Revamping My Skin: Face Masks!

My friend, Beth, has a saying “You only have one face.” Now, I’m sure this saying isn’t exclusive to her but it’s most definitely her mantra and her excuse for talking about Botox often and with much gusto. This explains why when we were in our early 20s and I was spending my money on cute shoes and purses she was purchasing Estée Lauder face wash, lotions and more.

Growing up I didn’t have many issues with my skin. I was on the rowing team so I was barely wearing make up and I was always a little sun kissed with pink cheeks. However, it turned out that I was a late bloomer. I really should have picked up on this fact earlier; I didn’t even really get boobs until college! So of course my skin issues came sliding into home my junior and senior year at Penn State; the years of eating terrible food, drinking multiple times a week, barely sleeping and maybe fitting in a workout between classes…maybe.

By senior year I was fed up with the fact that I just couldn’t get my face to stay clear. My family had just moved to St. Augustine, FL from Pittsburgh, PA so my mom kindly found me a dermatologist over winter break. The doctor prescribed me an oral pill, minocycline, and told me it would take about two full weeks to kick in and work. And it did! It took my body a a solid 14 days to realize that I was deadly allergic to this medicine. On that day, I woke up at 5 a.m. covered in hives, my entire face and body going numb and my throat slowly starting to close. My poor roommate, who I had to drag out of bed, was still asleep when I was throwing clothes at her and yelling to take me to the hospital all while sounding like a chipmunk. While we were in the waiting room she looked at me and said “You know your lips are swollen, right?” She was finally awake. A few cortisone shots later and a note to never take this medicine again, I was on my way back home, breathing normally but still without clear skin.

After I graduated college and moved to Orlando I still couldn’t get into a solid skincare routine or find out that magic potion that worked for me. Meanwhile, Beth’s skin was glowly and pimple free. I was ready to accept my fate of random pimples, uneven skin and a touch of rosacea on my cheeks.

When my friend Amie moved in a few years ago, we struck up a weekly ritual of ‘Sunday Night Face Masks’ and the occasional glass of champagne as we waited for our masks to dry. We both started to see some improvement in our skin after a few weeks. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat there is a chance you have seen this weekly shenanigans documented!

Once day, I treated myself to a facial from a good friend who worked at a spa in town and she told me “You know you’re supposed to do face masks 2-3 times a week for them to really work, right?” LIGHTBULB! So this is why my skin wasn’t magically better in high school when my girlfriends and I did drugstore face masks once a month at a sleepover. This is also why you don’t have abs after one round of sit ups. You have to keep dogging at something over and over again. And darling, if I wasn’t going to take this skin regime to the next level!

I quickly started asking for face mask kits or sample packets whenever someone asked me what I wanted for my birthday or Christmas. So let’s say, I’ve tested a lot of these bad boys and have started to cumulate a nice little go-to collection that I just have to share with you.

Heads Up: I have relatively normal skin so if you are really sensitive, dry, etc I suggest talking to your dermatologist, aesthetician or one of the cute girls at Sephora for proper guidance. Ok, wash your make up off, throw your hair into a cute, messy bun and let’s talk face masks shall we?

For when you can’t wait for PSL season to return

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Heads up with this one. It burns like hell but only for a quick minute or two. Turns out that pumpkin is not just for lattes anymore. The enzymes really help get deep within your skin, helping to combat dullness, fine lines, wrinkles and so much more. You will be as shiny as a new penny after a few uses of this mask! However, I suggest only doing this one weekly due to the whole burning feeling.

For shining bright like a diamond

Origins Retexturing Mask with Rose Clay

This is a great go-to for me to feel like I got the grossness of the week out of my pores and get back that bright look to my skin again. Also, a nice little bonus is that the mask is such a pretty, pale pink and smells like roses. This is a great one to use a few times a week!

For staying forever young, or looking that way

Clarity RX Rise and Shine – Lifting Collagen Mask

I would use this mask daily if I could! The collagen plumping really speaks to my 30-something self as I work to combat any kind of wrinkles before they even think about surfacing. This is a great mask for that tight and toned appearance, and the next day your makeup will go on smoother than ever before!

For when you just need some extra oomph!

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque

This mask is an all over dose of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I! Ok, I don’t know about the last four but you’ll definitely receive an all over dose of moisture helping your skin to look less tired, dull and blah. This is a great treat during those busy weeks at work when you can’t unwind but still need the boss to think those late nights aren’t affecting you! Down a coffee, throw on a face mask before you start your day and flip your hair over your shoulder – you got this!

I hope you are able to try out these masks, or at least feel excited about treating your skin to a few more masks a week. If you are feeling adventurous check out the mask sample packs at Sephora; a few packs and I found my favorites! Don’t forget to follow-up your masks with a toner to help close up those pores, I recommend Origins’ United State toner–it’s magical and doesn’t burn. Also, lotion and oils (yes oil!) is the best way to end your day. You treated yourself to a fancy dinner with these masks, let the lotion and oils be the decadent dessert.

Without this new regime I would not be brave enough to post a make-up free, FILTER FREE, selfie on Instagram.

So tell me, what is your go-to face mask? How do you feel about adding in some new ones and would you ever go make up free on Social Media? Hit me up with your answers and comment below and I look forward to seeing your shiny, gorgeous faces soon!