With darker and chillier nights upon us, I've been getting especially into nighttime pamper routines. I've become even more obsessed with face masks than I was a few months ago, which I didn't think was possible, and I've also gotten really into using more than one at once on different areas of my face, also known as "multi-masking." When I got a super exciting email from The Body Shop asking if I'd like to try their new range of face masks, I of course jumped at the chance. These masks make up their new Expert Facial Mask range, all of which are vegetarian and three of which are vegan (I will note below which are the vegan ones). They contain no parabens, silicones, mineral oil, or paraffin. Just pure goodness for the skin.
Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask* (vegan) | This one smells amazing and feels like you're smearing some kind of marmalade on your face - in a good way. It's got Acai berries, guarana seed extract, and Community Fair Trade Babassu Oil from Brazil. It feels quite cooling on the skin when you first apply it, and you really can feel its energizing effect long before you wash it off. I think this would be a great mask to use the morning after a late night - it'll definitely perk up the skin and give it a boost of radiance. It has some scrubby bits in it that gently exfoliate the skin as you wash it off, really helping give that glow. It sounds like it could be a good alternative to the new Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Mask as well.
Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask* | I've been all about a good honey mask lately. This one is the exact consistency of real honey, so while it's a little sticky to apply, it feels amazing on the skin. It has Community Trade Honey from Ethiopia, Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia, and Community Trade Olive Oil from Italy. It's extra nourishing and will be perfect after super windy winter days. I love using honey masks because I find they really help soothe blemishes as well as hydrate the skin, and this is one of the best I've tried.
Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask* | If you're looking for a really gentle manual exfoliating mask, then you should definitely check this one out. It contains Ginseng and Rice Extracts from China and Community Trade Sesame Oil from Nicaragua. It feels quite lightweight and creamy as you spread it on the skin, and the scrubby bits are not abrasive whatsoever. This one definitely leaves my face feeling super clean and polished (but never stripped) and makes my pores look smaller.
British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask* (vegan) | I've saved my two favorites for last. When I was first reading about these masks (and before I knew I was going to be sent all five), I had planned on buying the rose mask first. This contains real rose petals from hand-picked roses from Great Britain, Rosehip Oil from Chile, and Community Trade Aloe Vera from Mexico. It feels so cooling and soothing on the skin - I suspect it would have been great during the summer to use after being out in the sun. It's a great one to use any time of day as a pick-me-up for the skin. It's also super lightweight as well as really hydrating, so I think it's one that would be good for people who have more oily skin as well as dry skin, whereas the honey mask might be a little too rich for oily skin. This is definitely a great alternative to the Fresh Rose Face Mask for less than half the price.
Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask* (vegan) | Speaking of dupes, as I said in my Five to Try post on Tuesday, the charcoal mask is a definite dupe for the Glamglow Youthmud Mask (in the black tub). It's super tingly and cold on the skin, and if you have really sensitive skin this might be too much for you. It has Bamboo Charcoal from the HImalayan foothills, Community Trade Tea Tree Oil from Kenya, and Green Tea Leaves from Japan. It really detoxes the pores and leaves the skin feeling fresh and absolutely glowing. I wasn't expecting this one to be my favorite of the bunch, but it really is. I especially love pairing this one with the rose mask, using the charcoal on my T-zone and chin and the rose one everywhere else.
Have you tried any of The Body Shop's new masks? Which one is your favorite?
*Products mentioned have kindly been sent to me by The Body Shop, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.
