16 October 2009

Mask-erade Party

One of the favourite things in the world is using a good face mask. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, they are a great way to clear up problem skin without paying a ton of money to go see a facialist.
For the majority of us, we have combination skin and the best type of mask to use is one that is clay based. Clay based masks are going to soak up excess oil without being overly drying, tighten pores, and draw impurities like oil, make up, and dirt to the surface. A word of caution, though: it is entirely normal and expected to break out a little after masking, so most people recommend using it only once a week.
The best and most inexpensive mask I have found is Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque. It can be found all over the place, but most of the time I pick it up in my local Walgreens since they often have it on special price. Queen Helene's is a clay based mask, with a smooth, even texture that smells slightly of mint and has a relatively quick drying time.




If you're going to mask, I recommend thoroughly washing your face to remove make up so the mask can actually do it's job. It's not a bad idea to go ahead and exfoliate prior to masking to remove any dead skin lurking on the surface. Spread a thin, even layer of mask across your face, being careful to avoid your eyes and lips. Allow the mask to dry for about fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse. If you use toner afterward, it will pick up any mask you may have missed. I often follow masking with using an acne spot treatment that is made with Salicylic acid, to get a head start treating any bumps that may pop up after masking.



Price: I've picked it up for as little as $3.46 at Walgreens.
Is It Worth It: Absolutely, yes!

p.s. a good spot treatment is Murad Acne Spot Treatment.

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