marvelous masks

If you came to me and asked me for a drink I would say, "What kind of drink? Water? Cappuccino? Vodka on the rocks?". It would depend on what you wanted the drink to do: hydrate, energize, or unwind. Well, the same is true for facial masks. You can come to me and say you want a mask but I will need to know what kind of mask - what do you want it to do. Different masks do different things. Some masks hydrate, others firm, or soothe, or exfoliate (I will deal with exfoliating masks in another post because, being the best way to exfoliate, they are a law unto themselves). So keeping in mind your own skin's needs, here is a rundown on some of the finest working masks.

For inflamed, irritated, or just plain sensitive skin, First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask will calm things down. When you put it on, your skin will sigh with relief because the ingredients of colloidial oatmeal and sea buckthornberry are so very healing. As it soothes and hydratles you will definitely notice a reduction in any redness. Bravo!

If you are looking a little haggard I can't think of anything better to use than the Fresh's Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask. This is a multipurpose mask that will perk you right up and give you  glow. It hydrates, it firms, it smoothes and gives instant radiance. Not that many masques out there are able to multitask so effectively. It comes in a big tub so it will seem very expensive but ounce for ounce it is worth every penny - those in the know call this the "date night mask" or the "miracle mask".

The best type of mask for oily or pimply skin is a clay mask. Add some sulfur to the mix and you've got death for acne. Peter Thomas Roth's Therapeutic Sulfur Mask will clear you right up. Use it up to three times a week and you will be a happy little beauty vixen. The clay pulls out impurities and the sulfur dries the oil up. You can even dab it on as a spot treatment at night.

Like Peter Thomas Roth, Dermalogica is a professional brand that will give you a spa treatment at home. I particularly love their Skin Hydrating Mask because all that lovely hyaluronic acid plumps your wrinkles right up and gives your skin a youthful dewy look. If you're not too sure what kind of mask to do, hydration is the way to go - it covers a multitude of sins.