My Favourite Face Masks

I love face masks. Applying a face mask feels ritualistic, and wonderfully healing and restorative - a once-a-week chance to do my skin some special good. Marketeers jump on this bandwagon because it's great for sales, because what self-loving woman wouldn't want to quench her skin's thirst? Or to "bio-repair" and rejuvenate her skin? But so long as you're able to take any and all of these claims with a big pinch of salt, face masks and any other of sort of weekly treatments can be fun and still do your skin some good. Personally, I use face masks twice a week and for me they're very much connected with self-love and taking time away from my everyday worries. I apply my face masks whilst I run a bath, or at the end of the day before I go to bed. When I pick them up I know I'm about to take a moment to pamper myself in a way that I enjoy, and all of my favourite face masks do something wonderful for my skin. 

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Review

Review: Lush Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask

Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask available from Lush for £5.95

By now it might have become clear that I'm a little bit obsessed with face masks. I love face masks and I use them for a variety of different skin benefits. This weeks face mask of choice, Lush's Fresh Face Mask Brazened Honey is advertised by Lush as a "detox" mask, for use when perhaps you've been burning the candle at both ends. I have to admit that lately I've been a little lax with, well, everything and my skin has been a little worse for wear - duller than I'd like with a break out or two.

On paper Brazened Honey sounds more than perfect as it contains exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing elements making it a wonderful 'all rounder'. I have to admit, it performs amazingly and it leaves my skin smoother, softer and brighter looking. I don't think it is the best cleansing mask from Lush (I think Cupcake is probably better suited for my skin) and it is a little bit on the harsh side because it contains ground almond shells, so this is not one for very sensitive skin. However, I do think that is a great mask for oily skin as I've found that it has great de-greasing properties and I think it has had a really positive effect on my normally very oily t-zone. Although, its worth bearing in mind that it does contain eggs, honey and almond oil so it isn't drying at all. Basically, this is one for a whole host of skin types and I'd say it is definitely worth a try, I've certainly really enjoyed using it and have noticed an improvement in my skin.

Do you have a favourite Lush face mask?

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Soothin' and Smoothin': Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask

I own another Super Facialist face mask and my success with that one definitely encouraged a second dip into Super Facialist's skincare offerings. This face mask happens to be another wonderful gift from my friend Tom (he knows how to spoil me) and I am thrilled with it. I have a small arsenal of face masks aimed at exfoliating and cleansing my skin but there's not one moisturising mask in sight. Super Facialist's Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask had its work cut out for it as I had high expectations, but it didn't disappoint.

Rose scented but oddly grainy, it was all a little unexpected. I'm not used to such soothing scents gracing my face when I apply a mask and the texture is downright bizarre. However, ten minutes later without one moment of stinging (always a good sign that what I've slathered on isn't irritating my sensitive skin) I removed the face mask with warm water and my trusty face sponge to find far smoother and more hydrated skin. It was a success story from day one, and now I happily use it once a week to counteract any dehydrating effects from my weekly clay mask. And every week it repeats its magic, it isn't a one hit wonder. It is definitely suitable for sensitive skin and I find it very effective, which isn't what I was necessarily expecting from a drugstore face mask. The Super Facialist range is really quite fabulous, for a fraction of the price of higher end face masks you get a wonderful product (and quite a lot of it too). I've been using my 125ml tube of Super Facialist's Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Mask for months and months now and I still have product left. The amount of product you get makes them even better value for money and means that I'll undoubtedly be using this hydrating face mask into winter, which is lucky as that is probably when I'll most need it. 

There isn't anything I dislike about this face mask, I'm even a fan of the packaging (and I can be really fussy when it comes to packaging). Overall, it's a winner and I'd definitely recommend it, but if it doesn't tickle your fancy then (if you haven't already) do take a peek at the Super Facialist range at Boots as there a whole range of lovely products worth some attention. You can find this face mask in Boots stores or online here.

Do you use a moisturising mask?

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REVIEW: Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask

Super Facialist's Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask is something I've been meaning to review for what feels like ages! I've been using this mask for quite a few months now and it's part of my regular skincare routine (I use it every week, once a week). This 125ml tube has lasted me really well and, although this isn't to do with it's effectiveness, I really do love that the packaging has held up so well. (You can tell I obsess about the products in my bathroom looking neat and clean, haha.) 

The first time I used this Clay Mask I actually did a skin test (on my neck) just to double check that this wasn't going to be way too harsh on my skin as I've had bad reactions from clay face masks in the past. This passed the initial test but when I did first apply it to my face it did feel too strong for my dry and sensitive cheeks. When my face feels particular sensitive I only apply this to my oily t-zone but when it feels more normal, or if I have specific blemishes I want to target, I will apply this all  over. I think it's important to know what your skin needs because I for one know that overall my skin really can fluctuate but my t-zone will always be in need of this sort of product.  It's worth bearing in mind that this isn't a super gentle product but if you don't have sensitive or dry skin then this is something that can really help your skin to look its best.

Whenever I apply this Clay Mask (which is usually mid-week) I notice that it does an excellent job of cleansing my pores and reducing oil and shine. I do  actually feel that it's gotten more effective the more I've used it and I've found especially wonderful at drying up blemishes and shrinking pores. This is to do with the fact that it contains salicylic acid which is a brilliant ingredient for unclogging blocked pores. This face mask does, however, promise 'skin balance' and it contains hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and avocado oil. For it's price, £8.99 available from Boots, I think that Super Facialist's Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask is fantastically good value. It's effective, it contains high quality ingredients and it lasts for months. If you think this sounds right for your skin type then I would highly recommend it.

If this sounds like it would be too harsh for your skin then in it's place I would recommend Lush's Catastrophe Cosmetic which you can read a review of here.

What face masks would you recommend?

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REVIEW: The Body Shop Honey and Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask

After a very happy experience with Lush's Oatifix I was keen to try another oaty face mask, and like Oatifix this face mask isn't aimed at my skin type but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. The Body Shop's one appealed to me as I've enjoyed using their clay masks in the past so I didn't think twice before picking this one up. It's a really all-purpose mask as it claims to hydrate, cleanse and exfoliate the skin. I've used this three times (but less regularly than I would use my Lush face masks, mainly because this one has a longer shelf-life) and each time I've noticed very similar effects. When I actually use this on my skin it isn't exactly comfortable at first, it definitely stung the areas of my skin that were dry (most notably, my cheeks). I was very tempted to take it off immediately, as this is what I would normally do when a product feels like that on my skin. However, this feeling did subside relatively quickly so I waited for about 10 minutes before washing it off. When you get around to washing it off the oatmeal grains lightly, and gently, exfoliate your skin. 

After removing the face mask I can feel that my skin is more hydrated and it is certainly softer. I don't think that this cleanses my skin really and it doesn't really have an impact on my pores or blackheads, but its smoothing and hydrating properties do impress me. I enjoy using this face mask but isn't something that I've fallen in love with. I think it may definitely be better for normal-dry skin types but I don't think that it is suitable for sensitive skin as the stinging sensation that I felt could certainly be hugely uncomfortable on more sensitive skin than mine. If I had to choose between Lush's Oatifix and the Body Shop's Hone and Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask then Oatifix would win. However, I do like that this can be kept for a year after opening meaning that it can be used very irregularly. One other important factor that might affect whether you purchase this is the smell- it doesn't smell at all sweet or oaty like Oatifix does. It doesn't really have much of a scent at all really! I was a little bit disappointed by this, but if you find Oatifix a bit sickly then this might be more up your street smell-wise.

The Body Shop's Honey and Oat 3-in-1 Scrub is available in Body Shop stores or online here for £10.

What hydrating face masks would you recommend?

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REVIEW: Lush's Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

My love affair with Lush facemasks is no secret at this point in time. I've tried  BB Seaweed, Oatifix, Catastrophe Cosmetic and now finally I have found one that (for my skin) tops them all! Cupcake is perfect for my oily skin, especially as it has been very prone to blemishes lately. It may look like chocolate, and there is something chocolately in it's scent, but it doesn't smell  heavy or sickly like some of the chocolate products that I've tried before have done. Not only does applying it out of the fridge (like all of the face masks I've tried from Lush) feels incredibly refreshing but the face maks then does exactly what it says on the packaging - it helps reduce excess oil and calm blemished skin without drying skin out (thanks to the cocoa butter content). It basically does everything that combination, oily or troublesome teenage skin could want it to do. I've been using this for a couple of weeks now (I've used it six times) and every time I see an improvement in the look and feel of my skin. This is especially noticable because  my skin is in a particularly bad state right now compared to how it is normally. Overall, I am really very impressed with this face mask. This little pot of goodness will definitely be repurchased next time my skin plays up, I even think it did a better job than Catastrophe Cosmetic (which is the facemask usually recommended for blemished skin). If you have skin like mine and you haven't already tried Cupcake then you should definitely go out and get some, you won't regret it!

What's your favourite face mask?

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