My Go-To Masks for Troubled Skin and Hydration.

A while back, i did a review of the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque and i said i'd review some of the other masks i use. Instead of doing separate reviews for all of them, i thought i'd condense it in a micoreview for you c:

I usually do my masks after my shower so that my face is clean and pores are open from the hot steamy shower ^^ But before any mask, i always exfoliate first just to get rid of the surface grum. For that i use my Cure Natural Aqua Gel (reviewed here).

Origins Out of Trouble Mask

I like to use this when my skin is feeling/looking a bit problematic but too dry to use the clay masque. This mask is great for calming any redness and blemishes. The mask itself is a lot creamier than the clay formula. It comes out of the tube like a thick, white paste but spreads smoothly. The smell of camphor is quite strong but that doesn't bother me.
I apply a thin layer either all over my face or just on the t-zone, depending on where i need it. It gives a slight warm sensation. After 10-15 minutes, it dries completely but doesn't feel tight or dehydrating on the skin. I use hot water/a hot wash cloth to take it off and afterwards my skin feels refreshed and soft. Where i have any blemishes or redness, it feels and appears less inflamed.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

This is another mask targeted at drying up pimples and drawing out impurities from the pores. it comes out as a green, thick paste and smells very strong of spearmint. A little goes a long way, it spreads very easily and gives a cool, tingling sensation.
When it dries, it hardens and appears crackly. I massage it off with hot water and it leaves me skin feeling clean and smooth. Pores appear smaller but this is a short term effect.
I love this mask when i just need to brighten my overall complexion and texture. And the best part - It's less than $4 on iHerb. Can you believe that?!

I use the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, Origins Out of Trouble Mask and Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask interchangeably once a week depending on how troubled my skin is and how dry it is.

Cucumber Peel Off Mask

This mask is great for clarifying the skin and getting rid of dead skin cells. It's not designed for deep cleaning or anything but it's great when your skin just need a little boost.
It comes out as a sticky gel and you need a medium layer so it can peel off easier. There's a strong smell to it, which i really dislike. As it dries, it starts to feel tight/stiff.  It's really fun to peel off and after you peel it off, you can actually see the dead skin. It makes my skin feel really silky.
Compared to my other masks, I don't use this that often, probably 1-2 times a month.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

This mask is an intense moisture mask and it is the best! I tend to use this when my skin is really really dry, as an emergency treatment. Especially during these harsh winter months, my skins gets very dehydrated and dull; also when I'm in Hong Kong during their summer and everywhere i go they're blasting the air con.
It has a fruity smell which is too sweet for me but it doesn't linger at all. With this mask, a little goes a long way and if you use too much, it can feel quite heavy. It feels the slightest bit sticky at first but that feeling goes away after a couple of minutes.
In the morning i can literally feel the moisture restored in my skin, it feels supple and baby soft and my complexion is radiant and dewy. My foundation always goes on so well after this treatment. And what i really like about this is that i can still feel its' hydration days after use.
I use this once every 1-2 weeks, depending on how much i need it.

Laneíge Water Sleeping Pack EX

Another overnight hydration mask, i use this more often than my Origins one because the texture of this is less heavy. Again, you don't need much of this. The transparent blue gel melts into a light consistency as you start to spread it around your face. It gives a cool, soothing sensation and the smell is amazing! The aroma pleasant and relaxing, it reminds me of a spa treatment. Perfect for use before bed. The morning after my skin looks hydrated, refreshed and visibly brighter.
I might add too, I really like the packaging of this, the simple blue plastic jar looks calm, clean and high end.
I use this 1-2 times a week.

Both these masks takes about 5-10 minutes to absorb. I usually do my nighttime skincare routine, massage in whichever mask I'm using gently and cup my hands around my face to pat it in. After a bit of reading, i can go to bed without worrying that it'll go everywhere.

Various Sheet Masks
I took this photo before i went to Korea so i actually have a lot more now from all the samples. I'm not going to review sheet masks in great detail because i think unlike all the other masks, the effects of sheet masks are very short term. I mostly use them for one-off pampers here and there. I like to use sheet masks when I'm taking a bath.  I actually don't really like the feeling of these masks on my face. Everytime I put use one, I'm counting down the 20 minutes before i can take it off my face and oh the satisfaction! When I'm using these masks, i have to make sure I'm not doing anything because it slips and slides if i move my face and that frustrates me LOL.

I keep all my masks in a tub like this and it all fits perfectly. I didn't photograph my eye masks but i also use eyemasks when i feel like my undereye area needs a little extra hydration (especially on the nights before a special occasion!). My favorite eye mask is the BeautyMate Bright Up Nano Eye Mask.
It comes in a box of 7 individual packets. When you pull out the plastic tray, it holds the 2 eye masks drenched in a milky white serum. There is a tingly sensation.
There's usually so much product left over afterwards, it feels like so much of a waste to chuck it out but i don't like the idea of keeping the eyemask to reuse.
I didn't have high expectations when i tried this but it actually brightened up my undereye area surprisingly well. Concealer also went on seamlessly the day after use. The effect doesn't last long though, a few days at most.
I don't use this as often as I'd like to because I usually bring them back from HK. I know you can get them from Sasa but i've never ordered from them online. I usually use this on nights before big occasions!

Hope this post was helpful c: 

What are some of your favorite face masks?

=('.')=

chloé