The Mask
10 years ago by
Nothing beats a great face mask.
Skin feeling extra dry? I have a mask for that. Breaking out? Mask. Date with a hottie? Mask.
It’s 15 minutes where I can’t really be out and about (it would scare children). So I sit back, relax, watch Friday Night Lights re-runs (it’s been a while since we’ve talked about Tim Riggins!!!) and let my mask du jour do a little work.
Here are three that I love right now…
For: Pre-Tinder Date
When: Morning or Night
What: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
Key Ingredient: French Pink Clay
This mask makes your skin seriously glowy. Like Gisele after Tom scores a touchdown glowy. Instructions say to leave on for 20 minutes, but I’m a beauty rebel and sometimes I’ll sleep in it. Don’t be afraid to apply on a thick layer if you’re going for 20 minutes, a thinner layer for overnight. You’ll feel your skin start to tighten as the mask dries (not in a scary way, but in a Gisele way) and you’ll notice the glow as soon as you wash it off. I promise. There is a new apricot and coconut version of the mask right now, keep it in your refrigerator. You won’t regret it.
For: Breakouts
When: Night or Lazy Afternoon
What: May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver
Key Ingredient: Bamboo charcoal
This is my newest favorite. First, make sure you have a solid chunk of time set aside (about 45 minutes) to let this mask do some work. Don’t be alarmed when you open the jar and it’s all black powder– you’ll need to mix it with water. As you mix, the mask turns into a thick mousse (you can hear it sizzling a little bit, which made my kitchen counter feel like a really chic skin science lab). Smooth the mask all over your face (you can use your hands or this brush— the brush will make you feel cooler) and you’ll feel a warm, tingly feeling. That feeling? That is the feeling of happy skin. Wash off after 45 minutes (or when the mask is dry) and slather on your favorite hydrating serum or face oil.
For: Dry Skin
When: Night
What: NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask
Key Ingredients: Wild Pansy Extract
I usually reserve this one for winter, but it’s also a life saver when I’ve spent too much time in front of my air conditioner (okay, it happens). Apply generously and let it soak in. It’s best to do it overnight to really hydrate your skin (try to sleep on your back, you know it’s better for you anyway). If you want to do it in the moring or during the day, leave on up to 10 minutes and then wipe away excess with a cotton pad. Your skin will feel plump and ultra-hydrated. Can’t be mad about that.
What is your favorite face mask?
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Always do my Rhassoul clay face mask before my shower – so much easier to wash off then! Just mix with water and a few drops of the essential oil you need most!
I adore Dr. Hauschka rose mask! It’s super!
XOX, Gap.
http://www.gaptoothedgirl.com
I want to try this one– I love rose!
i am at the seaside and the wind, sun and surf dried out my skin. i’d love a mask! :)
http://littleaesthete.com
Givenchy hydrasparkle, just so hydrating & non-scary. It makes a difference in 10 minutes or you can sleep in it. The SKII masks are also great but being cloth masks you have to be relatively still.
I just got in a SKII mask to try– I’ll report back!
Patyka Biokaliftin INTENSIVE MOISTURISING MASK – Thirst quenching care. It did wonders for me.
Lisa Eldridge has a great video mentioning her favorites, many of which are mine as well (thanks to her, in many cases!). Linked here: http://www.theseventhsphinx.com/lifestyle/history/rough-day/
I like the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, the Fresh Umbrian clay bar used as a mask (I like the crazy-tightening Aztec clay mask, too, especially when I add my own special ingredients to luxe it up), and really want to try the REN flash 1 minute facial. And an embarrassing number of others.
I loove masks! I’ll get my hands on all those three as soon as possible!
http://sheseeksadventure.wordpress.com
Alex,
I Love Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask., and as well as Caroline, I prepare my own Rassoul Mask; but not only in my face but in my hair too and it is really effective. I do recomend it.
Hugs
I absolutely adore masks and that refreshing feeling you get after the 15 minutes are over. My only issue is that over time it becomes a rather boring process for me because I am more or less blind without my contacts in. So for the most part every masking session just turns into a waiting game where my only source of entertainment is the music playing in the background.
Right now I use Alba Botanica even advanced deep sea face mask. It’s super affordable but does the job so well, and it’s organic! It can deep cleanse but will not strip my skin dry.
Great post Alex! I would love to try the Tata Harper mask, mmm! Right now I’m loving Raw Manuka New Zealand Honey as a daily face mask. It’s antibacterial, hydrating, and soothing for the skin.
I use Fresh Black Tea masque. It’s whipped, moisturizing & invigorating! I also use Dermalogica microfoliant & sometimes leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing. Love a good masque!
Moi c’est, en plus du masque, le YSL Top Secret:
http://www.shopstyle.fr/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=233732894&pid=uid8224-2507668-75
le truc le plus génial inventé depuis longtemps…
Pas sure que l’on trouve ces marques en France mais je note tout de même !
http://www.laparentheseenchantee.fr/2014/09/when-i-follow-my-heart-i-woke-up-in-bali.html#.VAVLEfl_tyU
I never use masks but I could change my mind… Thanks for sharing Alex!
XO
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.blogspot.fr
Fresh Black Tea mask does wonders for my uber sensitive rosacea prone skin!
I love masks, too. I really would like to try some Tata Harper products but another great glowing mask is Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask.
My favorite cleansing and purifying mask is Nuxe Clarifying Cream Mask with rose petals.
I reviewed both on my blog, if someone is interested I leave the links:
http://www.webelieveinstyle.net/2014/07/sisley-radiant-glow-mask-review.html
http://www.webelieveinstyle.net/2013/09/beauty-for-weekend-nuxe-clarifying.html
Merci Alex! Pour ma part, là maintenant, je vais essayer de trouver le May Lindstrom! Il semble que la peau de mon visage n’est pas si bien apprécié le soleil (ma crème solaire??).
I love love love the Dr. Organics Rosso Otto mask if it feels like my skin needs a little TLC. Dr. van der Hoog 3 minute masks if I want need a quick perk me up but have no time to spare. Dr. van de Hoog overnight mask, it really does works wonders and when you wake up you look 20 again. If you actually are 20 this mask will do nothing for you. The Himalaya Neem mask is my go to when I feel a pimple. If my skin is ridiculously dry mid winter the Bodyshop vitamine E mask is my holy grail. I do buy the little sachets. I don’t care if the jar is cheaper I just don’t believe that all that opening and closing of the jar can be good for the mask.O dear, I really didn’t know I was this opinionated about masks.
Yogurt and honey is a perfect mask that one can make at home. Another nice one is honey and sugar. A good store bought one is Dr. Hauschka’s Clarifying mask. Wonderful :)
Yoghurt and honey works really well, and leaves the skin very soft, I agree with you. I use a couple of masks by Dr Hauschka but not the Clarifying, good tip!
Tata Harper et May Lindstrom sont disponibles en France sur http://www.bazar-bio.fr/42_may-lindstrom
There is nothing better than a relaxing face mask. I am so addicted to them!
xo
styleontheside.com
LUSH! They make a bunch of different types for all occasions and skin types, each one made by hand from organic, fresh ingredients in a magic-powered factory in Canada. The ingredients are so fresh that they must be stored in the refrigerator and expire after a week-and-a-half. My favorite is made of lime flowers, kaolin, honey, almonds, aloe vera, seaweed and rose absolute. They recommend leaving the mask on for 10-15 minutes, but I usually leave mine on for at least half an hour and emerge glowing!
http://www.lushusa.com/BB-Seaweed/06091,en_US,pd.html#start=6
I adore the NARS mask you mention in this post. I just discovered it a few weeks ago, and I’m completely hooked. Highly recommended. The Tata Harper one sounds interesting too.
It is so so so so good! Trust me :))
My favorites are Sisley Express Flower Gel and Origins Drink Up Intensive (works magic overnight)
http://www.sisley-paris.com/en-GB/skincare/face/masks/express-flower-gel-60ml.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwm6CgBRC0zOmrydrqmosBEiQA_xoLRpqq5CdSGGdQLXbB3yaQEFjoB70uS1myopuOoLB_ftkaAsnR8P8HAQ
http://www.origins.co.uk/products/3857/Skincare/Category/Masks/index.tmpl?77tadunit=ef65a051&77tadvert=47339484165&77tkeyword=origins%20mask&77tentrytype=s&77tentry=July_2014_Offer&cm_mmc=google-_-Search-_-brand-_-origins%20mask&gclid=Cj0KEQjwm6CgBRC0zOmrydrqmosBEiQA_xoLRhrrefTF883U_wo8paepaY4eGrFPXhL-quTcbg86yQIaAhe_8P8HAQ
xx
Ellie
Boscia’s Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask…I swearrrrr by it. Also their black mask has changed my skin forever. I do it once a week and that glow you speak of…it happens!
As a make up artist and beauty lover. I have 2 favorite masks, one is for cleansing and that is simply using french clay… And the other is for moisturising the skin. I am a great believer in natural products: I have a potted Aloe Vera plant to moisturize and also I just love the masks from Dr Haushka they are in natural organic plants.
http://www.freshstartbycoralclark.com
Le masque resurfaçant Tata Harper est un de mes produits préférés ! La peau est plus éclatante, les pores affinés et il fait des miracles contre les imperfections. Tout ça grâce à des actifs 100% naturels et des enzymes de fruits.
Et si vous ne connaissez pas la marque Tata Harper n’hésitez pas à découvrir tous les autres merveilleux produits de la gamme : http://www.ecocentric.fr/s/F7343_tata-harper