If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times (and all from us): It's important to mask—and mask everything! Your face, your hair, your nails...everything does a little better when you wrap it in nourishing products for half an hour or so. It's a good excuse, too. “Sorry I didn't take out the trash again, benevolent, understanding roommate—I was masking! Would you like to join me next time?” Sharing product is a surprisingly good diplomacy tactic, turns out.
But you'd be forgiven for finding the whole routine a little repetitive. It only takes so long before a new mask becomes part of an old routine and altogether uninspiring (plus there's that idea that you should be switching up your products every 30 days anyway).
There is a solution, however. And just like not arriving at a rooftop barbecue potluck without something to share, we wouldn't start a story like this empty handed. In this case, there are (at least!) seven masks that are particular fun—if not for all the time, then at least for weekends and holidays.
Erborian Korean Skin Therapy Perfect Morning BB Mask: This is the mask for people who have already swapped out their morning French roast with a matcha brew, mainly because it, too, is formulated with matcha (but also because it's a pinch hitter for when you're not feeling your standard morning cleanser). Each mask comes in its own little envelope with the right serving size. Tear open and combine it in hand with a little water. Smear over face for a minute, wash off, and walk out the door.
Natura Bissē Diamond Ice-Lift: Beyond the sparkly pink iridescence that makes this tube a delight, it simply works. Results include (but are not limited to) angel-like, cool-to-the-touch, bouncy, moisturized skin. This is also one of those masks that takes downtime seriously: It requests that you leave this baby on for at least an hour. Once you do that, you'll end up with a thin, rubbery film that peels right off. No fuss, no muss.
Éminence Organic Skincare Balancing Masque Duo: Around the office, you hear a lot of things like, “Well, I use Mask X on my T-zone to pull out dirt, but Mask Y everywhere else because it's hydrating?” Until now, this required (count 'em) two masks. No longer. Éminence understands that your face has many needs and that your shelving space is limited, so it conveniently packaged a Charcoal T-Zone Purifier mask next to a Pomelo Cheek Treatment to pair together at will.
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask: Nothing is as satisfyingly a mask you can really cake on opaquely. One wonders if criminals with really great skin consider this Boscia formula during heists. Do a good enough job with a seamless application of the gel and be rewarded with a peel-off version of your face that will seem like a shame to throw away.
Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Skin Vitality Treatment Two Phase Moisture Mask: This thing is a legit chemistry set—but for toddlers because you don't have to measure anything, which is a relief. Combine the liquid Step 1 vial in a bowl with the powder Step 2 packet and “vigorously mix' together with the provided tongue depressor for at least a minute. Smooth the resulting mousse (looks a little bit like Silly Putty, but get over that) over your face, let sit for 20 minutes, and peel off.
S.W. Basics Hibiscus Mask: What's notable here is the color and the fact that smearing it on will make you look like part of the Body Worlds: Pulse exhibit—like your skin's been pulled back and the musculature is exposed. Plus it smells wonderful, and the grainy texture exfoliates as you apply and remove.
An assortment of Nügg Face Masks: They're just so cute. Like jelly packets from diners but for your skin. Nuff (Nügg?) said.
Images courtesy of Amanda Norgaard, Anna Gray, Kelly Mittendorf, Tilda Lindstam, and Phoebe Tonkin. Six quickie face masks for when you don't have time to mask, but mask anyway.
