True Life: I'm Addicted to Face Masks

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I'm an avid fan of face masks and currently on the journey to a skin care glow-up (new post coming soon). I've tried several, and when I say several I mean tons and tons of masks. From clay masks to peel masks to sheet masks, I've done it all. I even had to invest in an organizer just for all of the sheet masks I have... There's a lot of masks that I've liked, but not a lot that I've loved.

Here are my most beloved:

My newest and most favorite find. The Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask. The catch is that I don't use it as a regular mask. The times I've tried it as the traditional spread it on your face and wait 20 minutes kind, I haven't noticed much difference. But when used as overnight spot treatment, it's a game changer. I've also tried many different spot treatments, but when using this, I find that anything on my face becomes far less big, less red and goes away much faster.

I just dab a little on any spots I have and leave it on until I wake up. I realize this isn't the intended way of using it and may not work this way for everyone, but this is what has worked for me. It's also helped me to not pick at my face because this helps any bumps go down before it even gets to that point. This mask has been a life saver, is pretty affordable and I def recommend trying it out!

Next up is a beloved cult-favorite, the Indian Healing Clay Mask. I've loved this one for a year now. It's a little time consuming to make, but I always mix it with apple cider vinegar instead of water. ACV is said to have amazing properties for your skin. It takes a little trial and error to get the right consistency, but once you spread it on, you can feel it start to go to work.

This mask tightens up so much you can barely move your face and you can literally feel your face pulsate, but after you wash it off you can feel the difference in your skin. There is one disclaimer - when I've left it on for the longer than instructed 20 minutes, I've seen reverse effects. It doesn't always dry up in 20 minutes, but leaving it on for the intended time has made my skin feel amazing and given me results of brighter, clearer skin for several days after using. This is usually a mask I use every Sunday night.

My third go-to mask is the Lush Mask of Magnaminty. It smells fresh and minty. It's kind of a less-intense version of the Indian Clay Mask. I find that my skin feels tighter, smoother and fresher. I also see improvement with any acne too. This is a mask I'd use 1-2 times a week. Again, once I spread it on I try to wait only 20 minutes and then wash it off. The mask has a chunky factor to it that I massage into my face while washing off for extra exfoliation.

Lush is amazing for trying out different face masks. Most have all natural ingredients and definitely give off that hand-made vibe. Not only do I love their masks, but mostly all of the other products they have as well (whyyy don't we have one in Wichita?!). There's a couple of the refrigerated fresh ones that I've loved, but haven't used enough to give any advice or testimonials about.

Last but not least are the eye gels I love. These are Honest Hazel cactus collagen eye masks. I got mine while in NYC at an Anthropology store, but you can find them online or on Amazon. I had always wanted to try collagen eye masks after having seen every blogger on Instagram use them at least once.

After I've finished my night time face routine, I put these on. They're a little slimy and take some adjusting to get them into the perfect place under your eye, but they feel amazing on your skin. I love how long they are because they extend from your inner eye area to up near the eyebrow, catching the whole area. These are meant to either leave on for a little while or sleep in and I always choose to sleep in them. They dry up by morning and I swear my eyes look the most refreshed after using these. Since there are only three to a pack, I try to limit my usage to when I've had a long week/weekend, have something important the next day or just the occasional self-care Sunday.

I do love the occasional fun mask and love to try the new ones I see while strolling the aisles of Target. The one to the left is a brightening 'Unicorn' peel-off mask. It was an iridescent, shimmery white and smelled like fresh grapefruits. *Disclaimer: be ready to notice every hair on your face that you didn't even know was there because peel-off masks accentuate allll of them.

If you have any recommendations of masks I should try, specifically targeted for pores, acne or brightening, please send them my way!