*Image of Joan Small above from Mario Testino’s celebrated towel series.
I often apply a face mask while getting ready for an evening out. The four below are the ones I most often reach for —
Clarins Lift Affine V-Facial Intensive Wrap. I wrote a full review here, but my love for this mask has only deepened with time and use. I often do not even think I look particularly puffy or bloated, but this mask somehow depuffs and chisels my features with every use. It is unreal! I often use this from my cheeks/nose down to my neck (you are supposed to avoid the eye area) and a different mask on my forehead, which seems to me does not benefit as much from de-puffing action.
Origins Rose Clay Retexturizing Mask. I am in general drawn to masks that harden and then must be removed with warm water. I think anyone who came of age in the 90s remembers the Julep mask (which must have recently gotten rebranded — remember the OG bottle with green mint leaves on the front?), which was my first experience with a facial mask and I assume the same to be true of many of you. (Incidentally, this mask is still pretty good! I had occasion to test it a few years ago and was impressed!). Anyhow, ever since, the experience of leaving a clay-like substance to harden and then be wiped away with a warm washcloth = synonymous with self-care. I just love the feeling. The Origins formula is fantastic and leaves skin baby soft and slightly flushed, as I mentioned earlier this week. This is the mask I nearly always use on my forehead while Clarins is working its magic on the cheeks and below. BTW, you can score a 1 oz size to test for only $8 at OffFifth. (Toss in cart when buying a faux-diamond band for your next travel excursion.)
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask. For the reasons outlined above, I love a clay mask, and this one is my second favorite (just behind Origins). I tend to use it when I want a deep and thorough clean feel, whereas the Origins mask just seems to smooth and soften skin in general. Fresh’s formula makes me feel as though my entire face has been totally scrubbed clean, pores and all.
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Face Mask. Ladies, run. This has been SO hard to find (discontinued?) and I just found a cache of it at Zulily. This actually might be my favorite face mask of all time simply because I use it so frequently. I often wear it to bed when my skin is feeling dry and dull. It is super-gentle and super-effective. My favorite overnight treatment! It is ultra-hydrating and rejuvenating and it smells like heaven. I have given this as a gift to at least three or four women I love. I know many of you are also mega fans — RUN!
Kate Somerville Exfolikate. (Currently 20% off with code!). OK, this is not exactly a mask — it is described as “a two-minute facial” — but you can leave it on your face for up to two minutes and it’s a dream for breathing life back into dull skin. It is bracing, refreshing, toning. This is your best bet for a quick pick-me-up for a dinner date when short on time. For some reason, this brand and this product were all the rage maybe five years ago and it’s sort of gone quiet since. It is SO good though!
There are also a couple of face masks I want to try that have been sitting in my shopping cart for a long time —
Chantecaille Bio-Lifting Face Mask. At the very top of my lust-list, as it has been recommended the world over. It purports to solve for wrinkles and fine lines. I find this brand to be very expensive but very effective.
Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask. This is one of those cult-favorite products I’ve heard mentioned countless times — apparently it fizzes slightly and leaves a squeaky-clean-to-the-pores feeling. I’m so intrigued!
Leah Lani Meli Glow. I’ve read about this now a few times — it apparently smells like a tropical smoothie and leaves skin impossibly glowing, illuminated, and hydrated. I also love that this is a female-founded small business.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This is more of a treatment than a mask, but apparently it really turns on the lights in your skin. I have been intrigued by this clean beauty brand for awhile — I know a few of my friends are huge devotees.
What about you? Any must-try face masks you want to throw into the ring here?
P.S. My other top recs for getting ready before a night out: Eberjey romper and Weezie SS robe — I hate the feeling of sweating while blowing my hair, and these two are my go-tos for staying cool. I love that the Weezie robe has short sleeves that don’t always get in the way while I’m blow-drying or washing my face. That said, this HHH robe has been sitting in my cart in that pretty trellis floral print as we head towards cooler weather…so fluffy and darling! I also swear by these DryBar hair clips for sectioning hair while drying, these for keeping hair out of face while applying makeup (do not cause any kinks/creases in hair!), and of course my Revlon One Step, which continues to be one of my favorite discoveries of the past five years. I literally HATED drying my hair and would often just give up and let it airdry and then feel unkempt, and this transformed all of that for me. Best $40 I’ve spent in a long, long time. I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but my only gripe is that I find it difficult to achieve volume with — I get a great smooth, straight blowout with it, but not much oomph. I’ve been playing around with these hot rollers over the last few weeks — after I blow dry, I section a couple of the areas right around the top of my head and wrap them in hot rollers for about ten minutes. I’m actually really impressed with what I’m able to do with the bangs part of my hair (i.e., the top section of my hair, right along the part) now with the hot rollers, but the rest is still a work in progress.
P.P.S. How do you take care of yourself?
P.P.P.S. Remember my dilemma about what to do for counter stools in our new home? We decided we are going to wait to invest in something while working with our interior designer and bought these in the great stormy blue color as a stop-gap, as we really needed a place to perch at the end of the island, and they are inexpensive (2 for $140!) and arrive in two days. They’ll go great with the blue and white striped kitchen rug/runner set I bought (I bought the 2×3 size for in front of the sink and the 2×7 size for in front of the range/stove). You can’t beat the price for a little colorful face lift in the kitchen! Also, we did end up buying the Ume soap dispenser for our kitchen sink, which at first I thought might look a little modern, but Mr. Magpie loved the style and the fact that it won some design awards, and on second glance, I realized it did kind of work on top of our white farmhouse sink!