This post was originally going to be a general mask review. But it took a different direction when my boyfriend asked, “Do those really work?”
Great question.
Part of the reason I personally like to test masks is, they are not all equal. But why invest time and money in masks if they maybe don’t work? Because it’s not just about the mask (or masque if we feel fancy). It’s an experience, 10-20 minutes of self-care, a mini-home spa moment. It’s luxury. It’s indulgent.
The reality is, anyone can benefit from masks (even the non-mask-ers in our lives). So I’m going to break it down for the novices.
- Mask or masque? They are the same thing. One is an english word and the other is french. They have many different forms, we’ll get into that in a moment. Use whichever feels better to you. I think masque feels très chic. For as silly as they may look and feel, it is a delivery method for skincare.
- What care does your skin need? Masks are created for a variety of needs and concerns. Here’s a high level list of some of their focuses:
a. Clear pores (if you have large pores and/or oily skin)
b. Tighten (if your skin just ain’t what it used to be)
c. Brighten (if you have a dull, sallow complexion)
d. Hydrate/nourish (if your skin is dry or lacking bounce)
e. Calm (if your skin is red and irritated)
f. Exfoliate (if you need to remove dead skin)
g. Lighten (if you have hyper-pigmentation or sun damage)
Your mask choice should be coupled with your skin’s needs…which can change on a daily basis. There are general ones that work for everyone and then there are ones for targeted issues. - What mask form/format do you prefer? The experienced mask-er has migrated to sheet masks in recent years, but there’s a format for everyone.
a. Clay – Most often these come in tubes and need to be painted onto your face using fingers or a brush. You can use them very specifically (in your T-zone) or all over, depending on your need. The most satisfying thing about clay masks is as they dry, you can see the oils and impurities pulling into clay. For beginners that need them, these are extremely satisfying. Wash them off once they’ve dried and you’re good to go!
Pro tip: A brush ups the ante on the overall experience of luxury. If you have a loved one, get them to paint it onto you. It’s heaven!
b. Peel Off – These also generally come in a tub or a tube and need to be painted onto your face using fingers or a brush. I strongly recommend using a tool for these since they are sticky and tend to get messy. These need to be applied in an even layer of just the right thickness to dry. Drying takes a little longer, but once it’s dry you get the challenge of trying to peel off the entire thing in one go. This is another fun one for people who like a challenge. Usually peel off masks are generally hydrating. You will still need to rinse your face after.
Pro tip: Avoid any hair, including eyebrows and beards. Trust me, you’ll be happy you listened to me.
c. Balms – There are overnight masks that come in a tub, most often. They are also painted onto your face with fingers or a brush. The biggest difference is, they stay on overnight and do not dry down. They soak into your skin and probably give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Pro tip: Don’t start with these. If you’re new to face-masking, this is advanced. It’s hard to go to bed with a sticky face. Trust me on this.
d. Patches – I’m giving these their own category because they are essentially sheet masks in miniature. They are shaped for targeted locations (like eyes) and deliver specific needs. They may look funny, but a nice under eye mask can hydrate, reduce puffiness, and make you feel revived for the day ahead.
Pro tip: Under eye patches are da bomb! They don’t take long. Most versions are good at staying on your skin. They can be used whether you have contacts or glasses. You can multi-task. You will notice an immediate difference!
e. Sheet Masks – These are the holy grail of masks these days. These are the full face masks that can be juicy and wet, gel (and drier) or (gasp!) DRY? They may come in a single piece (most common) or two pieces (upper and lower) – my personal favorite for optimal fit. If you’ve ever seen someone looking vaguely like a serial killer out of your favorite horror movie, it’s probably a sheet mask. I have personal opinions about wearing them in public – but I hate horror movies – so it’s probably all related. - Where to get them? The use of masks is over 5,000 years old. The short answer is – anywhere/everywhere.
a. Homemade (Follow recipes from ancient India, Egypt, China!)
b. Drugstore and grocery stores (Walgreens, CVS, Boots)
c. Specialty stores (Sephora, Ulta, Kiehl’s)
d. Online (You’ve heard of Amazon, right?)
e. Spa (Pay an aesthetician at your local spa for the full deal!) - How often to use them? Rely on the manufacturer’s instructions for this since all masks and all needs differ. There are some you can do daily, others weekly, others with different frequencies. Read the directions and pay attention to how your skin reacts to them. You will develop favorites pretty quickly.
Alright. You’ve officially graduated from Masks 101. If you feel educated and cosmopolitan, it’s Masques 101.
My pitch to you if you are a novice or have a loved one that’s a novice…this is a great bonding experience to do together. It might feel silly. You might not think they do anything. But it’s 10-20 minutes you can hang out with your loved one(s) treating yourselves and bonding over a common experience. That’s worth it alone, right?
I originally was thinking about men as I wrote this piece. I think both self-care and skin care generally pedaled to women is inaccessible to men of a certain generation. Most women, particularly by the time we reach a certain “wisdom”, have been exposed to masks. Although I was inspired by men, in truth my mother never really was a mask-er and I’m having fun exposing her to my world later in her “wisdom”. (Hi, Mom!)
Now go forth into the world and MASK!
P.S. If you have favorites or try new masks based on this piece and want to share your experiences, please comment!! I will share some of my curated favorites by category in another post sometime. But if you need suggestions, drop me a comment and I’ll be sure to reply!
