Five Ways To Relax (& Face Mask Picks)

This past weekend was glorious. Previous ones have been spent trekking across the country for various events and engagements, so it felt even better than usual to remain rooted at home for two days and just to chill out. When you string everything that I did together, it plays out as a sort of ‘ultimate relaxing routine’, so I thought I’d let you in on the specific five things I did which made me feel all zen. It’s basically a mix of Netflix, organising and baking with a face mask slapped on at some point during it all. What a shocker. Speaking of which, in the video I promised a little run-down of my top mask picks, so here are the ones I reach for when I feel like my face is in desperate need of some perking up (a.k.a everyday).

Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energising Radiance Masque – I mention this one in the video and even though it’s a new addition to my skincare ranks, I’ve been really impressed with it so far. It feels cooling and cleansing on the skin and the exfoliating ‘nibs’ in the formula act as one final dose of exfoliation as you remove the mask, which is a nice touch at the end. I’m also a fan of the Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque which is more of a leave-on, intensively hydrating number. A great one for travel and heavy nights.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask – My favourite. This one never disappoints. It might come on a little bit strong for some, so sensitive skins beware and SPF the next day is a must, but for me it’s the only thing that works when my skin feels claggy and makeup just isn’t sitting right on it. One application of this and my skin is smooth, more radiant and makeup glides on without clinging to dry patches or pooling in greasy areas. I will always have a tub of this somewhere in my bathroom.

Origins Clear Improvements Mask – This one is a classic. Although I find it a little too aggressive these days to use all over, there’s nothing quite like slapping it on my problem areas (HELLO VOLCANIC CHIN!) and seeing it get to work. It’s an extremely deep cleansing mask that I find helps particularly well with any texture or smaller, piddly spots that seem to be hanging on for dear life. They’re always doing great miniature ones as ‘gift with purchases’ at the origins counters, so I always hold out for those as this is a great one to take travelling with you.

May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver – When Caroline Hirons pins you down and says that you need this mask in your life, you listen and you purchase. Man was she right. This is unlike the others in that it’s a powder that you mix with water to create a foamy paste. Not only is it ridiculously fun to use, I find this is a good stress-reliever for my skin in that it reduces bumpy bits, dampens any redness that I’ve got going on and brings any cystic spots to the surface. It’s a good all-rounder and is the one that I reach for when I’ve been pretty slack with my skincare routine and need to bring out the big guns to get things back on track.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask – I always have this one on standby for whenever I’m too lazy (read: tipsy) to do my proper skincare routine. I remove my makeup, do a quickie cleanse and then throw this on as my toning/serum/oil/moisturiser step. It basically does a bit of everything and seriously brings it when it comes to hydration. Apply a thick layer, sleep in it and wake up the next morning with skin so juicy and bouncy, it resembles a trampoline.

Right, that’s enough rambling for now – onto the relaxing bit…

Photos by Lauren Shipley

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