In our quest for the immediate, non-invasive, no downtime, won’t break the bank facelift we have learned to manage our expectations because in reality, only a surgical facelift really “lifts” your face. That’s why we love face masks. Lasers, fillers and “beam me up, Scottie” advancements in treating our skin can hold off the knife, but at a certain point you have to understand and accept that gravity is not our friend. You can save your vacation time and hard-won dollars, lie to your children and opt for surgery or you can choose to do the best you can to care for your skin. Following our “Our Top Six Masks” of the moment, their effects are slightly different but all alike in service of the cause: looking refreshed and feeling good.
Overtime by Summer Fridays, $44
As learning something from the young ones is always on our list, two beautiful beauty bloggers conspired up to create the wonderful “Overtime Masque.” It is packed with Vitamins A, K, C and natural enzymes like pumpkin. I’m not sure about the physical lift, but the lift of light and the marvelous smell has us sold on this mask. Really lovely experience.
Biodynamic Lifting Mask by Chantecaille, $160
Wow, now we can all spend a good many “euro” and speak French at the same time. The catch: it works. Put it on before bed and wake up looking as if you went to bed 10 years ago and had a blissful uninterrupted decade of good dreams, food, and sex. Or wear a thin layer (a little does go a long way) for 20 minutes then rinse and you’ll be delighted. Infused with botanicals such as “jasminium” and “narcisssus” this pricey jar of the good fight will last and last. Your face can thank me.
Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel by Naturopathica, $58
The most recent sad news about the resveratrol in red wine is that it is not protecting our hearts, but as formulated into Naturopathica’s “Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel” has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps even our skin tone, which does indeed give us a youthful “lift.” And the smell…we suggest using this mask when you are craving dessert.
Tula Kefir Ultimate Recovery Mask, $58
This Probiotic Kefir Recovery Mask didn’t immediately appeal although one would think they would have us at “probiotic,” but now we reach for it when getting into a nice warm bath. No harsh rubbing or nose-holding is necessary. Just lie back and let it do its’ lovely fermented milk magic. You emerge more hydrated than ever. Maybe not a whole face-lift kind of bang but definitely a floating “I look lovely” kind of lullaby.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $25
A luxurious mask that requires almost little work? Sign me up. Laneige’s water sleeping mask works while you sleep. Just slather it on, pass out, and wake up looking refreshed and ready. Another classic case of the French doing effortless beauty and style better than us.
Masque Vivant by Biologique Recherche
We shouldn’t use the term “bomb daddy” lightly, but when it comes to describing #1 on our “Top Five for a Fifteen-minute Facelift” story, Masque Vivant by Biologique Recherche is the one. It’s been sold out everywhere for months. We even asked an envoy to go to the mother ship in Paris where they told her to “try another country.” It’s backordered at the moment, but will restock in November.