By Kelly Bai Translation by Emile Tran
Want beautiful skin? Face masks are a must. You don’t have to be hard core like celebrities and use more than 700 a year, but two to three times a week is essential. I recently tested all kinds of face masks and selected the best 10 to share with you.
Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Revitalizing Face Mask
Unlike conventional face masks that come in 1 sheet, this mask is split into two halves – top and bottom, that comes individually packaged. After cleansing and balancing the skin, place the lower half of the mask around the mouth area, then position the upper half around the eyes. Remove the mask after about 15 minutes and massage excess serum into the skin until it is absorbed.
Developed with Shiseido’s original “Pure Liquid Retinol Delivery system”, it helps combat wrinkles, dryness and dullness. With Chlorella, a concentrated aquatic plant revitalizing essence and Hydroxyproline, a high-technology amino acid whose structure resembles the skin’s natural collagen tissue, it helps promote the growth of natural collagen. It also rejuvenates the skin’s natural healing function, providing a source of moisture and enhancing the skin’s texture. It can restore youthfulness and elasticity to the skin. If intensive repair is required, use 2-3 times a week.
$80 (4 pieces); Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs, Murale and Sephora.com
Rodial Snake Oxygenating & Cleansing Bubble Mask
This face mask by Rodial is designed to deeply cleanse, remove excess oil and brighten the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, but more so for oily acne skin and closed acne skin.
It is enriched in O2 bubbles, which can deeply clean and remove dirt from pores, leaving the skin fresh and smooth. It also contains the patented SYN®-AKE dipeptide, rich collagen, ceramide and vitamins A and E, restoring the skin’s resilience and looking rejuvenated.
Something magical happens shortly after the black mask is applied on the face – it starts bubbling up into a frothy foam, like those you get from rubbing facial cleanser on the face, and you can hear bubbling sounds as well. This bubbling process is actually oxygen entering the pores for deep cleansing and eliminating old dead skin cells and toxins.
Overall, this is a new cleansing mask that won’t strain, does not over clean, is very gentle, and offers excellent oil control.
$78 (8 pieces); Murale and Murale.ca
Rodial Vitamin C Energising Face Mask
Rodial’s bio-cellulose mask contains Vitamin C, Vitamin b3, amino acids and hyaluronic acid. Apply for 10-15 minutes, then remove the mask and massage excess serum into the skin until it is absorbed. The skin will instantly become glowing, smooth and youthful. If you plan to attend some special events and hope to look beautiful, use this mask before you apply makeup, you will get a surprising effect.
$60 (4 pieces); Murale and Murale.ca
Rodial Vit C Brightening Mask
Infused with 5% pure Vitamin C and a blend of 10% exfoliating fruit AHAs and other acids, this mask helps smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots, evens skin tone and re-surfaces the complexion to reveal glowing skin. Its texture is a lightweight, cooling gel. Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. The skin will look radiant. Always patch test before use.
$110; Murale and Murale.ca
CT Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask
Having experienced the magic with CT’s makeup products, its dry sheet mask is nothing like you have tried before. I did not say it wrong, nor did you hear it wrong, this really is a magic dry sheet mask. Unlike traditional sheet masks that are soaked with serum, this mask being dry surely makes people wonder. It is proven to moisturize, hydrate, lift, firm, reduce wrinkles, and give the skin a healthy glow.
There are top and bottom hooks on the mask. Looping them over the ears will have the face wrapped tightly within this dry cloth. As in the instructions, gently massage on top to activate the mask, yet it stays dry and drip free, leaving me with little expectation. Removing the mask after 15 minutes reveals a gorgeous, glowing HD camera-ready skin that is hydrated and revitalized.
Do not be misled by its dry texture, this mask actually contains rich ingredients such as Vitamin B3, floral extracts, peptides, oils and butters that are activated through massage. Unlike traditional masks, this doesn’t harbour bacteria, so each sheet can be used up to 3 times.
$27 (1 piece), $98 (4 pieces); Available at all Charlotte Tilbury counters and www.charlottetilbury.com
Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask
This overnight gel mask is packed with sand lily extract, salicylic acid, red Alga and sodium hyaluronate that exfoliates the skin’s surface, improves pigmentation, brightens the skin and makes dull and lifeless skin regain natural radiance. It also helps lock in moisture and regulate oil secretion.
A semi-opaque, light blue gel mask that gives a cool sensation and is easily absorbed by the skin. Enjoy a good night sleep, and wake up the next morning to find a brightly lit face with a smooth, delicate touch.
$162; Nordstrom
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask
This is a 2-step mask – the container has 2 compartments containing the amber-colored gel essence and the silky water-cream mask. First, apply the cooling gel essence powered by rosewater, damask rose extract, and hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture, giving you plump, smooth skin. Then use the silky water-milk mask that uses time-release technology and evening primrose root extract to lock in moisture.
This next-level sleeping mask is proven to give you plump, smooth skin after one night. When used together with facial treatment essence and eye cream, the result is even better.
$60; Sephora, sephora.ca, Nordstrom and nordstrom.ca
Sulwhasso Snowise Brightening Exfoliating Mask
This exfoliating mask by Sulwhasso is infused with white ginseng powder, honey, and Korean herbs, and has a light white ginseng aroma. White ginseng powder mixed with honey yields a thick, yellow gel formula that looks very nutritious. Using the accompanying silicone brush, the mask can be applied onto the face cleanly and conveniently.
Unlike other exfoliating product, the natural white ginseng powder gently washes away dead skin cells, giving a smoother-looking complexion, while honey hydrates and balances moisture levels in the skin. The combination of white ginseng powder and honey makes the skin radiates from inside out and enhances the skin’s elasticity.
After cleansing the face, apply a thin layer of the mask on your face. After 10 minutes, gently massage your face for 2-3 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water while you are in the shower. Immediately after use, dull skin tone is effectively improved and the skin appears plump and bright. It can be used 2-3 times a week, offering gentle cleansing and moisturizing care.
$88 / 80ml; Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom
Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask
This peel-off mask is formulated with natural herbs, such as finely ground Solomon’s Seal, premium honey, Japanese Honeysuckle and ginseng. The honey-like texture effectively removes impurities and dead skin cells, leaving lustrous looking skin. Natural ingredients like pine, licorice, Cnidium Officinale, and Angelica Acutiloba provide a truly relaxing experience for the skin.
After applying Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum, Water and Emulsion in the evening, apply an appropriate amount of the clarifying mask on the face, avoiding the eye and lip area. Wait 20-30 minutes for the mask to dry, then peel it off from top to bottom.
$50 / 150ml; Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom.
Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask
This overnight mask contains Scutellaria root, walnut extract and Angelica Acutiloba. It moisturizes the skin as you rest, delivers extra nourishment and adds vitality. The unique ORL technology (Organic Respiration Layer) creates a delicate and soft touch, which absorbs easily and instantly soothe and moisturize without leaving a greasy feeling. You can leave the mask on as you sleep, and wake up to see your skin moisturized and radiant.
At the final stage of skincare, apply an appropriate amount of the mask on the face, avoiding the eye and lip area, and wash off with lukewarm water the next morning.
$65 / 120mL; Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom
Silver Lining Brings Home the Gold