The mask has anti-inflammatory properties, she adds, thanks to the addition of its plant extracts (Japanese camellia oil, peach kernel extract, and rosa canina fruit oil).
There’s one downside, though. “The formula is long-lasting, but once it’s no longer on the lips — whether it’s rinsed-off or swallowed — it won’t keep the lips moisturized,” says Koestline. Knowing this, I understood that I couldn’t rely on this as a product that I could only apply once throughout the day. (I knew my dreams were lofty.) But it behaved differently from my go-to balms and glosses in the best way.
How I Tested It
I applied the Kissu Lip Mask as the last step of my evening skin-care routine, raking on the emollient jelly with the gold spatula it came with. The brand suggests using a “pearl-sized” amount, but I picked up a fraction of that — a sliver about the size of one of those little fuzzies that appear on your sweater when it starts to pill — because that’s all I needed. Once I swept it across my lips and smacked them together, I went to sleep.
My Honest Thoughts
A lip mask that costs as much as an entrée at a fancy restaurant had better put in some work and The Kissu Mask does exactly that.
Upon application, it feels just like Vaseline — thick and protective — but with more slip. It glided along my lips without feeling sticky, tacky, or too oily and left behind a shine on par with a lip gloss. When I woke up the next morning, my lips felt soft and pillowy and even looked plumper — and that softness lasted throughout my entire workday.
I did apply my go-to balm once or twice, but not because my lips were super chapped. I did so to maintain that moisturized look the Kissu Mask left behind. Remember: It won’t keep lips moisturized all day, so I still needed a lip balm, but as I noticed, the look of my lips was much better after using the Kissu Mask overnight.
This is what my lips look like after I’ve done my skin-care routine and brushed my lips with a toothbrush. When I first apply the product, they look pretty shiny. By morning, the mask absorbed into my lips, leaving them plump and conditioned.
Pricing and Value
A price tag of $29 for 0.32 ounces of product is pricey (for comparison, the popular Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is $24 for 0.7 ounces), but because a little goes a long way, I think it’s worth the splurge. Full disclosure: I do not use this product every night, so I still have plenty left. I prefer to use it more as a little treat every once in a while.
Where to Buy It
You can get The Kissu Lip Mask at Tatcha’s website and Sephora.com. Sure, you can go to the store and feel the texture before actually buying this treatment — but I don’t think you need to. It’s so good, it’s worth immediately adding to your cart.