We tested out 6 face masks – here’s how they did

beauty

That harsh winter air is no joke, and it really does a number on your skin. With the coldest, driest days (hopefully) behind us and spring (sort of) in sight, we picked out six face masks meant to rejuvenate our skin and put them to the test – here’s what we found out.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

The Body Shop, $28

Application 
The crew at The Body Shop recommended we apply this mask with a brush, and having tested it out both ways, we can second that – this one gets a little messy. Apply the product thickly enough that it doesn’t just dry instantly (it’s fairly easy to build up to a good thickness), and make sure you avoid your eyes and eyebrows (after testing, we’re confident that getting this all up in your brows would be somewhat of a disaster!).

Wait time
Be ready to press play on your current Netflix obsession as soon as this mask is in place, because you won’t want to be moving around a lot. The product will flake and fall if you aren’t prepared to sit still for the 25 minutes, making a bit of a mess. There’s a lovely cooling or tingling feeling at first, which we found super refreshing (but this is why you want to avoid your eye area, as it can irritate your eyes if too close). As it dries things will feel a little less refreshing and a little more mummified, but it doesn’t get super uncomfortable or anything like that.

Removal 
This mask a little challenging and messy to remove, but you’ll get there! Use a warm cloth (not your best white face cloth, for obvious reasons), and massage in a circular motion. Be prepared to put a little time and elbow grease into the removal. To really avoid mess (and avoid splashing around in your bathroom like a duck in a pond), try just hopping into the shower to remove.

The final verdict
Big thumbs up for how soft and fresh this mask made our skin feel! Be sure you moisturize afterward to really get the full benefits – you’ll be amazed and how your skin soaks up your moisturizer following this mask. If you have more sensitive skin, there might be some initial redness, but that will fade quickly and be replaced by reduced blackheads and smoother skin. We’ll definitely be adding this to our routine for those days we feel the need for an extra deep cleanse.


Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

Hudson’s Bay, $46

Application 
This one’s pretty straightforward – just apply it with your hands as you would a moisturizer. We recommend a thin layer vs really going for it with gobs of product.

Wait time
No real ‘wait time’ on this one, as you don’t remove it at any point. The product feels pretty neutral on your skin and doesn’t have any particular scent or sensation once applied.

Removal 
Since this mask gets absorbed into your skin, no removal is necessary! Just apply, then get your beauty sleep (need some help with that?).

The final verdict
We found this product to function like your average moisturizer vs a more dramatic before-and-after effect like some of the other masks we tested. That said, if you have a drier skin type and are on the hunt for a solution that will have you waking up feeling hydrated, this will definitely do the trick. Verdict’s still out on the long-term anti-aging benefits… we’ll have to get back to you on that in a few years. ;)

 

Detoxifying and Oxygenating Blue Clay Mask

Sephora, $10

Application
We used our fingers to apply this one, but a brush would work well too if you prefer. Either way, just squeeze the mask out of the packet and apply to your face. The packet is meant to give you four applications, and we don’t recommend trying to get more out it than that because you want the mask to be thick enough that it won’t dry instantly.

Wait time
This mask has a scent that our testers found mild to strong, but either way, we found the scent to be pretty natural and we were into it. Once on, it felt fairly neutral but calming for the 25-minute wait.

Removal
Removal was a breeze here – just a warm cloth will do the trick easily.

The final verdict
We. Love. This. Mask. Seriously, go pick it up. Between the price point, the ease of use, and the stunning results, we can’t recommend it enough. Our skin felt super soft and hydrated, there was no irritation, and we swear we were glowing. Top marks to this one!


Ultra Moisturizing and Brightening Rose Face Mask

Sephora, $8

Application
This mask comes as a sheet instead of a liquid or cream, so you simply unfold and place on your face as per the instructions. The two sheets in the packet are attached, so be sure to separate them carefully. We recommend using a mirror in order to see any gaps, and pushing out air bubbles so that the sheet lies flat against your face. All in all, application was pretty simple!

Wait time
We were into the cooling sensation that happened while the sheet was in place, and since there’s plenty of product on the sheet, it stayed put well. A great smell is always a bonus, and this mask’s scent was really pleasant and not at all overbearing.

Removal
Removal could not be simpler – just remove the sheet from your face and gently rub any excess product into your skin.

The final verdict
While the results weren’t as dramatic as a few of the others, we found a really pleasant overall sensation of fresh and moisturized skin after trying this mask. Those of us with more dry and sensitive skin were pleased that the mask was super gentle and no breakouts or redness occurred as a result. If you’re on-the-go or in a time crunch, the ease-of-use is a huge bonus – no hassle, no mess, and you don’t even need water! This mask is definitely a good bang for your buck, and worth trying.

 

Cup O’coffee Face and Body Mask

LUSH, $11.95

Application
We applied this one with our hands and would recommend going that route, as this mask is quite thick and would likely be a little difficult to apply with a brush – but it’s pretty simple to apply with your fingers.

Wait time
This masks smells amazing (full disclosure: we are coffee lovers), so there’s that to enjoy while you wait. Be aware that the product stays pretty tacky all the way through, as it doesn’t dry completely while on, so you’ll want to avoid accidentally touching your face while it’s in place in order to save yourself a mess to deal with.

Removal
You’ll have some coffee grounds to clean up after removal, but otherwise this mask washes off pretty easily. We realized after the fact that this would probably rinse off super well in the shower, which means that next time we’ll be wearing this mask WHILE making our morning coffee, and hopping into the shower to rinse it away.

The final verdict
Loved it! Our skin was super smooth after the mask came off, and we couldn’t get enough of the invigorating scent. Ease-of-use and a great value make this well worth picking up... especially if you’re a coffee fiend like us.


Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Face Mask

Sephora, $30

Application
This mask has a very thick consistency and is meant to be massaged into your skin, so we’d recommend using your fingers to apply. The application process is simple and pretty much mess-free.

Wait time
It’s totally doable to go about your business while this mask is on your face and doing its thing for 25 minutes. It will dry somewhat, but not enough to crack and flake off. While it’s working, the mask tingles a little – we’re thinking that’s likely due to the citrus! Be warned that the citrus ingredients also makes the mask smell so good that you’ll need to remind yourself repeatedly that it is not edible…

Removal
The instructions recommend using a wet cloth, but due to the the thickness of the product, we found that we ended up just going for straight warm water in the end. It will take a minute to get washed off, but it’s not particularly messy and or difficult.

The final verdict
We are singing full praises for this one. Expect your face to feel smooth and soft, and to look and feel hydrated and toned (goodbye, winter skin!). One of us with more sensitive skin had a slight redness at first but this was to be expected and not a major issue by any means. We also noticed that blemishes that we had forming pre-application were slightly diminished on removal – now that’s results! This mask is a slightly higher price point but you need very little product for one application, so it’s actually good value for your money. The results are so stunning that we think this is a must-try.


If you try any of these masks, we’d love to hear what you thought! Tag us or send us a DM on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. We’d also love to know about other products or trends that you’d like to see us test out. And don’t forget that winter air (and heat styling, colouring, and more) can wreak havoc on your hair too… here are six products that will strengthen and protect your hair.

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