Gone are the days when face masks were resigned to questionable mud-like pastes squeezed out of a packet. In the past year, we’ve seen lace, magnets and everything in between. I set out to find the crème de la crème of the sci-fi-like face masks hitting the market right now – this is what went down.
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1. The anti-ageing mask: Dr Brandt Magnetight Age Defier, $110
I was dubious about spreading iron filings across my skin and truthfully expected this to be much more aggressive than it was. The texture was amazing – like a smooth but dry paste – and it felt great on my skin.
The biggest surprise was the therapeutic lavender aroma which I had not expected from something claiming to counteract ageing through electromagnetic interactions – my senses were definitely soothed.
However, the real magic was in the totally fuss-free removal. The magnet glides over the skin picking up the black filings and leaving the rejuvenating oils behind. Definitely the dark horse, this product left my skin feeling smooth and supple and most importantly was so much fun!
2. The purifying mask: Arcona Magic Black Ice, $95
Arcona uses natural antioxidants in all of its products concentrating on quality active ingredients as opposed to colour and consistency. I was slightly sceptical to spread the Icelandic ingredients of volcanic sand and lava across my face but was pleasantly surprised by the smooth texture and warmth.
After about 3 minutes a coolness set in, giving me all the geographical elements of Iceland in one hit. The temperature change provides a cleansing feel even before you’ve exfoliated the mask off.
I love the way this product doesn’t dry like clay, which is often the case with purifying masks. When it comes to taking it off you get a double exfoliation from visible red beads and the refined sand, which acts as a magnet attracting oil and congestion. I was super impressed at how noticeably smooth and bright my skin was after and loved the squeaky-clean cool feeling it left.
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3. The moisturising mask: Dr. Jart Dermask Rubber Mask Moist Lover, Sephora
Inventors of the original sheet mask, Korea seems to be one step ahead in the beauty game with their latest craze; rubber packs. The jelly-like texture is in two parts, allowing for a more tailored fit than a traditional sheet. The rubber hugs the skin, temporarily blocking contact with air allowing the high nutrient ampoule to effectively sink into the skin.
Dr Jart suggests you leave the mask on for 30-40 minutes which for me was the only drawback but meant there was plenty of time for selfies having been temporarily transformed into an avatar. The rubber is highly effective in clinging to the skin unlike a sheet so you don’t have to lie like a corpse for half an hour.
When I took this mask off my skin felt elastic and uber hydrated. There was a lot of product provided in the ampoule which can be spread on neck and arms as well for a bonus moisture hit.
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