If your skin is looking parched, dry, puffy or suffering from breakouts - or an odd combination of all of the above - a really quick and effective beauty dig-out is a good face mask.
Gone are the days of there only being one-size-fits-all cream face masks - there are now dozens of types available for every body part. There are now masks for our feet, neck, hands, eyes, faces, bosoms and even our behinds.
This week, I've concentrated on some really effective, hard-working face masks. I've mostly covered sheet masks, which are fibre/fabric masks infused with a super-high dosage of skincare ingredients that meld to our faces, acting as a 'second skin' to really inject the ingredients deep into our complexions.
Sheet masks originated in South Korea - the innovative skincare capital of the world - and the rest of the globe has followed suit, with sheet masks now being one of the best-selling skincare products on the market worldwide. Here are six of my favourites...
A mask for your chin? I know it sounds a tad bonkers, but they're actually big business in South Korea. Huda Kattan has launched her second skincare product - this chin and jaw-lifting mask - after first discovering them in the Asian country. She noticed people wearing the beauty masks while out shopping - a common enough sighting there! Huda created her own formula that hydrates, lifts, and sculpts the lower face for a more defined jawline. To use, just remove mask from packaging, stretch the mask lengthwise and, starting at the chin and pulling upward, secure the mask around each ear and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes. Huda Wishful Chin Lift Sculpting Sheet Mask, €9, from ShopHudaBeauty.com, selfridges.com cultbeauty.co.uk and feelunique.com
If your skin is looking blocked up and blackheads are rearing their ugly heads, why not give these nose strips a try? These are deep-cleansing nose-pore strips (with activated charcoal, antibacterial tea tree oil and skin-calming witch hazel) that give our noses a (literal) dig-out for a more glowing visage. These fabulous strips instantly remove dirt and oil by lifting it out of your pores and helping to remove black and white heads. I find these very effective and very satisfying! (For best results, use this product once a week). Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Nose Strip Mask , €6.99 from Boots stores nationwide
Are your eyes looking tired and puffy? You're not alone, with so many of us on our devices much more than normal, our peepers are feeling the strain. These under-eye patches use a tripeptide (this reduces the appearance of puff) and calming cucumber fruit juice and liquorice root extract for a quick ocular-pick-me-up. Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under-Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches, €4.50 from Boots stores nationwide
If you have sensitive skin that's prone to irritation, try this hypo-allergenic and ultra-soothing mask. Jam-packed with a blend of botanical extracts, it contains no artificial perfume, colours or harsh chemicals. Simple Kind To Skin Rich Moisture Sheet Mask, €3.99 from pharmacies nationwide
If you don't fancy sheet masks, and are on the search for a cream face mask that will detoxify, clear and brighten your face, this could be a great option. Made with pink clay (and witch hazel), this mask helps draw out impurities. A great budget buy as it will last up to 15 applications. Lacura Pink Clay Mask, €7.99 from Aldi stores nationwide
If your skin is mature and/or crying out for an intense hit of hydration, try this gem. It will plump parched skin in a jiffy as it is soaked in a milky serum of organic almond milk and hyaluronic acid. This sheet holds a whopping week's worth of hydrating serum in just one mask! Garnier Nutri Bomb Milky Tissue Mask, €4, from pharmacies
