Hey, I just love this title and I can’t believe how genius it is. Firstly – who hasn’t been there and (re)watched To All The Boys I Loved Before, preferably with a face mask on. I have certainly been there, multiple times. That was also, back in the times when we didn’t go completely nuts when someone mentions mask. Now when you mention face mask people don’t even think about beauty face masks anymore at first. So, I want to play an ode to beautifying and revive the term of face masks, also we might need face masks more then ever (maskne, damn). Here you go, the list of my loved masks – that I loved and important – still do. Not like all the boys I loved before.
Biologique Recherche – Masque Vivant
First of all it is important to say I won’t pinpoint any of the masks as the best one, since all of these that I am writing about here are amazing and to the work, at least for me. This one is my love at first try – since it does exactly what the name promises – it revives the skin. It contains live yeast extracts which are packed with amino acids and nourishing Vitamin B. This mask is absolutely worth the hype and price since it will keep your skin balanced, purified, revitalized and bright. Only thing that I don’t mind, but you might – at least until you get used to it is the smell. To me it smells like heavenly chocolate facial that does the work. Also, if you mix it with a pinch of baking soda it turns into soufflé that helps you with breakouts and blackheads.
Biologique Recherche Masque Vip O2
Ok, who doesn’t like a mess free mask that doesn’t have a smell and leaves your skin radiant and nourished? Best described – your skin looks you had a power nap afterwards. This is an oxygenating and moisturizing antipollution treatment that restores radiance to stressed, asphyxiated skin. As all Biologique Recherche products it rich in botanical ingredients and contains the Specific Biologique Recherche Oxygenating Complex which stimulates epidermal regeneration and revitalizes the skin. For me it was ideal to soothe my skin, even in sunburs and also if you leave it in the refrigerator prior to use it calms down the skin. Sometimes I use this mask as an overnight mask, applied in thin layer after I’ve applied my serums.
Biologique Recherche Masque Visolastine +
This is my newest addition to my Biologique Recherche collection, perfect for winter period skin (often dehydrated), since it is rich in protective hydration and lipid replenishing active ingredients. It also strengthens the skin’s barrier to protect against water loss ending in dehydration. I have noticed that after using it, my skin gets less dehydrated in next 24+ hours and it stays soft and comfortable.
Biologique Recherche Masque PIGM 400
PIGM 400 is a sheet mask and we all love how convenient they are, that is why I personally adore this one. But, more importantly – this is a real radiance booster, an immediate one. From the first time I have tried it marks of fatigue were instantly smoothed away and erased. I am not even exaggerating. The reason for that is its formula that contains a high concentration of brightening active ingredients (such as red algae and pea extracts and stabilized vitamin C) and exceptional antioxidants, combined with the perfect Lyocell support. Boy, this is a luxury mask that is totally worth every dime – especially now in the times of at home facials. You can consider this one a mask that totally steals the show – I love to use it before a photoshoot or a big day and I totally changes the game.
Biologique Recherche Biomagic Mask
This is a purifying & tightening face mask that leaves the skin glowing, soft and purified. I used this mask almost every second night when I had hormonal acne takeover, and it really made whole lot of a difference. The only thing I would pay attention to when applying masks that contain clay is to remove them as soon as they start drying out on your skin – 10 minutes maximum. This one is great to use before applying make up since it purifies the skin and tightens the pores, so there will be no need for a make up primer.
BooLab Berry Soft
I already wrote an extensive article on Boo Lab natural and handmade products, so you can read more about them here. Berry soft is actually a dual use product – that can be used as a mask and as a peeling – who doesn’t like that? Among the healing ingredients you’ll find Australian pink kaolin clay and white clay, chamomile, hibiscus, ground oats, camu camu powder. This is a skin healing, fortifying and nourishing mask that blew my mind. After mixing it with water/floral water (I prefer rose water), you leave it on for 10 minutes and seriously, you will end up with rosy, healthy, more even and gorgeous skin. Berry soft is in my opinion and experience ideal solution for sensitive and reactive skin (my skin reacts to everything usually) and the creator of it says it can be used on skin with rosacea as well. I am being quite repetitive, but make sure not to use any mask containing clay on your skin longer then 10 minutes. As soon as you see the first patch on your skin drying out, go and wash it gently. That is how you’ll get the best results and yes, that is the only way.
BooLab Earth Mask
Earth mask or Mother of masks as I love to call it. If you need a great clay based mask, you won’t make a mistake by purchasing this one. But clay is only one of the ingredients of this powder mask that needs to be mixed with water in order to use it. Rare, healing and powerful ingredients are camu camu powder (second richest vitamin C source), turmeric powder, ceylon cinnamon, Alaea red volcanic salt, raw cocoa powder, white kaolin clay and green clay. This regenerative mask helps to aid in healing your skin, helps with circulation and the result is balanced but not dehydrated skin. This is a great remedy mask when it comes to acne and pimples, but it needs to be used correctly. Again, don’t leave it on longer than 10 minutes on your skin. When you want to help clearing out your skin, you can use this mask every second day for 5 minutes, but not a second longer than that.
Apivita Radiance Face Mask
This is a radiance recovering citrusy face mask, with orange stem cells, which is a great source of vitamin C. Water has been replaced by a Greek mountain tea infusion with antioxidant action. It moisturizes and offers vibrancy thanks to the Q10 coenzyme, Greek thyme honey and hyaluronic acid. At one point I used this mask once a week for 10 minutes and I loved its gel texture and how it is not messy at all. The results of this mask are honestly, really radiant.
Apivita Pink Clay
Since pink clay is the mildest one, this mask works for ones with most sensitive skin that also needs cleansing. This mask is really gentle towards skin, while afterwards my skin felt a lot cleaner, softer and appearance of pores was definitely reduced. While cleaning and freshening up your skin, this mask makes sure to maintain skin’s natural moisture. This is another clay mask that I really love. Also, Apivita has their masks available in 8ml packages so you can give them a try before purchasing the full size products. How great is that?
GlamGlow Gravitymud Firming Treatment
This is probably the most interesting mask of all I’ve tried in my life. Yes, it is luxurious product, yes it is expensive, and yes – it works. This is a mud based, peel-off mask that changes color from white to a brilliant chrome, so really, you will look like a really expensive alien while masking. Application is easy – with a brush or fingers and peeling off is even easier. So here comes a big plus for a mess free, easy, no pain at all peeling off for this one. Every single time I use this mask I get impressed all over again – I can immediately notice that my skin is visibly tighter, radiant, my pores honestly disappear and contours somehow get more defined. This is without a doubt my favorite Glamglow mask.
Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
I used and abused this mask ever since I first time purchased it on Asos long time ago. I don’t know why I ever stopped – but can’t wait to put my hands on it again. I used this mask a lot back in the days of my impulsive skin picking period since it helped to heal my poor skin really fast. I am not suggesting whatsoever to go and pick your skin and then heal it with this mask, no. I am just trying to picture how effective it is. This is a potent exfoliating mask formulated to remove dead skin cells to renew the complexion. As it brightens the skin and helps with the scarring and skin texture it also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is a gel texture, a bit sticky mask and the smell reminds me of bubble gum. You already know you need to wear an SPF daily, but please make sure when using this – SPF is a must, since this is an AHA product, this mask can make your skin more sun-sensitive.
Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask
This mask was my first product from Madara, I loved the story behind it, I loved the packaging but I wasn’t expecting much to be honest. But oh my – this active AHA peeling mask gives my skin an instant radiance and efficient exfoliation. It has a super dose of fruit acids and vitamin C from Quince fruit, blended with hydrating lactic acid and soothing Elderflower. It is especially beneficial for those with dull, tired skin, signs of aging, lines, wrinkles, age-spots, lack of glow, clogged pores, acne. This is truly one really amazing mask, and make sure to check all the results on their website.
Alverde Aqua Sheet Mask
And here it goes, one drugstore surprise. An inexpensive, natural mask good to have in a fridge for just in case situations, when you need a quick hydration or a cool down or when your skin looks a bit dull. This was something I used on airplanes a lot and I loved it, really. For the price, does more then you’d expect it too. One thing I make sure I do after I remove sheet masks – I wash my face with a cold water and I don’t massage the residue into my skin because my skin somehow gets oversaturated and I might end up in breaking out.
Tony Moly I’m Real Sheet Masks
First K-beauty masks I’ve tried were Tony Moly ones, and most of them were ok, average, but few of them really were my shining stars. For example my skin really loved I’m Tomato, I’m Pearl, I’m Rice and I’m Seaweed Sheet Masks. I purchased them abroad and they were really affordable and did the work amazingly and they also came in packages of two which was amazing because I was able to try them all (almost). They are soaked in different types of enriched essences (Water-type, Micro-Emulsion Type, Milky Lotion Type) to yield maximum hydration for your skin. All of them make sure to hydrate your skin and the ones I used were brightening, illuminating and purifying my skin. I am usually obsessed with elegant, minimal packaging but this one really wants you to buy it. If I were you, I would order them online, they are still too expensive in Croatia.
Nuxe Moisturising Mask Creme Fraîche de Beauté
This is a real deal from a French pharmacy that is suitable for all skin types. This is a SOS moisturising mask with plant milks and hyaluronic acid which provides 48-hour hydration, soothes and protects the skin from pollution. This mask gave me great, hydrated, soft and less tight skin feeling – feeling of a skin after a warm shower. It also gave me no trouble at all – I didn’t have breakouts from it at all. I used it as a mask regularly and I also used it as overnight mask in a thin layer. I love this product!
What do you think about this extensive list of face masks I use, used and loved? Masking is my thing and I look at it as a ritual and it really heals me from the inside out. I love to do my masking right before shower just to make the removal easier, or while I am reading a book. What do you think? What are your secrets and favorites? Let me know.