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Finding a face mask that works for you is like finding a new best friend — they make you feel better, give you confidence, and can help you out of a slump. Dramatic? Maybe, but let’s be real: a great face mask can be a game-changing addition to your skincare routine.

Face masks are definitely not one-size-fits-all, and investing money in one that ends up doing nothing for you (or worse, breaking you out), can be super frustrating — nobody wants to add once-used products to their skincare graveyard.

In the office, we love talking about the products that we swear by, and face masks frequent the conversations. So, we’ve officially rounded up the ones we love most, and why exactly we love them so much, (it’s the perfect excuse to pick one up, take a bubble bath, and give yourself a self-care night this weekend!).

 

Summer Fridays

Jet Lag Mask

If a mask could be Instagram famous, it would be this one — and for good reason. I have naturally dry skin and this mask keeps my skin super dewy and hydrated. I use it a couple times a week as an overnight mask to really let all the vitamins and antioxidants soak into my skin. You can also mix it into your primer before makeup for an extra glow!

Biossance

Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Facial

This is one of my new favorites. On days when my skin is feeling a little dull and needs an instant pick me up, I use this product for a really gentle exfoliation. After leaving it on for about 10 minutes, I scrub it into my skin before rinsing! It leaves my face with a smooth and radiant complexion. This mask is also good for combating dryness, discoloration, and enlarged pores.

L'Oréal Paris

Pure-Clay Face Mask with Yuzu Lemon

I have a couple of these L'Oreal clay masks (and tbh they're all great!), but this one is my favorite. It's your typical clay mask — dries down to where you can't talk or move your face, and you might freak out your dog (or significant other). I always do this mask at night because I wake up the next morning with the glowiest, softest, most even complexion I've ever had. I also always apply this with a flat foundation brush to pretend I'm at a spa, so I highly recommend that, too.

Aztec Secret

Indian Healing Clay

The first time I bought this mask, it was the month before prom. I wanted to get a deep cleansing facial, but after buying everything else for the big night, I was broke af. So, I did some internet searches and went to my local health food store to try this baby out. Now, I can't imagine ever going without this mask. I only use it about once a month, and I never use it within a week of a big event. It's so powerful that it basically brings any of the gunk hiding under your skin to the surface. So, for about a week, I'll be honest, you don't look too hot. Rest assured though, there were absolutely no surprise breakouts on prom night, birthday parties, weddings, or most importantly, when I saw Nick Jonas. Trust me, it's the best.

Boscia

Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask

I've gone through more tubes of this mask than I can literally even count — IT IS AMAZING. It's a peel-off mask, so it does hurt a bit, but it's the only mask I've ever used that I feel cleans my pores, AND leaves glowy at the same time.

Glamglow

Flashmud Brightening Treatment

Okay, I know the word "Glamglow" can warrant an eye roll — but this mask is SO worth the money. I originally got a smaller size of it in my lovely monthly Sephora Box (highly recommend), and the first time I used it, I kid you not, I gasped. My skin was glowing to the gods, and to this day I haven't found anything that compares. It also lasts a super long time, which helps justify it.

Derma E

Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

I got this face mask as a sample size in my Birchbox subscription a few years back and I IMMEDIATELY fell in love with it! It both exfoliates and detoxifies and you can really feel it working since it purges pores in just 5 minutes. My skin looked so shockingly clean afterward, I was blown away. Finish up with your fave moisturizer (because even though it's not particularly drying, charcoal is charcoal and you'll thank yourself for the extra hydration) and bask in your glowing skin for days to come.

Pixi

Glow Mud Mask

I love the idea of mud skin products – who doesn’t love the idea of mud pulling the toxins right out of your skin and cleansing your pores in the process? The only problem is that, with my super dry and sensitive skin, many mud products just end up being irritating. This mask is the opposite. It’s soothing and deep-cleaning, but not drying at all. And, it’s a lot easier to take off than other mud or clay masks, which, at the end of a long day, is basically everything.

Origins

Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

I picked this up as one of those impulse purchase moments at Ulta - you know, where you pick up like 12 things and then realize you just accidentally spent $200, OH WELL. But I'm actually obsessed with this mask (for once an impulse purchase that paid off!) and have subsequently bought it many a time. It's a little pricey, but lasts a looooong while, even using it every week. I slather it on Sunday nights and then just bask in the feeling of all the gunk and ick being sucked to the top of my pores to be sloughed away in the steamy fall of the shower. Long live charcoal.

Rosen Skincare

Charcoal Mask

We featured the founder of ROSEN Skincare, Jamika Martin, last year — and I absolutely fell in love with Jamika, her story, and her products. After her own lifelong skin struggles, Jamika set out to create natural products that actually work to fight breakouts and scarring — dude, she DID IT. I use several ROSEN products religiously, but this is my absolute favorite — it's not drying, but really effectively stops breakouts in their tracks. (P.S. ROSEN's tingling mud mask is a winner too — try both!!).

Glow Recipe

Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

As someone who naturally has red and splotchy skin, when I slather this on at night, I wake up in the morning with the most even-toned skin I've ever had. It works miracles. And smells like the fruity lip gloss you had as a little kid, in THE BEST WAY possible.

Peach & Lily

Original Glow Sheet Mask

I love a good sheet mask — on facetime, while driving, on the airplane, you name it. This one in particular has every super ingredient I've ever wanted in a mask — Hyaluronic Acid and avocado for moisture, AHA for exfoliation, turmeric and peptides for major glow, and much much more.

Peter Thomas Roth

24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

I have chronic bags under my eyes. It's not just age, as I've had them since I was maybe five, and it's not just lack of sleep because I still have them on the rare occurrence that I sleep for a solid eight hours. These bad boys get rid of my bags like nothing else ever has, and the 24k Gold feels luxurious AS HELL.

First Aid Beauty

Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay

There's something so satisfying about being able to peel a mask, you can almost feel your pores clearing. This red clay mask from First Aid Beauty goes on like a thick moisturizer but quickly dries and tightens into a latex feeling. After 10 minutes, it easily peels off and takes any impurities with it.

Peter Thomas Roth

Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

First thing, it smells phenomenal. It's a resurfacing product that serves as both a mask and an exfoliant. The enzymes in the mask kick start the rejuvenation of skin cells and after 10 minutes, a hot water wash serves as a perfect exfoliant.

The post Our Editors’ All-Time Favorite Face Masks appeared first on The Everygirl.

We’re rapidly approaching the most chaotic time of the year. It’s a good type of chaos, but the season of giving often puts a lot of stress and strain on our social lives, bank accounts, and most notably, our personal downtime. Between tackling an endless shopping list for gifts for our loved ones, researching recipes for Friendsgiving, stressing over which wine to bring to your boss’s Christmas party, and hustling to stay on top of your regular chores and daily tasks, self-care can easily fall by the wayside.

It’s impossible to pour from an empty cup, so in order to fully enjoy the moments of the holiday season, we encourage you to set aside time each week to lavish yourself with some much-deserved attention and pampering. Since your finances will be a little tied up in other areas over the next couple months, let’s start with the perfect at-home facial.

 

Step One: Cleanse

To begin your facial, you’ll want to ensure that your skin is completely clean of all makeup and debris you’ve encountered throughout your day. I like to soak my eye makeup off with a micellar water drenched cotton round, but you can also do this with olive, almond, or jojoba oil. Coconut oil is only ok if you’re not acne prone, since it’s highly comedogenic (meaning that it easily clogs and inflames pores).

Once your eye makeup has been gently removed, you’ll want to do a quick double cleanse. In short, double cleansing is using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser, so you can effectively remove various types of grime from your skin. Chances are you’re already using a water-based cleanser (you’ll know because “water” will be listed as one of its top three ingredients), but investing in an oil-based cleanser is important for your regular routine, as well as an occasional facial.

 

Once you’ve oil cleansed, take time to work your water-based cleanser into a nice lather. This is the step in your facial where you’ll want to focus on some facial massaging, since you’re using a product that is more viscous and allows your hands to move easily across the skin without tugging or pulling. Starting at your chest and working up your neck and jawline with long strokes, gently push the muscles of your face in upward motions while also working your cleanser in circular motions, to encourage an increase of blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. For some visual aid, watch a couple videos of estheticians doing this step before starting your facial.

 

Step Two: Exfoliate

You’ll want to consider your skin condition before deciding on an exfoliation method. If you’re experiencing breakouts and oiliness, then a chemical exfoliant might be best for you; if your skin is dull, uneven, or dry, then you might be better off with a physical granular exfoliant. Exfoliation should always be done with a light hand or by the exact instructions for your particular product. If you’re using a physical exfoliant, be sure that you do not scratch the product against your skin, as this can easily cause irritation, inflammation, and breakouts. For chemical exfoliants, always use them for the prescribed amount of time — longer exposure on the skin will not result in deeper exfoliation, and you could end up with a chemical burn.

 

Step Three: Open

Steam is an important part of a facial, but be mindful to keep it cool! Steam can help open pores to allow for deeper penetration of the products that follow, but too much heat against your skin might cause irritation and sensitivity. Investing in a facial steamer would be ideal, but you can always boil a pot of water, fill a large bowl, and allow your face to hover several inches away from the steam. If it feels warm, back up a little bit, and stay for only about 10 minutes maximum.

 

Step Four: Masks

Yes, masks was meant to be plural. This can be done one of two ways: you can either choose to apply one mask and then follow with another, or you can opt for a multi-mask — it all depends on what your skin is needing! If you’re dealing with oiliness in some places and dryness in others, applying a mud or clay mask to the oily zones, and a hydrating rinse-off mask to the rest of your face might be the best plan for your skin’s needs. If your skin is relatively consistent in all areas, apply a brightening or tightening mask followed by a hydrating sheet mask.

A good facial is all about layering, so don’t be afraid to go all out on the masking! Just be sure that you aren’t mixing too many active ingredients together — in other words, don’t layer on multiple types of exfoliators. If you’ve done a chemical exfoliation during your second step, opt for a couple of different types of hydrating masks to avoid stressing out your skin.

 

Step Five: Press

Now that your skin is clean, pores are opened, and you’ve rinsed away your treatment masks, it’s time to really lay on the hydration. Korean skincare places a heavy emphasis on hydrating layers, and often you’ll see several “skins” applied during facials and daily routines. A “skin” is simply a layer of an essence or hydrating toner that is pressed onto the face using your fingertips, not rubbed on with a cotton round.

Taking a dime-sized amount of your favorite essence or hydrating toner, press it onto your face and neck and repeat as many times as you wish. The Korean 7 Skin Method would have you do it seven times — and since you’ve set aside this space for yourself, why not take the time to complete them all?

 

Step Six: Serum

Now that your skin is in a more receptive state, you’re going to want to give it a good dose of nourishment. You can either go for the brightening effects of a Vitamin C serum, or reach instead for a “buffet” of active ingredients in the form of a more general hydrating serum. It doesn’t really matter which route you take, just get some of that good stuff on your skin!

If you have a jade or quartz roller, now is an excellent time to whip it out. Pop it in your freezer ahead of time and work a dime-sized amount of your serum of choice across your face — the cold roller will help your skin start to calm down after all it has been through thus far. 

 

Step Seven: Eyes and Lips

This one is easy: just apply your favorite eye cream or lip treatment before moving on to your final step. Always remember to apply eye creams with your ring finger for the lightest pressure possible.

 

Step Eight: Seal

All that’s left to do is seal all this goodness in. If you’re doing a facial during the day, or plan on applying makeup later, it might be best to finish off with a simple moisturizer (followed by SPF, of course!), rather than a cream or facial oil. If you’re calling it a night, or never planned on leaving the house in the first place (we don’t judge), then you’ll want to apply a moisturizer and an oil to really lock in all the hydration.

The post How to Give Yourself an At-Home Facial appeared first on The Everygirl.

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