DORÉ

There are few things I love more than a facial. Unfortunately I don’t have a) the time b) the money to get them as regularly as I should (which I’m told is once a month).
I thought it would be a fun Atelier experiment to test out some products that tout facial results at home. So that’s what a few of us did, each in the comfort of our own bathrooms, each donning our most luxurious bathrobe (ok not actually, but that’s how I like to imagine it happened).

Et voila – the results! Though it should be noted we each have different skin types (explained below), and are not doctors. So proceed (and take our advice!) with caution.

My skin has gone from being mostly dry to a bit more combination. I would say dry around the scalp and nose and more oily on the chin and forehead. Also my pores are starting to get bigger, I’m noticing more blackheads (ew!) and now tend to get hormonal acne around my chin.

I wanted to try Babyfacial because I really like that Drunk Elephant only uses clean, non-toxic ingredients and the product is full of active ingredients that are meant to really improve skin texture and clarity. Also because I’m obsessed with their packaging. For the last month I’ve been doing this facial every Sunday night, leaving it on for a full 20 minutes. Okay, heads up, IT BURNS. But it only burns for a few minutes and then you kind of forget that it’s there. After rinsing it off with water, I apply oil, and am left with very soft skin that feels balanced and looks less red. And while it burns, it doesn’t actually irritate my skin – but it does leave me with a glow, so much so that people actually noticed and commented on!

Carie, Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

My early 30s skin hasn’t totally found her groove yet, so seemingly heads out into the world in a variety of outfits each week, feeling like Miss Independent, proud to have so much influence over my general well being. Sometimes she accessorizes with tiny, colorless bumps, other days larger reddish mounds or, if I’m lucky, an extra swipe of shine, with a nice side of dry patch under my eyes, just for equal measure.

These days my skin is thirsty, so I drink loads of water, moisturize, and use minimal makeup. Nevertheless buildup persists. So I brought in the (natural) big guns with Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask, an exfoliating treatment that is said to reveal an “instant glow.” It’s so good that I’m hiding it from my boyfriend (who likes to test drive my beauty treatments just a little too much for my liking) and hoping it lasts me until summer. I use it once or twice a week and my skin is 100% happier for it. Smooth as a baby’s bum and moisture locked. Similar to how you look after a perfect day at the beach with the salt, sand and sun, leaves you with that perfect glow.

I also fully recommend you keep it in the fridge. It thickens and feels kind of like applying a lovely smelling jam to your face!

Tori, Sanitas Skincare Brightening Peel Pads

My skin falls somewhere between normal and oily and has a tendency to be moody. I typically try and use products that are paraben free, full of moisture, and gently cleanse. Nothing too harsh, otherwise my skin lashes out and treats me to 5-7 days of breakouts, hives, rashes…you know, the good stuff.

Until a month ago, I had an irrational fear of peels – fearing they’d have some sort of Hannibal affect on me. But I received a tip from a beauty-industry pro (a facialist at Silver Mirror) and followed her instruction to try these Sanitas Brightening Peel Pads, which are paraben free cotton pads doused in witch hazel and other beneficial acids. To my surprise there was no aggressive burning, just clean, moisturized skin. Using it twice a week ended up leaving my skin feeling a little dry, but I will definitely be using these pads once a week, followed by my favorite moisturizing oil!

Brittany, True Botanicals Resurfacing Moisture Mask

My skin is generally dry and a bit sensitive which is why I was a little nervous to try True Botanicals’ Resurfacing Moisture Mask. A few seconds after applying it, I felt a slight tingle, maybe even a burn. I wasn’t sure how my skin was going to handle it but I also know that the tingle means it’s working. Luckily, my skin survived and I didn’t come out on the other side looking like a tomato. I have to say, despite the tingle, I didn’t see any drastic results/changes in my skin after using the mask twice a week for about a month and a half, but I definitely felt like my face was a bit softer and brighter the day after I used it. Plus, it has an amazing jasmine scent that creates the illusion, if you close your eyes real tight, of a mini trip to the spa.

Pia, SK-II Radiance and Moisture Boosting Mask

I should preface by saying that my skin is very sensitive and I often have problems when I stray from my tried-and-true routine (shout out Cetaphil!). But given the opportunity, I was happy to try a fancy new product. And what is fancier than a mask made of Pitera, inspired by a visit to a Sake brewery in Japan? Nothing, I tell you. Enter SK-II’s Radiance and Moisture Boosting Mask, full of a specific type of yeast that speeds up the natural rejuvenation process of your skin.

I put on my favorite robe (hey Emily) and applied the mask which, as most masks do, made me feel refreshed and like I have my life together. It was a lovely experience…until I woke up in the morning to red, bumpy and irritated skin. I was upset yes, because of the reaction, but also because it meant that my days of trying luxurious products had come to an end, they’re not for me. This one is packed with so many fancy ingredients that are supposed to drastically change the appearance and quality of your skin that I’d be curious to hear how it works when regularly used by someone with hardier skin! Let me live vicariously through you.