Beauty
Add a face mask to your beauty routine
PHOTO: Carlyle Routh | HAIR AND MAKEUP: Jukka/Moroccanoil/Make Up For Ever/Plutino Group
Beauty
Add a face mask to your beauty routine
As the beauty world’s love of face masks grows, so does the variety of technology and efficacy available. Here’s the latest in masking to bestow you with your best glow.
The masking category grew by leaps and bounds in 2018, and it’s looking to hit peak saturation in 2019. Whether it’s a mask that hydrates, soothes or detoxifies, you’ll find something for every skin type.
Tip: Double down on hydration by layering a moisturizing sheet mask over a heavy-duty cream mask.
Our picks for the best at-home complexion care.
(From top) Eau Thermale Avène Tolérance Extrême Mask, $37, shoppersdrugmart.ca. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask, $44, sephora.ca. Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask, $69, kiehls.ca. Rawceuticals Red Berry Dual Mask & Gommage, $75, carylbakervisage.com. Dr Roebuck’s Tama Healing Mask, $28, shoppersdrugmart.ca. Kiss New York Professional 24K Gold Peel-Off Mask, $7, londondrugs.com. Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack Mask, $27, glossier.com. Pixi Collagen Plumping Mask, $28, shoppersdrugmart.ca.
Pick Your Mask
How do you choose? Esthetician Victoria Radford guides us in the right direction.
For Oily Skin: Worried that masking will cause breakouts? Stick to sheet or clay masks with ingredients such as retinol and glycolic or hyaluronic acid.
Radford 24K Gold Hydrogel Face Mask, $16, victoriaradford.com.
For Sensitive Skin: If you have reactive skin, choose a soothing mask. Look for ones with oatmeal, goat’s milk or chamomile.
The Body Shop Mediterranean Almond Milk With Oats Instant Soothing Mask, $28, thebodyshop.ca.
For Dry Skin: A rehydrating mask can help. Ensure that it contains hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask, $4.50, neutrogena.ca.
Sheet Mask Versus Traditional Mask
As long as a mask is formulated with peptides, amino acids and antioxidants, both types can help nourish your skin. But according to Radford, sheet masks go one step further. “They allow ingredients to soak into the skin a little deeper and help seal in the benefits,” she explains. Though, she notes, not all sheet masks are the same. “A paper mask is different than a hydrogel sheet mask.” The latter hugs your face more tightly and better locks in moisture.
Biotherm Life Plankton Essence-in-Mask, $66/box of 6, biotherm.ca. Teaology Imperial Tea Miracle Face Mask, $49, teaologyskincare.ca.
Saving Face
Victoria Radford, esthetician and owner of Radford Studio in Toronto, takes us through an at-home facial, sinkside.
Step 1: Choose your formulation. If you’re looking to control oil, opt for a clay mask; if your skin is dry, try a creamy hydrating mask; and if you want to tighten pores, select a peel-off version.
Step 2: Remove impurities and excess oil with your choice of cleanser.
Step 3: Exfoliate. Radford recommends a chemical exfoliator or a peel pad. “The idea behind this is to dilate your pores and remove dead skin cells to help make the mask more effective.”
Step 4: If you used a traditional mask, follow the directions for how long to leave it on, then rinse. If you chose a sheet mask, once you remove it, remember to gently pat any extra serum into your skin. For drier skin, Radford suggests sealing in the treatment by applying a rich moisturizer.
Multimasking
Multimasking is what it sounds like: applying various masks to different areas of the face to treat multiple skin needs. The green mask in this trio has eucalyptus for purifying, the charcoal-based black one helps energize dull skin and the red one has red algae for exfoliation.
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Multi-Mask Clay Kit, $13, lorealparis.ca.
Foam Party
Looking to give your skin’s texture a pick-me-up? This powder-to-foam mask is supercharged with 20 percent vitamin C. Just add water to create a citrus lather that’s so powerful you only need to use it twice a week.
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vitamin C Glow Powder, $49/pkg of 12, sephora.ca.
Quick Fix
Having spare time in the a.m. is the ultimate luxury, so masks are often applied in the evening. But with five minutes, you can get glowing skin. This mask delivers low-weight (fights aging) and high-weight (plumps skin) hyaluronic acid.
Vichy LiftActiv Hyalu Mask, $63, vichy.ca.
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