At least once a week you should be using a mask. I usually make Sunday my "facial day" believe it or not it takes me an hour to wash my face. I chose Sunday because usually I have little or nothing to do, plus all my shows are on that day, so I have time to relax, plus I get to multitask, one of my favorite activities.
From my research I found out that after the age of 30, you should get a facial at least once a month. I also found out that it depends on your skin type. I agree with the skin type plan :)
If you have oily acne proned skin a facial is recommended every 2 to 3 weeks. For normal skin every 4 to 6 weeks.
Remember this IS "Beauty On A Budget" and facials are expensive, so what can we do about that? Even if you bought a Groupon deal or a Living Social deal, you're still looking at a minimum $30 bucks per session, per month! Are there products that help you minimize this cost, but still give you quality results? YES, there are! By splurging on a great masks ONE TIME, you could have several, quality, at home facials for $10 a month or less.
I said it earlier that masks are hard to buy, because since you only use them once a week, it's hard to tell if it's working for you, as opposed to cleansers, which you use everyday.
Unfortunately, my favorite mask ( and MOST affordable) was discontinued years ago. It was a blue clay mask by St. Ives. It was a great product, but had horrible packaging...I still love you and miss you if you're out there clay mask!
My BIGGEST learning curve came from testing these products. They truly taught me the meaning of "you get what you pay for."
First lets start with my LOVES!!!
Origins Clear Improvement Mask ($16-$24) sephora, origins, ulta- As you know I am a glutton for clay masks! I have raved about this in the past and I haven't changed my mind. I love that the small tube of Origins lasts about 4-6 months (when used once a week). At $16 (for the small) it's a tiny fraction of even 1 facial and about half the cost of a facial from an online deal.
Plus the wait time is only 15 minutes for the mask to dry. Origins is made of all natural ingredients and it's safe for every skin type!
The link below is my previous encounter with this mask.
http://punkrockpretty.blogspot.com/2013/02/sephora-workshop.html
Radical Instantly Revitalizing Mask ($65) sephora- Now before you yell at me for featuring a second product over our $10 plan, hear me out! In this bottle is 1 ounce, but you only need 1 pump to rub over your entire face.( 2 pumps if you're feeling generous)
EASILY this bottle could last you 4-6 months, breaking down your total cost to about $10 a month. You do use this mask twice a week, but the wait time is a mear 5 MINUTES! This cuts down my total facial time by 10 minutes!
For me, this was the closest mask to a salon facial. Once the product is on (it goes on clear) it foams up immediately. Then the bubbles start to pop, creating this relaxing vibrating facial massage.
I know the mask is revitalizing, which leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, but for me it also help with my breakout. About once a month a get an acne breakout, which has lessened over the years, but still happens. (I'm actually experiencing it now) The Radical mask also stopped the growth of any pimples I did have.
*Side Note* My mom asked for something for her skin, so I let her try the mask. She loved it as well. Out of all the products I've tried, my mom has only tried to steal 3, this being one of them. She actually got to keep the other 2 products, but I'm holding on to this one!
Now that we got the GREAT out of the way, let's get this over with and talk about the BAD.
This has to be my least favorite part :(
Micheal Todd Pumpkin Mask ($34) glossybox, ipsy- I wanted to love this...I saw pumpkin and thought "natural...great" BUT once I applied it I felt gross. It was like smearing pumpkin pie on my face. It smelled GREAT, but there wasn't any noticible difference. I even tried it again and it didn't seem to do anything for my face.
Epielle Facial Cloths ($1)- These are cotton masks, 'supposedly' soaked with a nutrient rich formula. I bought the 'green tea and aloe' and the 'firming and lifting'. I know I should have seen the price and stayed away! I haven't always been disappointed my discount products though, so I HAD to try it. The wait time was ridiculous! 30 minutes!!! 30 minutes for this thing to sit on your face and do nothing! I should have seen the other warning signs on the package. The pack literally says, do not use on irrititated skin, meaning no burns, scrapes or even PIMPLES! seriously? It has to used on perfect skin?! Then why would I need a mask? Now for some GOOD products. They weren't necessarily for me, but they have their merits.
Vasanti Mask ($34) amazon, birchbox- This product is EXCELLENT for whiteheads. I don't get them often enough to use this mask, but it does work. It's pretty much Biore strips in a mask form. I does dry out your skin which is another reason I am conflicted on it's use. Be sure to use a moisturizer after.
*Side Note* This was one of the 2 products my mom actual got to keep. She uses it as needed, about every other month. I think it's the way the mask should be used.
Mary Kay Botanicals Mask ($14) marykay- This mask wasn't bad, my only real complaint was that it dried quickly. It has an exfoliant in it, which is an instant time saver, BUT the mask dries to quickly for you to actually take advantage on the exfoliating properties. Positives, it's all natural and comes in two different formulas, depending on your skin type.Essentially, the masks I did try were the price point I've been trying to hit, but still not expensive as have a monthly facial. Splurging on a fantastic skin care item will benefit you in the long run. The better you take care of you skin, the less makeup you have to wear !
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