Introducing the newest sheet mask ingredients: dust bunnies, human hair and insects. According to recent investigations into the packaging practices of K-beauty sheet masks, your favorite beauty ritual might be made in some seriously unhygienic conditions. Don’t shoot the messenger, y’all.
The revelation has been swirling in Korea for some time now, but it became international news after a user who goes by the alias dvaonline22 shared the findings on the popular subreddit thread Asain Beauty. She writes, “I just wanted to share that, recently, in Korea it’s revealed that sheet masks are made in conditions that are far from hygienic. I’m not sure if this issue has made international or not, but I thought I’d share it since international consumers have a right to know as well. I hope, by making this an international issue, some companies will change how they manage production processes.” She then links to a handful of articles written up on the issue. All of which are in Korean.
https://t.co/u0VBbadKyF
상위에서 맨손으로…상처난 손으로….위생관념은 찾아볼 수 없는 수준 pic.twitter.com/yDpDk7znQx— 화장품 오따꾸 (@dotorucom) June 9, 2016
Videos and photos have been revealed of beauty brand workers assembling the masks not in a factory but in their homes, often without gloves. In some photos, the masks are folded on coffee tables. Another shows a recycled piece of cardboard being used repeatedly as a folding guide.
In an in-depth piece on the issue, Racked writes, “Making cosmetics in a private home without a manufacturing license is illegal in Korea, but because there are so many small cosmetic brands it is fairly common.” They go on to explain the process works like this: Sheet masks and envelopes are dropped off to folder’s homes. They fold the masks using a guide and insert them into an envelope. The envelopes are then picked up and taken to the factory. From there they are supposedly sterilized, filled with scents and sealed. However, numerous reports claim that this process does not actually eliminate all germs it was exposed to while being assembled in a person’s home.
@wlalsgur1129 이거 어떻게 된거죠ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ…그냥 자타입 팩 써야겠어요ㅋㅋㅋ큐ㅠ pic.twitter.com/ojPl7DFL6l
— 화장품 오따꾸 (@dotorucom) June 11, 2016
The practice is common among small brands for which factory assembly is expensive, but a handful of bigger companies like Mediheal, SNP and Forencos have been linked to the shady practice as well. Since these findings are new, it’s difficult to tell which germs we could be exposed to, but some beauty buffs have reported finding hair, unusual black spots and even insects in the masks. I mean, we’re down with trying the snail mask but this is a whole other level.
Have you found anything concerning in your sheet mask? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.