review. i was eyeing on this mask too.
This is an old topic, but I was wondering if you’d tried Clarins Lifting Shaping Serum and Clarins massage technique and if yes then how does this compares to the Clarins one?
Hi Thu, yes I have used Clarins lifting serum previously and I didn’t see much result with it. I much prefer this mask for temporary lifting effect!
XD I’m sure you will also love their makeup packages!!! They look so elegant!!! I might have a go with their luxury base
but I bet you will love their Qi Jin and Hwa Hyun line 
Hi Reika:
Have you ahd experience with the Zohan Masks before, and if so, how do you like it, and how do you compare the Zogan to the eseential massage mask ?
Many thanks.
Sonja
Not yet Annie. There is a few Whoo products I am dying to try but I just have to wait till I use up some products I already have!