Little Magazine 17
Face Masks—the good kind.
The next best thing
to receiving much needed R+R from the magic hands of your favorite Esthetician (if you’re so lucky to have one), is at-home masking. And not the Covid-y kind, but the fun kind. They’re great for special occasion prep, but also just great for daily-use. They’re easy, too! That’s always a plus in life. It’s always been a must-have for my bridal makeup prep process for my clients. It leaves skin super hydrated, plump, bright and dewy.
Let’s go over a few rec’s if you have no idea where to start. They’re so popular now that they’re in every local drug store, but if you’ve never gotten into the habit of using them before (and even if you have!), here are some tips in helping you navigate the process.
Do’s & Don’ts
Before we jump in, let’s go over some of the basics. The beauty of sheet-masking is that it’s ready-to-go. No fussing with scooping out and rinsing off like traditional masks. They’re single-use fabrics (usually), soaked in a serum specifically designed to address certain skin issues (ie- moisturizing, anti-aging, brightening). They’ve been a staple in the Korean skincare regimen for decades. I saw my mom use them on the reg while growing up (and people think she’s my sister so I think she knows what she’s doing).
DO’s:
· Wash your face beforehand. You don’t want to apply penetrating serums onto yucky skin.
· Use them regularly. It’s like a concentrated product-application, and most of them are usually nourishing in nature, so generally speaking, you can’t really over do it. You can use them daily.
· Read instructions. Not all sheet masks are created equally. Some are gels, which may come with a plastic film (don’t forget to take it off)! Also, some may not be intended for prolonged application. Read ingredients and their effects on the skin.
· Use the excess serum in the package! Use it on your décolleté, arms, hands, feet.
· Pat in the excess product after removing the mask and apply a moisturizer on afterward. This will lock in the good stuff.
DON’Ts:
· Wash your face after the mask! It’s like a mini-facial. Imagine washing your face after a facial. That kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?
· Use a moisturizer before a mask. This may create a barrier and prevent effective product absorption.
· Neglect your usual skincare regimen. You can’t just take vitamins and skip food, right?
· Reuse them! That’s yucky. Do save the extra serum in the packet (sometimes there’s a ton of extra), seal and refrigerate until reuse. They sell dry compressed facial sheet masks that you can pop in there to soak up the extra for a little treat. It’s like a twofer (2-for-1)!
Hydration.
It’s a common misbelief that drinking water will suffice for the skin. Not true, friends. While indisputably important to our health, ultimately, topical hydration is vital to our skin-health. If you need some quick hydration to the skin but don’t have a ton of time, here are some options:
· Patchology ($8)- 5 minutes
· Skinesque ($38- 30 pcs)- 3 minutes
· Dewytree ($18- 30 pcs)- up to you. Let’s say 5 minutes.
Be Extra.
Sometimes you just need to give yourself a little extra love and self-care. Luxury-style. Here are some recommendations for that special occasion, or just because you wanna.
· SK II ($95/ 6 pcs)- This has been my go-to for years. My mom swears by their essence, and, well—she looks great.
· La Mer ($155/ 6 pcs)- La Mer is synonymous with luxury. If you don’t want to dive into the skincare line, treat yourself to the mask.
· Sulwhasoo ($60/ 5 pcs)- Sulwhasoo is long-known as one of the staple Korean luxury skincare brands. Think: the Korean version of Cle de Peau vibes.
Remember, every time you sheet-mask, a future wrinkle dies. Lol. Have a dewy week, friends. See you next Tuesday! -Renee :)