Wet, white-masked faces may have inundated your Instagram feed recently, leaving you to ask the following questions: 1. TF is this? A weirdly-timed Friday The 13th meme? and 2. Should I be getting in on this? The answers are sheet masks and absolutely!
So, what are these creepy-looking face covers exactly? They're basically individually wrapped masks made out of cotton or fiber that are soaked in liquid formulas which can allegedly deliver the same benefits as a spa facial would, but in less than 15 minutes. Also, here's the best part: they're all relatively inexpensive. Yay!
Just because they're easy on your wallet doesn't mean the rich and famous aren't getting in on this huge beauty trend. In a recent interview with Into the Gloss, beauty/goddess/perfect person Kate Bosworth admitted to her obsession with sheet masks.
"You get this high-concentration of an active ingredient that saturates the cotton and you put it on your face. I put my masks in the refrigerator, so it can take away even more inflammation. It tightens, it brightens — it makes my face look like it’s had a good night’s sleep, when I could have had no sleep. It’s the best quick fix I’ve come across for skin."
If the above reasons have got you super excited to try out the latest beauty craze, here's a guide to finding the perfect one to solve your individual skin woes.
TIRED-LOOKING SKIN
There are a slew of brightening sheet masks that aim to revitalize tired, dull-looking skin, like this one from Garnier. Not only will this mask bring back that sought-after glow you've been missing, but it can also help reduce any dark spots that may be crowding under your eyes. Other masks to consider: Masque Bar by Look Beauty Brightening Sheet Mask and Purederm Illuminating "Brightening" Hydro Gel Face Sheet Mask.
Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask 6-pack, $29, Amazon
DRY, FLAKY SKIN
If all these recent weather changes have made your skin dry and flaky, opt for a hydrating sheet mask like this one from myfaceworks. It has aloe leaf juice and cucumber extract, which means once you put it on your face, it actively and quickly repairs and soothes your skin. Other masks to consider: SERAZENA Aqua Max 4D Facial Mask, Scott Barnes Hydrating Sheet Mask.
myfaceworks 'i need to heal' mask, $55, Birchbox
SOFT, AGING SKIN THAT NEEDS A LIFT
As I get older, I'm already realizing that that my skin just isn't what it used to be in high school. Be proactive with your mug (it's the only one you've got!) with a firming sheet mask like this one from Jurlique. It has cellulose in it, which will help firm your skin, plus a bunch of anti-aging extracts like Beech Tree Bud and Willow Bark, all of which help aid in keep your skin's collagen up to snuff. Other masks to consider: Hanskin Firming Sheet Mask and Purederm Age Defying "Wrinkle Reducing" Hydro Gel Face Sheet Mask.
Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Firming Treatment Mask, $62, skinstore
OILY, CLOGGED PORES
FACE it: you pile on a good amount of makeup on that money-maker of yours (even if it's just once in a while), so there's no question why you might sometimes get a little clogged up. Purify your face with a cleansing sheet mask, like this one from The Face Shop. It's made specifically for those with oily skin, with gentle ingredients like birch tree and tea tree extract that help reduce shine. Not only will it help clarify your face, but it will also soothe and control any inflammation. Other masks to consider: Pore Medic Pore Clear Mask and UNT Pore Treatment Sheet Mask.
The Face Shop Sebum Control Soothing Mask Sheet, $12, Amazon
