27 October 2014

Favourite Face Masks

The first time I ever used a face mask was when I was in high school. My best friend and I would buy those French masks in the packets at Clicks (you still get them, amazing!) as they were the only ones available, and we loved thinking that we were pampering our skins. I always went for the peach kernel scrub mask, which, in hindsight, probably did more bad than good. My best friend would go for the peeling mask, which never ended well as she couldn't get the mask completely off.

Fast forward to a few months before my wedding (about August 2012) when I started going to a certain beauty salon for monthly facials and was reminded of how much I used to like putting on masks. Since then I have tried quite a few masks and acquired enough to give the whole neighbourhood facials. In this post I will give a quick rundown of my favourite masks, most of which I mentioned in my Masking routine blog post.

Chemical exfoliators

The only chemical exfoliating mask I'm currently using is the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. It has a thick consistency and is slightly gritty (gritty as in not smooth, not gritty as in abrasive), and smells like marmalade. A few generous pumps of this is applied to clean, dry skin and left for about 10 minutes after which it is gently washed off with warm water and a cloth (a cloth is included when you buy this mask). This mask can tingle slightly and leaves your skin clear and smooth. It doesn't break me out, but I find that this mask only really works for me in conjunction with other masks.

Clay/purifying masks

As you can see, I have built up quite the collection of clay masks. Clay masks purify and deep clean the skin, but using it too often can lead to the skin being too dry, and therefore producing more oil.

The Clicks Chocolate Face Mask (not pictured) is a cheap packet mask. It reminded me of the Placecol hydrating chocolate face mask that they always mix in a bowl and slap on your skin before removing the mask-like remnants in one swoop after 20 minutes. It looks and smells exactly like chocolate and is a real treat for your skin. This doesn't break me out, but leaves my skin feeling nice and hydrated.

The REN Detoxifying clay mask does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a detoxifying clay mask for combination to oily skin. I love the REN pump bottles with the little nozzle thing-a-majigs that keep the spout open and unclogged. I don't really have more to say about this besides that it's a lovely clay mask.

Origins is unfortunately not available in South Africa, but if you're ever overseas, treat yourself to a few of their products. The charcoal mask, for instance, is a nice and purifying mask that gets the job done. It doesn't smell like charcoal, thankfully, and gets rid of blackheads and other unsightly blemishes.

The Freeman's range of masks is a really good budget option for those who either want to expand their mask collection, or who want to start playing around with masks. I have both the Chocolate and Strawberry clay mask and the Lemon and Mint clay mask, but the Chocolate and Strawberry is my favourite, for obvious reasons. It smells like chocolate (just like the Clicks mask), and does just as good a job, in my opinion, as some of the higher-priced brands. I've found that the Lemon and Mint one makes my eyes water, even though I keep far away from my eyes. But that might just be me. You can buy Freeman's from Dischem.

The Dirty Works Vitamin C Brightening Mask is another gem from Clicks. It's well-priced, comes in cute packaging, and does as good a job as some of its more high-end contestants. I can't really say if this really has a brightening effect, but as far as a clay mask, it does a good job. And it smells like oranges, so what's not too love? This didn't break me out, but left me with clear skin.

The Body Shop is really killing it in terms of skincare products. Besides their warming mask, I love the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. It's the colour of cement and it pretty much smells like seaweed, but oh boy is it a goodie! It does however sometimes burn my skin, but I've never had a rash or breakout afterwards, so maybe it's just an indication of it working...? Either way, this is a pretty cool mask to try and also won't break the bank, especially if you keep an eye open for special promotions.

I can't really say too much about the Clarins pink clay mask since I only have a few samples, but it's also a nice deep cleansing clay mask. Nothing more, nothing less.

The last clay mask I'm featuring is the Korres Pomegranate clay mask. I actually won this in a competition and couldn't wait to try it out. As you can see it is well-loved! It's a small tube but I've already got about five uses out of it. It's also the perfect size for travelling. The smell is inoffensive and it's also another nice deep cleansing clay mask. You can buy this at certain large Edgars stores who stock Korres.

 Moisturising masks

This is another place where I seem to hoard masks!

I received the Optiphi Hydra-Derm HA Masque from a fellow blogger and I absolutely love it! It's a thick and creamy mask that you apply to the skin almost like a moisturiser. You can either tissue it off after 10 minutes, or leave it on. I normally leave it on and then just pat it in by the time I go to bed. It leaves my skin smooth and hydrated and just looking good!

The Origins Drink-up intensive overnight mask is a good companion to the charcoal mask. This mask is a thick pale yellow cream that smells like apricots and is also a leave-on mask. This also leaves my skin looking plumped and healthy.

It might be blasphemy, but I think I prefer the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask to the Origins one! It doesn't smell as good, but the results seem to be your face? (See what I did there?) It's also a positive for the girls in South Africa, as Clinique is freely available, while Origins is not!

Another Dirty Works gem comes in the form of their Rose & Glow Moisture Mask. Soft rose scent, check. Budget friendly, check. Moisturises and plumps, check.

A lot has been said about The Body Shop Vitamin E moisture sink-in mask, and I can confirm that it is indeed a winner. I'm not too fond of the smell, to me it doesn't smell as nice as the other Vitamin E products, but it might just be this specific jar. Does what it says on the tin, travels well, won't break the bank.

Last but not least is the packet masks from SkinLogic and Sorbet. They cost anything between R32 and R50 and is super easy to use. You tear open the packet, unfold the mask, put in on your face, and leave it on for 20 minutes. I find it extremely difficult to do ANYTHING with this on my face, as it feels like it's slipping off the whole time, but a treat nonetheless.

And those are all my favourite masks that I've been collecting the past few years! I hope you enjoyed reading this, and thanks for reading all the way to the end! What are your favourite face masks? Come one, enable me.

Until next time!


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