5 Things: My Favourite Face Masks

When it comes to writing about beauty, face masks are still my favourite thing to review and try. I’m a bit of an avid face mask collector, and over the years I have literally tried hundreds of different masks! As I’ve become more particular about the brands and products I use, I’ve discovered which masks work best for my skin type and give me the best results.

Today I wanted to share with you my five favourite face masks. All of these I’ve been using for many months, and I use them on a regular basis. Generally I do at least 2 face masks a week, and I’ll rotate through these five depending on how my skin is feeling and looking and what I think it needs.

As a bit of a heads up, my skin is fairly normal. I get a little oily sometimes through the t-zone, and in winter my skin can often get a bit drier. I’ll sometimes get a couple of spots around my chin which I’m pretty sure is down to hormones. For the most part, I often opt for skincare designed for normal/sensitive skin. As always, all of these masks are completely natural and are easy to purchase here in NZ.

ANDALOU NATURALS BRIGHTENING PUMPKIN HONEY GLYCOLIC MASK

Let’s start with the mask that seems to make the most difference to my skin. This Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask from Andalou is seriously amazing, and every time I use it my skin looks and feels so much fresher and more even. It contains pumpkin and glycolic AHA’s which help to exfoliate and resurface the skin, providing a brighter and smoother appearance. This mask actually looks and smells like you are applying pumpkin pie filling to your face and it’s seriously delicious. It does tingle a bit when first applied (thanks to the AHA’s), but this tingling does subside after a few minutes. I generally leave this mask on for around 10 minutes before washing it off with a cool face cloth. My skin will often be a bit red after washing it off, just due to the intense chemical exfoliation that occurs.

If you have sensitive skin, then do be careful with this one as it is quite harsh on the skin. I never apply mine too close to where my nose and cheek join as that’s where I get the most sensitive, and it actually burns if I put it there! Why I love this mask so much is that my skin feels so good after I’ve used it and any roughness or congestion is reduced once it’s washed off. I find this one is fab for staying on top of closed comedones, and I’ll usually use this mask once a week.

At $22.99 AUD this mask is also super affordable! Buy the Andalou Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask here.

ANTIPODES HALO SKIN-BRIGHTENING FACIAL MUD MASK*

When it comes to mud masks, you actually can’t find better than the Halo Skin Brightening Mud Mask from Antipodes. I was actually sent this when it first came out, and I fell in love with it after the first use. It’s a rich mud mask made from NZ volcanic mud, and also contains antioxidant powerhouses Vinanza Grape and Kiwi. These are two of Antipodes hero ingredients, and pop up regularly throughout their skincare line. Both of these ingredients help with anti-aging and brightening the skin’s appearance.

I’ve found that this mask is great for helping to draw out impurities from the pores, thanks to the clay used. It’s for this reason I’ll often use this mask if my skin is breaking out or I have congestion under the skin. It also multitasks as an exfoliator, so my skin always feels clean, smooth and bright after using this one.

I apply a generous layer to my face and let it dry for around 20 minutes. This mask does harden as it dries, but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable or crack as it does so. I then remove it gently with a warm facecloth and let the clay gently exfoliate my skin as I do so.

This one retails for $55 NZD and you can buy the Antipodes Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask here

MUKTI 2-IN-1 RESURFACING EXFOLIANT

Okay, so this technically isn’t a mask, but I do use it as one on a regular basis so figured I should include it on this list. This bright green goo is designed to be a cleanser and exfoliator in one, but I’ve found I’ve had great results by leaving it on the skin for a few minutes after applying. Containing fruit AHA’s, bamboo particles, and jojoba beads, this product leaves your skin feeling super smooth, but it’s also extremely gentle, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.

I apply this product to my skin and gently rub it in in circular motions. I’ll then jump in the shower and leave it on for around 5 minutes before washing it off. The bamboo particles do have a tendency to stick to the skin, so you need to rinse well after using this one. I use this product quite regularly at around 3 times a week. I love to use it in the morning, as it creates a nice smooth base for makeup!

This is definitely the most pricy mask at $69.95 AUD, but you only use a tiny amount of it each time so the 200ml bottle goes a long way. Buy the Multi 2-in-1 Resurfacing Exfoliant here.

ANDALOU NATURALS AVO COCOA SKIN FOOD MASK

Another Andalou Mask I love is this Avo Cocoa mask that’s designed for anti-aging. While I’m extremely lucky to have no wrinkles or aging skin (yet, anyways!), it’s something I am also very keen to protect and prevent against for as long as possible. It’s for this reason that I include an anti-aging mask into my skincare routine on the regular.

This Avo Cocoa Mask is one of the most delicious smelling masks I’ve ever used. It smells exactly like chocolate, and even looks like chocolate (although the boyfriend thinks it also looks a bit like something else 😂💩). Rich in nourishing oils and butters, this super hydrating mask leaves the skin feeling plump and moisturised. It also contains an ingredient, Resveratrol, which helps to protect against free radicals while also assisting with boosting collagen.

I like to apply this mask in a thick layer all over my face and leave it for around 15-20 minutes before removing it with a warm face cloth. Heads up, this one will stain your cloth, so make sure you use an old one or a cloth in a darker colour! This mask does dry but doesn’t crack or flake off as it does so, so is a great option for popping on while you are doing chores around the house!

This is another cheapie at $22.99 AUD and you can buy the Andalou Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask here.

SWISSE MANUKA HONEY DETOXIFYING FACIAL MASK

This mud mask contains charcoal and kaolin clay to draw out impurities and detoxify the skin. Containing Manuka Honey, it also has antibacterial properties which make it perfect for combination or acne prone skin. This mask is my go-to when my skin is looking a bit average and I’m suffering from breakouts. As well as a full face mask, it also works well as a spot treatment. Quite often I’ll just pop this on my chin and nose area where I get the most congestion. Sometimes I’ll use it in conjunction with the Avo Cocoa Mask, with this on my T-zone area and the Avo Cocoa on my cheeks.

This one applies as a dark grey colour and dries to a lighter grey colour. You can see where it’s drawing the oil out of the skin as it’s darker in these areas. This mask dries hard and it does feel a bit tight and “cracky” on, unlike the aforementioned Antipodes mask.

This is the cheapest of my favourites at $19.99 AUD. You can buy the Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Facial Mask here.

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