My mother used to have a giant book called ‘The Vogue Book of Beauty’ by Bronwyn Meredith, which was chock full of gorgeous face mask recipes using ingredients such as avocadoes, yoghurt and lemon juice. Mum and I would pick out recipes to try and have pamper sessions together – which probably gave her a bit of respite when I would follow instructions to ‘lie quietly with a slice of cucumber over my eyes’. Well played maman, well played. Anyway, that wonderful book may well have been the reason I became a beauty editor later. It certainly picqued my interest in skin care and I’ve since been on a quest to find the best face masks. Here are a few of my favourites. Take your pick – and go forth and pamper.

 

Best for: Skin with acne, blemishes or clogged pores – Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask, $55.

My skin is pretty good on the pimple front, but if I feel one brewing I will reach for this from now on. For those with acne, blemishes, clogged pores or even flaky skin that needs a bit of a ‘polish’, this Exfoliating Clay Mask from Aspect is a really fantastic option. It has a kaolin clay base which helps to purify the skin by drawing impurities out. In addition, lactic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, while salicylic acid helps heal blemishes and reduce sebum production. This mask also has one of my favourite skin ingredients – niacinamide, which reduces inflammation, as well as a stable form of glow-inducing vitamin c. After leaving it on for the recommended 20 minutes, my skin was a little flushed and slightly tingly, but it soon felt soft and calm. This is a much more preferable way to exfoliate than scratchy scrubs and, like all Aspect products, the mask is also free from SLS, parabens, harsh preservatives, mineral oil, petrolatum, artificial fragrances and colours and is not tested on animals.

Best for rapid results – Environ Intensive Revival Mask, $95.
Wow, Environ’s founder Dr Des Fernandes hasn’t mucked around with this new product, which he calls a ‘facelift in a bottle’. It is sensational. Combining a bend of Asiatic, Mandelic and Lactic Acids, it gently, yet seriously exfoliates and refines the skin leaving the complexion luminous, smooth and glowing for days afterwards. Asiatic Acid stimulates growth factors that are important in the regenerative processes of the skin, while Mandelic and Lactic Acids promote natural hydrating factors in the skin and lightens uneven skin tone. This is hands down one of the best masks I have ever used. My skin looked so refined and polished all weekend and even on Monday I was still admiring the difference. Five stars from me.

Best for dry skin – Societe Clinical Skincare Marine Hydrating Mask, $124.42. Stockist: 0800 238 754.
This cooling gel mask is a little bit of fun to use as it comes with a fan brush to apply the product in smooth upward motions. I’m not sure it’s necessary, but I liked the novelty of it at least. As far as the product itself goes, I was impressed. It has a wonderfully soothing, cooling texture (thanks to aloe vera) and after leaving it on for the recommended 20 minutes, my skin was left feeling (and looking!) refined and smoothed – not in an exfoliated way, but more that my thirsty skin had just been quenched. And that makes sense because this one includes a series of marine extracts for maximum hydration and plumping. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E, and skin nourishing kelp and seaweed extracts to give parched skin a hefty dose of goodness.

Best for regular use – Aspect Hydrating Mask

Yes, it’s obvious I’m a fan of Aspect, but all their products are so good, it’s really hard not to fall in love with the brand. This mask is ideal for dry and stressed skin and bursting with anti-ageing ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, Olive oil and Grape Seed Extract. It’s so smooth and delivers immediate TLC to the skin, but what I really like about this one is that it’s a fabulous moisturiser. Gorgeous either at night, or even under makeup by day, where it gives you a result much like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. Flight attendants and beauty pros all swear by this one and I can see why.