#MultiMasker

If you follow me on Instagram, you KNOW I love me a face mask!

I am always so flattered anytime someone compliments my skin. It’s something that is a sensitive topic for so many, and trust me, I have days where I really don’t feel what I see in the mirror. Luckily, I get past it and know there is a solution. Anytime I have a big audition or am about to shoot, I take some extra steps to make sure my skin looks good so I can feel good and perform well.

The first being, Water! I instantly see a difference in my skin and body when I’m properly hydrated. They say you’re supposed to drink half your weight in ounces of water… I just go ahead and try to drink at least a gallon/3 liters a day. I get those giant water bottles form Trader Joe’s or keep track of how many cups/bottles I drink throughout the day.

Sleep is obviously a big one. If you know me, you know I’m a night owl and that I don’t sleep very well. These past few months have been a great learning experience to learn to get quality sleep in shorts amount of time (thanks to my flexible new job that has me up at 4:30!) The last project I shot was out of town and I COULD NOT fall asleep if my life depended on and went to have a 14 hour day on 3 hours of sleep. I did sneak in a cat nap after lunch, but saw my circles at my ADR session.

I’m learning of ways to de-bloat my face and body an will report back as soon as I find something that works well for me. I would love to hear some things that work for you!!

So these are a few of my favorite marks for when I’m about to have a big audition or am working. I personally love masks polish and buff my skin so it’s bright and pretty for on-camera! My skin tends to be on the dry side, so if you are dry, these might be a good bet for you! There are also recommendations for acne-prone skin.

Exfoliate

The night before, I also love to use a combination of a few masks. I might be over-doing it, but it works for me. If I have the luxury of time, I will alternate between them, one skin brightening and one decongesting, etc.

MARIO BADESCU GLYCOLIC FOAMING CLEANSER.jpg

Mario Badesco Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

My go-to cleanser for auditions or filming is the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. Glycolic Acid cleanser is a great way to exfoliate and buff your skin to polish it and reveal the fresh layer underneath. Tons of salon quality peels and treatments have Glycolic acid in them because its’ so powerful. When it’s in a consumer product, it’s in smaller amounts so it’s not as dramatic— it’s like getting a peel without the flake. It gets rid of all that dirt, oil and dead skin cells. I read on a few sites that is helps treat conditions like psoriasis and melasma because of it’s clarifying and buffing properties. With that being said, any exfoliation tends to leave our skin a little red, so it might be best to use it the night before and to let your serums penetrate. And, because it is revealing younger, fresher (new and un-damanged) skin, you definitely want to wear SPF if you aren’t already. Bonus! It also helps boost collagen production, which our bodies start losing at a rate of 1% when we turn 20. I read that Vitamin C helps naturally stimulate collagen production. It’s the thing that keeps our face looking plump and full.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

I love me a pumpkin spice latte. But what do I love more? Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enyzyme Mask! IT IS THEEEE BEST. Can I get an amen? If I could use this everyday and still have skin on my face I would. I got this in the PTR 5 mask kit. It is a triple action product— it exfoliates, buffs and peels. It’s like a mini-facial. It has tons of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which are great for peeling and renewing skin. After researching quite a bit, I discovered that it helps brighten skin, increases cell turn-over, and apparently is great for acne prone skin! :D What it does for me is I visibly see smoother freshly peeled skin. I think I watched on a video and they suggested to use it 3/4 days before a big event for maximum results, so if you’re able to do this before hand, that’s ideal. I also feel like it smoothes out my skin’s texture which is great for on-camera. Follow instructions. Wet your finger tips before applying this to your skin. If you apply it dry it WILL burn, or lightly splash a bit of water on your face before you apply it. It’s an intense product, so follow it accordingly. I leave it on for about 20 minutes. I’ve read before that pumpkin enzyme is like a little Pacman and it eats away all the dead skin cells. If you’re gong to #TreatYoSelf GET THIS ONE. You can thank me later.

Now, if I feel like there are still blackheads or my skin is clogged, I like to add a second mask. I have TONS I switch between, but these are my go-to’s.

Detox

Caudalie Instant Detox Mask

I LOVE this mask when I need decongesting! It’s a clay mask, which I love because clay acts like a magnet to pull out all the impurities. My skin isn’t irritated after, which might make it ideal for a morning mask before filming! It leaves my smooth and mattified without feeling tight. I instantly see it pull out any blackheads and leaves my skin feeling clear, smooth and so soft!! I LOOOVE this mask!

Aztec Clay Mask

This mask is one of the strongest things I’ve ever tried. You have the option of mixing it with water or Apple Cider Vinegar— the latter is not for the light hearted. For me, it helps remove dirt from inside my pores (black heads), tightens pores and skin, and leaves it nice and taught. It will have a tingly burning sensation, totally normal. I read it’s because it is pulling blood to the surface and constricts circulation and tissues, hence the red face. It’s made primarily from bentonite Clay, traditionally a “healing clay” which is used for detoxing, hence the cleansing. Apparently it’s great for drying out pimples too. They say to mix it with a non-metal utensil. I use my little plastic spatula and a ceramic bowl. I’m not sure why but I’m sure it has something to do with neutralizing properties, I don’t know, just an assumption. I like how this makes my skin look the following day. You will be red that evening and your face might be on fire, but that’s normal (supposedly). It’s super smooth, relatively powerless and clear and clear. They say it’s great for acne prone skin, too!

Now final hydrating mask— I usually like to finish up either of these masks with some extra hydration to keep my skin plump and full. Obviously, use your moisturizers like normal, but sometimes if you want a little extra hydration, I like these masks.

Hydrate

Peter Thomas Roth 24 Karat Gold Mask

*24 Karat, Bruno Mars.* This mask is a little sticky, but it’s creamy and hydrating! It has caffeine which helps increase circulation and helps lift and firm the skin. It also has 24K gold in it to give you an actual glow, I honestly feel my skin is actually glow right after. It’s antiaging, so if it’s gonna make me pretty and forever young, I need it. It also says that it has peridot, which helps re-energize the skin to help reduce the appearance of stress on your skin. According to their site, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and help lift, brighten. You can list all the ingredients all day long, I don’t care. It makes me pretty? Done.

Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask

I wasn’t able to find too much feedback re: this mask online other than it has Algae experts and Apricot Kernal Oil but I know I love it after I travel. My skin is usually very congested (I always get a breakout when I travel!) and is always dry. This gives me instant moisture. I would recommend doing this the night before a shoot, so that your face isn’t too greasy in the morning. That gives your skin and body a chance to absorb all the nutrients.

I hope you found these masks helpful!! I could be doing it wrong, but I like to go in the order of buff and exfoliate, pull out impurities then hydrate! This works for me. These are all in addition to a regular skin care reigmen. Remember to always listen to your body, it’s so important to listen to what your skin needs. If my skin is feeling a little sensitive, I will typically avoid too much exfoliation and focus more on hydrating. I it’s congested, maybe a purifying mask every other night might work. Listen to your skin!

Happy Episodic Season!

Xox,