After all the salt I spewed over the weekend, I’m glad to have something positive to talk about. The Year of the Dog is almost upon us, and that means Lunar New Year promotions and specials. Sulwhasoo’s LNY promotions feature several of my longtime favorite skincare products, which I’m already determined to get onto as many people’s faces as possible through whatever means necessary, so…behold.

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This post contains affiliate links, which enable me to collect a small commission for sales made by clicking the links. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk(*). One of the products in this post was originally provided to me as a press sample and is marked with double asterisks(**).

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Sulwhasoo Mask Trio Set

This mask set’s vibrant red box reminds me of the red envelopes that Chinese and Taiwanese people put money in and hand out to the younger generation on special occasions (like Lunar New Year). I haven’t gotten a red envelope in years because I’m old, but even if I still did, I’d rather have this box of masks than an equivalent wad of cash, since I’d just turn around and hand over the cash for these masks anyway.

The Mask Trio Set contains three limited edition “deluxe size” masks: the Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX*, the Radiance Energy Mask*, and the Clarifying Mask EX*.

“Deluxe” in this case doesn’t mean “extra big,” but rather “deluxe travel size.” These are no foil samples or obnoxious Barbie-sized product minis, though. The tubes of Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX and Clarifying Mask EX are 50ml each, according to the description on Sulwhasoo US’s site. That’s more product than many full-sized face creams. The jar of Radiance Energy Mask is 30ml, the same as many full-sized face creams.

I haven’t tried the Clarifying Mask EX because peel-off masks aren’t really my thing. Nothing against them, and I imagine I wouldn’t kick the Clarifying Mask out of bed if it showed up there. I just don’t find the concept as compelling as pretty much any other type of mask. On the other hand, my love for the Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX and the Radiance Energy Mask knows no limits.

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX

You can read my original review of the Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX if you want full ingredients and details. You can also check out the reviews that got me interested in this product in the first place over at Skin and Tonics and The Wanderlust Project.

Kerry, Sheryll, and I agree that the next-day effects of this legendary sleeping pack can make up for a multitude of skin sins. Complexion-dulling stress, sleep deprivation, and scandalous overindulgence are no match for the sorcery in the Overnight Vitalizing Mask formula: I layer it on before bed and wake up to refreshed, glowing, and visibly firmer and brighter skin. The satiny-feeling cream delivers medium moisturization and dries down quickly, without oiliness, stickiness, or heavy residue. Also, it smells like ginger.

Sulwhasoo Radiance Energy Mask**

I must admit I was bummed to learn that the fancy spatula that comes with the full-sized version of this mask is faux jade not real jade, but I still love the actual product as much as I did when I first reviewed it. With a lighter consistency and fresher scent than the Overnight Vitalizing Mask, the Radiance Energy Mask is a sleeping pack that makes my skin look wonderfully luminous and more translucent the morning after I use it.

While it doesn’t plump or increase skin resilience for me as significantly as the Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX, the Radiance Energy Mask’s ability to clarify and refine my skin tone overnight makes it a serious winner.

I can’t think of another product that matches the effects of either the Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX or the Radiance Energy Mask, so seeing them together in one set, in sizes that allow for extended use without full commitment, is exciting. They do cost more per ml than the full-sized products sold individually, but the set costs way less by simple dollar value than buying all three separately, so if you’re in the mood for variety or want to gift them, the Mask Trio is something to consider.

Buy it at Sulwhasoo US* (and check the right sidebar for my coupon code and the current gift that it grants you)

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX (2018 Year of the Dog special edition)

The masks in the Mask Trio Set cost more per ml than their regular counterparts, but the Year of the Dog special edition of the First Care Activating Serum EX* actually costs less–$1.16/ml (and in a bottle that’s 50% bigger) compared to the regular-sized product’s $1.40/ml. So that’s pretty cool. I’m leaning heavily towards getting one of these for myself, since my current bottle just ran out.

What else is cool? The adorable/gorgeous Year of the Dog design on these bottles.

The silhouette on the bottle and box look more like a cat than a dog to me. I like that because I’m annoyed that there’s not a Year of the Cat in the Chinese zodiac anyway unless you count the tiger, which is Murder Cat, so not the same thing.

Cat vs. dog debate aside, the First Care Activating Serum EX is a true holy grail for me, one of the few products I’ve used and repurchased more or less continuously since I first tried it. My review still stands. This fast-absorbing amber liquid with the warm herbal scent makes my skin look alive. Rosy in all the right places, glowy and lively and youthful. I specifically haven’t been using foundation or BB cream on my cheeks lately because I’d rather show the effects of this product. I love it so much. The “value size” (hahaha) of the bottle is an extra plus. The cute/pretty design is just a bonus.

Buy it at Sulwhasoo US*. Orders of the First Care Activating Serum also come with a free First Care Activating Mask*, which I happen to really like. Don’t forget to check the right sidebar for my coupon code and the current gift that it grants you as well.

Check out my Sulwhasoo brand category if you’d like to read more about Sulwhasoo products!