Tried and Tested: Face Masks
Our editors experimented and reported back with the results.
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Dull complexion? Plagued with pigment? Whatever the skin concern, there's a mask for that. From brightening and hydrating to wrinkle-reducing and pore shrinking, these are the masks that Bazaar editors swear by.
For Pore Refining
What it is: A pore-tightening clay mask
What it does: Spanish clay soaks up oil; nourishing oils hydrate; peptides help tighten skin.
BAZAAR Report: We applied a thin layer of this lightweight mask for ten minutes. After washing it off with warm water, our skin felt velvety soft and our pores seemed to have vanished.
Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask, $70, charlottetilbury.com.
For Reducing Wrinkles
What it is: A moisturizing treatment mask
What it does: Hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates while fruit acids exfoliate dead skin and stimulate cell turnover.
BAZAAR Report: This mask can be applied in three doses: 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or you can leave it on overnight. It had a grainy, exfoliating texture and that felt cooling and slightly tingly upon application. When we rinsed it off after twenty minutes our skin felt plumped, hydrated and smooth.
This Works No Wrinkles Time Dose Mask, $66, thisworks.com.
For Bright, Even Skin
What it is: A brightening, pigment-reducing cotton sheet mask
What it does: The active ingredient Dermapep lightens pigmentation 20 times more effectively than skin bleaching topical Hydroquinone; antioxidants reduce inflammation; hyaluronic acid plumps the skin and softens wrinkles.
BAZAAR Report: The first time we tried this mask we left it on for the recommended 15 minutes and were shocked that the brown blotches on our cheeks seemed lighter. During test two, we wore it for 40 minutes so our skin could absorb all of the serum. When we peeled it off, our complexion beamed so bright our friends asked if we had gone for a facial.
Eve Lom Brightening Mask, $160 for 8 masks, barneys.com.
For Tighter Skin
What it is: An anti-aging mask
What it does: Encapsulated ceramides hydrate skin; antioxidants and vitamin C combat environmental pollution and tighten sagging; anti-glycation peptides increase collagen production.
BAZAAR Report: The best part about this ultra-hydrating mask? You can actually wear it overnight without making a mess of your pillow and your blowout. We did it several nights and woke up to tighter skin and compliments from our friends on our glowing skin.
Kate Somerville Age Arrest Hydrating Firming Mask, $75, katesomerville.com.
For Nourished Skin
What it is: A moisturizing, calming fiber sheet mask
What it does: Natural honey extract and aloe vera soothe irritated, sensitive skin and lock in moisture.
BAZAAR Report: It smells slightly fruity and feels cool and refreshing. It got a bit tight after fifteen minutes and even though the directions say not to rinse after, our skin felt too sticky not to. It left our skin smooth and hydrated, though.
Sephora Honey Mask, $6, sephora.com.
For Intense Hydration
What it is: An ultrahydrating gel sheet mask
What it does: Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1000x its weight in water and penetrates deep into dry skin; cranberry extract repairs lost elasticity and bounce in the skin.
BAZAAR Report: We've been flying quite a bit and our skin was beginning to feel it. We threw on this single use mask while working and it was instantly cooling. Afterwards our face felt tighter and hydrated all day. Afterwards, our face felt tighter and more moisturized all day.
Dr. Jart Water-Full Hydrogel Mask, $42, sephora.com.
For Blemishes and Deep Cleaning
What it is: A mattifying, pore-cleansing mask
What it does: Witch hazel and cucumber extract tone, balance and calm oily/acne-prone skin.
BAZAAR Report: It helped to clear up a small blemish we had, but it didn't leave our skin feeling tight and dried out like other acne masks can.
Nügg Deep Cleansing Face Mask, $3, nuggbeauty.com.
For Refreshed Skin
What it is: A detoxifying mud mask
What it does: Activated charcoal gently absorbs oil and impurities while black sugar brightens and exfoliates dull skin.
BAZAAR Report: The mask went on a lot thicker than we thought it would but that actually made it easy to apply. We left it on for about 15 minutes (the packaging didn't say how long to leave it on for) but as the mask dried, it got itchy and a little uncomfortable. Once we rinsed it off though, our skin instantly felt so much smoother. There wasn't a dramatic difference in the way it looked but it felt a lot better—softer and more moisturized.
Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask, $2, freemanbeauty.com.
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