Picture this – I’m sitting at my computer, writing a blog post, and wearing a face mask right now. That’s how dedicated I am, bellas! I’m writing the experience!
I love a good face mask, and looking back on my skincare history, at home face masks have been part of my regimen since I was a teen. I believe my first was St. Ives firming mask (I remember it came in a blue tub back in the 80’s), and then I moved on to the classic Queen Helene Mint Julep. And then back to St. Ives for their enzyme peel off mask (remember the first time you used a peel off mask? LOVE those!).
With age and experience, my use of at home face masks has become more judicious and specific to my skincare needs. I’m no longer as willing to just try a product out because it’s some celebrity’s fave, or it’s 99 cents, or it’s purple (yes, I’ve done all of this before. For shame). Now I turn to a product because I’ve judged it to be the right one for my specific skin problem. Let me share my favorite masks that I turn to when I need to target a skincare issue!
When I have a breakout…
I turn to my skincare savior (still!) Mario Badescu. The Mario Badescu Drying Mask works as an incredible spot treatment, and if you’ve got an all-over acne issue, this product could be a life changer for you. It’s a Colloidal Sulfur based mask with calamine to soothe the skin as it dries out your acne outbreaks. Whenever I get a painful breakout on my face or on my back, this is the mask I turn to first and it just completely dries out the zit within a day or so. Coupled with Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion that blemish never stood a chance. I use this product the most when my hormonal cycle gets out of whack – it prevents me from picking and popping and then getting mad at myself about that.
When my face is super oily…
Belle Butters Neutralizing Butter For Oily Skin helps to absorb the issue! I’m a fan of other Belle Butters products, but everything else I’ve tried was meant to add moisture to the skin or hair. I wasn’t sure how the Neutralizing Butter would work, but let me tell you it DOES. Like a charm. Belle Butters Neutralizing Butter for Oily Skin helps to remove impurities, absorb excess facial oil, and still manages to moisturize and soften my skin. The application of this mask (yes, the neutralizing butter can definitely be best described as a face mask) is unusual but effective – it involves emulsifying the product and using a hot, wet towel to remove it, click here to read an epic post on Addicted to All Things Pretty that totally breaks it down. The ingredients are pure (refined avocado butter, blueberry butter, aloe vera gel and activated charcoal powder are the first four). Basically this product sucks the excess oil out of my face, while still leaving my face soft and moisturized and touchable. I’m loving this one!
When my skin needs to be invigorated…
Bliss Triple Oxygen Energizing Mask does the trick! There’s no way to effectively capture the awesomeness that is a facial at the Bliss Spa itself – click here to read my review – but if you can’t make it to the Bliss spa, I definitely recommend you try out their skincare products. Because they are AMAZING. I’m addicted to their Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, and the Bliss Triple Oxygen Energizing Mask slicks on like a cleanser but you leave it on to let it do it’s thing. The mask bubbles and foams up into a white froth in just a few minutes, and when I wash it off it leaves my skin glowy and fresh and clean feeling. I use this mask on a weekly basis and love the way my skin feels afterwards. Add a dab of Bliss moisturizer afterwards – and my skin feels prepped and pretty for the day.
When I want to soften and cleanse my skin…
I <3 the True Blue Blackberry Peel Off Face Mask available at Bath & Body Works. This list wouldn’t be complete without a good peel off mask. There’s something very instantly satisfying about the act of peeling pretty much anything, no? I know I can’t be the only one who used to put Elmer’s glue on their hands and then peel it off in high school! The True Blue Blackberry Peel Off Face Mask gives me that old high school joy but in the best possible way. When I peel this opaque black mask off my face, it removes all surface impurities and often pulls out quite a few blackheads in the process. And at the end my face feels clean and fresh and I love it. I really like to use this product on my nose and chin – kinda gross but there’s something about seeing the results that’s just as satisfying as the peeling process.
When my pores need deep cleaning…
Proactive Refining Mask is still a go-to fave. The Proactive skincare system has been an infomercial all-star for years and years for a reason – people buy it, and it works. Proactive is like a skincare behemoth unto itself. I do have major love for the Green Tea Moisturizer and the Refining Mask in particular. This kaolin clay based mask works to gently dry out the acne prone areas of my skin, reducing my excess oil without drying out the rest of my face. I love using this mask after steaming my face for maximum purifying results.
(Fun fact of the day – creators of Proactive have gone on to create a new line of skincare! Have you ever heard of Rodan and Fields? I just got introduced to their new line, hope to review for you soon!)
Those are a few of my favorite masks, tried and tested for you – I hope that helps you make your next mask-buying decision!
What are your favorite masks? Do you buy, or DIY? Please feel free to leave your favorite face masks and face mask recipes in the comments!
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