Okay, real talk. Last Tuesday, I was scrolling through my phone, probably avoiding laundry, and I saw an ad for this West & Month mud mask. You know the ones—the “pore vacuum” videos where it looks like the mask is pulling out little gray worms from someone’s nose. I’ve been burned before (looking at you, sticky pore strips that did nothing), but I was feeling impulsive. So I ordered it.
The First Use: A Stickier Situation Than I Anticipated
Listen, the instructions seem simple. Hot towel, slather it on, wait, rinse. But here’s the thing: this mud is THICK. Like, “struggle to squeeze it out of the tube” thick. I felt like I was frosting my own face, and not in a fun, cupcake way. The scent is very…earthy. Not perfumed, which I actually appreciate. It smells like clay and not much else.
I followed the steps. The hot towel part is actually genius—it really does open everything up. But waiting those 5-10 minutes? You look ridiculous. My partner walked in and asked if I was auditioning for a swamp monster role. It dries down tight, and you can feel it pulling. Not painfully, but you definitely know it’s there, working.
Does It Actually Pull Stuff Out?
This is what you care about, right? After rinsing (which takes a minute, it’s clingy), my skin felt incredibly clean. Like, squeaky-clean. And yes, when I gently went over my nose with a cotton swab, some gunk came out. Not the dramatic worm parade from the ads, but legit, visible little plugs of oil and dirt. It was satisfying in a gross, “I can’t believe that was in my face” way.
Honestly, I made a quick comparison chart because I know we’re all comparing this to drugstore alternatives.
| Feature | West & Month Mask | Typical Drugstore Clay Mask |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $26.99 | $8 – $15 |
| Main Stuff | Kaolin Clay, Glycerin | Various Clays, Often with Fragrance |
| The “Pull” Factor | Strong, noticeable tightening | Mild to moderate |
| After-Feeling | Clean but not stripped, some moisture | Often very dry, tight feeling |
After a Month of Use: The Good & The Annoying
I’ve used this twice a week for a month now. I gotta say, my pores on my nose and cheeks do look less obvious. It’s not a miracle—they’re still there—but they’re less clogged and therefore less visible. The oil control is legit. I used to get shiny by 2 PM, and now it’s more like 5 PM. A win.
BUT. Let me complain for a second. The “moisturizes” part of the claim? Eh. My skin doesn’t feel dry after, which is great for a clay mask (thank you, glycerin!), but don’t expect a hydrating serum effect. You still need moisturizer. Also, it’s messy to wash off. Little bits get stuck in your hairline and eyebrows. It’s a whole process.
Would I Buy It Again?
Honestly? Yeah, I think I would. It’s more expensive than the basic stuff, but it works better for me. It feels more effective and less harsh. The tube is huge, so it’ll last forever. It’s become my Sunday night ritual—face mask, terrible reality TV, you know the drill.
Just go in with realistic expectations. You won’t look like a filtered Instagram photo afterward. But you will have cleaner pores and less oil, and sometimes that’s enough.
