To Mask, with Love

Self-love is the new “it” thing. We all try to accomplish it, but it seems like the majority of us are trying and failing. It seems hard to do, but it doesn’t have to be. We all have this image of laying about with our friends, watching rom-coms with pore strips on our noses, and our faces covered with charcoal masks. Sadly, this is not always the most convenient scenario; however, who said we can’t love ourselves when no one else is around? One of the simplest, easiest, and most beneficial way to immerse yourself in self-care is by getting into the masking business all on your own.

Clearing Treatments are for the people who have acne prone skin, or for someone that is going through a bad break out. Activated charcoal is an ingredient to look for in clearing treatments because it’s good for removing the bacteria, dirt, and other gunk from your skin.

Recommendations:

The Aztec Secret-Indian Healing Clay ($9, Amazon) is the best mask I have ever tried—seriously. You can feel the charcoal refining your pores while also deeply cleansing your face. If you’re feeling a little bougie, I would recommend GLAMGLOW Supermud (mini size, $21 or regular size, $59). When this mask dries, you can literally see how it clears all your pores. It works really well, but I still prefer the Aztec Secret-Indian Healing Clay.

Hydrating Treatments are for people whose dry skin is screaming for some help. I look for masks with shea butter and other natural ingredients that will comfort your skin. If you’re just trying to pamper your face, a hydrating mask will moisturize and leave your skin super soft. Having a bad day? A hydrating treatment will leave you glowing inside and out.

Recommendations:

Burt’s Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask ($3 at most drug stores) is nice. You can literally feel your skin soaking up all the natural ingredients. You leave it on for about ten minutes, and the second you remove the mask, your skin is glowing and baby soft. You can buy it at CVS or Walgreens. And the best part—it’s cheap! Not feeling your local drug store? I suggest Rose Face Mask from the Sephora Collection ($6). It’s bit more expensive than the other mask, but you can honestly feel the difference. Expect to wake up feeling rejuvenated and fresh.

Brightening Treatments are for the people that need a fresh new layer. They know the potential underneath, but need a little help bringing it forward. However, you can overdo this treatment if you are not careful! Using these too often easily irritates the skin. Save this for once a week use.

Recommendations:

I live for the GLAMGLOW Flashmud treatment (mini size, $24 and regular size, $59). It is probably my second favorite mask to use because it does a great job of exfoliating without irritating the skin. You leave it on for about twenty minutes and that’s it. Another, cheaper solution, is the papaya citrus formula 10.0.6 Skin Brightening Mask (about $7 at your drug store). It’s a peel off mask (always lots of fun) that leaves your skin feeling super fresh from getting all your dead skin cells out of the way.

Masking is a business where you are benefiting no one but yourself. Sometimes you need a little more of that in life. There are serious benefits that come from taking care of yourself. You don’t need any other reason than that to care about yourself to mask with love.