Face masks are a large part of my skincare routine - at the moment I am sheetmasking 4-5 times a week and my skin has never looked better. It's soft, brighter than before and hydrated. However, masks are only a part of what should be a balanced skincare routine alongside acids, retinols, cleansers, moisturisers, serums etc. Adding a mask to this mix can give your skin a boost of moisture, a good cleanse, a peel or a glow - there are almost too many options to choose from. The most important thing about using masks is knowing what your skin needs. I recommend getting a mirror, a good light and having a look at your skin. What do you see? Dryness? Dehydration? Oil? Blackheads or clogged pores? Is your skin dull? The answers to these questions will help you to figure out which masks you should be using.
My skin can get dehydrated and the pores on my nose and chin tend to get clogged - especially during the summer months when it's hot and I'm producing more oil on my T-Zone. If I'm over-worked, tired or have been travelling it gets dull. I also suffer some texture and 'bumpiness' along my jawline - I've mostly sorted this by using an acid toner - but every now and then it flares up due to stress, fatigue etc.
I'm going to go through the masks that I use/have used/want in this post - some are mainly for skin like mine but many can be used on other skin types.
Sheetmasks
I'm going to start with these as they are the ones I use the most, and they are extremely popular at the moment. They're also suitable for basically anyone of any age. The brands I get my sheetmasks from are Mizon, InnisFree, Etude House, Tony Moly and Dermal Korea. But honestly, as long as it's Korean I'm not picky.
Generally speaking, using a sheetmask is going to give your skin a good boost of moisture and a bit of a glow. They can be used before makeup, in the morning or at night - whenever you want. I normally put on a sheetmask in the evening after cleanser and toner, or if I'm going somewhere and need my makeup to look perfect I use one beforehand as they are extremely moisturizing and so makeup applies better. The best way to use a sheetmask is to keep it on for 20-30 mins (unless the directions specifically say otherwise) and pat the remaining essence into your skin and down your neck with your fingers after you have taken it off. Most sheet masks, notably the Korean ones, are soaked in essence so I recommend that you use the remaining essence in the sachet on your neck, décolletage , and arms - waste not, want not and all of that. Another tip is to keep a couple in the fridge - especially in summer. BeautyNetKorea is a great place to pick up sheetmasks for nothing as long as you are willing to pay shipping (around 13 dollars, but with sheetmasks for as little as a dollar it's quite OK!)
My favourite types of sheetmasks are
Rice - Softens and brightens
Aloe - Soothes and mositurizes
Tomato - a natural antioxidant, brightens
Recommendations
Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Sheetmasks - Innisfreeworld.com, 1.04 Euros each OR 16 for 16 Sterling on Amazon.co.uk
Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Sheetmasks - 16 for 16 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk (I got a couple of these for my Mom last Christmas and she repurchased them on Amazon, they're hydrating and brightening. Mom has extremely good - and often expensive! - taste in skincare so the fact that she likes them says something!)
Tony Moly I'm Real Sheetmasks - 11 for 11.48 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
Tony Moly Pureness 100 Sheetmask - 10 for 13.45, Amazon.com
SkinFood Beauty in a Food Sheetmask - 10 for 9.90 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
Mizon - 10 for 20 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
Laonjenna.com also have a great selection of Korean products, sheetmasks included, with good pricing.
Clay Masks
These are the masks that you get can get away with spending the least money on - although there are some crazy expensive ones out there, think Charlotte Tilbury Goddess and Omorovicza.
Generally I buy my clay masks from the pharmacies/supermarkets here in Paris where they are as cheap as chips - for 3 or 4 euros you can pick up a Cattier mask (I recommend the pink one) and it does exactly what it says it does. Argile rouge/red clay is also one to be on the look out for if you visit - this one will really clean out pores. You can find great clay masks on BeautyNetKorea or Amazon (think Innisfree). L'oreal also do clay masks - I particularly like the black one. Clay masks are easy peasy to use - spread over your face (not too thick, not too thin) - if you have a flat foundation brush use it, the clay will wash off and its easier than fingers as clay can get messy. Once you can see that they clay is dry, wipe off with a warm flannel - always make sure you remove all of it and follow up with your toner, serum etc. If you have dry skin I'd advise using a clay mask only once a week as they can dry out your skin, but overall they are fantastic for keeping your pores clear. When I clay mask I only apply the mask on my nose and chin, oil producing areas, so as not to dry out the rest of my face unless I'm feeling particularly clogged.
Recommendations
La Roche Posay Effaclar Unclogging Purifying Sebo-Control Anti-Shine mask - 14.49, Boots.ie
This one would be great for those with oilier, break-out/blackhead prone skin
Vichy Purete Thermale Pore Purifying Clay Mask - 17.99, Boots.ie
Again, great for oilier skins but really anyone can use this except those who are extremely sensitive as if I remember correctly this mask heats on contact with the skin.
L'Oreal Pure Clay Detox Mask - 11.49, Boots.ie
I have dry, sometimes dehydrated skin and I love this mask, really cleans out pores
Cattier Paris Clay Masques - These are the ones I use the most, the pink is my favourite. They cost about 4/5 Euros in French supermarkets/pharmacies
SkinFood Bitter Green Clay Soothing Mask - around 16 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask - pops up now and then on Amazon, love this one
Exfoliating masks
So many to choose from. Again, L'Oreal do a clay mask that doubles as an exfoliant, as do other brands. Many exfoliating masks contain acids, such as Alpha H Smoothing and Perfecting Mask. I tend to steer clear of manual exfoliants (scrubs etc) as I find that they dry out and irritate my skin. I used to be a fan of the GlamGlow Flashmud (WHAT WAS I THINKING) but in the long run it caused my skin to become red, itchy and irritated. Since then I've almost eliminated scrubs from my routine, but recently came across Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm (there is a post on this on the blog) which I love, but I never scrub more than once a week, if that. If you have similar skin I would recommend swapping out your scrub for an acid toner (Pixie Glow Tonic, Liquid Gold, Clarins Gentle Exfoliator - the former didn't didn't so anything for me, the second is my ride or die and my Mom loves the latter - it contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid so is good for break-out prone skin whereas Liquid Gold contains 5% glycolic, so better for dry/dehydrated).
Recommendations
L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask - 11.49, Boots.ie
Alpha H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask - 53.30, BeautyBay
(qvcuk.com deliver to Ireland and they have some great deals on Alpha H)
SkinFood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask - 8.25 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk (Brilliant for anyone who likes a good scrub)
SkinFood Rice Wash Off Mask - 8.28 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk (This is a great little mask and isn't too harsh for my skin. Leave it on for ten minutes and massage your face for a couple - Hello bright, smooth skin! Like all rice products it smells amazing.)
Hydrating masks
These generally aren't the most exciting masks, but if you're feeling dry or dehydrated they will give your skin a boost of moisture. My favourite is Clarins Hydra-Quench Cream mask - its moisturising and smells gorgeous, almost citrusy. Generally I use it as a night cream over an oil. Another good one is the Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem-Cell mask (although I don't think it's worth the insane price) and I've read good things about the Origins Drink Up mask. French pharmacy brands like Vichy and Avene that can be found at Boots also do great masks, and are more affordable. Honestly I don't buy hydrating masks that much as I use so many sheetmasks, but if you are extremely dry here are some recommendations.
*It looks like Clarins may have discontinued HydraQuench Cream Mask but I'm guessing SOS Hydra is pretty similar, 38 Euros, Boots.ie
Recommendations
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Mask, CultBeauty.com, 50 Sterling
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, 30 Euros, Boots.ie
Avene Soothing Moisture Mask, 17.99 Euros, Boots.ie
Kiehl's Overnight Hydrating Mask - a great overnight mask, extremely hydrating. If you are oily you may not like this but my dehydrated skin drinks it up, it's also 125ml, massive - around 32 Euros
Sleeping Masks
Sleeping masks are an Asian innovation, although some Western brands seem to be catching on. I've used and loved quiet a few Korean ones in the past
Recommendations
Mizon Good Night White Sleeping Mask - contains *Niacinamide - brightens, softens - 14.95 Euros, Beautyexpert.com
Laneige Water Sleeping Pack - A cult Korean product, famed for it's hydrating and softening properties - 20 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask - I tried a sample of this and liked it - 13.99 Sterling, Amazon.co.uk
Honourable mention - Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask. This is the absolute best mask I have EVER used. Its extremely expensive (52 sterling on Cult Beauty...!) but it is AMAZING. It's such a strange mask - it's kind of gloopy and once it's dry its like having dried egg white on your face. I leave mine on for 30 mins and when I take it off my skin is as smooth as a baby's backside. I couldn't believe it the first time I used it, I was in actual shock. This isn't so much a mask that you use regularly, but one that you use before you put on make-up if you really need your face to look perfect. I've never come across a mask that has left my skin feeling so flawless. I don't have it at the moment as I ran out and it's sooooo expensive, but it's on my list to repurchase. Also Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm as it can be used as a mask when you're feeling dry, dull or wrecked from the night before!
Edit - I picked up a Mizon mask from Beautyexpert.com (great beauty site that has very decent prices and free shipping, nice selection of sheetmasks and K Beauty) about ten days ago, Mizon Enjoy Fresh On-Time Revital Lime Mask (Korean products often have long and odd names...!) but I'm really enjoying it. It costs 8.95 Euros and is does a nice job of injecting some brightness into tired and dull skin. I woke up with a killer hangover recently and with a face the colour of porrige. 10 mins of this, a hydrating mask for 15, a sheet mask and an oil later and I once again looked alive - emphasis on 'looked', on the inside I thought I was still dying...!
*I also have Emma Hardie Age Support Radiance mask in my collection. While I love Emma Hardie products, I can't recommend this one as it didn't really do much of anything for me, and it's expensive. I'm using it at night at the moment, mixing it with a bit of her Brilliance oil as a treatment but only to use it up, I wouldn't buy it again.
 |
| My Hangover Rescue Kit! |
These are the main categories of masks that I use, but there are thousands to choose from. Have you tried any of these?
You can find me on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram as Doyouevencleanse and at doyouevencleanse@gmail.com :)
Have a fab day!
A x
*Niacinamide comes from Niacin, or vitamin B3 and is found naturally in the body. It has cell renewing properties and so is great for brightening skin.
Comments
Post a Comment