Sometimes (especially when the nights starting drawing in and the weather's tosh and you just can't be bothered to drag yourself out of the house) there's nothing to beat a night in, a hot date with the sofa, some PJs, a stack of magazines and a face mask. I'm a big advocate for smothering your face in goo; there's something terribly cathartic about the whole process and, of course, the fact that generally it leaves your skin glowing is an added bonus. 'But with so many bajillions to choose from, where do I start?', I hear you cry. I've done the hard work and picked a few current favourites. You're welcome.
For a truly spa-worthy experience (not to mention a LOL), you can't beat the Mask-a-Peel from Bliss (£20 for three from www.marksandspencer.com/). Slightly addictive, this little pot of wonder involves adding water and mixing into a paste, which dries into a thick rubber layer when on the face. Formulated with vitamin C and derived directly from the bliss spa a experience , the mask features blend of antioxidants along with bilberry and seaweed extracts that work to leave your skin instantly looking more radiant, moisturised and healthy.
And it's damn fun to peel off.
Hungarian spa connoisseurs Omoroviccza know a thing or two about skincare and the Ultramoor Mud Mask has become something of a go-to for me. Packed with essential oils of sage, chamomile, rosemary and rose geranium for a cooling and antiseptic effect on the skin, it also contains marine exopolysaccharides derived from plankton to plump fine lines and tighten collagen fibres, Hungarian Moor Mud to purify and detoxify the skin (it's rich in calcium and magnesium carbonates, humic acid and fulvic acid) and Hectorite Clay to draw out impurities and hydrates the skin. Basically, it's a deep cleansing dream of a mask. While it may be £65, it's definitely a worthy investment for a seriously satisfying deep cleanse. www.omorovicza.com
Origins' RitualiTea Matcha Madness Revitalizing Powder Face Mask (try saying that ten times fast...) is another mix-it-yourself concoction. Just add water and this powder in transformed into a creamy, effervescent mask full of antioxidant-rich Japanese matcha and green tea. Fresh, herbaceous, zingy and reviving, it's the perfect antidote to stressful city life and will leave skin feeling instantly revitalised. There are also two others in the range, the Comforting Feeling Rosy with rooibos and rose and Purifying with black tea and chai spices. Is it indulgent to buy all three? £30 from www.origins.co.uk
Any beauty afficionado knows Korea is way ahead of the game when it comes to beauty developments, and seeing as sheet masks have been having something of a thing this year it was only a matter of time before I stumbled across the two in one. Maskorea (see what they did there?) is more than kust a face mask, these three step facial treatments include a pre-mask foaming and soft peeling cleanser, a sheet mask and a post-mask anti-ageing night cream. There are currently three in the range; Turn Back the Clock with collagen to smooth, firm and reduce fine lines, Too Many Late Nights for dehydrated and tired skin, with kiwi and lemo for a vitamin C rush to instantly brighten and improve elasticity, and Instant Glow for skin that needs a pick me up. I love them. SO easy. So quick. The only problem is you can't use all three at once. Currenyl £4.99 each at www.maskoreamasks.com/
Love Laurel x
