Sometimes, rare though they are, inexpensive and presumably “cheap” products go above and beyond what their price tag would have you believe.

Case in point: the Mint Julep Masque by Queen Helene.

Queen Helene products are commonly found in drugstores and are always low-priced. The packaging looks old-school in a somewhat tacky, garish way — like they haven’t redesigned their logo or presentation since the brand was first introduced. That could be off-putting because by nature, consumers judge a product’s effectiveness often by the packaging it comes in. My advice here is to put any of those subconscious (or not) prejudices aside.

The packaging is completely irrelevant because it’s what’s on the inside that counts. (So true.)

I ordered this from drugstore.com, which showcases over 200 reviews for the product — and most of them are very positive, garnering an almost five star rating averaged from the total number of reviews.

It’s hard to ignore that kind of feedback on a product so I tried it for the first time this past Tuesday. After my shower, I slapped on a layer of the thick green mask onto my face and neck, avoiding the more delicate eye area. My boyfriend said that I looked like Shrek (gee, thanks) but you know, that’s cool. Shrek seemed like a jolly guy in the end.

After almost 15 minutes, the mask was totally dry. While it was setting, I could feel it clinging to my skin and drying there, sucking out oodles of dirt, oil and muck. It did feel a bit tingly after first applying it, too.

Using warm water, I rinsed off the mask. I wish I had a washcloth because that would have been more effective. After it was all gone and I patted my face dry, I looked in the mirror.

My skin was so incredibly clear and refreshed! I’ve had problems with blackheads on my nose and cheeks, and they were GONE. Also my skin did not feel dry or wringed-out; just deeply clean and invigorated. Absolutely brilliant! The patch of zits near my chin? Vanished!

All this from a gigantic 8 oz. tube of that cost $4. It will last me quite awhile and I will definitely be purchasing more when it’s time.

I can also vouch for the effectiveness and quality of some other Queen Helene products. The companion to the Mint Julep masque is the Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub. This is gentle enough for everyday use and does an excellent job exfoliating skin. It’s also made with a lot of natural ingredients so for the treehuggers out there, this is something you can feel good about using.

Queen Helene also offers a line of cocoa butter body products. I’ve used both the Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion and Natural Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Oil with Vitamin E. The lotion absorbs into skin quickly without leaving a filmy or sticky feeling. The body oil is a decadent bathtime treat that leaves skin feeling remarkably soft and nourished. Both boast a delicious cocoa butter scent that lingers on skin afterward for some time, wrapping your senses in sweetness.

I can’t help but reiterate how wonderful Queen Helene products are for the price you pay. They truly outperform their higher-priced drugstore competition, and they give a hard run at premium lines in terms of cost-performance ratio.

Peruse their entire inventory online here. (I will be!) Some of their items are also available in many chain drugstores and online at drugstore.com and ulta.com.

Isn’t it nice to find things that really work but don’t eat up your wallet?